Morale and Discipline in the Royal Navy during the First World War

During the First World War, the Royal Navy faced a challenge to its position within British national identity and service ethos. Laura Rowe's book explores issues of morale and discipline by examining how the service was able to absorb indiscipline through a web of loyalties, history, ethos, traditions, and customs. This provides a new methodological framework for understanding morale, military discipline, and leadership.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 278 pages
Publication date: 29 October 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Few scholarly works have delved into the profound impact of the First World War on the naval sphere, in contrast to the extensive literature on trench warfare. The conditions of war posed a significant challenge to the Royal Navy's position within British national identity and its own service ethos. This challenge emerged as a dialogue, fueled by apprehensions of civil unrest, between the competing discourses of paternalism from above and democratism from below.

Laura Rowe, in her insightful exploration, delves into the realm of morale and discipline, employing contemporary language to shed light on critical questions regarding the service's ability to successfully assimilate indiscipline amidst the backdrop of total war. Through a nuanced web of loyalties, history, ethos, traditions, and customs, Rowe reveals how the Royal Navy adapted to the new conditions, molding older notions of service into a framework capable of withstanding the test of time.

In addition to offering a novel methodological framework for understanding morale, Rowe's work also provides valuable insights into military discipline and leadership. By examining the interplay between these aspects, she sheds light on the strategies employed by the Royal Navy to maintain order and cohesion in the face of adversity.

This study is a significant contribution to the field of naval history, offering a fresh perspective on the experiences of the First World War at sea. It underscores the importance of examining the multifaceted challenges faced by navies during times of conflict and the innovative approaches taken to overcome them. As we continue to explore the rich tapestry of military history, Laura Rowe's work serves as a valuable reminder of the enduring legacy of the Royal Navy and its contributions to the global struggle for peace and security.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108409421