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In this latest of our series of Trench Talk, it's a pleasure to be joined by author and historian Simon Batten.

Simon is the author of the critically acclaimed and award-winning book "Futile Exercise?" which examined the British Army's preparation for WW1 in the form of the massive all arms exercises that took place in the run-up to WW1.

The scale of these maneuvers was incredible, and some of the Generals who went on to become well-known during the Great War cut their teeth in these war games.  We look at the genesis of the project, some of the exercises themselves, and talk about how effective these war games were when combat broke out in WW1. 

You can find a copy of "Futile Exercise?" by following the below links
https://www.helion.co.uk/military-history-books/futile-exercise-the-british-armys-preparations-for-war-1902-1914.php

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Futile-Exercise-Preparations-1902-1914-Wolverhampton/dp/1911512854/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Q0ECAFRJCV8U&keywords=Futile+Exercise%3F&qid=1648244417&sprefix=futile+exercise+%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-1

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