by RNS | Jul 13, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Jeremy Black, The Geographies of War (Pen & Sword, 2022)
‘War occurs as a spatial process’, argues Jeremy Black, despite modern efforts to make it seem otherwise. Geography and military history are intertwined, and in this illuminating analysis of warfare at all levels and in many different environments, Black sets out to demonstrate how that linkage works and why it is so important.
The Geographies of War breaks down into two broad sections, conceptual and practical, and within those he divides geography into physical and human aspects. He begins at ground level, discussing tactics, then scales up into operations and strategy; a mountain under tactical consideration becomes a range of mountains for operations; weather becomes climate. Black notes that operations and strategy overlap and introduces wider concepts; for example, force-space ratios. Broadening his horizons one step further, Black considers geopolitics, including not just physical geography but cultural issues such as religion and the east-west divide. Changes in technology have affected how geography is used in war, including aspects beyond weaponry such as trains and printing. The latter leads into how commanders use geography in what Black terms the ‘militarisation of information’, particularly the need for accurate mapping and its attendant problems, which constitutes the last conceptual chapter before Black’s historical case studies.
The underlying theme of the second half of The Geographies of War is how geographical considerations ebb and flow with the expansion of war. Black begins in North America with the American Revolution and Civil War with an emphasis on mapmaking that threads its way through modern warfare. Black views the imperial era as the ‘the determination of imperialism to control geography’, though he fits that to all military empires from Rome to China to Britain. The First World War, Black argues, forged an unprecedented role for geography at all levels as warfare expanded, new technologies were introduced, and war became global. He notes in particular the introduction of aircraft. The Second World War continued the trend with mechanised warfare fought across much of the world on land, sea, and air with the attendant difficulties in managing resources and accurate mapping. The Cold War was ‘understood and presented in geopolitical terms’ and physical technology such as nuclear weapons and satellites appeared to abrogate geography. But this was not the case, argues Black; strategic elements of containment and influence, nuclear bases, controlling insurgencies etc., emphasized the importance of human geography. Finally, Black speculates on the direction of future wars with a warning regarding the folly of assuming geography is less important than in previous eras.
The Geographies of War is a thought-provoking reminder of the complexities involved in understanding military history. Black backs his marriage of geography and history with numerous examples drawn from across the globe, though maybe with too much western emphasis. Moreover, his range of topics and themes are comprehensive – anyone following the current war in Ukraine will recognize many of Black’s arguments. Some might find Black’s academic language challenging in parts, but that should not be a deterrent to reading a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening book.
by RNS | Jul 7, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Jenn Scott, The Men of Warre (Helion, 2023)
That Scottish history is full of wars and warfare should come as no surprise. However, the popular image of wild Scotsmen charging around in kilts while wielding claymores is well wide of the mark, as Jenn Scott demonstrates in this book that surveys Scottish fighting men in the transitional era between the medieval and early modern worlds.
Scott sketches the colourful, warlike nature of the Scots, who when not fighting the English fought among themselves. There was, therefore, enough fighting to discern developments in both weapons, clothing, and accoutrements. Scott begins her survey of those with the evolution of Scottish artillery, including the massive named guns such as Mons Meg, which was serviced by a considerable force of men wearing various livery. The rank and file soldiers fought on foot with spears, axes, and swords, however, accompanied by archers, many of whom, perhaps surprisingly, were west coast highlanders not normally associated with bows in the modern public mind. As you might expect from medieval armies, armour wearing was mostly limited to the wealthy elites, which Scott describes before delving into the clothing and light armour worn by the rest of the men, some of whom also carried small shields.
A short and curious chapter on naval warfare interrupts the general flow of Scott’s survey, but this again is something not usually considered when it comes to Scottish warfare –placement here is more of an issue than the value. Then Scott moves onto the most famous, or infamous, battle of the period, the disaster at Flodden in 1513, and its aftermath. She describes in detail the arms, clothing, and banners of the Scots army, portraying them as more martial than the result suggests. Scott switches her attention to the Borders and its family based retinue warfare. She notes that the reliance on wee, hardy horses from this region proved useful for the main Scots armies, but also that the Borderers fought amongst themselves using unconventional methods for the time. The increasing use of firearms in the 16th Century brings us more into the early modern period, though the Scots seemed to be behind the European curve in deploying those along with adopting heavy cavalry. Scott concludes her survey in the highlands, where amongst other things, she discusses the introduction of bagpipes and tartan. She adds a very useful glossary and bibliography to round things off.
