The Old Contemptibles
Published on 25. May 1989
Book
Paperback/Softback
64 pages
978-0-85045-898-5 (ISBN)
Description
On 19 August 1914 Kaiser Wilhelm II ordered General von Kluck, commanding the German First Army, to 'exterminate the treacherous English and walk over General French's contemptible little Army'.
The 'Old Contemptibles' adopted the aspersion like a treasured regimental title, their subsequent successes earning them a more accurate evaluation as 'the best trained, best organised and best equipped British Army that ever went forth to war'. This book examines the history, organization and uniforms of the British Expeditionary Force of the early 20th century.
The text is accompanied by numerous illustrations, including maps, photographs, and colour plates.
The 'Old Contemptibles' adopted the aspersion like a treasured regimental title, their subsequent successes earning them a more accurate evaluation as 'the best trained, best organised and best equipped British Army that ever went forth to war'. This book examines the history, organization and uniforms of the British Expeditionary Force of the early 20th century.
The text is accompanied by numerous illustrations, including maps, photographs, and colour plates.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
55 b/w; 10 col
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 182 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight
3842 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-85045-898-5 (9780850458985)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Michael Barthorp was educated at Wellington College and was commissioned into the Rifle Brigade in 1946. Demobilized in 1948, he served as a Territorial with the Royal Hampshire Regiment before rejoining the Regular Army in the Northamptonshire Regiment to continue a family tradition, ending his career with the Royal Anglian Regiment in 1968. He went on to publish numerous books on the history and costume of the British Army, including nine titles for the Men-at-Arms series. He lived in Jersey, Channel Islands.
Pierre Turner has illustrated various titles for Osprey including four Men-at-Arms books on the 19th century campaigns of the British Army. This is his first title in the Elite series. Pierre lives and works in Devon.
Pierre Turner has illustrated various titles for Osprey including four Men-at-Arms books on the 19th century campaigns of the British Army. This is his first title in the Elite series. Pierre lives and works in Devon.
Content
Preface
The Army and Reform 1902-14
The Expeditionary Force
The BEF in Action
The Plates
The Army and Reform 1902-14
The Expeditionary Force
The BEF in Action
The Plates