Book Review
With 2014 fast approaching, we can expect a flood of books
commemorating the efforts of the BEF in 1914, and Jerry Murland’s analysis of
one of the lesser known battles of the First World War will be a welcome
addition to most military enthusiasts’ libraries. As the book’s blurb
acknowledges, this title is the latest in a series of over one hundred
Battleground titles and like its companions it follows a tried and tested
format: an analysis of the events followed by some suggested tours to take in
the battlegrounds; key events and personalities picked out for the intrepid
traveller. The book is published in a handy-enough format to be able to
sit inconspicuously on a bookshelf or be slipped into a Barbour (or these days,
Super-Dry) coat pocket.
Jerry Murland has obviously done his homework well and if I do
have a niggle it’s the usual one about a paucity of footnotes pointing to the
very many direct quotations and images. Helpfully, and indispensably, an
Order of Battle for the BEF is given as an appendix, but that Order of Battle
could have been even more helpful if it had indicated the dates on which the
troops arrived. Those with an interest in the movements of a specific BEF
Division will be pleased that chapters have been allocated to each. This
will suit the family historian who is looking to see what Great Uncle Alf did
(and they’ll know that Great Uncle Alf was in the 4th Division
because they’ll have seen in the appendix that the 2nd Seaforths
were part of the that Division). For those who simply want to read a
chronological account of the battle and re-live it as it unfolded, this format
may not suit them as well. But on the scale of things these are small
matters. The book is well illustrated and the tour itineraries are
detailed and helpful. A good bibliography rounds off a thoroughly
researched topic.
Aisne 1914 is published by Pen & Sword at £12.99
