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The First Worid War and the Birth of the Modem Style of Warfare
Jonathan B.A. Bailey, Strategic and Combat Studies Institute, Camberley, England: 1996, 48 pages.
"The Occasional" is a series of papers published by the Strategic and Combat Studies Institute of the British Army Staff College at Camberley, England. The series is similar to the "Leavenworth Papers" published by the US Army's Command and General Staff College. Number 22 in the British series is The First World War and the Birth of the Modern Style of Warfare by Colonel Jonathan B.A. Bailey. Royal Artillery.
The Birth of the Modern St-'le of Warfare is an important and thought-provoking pamphlet that challenges most of the longheld assumptions and stereotypes about World War I, especially its significance in the history of warfare. As an artilleryman-or gunner, as our British allies would say-Bailey also offers a fresh look at the role of artillery on the modern battlefield.
For many people, World War I has become virtually synonymous with brutal and grinding attrition warfare, tactical and operational gridlock, and criminal stupidity in command. Bailey, however, argues that between 1917 and 1918, "a Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) took place which, it is contended, was more than merely that; rather it amounted to a Military Revolution which was the most significant development in the history of...