War Studies The British way of war, Julian Corbett and national strategy with Professor Andrew Lambert
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Feb 11, 2022 
In a thought-provoking discussion, Professor Andrew Lambert, Laughton Professor of Naval History at King's College London, delves into the life and legacy of historian Sir Julian Corbett. He highlights Corbett's revolutionary concept of the 'British way of war' and critiques how his insights were overlooked at the onset of WWI yet ultimately influenced WWII strategies. Lambert emphasizes the role of history in military strategy and shares Corbett’s invaluable lessons for modern officers. The podcast reveals a growing recognition of Corbett's brilliance as a strategist a century after his passing.
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Dinner With T.E. Lawrence
- Corbett hosted T.E. Lawrence and praised Lawrence's sea-based, low-cost campaign in the Middle East.
- He saw Lawrence's methods as proof of the effectiveness of a British maritime approach.
Distinctive British Maritime Strategy
- Corbett defined a distinctive British maritime method focused on economic pressure and limited wars rather than continental mass-army knockouts.
- He argued strategy should be a living doctrine derived from past practice and tailored to national needs.
Battle For A National Strategy
- Corbett fought to prevent the army from hijacking Britain's national strategy toward a continental model in 1914–18.
- He insisted Britain’s wars should reflect maritime realities, not copied continental methods.
