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A VOLUME IN THE SERIES
Cornell Studies in Security Affairs
Edited by Robert Jervis, Robert J. Art, and Stephen M. Walt
A list of titles in this series is available at cornellpress.cornell.edu .
Dying to Learn
Wartime Lessons from the Western Front
M ICHAEL A. H UNZEKER
Cornell University Press
Ithaca and London
Copyright 2021 by Cornell University
All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850. Visit our website at cornellpress.cornell.edu .
First published 2021 by Cornell University Press
Printed in the United States of America
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Hunzeker, Michael A., author.
Title: Dying to learn : wartime lessons from the Western Front / Michael A. Hunzeker.
Description: Ithaca [New York] : Cornell University Press, 2021. | Series: Cornell studies in security affairs | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2020057756 (print) | LCCN 2020057757 (ebook) | ISBN 9781501758454 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781501758478 (pdf) | ISBN 9781501758461 (epub)
Subjects: LCSH: Germany. HeerHistoryWorld War, 19141918. | Great Britain. ArmyHistoryWorld War, 19141918. | France. ArmeHistoryWorld War, 19141918. | World War, 19141918CampaignsWestern Front. | Military art and scienceEuropeHistory20th century. | TacticsHistory20th century.
Classification: LCC D530 .H87 2021 (print) | LCC D530 (ebook) | DDC 940.4/144dc23
LC record available at https:// lccn .loc .gov /2020057756
LC ebook record available at https:// lccn .loc .gov /2020057757
Cover photograph: A raiding party from the 10th Battalion, Scottish Rifles (Cameronians). Near Arras, March 24, 1917. Ministry of Information First World War Official Collection, catalogue no. Q5101, Imperial War Museum.
For my wife, Major Yu-Ching Yeh, and my brother, Major Adam Hunzeker
Contents
Acknowledgments
Dying to Learntries to explain why some militaries are better at learning than others. I have struggled with this question for the better part of two decades, and I owe a great deal to those who have helped me along the way. I am particularly indebted to Aaron Friedberg, for his support and encouragement, and Stephen Rosen, whose pioneering theory of military innovation I am trying to build upon. Ezra Suleiman and Edward Erickson provided crucial guidance throughout the writing process. Ryan Grauer, Adam Grissom, and Ed Rhodesalong with Jordan Cohen, Matthew Fay, and Kendrick Kuooffered invaluable feedback as part of a book workshop. I likewise received a number of helpful ideas and suggestions from participants of the 2018 National Security Scholars and Practitioners Program. I have valued Alexander Lanoszkas friendship, advice, and reassurance throughout this long and winding journey. I also want to thank Jonathan Askonas, Stephen Biddle, Barret Bradstreet, Ahsan Butt, Matt Campbell, Thomas Christensen, Mark Christopher, Liam Collins, Luke Condra, Zack Cooper, Mark Crow, Christina Davis, Rex Douglass, Colin Dueck, Thomas Ehrhard, Joanne Gowa, Kristen Harkness, Christopher Hamner, Jerad Harper, Gregory Koblentz, Raymond Kuo, Ellen Laipson, Adam Liff, Matthew Lundgren, Robert McGrath, Rohan Mukherjee, Joseph Petrucelli, Jim Pfiffner, Eric Reid, Mark Rozell, Thomas Scherer, John Schutte, A. Trevor Thrall, and Keren Yahri-Milo for their advice and assistance over the years. Roger Haydon, along with the entire staff at Cornell University Press, did an amazing job of helping me (finally) get this book across the finish line. And I want to gratefully acknowledge the Bradley Foundation, the Smith Richardson Foundation, and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs for their financial support.