Murland, Jerry Battle on the Aisne 1914. The BEF and the Birth of the Western Front

The river Aisne featured prominently in August 1914 during the Retreat from Mons and in September was the scene of bitter fighting when the BEF re-crossed it in their unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the German Army entrenched along the Northern Crest. The fighting was hugely costly to the BEF which had already fought three major engagements and marched over 200 miles in a month. The three British Corps lost over 700 officers and some 15000 men. Little wonder one officer wrote that he felt he was in the company of ghosts. Historian Jerry Murland places the Aisne battles in their context, both from the BEF and German viewpoints. He highlights the early deficiencies and unpreparedness of the British Army staff and logistics organisation as well as friction among the command structure, all of which hampered effective operations.

The three British corps lost over 700 officers and around 15,000 men. No wonder one officer wrote that he had the feeling of being in the company of ghosts. The historian Jerry Murland places the battles on the Aisne in their context, both from the point of view of the BEF and the Germans. He emphasises the initial inadequacies and lack of preparation of the British army in terms of personnel and logistics, as well as the friction within the command structure, all of which hindered effective operations.