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Everything Worked like Clockwork

The Mechanization of British Regular and Household Cavalry 1918-1942

Series : Wolverhampton Military Studies #18

Author : Roger Salmon

Everything Worked like Clockwork : The Mechanization of British Regular and Household Cavalry 1918-1942

Details

General - Pages : 326 | Images : 53 b/w ills, 10 tables

Paperback - Date of Publication : 15th January 2022 | Edition : Reprint | Size : 234mm x 156mm | ISBN : 9781915070968 | Helion Book Code : HEL1479

Hardback - Date of Publication : 15th May 2016 | Size : 234mm x 156mm | ISBN : 9781910777961 | Helion Book Code : HEL0661

The mechanization of British and Household Cavalry regiments took place between the two World Wars and on into 1942. This book describes the process by which many horsed cavalrymen were re-trained to operate and fight in Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) and the experiences of some of the men and regiments involved. Extensive use has been made of regimental and War Office archives, and particularly from the Imperial War Museum’s sound archives - the oral testimonies of soldiers who had experienced this huge change. A small number of veterans are, or were, still living and were interviewed by the author for this work. The reason given for the delay in cavalry mechanization - cited in some military histories and much influenced by the writings of Sir Basil Liddell Hart - was the reluctance by the cavalrymen to part with their horses and their technophobic attitude. This book tests the accuracy of this assertion, together with what was the availability of suitable and sufficient armoured fighting vehicles to replace the cavalry’s horses. Of special interest is the examination of the historical papers of the tank manufacturers Vickers, held at the Cambridge University Library, regarding tank development and production. This story of mechanising the cavalry has been set against the backdrop of the social, economic and political climate of the 1920s and 1930s, and the pressure on politicians of the wider franchise and public opinion. In researching this aspect, the Britain by Mass Observation archives - held at the University of Sussex - have been most illuminating. The interwar impact on cavalry mechanization; the role of the British Army in general; disarmament; and rearmament are described - again with illustrations from oral testimonies.

 

“ … a fascinating analysis of a unique period in the history of the arme blanche …” Medal News

“ … This is another excellent volume of the military publisher Helion. It is difficult to find fault with this thoroughly readable and informative book, which will appeal to a wider audience.” Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research

“ … will probably be the much-cited standard work on it subject for years to come.” Soldiers of the Queen

"I found this a fascinating book to read and it throws a lot of light onto what was an important change for the British Army, a change to mechanisation which was important for their roles in WW2. It also challenges some of those long held myths about the changes which have been widely shared over the years. There is so much more to the story and this does a great job I think, in examining the complexities of what really happened." Robin Buckland, Military Model Scene

"Part of this analysis is absolutely fascinating..." Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

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