The AEF and Coalition Warmaking,1917-1918 (Modern War Studies (Paperback)) - Softcover

Trask, David F.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0700611150 ISBN 13: 9780700611157

Publisher: University Press of Kansas, 1993

Synopsis

Underscoring an emerging revisionist view of the American Expeditionary Forces, David Trask argues that the performances of the AEF and General John J. Pershing were much more flawed than conventional accounts have suggested. This can best be seen, he shows, by analyzing coalition warfare at the level of grand tactics—i.e., campaign military operations.

The AEF didn't perform well in France, Trask contends, because it was committed as an independent force before it had time to train and gain experience. President Wilson and General Pershing's initial insistence on an independent American force rather than an integration with existing French and British armies resulted in costly delays and bitter victories in the decisive Allied counteroffensives against Ludendorff and the Central Powers.

Using a tactic uncommon in previous studies of the AEF, David Trask views the campaign of 1918 through the eyes of the highest-ranking of field commanders, including Pershing, Marshal Ferdinand Foch of the Allied and Associated Powers, and General Erich Ludendorff of the Central Powers.

Trask's portrayal of Pershing reveals a self-righteous leader who was unwilling to correct initial misconceptions that marred the doctrine and training of the AEF. Consequently, Trask demonstrates, Pershing's stormy relations with Allied military and civilian leader seriously undermined the AEF and its efforts to conduct coalition warfare.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

"No practicing American historian excels David Trask in the combined mastery of the diplomatic and the military aspects of warfare. He provides the most cogent assessment available of the enigmatic American commander, General John J. Pershing."--Russell F. Weigley, author of The American Way of War

"An impressive work which is essential to an understanding of military and diplomatic coalition policies during and particularly after the close of World War I."--Betty Miller Unterberger, author of The United States, Revolution, Russioa, and the Rise of Czechoslovakia

About the Author:

David Trask is former chief historian at the U.S. Army Center of Military History and former professor of history at State University of New York, Stony Brook. He is the author of numerous books including The War with Spain in 1898 and Captains and Cabinets: Anglo-American Naval Relations, 1917-1918.

About this edition

• Publisher: University Press of Kansas
• Publication date: 1993
• ISBN 10: 0700611150
• ISBN 13: 9780700611157
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248