ISBN: 13 978-0297852810 HB 279
Published Weidenfield and Nicholson
Many people believe the popular myths of the Great War. They believe that the Allied Armies failed to score a decisive victory in 1918, and at best the whole event was an utter waste of life. Popular myth would have one believe that soldier’s lives were lost by incompetent generals in conditions of constant downpours and life extinguishing mud.
In this his latest work Charles Messenger looks at one of the most decisive battles of the 'Final Hundred Days'. This battle was the starting point of the greatest series of battles ever undertaken by any British Army of any size in the history of our nation.
Amiens was the turning point of the Great War. In this most beautifully researched book, the reader very quickly comes to understand that the myths are exactly what they are supposed to be Myths.
This book is a comprehensive history of the battle. It explains how the ‘all arms’ approach to fighting was developed. Not just in isolation with British troops, but in partnership with our Canadian, Australian, French and American Allies.
The new weaponry is looked at in detail, along with its complex methods of deployment.
The book follows the ebbs and flows of this new form of warfare. Charles Messenger works logically through the various stages of battle. He shows that the planning of this battle was first class, and more importantly just how the new all-arms tactics were developed to meet the ever changing faces of battle.
This is a fine piece of work. It is presented in a first class manner. The maps are refreshingly clear; and more importantly the photographs are original and stimulating in their presentation of modern warfare.
The book makes many references to diaries and letters written at the time. The style is very much in the modern format. By this I mean a very informative manner written in a conversational style and never letting down it’s historically accuracy.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Charles Messenger has provided the reader with probably one of the best ever written records of this Battle. He is to be complimented on a truly magnificent work. It is a book that any exponent of the Great War should have as reference work.
Reviewer: Martin Hornby
