The First World War: Innovations and frustrations (History Matters, The First World War Book 8)

Generals on both sides have been criticised for lack of imagination and their inability to end the stalemate of trench warfare on the Western Front, but their actions were often constrained by the technology of the time.

This volume shows how the strategies of politicians and generals were influenced and changed by new developments in technology that were not predicted or envisaged before the conflict began, and how their plans were frustrated by the limitations of that technology.

Although intended as the final part of the History Matters series about the First World War, this book may be very much a stand-alone volume, as much for the enthusiast about the weaponry of 1914-18 as for the student of history. It includes many fascinating details such as how long it took to refuel a coal-fired dreadnought battleship and how the need for secure oil supplies for the Royal Navy first led the British government to establish a military presence in Persia and then tempted it into a disastrous first foray into Iraq.

The book is extensively illustrated with 304 black-and-white photographs and 19 colour and black-and-white illustrations and maps.

Contents:
Introduction – Innovations and frustrations – The war on land, Citizen armies – Communications – Transport and mobility – Railways – The role of cavalry – Twentieth-century fortresses – Infantry weapons, Rifles – Machine guns – Flame-throwers – An armoured war horse, Development of the tank – Artillery – Types of shell – Trench mortars – Poison gas – Food – Medical services – The war at sea, A revolution in design – Fuelling the fleet – Steam turbines – Blockade – German surface raiders – Submarines – Underwater weapons, Naval mines – Torpedoes – The U-boat campaigns – War in the air, Observing the enemy – The beginnings of powered flight – Airships – Aeroplanes – Aerial bombardment

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