The BEF: The 'Final Verdict' | Prof John Bourne

Over the years, we have filmed quite a lot of speakers at the branch. These have been available to view on the WFA's YouTube channel, and can also be found as 'articles' on the WFA website. However these videos have not been separately grouped for those visiting the Yorkshire branch 'landing page' on the website.

By starting a process of loading these onto the branch page, this makes a number of talks that stretch back to about 2019 'visible'. The first of these is 'The BEF: The Final Verdict' given by John Bourne in 2019

The 'Final Verdict'

Now that the Great War is more than a hundred years behind us, and after five years of centenaries, it is perhaps a good time to reflect on the overall performance of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. The BEF, especially its generals, still has a bleak reputation. Those seeking examples of military ineptitude often look no further.

But the BEF grew in a short space of time from a small colonial police force, equipped for counter-insurgency operations, into a mighty army capable of delivering efficiently organised violence against a major military power. Does this amount to a national triumph or was it a painful example of learning how to drive by having a series of expensive car wrecks? This lecture will consider the evidence.