The Passchendaele Campaign, 1917

by Andrew Rawson

Overview

This is an account of the British Expeditionary Forces battles in the summer and autumn of 1917. It begins with the Allied plan to free up the Flanders coast, to limit German naval and submarine attacks on British shipping.The opening offensive began with the detonation of nineteen mines on 7 June and ended with the capture of the Messines Ridge. The main offensive started with success on 31 July but was soon bogged down due to the August rains. Three huge attacks between 20 September and 4 October had the Germans reeling, but again the weather intervened and the campaign concluded with futile attacks across the muddy slopes of the Passchendaele Ridge.Each large battle and minor action is given equal treatment, giving a detailed insight into the most talked about side of the campaign, the British side. There are details on the planning of each offensive and the changing tactics used by both sides. There is discussion about how the infantry, the artillery, the cavalry, the engineers and Royal Flying Corps worked together. Over sixty new maps chart the day-by-day progress of each battle and action.Together the narrative and maps provide an insight into the British Armys experience during this important campaign. The men who made a difference are mentioned; those who led the advances, those who stopped the counterattacks and those who were awarded the Victoria Cross. Discover the Passchendaele campaign and learn how the British Armys brave soldiers fought and died fighting for their objectives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781526704023
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Books Limited
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Series:	British Expeditionary Force
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	264
File size:	84 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Andrew Rawson is a freelance writer who has written over forty books covering many conflicts. They include eight books for Pen & Swords ‘Battleground Europe series and three reference books for The History Presss ‘Handbook series. One covered all aspects of the British Army in the First World War. He has recently completed a ten part series on the British Expeditionary Forces battles on the Western Front. He has a masters history degree with Birmingham University.

Table of Contents

Regimental Abbreviations vii

Introduction x

Chapter 1 A Growing Danger 1

Chapter 2 Hell Itself Burst Forth 11

Chapter 3 Each a Volcano in Itself 20

Chapter 4 More Like a Picnic than a Battle 35

Chapter 5 A Change from Going Over the Top 47

Chapter 6 Every Time a Coconut 52

Chapter 7 A Perfect Inferno 63

Chapter 8 A Very Weak and Disorganised State 79

Chapter 9 Hard Going Through the Mud 89

Chapter 10 Bite and Hold 105

Chapter 11 A Killing by the Artillery 115

Chapter 12 Like Spectres Out of the Mist 121

Chapter 13 Everything is Absolutely Très Bon 134

Chapter 14 Men Plunged Onward into the Sticky Gloom 144

Chapter 15 A Great Keenness and Determination 155

Chapter 16 Like Beaters on a Pheasant Shoot 162

Chapter 17 An Incredible Degree of Mismanagement 172

Chapter 18 Rain is Our Most Effective Ally 185

Chapter 19 No Troops Have Had to Face Worse Conditions 196

Chapter 20 They Touched Bottom in the Way of Misery 209

Conclusions on the Campaign 220

Index 227

Editorial Reviews

Superb overall account following the fortunes of the entire BEF through the Summer and Autumn of 1917. Highly commended. 10/10

The Great War Magazine - Mark Marsay

Superb overall account following the fortunes of the entire BEF through the Summer and Autumn of 1917. Highly commended. 10/10

Mark Marsay The Great War magazine

"If you're looking for a good introduction to the battles in and around Ypres then look no further."

A Wargamers Needful things

"If you're looking for a good introduction to the battles in and around Ypres then look no further."

A Wargamers Needful Things

"It is hard to believe that three years have almost passed since we began to remember in more detail than ever, thanks to the ever-growing library of amazing books from publishers like Pen and Sword, what happened during those fateful five years at the beginning of the 20th century. Now it's the turn of Passchendaele.I featured two books two months ago, now Pen and Sword have produced what is probably the definitive accountof this conflict..."

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