By drawing on a very large number of German sources, many of them previously unpublished, Jack Sheldon throws new light on a familiar story. In an account filled with graphic descriptions of life and death in the trenches, the author demonstrates that the dreadful losses of 1st July were a direct consequence of meticulous German planning and preparation. Although the Battle of the Somme was frequently a close-run affair, poor Allied co-ordination and persistence in attacking weakly on narrow fronts played into the hands of the German commanders, who were able to rush forward reserves, maintain the overall integrity of their defences and so continue a successful delaying battle until the onset of winter ultimately neutralised the considerable Allied superiority in men and materiel.
- ISBN13 9781844152698
- Publish Date 9 February 2005
- Publish Status Unknown
- Out of Print 16 June 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Pen & Sword Books Ltd
- Imprint Leo Cooper Ltd
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 352
- Language English