Haig’s Enemy: Crown Prince Rupprecht and Germany’s War on the Western Front - Jonathan Boff

This review has been submitted to Australian Army Journal

Title: Haig’s Enemy: Crown Prince Rupprecht and Germany’s War on the Western Front
Author: Jonathan Boff
ISBN: 978-0-19-967046-8
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 373
Photos/Maps: 11/14 

Rupprecht, Crown Prince of Bavaria and one of the most senior Western Front Central Power commanders throughout WW1, has largely been forgotten with the passage of time; however, as Boff’s comprehensive study has shown, he was a key figure in the Central Power Alliance. Boff has undertaken to present an analysis of Rupprecht as commander, Crown Prince, husband and father. His conclusions, both balanced and nuanced, suggest that while he cannot be considered one of the ‘Great Captains” of history, he was, as a commander, insightful, competent and intelligent. He was also, as the Crown Prince of the second most powerful region of the German Federation (Bavaria), a product of his period and upbringing with all of the flaws and strengths that position entailed.  

The central theme of the book is obviously Rupprecht and his part during the War; however, Boff does an excellent job of continuously situating Rupprecht’s roles and actions within the broader spectrum of German Federation politics, the international environment and the flow of the War itself. The author is particularly adept at maintaining a clear and concise narrative that seamlessly weaves these disparate themes together in a easily comprehensible way. 

I particularly appreciated his analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the German Army and its command structure. Conventional opinion holds that the German Army of the time was a machine to be feared, emulated and respected; however, as Boff conclusively proves, while elements of this were in fact true, the actual reality of the effectiveness of the Army was far more nuanced. Command and control was riven with political appointees, regional cliques and swung broadly between meritocracy as a promotion foundation and favouritism. Decentralized execution of command, while periodically evident, became increasingly rare as operations turned against the Germans. Structures became rigid and honesty in self evaluation (as a military) became the exception and not the norm. 

Boff’s book was very enjoyable and educational to read. His writing style is engaging and his research thorough and balanced. A consummate historian, he has presented his work fairly and drawn conclusions that are well supported by primary source material. His narrative, while thoughtful and complete, avoids the pitfalls of excessive verbosity and leaves the reader with a number of insightful observations that resonate even today. The one conclusion that caused me to pause, however, was his position that, following the failure of the Battle of the Marne in 1914, Germany (and the Central Powers) were destined to lose the war as they were not able to accomplish the foundational goal of a quick and decisive victory in the West.

The book is a very high quality publication. Maps are centrally located at the front of the narrative making reference to them easy and photos, while not of the highest quality, distributed throughout. The work includes a copious number of endnotes and a comprehensive bibliography. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated this book and strongly recommend it.

MiG Alley: The US Air Force in Korea 1950-53 - Thomas McKelvey Cleaver

This review has been submitted to Strategy 

and Tactics Magazine.

Title: MiG Alley: The US Air Force in Korea 1950-53
Author: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
ISBN: 978-1-4728-3608-3
Publisher: Osprey Publishing 
Year: 2019
 Hardcover
Pages: 326

Conventional wisdom relating to the Korean War has the UN Forces (read US Air Force) maintaining an incredible kill ratio vs the MiG 15’s of the Koreans and Chinese. Drawing upon primary source material, the author has shown conclusively that, rather than the 14:1 kill/loss rate normally quoted, in reality the air campaign was far closer with rates approaching 1:1 during the first half of the war and 1.3/1 in the latter years. 

Cleaver has undertaken an excellent review of the air war, citing from interviews, intelligence reports and mission assessments from both sides in a (successful) effort to overturn traditional perceptions. The flow of the narrative follows the timeline of the conflict and the reader is therefore able to trace the development of tactics, doctrine and aircraft and the impact that it had as the war progressed. 

Cleaver incorporates within the narrative, a clear and concise discussion of the capabilities of the primary combat aircraft of the adversaries: MiG-15 for the North and the F-86 Sabre for the UN. In the course of his assessments, he is able to prove that, from a technical perspective, the MIG-15 was an equal match for the F-86 and overall, a far superior aircraft to F-51D, F-80 and the navy F9F Panther. His suggestion that the discriminating factor for success became the expertise of the pilots at the controls and the development of doctrine that drew upon the advantages each airframe had over the other, is well supported by primary source analysis. For example, with its multiple cannon and advantage in rate of climb and dive speeds the MiG was best suited as a hit and run platform that could do devastating damage with only one or two strikes; whereas the Sabre, with its 6 x .50 guns and close in maneuverability, was ideal in a more traditional dog-fighting role. 

The author has focussed a great deal of the book on a balanced evaluation of flight documents and after action reports; his analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the pilots (Soviet, Chinese, Commonwealth and American) is fascinating as is his investigation of bias and hubris amongst them. Cleaver adroitly encapsulates the Air War in Korea within the broader spectrum of the international struggle developing between East and West. Thus it was that the nations involved went to great lengths to conceal/manipulate losses and victories as a means of propaganda.