The Men of Warre is a fascinating survey of the Scottish military during this period of transition. Scott depicts a dynamic military, willing to change and adapt to the changing needs of warfare but also describes the restrictions in doing so. Scott writes with authority and is clearly an expert on her subject, though she skips around inside her chapters, which also could have been better packaged more neatly for her readers. Nevertheless, I suspect Scott’s book will be the go-to opening for any student of this period in Scottish military history.
by RNS | Jul 2, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
William E. Hiestand, Allied Tanks at El Alamein 1942 (Osprey, 2023)
The desert war in WWII turned at a place called El Alamein in late 1942. Pivotal to that battle were the tanks of the Allied 8th Army. In this short but illuminating book, William Hiestand surveys those vehicles that won through despite some major technical and operational problems.
Hiestand opens with the evolution of British armoured warfare doctrine that came unstuck when Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps arrived in the desert. The British were blighted at almost all levels, and it was only when Montgomery arrived in August 1942 that effective reforms took place to make the Allies more operationally coherent and cohesive. By October, the British were ready to attack. Hiestand gives the order of battle and works his way through the technical aspects and modifications of the various British tanks. With that set up, Hiestand narrates the campaign that devastated Rommel’s Panzerarmee, though many of the Allied problems remained and would not be fixed until Normandy.
Even by Osprey standards, this is a slim volume at 46 pages of text, but it is informative, and the photographs and colour plates are of the usual high Osprey standard. Hiestand’s book on Allied tanks will provide a useful supplement to more in-depth works on this pivotal battle and pique the interest of wargamers and modellers.
by RNS | Jun 26, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Douglas Miller, The German Peasants’ War 1524-26 (Helion, 2023)
When does a widespread but disconnected insurgency constitute a war? Some argue that when it comes to the revolts in German regions of the Holy Roman Empire between 1524 and 1526, it doesn’t, despite their similarities. Douglas Miller disagrees, and in this book, Miller lays out his thesis for a war that redirected the path of German sociopolitical history.
Miller takes us into the German lands of the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th Century where the peasant farmers carried more than their fair share of the social burden. This was also a time of religious and social turmoil. It is no surprise then to find a peasantry regularly on the edge of rebellion. Miller highlights that warfare too was changing, moving away from feudal elitism based on mounted knights to infantry based armies fighting with pikes. Firearms and artillery also played a more prominent role. We then move on to the military organisation of the peasant armies, including logistics and command. Miller notes the use of mercenary landsknechts on both sides. With the stage set, Miller takes us into the fighting, beginning with the war in the southwest in 1524 followed by Swabia the following year. Indeed, there were few regions that escaped the ravages of class warfare as it raged on into 1526. The effects of all this were catastrophic with devastation across great swathes of countryside and over 100,000 peasants killed or wounded. The peasants lost and retribution was harsh. Miller concludes with an analysis of how the Peasant rebellions caught fire but lacked overall leadership and were ultimately crushed by better equipped and organised armies under strategic control.
This is an excellent introduction to a complex series of rebellions that Miller argues constituted a general war. You don’t need to favour the Marxist view of history to lean towards Miller making his case; these rebellions had much in common and the ruling elites seem to have understood the general threat to their status. Miller’s engaging writing is complemented by many wonderful contemporary illustrations, battle maps and colour strategic maps, and colour plates of peasant banners and soldiers from both sides. The end result is a standout account of the Peasants’ War, and it is highly recommended for students of this period.
by RNS | Jun 17, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
Murray Dahm, Byzantine Cavalryman versus Vandal Warrior (Osprey, 2023)
The Vandalic War, fought between 533 and 536 CE, is hardly the first war that springs to mind when discussing military history, but it was one with important ramifications for early medieval history. It is also a fascinating conflict, featuring one of the great commanders in Belisarius. In this excellent contribution to Osprey’s Combat series, Murray Dahm takes us into the action.
