"The Ignorant Armies" by E.M. Hallidays chronicles the American North Russian Expeditionary Force (ANREF) during their battle against the Bolshevik forces in 1918. Originally sent to assist the White Russian Forces and support Czar during the revolution, ANREF was also tasked with creating a zone that would influence the British army's perception of their mission, which had become ambiguous due to the Treaty of Versailles and Wilson's fourteen points.
Hallidays has utilized various sources such as conducting interviews with combatants who served in the armies (Dyer, 33). His intention is to provide a comprehensive portrayal of the everyday experiences of ordinary American soldiers who were positioned at the forefront during times of war. He expounds on the difficulties these soldiers encountered under the leadership of their officers and indecisive politicians. As a result of such indecisiveness, th
...ese soldiers would sacrifice their lives while fighting for their country. Hallidays seamlessly intertwines politics and military aspects in order to shed light on overlooked segments of American history.
The book's back cover features the graves of World War 1 heroes, who have been laid to rest since that era but remain unforgettable. The author also highlights the disparate circumstances faced by the doughboys and the Bolshiveks. Additionally, the book delves into the challenging experiences of soldiers fighting in the freezing cold of the Arctic Circle.
In his book, Pringle (53) questions why the American history has forgotten the war fought by the soldiers. Hallidays, on the other hand, explains that this war played a significant role in creating and maintaining the relationship between Russia and America. This relationship has endured for 45 years, thanks to the sacrifice and dedication of the
soldiers. Hallidays aims to shed light on the Americans' ignorance towards this forgotten piece of their history, emphasizing the importance of treasuring it for their current identity. The book reveals how the American Army invaded Soviet Russia and eventually became occupants as World War 1 was nearing its end.
The account provides a thorough explanation of every activity that occurred during this period. It also delves into the reasons behind Russia's longstanding suspicion of America. Specifically, the book highlights the unexpected presence of the American Army on Russian land and their subsequent collaboration in warfare, leaving the Russians uncertain about America's intentions following their assistance in the war (Courtney, 51).
During the Cold War, America faced other communist forces that increased their power. The conduct of this war had a lasting impact on the relationship between the two nations in the 20th century. Hallidays explains how events unfolded, leading to the current successful relationship between Russia and America. According to Hallidays, in 1918, both Germany and Austria were decimated after signing the Armistice. Some believed that after this war in 1918, conflicts between America and Russia would cease. However, it marked only the beginning of escalating tensions and disputes.
According to Hallidays, multiple factors contributed to a significant number of soldier fatalities. These factors encompassed bureaucratic incompetence, lack of cooperation among commanders, political incompetence, and insufficient logistic support. Additionally, Hallidays notes that the mission remained undisclosed, resulting in the families of participating soldiers being unaware of their involvement in the Cold War. Furthermore, several nations such as Canada, France, and Britain offered reinforcement to the Russian Army.
According to Hallidays, the soldiers of these armies fought tirelessly in spite
of the challenges they faced in the wilderness, including the cold. These armies were devoted to aiding Russia but eventually all of them deserted Russia towards the end of the war, leaving its fate uncertain (Dyer, 41). Nonetheless, they did assist White Russia, and without their aid, Russia as it exists today would not have been possible. Hallidays' focus is on elucidating how America's history has shaped the nation's current state, particularly in its connections with other countries like Russia.
According to Hallidays, it is important to eliminate ignorance, as there were occasions when states had to support each other in order to establish themselves fully. Hallidays' book forms a foundation for American history and highlights its crucial aspect that should never be forgotten. The book documents the involvement of American soldiers in the Revolutionary War, making it an account of past events. Depending on the readers, the book addresses various interests. Hallidays effectively explains the events by drawing on his interactions with individuals who played a significant role in the war.
The troops from Michigan, where he studied and later became a lecturer, were fighting effortlessly for an unknown reason against Northern Russia. The book's title captures this uncertainty. The officers had no control over the war as conflicting directives were received from their governments (Courtney, 72). Only Winston Churchill knew the true purpose of the war, making him appear as a prophet compared to others who were unaware of why they had to fight.
The frustration of American soldiers in the war stemmed from the challenges they faced without fully understanding the purpose. The book provides a detailed account of the participants' opinions and views. In
addition to being interesting, the book contains valuable information for historians and military personnel.
Work cited
- Dyer, Gwynne. Ignorant Armies: Sliding into War in Iraq. Toronto, Ont: McClelland & Stewart, 2003. Print.
- Courtney, Charles S. Ignorant Armies: Tales and Morals of an Alien Empire. Victoria, BC: Trafford, 2007. Print.
- Pringle, David, John Blanche, Jim Burns, Ian McCaig, Martin McKenna, Bob Naismith, Jes Goodwin, John Sibbick, Adrian Smith, and Stephen Tappin. Ignorant Armies. Brighton England: GW Books, 1989. Print.
