Title:
The First Battle of the First World War: Alsace - Lorraine
Author:
Karl Deuringer
ISBN:
978-0-75246-086-4
Publisher:
Trafalgar Press
Year:
2014
Hardcover
Pages:
398
Photos/Maps:
0/38
The
original book by this name was drafted by Karl Deuringer in 1929 as part of an
effort to capture for posterity the role of the Bavarian Army in the First
World War. The Battle of Alsace-Lorraine was unique in that it not only
represented the first significant combat of the war, but also the first and
only time that the Bavarian Army fought together under a single unified
command. In its original form it was over 893 pages with 74 maps; to reproduce
a modern copy of this would be impossible and so it was edited and translated
by Terence Zuber into a more manageable form and length. In doing so, Zuber has
maintained both the flavour and the intent of the author's original work.
It is
important to realize at the outset that this book represents a tactical
analysis of the first month of the war running between 11 Aug to 14 September,
1914. Dueringer provides a brief introduction outlining the strategic plan
within which the Bavarian's (designated the German 6th Army) undertook their
tasks. Specifically, they were to pin in place as many French soldiers as
possible while upholding the German left flank in the region of
Alsace-Lorraine. All of their subsequent actions focused on achieving Moltke's
(the German overall commander) Commander's Intent.
The
detail associated with the narrative is more than impressive. It is extremely
detailed and really does require the provided maps in order to accurately
follow the convoluted movements of the units involved. There are however,
numerous maps included that are reproductions of the originals from Deuringer's
1929 work. These included maps are referenced to in the narrative and, while
beneficial are somewhat hard to follow. There are an additional nine large
situational maps and thirty regional maps (some in colour) which may be
accessed online; however, it is necessary to join The History Press newsletter
in order to access. They are, nevertheless, very helpful.
Zuber's
translation is excellent and the degree of detail provided by Deuringer is both
outstanding and daunting; the book is not for the faint of heart. It is extremely
easy to get lost in the myriad of minor movements described. The operational
unit of discussion is as small as platoon and company level and so maintenance
of the big picture is easily lost. This is done deliberately and as long as the
reader is aware before they dive in, it does not detract from the overall
impact of the book. Deuringer also acknowledges that the sources used for the
book are predominantly from the Bavarian side, as few if any records were kept
by the French and the acquisition of personal notes and diaries was extremely
difficult.
Despite
the detailed style of writing there are significant numbers of lessons to be
gleaned especially for those armies experiencing combat operations after a
significant period of peace (keep in mind that the German and French armies had
not been involved in large scale combat since 1871). Challenges relating to
effective movements, resupply, fatigue and the fog of combat are all readily
evident. The importance of physical fitness, realistic training, dynamic
leadership at the lowest level and effective planning also become obvious.
Dueringer weaves these lessons extremely well into his narrative, thus it
serves as both a testament to the capability and success of the Bavarian Army
but also a treatise on the importance of preparation, training and
doctrine.
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