For those of us unfamiliar with the Vandalic War, Dahm’s introductory overview is clear and draws you into the story of this risky Byzantine expedition into North Africa. We move on to descriptions of the Byzantine and Vandal forces, the latter possibly consisting entirely of cavalry, though the evidence is admittedly sketchy. Dahm covers organisation, tactics, and equipment, deftly explaining the various technical terms that otherwise could become confusing. Three exemplar battles from the Vandalic War occupy the central portion of Dahm’s book: Ad Decimum (September 533), Tricamarum (December 533), and the Bagradas River and Scalae Veteres from 536. For each, Dahm presents the background, the action, and the result. In his analysis, Dahm highlights the crucial presence of Belisarius for Byzantine success, and he notes the surprising effectiveness of Byzantine cavalry in achieving battlefield victories. For the Vandals, their superiority in numbers masked critical weaknesses in morale and command that led to their defeat. Dahm concludes his survey with the aftermath of the Vandalic War, a story of continued Byzantine success and Vandal collapse. I should add a note here in praise of Dahm’s inclusion of a review of the sources and an excellent bibliography for such a slim volume.
The purpose of any history book is for the reader to come away from it better informed. Achieving that in 80 pages on a somewhat obscure war contested between two relatively unfamiliar powers is no mean feat. But Dahm succeeds admirably. His survey is based on Procopius, though Dahm engages profitably with his secondary sources to produce a well-balanced and well-written account. He is ably supported by Osprey’s usual high quality illustrations and maps, creating a book that is an excellent introduction to the period and a fascinating conflict.
by RNS | Jun 2, 2023 | Beating Tsundoku
James Falkner, Prince Eugene of Savoy (Pen & Sword, 2022)
If you didn’t know, Prince Eugene of Savoy was one of Europe’s greatest commanders. A colossus in an era of great rivals, Eugene has been overshadowed somewhat by the Duke of Marlborough, at least in the anglophone world of most of our military history. James Falkner offers a necessary corrective in this military biography by placing Eugene firmly in the context of the wider European history while bringing to the fore his often brilliant achievements.
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Falkner skips straight into the action after a brief nod to Eugene’s parentage and upbringing. Eugene, the unpromising teenager, absconded to Vienna from under Louis XIV’s uncaring nose to offer his service to the Habsburg Emperor Leopold. Thus began Eugene’s extraordinary career narrated in surefooted fashion by Falkner. Eugene arrived at an opportune moment, with the Ottoman empire expanding to the gates of Vienna. He earned his spurs in the fightback, despite his impecunity, and rose through the ranks in six years of fighting. He next campaigned against the French in Italy before taking up the command of the army in the East in 1697 at the age of just 33 years old. He subsequently destroyed the Ottomans at Zenta. But Eugene had little time to bask in his glory before being sent to command in the War of the Spanish Succession. That began in Italy with victories against the French, leading to his appointment as head of the Imperial War Council from where he could reorganise the Empire’s battered and out-dated armies.
Eugene joined the Duke of Marlborough on the Danube in 1704 to combine their armies against the French. The two great commanders established a lasting friendship that served both of them well as they swept to victory at Blenheim. Eugene then commanded Imperial forces in Italy again, giving the hapless French the runaround in what Falkner describes as an ‘astonishing campaign’. Eugene became Field-Marshal of the Empire as his reward. There followed the curiously lacklustre campaign to seize Toulon, which failed, and Eugene never again returned to Italy. Instead, he once more joined Marlborough to defeat the French at Oudenarde in 1708 and Malplaquet in 1709. Marlborough’s sacking by Queen Anne and Eugene’s failed diplomatic visit to London severely dented the Alliance’s chances of success against France. Eugene took part in further operations, but treaties and peace became the best options for all concerned. In 1715, Eugene’s attention returned to the Ottoman threat. A stunning victory at Peterwardein followed in 1716 then came the siege and capture of Belgrade. Eugene’s political fortunes failed to match his military successes, and Falkner winds down his biography with court politics reducing Eugene’s status before a comeback even as his health declined. Eugene took to the field one last time in 1734 in an inconclusive effort against the French. He died in his bed in 1736.
Despite Falkner describing Eugene as a ‘unique genius as a military commander’, this book is far from being a hagiography. Rather Falkner has written a straightforward account of Eugene of Savoy’s career that toes a central line for the most part, and you have to keep in mind that some of Eugene’s military achievements were truly astonishing. Falkner also points out Eugene’s faults, particularly his seeming ambivalence, or negligence, of courtly politics with unfortunate personal results. Falkner is also even-handed in establishing the context for Eugene’s career, with Vienna looking east at the Ottoman threat as much as anything coming from France. That reduces the anglophile emphasis on Eugene and Marlborough so common in books relating to this pivotal era in European history. If you don’t know Eugene of Savoy but keep hearing his name, then Falkner’s biography is a solid and reliable place to start.