His conclusions are of particular interest as they are not standard in nature. Rather than simply look at win/loss rates and the fact that the ‘North Korean’ air force was not able to operate south of the 38^th parallel, he draws far more nuanced deductions. He posits, for example, that the goal of the North was to prevent UN forces from being able to bomb Northern Korea with impunity. In this respect they were successful in that B-29 losses were such that daylight bombing was suspended and fighter bomber efforts were limited. In fact, as Cleaver points out, the air interdiction campaign of the UN was never able to isolate the North Koreans and Chinese on the battlefield.

A fascinating book and well worthy of a read for those who wish to achieve a deeper understanding of the strengths and limitations of air campaigns. Cleaver has undertaken a comprehensive analyses of his subject, well supported by primary source material, that he presents in a logical and easily understood manner. He has also added a very human dimension to his work with the inclusion of personal anecdotes from participants on both sides of the conflict. Strongly recommended.

Three Before Breakfast - Alan Coles

Title: Three Before Breakfast

Author: Alan Coles
ISBN: 085937-1689
Publisher: Kenneth Mason
Year: 1979
Hardcover
Pages: 192
Photos/Maps: 17/3 

This relatively short treatise on the events surrounding the destruction of the HMS Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy by U-9 (of the Imperial German Navy) on the morning of 22 September, 1914, resulting in the loss of over 1,500 RN Officers and Seamen, is worthy of note for a number of reasons. Firstly, it hearkened the dawn of revolutionary new method of warfare that was to fundamentally impact the naval operational environment no less so then the introduction of the Dreadnought Battleship; second, the RN’s psychological and professional preparations for the war were proven to be woefully inadequate and third, there was a marked lack of appreciation on the potential of the U-Boat by all sides despite its noteworthy success. 

Coles comprehensive research and writing style bring renewed life to this forgotten, epic tale. He was able to interview actual participants in the battle and his dramatic detail makes for a compelling account, replete with a tenseness and authenticity that adds great depth to this harrowing narrative. The author’s journalistic background is evident throughout; no more so than in his ability to bring dimension to the key characters. All facets of the human experience are well represented: bravery, cowardice, fear and professionalism. Coles excellent expose has shed light upon a pivotal moment in the history naval warfare.

The World of the Battleship - Edited by Bruce Taylor

This review has been submitted to Military History Online. 

Title: The World of the Battleship
Author: Edited by Bruce Taylor
ISBN: 978-1-84832-178-6
Publisher: Seaforth Publishing
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 440
Photos: 100’s

The Battleship was, for decades, a symbol of beauty and raw power; epitomizing the authority of the State for which it sailed. Despite the fact that advances in technology has heralded the close of the Battleship era, it remains for many the quintessential example of the height of tangible State supremacy and influence. The World of the Battleship is a culmination of hundreds of hours of research and coordination to bring together a history of specific vessels spanning the period of 1882-1992 and twenty-one different navies. 

Each section of the book is drafted by a naval historian of the particular navy or region who focuses upon one ship that best represents the cream of that force. Replete with rare and fascinating photographs, the narrative describes the history, operational life and passing of these warships. The stories are presented in a thoughtful and engaging manner; focussing more upon the life of the ship and the crews experiences as opposed to exclusively the technical elements of ship design. Any engineering information is presented to provide context and background, rather than be the focus of the narrative. 

During the period covered by this book, Battleships were used by governments as a visible extension of their power and thus were an overt political, diplomatic as well as military tool. As such, the authors have incorporated into their studies, examples of the influence wielded and the perilous path the national governments trod as they tried to balance the enormous cost versus benefits of these ships. 

Attention is also paid the lives and interactions of the crews. Given that many of these ships had crew compliments in excess of a thousand crewmen, discipline, ethnicity, political machinations and professionalism (amongst others) all played very significant roles in the moral, effectiveness and confidence of these crews and ships. The authors draw upon examples to illustrate how these crews and their ships reflected the strengths and weaknesses of the States themselves. Often times, naval officers represented the cream of society and the lower decker’s those from ‘lower economic’ element’s. These communities were interdependent as the complexity of the ships demanded absolute focus and attention. Poor leadership, excessive discipline or even the quality of the food all had far greater impacts in the closed world of the ship that they would elsewhere. Instances of mutiny are addressed and discussed, as are catastrophic technical failures; each representing still relevant lessons to the modern reader. 

The community and comradeship of the crews on board these ships is emphasized as the true indicator of the strength of the Battleship. This loyalty served as the effective foundation of the ship. Ultimately the ship was a tool, but the care and attention needed for it to perform effectively and the common danger and hardship experienced, required a well-trained and motivated crew. 

