The conservatism of the British cavalry and its effect on the British Army of World War II, 2003

Item — Call Number: MU Thesis Wal

Identifier: b2089511

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists of theses written by students enrolled in the Monmouth University graduate History program. The holdings are bound print documents that were submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

From the Collection:

During the fall 2022 semester (in instances where the requisite waivers were received from consenting student authors), the Monmouth University Library, together with the University's Graduate School and Wayne D. McMurray School of Humanities and Social Sciences, began providing open access to select full-text digital versions of current theses and dissertations through links to the ProQuest Dissertations Publishing website in the Library's Online Public Access Catalog. Links to these open access digital publications can also be found in the "External Documents" section under any conforming titles that are listed among the holdings itemized in the collection inventory for this finding aid.

Dates

Creation: 2003

Creator

Waller, Michael L. (Michael Lance), 1961- (Author, Person)
McKitrick, Frederick L. (Thesis advisor, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Access is by appointment only.

Access to the collection is confined to the Monmouth University Library and is subject to patron policies approved by the Monmouth University Library.

Collection holdings may not be borrowed through interlibrary loan.

Research appointments are scheduled by the Monmouth University Library Archives Collections Manager (723-923-4526). A minimum of three days advance notice is required to arrange a research appointment for access to the collection.

Patrons must complete a Researcher Registration Form and provide appropriate identification to gain access to the collection holdings. Copies of these documents will be kept on file at the Monmouth University Library.

Extent

1 Items (print book) : 117 pages ; 8.5 x 11.0 inches (28 cm).

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Introduction [excerpt]

[T]o link the cavalry to the failure of the British Army in the first battles of the Second World War requires a long-term assessment of cavalry tactics and training. Did the cavalry retain obsolete tactics and influence weapons development in such a way that it can be partially blamed for the disasters of 1940? ... [A]lthough some historians have argued that the cavalry's influence on the development of the British Army was insignificant, an examination of the evidence shows otherwise. Ultimately, this thesis will argue that the traditional cavalry branch did have a negative impact on the modernization of the British Army and is largely responsible for poor performance of the British Army in 1940.

Partial Contents

1. Introduction -- 2. The class and the era -- 3. The Boer War -- 4. From the Boer to the Great War -- 5. World War I -- 6. The first decade after the Great War -- 7. The gathering storm : 1931-1939 -- 8. France 1940 -- 9. Conclusion.