The Battle of Arras lasted from 9th April to 16th May 1917, with a front that stretched from Bullecourt in the south to Vimy in the north. As with most of the action from 1915 onwards, the campaign was intended to break through German defences and put an end to the stalemate - and perhaps end the war in forty-eight hours.
Famous for the capture of Vimy Ridge by Canadian forces, the operation did make significant gains but ultimately failed to break through enemy lines. Our selection of titles gives a comprehensive overview of the events that took place during this stage of the war.
As featured on [link=http://ww1remembrance.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/all-our-casualties-now-are-caused-by.html]WW2 Remembrance![/link]
WWII Remembrance
As featured on [link=http://ww1remembrance.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/all-our-casualties-now-are-caused-by.html]WW2 Remembrance![/link]
WWII Remembrance
The author has an academic background and this is used to excellent effect in the range of sources used. The relevant battalion, brigade and divisional war diaries are referenced throughout and the material covering tactical developments is sourced, to a large extent, from the Imperial War Museum Archive. Local newspaper reports are quoted extensively and where there is a lack of certainty the author provides an appropriate caveat. The references relating to each chapter are laid out in a logical way and there is a useful appendix listing all of the men who are mentioned in the book. In the reviewers opinion the book would have benefited from a few maps – for those who are unfamiliar with the geography some of the movements are a little hard to follow. Also the description of the battalion’s involvement in the 1918 Kaiserschlacht may have resonated more had some of the more candid observations articulated by Cambs Suffolks veteran F. Haydn Hornsey in his book Hell on Earth been used.. Read more
The Western Front Association, Phil Curme
The author has an academic background and this is used to excellent effect in the range of sources used. The relevant battalion, brigade and divisional war diaries are referenced throughout and the material covering tactical developments is sourced, to a large extent, from the Imperial War Museum Archive. Local newspaper reports are quoted extensively and where there is a lack of certainty the author provides an appropriate caveat. The references relating to each chapter are laid out in a logical way and there is a useful appendix listing all of the men who are mentioned in the book. In the reviewers opinion the book would have benefited from a few maps – for those who are unfamiliar with the geography some of the movements are a little hard to follow. Also the description of the battalion’s involvement in the 1918 Kaiserschlacht may have resonated more had some of the more candid observations articulated by Cambs Suffolks veteran F. Haydn Hornsey in his book Hell on Earth been used.. Read more
The Western Front Association, Phil Curme
This excellent volume commences with the capture of Vimy Ridge and Notre Dame de Lorette in October 1914 and concludes in 1917. In writing it, Jack Sheldon has once again triumphed in producing yet another outstanding and fascinating volume which I am certain will be sought after and will be sure to grace many military historian’s and enthusiast’s bookshelves in the years to come, as it is the type of publication that can be read over and over again! Those who have read this author’s previous volumes will of course already be familiar with the quality of Jack’s work and like me, praise his excellent style and ability to write both flowing and accurate narrative on what many consider to be fairly complex subjects! He has certainly gone to great lengths in his research to complete this splendid title and should be commended on that point alone, as his sources of information must have been numerous, widespread and often fragmented at times. I am led to believe that the majority of.. Read more
Roll of Honour, Michael D. Booker
This excellent volume commences with the capture of Vimy Ridge and Notre Dame de Lorette in October 1914 and concludes in 1917. In writing it, Jack Sheldon has once again triumphed in producing yet another outstanding and fascinating volume which I am certain will be sought after and will be sure to grace many military historian’s and enthusiast’s bookshelves in the years to come, as it is the type of publication that can be read over and over again! Those who have read this author’s previous volumes will of course already be familiar with the quality of Jack’s work and like me, praise his excellent style and ability to write both flowing and accurate narrative on what many consider to be fairly complex subjects! He has certainly gone to great lengths in his research to complete this splendid title and should be commended on that point alone, as his sources of information must have been numerous, widespread and often fragmented at times. I am led to believe that the majority of.. Read more
Roll of Honour, Michael D. Booker
What a fascinating book this is, for a couple of different reasons. Firstly because it is a large collection of photos from WW1, but this time covering a German division and showing life for the German soldier both in the front line, and in more peaceful surroundings behind them. What makes it even more interesting for me though is that this is actually based on a regimental history first published in Germany way back in 1920. In the British army during WW1 cameras were officially banned, even though some were still used by both officers and men, even knowing the risks of being caught with them. It seems that this was not the case for the German army, and the use of cameras was common. As a result, the original Regimental history was filled with a large number of photos taken by members of the division. The German 26th Reserve Division fought on the Western Front throughout the war, first against the French, but later against the British in place so well known to British WW1 histories... Read more
Military Modelling online, May 2016 - Robin Buckland
What a fascinating book this is, for a couple of different reasons. Firstly because it is a large collection of photos from WW1, but this time covering a German division and showing life for the German soldier both in the front line, and in more peaceful surroundings behind them. What makes it even more interesting for me though is that this is actually based on a regimental history first published in Germany way back in 1920. In the British army during WW1 cameras were officially banned, even though some were still used by both officers and men, even knowing the risks of being caught with them. It seems that this was not the case for the German army, and the use of cameras was common. As a result, the original Regimental history was filled with a large number of photos taken by members of the division. The German 26th Reserve Division fought on the Western Front throughout the war, first against the French, but later against the British in place so well known to British WW1 histories... Read more
Military Modelling online, May 2016 - Robin Buckland
For anyone with a serious interest in French narrow-gauge railways in general, and the light railways of the First World War in particular, this comprehensive and thoroughly researched book is a must-have and will amply reward the time taken to read it thoroughly.
Very highly recommended.
SNCF Society Journal No.161
For anyone with a serious interest in French narrow-gauge railways in general, and the light railways of the First World War in particular, this comprehensive and thoroughly researched book is a must-have and will amply reward the time taken to read it thoroughly.
Very highly recommended.
SNCF Society Journal No.161
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Mud and Bodies
Neil Weir died in 1967, but it was not until 2009 that his grandson, Mike Burns, discovered his diary and letters among some packing trunks he had been left, and learnt that his grandfather had served as an officer in the 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for much of the First World War. A captain and company commander at the tender… Read more...
Neil Weir died in 1967, but it was not until 2009 that his grandson, Mike Burns, discovered his diary and letters among some packing trunks he had been left, and learnt that his grandfather had served as an officer in the 10th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders for much of the First World War. A captain and company commander at the tender… Read more...
