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Synopsis
It was one of the most controversial and still haunting aspects of World War One: the execution of 351 British soldiers for cowardice and desertion in the face of the enemy. Using new material that only now has become available from the Public Records Office and other sources, this compelling history sets out the facts of these courts-martial and shootings--and just as important, places them in the context of the military, social, and medical context of the period.
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About the Author
John Hughes-Wilson (author of Military Intelligence Blunders) and Cathryn Corns have organised and led highly successful 'Shot at Dawn' battlefield tours through France and Flanders. While both have published work before, this is their first book in collaboration with one another. John Huges-Wilson lives in Loughton, Essex and Cathryn Corns lives in Sandwich, Kent.
From Library Journal
It hardly seems fair to place a man in hell and then to punish him when he shows fear. Yet this was standard procedure in the British army in World War I, when execution by firing squad was punishment for desertion in the face of the enemy and other crimes. Using recently released courts-martial records, clinical scientist Corns and retired British army intelligence Colonel Hughes-Wilson attempt to explain Britain's use of the ultimate punishment in terms of the military, medical, and social mind-sets of the time. The book begins and ends well, with essential background at the front and ruminative discussion at the back. In between, however, is a tedious bog. Here, the authors summarize case after miserable case, each reported in exactly the same numbing, repetitive fashion. The authors do not chronicle all 346 British military executions that took place at that time; it just feels as if they do. Words like heart-rending and poignant are sometimes used, but such emotions rarely emerge from the page. There's no flesh on these old bones, and, though it is clear that the authors themselves see the men who were shot as individuals, for us they remain only names. Nevertheless, this is a unique, important work and a valuable resource; recommended for both larger public and academic libraries. Michael F. Russo, Louisiana State Univ. Libs., Baton Rouge
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
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- PublisherCassell
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0304353973
- ISBN 13 9780304353972
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages543
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Blindfold and Alone: British Military Executions in the Great War
Published by
Orion Publishing Co, United Kingdom, London, 2001
ISBN 10: 0304353973
ISBN 13: 9780304353972
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Three hundred and fifty-one men were executed by British Army firing squads between September 1914 and November 1920. By far the greatest number, 266 were shot for desertion in the face of the enemy. Controversial even at the time, these executions of soldiers amid the horrors of the Western Front continue to haunt the history of the war, with talk today of shell shock and posthumous pardons. This book sets out the facts of these court martials and executions, using new material that only now has become available from the Public Records Office and other sources. Just as importantly, the authors place the story of these executions firmly in the context of the military, social and medical context of the period. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001604513
Quantity: 5 available
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Blindfold and Alone: British Military Executions in the Great War
Published by
Orion Publishing Co, United Kingdom, London, 2001
ISBN 10: 0304353973
ISBN 13: 9780304353972
Used
Paperback
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Three hundred and fifty-one men were executed by British Army firing squads between September 1914 and November 1920. By far the greatest number, 266 were shot for desertion in the face of the enemy. Controversial even at the time, these executions of soldiers amid the horrors of the Western Front continue to haunt the history of the war, with talk today of shell shock and posthumous pardons. This book sets out the facts of these court martials and executions, using new material that only now has become available from the Public Records Office and other sources. Just as importantly, the authors place the story of these executions firmly in the context of the military, social and medical context of the period. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR005248853
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Blindfold and Alone: British Military Executions in the Great War
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Blindfold and Alone: British Military Executions in the Great War
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ISBN 13: 9780304353972
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Blindfold and Alone: British Military Executions in the Great War
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Cassell, London, 2001
ISBN 10: 0304353973
ISBN 13: 9780304353972
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Blindfold and alone : British military executions in the Great War / Cathryn Corns & John Hughes-Wilson
Published by
London : Cassell, 2001
ISBN 10: 0304353973
ISBN 13: 9780304353972
Used
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First Edition
Seller: MW Books, New York, NY, U.S.A.
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1st edition. Near fine gilt-blocked cloth copy in a very good if slightly edge-nicked and dust-toned dust-wrapper, now mylar-sleeved. Remains particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and strong. Physical description; 543 pages, [16] pages of plates : illustrations, maps ; 22 cm. Contents; The lost world -- The history and development of military law -- Military law in 1914: the Manual of military law -- Mental health in Britain in 1914 -- The shock of battle -- Shell shock: a brief history -- Shell shock and the Great War -- Military law in action 1914-18 -- The British expeditionary force and the first execution -- The early cases -- Disobedience -- Sleeping at and quitting post -- The Bantams and the 19th DLI -- Cowardice, the early years -- Cowardice and the battle of the Somme -- Cowardice, the last case -- Long time away: desertion, the real problem -- The 'Worcester four' -- Back to 'blighty', the home runs -- Almost made it -- The pals, join up together, serve together, die together -- Evading his duty: the case of Sub Lt Dyett, RN -- A long way from home -- Young offenders -- Shell shock and discipline -- A shell-shocked officer -- Repeat offenders -- Physical violence -- The military murderers -- A very temporary gentleman -- Mutiny! -- The last executions -- The parliamentary debate and consequences -- The darling committee -- Post-war views on shell shock: Lord Southborough's committee -- Progress? -- Pardons for all? -- Final thoughts. Subjects; Großbritannien Expeditionary Force 1900-1999. Geschichte 1914. World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. Military deserters Great Britain. Capital punishment Great Britain History 20th century. Executions and executioners Great Britain History 20th century. Courts-martial and courts of inquiry Great Britain History 20th century. World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. Courts-martial and courts of inquiry Great Britain History 20th century. Executions and excutioners Great Britain History 20th century. Military deserters Great Britain. Capital punishment Great Britain History 20th century. Executions and executioners Great Britain History 20th century. Military deserters Great Britain History 20th century. Capital punishment Great Britain History 20th century. Courts-martial and courts of inquiry Great Britain History 20th century. World War, 1914-1918 Great Britain. World War, 1914-1918 Desertions Great Britain. Military executions. 1 Kg. Seller Inventory # 395530
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