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 Also included are many unpublished testimonies, letters, and memoirs, with stunning mapping, plans and diagrams throughout.
Authors
- 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
Table of Contents
- Cover 1
- Title Page 4
- Copyright Page 5
- Table of Contents 6
- Introduction 7
- Chapter 1: Warfare in Artois 9
- Chapter 2: The 1915 Battles of Artois 16
- Chapter 3: The British Arrival 21
- Chapter 4: Backcloth to Battle 33
- Chapter 5: Political Prelude 39
- Chapter 6: Flies in the Ointment: the East, Alberich and the Leaks 47
- Chapter 7: Command and Control 64
- Chapter 8: Preparations 76
- Chapter 9: Countdown 91
- Chapter 10: Osterschlacht North: Vimy Ridge to the Scarpe 104
- Chapter 11: Osterschlacht South: the Scarpe to Croisilles 134
- Chapter 12: The Remains of the Day 169
- Chapter 13: Not Much Doing 182
- Chapter 14: Back to Business 199
- Chapter 15: Something for the Weekend: Thursday to Saturday, 12-14 April 1917 221
- Chapter 16: Tyde What May 250
- Chapter 17: The Void 271
- Chapter 18: Final Steps 297
- Epilogue 309
- Bibliography 315
- Index 318