The German Army on Vimy Ridge 1914-1917 - Hardcover

Sheldon, Jack

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 184415680X ISBN 13: 9781844156801

Publisher: Pen & Sword Military, 2008

Synopsis

The book starts with on the capture of Vimy Ridge and the nearly spur of Notre Dame de Lorette in October 1914. The major battles of spring and autumn 1915 is described as is the twelve month period from late autumn 1915 when British forces occupied the lines on the western Ridge. The period from late autumn 1916 onwards when the Canadian Corps was preparing for the April 1917 assault on the ridge, is given detailed treatment, with special emphasis (based on original Germanintelligence and interrogation files) on how the defenders built up a detailed picture of Allied plans and how they intended to counter them. The battle (9 - 14 April 1917) is described in detail and the conclusion summarises the aftermath of the battle and its consequences for the way the German army prepared for the Third Battle of Ypres. The book employs a similar format to The German Army on the Somme 1914 - 1916 and The German Army at Passchendaele; the greater part of the text is based on the words of the German participants themselves. Commentary and evidence from senior commanders is introduced as necessary; the aim once more being to produce a work of popular history, which nevertheless provides an important contribution to the overall historiography of the Great War.

About this title

Synopsis

The book begins with the capture of Vimy Ridge and the nearby Lorette Spur in October 1914. The major battles of spring and autumn 1915 are described, as is the twelve month period from late autumn 1915 when British forces occupied the lines on the western slopes of the Ridge. The period from late autumn 1916 onwards when the Canadian Corps was preparing for the assault on the ridge, will be given detailed treatment, with special emphasis (based on original German intelligence and interrogation files) being placed on how the defenders built up a detailed picture of Allied plans and how they intended to counter them.The battle (9-12 April 1917) will be described in detail and an epilogue summarises the aftermath of the battle and its consequences for the way the German army prepared for the Third Battle of Ypres. The book has a similar format to The German Army on the Somme 1914-1916 and The German Army at Passchendaele; that is to say the greater part of the text is based on the words of the German participants themselves.

Commentary and evidence from senior commanders is introduced as necessary; the aim once more being to produce a work of popular history, which nevertheless provides an important contribution to the overall historiography of the Great War.

About the Author

Educated at Inverness Royal Academy, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Universities of Lancaster and Westminster, Jack Sheldon completed a thirty-five year career as a member of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment. In 1982 he graduated from the German General Staff course at the F hrungsakademie, Hamburg and went on to fill international staff appointments and to command an infantry training battalion. His final post before retirement in 2003 was as Military Attach Berlin. He now lives in France and has rapidly established himself as an expert in German First World War history. He was an honorary researcher for the Thiepval Visitor Centre Project, is a member of the British Commission for Military History and is the author of the highly acclaimed The German Army on the Somme 1914 - 1916, The German Army at Passchendaele and a number of Battleground Europe titles.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184415680X
• ISBN 13: 9781844156801
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 352