This is an excellent book. It is of the highest quality in terms of publication and research. Each author presents a comprehensive bibliography about the national navy discussed, at the end of each section. It is a worthwhile addition to anyone’s library. 

Mobile Warfare for Africa – On the Successful Conduct of Wars in Africa and Beyond - Lessons Learned from the South African Border War - Roland de Vries, Camille Burger, Willem Steenkamp

This review has been submitted to The Canadian Army Journal 

Title: Mobile Warfare for Africa – On the Successful Conduct of Wars in Africa and Beyond - Lessons Learned from the South African Border War
Author: Roland de Vries, Camille Burger, Willem Steenkamp
ISBN: 978-1-912174-08-9
Publisher: Helion &Company
Year: 2017
Softcover
Pages: 388
Photos/Maps: 73/42

‘Si vis pacem para bellum – If you want peace, prepare for war’. This was the foundation upon which the South African Defence Force (SADF) was developed in order to counter the threats manifesting themselves throughout Southern Africa. The authors of this work (originally published in 1987 and reproduced in 2018) have all been involved in the historical analysis and doctrinal development of the SADF; none more so than Maj-Gen (ret’d) Roland de Vries, widely considered to be the ‘father’ of the SADF’s bush war doctrine. The degree of practical, ‘hands on’ experience translated in this work and the extent to which additional primary sources were tapped, ranging from senior German Afrka Korps Officers, African officers from across the continent and senior British and African Union security officials, affirms the depth of analysis and breadth of experience that has gone into the research for this book.

Above all, this is a teaching and information manual. The SADF was involved with numerous operations involving actions against both conventional militaries as well as asymmetric/guerilla style forces. Their experiences, captured in this book, covered the spectrum from small unit deep penetration operations, brigade level conventional multi-arms engagements, hearts and minds tasks to multi-element interdiction involving combinations of land forces and fixed and rotary wing assets.   

The narrative culminates in a series of case studies that provide context and concrete application of the lessons gleaned from the Bush War. They are all identically structured in order to facilitate understanding, with detailed maps and photographs. Each case study is directly tied to a chapter in the main text in order to deliver a real life example of the concepts being provided; all are stand alone and may be reviewed independently or in conjunction with the larger narrative.

Throughout the book, and in addition to the case studies, the Angolan Bush War (also known as the South African Border War), is referenced by the authors to provide foundational context to their perspectives. Fought between 1966 and 1989, it extended across modern day Angola, Zambia and Namibia and involved kinetic and asymmetric elements of warfare; ranging from low to high intensity clashes. From this laboratory of African conflict came many of the lessons that were applied in other theatres and regions. Drawing upon these lessons, the authors explain in depth, not only the development and application of tactics and doctrine but also how these lessons were applied to the development of equipment and, more specifically, vehicles and weapons systems that best suited the varied African environments.

Helion has again produced a book of the highest quality and the addition of an included but separate ‘atlas’ book enables the reader to follow the case studies and lessons learned with great ease. This book represents the culmination of literally decades of hard learned lessons in the harshest of classrooms, the battlefield. It not only is an engaging and fascinating read but also serves as an outstanding treatise on methods of combat that will stand any professional soldier, historian or casual militarist in good stead regardless of their geographic location, element or experience level. 

Air War in Northern Ireland: Britain’s Air Arms and the ‘Bandit Country’ of South Armagh; Operation Banner 1969-2007 - Steven Taylor

This review has been submitted to Canadian Army Today Magazine

Title: Air War in Northern Ireland: Britain’s Air Arms and the ‘Bandit Country’ of South Armagh; Operation Banner 1969-2007
Author: Steven Taylor
ISBN: 978-1-526-72154-9
Publisher: Pen and Sword

Year: 2018

Hardcover
Pages: 157
Photos/Maps: 1/16 

The British involvement in Northern Ireland has had numerous works written about it ranging from oral and first person accounts to asymmetric warfare techniques that were followed and the political machinations undertaken at the local, national and international level. What has not had much light shed upon it was the role played by the air arm of the British military engaged and how it supported land operations in the field. The author undertakes in this work, to address this historical oversight and to round out the narrative of UK/PIRA (Provisional Irish Republican Army) operations during the time of ‘The Troubles’. 

The book is a relatively fast read. While it provides an excellent overview of the nature and challenges of the air operations, it does not drill down terribly deeply into the methodologies used in planning combined operations, the challenges faced by the various elements as they strove to work together and the means by which doctrine was adjusted to meet the dynamic nature of the IRA’s modus operandi. 

