A new history of the battle of Mons in August 1914, which dramatically challenges the conventional narrative, illuminating the importance of the artillery, and exposing the incompetence of General Haig under the stress of war. . The history of the first large-scale battle of the Great War . Explains how the use of artillery was key to the battle’s outcome . Mons is a misunderstood battle and expert David Hutchinson wishes to correct that. This book is a history of the Battle of Mons in August 1914. It diverges widely from the story enshrined as fact in the Official History, and by subsequent accounts dependant on it. It is based on an examination of the war diaries of almost every British unit involved in the battle, with particular reference to the artillery, thus illuminating the tactical intentions of all arms in every phase of the battle. The artillery had made tactical preparations for the handling of their guns in battle. All units in the British Army conformed to Field Service Regulations. The central role that both these played in the battle is explored.