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The narrative explores the strategic decisions made by Allied forces during the early stages of the Somme offensive, highlighting the British focus on reinforcing successes at the center of their line while grappling with challenges at Verdun. Key battles at Ovillers, Mametz Wood, and Delville Wood are examined, showcasing contributions from Australian and South African troops. The text also details the shift in command within the German ranks and the critical role of the New Zealand and Guards Divisions in subsequent attacks. The book concludes with an analysis of the dire situation faced by both sides as the conflict continued.

Jack Sheldon examines the German mindset at the close of 1914 when it became apparent that a quick victory was no longer a possibility. Both sides were temporarily exhausted in static positions from the Channel to the Swiss Border. In a reversal of roles, the French launched major offensives in Champagne and Artois, while the British Army, adapting to the demands of large scale continental warfare, went on the offensive in support at Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge and Loos.Such was the Allied pressure that the only German offensive in 1915 was at Ypres in April using gas on a large scale for the first time.1915 was a transitional year on the Western Front with lessons being learned the hard way by both sides prior to the massive attritional battles of 1916 and 1917.Using his skill at archival research, Sheldon describes how the 1915 experience shaped the German approach to the cataclysmic battles that lay ahead, leading to the ultimate, previously unthinkable defeat of the Kaiser’s Germany.

Covers the bitter fighting around Ypres as the two opposing sides attempted to bring the War to an early conclusion.

Detailed appendices of the battalion, including original composition, list of casualties on 1 July, and a Roll of Honour, often with an accompanying photograph.

The follow-up to the best selling German Army on the Somme (now reprinted), German Army at Passchendaele and German Army on Vimy Ridge (to be published in early 2008)

A thought-provoking study of the doctrine, particularly command and control, that the German army developed in fighting the defensive battle of the Somme 1916.

Latest in the Authors acclaimed German Army series.

The book describes from the German perspective the 30 month period when the Imperial German Army controlled the key terrain of Vimy Ridge. This is a superbly researched and written by the leading authority on the German Army in The Great War.

Graphic account of underground warfare in the Arras-Vimy sector of the Western Front. Traces the development of tunnelling techniques with a background history.

Even after the passage of almost a century, the name Passchendaele has lost none of its power to shock and dismay. Reeling from the huge losses in earlier battles, the German army was in no shape to absorb the impact of the Battle of Messines and the subsequent bitter attritional struggle.Throughout the fighting on the Somme the German army had always felt that it had the ability to counter Allied thrusts, but following the shock reverses of April and May 1917, much heart searching had led to the urgent introduction of new tactics of flexible defense. When these in turn were found to be wanting, the psychological damage shook the German defenders badly. But, as this book demonstrates, at trench level the individual soldier of the German Army was still capable of fighting extraordinarily hard, despite being outnumbered, outgunned and subjected to relentless, morale-sapping shelling and gas attacks.The German army drew comfort from the realization that, although it had had to yield ground and had paid a huge price in casualties, its morale was essentially intact and the British were no closer to a breakthrough in Flanders at the end of the battle than they had been many weeks earlier.