This article addresses a gap in the literature on military adaptation by focusing on the first step in the adaptive process: detecting failure. We argue that institutionalised feedback loops are a critical mechanism for facilitating detection. Feedback loops are most effective when they filter information and distribute lessons learned to senior tactical commanders. In turn, effective filtration depends on incorporating frontline soldiers and specialists into intelligence cells while creating a protected space for dissent. We evaluate our theory against both irregular and conventional wars fought by the British Army: the counterinsurgency campaign in the Southern Cameroons (1960–1) as well as the evolution of British assault tactics on the Western Front of the First World War (1914–18).

中文翻译：

---

发现变革的必要性：英国军队如何适应西线和喀麦隆南部的战争

本文通过关注适应过程的第一步：检测失败，解决了有关军事适应的文献中的空白。我们认为，制度化的反馈循环是促进检测的关键机制。反馈循环在过滤信息并将经验教训分发给高级战术指挥官时最为有效。反过来，有效的过滤取决于将前线士兵和专家纳入情报单元，同时为异议创造一个受保护的空间。我们针对英国军队进行的非正规战争和常规战争评估我们的理论：南喀麦隆的平叛运动（1960-1）以及英国在第一次世界大战西线（1914-18）进攻战术的演变）。