The Battle Of The Somme And Waterloo - 1488 Words

Sarah Cooper HIST 101-001 830538724 In â€Å"The Face of Battle,† John Keegan analyzed the experiences of the individuals involved in the battles of the Somme and Waterloo; he thoroughly examined the advancements of industrialization in warfare and battle strategy between 1815 and 1916. The industrialization of modern warfare during the battle of the Somme, while progressive, was very much still in its experimental stages. While the inventions during this time period were later evolved into much more useful products, it seems as though the organized warfare in Waterloo was much more effective; the soldier’s mediocre training for the Somme was obvious in the chaotic events that occurred. While each battle was disastrous in their own ways, industrialization certainly improved means of warfare and the experience that the soldiers had. The warfare in Waterloo consisted primarily of rifles, swords, cavalry, and artillery; these weapons were most effective close range which resulted in the French and British being in close proximity to one another. With immense amounts of training, a variety of battle tactics and formations, the square was ultimately the most effective. However, despite being located a short distance away from the enemy, thick, black smoke obstructed the soldiers’ vision on both sides of the battlefield, creating a less than optimal battle conditions. Due to the lack of effectiveness of their weapons, success in Waterloo often depended on the experience of theShow MoreRelatedThe Face Of Battle : A Study Of Agincourt, Waterloo, And The Somme 872 Words   |  4 PagesFace of Battle: a study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme† Summary The book â€Å"The Face of Battle: a study of Agincourt, Waterloo, and the Somme† authored by John Keegan is a non-fiction resource dedicated to enlightening the reader concerning the history of the military with the emphasis being between the 1960s and 1970s. Keegan provides a more detailed and accurate representation of combat in three fundamental battles in British history, and these include Agincourt, Waterloo, and Somme. In additionRead More Book Review of The Face of Battle by John Keegan Essay995 Words   |  4 PagesTHE FACE OF BATTLE John Keegan, the author of â€Å"The Face of Battle† is allowing the reader to view different perspective of history, from the eyes of the soldier. 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