Synopses & Reviews
The battle of Mons in August 1914 endures as one of the British Army's greatest moments, despite the much larger actions fought in the next four years.
Soon after the outbreak of war in 1914 the largest British army ever assembled advanced through Belgium to meet the German invaders, covering the northern flank of the more massive French army which was expected to do most of the fighting. French reverses brought the full weight of the Germans to bear on the smaller British force, which made a gallant stand at the Belgian town of Mons.
The German timetable of conquest was briefly but fatally disrupted, and the experiences of that August battle had a decisive influence on Bernard Montgomery and other survivors who were to lead British forces through World War II and beyond.
Synopsis
This is an exploration of Britain's crucial contribution to the opening months of the Great War, where the savage battle at Mons destroyed the British but saved France from the Germans. David Ascoli's study is a monument to those who gave so much to save France.