Archives of War: Technology, Emotion and History

This book explores the role of previously unnoticed technologies in shaping the archival records of war, through a comparative analysis of British Army Unit War Diaries in the two World Wars. It uncovers the mediated processes involved in the practice of operational reporting and reveals how hidden technologies and ideologies have shaped the official record of warfare. It will be of interest to students of media and communication studies, military history, archive studies, and British history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 21 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Despite the abundance of scholarship on the history of war, the field of Operational Record Keeping within the British Army has remained relatively unexplored. Since the onset of World War I, the British Army has maintained daily records of its operations, known as Unit War Diaries. These diaries serve as the initial official drafts of events on the battlefield, holding immense importance for the army's operational effectiveness and contributing significantly to the histories of British conflicts. However, the material history of the production and development of these diaries has largely been overlooked. This book aims to rectify this oversight by treating Unit War Diaries as mediated, material artefacts with their own distinct history.

Through a unique comparative analysis of the Unit War Diaries from the First and Second World Wars, this book uncovers the mediated processes involved in the practice of operational reporting. It reveals how hidden technologies and ideologies have shaped the official record of warfare. By tracing the records to The National Archives in Kew, where they are currently held, the book interrogates how they are re-presented and re-interpreted within the archive. It explores how the individuals, institutions, and technologies involved in the production and uses of unit diaries from the battlefield to the archive have influenced how modern war is understood and, more importantly, waged.

This book holds significant appeal to students of media and communication studies, military history, archive studies, and British history. Its insights into the role of hidden technologies and ideologies in shaping the archival records of war shed light on the complex interplay between media, technology, and warfare. By examining the production and uses of Unit War Diaries, the book offers valuable perspectives on the historical construction of knowledge, the power dynamics of institutions, and the ethical implications of recording and preserving war.

In conclusion, this book provides a groundbreaking exploration of the mediated processes and hidden technologies that have shaped the official record of warfare. By treating Unit War Diaries as material artefacts with their own history, it offers a fresh perspective on the history of Operational Record Keeping in the British Army. It will be of immense interest to scholars and researchers seeking to understand the complexities of modern war and the role of media and technology in shaping its narratives.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367776107