Mud, blood and not so much poppycock

Alex Mayhew

doi:10.32912/bulletin/21/7

Mud, blood and not so much poppycock

Alex Mayhew

History

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

This article explores the origins of the ‘myths’ that have come to dominate popular memory of the First World War in Britain. Perceptions of the conflict as a bloody exercise in futility, orchestrated by inept generals, and fought in fields of mud are undoubtedly unrepresentative. Yet, far from pure fiction, such impressions can be historicised. Drawing on wider research into soldiers’ perception of crisis during 1914–1918, this piece argues that the kernel of many of these ‘myths’ can be found in the lived experience of the western front in 1917.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	The Enduring Impact of the First World War
Subtitle of host publication	A Collection of Perspectives
Editors	Gail Romano, Kingsley Baird
Publisher	Auckland Museum
Pages	39-44
Number of pages	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.32912/bulletin/21/7
Publication status	Published - 2020
Event	The Myriad Faces of War: 1917 and its Legacy Symposium - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington, New Zealand Duration: 25 Apr 2016 → 25 Apr 2016

Publication series

Name	Bulletin of the Auckland Museum
Publisher	Auckland Museum
Volume	21
ISSN (Print)	2744-3590

Conference

Conference	The Myriad Faces of War: 1917 and its Legacy Symposium
Country/Territory	New Zealand
City	Wellington
Period	25/04/16 → 25/04/16

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Keywords

Battle of Passchendaele
First World War
historical memory
historical myths
morale
20th century Britain

Access to Document

10.32912/bulletin/21/7

Cite this

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title = "Mud, blood and not so much poppycock",

abstract = "This article explores the origins of the {\textquoteleft}myths{\textquoteright} that have come to dominate popular memory of the First World War in Britain. Perceptions of the conflict as a bloody exercise in futility, orchestrated by inept generals, and fought in fields of mud are undoubtedly unrepresentative. Yet, far from pure fiction, such impressions can be historicised. Drawing on wider research into soldiers{\textquoteright} perception of crisis during 1914–1918, this piece argues that the kernel of many of these {\textquoteleft}myths{\textquoteright} can be found in the lived experience of the western front in 1917.",

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pages = "39--44",

editor = "Gail Romano and Kingsley Baird",

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N2 - This article explores the origins of the ‘myths’ that have come to dominate popular memory of the First World War in Britain. Perceptions of the conflict as a bloody exercise in futility, orchestrated by inept generals, and fought in fields of mud are undoubtedly unrepresentative. Yet, far from pure fiction, such impressions can be historicised. Drawing on wider research into soldiers’ perception of crisis during 1914–1918, this piece argues that the kernel of many of these ‘myths’ can be found in the lived experience of the western front in 1917.

AB - This article explores the origins of the ‘myths’ that have come to dominate popular memory of the First World War in Britain. Perceptions of the conflict as a bloody exercise in futility, orchestrated by inept generals, and fought in fields of mud are undoubtedly unrepresentative. Yet, far from pure fiction, such impressions can be historicised. Drawing on wider research into soldiers’ perception of crisis during 1914–1918, this piece argues that the kernel of many of these ‘myths’ can be found in the lived experience of the western front in 1917.

KW - Battle of Passchendaele

KW - First World War

KW - historical memory

KW - historical myths

KW - morale

KW - 20th century Britain

UR - https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/discover/research/publications/bulletin/vol21

U2 - 10.32912/bulletin/21/7

DO - 10.32912/bulletin/21/7

M3 - Conference contribution

T3 - Bulletin of the Auckland Museum

SP - 39

EP - 44

BT - The Enduring Impact of the First World War

A2 - Romano, Gail

A2 - Baird, Kingsley

PB - Auckland Museum

T2 - The Myriad Faces of War: 1917 and its Legacy Symposium

Y2 - 25 April 2016 through 25 April 2016

ER -

Mud, blood and not so much poppycock

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

UN SDGs

Keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this