The Middlebrook Guide To The Somme Battlefields

Author : Mary Middlebrook
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 395 pages
File Size : 40,7 Mb
Release : 2007-01-01
Category : History
ISBN : 9781844155330

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The Middlebrook Guide to the Somme Battlefields by Mary Middlebrook Pdf

Since Roman times, the French department of the Somme has witnessed many wars, including Grecy (1346), Agincourt (1415), the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 and, of course, the two World Wars. It is the Great War that has the dubious distinction of being the most notorious and 1 July 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, was the costliest in our nation's long history with some 60,000 British casualties. Thirty-five years ago Martin Middlebrook opened his literary career by writing The First Day on the Somme and, seven years later, The Kaiser's Battle, his description of the first day of the German 1918 Spring Offensive over much the same area. Having also taken numerous tours and given many lectures he knows the ground intimately. This superb guide book sets out to describe every place on the Somme where there is a military cemetery, memorial, preserved trench or crater not just from the First World War but throughout the ages until the Allies swept away the Nazi armies during their 1944 advance. Aided by his wife Mary, Martin has used his encyclopaedic knowledge to make this a truly formidable work. It is more than just a guide book as readers will benefit from the descriptive powers and sound research that are the hallmarks of this highly respected historian.

Author : Mary Middlebrook
Publisher : Pen & Sword Books
Page : 0 pages
File Size : 44,5 Mb
Release : 2016-04-30
Category : Battlefields
ISBN : 1473879078

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The Middlebrook Guide to the Somme Battlefields by Mary Middlebrook Pdf

* The name Middlebrook is greatly respected by experts and laymen alike. * Covers not just the WW1 battles but the full span of history. * Full of useful information and points of interest. * Well illustrated and beautifully written. * A proven success now fully updated.

Author : Martin Middlebrook
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 413 pages
File Size : 54,7 Mb
Release : 2006-05-25
Category : History
ISBN : 9781844154654

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The First Day on the Somme by Martin Middlebrook Pdf

After an immense but useless bombardment, at 7.30 am. On 1 July 1916 the British Army went over the top and attacked the German trenches. It was the first day of the battle of the Somme, and on that day the British suffered nearly 60,000 casualties, two for every yard of their front. With more than fifty times the daily losses at El Alamein and fifteen times the British casualties on D-day, 1 July 1916 was the blackest day in the history of the British Army. But, more than that, as Lloyd George recognised, it was a watershed in the history of the First World War. The Army that attacked on that day was the volunteer Army that had answered Kitchener's call. It had gone into action confident of a decisive victory. But by sunset on the first day on the Somme, no one could any longer think of a war that might be won. Martin Middlebrook's research has covered not just official and regimental histories and tours of the battlefields, but interviews with hundreds of survivors, both British and German. As to the action itself, he conveys the overall strategic view and the terrifying reality that it was for front-line soldiers.

Author : Martin Middlebrook
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 265 pages
File Size : 44,6 Mb
Release : 2016-06-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473877184

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The First Day on the Somme by Martin Middlebrook Pdf

A history of the British Army’s experience at the Battle of the Somme in France during World War I. After an immense but useless bombardment, at 7:30 AM on July 1, 1916, the British Army went over the top and attacked the German trenches. It was the first day of the battle of the Somme, and on that day, the British suffered nearly 60,000 casualties, two for every yard of their front. With more than fifty times the daily losses at El Alamein and fifteen times the British casualties on D-day, July 1, 1916, was the blackest day in the history of the British Army. But, more than that, as Lloyd George recognized, it was a watershed in the history of the First World War. The Army that attacked on that day was the volunteer Army that had answered Kitchener’s call. It had gone into action confident of a decisive victory. But by sunset on the first day on the Somme, no one could any longer think of a war that might be won. Martin Middlebrook’s research has covered not just official and regimental histories and tours of the battlefields, but interviews with hundreds of survivors, both British and German. As to the action itself, he conveys the overall strategic view and the terrifying reality that it was for front-line soldiers. Revised in 2016 from the 1971 original edition. Praise for The First Day on the Somme “The remembrance of those lives, difficult as it may be, will start in earnest now, with this wonderful book. It’s almost like being there yourself... enough said.”—Books Monthly (UK)

Author : Paul Reed
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 218 pages
File Size : 48,8 Mb
Release : 1998
Category : Somme (France)
ISBN : OCLC:1204326746

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Walking the Somme by Paul Reed Pdf

Author : Tonie Holt,Valmai Holt
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 589 pages
File Size : 53,7 Mb
Release : 2008-06-15
Category : History
ISBN : 9781783035090

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Major & Mrs Holt's Battlefield Guide to the Somme by Tonie Holt,Valmai Holt Pdf

Major and Mrs. Holt's Battlefield Guide to the Somme is, without doubt, one of the best-selling guide books to the battlefields of the Somme. This latest updated edition, includes four recommended, timed itineraries representing one day's traveling. Every stop on route has an accompanying description and often a tale of heroic or tragic action.Memorials, private and official, sites of memorable conflict, the resting places of personalities of note are all drawn together with sympathetic and understanding commentary that gives the reader a sensitivity towards the events of 1916.

