Episode 10: Britain’s Preparation for War: Professor Sir Hew Strachan

With concerns rising about how ready Western nations are for the risk of war in Europe, we discuss the lessons from Britain’s preparation for The Great War. And while preparation is important, not all actions to prepare are equally important. In this case, Britain was not fully prepared but had taken some initial steps that were important in allowing the country to accelerate towards preparedness.

The crucial elements concerned the ability to engage society, coordinate across government and ensure a robust industrial base that supported the armed force that drew on the talent of regular and volunteer forces. As a result, Britain was better (although not perfectly) prepared for the Second World War. And large parts of Europe seem further away from readiness now, so the lessons are vitally important.

Joining us to discuss these lessons is Professor Sir Hew Strachan from the University of St Andrews. Described by Jonathan Boff as ‘the most influential British historian of the First World War of his generation’, Professor Strachan has published widely on the First World War and is a regular advisor to the British Government and Ministry of Defence, particularly in relation to reserve forces and veterans.

Hew Strachan, The First World War, Volume One: To Arms, Oxford University Press, 2001.

Hew Strachan, Pre-War Military Planning (Great Britain), International Encyclopaedia of the First World War, 7 February 2018, available at: https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/pre-war-military-planning-great-britain/ 

Samuel R. Williamson, The Politics of Grand Strategy: Britain and France prepare for war 1904-1914, Harvard University Press, 1969.

David Morgan-Owen, The fear of invasion: strategy, politics, and British war planning, 1880-1914, Oxford University Press, 2017.

Stephen Roskill, Hankey: Man of Secrets Volume 1: 1877-1918, Harper Collins, 1970.