An Uncertain Trumpet: The Evolution of U.S. Army Infantry Doctrine, 1919-1941

(Hardback)

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Description

Faced with severe budgetary constraints, a radically reduced force structure, and a crippling intellectual dogmatism, the American Infantry struggled throughout the interwar years to modernize its doctrine. Finlayson examines these difficulties, beginning with an overview of the experiences of the primary combatants of the First World War, comparing their battlefield doctrines with that of the American Expeditionary Force. The brief American appearance on the battlefield did much to shape the convictions of those men assigned the task of developing doctrine after the war. The findings of the post-World War I Superior Board provide valuable insight into how institutional conservatism and the dogmatic approach to new ideas that existed among senior Army leaders stymied possible doctrinal advances. The Army would suffer greatly in the post-war demobilization and the subsequent ravages of the Great Depression. With little money and few soldiers spread around far-flung posts, little advancement in terms of doctrinal development was possible. As the likelihood of war became more imminent in the 1930s, a concerted effort to modernize was made; however, the magnitude of the task made success virtually impossible-a situation that was evident in the Infantry's poor performance in the early battles of the war. The U.S. entry into World war II would, unfortunately, find the infantry branch only partially prepared for the battle field of 1942.

Reviews

.,."a much-needed examination of one important piece of the puzzle: the development of infantary doctrine....yield a number of fascinating insights into both personalities and issues affecting the interway army."-The Journal of Military History
"Everyone concerned with the direction of current Army Transformation should read Kenneth Finlayson's small book An Uncertain Trumpet....[m]asterfully assesses the evolution of small unit infantry doctrine from World War I through the Unites States' initial entry into World War II....Finayson's comprehensive grasp of source documents, his understanding of the doctrine-development process, and his clear and engaging writing style make his study of doctrinal change a compelling, fascinating book.... Uncertain Trumpet provides a comprehensive, and possibly prophetic, look at current efforts to maintain the Army's strategic relevance. I highly recommend this book."-Military Review
...a much-needed examination of one important piece of the puzzle: the development of infantary doctrine....yield a number of fascinating insights into both personalities and issues affecting the interway army.-The Journal of Military History
Everyone concerned with the direction of current Army Transformation should read Kenneth Finlayson's small book An Uncertain Trumpet....[m]asterfully assesses the evolution of small unit infantry doctrine from World War I through the Unites States' initial entry into World War II....Finayson's comprehensive grasp of source documents, his understanding of the doctrine-development process, and his clear and engaging writing style make his study of doctrinal change a compelling, fascinating book.... Uncertain Trumpet provides a comprehensive, and possibly prophetic, look at current efforts to maintain the Army's strategic relevance. I highly recommend this book.-Military Review
..."a much-needed examination of one important piece of the puzzle: the development of infantary doctrine....yield a number of fascinating insights into both personalities and issues affecting the interway army."-The Journal of Military History

Author Bio

KENNETH FINLAYSON is the Command Historian for the Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School./e An Infantry officer, he served on active duty from 1978 to 1992 in a variety of command and staff assignments. He is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve where he is an instructor in the Combined Arms and Services Staff School.