War Studies Seminar Series

Drawing on the examples of the Western Front (1914-18), Gallipoli (1915-16), the Italian Campaign (1943-45), and the Northwest European Campaign (1944-45), and using Australian, British, Canadian and New Zealand examples, this seminar argues that these operations were characterised by a number of common factors. The two most important were, first, that they were heavily attritional, which placed severe strain on morale and the combat effectiveness of units, and the provision of manpower. Second, the British Empire armies, which were on the offensive in each of these campaigns, proved to be learning organisations, capable of adapting to the peculiar circumstances of these operations. While the process of learning was neither smooth nor flawless, it was effective enough so that in three out of the four campaigns it resulted in victory.

Speaker
Gary Sheffield is Visiting Professor in the Defence Studies Department of King’s College London. This seminar draws on work for his current research project: Civilian Armies: The experience of British and Dominion soldiers in the two world wars. Professor Sheffield has had a long career in professional military education and is the author of several books on British and Empire operations during the First World War.

Image: Canadian troops near Ortona in Italy, 10 December 1943. (National Archives of Canada PA 136332)

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event. Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

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Contact the host of Attrition & Learning: British Empire Armies & the experience of major combat operations, 1914-45