Author : Gareth Hughes
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 170 pages
File Size : 51,5 Mb
Release : 2014-09-11
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473821392

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Visiting the Somme & Ypres Battlefields Made Easy by Gareth Hughes Pdf

This splendid and timely book will be invaluable to those visiting the battlefields, sites, museums, memorials and cemeteries of France and Belgium. It is intended for those planning and leading school groups and similar parties but is also ideal for individual/family visitors.??Rather than list every site etc it provides realistic itineraries to the best places in the two major areas of the Somme and Ypres. Even these are flexible to allow party leaders suitable discretion.??The author provides helpful information for each site such as its context in the War, visitor orientation, the 'spiel' (the essential facts to engage, inform and entertain), suggested activity and relevant photos and maps.??This combines to make every visit of maximum benefit and interest and yet reduce the workload of the party leaders.??There are also valuable tips for lunch breaks, free time ideas and other helpful pointers.

Author : Jon Cooksey,Jerry Murland
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 221 pages
File Size : 42,5 Mb
Release : 2016-08-31
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473897236

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The First Day of the Somme by Jon Cooksey,Jerry Murland Pdf

Many guidebooks cover the Somme offensive in 1916, the five-month struggle that has come to be seen as one of the defining episodes in the history of the fighting on the Western Front during the First World War. But no previous guide has concentrated on the first day, 1 July 1916, when the British Army suffered around 60,000 casualties. That is why, on the centenary of that great battle, this new volume from Pen & Sword is so timely. In a series of tours that can be walked, biked or driven, expert authors Jon Cooksey and Jerry Murland take the visitor along the eighteen-mile front line that was the starting point for the Somme offensive, from Gommecourt in the north to Maricourt in the south. The tours allow the visitor to trace the entire course of the opening day on the ground. In vivid detail the authors describe what happened, where it happened and why and which units were involved, and point out the sights that remain for the visitor to see.

Author : Nigel Cave,Richard van Emden,Tonie Holt,Valmai Holt
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 140 pages
File Size : 46,5 Mb
Release : 2016-05-31
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473898899

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Somme: Great War 100 Years by Nigel Cave,Richard van Emden,Tonie Holt,Valmai Holt Pdf

This publication, SOMME THE BATTLE 100 YEARS ON, has been published by Pen & Sword Books Ltd, with the purpose of creating an awareness and an interest in theSomme battles of 1916. For nearly thirty years, Pen & Sword Books Ltd has published numerous titles covering various Pals battalions formed for the Big Push. They have also been fore-runners in setting up the Battleground Series guides, which are packed with then and now illustrations, using battle maps from the time and road maps of the sites today. They are all specifically designed to take the tourer safely through these now historic sites. Many more books have been written and published by Pen & Sword on the other battles of the First World War. Only a small portion relating to 1 July 1916 has been taken from each book appearing in this publication. Much more information can been gleaned from reading about the events of the Somme battles and the awful aftermath of the day through reading the books mentioned at the end of each extract.These publications would not have been possible without the skill and dedication of our authors who have painstakingly researched and written about the subjects that bring to light these historic events.

Author : Nigel Cave
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 169 pages
File Size : 48,5 Mb
Release : 1990-03-29
Category : History
ISBN : 9781871647020

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Battleground Europe by Nigel Cave Pdf

A study of the most important sites, primarily of the two world wars, covering both their history and descriptions of how they are today. For the interested traveller, the author groups key sites together, listing places offering accommodation, food, and detailing places of local interest.

Author : David O'Mara
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 238 pages
File Size : 45,6 Mb
Release : 2017-11-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781473897724

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The Somme 1916 by David O'Mara Pdf

With a few notable exceptions, the French efforts on the Somme have been largely missing or minimized in British accounts of the Battle of the Somme. And yet they held this sector of the Front from the outbreak of the war until well into 1915 and, indeed, in parts into 1916. It does not hurt to be reminded that the French army suffered some 200,000 casualties in the 1916 offensive.David OMaras book provides an outline narrative describing the arrival of the war on the Somme and some of the notable and quite fierce actions that took place that autumn and, indeed, into December of 1914. Extensive mine warfare was a feature of 1915 and beyond on the Somme; for example under Redan Ridge and before Dompierre and Fay. The French limited offensive at Serre in June 1915 is reasonably well known, but there was fighting elsewhere for example the Germans launched a short, sharp, limited attack at Frise in January 1916, part of the diversionary action before the Germans launched their ill-fated offensive at Verdun.The book covers the Somme front from Gommecourt, north of the Somme, to Chaulnes, at the southern end of the battle zone of 1916. The reader is taken around key points in various tours. For many British visitors the battlefields south of the Somme will be a revelation; there is much to see, both of cemeteries and memorials, but also substantial traces of the fighting remain on the ground, some of which is accessible to the public.It has always been something of a disgrace that there is so little available, even in French, to educate the public in an accessible written form about the substantial effort made by Frances army on the Somme; this book and subsequent, more detailed volumes to be published in the coming years will go some way to rectify this. British visitors should be fascinated by the story of these forgotten men of France and the largely unknown part of the Somme battlefield.

