‘Smith-Dorrien and the Mons Campaign,’ by Dr. David Keable-Elliott

In 1914, General Horace Smith Dorrien took command of II Corps only hours before the Battle of Mons started; and was not given command of the British army at Le Cateau until after the Battle had started. Yet, so surehanded was his handling of his divisions that he was able to achieve his main objectives in both, despite elementary doctrinal errors committed by Sir John French and Sir Douglas Haig. This talk offers new insights into the narrative of the Mons Campaign.