Full Description
Charting the BEA's entry into warfare in 1914, he tells the story in words and pictures of the new conscripted army's life through the five years of slaughter and suffering. He brilliantly conveys not only the heroism, but also the universal horror, futility, humour and boredom of warfare. From the front-line troops and the daily dice with death, to the support lines, communications, enlistment, training and propaganda. Every aspect of the soldiers life will be covered here, in this brilliant collection of images and interviews, that brings the Great War to life once more.
Contents
Acknowledgements Author's Preface Foreword by Ian Hislop 1914Mons, 1st Marne, 1st Ypres, Christmas Truce Europe tumbles into war. Austria and Germany declare war on Russia and France. German troops march into Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany. Britain mobilises the reserves. General Joffre approaches Paris. Germany's advance comes towards Dunkirk halted in Belgium at Ypres. 1915: Neuve Chapelle, 2nd Ypres, Loos Home Front gears up for war. Allied offensive in Artois and Champagne. Casualty lists lengthen. Poison gas enters the war at Ypres. The french attack from Vimy Ridge to Arras. General Haig takes command of the British Expeditionary Force. 1916: Verdun , Somme, Thiepval The British Army goes over the top. Another endless year in the trenches. British fail to take the Somme. Casualty lists shock the Home Front. Maxim machine gunes hold the German line. The British attack between Combles and the Ancre Valley. 1917: 1st Arras, 3rd Ypres, Passchendaele, Cambrai Germany defends East and West Fronts. The Hindenberg Line defends the trenches. The Canadians capture Vimy Ridge. Britain attacks the Messines Ridge. Weather forces "bite and hold tactics". Germany faces defeat. 1918: German Breakthrough, Cantigny, Amiens, 2nd Arras Germany focuses on the Western Front and achieves the greatest advance since 1914. Villers-Bretonneux falls, and is retaken. Tanks fight tanks for the first time. German advances cause crisis for the Allies. Foch blocks an attack on Paris. America joins the war. Germany requests armistice. Index of contributors General index
