Manoeuvre

[Gareth Davies]

This is all getting a little off topic.

[Steven Broomfield]

Possibly, but still interesting.

[MartH]

Might be worth searching through small wars, it was an important text book at that time. 1906 copy here 1906 Third Edition

[Gareth Davies]

Yes, thanks. 

[Matlock1418]

On 08/07/2020 at 13:59, Gareth Davies said:

The word 'manoeuvre' appears 9 times in Part I of the 1912 edition of FSR 1909 which is what the BEF went to war with in 1914 but it is never defined. Where can I find a definition of the term please?

I suggest consulting a dictionary e.g. Oxford English [others are available - though one always fears a rather 'incestuous' relationship(s) when looking at such a source(s) and the military]

Manoeuvre:

Usual first entry is planned and controlled movement and the like [though I might think it also potentially applied to un-planned and uncontrolled movement too]

Second usually is the application of the above to military matters and the like.

Manoeuvres:

The plural of the above - both for non-military and military purposes

The concept of military manoeuvre seems as old as warfare - and of drill! [as does the plural] - Crecy & Agincourt and way further back beyond as has been referred to.

The opposite of static I suggest [attrition being a poor very synonym for this other concept - as manoeuvre can result in such an effect too]

As for a military definition from the period you cite - I'm afraid I can't help

And I baulk at trying to produce another modern definition [as others' have] - sometimes they do rather seem to stick in the craw

In my opinion; manoeuvre(s) is movement(s) - Whatever / whenever / wherever! - and can't fundamentally change [whatever definition the military try to periodically attach to the word!!]

:-) M

[FROGSMILE]

On 09/07/2020 at 11:11, Gareth Davies said:

I totally agree, that's why I am writing an article on it. 

Gareth, I don’t know if you’ve seen this paper, but if not I thought it might be of interest to you in connection with your article: https://bootcampmilitaryfitnessinstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/43-we-have-been-here-before-the-evolution-of-the-doctrine-of-pugsley-2011.pdf

[Gareth Davies]

Yes, I have that article. Thanks.