German Influence on British Cavalry

** "German Influence on British Cavalry" by Erskine Childers is a historical analysis that questions how much German military ideas affected British cavalry strategies in the early 1900s. The story criticizes old-fashioned British military methods and pushes for modern, creative approaches for warfare, arguing that tactics should evolve from real-world combat experiences and not just stick to old traditions. The essay begins by setting the stage for the author's arguments where he challenges military writings of the time, including thoughts from General von Bernhardi about cavalry. The main argument centers around moving away from using outdated weapons like lances and swords, and instead adopting the rifle for modern combat requirements. A central theme underlines how absent modern cavalry tactics are in British military planning, urging British officers to think for themselves, cast aside foreign patterns, and create new cavalry plans suited for current battlefields. The historical account stresses learning from recent wars like the Boer War to reshape cavalry strategies and improve their effectiveness. **