| Bullets, Bombs and Poison Gas: Supplying the Troops on the Western Front 1914-1918, Documentary Sources Contributor(s): Rogers, David (Author) |
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ISBN: 1911512080 ISBN-13: 9781911512080 Publisher: Helion & Company OUR PRICE: $44.96 Product Type: Paperback Published: August 2017 |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | Military - World War I |
| Physical Information: 0.7" H x 6.1" W x 9.1" (1.05 lbs) 304 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - 1900-1919 |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Soldiers in the trenches were issued with four bullets a day unless they were either snipers or manned a machine gun. This does not seem like a lot of bullets. However, four bullets a day is 28 per week. Therefore a million soldiers need 28 million bullets per week. Of course there were a lot more than a million troops at the Western Front, so the number of required bullets was more than that I realise that some of the soldiers performed vital service functions and some were busy on other duties, nevertheless there was a need for a lot of bullets. Supplying the troops was further complicated by the need to ensure that the many and varied shells were available for the howitzers, mortars and other artillery. Furthermore, there was a need for essential supplies of a whole manner of other materials, including rations for the troops and food for the many horses. Aircraft and tanks also started to make an appearance on the battlefield at this time which required supplies. Indeed there is one account of a horse drawn cart carrying aircraft fuel to the aeroplanes The move to modern technology must have been interesting to watch. The static nature of battle was somewhat unique in the annals of warfare and led to the use of a narrow gauge railway network and a roll on roll off ferry port in Kent to speed deliveries along. Unfortunately, not all of the traffic was towards the trenches. Sadly there were many casualties who needed to return to the hospitals either in the field or back in Britain. The returning trains performed this vital function. Servicing this supply chain was a complex business, leading to some interesting issues. |
Contributor Bio(s): Rogers, David: - "Dave Rogers set up Danercon Ltd in 2004 - having previously worked for a multinational company for 23 years. During his industrial career, Dave spent time working in research and development and in the manufacturing division. His research experience involved product component research, product design and the implementation of process verification equipment. Dave's manufacturing experience covers the product issues of day-to-day manufacture and product design as part of a waste reduction effort, as well as leading a process research and development group of some 20 engineers and scientists. Dave holds a Bachelor and Doctorate Degree in Chemistry, and Fellowships with the Royal Society of Chemistry, The Royal Photographic Society and The British Institute of Professional Photography (the latter by invitation). He was Visiting Professor at the University of Westminster 2002-05. Dave is a long-term school governor - having recently completed 15 years as primary school governor. He has written or edited 13 books. Two are war-related, which he edited for his father; a third wartime book was co-written by Dave and his father. This is Dave's fifth book for Helion - having previously written Top Secret. British Boffins in World War One, Men Amidst the Madness - British Technology Development in World War Two, Destination D-Day - preparations for the invasion of North-West Europe 1944 and Rebuilding Britain The aftermath of World War Two." |