cover image: Vimy Ridge and Arras : The Spring 1917 Offensive in Panoramas

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Vimy Ridge and Arras : The Spring 1917 Offensive in Panoramas

5 Jul 2010

In April 1917, Allied guns pounded German positions near Arras with almost three million shells. During the early stages of the succeeding offensive, British and Canadian troops achieved unprecedented advances, capturing a huge swathe of enemy territory, including the famous Vimy Ridge. After the initial shock, however, the Germans quickly recovered to employ inspired battlefield tactics that crushed all hope of breakthrough, despite the injection of Australian military flair.

The ultimate cost in human life was immense, with an average daily casualty rate 40 per cent greater than the Somme and almost double that of Passchendaele – making it hour for hour the most treacherous British offensive of the First World War. It stands alone as an example of missed opportunity, wasted lives, defective leadership and poor communication. Yet the determination and doggedness shown by the troops on both sides was breathtaking.

In this major new account, Peter Barton showcases over 50 rediscovered British and German panoramic photographs of the battlegrounds. Taken at huge personal risk by specialist photographers, they reveal what no other photographs can – the view beyond the trench parapet – and a view not seen for over 90 years. Also included are many unpublished testimonies, letters, and memoirs, with stunning mapping, plans and diagrams throughout.

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Authors

Peter Barton, Jeremy Banning

Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references (p. 306-307) and index
Control Number Identifier
CaOOCEL
Dewey Decimal Classification Number
940.4/31
Dewey Decimal Edition Number
22
General Note
Issued as part of the desLibris books collection
Geographic Area Code
e-fr---
ISBN
9781459711389 9781554887446
LCCN
D639.P39
LCCN Item number
B38 2010eb
Modifying agency
CaBNVSL
Original cataloging agency
CaOONL
Physical Description | Extent
1 electronic text (312 p.)
Published in
Canada
Publisher or Distributor Number
CaOOCEL
Rights
Access restricted to authorized users and institutions
System Control Number
(CaBNVSL)slc00231896 (OCoLC)839198322 (CaOOCEL)433493
System Details Note
Mode of access: World Wide Web
Transcribing agency
CaOONL

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