Throughout the ages, more combatants and civilians have died in war of the effects of starvation and resulting disease than have been killed by bullet or bomb. The author of this fascinating work argues that, over the last 160 years, conflicts have been decided not just on the battlefield but by the denial of an adversary's access to food. The starvation that followed led to military indiscipline, social unrest, and a failure of governance. Numerous examples prove his point, not least Germany in 1919. The Union blockade of the Confederacy in 1861 was a major factor in the outcome of the Civil War as was the American strategy against Japan in 1943-1945. The fates of besieged forces both at Vicksburg in 1863 and the British at Kut in 1916 were sealed when control of their respective supply routes was lost. Churchill's fears over Hitler's U-boat campaign were well justified. 'Logistics' is a modern word, but it describes a fundamental element of generalship, amply demonstrated at Metz in 1870 when logistic illiteracy resulted in a vast and hitherto undefeated French army having no option but to surrender. This thought-provoking book vividly demonstrates that extreme hunger is the precursor to starvation and, consequently, almost inevitable defeat. It proves that deprivation of food is a potent weapon that no commander can ignore. AUTHOR: Brigadier NS Nash CBE (always known as Tank) was educated at Latymer Upper School, served in the infantry battalion of the Honourable Artillery Company (1957-60) and, having been conscripted for National Service, stayed on and spent 31 years feeding soldiers around the world. He was the Bursar of Loretto School (1991-96). He has an MA in Military History from Birmingham University. For 30 years he wrote humour under the pen name 'Sustainer' and his work was published internationally. This book joins the author's eight previous titles with Pen and Sword which include Betrayal of an Army - Mesopotamia 1914 -1916, Logistics in the Vietnam Wars and The Siege that Changed the World ? Paris 1870-1871. 100 b/w illustrations
