German Influence on British Cavalry

Erskine Childers’ German Influence on British Cavalry is a critical analysis of how German military doctrine shaped the development of British cavalry tactics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Childers known for his military insight and later political activism examines the extent to which British cavalry adopted German principles particularly in terms of training maneuverability and battlefield strategy. He critiques the rigid adherence to outdated cavalry traditions in Britain and contrasts them with the more modern adaptable approach seen in the German military.The book argues that while German influence brought some improvements it also led to a misplaced emphasis on shock tactics and massed charges which proved ineffective in modern warfare. Childers highlights the growing importance of mobility reconnaissance and firepower over traditional cavalry roles. His work serves as both a historical analysis and a cautionary perspective questioning whether Britain’s cavalry was sufficiently prepared for the realities of contemporary warfare. German Influence on British Cavalry provides valuable insight into pre-World War I military thought and the evolving role of cavalry in an era of rapid technological change.