A Wood Called Bourlon

A Wood Called Bourlon PDF Author: William Moore
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 0850524822
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
After the great victory in the famous tank battle at Cambrai in 1917 the church bells, having been silent for three years, rang out joyously all over Britain But within ten days triumph turned to disaster. How did this happen and why?William Moore, a distinguished First World War historian, attempts to explain what went wrong. All the advantages gained were thrown away; thousands of British troops were captured and hundreds of guns were lost. Seventy years after these events Mr Moore has studied the evidence (much of it previously unpublished) contained in the inevitable enquiry that followed the disaster and he seeks to answer a number of questions. Was Field-Marshal Haig really as dour as he has been portrayed or was he a reckless gambler and was General Byng, whose troops and guns were captured, really a brilliant planner or a haughty aristocrat dedicated to proving that cavalry still had a place on the battlefield? And why were they both obsessed with capturing Bourlon Ridge on which stood the sinister Bourlon Wood? A Highland Division, a Welsh Brigade, a Yorkshire Division (twice), the Guards, Ulstermen, Lancashire-men, Londoners and Midlanders- all were drawn into the maelstrom in an attempt to consolidate the Cambrai victory They failed. It was left to the Canadians to carry the Bourlon position in one of the finest feats of arms of the Great War. The British are always reputed to take a perverce interest in their own military blunders. This strange episode is one that most people have been happy to forget. All those involved in hight places sought to make excuses; some indulged in a profound exercise of duplicity implying that the soldiers themselves were to blame. Mr Moor's book throws new light on a dark episode in British Military History.

A Wood Called Bourlon

A Wood Called Bourlon PDF Author: William Moore
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 0850524822
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
After the great victory in the famous tank battle at Cambrai in 1917 the church bells, having been silent for three years, rang out joyously all over Britain But within ten days triumph turned to disaster. How did this happen and why?William Moore, a distinguished First World War historian, attempts to explain what went wrong. All the advantages gained were thrown away; thousands of British troops were captured and hundreds of guns were lost. Seventy years after these events Mr Moore has studied the evidence (much of it previously unpublished) contained in the inevitable enquiry that followed the disaster and he seeks to answer a number of questions. Was Field-Marshal Haig really as dour as he has been portrayed or was he a reckless gambler and was General Byng, whose troops and guns were captured, really a brilliant planner or a haughty aristocrat dedicated to proving that cavalry still had a place on the battlefield? And why were they both obsessed with capturing Bourlon Ridge on which stood the sinister Bourlon Wood? A Highland Division, a Welsh Brigade, a Yorkshire Division (twice), the Guards, Ulstermen, Lancashire-men, Londoners and Midlanders- all were drawn into the maelstrom in an attempt to consolidate the Cambrai victory They failed. It was left to the Canadians to carry the Bourlon position in one of the finest feats of arms of the Great War. The British are always reputed to take a perverce interest in their own military blunders. This strange episode is one that most people have been happy to forget. All those involved in hight places sought to make excuses; some indulged in a profound exercise of duplicity implying that the soldiers themselves were to blame. Mr Moor's book throws new light on a dark episode in British Military History.

Battle Tactics of the Western Front

Battle Tactics of the Western Front PDF Author: Paddy Griffith
Publisher: Yale University Press
ISBN: 9780300066630
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 310

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Book Description
Historians have portrayed British participation in World War I as a series of tragic debacles, with lines of men mown down by machine guns, with untried new military technology, and incompetent generals who threw their troops into improvised and unsuccessful attacks. In this book a renowned military historian studies the evolution of British infantry tactics during the war and challenges this interpretation, showing that while the British army's plans and technologies failed persistently during the improvised first half of the war, the army gradually improved its technique, technology, and, eventually, its' self-assurance. By the time of its successful sustained offensive in the fall of 1918, says Paddy Griffith, the British army was demonstrating a battlefield skill and mobility that would rarely be surpassed even during World War II. Evaluating the great gap that exists between theory and practice, between textbook and bullet-swept mudfield, Griffith argues that many battles were carefully planned to exploit advanced tactics and to avoid casualties, but that breakthrough was simply impossible under the conditions of the time. According to Griffith, the British were already masters of "storm troop tactics" by the end of 1916, and in several important respects were further ahead than the Germans would be even in 1918. In fields such as the timing and orchestration of all-arms assaults, predicted artillery fire, "Commando-style" trench raiding, the use of light machine guns, or the barrage fire of heavy machine guns, the British led the world. Although British generals were not military geniuses, says Griffith, they should at least be credited for effectively inventing much of the twentieth-century's art of war.

The Empire on the Western Front

The Empire on the Western Front PDF Author: Geoffrey Jackson
Publisher: UBC Press
ISBN: 0774860170
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 349

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Book Description
When Great Britain and its dominions declared war on Germany in August 1914, they were faced with the formidable challenge of transforming masses of untrained citizen-soldiers at home and abroad into competent, coordinated fighting divisions. The Empire on the Western Front focuses on the development of two units, Britain’s 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division and the Canadian 4th Division, to show how the British Expeditionary Force rose to this challenge. Examining their respective geneses and following them through to the end of the war, Geoffrey Jackson explores many aspects of the division-building process of these two units – from leadership and training to discipline and morale – and how (or whether) the process differed in Britain and Canada. The Empire on the Western Front examines army formation and operations at the divisional level and ultimately calls into question existing accounts that emphasize the differences between the imperial and dominion armies.

