British Battalions on the Western Front

by Westlake, Ray

• ISBN13: 9780850527681
• ISBN10: 0850527686
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: Leo Cooper

Summary

The British situation in the first half of 1915 is of particular interest to those interested in British military history and in the recruiting and replacement policies used by most major countries in both world wars. Two new types of divisions began to arrive to fill the gaps in Britain's Regular Army: the Territorial Army (roughly equivalent to the U.S. National Guard) of pre-war reservists, and the New Army of civilians who had volunteered for service in the early days of the war. Various combinations were tried with traditional units such as the Brigade of Guards and the Royal Welch Fusiliers and newly-arrived units like the Artists Rifles, London Irish, and Post Office Rifles. Ray Westlake's latest work is a valuable day-to-day guide to the postings and actions of nearly 300 British battalions during this period of reorganization and preparation for massive future offensives.