There are; however, a series of themes that flow through the narrative. Each serve to highlight the challenges and benefits encountered by both the UK and IRA in undertaking and responding to the unique operating environment of Northern Ireland. These include: 1. The close proximity of the porous border of the Republic Of Ireland to South Armagh meant that PIRA operatives had a means of escape readily available to them from any pursuit; 2. The international reach and support given to the PIRA from Libya and the United States; and the role played by US law enforcement in disrupting efforts by the PIRA to attain advanced weaponry to counter the air threat; 3. The increasing focus and frustration experienced by the PIRA as they sought a means to overcome the advantages air support provided to the British; 4. The ingenious methods and countermeasures developed by each side to counter advances by the other; 5. The necessity of the PIRA to maintain the support of the population and its impact upon their ability to strike at British air assets. Each of these streams of narrative interweave to provide a broad picture of the complexity of air operations in the region.   

Taylor does provide a more detailed look at the nature of the British air assets and the multitude of roles that they played. While helicopters carried the brunt of the operational load, numerous fixed wing aircraft types provided invaluable reconnaissance and tactical support to ground operations. This discussion is enlightening as it further reinforces the technological advantages and limitations of different air platforms as well as the massive logistical effort required to keep these resources operating. 

The quality of the book from P&S is very good. The map outlining the operational theatre of Northern Ireland is clear and the text very readable. The author has provided a very comprehensive bibliography that provides a significant array of websites, primary source documents and further material for the interested reader. This book is a good starting point from which to examine the nature of air operations in an asymmetric and first world environment.

Red Star Over The Pacific 2nd Edition: China's Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy - Toshi Yoshihara and James R Holmes

This review has been submitted to Proceedings for consideration. 

Title: Red Star Over The Pacific 2nd Edition: China's Rise and the Challenge to US Maritime Strategy
Author: Toshi Yoshihara and James R Holmes
ISBN: 978-1-682-47218-7
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Year: 2018
Hardcover
Pages: 366
Photos/Maps: 0/5

The world has watched as, over the last 25 years, China’s naval strength and vision has grown from a coastal to a blue water perspective. Slowly, inexorably, China has undertaken a series of concurrent activities that has seen the extension of the PLAN’s technological capability (via international purchase and domestic development), marked improvement in personnel training and professionalism and an expansion of doctrine in keeping with this broadening of proficiency. Yoshihara and Holmes have expertly summarized these developments in this work. 

The authors have divided the book into a series of defined chapters that serve to shed light on particular aspects of the Chinese historical, doctrinal and operational approach to maritime strategy. Presented in a lucid and accessible manner, each expands upon the knowledge presented in the former to build a comprehensive and well-rounded picture of not only the tangible changes occurring in the region but the psychological and historical underpinnings of these efforts. 

Undertaking an extensive review of Chinese activities and looking in parallel at another nation state that made a concerted effort to challenge the naval status quo (pre-WW1 Germany), the authors have made a very convincing argument that China is following the tenants of Mahan’s “production, distribution and consumption” philosophy as the foundation of their strategic, operational and tactical thinking (a ‘sea denial’ approach). Additionally, and uniquely, they are also incorporating not only Corbett (another renowned Western naval thinker) but also the uniquely Eastern writings of Mao (and his ‘active defence’ approach) and Sun Tzu into their doctrinal development. As presented in the narrative, this provides them with a very broad spectrum of options when looking to expand their influence towards a blue water capability; all the while recognizing what their limitations are and endeavouring to use them in support of their strengths. 

Incorporated into the writers analysis, are primary source material from key military and political figures within the Chinese media, military and leadership. Using this basis, they outline the flexible and developing nature of naval doctrine and capability, national expectations and the vision the Chinese hold vis-à-vis their place within the international community. This analysis is presented opposite a similar look at US national and naval policy for the region; the dichotomy between them is sobering.

Rounding off the narrative, the authors present the readers with a series of options and recommendations regarding the influences that drive the way forward for the Chinese. These suggestions present cogent, balanced and insightful options and opportunities that, given their past actions, may very well foretell the limitations and parameters within which the Chinese may be forced to operate. They also paint a nuanced view of the Chinese strategic and operational options; dispelling some of the Western prejudiced notions surrounding the inevitability of Chinese regional hegemony.

Opposite this, the authors also do the same for the US and her regional Allies in developing strategies to counter the very real threat of China’s Mahanian based expansionist efforts. The writers contend that central to this is a requirement to realign preconceived assumptions underlying the capacity of China to maintain its developmental trajectory and its willingness to forward its regional and international agenda in the face of balanced, determined resistance Additionally, to proactively entertain non-traditional responses to China’s ‘grey-zone’ offensive and to look toward a more ‘holistic’ approach to the use of naval, coast guard and civilian merchant shipping in containing Chinese efforts.

This is an excellent book that truly draws together the myriad of influences: historical, cultural and political, that underpin the Chinese efforts to resume its pre-eminent position on the world stage. The alternatives that they present for the US and other regional players are thoughtful and attainable. Well written, coherent and engaging, this is definitely a book to read for China watchers and policy developers alike.