An inter-disciplinary study of learning in the 32nd division on the Western Front, 1916-1918
The idea of a learning process has become broadly accepted among military historians of the First World War, but explanations for how and why this occurred remain limited. This thesis uses a number of different disciplines alongside more orthodox historical analysis of what the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) did at the divisional level to learn the lessons from combat in an uncompromising operational environment. At the beginning of 1916 the BEF was predominantly a citizen army lacking experience. This marked a low-point in the BEF's fighting capabilities. This thesis charts the development from 1916 to the Armistice in 1918 using the British 32nd Division as a case study. The division participated in a number of major operations including the Battle of the Somme, the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Nieuport, Passchendaele, Amiens and the Hundred Days. They experienced both success and failure ensuring they are a representative case from which to draw broader conclusions. This thesis argues that the BEF's learning process developed as structural improvement occurred, battle experience was gained and leadership improved.
Mitchell, Stuart Bruce Taylor
D501 World War I ; DA Great Britain ; U Military Science (General)
An inter-disciplinary study of learning in the 32nd division on the Western Front, 1916-1918. The idea of a learning process has become broadly accepted among military historians of the First World War, but explanations for how and why this occurred remain limited. This thesis uses a number of different disciplines alongside more orthodox historical analysis of what the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) did at the divisional level to learn the lessons from combat in an uncompromising operational environment. At the beginning of 1916 the BEF was predominantly a citizen army lacking experience. This marked a low-point in the BEF's fighting capabilities. This thesis charts the development from 1916 to the Armistice in 1918 using the British 32nd Division as a case study. The division participated in a number of major operations including the Battle of the Somme, the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, the Battles of Nieuport, Passchendaele, Amiens and the Hundred Days. They experienced both success and failure ensuring they are a representative case from which to draw broader conclusions. This thesis argues that the BEF's learning process developed as structural improvement occurred, battle experience was gained and leadership improved.
inter_disciplinary study learn division western_front idea learn_process become broadly accepted among military historian first_world_war explanation occur remain limited number_different discipline alongside orthodox historical_analysis british force bef level learn lesson combat uncompromising operational environment begin bef predominantly citizen army lack experience mark low point bef fighting capability chart_development use british division case_study division participate number major operation include battle german withdrawal line hundred experience success_failure ensure representative case draw_broad conclusion argues bef learn_process develop structural improvement occur battle experience gain leadership improve