Quick Training for War

In this fascinating little book, Robert Baden-Powell uses his extensive military experience and memories of service in Africa to distill soldiering down to 'the four C-s': Courage, Common sense, Cunning and Cheerfulness. With observations gleaned from his campaigns against the Zulus, the Ashanti and the Boers during the period 1876–1910 (and even from conversations with the German Kaiser), B-P discusses all aspects of military service from digging trenches and earth-works to 'inculcating cheerfulness in your men'. This period document gives a unique insight into the mindset of the British officer in 1914; advocating a training system that encapsulated Edwardian values, conventional military thinking and centuries of army tradition. Quick Training For War is a perfect example of the type of war the British expected to fight and which they prepared for in 1914, and it became a standard survival guide for many British troops. Personable in tone, this is the well-intentioned, no-nonsense advice of a seasoned campaigner - albeit an officer more accustomed to scouting on the South African veldt than struggling through Somme mud.

Table of Contents:
Introduction I THE MAKING OF AN ARMY The Raw Material The Inner Meaning of Drill Mutual Sizing Up Officers and Men The Necessity for Drill Success in War The German Emperor on our Alphabetical Methods II THE FOUR C'S OF SOLDIERING: COURAGE The Development of Courage Confidence in Yourself Marksmanship Judging Distance Confidence in your Horsemanship Confidence in your Pals Confidence in your Leaders Machine-made Discipline Health as a Step to Courage How to Inculcate Courage The German Emperor on Attack Saving Your Men III THE FOUR C'S OF SOLDIERING: COMMON-SENSE The Triangular Formation A Typical Cavalry Fight The Boers at Majuba The Importance of Covering Fire The Common-sense Use of Cavalry Trenches and Defence Works The C. S. Trench Sand-bag Defences Common-sense Dodginess Bridging Rivers Comfort in Camp Giving Orders Clearly Concealment How to Inculcate Common-sense IV THE FOUR C'S OF SOLDIERING: CUNNING Where Cunning Scores Out-Boering the Boer Masters of Cunning How to Inculcate Cunning Ruses of War V THE FOUR C'S OF SOLDIERING: CHEERFULNESS A Factor in Success How to Inculcate Cheerfulness VI HOW TO CARRY OUT TRAINING General Scheme for Training: Parades How to Make the Training Practical and Interesting to the Men Minor Training Sandwiched In Tactical War Game The Attitude of the Officer Verbal Orders Conclusion

About the Author :
Robert Baden-Powell OM, GCMG, GCVO, KCB was a lieutenant-general in the British Army, and, famously, the founder of the Scout Movement. He served in the British Army from 1876-1910 in India and Africa, and these experiences served as the basis for many of his writings on military tactics, training, doctrine and scouting techniques. His book Scouting for Boys has sold more than 100 million copies. Dr Martin Robson is a lecturer in defence studies at the University of Exeter. He is the author of several works of military, aviation and naval history including the popular Pocket Manuals on the Spitfire and Lancaster Bomber for Conway as well as the D-Day Kit Bag.

Review :
B.P. has a reputation which is second to none, and this little book is so brightly and cleverly written that it will be read with advantage by the recruit and studied with infinite pleasure and profit by the professional soldier. As instructive as it is interesting. Clear and persuasive