How Armies Grow: The Expansion of Military Forces in the Age of Total War 1789-1945

An anthology of case studies by academic historians into how armies have expanded during the period 1789–1945, providing insights for the modern army.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2019
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

The first two decades after the end of the Cold War were marked by governments' desires to reduce the sizes of their armed forces, driven by the need to save money. This reduction coincided with an intellectual and doctrinal reorientation of the armies, shifting their focus from conventional warfare to counter-insurgency operations. This transformation had a profound impact on all armies, particularly in Europe. The geo-political landscape and the real and perceived threats from terrorist groups facilitated these developments. As a result, capabilities were lost, and the current generation of army leaders struggled to think in terms of large-scale, conventional military operations.

However, recent changes to the geo-political situation and the ongoing developments in Eastern Europe have brought about a significant shift in thinking. The pendulum has swung back toward operations. Once again, this has far-reaching implications for the forces, encompassing training, equipment, and overall strategy. Armies are once again growing in size, and armies worldwide are looking back to the past to learn from historical experiences and apply these lessons to their modern operations.

In this context, this book aims to explore the historical processes and challenges associated with the build-up, composition, and use of large formations in times of peace. It seeks to answer key questions such as how armies prepared and trained for major conflicts during peacetime, what internal structures they adopted, and how they ensured adequate equipment availability in the event of war. Additionally, it examines the challenges in the areas of doctrine and training, particularly when it comes to expanding small armies for larger-scale operations.

By examining the past, we can gain valuable insights into the strategies and tactics that armies have employed to ensure their readiness and effectiveness in times of conflict. This knowledge can help us better understand the current challenges facing armies and develop effective strategies to address them in the future.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 229 x 158 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781612006017