Publisher's Synopsis
The Crucible of Combat is a fascinating anthology of the author's previous lauded works on British military history, focusing on the mid-nineteenth century to World War II. Meticulously researched and compellingly written, these fourteen enthralling essays highlight little-known battles and campaigns; battlefield bravery; deception operations; the evolution of weaponry, tactics, and leadership; and the indispensable and frequently-neglected human dimension of soldiering. The incredible stories of miraculous escapes from besieged Delhi during the Indian Mutiny are detailed using first-hand accounts, and the varying perceptions of battles by participants of different ranks, are examined. Ingenuous examples of the intentional use of war correspondents, and the planting of false documents as a means of deception to mislead and convey "misinformation" to adversaries, are dissected and evaluated. Frequently overlooked military operations, such as the 1875-1876 Perak War and the 1898 Fashoda Expedition are chronicled in rich detail. The tactical employment of artillery at the 1898 Battle of Omdurman in the Sudan, and the decisive role of advanced weaponry, dispersed tactics, and rifle marksmanship at Elandslaagte in 1899 during the South African War, are insightfully assessed. Case studies also showcase innovative training, detailed planning, and dynamic leadership from both world wars. The riveting Crucible of Combat is an exceptionally outstanding and highly recommended book that makes a major contribution to British military history. It belongs on the bookshelf of every British military historian.
