The AEF and Coalition Warmaking, 1917-18 by David F Trask

The AEF and Coalition Warmaking, 1917-18 by David F Trask

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 counter-offensive 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 wth Allied military and civilian leaders seriously undermined the AEF and its effort to conduct coalition warfare.

ask /f David /i F. /r gen. ed.

eroy /f Robert /i W. /s III /r gen. ed.

ional /i Council on Public History

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780700606191
ISBN 10	070060619X
Title	The AEF and Coalition Warmaking, 1917-18
Author	David F Trask
Series	Modern War Studies
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	University Press of Kansas
Year published	1993-01-01
Number of pages	248
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.