[bfisher]

I just finished reading Allan Mallinson's "1914:Fight the Good Fight".

I have greatly enjoyed reading Allan Mallinson's Matthew Hervey series of novels about the career of a British cavalry officer, a junior in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo who goes on to fight in many of the colonial wars of the early 1800's. Mallinson is a career armour officer (13th/18th Royal Hussars), who rose to command of his regiment, and then to flag rank (Brigadier).

I looked forward to reading this book both for his ability to tell a story well, and for his military knowledge. This book did not disappoint on either aspect.

The book is concerned for the most part with the fate of the original BEF (the Old Contemptibles) - its mobilization, the advance into Belgium in August 1914(and, in particular, why it was there), the encounter battle at Mons, and the subsequent retreat, including the battle at Le Cateau. It includes the background of Army reorganization following the South African War.

There are some wonderful details in it, for example, how the BEF was able to mobilize its wartime horse strength (165,000 horses drafted in 12 days), as well as the call up of the soldiers. Likewise, there are some illuminating comments on the early usage of airborne reconnaissance. Of particular interest is his commentary on leadership at the army and corps level in August 1914, as well as the what-if discussion at the conclusion of the book. The footnotes are wonderful, many of them little stories in themselves.