British Infantryman vs German Infantryman: Somme 1916

Description

The mighty struggle for the Somme sector of the Western Front in the second half of 1916 has come to be remembered for the dreadful toll of casualties inflicted on Britain's 'New Armies' by the German defenders on the first day of the offensive, 1 July. The battle continued, however, throughout the autumn and only came to a close in the bitter cold of mid-November. The British plan relied on the power of artillery to suppress and destroy the German defences; the infantry were tasked with taking and holding the German trenches, but minimal resistance was anticipated. Both sides incurred major losses, however; German doctrine emphasised that the first line had to be held or retaken at all costs, a rigid defensive policy that led to very high casualties as the Germans threw survivors into ad hoc, piecemeal counterattacks all along the line. Featuring specially commissioned full-colour artwork and based on meticulous reassessment of the sources, this engaging study pits the volunteers of Kitchener's 'New Armies' against the German veterans who defended the Somme sector in the bloody battles of July-November 1916.

Dr Stephen Bull is Curator of Military History and Archaeology for Lancashire Museums, with particular responsibility for local regimental collections. Currently he is engaged in the redisplay of the Museum of Lancashire, including a new gallery on World War I. He has previously worked at the National Army Museum and BBC in London. A Member of the Institute of Archaeologists, he has also appeared in the TV series Battlefield Detectives. He has written numerous articles for specialist journals, including a number on the weapons and tactics of World War I. His other books include several Osprey titles on the tactics of World War I and World War II.

"The book is superbly written and has some very compelling period photos and superb art work that only enhance what is a pretty gruesome story that was so typical of the First World War. It is a book that draws in the reader and gives him a sense of what it was like [to experience war]. A book I fully enjoyed reading and can quite easily recommend to you." --Scott Van Aken, www.modelingmadness.com "A nice primer for anyone interested in the makeup of British and German units on the Western Front during this period. The opening pages cover the origins and recruitment of the British and German units, along with training, weapons, and tactics. There are some nice period photos that compliment equally nice drawings and paintings showing standard uniforms, weapons, etc. The leadership characteristics of the opposing officers are covered, as well as a section on Morale, Motivation and Logistics. I recommend it highly for anyone wishing to understand what soldiers on both sides had to endure during World War I." --IPM/USA Reviews "[this book] pits the volunteers of Kitchener's 'New Armies' against the German veterans who defended the Somme sector in the battles of July to November 1916. The book features innovative split-screen artwork, expert analysis combined with firsthand accounts and strategic and tactical maps." --Model Retailer