Robert Baden-Powell

Soon after the beginning of the 'Great War', Sir Robert Baden-Powell published his 9th military title, Quick Training For War, as his personal contribution to the British war effort. Having previously retired from service in 1910 to promote the Scouting movement, this short manual promoted his ideas for preparing new recruits to be smart and efficient soldiers. In contrast to the long established British army training regime of pomp, stark discipline and 'marching round the square' drill; he urges instead a focus on the "Four C's" : Courage, Common Sense, Cunning, Cheerfulness as a way of more realistically training recruits to better meet the rigors and reality of modern combat. Drawing heavily on his own combat experiences in India and Africa, he outlines a clear and simple course of study to help the new soldier develop his field skills and spirit. His noting of the superior Boer use of earthworks/trench fortifications certainly seem to have been proved topical and forward-thinking considering how trench warfare became the defining characteristic of the World War One battlefield. Each chapter includes many personal anecdotes to illustrate his theories on best training practices. This booklet is well written and interesting for any student of military history, particularly those with an interest in how war-fighting practices and mindset changed radically from the early 1900's and forward. It features 18 illustrations by Baden-Powell as well. It makes a great companion read to his 1899 book on reconnaissance training, Aids to Scouting. (also available at Google Play)

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