The Western Front Association is pleased to announce the 12th President’s Conference. One hundred and ten years on from the commencement of hostilities, the theme of this year’s conference is '1914'.
Doors open for registration at 9:15 am
Prof Gary Sheffield: Two BEFs, two retreats: Mons 1914 and Dunkirk 1940 Compared
The Mons (1914) and Dunkirk (1940) campaigns offer many points of comparison and difference. Both were waged by British Expeditionary Forces at the beginning of major wars; they were fought over some of the same terrain; they were a brutal introduction to the realities of modern warfare. However the technology of 1940 was more advanced, and the circumstances in which the BEF of 1940 fought were more difficult than those of 1914. In this talk, Professor Gary Sheffield offers some insights into the two campaigns.
Major (Retd) Phil Watson: Mission Command at Mons (Decentralised Command Philosophy of the BEF in August 1914)
The period of August 1914 is often the prism by which we view the initial performance of the BEF and its commanders. This is usually based on the personalities, their attendance at Staff College, or the success or failure of operations, and as such the current narrative is subjective. The aim of the presentation is to apply the doctrine and command philosophy of 1914 by way of assessing how the GHQ and the BEF performed at Mons on 23 August 1914.
Dr Simon House: Revisiting Plan 17: Joffre's War Plan
History has been unkind to General Joffre and his execution of the 1914 French War Plan (which he caused to be written and which he owned).
He and his plan – Plan XVII – are overdue for reappraisal if not rehabilitation. After all, whose plan was the more successful: Moltke’s version of the Schlieffen Plan which was predicated on a pre-emptive German attack on France, a triumphant German battle of annihilation in central Belgium, the capture of Paris and a short victorious war; or Joffre’s Plan XVII which (despite initial set-backs) resulted in the repulse of the German armies behind the Aisne, the successful defence of Paris and the confounding of Germany’s ‘short war’ ambitions.
Four years after Joffre’s successful defence against the German onslaught, the Allies won a comprehensive victory over the German armies in the field.
Dr Adam Prime: ‘Nothing but the dogged pluck of the men, with occasional bits of good luck’: The Indian Army on the Western Front 1914
Indian Expeditionary Force A arrived in Marseille on 26th September 1914, then travelled north to Flanders. They arrived in time to support the BEF as the Germans attacked at the First Battle of Ypres. During the battle, the Indian Corps held 34% of the BEF line. Whilst it might be a stretch to say the Indian Corps ‘saved’ the BEF in 1914, they provided much needed relief at First Ypres. Adam intends to look at the Indian contribution to the Western Front in 1914 through the lens of training, leadership, climate, morale and discipline.
About our speakers
Gary Sheffield will need no introduction as he is the Honorary President of The WFA. Gary is one of Britain’s foremost military historians. He specialises in Britain at war, 1914-45, and is the author of a number of acclaimed histories, including the best-selling Forgotten Victory: The First World War – Myths and Realities and The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army.
Phil Watson left the British Army in 2012 after 35 years service, notably being commissioned from the ranks in 1998. Phil is a keen military historian with a MA (Distinction) in history and has three published works, The Last Charges, Audregnies and Their Greatest Hour. Currently he is studying for his PhD in military history.
Simon House is an independent military historian and retired British Telecom senior executive. He was awarded a PhD at King's College London in 2012 for his work on ‘the French and German Encounter in the Ardennes on 22 August 1914’. His first book Lost Opportunity: The Battle of the Ardennes 22 August 1914 was published by Helion in 2017.
Adam Prime is a freelance military and imperial historian, he received his PhD from the University of Leicester in 2018 for his study of the Indian Army officer corps. Adam currently sits on The WFA executive committee as Universities Trustee.
Venue and Parking
The Court House has no car park of its own but street parking can be found within 5 minutes walk of the venue and Warwick has a multitude of long stay car parks.
Tickets
Tickets are £35 per person and can be booked online > 12th President's Conference
Or by phone on +44 (0)207 118 1914
Ticket price includes refreshments throughout the day and a buffet lunch.