Learning, innovation and adaptation are not concepts that we necessarily associate with the British army of the First World War. Yet the need to learn from mistakes, to exploit new opportunities and to adapt to complex situations are enduring and timeless. This revealing work is the first institutional examination of the army's process for learning during the First World War. Drawing on organisational learning and management theories, Aimée Fox critiques existing approaches to military learning in wartime. Focused around a series of case studies, the book ranges across multiple operational theatres and positions the army within a broader context in terms of its relationships with allies and civilians to reveal that learning was more complex and thoroughgoing than initially thought. It grapples with the army's failings and shortcomings, explores its successes and acknowledges the inherent difficulties of learning in a desperate and lethally competitive environment.
Author(s): Aimée Fox
Series: Cambridge Military Histories
Edition: 1
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 2017
Language: English
Pages: 290
Cover
Half title
Series
Title
Copyright
Contents
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
Part I The Practice of Lerning
1 The Legacy of the Past
2 A Networked Army
3 Disseminating Learning
Part II Learning in Practice
4 Inter-Theatre
5 Allies
6 Civilian Expertise
7 Integrating Newcomers
Conclusion: Learning to Fight
Bibliography
Index