The Path to Blitzkrieg

The Path to Blitzkrieg PDF Author: Robert M. Citino
Publisher: Stackpole Books
ISBN: 1461751934
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Essential background to the German blitzkrieg of World War II Complements the stories of panzer aces like Otto Carius and Michael Wittmann In the wake of World War I, the German army lay in ruins--defeated in the war, sundered by domestic upheaval, and punished by the Treaty of Versailles. A mere twenty years later, Germany possessed one of the finest military machines in the world, capable of launching a stunning blitzkrieg attack against Poland in 1939. Well-known military historian Robert M. Citino shows how Germany accomplished this astonishing reversal and developed the doctrine, tactics, and technologies that its military would use to devastating effect in World War II.

The Kensington Battalion

The Kensington Battalion PDF Author: G. I. S. Inglis
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 178346108X
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 591

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Book Description
Raised by the Mayor of Kensington, the 22nd Royal Fusiliers (the Kensington Battalion) were a strange mixture of social classes (bankers and stevedores, writers and laborers) with a strong sprinkling of irreverent colonials thrown in. Such a disparate group needed a strong leader and, luckily, in Randle Barratt Barker, they found one, first as their trainer and then as the Commanding Officer.As this superb book reveals The Kensington Battalion had a unique spirit and given their ordeals they needed this. They suffered severely in the battles of 1917 and, starved of reinforcements, were disbanded in 1918. Yet thanks to a strong Old Comrades Association, a special magazine Mufti, welfare work and reunions the Battalions close spirit lived on.The author has successfully drawn on a wealth of first hand material (diaries, letters and official documents) as well as interviews from the 1980s to produce a fitting and atmospheric record of service and sacrifice.

Historical Dictionary of World War I

Historical Dictionary of World War I PDF Author: Ian V. Hogg
Publisher: Scarecrow Press
ISBN: 9780810833722
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 324

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Book Description
Contains brief biographies of commanders and diplomatic leaders, as well as casualty statistics and descriptions of geographical locations. Each entry gives a basic overview of crucial information. It also includes maps and chronologies that provide a visual perspective on the breadth of World War I, and how it truly encompassed, and transformed the entire world.

1917

1917 PDF Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : World War, 1914-1918
Languages : en
Pages : 344

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Book Description


ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE Ultimate Collection: 21 Novels, 188 Short Stories, 88 Poems & 7 Plays, Including Works on Spirituality, Historical Writings & Personal Memoirs (Illustrated)

ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE Ultimate Collection: 21 Novels, 188 Short Stories, 88 Poems & 7 Plays, Including Works on Spirituality, Historical Writings & Personal Memoirs (Illustrated) PDF Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Literary Collections
Languages : en
Pages : 6833

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Book Description
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'Ultimate Collection' encompasses a vast array of literary works, including 21 novels, 188 short stories, 88 poems, and 7 plays. Doyle's writing style is characterized by its tightly structured plots, intricate mysteries, and vivid character portrayals, making him a pioneer in the detective fiction genre. His works often delve into themes of justice, morality, and the complexities of human nature, reflecting the societal concerns of his time. The inclusion of spiritual writings, historical pieces, and personal memoirs further showcases Doyle's versatility as a writer. With detailed illustrations to accompany each piece, readers are transported into the captivating world of Doyle's imagination. Arthur Conan Doyle's diverse collection is a testament to his enduring literary legacy and continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This comprehensive anthology is a must-read for fans of classic literature, detective fiction enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a glimpse into the mind of a literary master.

History of the Great War (All 6 Volumes)

History of the Great War (All 6 Volumes) PDF Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: e-artnow
ISBN: 8026881559
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1237

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Book Description
This book is a complete six-volume history of the First World War, written during the war by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Doyle interviewed army generals, read their papers and diaries, and he also talked to numerous soldiers in order to get a full picture. He describes all the main battles of the British Army, offering very detailed accounts of battles, where great feats of bravery and courage are given. Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was a British writer best known for his detective fiction featuring the character Sherlock Holmes. The Sherlock Holmes stories are generally considered milestones in the field of crime fiction. Doyle is also known for writing the fictional adventures of Professor Challenger and for propagating the mystery of the Mary Celeste. He was a prolific writer whose other works include fantasy and science fiction stories, plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction and historical novels.

A HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR - All 6 Volumes (Illustrated with Maps and Plans)

A HISTORY OF THE GREAT WAR - All 6 Volumes (Illustrated with Maps and Plans) PDF Author: Arthur Conan Doyle
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 1246

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Book Description
Arthur Conan Doyle's 'A History of the Great War' is a monumental work consisting of all 6 volumes, meticulously illustrated with maps and plans. This comprehensive account of World War I delves into the political, military, and social aspects of the conflict, providing readers with a detailed analysis of the key events that shaped the war. Doyle's writing style is both engaging and authoritative, making the complex subject matter accessible to a wide audience. The inclusion of maps and plans enhances the reader's understanding of the geographic scope of the war, adding a visual element to the narrative. Set against the backdrop of the early 20th century, the book offers valuable insights into the historical context of the Great War, making it an essential read for history enthusiasts and scholars alike.