#colonel swinton

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Joffre and Haig | Tanks | 10 Aug 1916

Joffre and Haig | Tanks | 10 Aug 1916

Sixth Isonzo The Italian Army is now, three days too late, pulling its collective finger out for a jolly good bash at the Austro-Hungarians’ reserve positions behind Gorizia. General Boroevic’s reserves have now finally arrived from their billets far behind the line; the defenders are firmly installed. After a brief period of excitement, we’re now back in exactly the same situation we’ve been in…

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Tank delivery | James McConnell | 26 Apr 1916

Tank delivery | James McConnell | 26 Apr 1916

Tanks for the Somme The story of tanks on the Somme takes a considerable lurch to the left today. Regardless of what Colonel Swinton told General Haig about delivery dates a while ago, he’s now been to consult with fellow Tank Supply Committee member Lieutenant Stern. Stern has given him an uncompromising message for Haig, which is now percolating through the military structure. There will be no…

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Schneider | Civilians in Italy | 11 Dec 1915

#OTD in #WW1 The French fail at building tanks, the Italians fail at dealing with civilians, both fail at evacuating Serbians.

French tank development If there’s one thing I’ll never understand about this war, it’s the comparative arc of British and French tank designs. Back at the start of this year, you may recall how the French beelined straight for the caterpillar tracks of imported American Holt tractors. Meanwhile, the comparable British effort spent six months faffing around trying to decide between tracks and…

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Wully Robertson | 8 Nov 1915

#OTD in #WW1 Gen #Wully Robertson makes his play for high office, there's fighting in the #Dolomites

Wully Robertson General Robertson is now making his play for high office. A paper written by himself (and, uncredited, his subordinate and friend General Frederick Maurice) is now being circulated in London. Its subject is “The Conduct of the War”; its conclusion is that Germany is the main enemy and priority must be given to winning the war on the Western Front. He’ll soon be there in person to…

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Lemon's Wheel | 6 Nov 1915

#OTD in #WW1 The British test some hilarious new weapons: Lemon's Wheel & Rotating Machine, and a vast water cannon

Gallipoli Lord Kitchener’s farcical journey to Gallipoli continues. Admiral Keyes has failed to make it to Marseilles in time to take ship with him. It will later emerge that the Admiralty never bothered to pass on Kitchener’s invitation, and in any case it’s unlikely that Keyes would have been able to get there. Kitchener will later tell him “When you didn’t turn up at Marseilles, I made up my…

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