Battleground Europe, Pen and Sword, 2011
ISBN 9781844159116
174 pages
Illustrated throughout with Black and White photographs.
In this detailed account of the battle, Phil Tomaselli gives us the background to the two main divisions attacked by the German army on 9 April 1918: the 2nd Portuguese Division; and the 55th (West Lancashire) Division; and the divisions which were drawn into the battle, the 40th and the 51st (Highland).
We are taken through the low morale of the Portuguese (under-manned and, except for their officers, lacking in leave) which was known to the German Army, and of the preparations made by 55th Division's commander, Major-General Sir Hugh Jeudwine, which resulted in reducing the German incursion south of the Portuguese-held area.
Each phase of the battle is detailed in sequence. On the first day, the collapse of the Portuguese division which opened a gap between the 40th and 55th Divisions, thus allowing the first German troops to cross the river Lys. The following day, the German army, having exploited their bridgehead over the Lys, managed to cross the river Lawe. Elements of the 40th and 51st Divisions were now near exhaustion but the 55th Division were still holding out. Fresh troops were moved up, but the German advance was to continue over two further days (11 and 12 April 1918). On the 55th Division's front, attack and counter-attack over the following five days saw key strongholds change hands. After a lull in the battle while both sides took stock of where they held their lines, Ludendorff decided to close down the Lys battle on 30 April and turned his attention to battlefields further south.
Although the detailed accounts of attacks and individual bravery are well recorded, this book could have been improved with better maps. The few which are included (German attacks on 10, 11 and 13 April) are rather small and lacking in details regarding the brigades and battalions mentioned in the script. Only one map, showing the extended flank of the 55th Division on 9 April 1918 has this detail. The reproduction of contemporary maps might be interesting but are not sufficient in my view.
Mr Tomaselli concludes his account of the battle with a walking tour around Givenchy which covers key defensive points mentioned in the book, a drive around the area held by the 55th Division, a walk/drive around the Lawe bridgehead (a key battle area following the German crossing of the river Lys), and a list of the main memorials and cemeteries in the area.
I will certainly take this book with me when I next visit the battlefields around Bethune.
Review submitted by Peter J Palmer
Please support the WFA: buy this book direct using this link from the publishers Pen and Sword.
