Kitchener's War

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Horatio Herbert Kitchener, lacking the advantages of birth or social connections, ascended rapidly in the Army to become Britain’s most celebrated soldier. In August 1914, he answered the call to serve as secretary for war during a critical time for his country. George Cassar’s study examines Kitchener’s pivotal role in addressing the broader issues of the war faced by Britain and its Allies. He recognized early on the complexities of the global conflict, predicting it would last at least three years and necessitate a mass army. His recruitment campaign, epitomized by the iconic "Your Country Needs You" poster, attracted nearly three million volunteers, a remarkable achievement unmatched by other nations. Kitchener’s strategy was twofold: to defeat Germany and maintain Britain’s independence by treating the western and eastern fronts as interconnected, and to secure Britain’s future in a postwar world against both enemies and allies. Utilizing a range of unpublished sources, including government documents and private papers of key figures, the author illuminates Kitchener’s controversial involvement in the Dardanelles campaign, the munitions crisis, his organization of an Arab revolt against Turkey, and his operations in Africa. This engaging book challenges myths about Kitchener, arguing that his leadership was crucial for the Entente's victory in the war.