World War I - 9 Book Collection: Nelson's History of the War, The Battle of Jutland & The Battle of the Somme. Buchan John
might grow restive during these days of apparent inaction, but the soldier knew that they represented blows struck at the enemy which, in effect, were not less deadly than a spectacular advance. The major purpose was still proceeding the German front. It was not the recapture of territory that we sought, but the weakening of the numbers, materiel, and moral of the enemy.
The fall of winter, with its storms and sodden ground and short days, marked the close of a stage, but not of the battle. Advances might be fewer, the territory gained might be less, but the offensive did not slacken. Still, on a front of nearly forty miles, the Allied pressure was continuously maintained by means of their artillery and other services, and the sapping of the enemy’s strength went on without ceasing. The hardships of winter would be felt more acutely by forces which had been outmatched in the long five months’ battle. Those who judged of success only by the ground occupied might grow restive during these days of apparent inaction, but the soldier knew that they represented blows struck at the enemy which, in effect, were not less deadly than a spectacular advance. The major purpose was still proceeding.
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR
(VOLUMES I-V)
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR VOLUME I
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR VOLUME II
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR VOLUME III
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR VOLUME IV
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR VOLUME V
I. The Western Theatre of War.
NELSON’S HISTORY OF THE WAR
VOLUME I
CHAPTER I. THE BREAKING OF THE BARRIERS.
CHAPTER II. THE STRENGTH OF THE COMBATANTS.
CHAPTER IV. THE MUSTER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE.
CHAPTER V. THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR AT SEA.
CHAPTER VI. THE STAND OF BELGIUM.
CHAPTER VII. THE EASTERN THEATRE OF WAR.
CHAPTER VIII. THE FIRST CLASH OF THE GREAT ARMIES.
APPENDIX II. GERMAN MILITARY POLICY.
APPENDIX III. A SHORT MILITARY GLOSSARY.
PREFACE
Mr. John Buchan has asked me to write a short preface to his history of the war, and I owe so much pleasure to his books that I cannot refuse this pitiful instalment of return.
The definite history of this war is not now to be written, or for many a day. Still it may be possible to disentangle from this struggle of armed nations over hundreds of miles some explicit narrative which may help all of us who are hungering for help and guidance.
At present we do not authentically know even the subtle causes which produced this convulsion over half the world. What is on the surface is clear enough, but it is what is under the surface that matters. I am reluctant to believe in a diabolical and cold-blooded scheme to bring about war at this time; at least, this does not seem to be proved. If war was being planned, it was, I suspect, a longer and a slower match that was burning for a later explosion. And as regards our part in it, one would conjecture that that was, strangely enough, unexpected in Prussia, to judge from the venomous and insane fury which has raged against us in Germany since we entered on the campaign.
We must, then, I think, suspend our judgment as to the real causes of war till time and documents give us the clue. Perhaps the pregnant word “mobilization” may explain much. Meanwhile we can only conjecture by the light of a few facts.
Even if this history does not affix the deadly responsibility, and confines itself to the war, it is limiting itself to the unlimited.
Europe quakes to the tramp of armed races, compared to which the hosts of the past sink into insignificance. There must be nearer thirty millions than twenty of armed men in Europe clutching each other’s throats this year. France, Austria, Russia, and Germany are hurling their nations at each other. Great Britain, Servia, and Belgium have all launched great armies into the field. Montenegro has sent her people. Armed, but not fighting, are the troops of Italy and Rumania, straining at the leash of their neutrality; while Turkey frowns and intrigues.
That is the European situation at this moment. It may change from day to day, but not in the direction of peace. It is truly a vast canvas for the historical painter.
Then as to the conflict itself, it is at present enveloped in the impenetrable smoke of battle, the shifting clouds of lies, and the reticent discipline of the Press censor. Little or nothing emerges, except some salient fact like the fall of Antwerp. Our nation, always at its best under the silent stress of anxiety, has to content itself with the rare but masterly dispatches of our General, and that most delightful form of literature, the gay, modest letters of officers and men at the front, as well as the racy narratives of our splendid Tommies, who carry with cheerful and imperturbable courage the British Empire on their backs.
Then there are few battles to trace, for each is a campaign. In France, it would seem, a million men or more, over a line of 250 or 300 miles, are trying to push another million or more out of entrenchments almost, if not quite, impervious. Russia, on the other side, is conducting at least two huge campaigns, which it is difficult for any but the most expert geographer to trace. Brooding over