Author : David O'Mara
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 239 pages
File Size : 46,9 Mb
Release : 2018-05-30
Category : History
ISBN : 9781526722416

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The French on the Somme by David O'Mara Pdf

For many British visitors, the fighting in the Somme starts on 1 July 1916 and few consider what happened in the area before the British took over the line, part in later 1915 and some in 1916.In fact there was extensive fighting during the opening phase of he war, as both the French and Germans tried to outflank each other. Through the autumn and winter there was a struggle to hold the best tactical ground, with small scale but ferocious skirmishes from Beaumont Hamel to the Somme.The conflict in what became known as the Glory Hole, close to the well known Lochnagar Crater, was particularly prolonged. Evidence of the fighting, mainly in the form of a large mine crater field, is visible today. The underground war was not confined to la Boisselle, with a similar crater field developing on Redan Ridge; whilst south of the Somme, to be covered in a future volume, great lengths of No Man's Land were dominated by mine craters.Serre, best known to British readers for its association with the Pals Battalions on 1 July 1916, witnessed a significant, if local, French offensive in June 1915, with casualties running into the several thousands. It is a battle that has left its mark on the landscape today, with a French national cemetery and a commemorative chapel acting as memorials to the battle.The book is introduced by a chapter describing the role of the area in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, a war which arguably provided the seed bed for the outbreak of war in 1914. Several battles were fought in Somme villages that were to become the victims of war all over again forty plus years later.

Author : John Masefield
Publisher : Unknown
Page : 152 pages
File Size : 55,9 Mb
Release : 1918
Category : Somme, 1st Battle of the, France, 1916
ISBN : WISC:89100115369

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The Old Front Line by John Masefield Pdf

Author : Paul Reed
Publisher : Casemate Publishers
Page : 296 pages
File Size : 49,9 Mb
Release : 2011-07-12
Category : Travel
ISBN : 9781783376674

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Walking the Somme by Paul Reed Pdf

This new edition of the classic WWI battlefield guide is updated with current information and a new walking tour through Mametz Wood. Paul Reed’s Walking the Somme is an essential traveling companion for anyone visiting the site of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. It distills a lifetime of research into the battle and the landscape over which it was fought. Combining expert insight, historical context and practical information, Reed guides visitors on walks through Gommecourt, Serre, Beaumont-Hamel and Thiepval to Montauban, High Wood, Delville Wood and Flers. The fifteen original walking tours have been fully revised and updated. There is also a new walking tour tracing the operations around Mametz Wood. Walking the Somme brings the visitor not only to the places where the armies clashed but to the landscape of monuments, cemeteries and villages that make the Somme battlefield so moving to explore.

Author : Martin Middlebrook
Publisher : Pen and Sword
Page : 682 pages
File Size : 42,9 Mb
Release : 2009-09-19
Category : History
ISBN : 9781844686322

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Arnhem 1944 by Martin Middlebrook Pdf

A detailed history of the World War II battle, featuring experiences from over 500 participants, by the author of The First Day on the Somme. The Battle of Arnhem was a turning point in the war, a gamble by Montgomery, using three airborne divisions to capture a series of bridges spanning the wide rivers of Holland and unleash the Allied armies into the plains of northern Germany. If the bridges had been captured and held, and the ground forces had been able to relieve the airborne forces, then there would have been a good chance of ending the war before Christmas, 1944. It all went wrong. Although the bridges taken by the Americans were relieved by ground troops, these troops could not reach Arnhem quickly enough. In the meantime, only a small part of the 1st British Airborne Division had reached the Arnhem Bridge. Most of the remainder of the airborne force was held up on the outskirts of the town by German units that turned out to be far stronger than expected—a major intelligence failure. After nine days of fighting, the survivors of the division were withdrawn across the Rhine, and it was not until many months later that ground forces captured Arnhem. Using the technique he has perfected over twenty-five years of military study, blending meticulous research based on original documents with the personal experiences of more than 500 participants, Martin Middlebrook describes the Battle of Arnhem from start to finish, from one end of that complicated battlefield to the other. He offers a masterly summary of what went wrong in the last major defeat in battle suffered by the British Army.