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Abstract
Australian First World War historiography tends to focus on the ordinary soldier: his background, character and involvement in the war. This is a legacy left by Charles Bean who, following the history from below approach, believed in the need for soldiers’ stories to be told. On the other end of the spectrum, attention is given to political leaders and the British high command. British commanders and, by extension, other Allied commanders are too often portrayed as poor leaders who were reluctant to adapt to modern warfare, and did not demonstrate a sense of responsibility for the men under their command. The evidence shows that this perception is not accurate. A comprehensive understanding of the progression of Australian forces on the Western Front cannot be gained without investigating the progression of those in command.
This thesis examines the brigade commanders of the Australian Imperial Force who held that level of command for a substantial period while on the Western Front. These commanders challenge preconceived notions of First World War commanders, as they continually developed tactics and adapted to modern warfare as it evolved. They embraced new technology and ensured that their formations were able to effectively work with it. As the war progressed, they gained an appreciation of the importance of collaborating with other formations and ensuring effective communication, and demonstrated an understanding of the challenges of war on the Western Front. By 1918, the brigade commanders were effective leaders who undoubtedly played a significant role in the success of the Australian forces.