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A Visitor's Guide: The Battles of Arras South (Paperback)

Bullecourt, Monchy-le-Preux, Wancourt and the Valley of the Scarpe

Military > Battlefield Guidebooks > WWI Battlefield Guides WWI > Battles & Campaigns > Arras

By Jon Cooksey, Jerry Murland
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: A Visitor's Guide
Pages: 134
Illustrations: 100
ISBN: 9781526742391
Published: 14th November 2019

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The First World War battlefields to the south of Arras – including Battery Valley and Observation Ridge, Telegraph Hill, Monchy-le-Preux, Wancourt, and Bullecourt – are among the most famous and most visited sites on the Western Front, rivalled only by those around Ypres and the Somme, and this clearly written, highly illustrated guide is the ideal introduction to them.

Visitors can trace for themselves the course of each battle across the modern landscape and gain a fascinating insight into the nature of the fighting in the area – and the wider conflict across the Western Front – throughout the war. The book covers the key battles fought in the southern sector of the Arras front, including the 1917 battles fought at Battery Valley, Monchy-le-Preux, Wancourt and Bullecourt.

Expert guides Jon Cooksey and Jerry Murland have devised a series of routes that can be walked, biked or driven, explaining the fighting that occurred at each place in vivid detail. They record what happened, where it happened and why, and point out the sights that remain for the visitor to see. Their guidebook is essential reading for visitors who wish to enhance their understanding of the war on the Western Front.

If you are planning a trip to the Western Front, this book is certainly worth packing as part of your key kit arsenal. Recommended reading.

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Gallipoli Association

Overall, a good and interesting piece of work that will, I am sure, be valuable for anyone wishing to study and see the Arras battlefield. Perhaps, Covid-19 permitted, we will be able to do so soon!

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The Long, Long Trail

The authors intentions in this book, to enable the reader and visitors to appreciate and explore the more remote parts of the Western Front are fully achieved.  A slickly sized book, perfect and designed to take with you across to the battlefields, provides a unique supplement to any visitor, in which they can look to trace themselves the progression of each battle adjacent to the modern landscape which they will travel upon... Overall, this book is a must if you are visiting the surrounding landscape of Arras. 

Jon Sandison

Jon Cooksey and Jerry Murland have devised a series of routes that can be walked, biked or driven, explaining the fighting that occurred at each place in vivid detail. They record what happened, where it happened and why, and point out the sights that remain for the visitor to see. Their guidebook is essential reading for visitors who wish to enhance their understanding of the war on the Western Front.

Read the full review here

In the Footsteps

This is a fantastic little book and I will say why, it includes the battles at Bullecourt, Monchy-le-Preux, Wancourt and the Valley of the Scarpe. Now this book seems to have everything from the history of the battles and area, local churches and cemetaries. It even has a acouple of tables at the back of the book about the VC winners and the notable people killed at the various sites. Inside the book not only is all the text clearly explained and laid out, but it’s easy to follow. Together, with this we have some fantastic photos, pictures and maps which help knit everything as one. An excellent little book and if you were going to visit the area, I just don’t see why you wouldn’t take along a copy. It’s a must.

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UK Historian

A practical guide for visitors to the Battlefields of Arras South. Two experienced battlefield guides have combined their considerable experience to produce an informative and very helpful guide to maximise the experience. – Very Highly Recommended.

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Firetrench

I’ve used many guides in the past and would count this one as being of the very highest order. The authors know their subject well and they have gone to quite extraordinary lengths to ensure that the superbly laid out information within the guide is supplemented by stories and observations which bring the text to life. The style of their presentation will do much to enhance the experience of those who
choose to use this guide to inform their visit to an often-overlooked part of the Western Front.

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Phil Curme

Excellent work. 10/10

The Great War magazine, March 2020

Arras has a lot of history from both World Wars and is well worth the trip. These days a lovely part of the world and plenty of good food available in the many restaurants as well. An excellent little guide from two experienced battlefield historians.

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Military Model Scene, Robin Buckland

This is a slim volume, easily carried on the battlefields. It does what it says on the tin and will certainly be in my pocket when I venture to the Arras battlefields later this year.

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WW1 Geek

Well written, good maps & clear information. Essential guidebook to the southern Arras sectors.

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Paul Reed via Twitter

Another excellent visitor’s guide from Cooksey & Murland that complements their guide to Arras North. This book focuses on Arras South and delivers a clear description of the ground, the actions that took place on it and the many vignettes of those who were there. As would be expected from these authors they add their own thoughts and insights on what you can see from each location because they are battlefield experts who know their stuff! The several suggested routes and walks are clear and will greatly assist anybody visiting the battlefield.

Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide

Michael McCarthy

About Jon Cooksey

The late Jon Cooksey was a leading military historian who took a special interest in the history of the world wars. He was the editor of Stand To!, the journal of the Western Front Association, and an experienced battlefield guide. His many books included The Barnsley Pals, Calais, Harry’s War and, as editor, Blood and Iron. 


About Jerry Murland

Jerry Murland is a retired headteacher who has written over twenty books and guidebooks coverering the events of the First and Second World Wars. His first book, Aristocrats Go To War, was published by Pen and Sword in 2010 and since then he has gone on the write a number of others, including the Battlelines Guidebooks to the Western Front, co-written with Jon Cooksey. He is currently writing an account of the Battle of the Ypres-Comines Canal 1940, part of eight Battleground Europe books which cover the France and Flanders campaign of 1940.

Perfect Partner

A Visitor's Guide: The Battles of Arras North Vimy Ridge to Oppy Wood and Gavrelle (Paperback)

The First World War battlefields to the north of Arras – including Vimy Ridge – are among the most famous and most visited sites on the Western Front, rivalled only by those around Ypres and the Somme, and this clearly written, highly illustrated guide is the ideal introduction to them. Visitors can trace for themselves the course of each battle across the modern landscape and gain a fascinating insight into the nature of the fighting in the area – and the wider conflict across the Western Front – throughout the war. The book covers the key battles fought in the northern sector of the…

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