This talk is based on Rodney's research for his biography of Rawlinson (General Lord Rawlinson: From Tragedy to Triumph) Rawlinson won praise from historians of the Western Front, such as C R M F Cruttwell, particularly for 4th Army's role in 'The Hundred Days' of 1918. A former colleague wrote on his death in 1925, 'His loss to the Army is absolutely irreparable – he was head and shoulders above all of us'. Conversely, he has been fiercely criticised by Martin Middlebrook in The First Day on the Somme and critically assessed by Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson in Command on the Western Front. The talk seeks a fair assessment of this controversial general.
Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new visitors are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts.