A Bad Day, I Fear (Paperback)
Language: English
Published by Helion & Company, Solihull, 2023
- Softcover
- New
Seller: AussieBookSeller, Truganina, VIC, AustraliaAussieBookSeller
AbeBooks seller since June 22, 2007
Condition: New
£ 34.13
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Paperback. Having fought alongside each other with great success at the Battle of Messines, 7th June 1917, The 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions again fought side by side at the Battle of Langemarck, 16th August 1917. On that occasion however, there was to be no success, and instead an unmitigated disaster ensued resulting in both Divisions being decimated. In this fascinating account, the causes of the failure to exploit the undoubted success of the Messines offensive are examined in the context of being contributary factors to the delay, and underachievements, which marked the beginning of the Third Ypres Offensive. These include a general lack of urgency, misunderstandings, and a lack of clarity over tactical objectives at Command level, the mismanagement of Artillery, Tank and Infantry resources, and the failure to understand the geography of the battlefield. The delay that ensued enabled the German defenders to accelerate the construction of reinforced concrete bunkers and pill boxes which were to have such an important role in the outcome of the battle. The development and methods of construction of these defences is analysed in the narrative, as it assists in showing the extent of the German defences faced by the Irish. The opening of the Third Ypres Offensive is investigated, as the failure to make a breakthrough on 31 July 1917, led to the unplanned relief of the attacking Divisions of XIX Corps by both Irish Divisions, as the 55th (West Lancashire) and 9th (Scottish) Divisions were exhausted by their experience.##This relief ensured that 16th and 36th Divisions held the front line for two weeks prior to their attack on 16th August, in horrendous weather conditions and under constant German shelling. This led to all the attacking battalions being weary, and the majority under half strength, when the advance began. The day of the battle is examined in detail from the perspective of each of the attacking battalions, utilising official histories, war diaries, maps, and personal accounts so that a coherent picture of the events of that fateful day are revealed for the first time in print. The Regimental Histories of the German defenders have also been obtained to establish the German perspective of the battle. Analysis of the severe casualties suffered by the Irish Divisions is included to emphasise the devastating nature that the Battle of Langemarck had on both Divisions and on many homes across the island of Ireland. The post-battle controversial comments of the Commander Fifth Army, General Sir Hubert Gough, concerning the performance of the Irish Divisions are analysed in detail to prove that these comments were ill-advised and a poor attempt to deflect blame from the shortcomings of Fifth Army command. This valuable account highlights the bravery and tenacity of the Irish soldier in a battle where they were badly let down by the deficiencies of those in command of the British Fifth Army. 55 b/w photos, 1 b/w illustration, 9 b/w maps, 1 table Much has been written of the Irish Divisions at the Battle of Messines, June 1917 however, little has been written of them at the Battle of Langemarck, on 16th August 1917. This account tells the story of the misfortune that befell the 16th (Irish) and 36th (Ulster) Divisions on that day. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.…
Seller Inventory # 9781804513262
- Title
- A Bad Day, I Fear (Paperback)
- Author
- Michael James Nugent
- Publisher
- Helion & Company, Solihull
- Publication year
- 2023
- Condition
- new
- Binding
- Paperback
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1804513261
- ISBN 13
- 9781804513262
Having fought alongside each other with great success at the Battle of Messines (7-14 June 1917), the 16th (Irish) Division and 36th (Ulster) Division again fought side by side at the Battle of Langemarck (16 August 1917). On that occasion however, there was to be no success. Instead, an unmitigated disaster ensued resulting in the decimation of both divisions despite their tenacity and sacrifice.
In A Bad Day I Fear: The Irish Divisions at the Battle of Langemarck, 16 August 1917, author Michael James Nugent investigates the causes of the failure to exploit the undoubted success of the Messines offensive which contributed to the delay between it and the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres. These were a general lack of urgency, misunderstandings and lack of clarity over assigned tactical objectives, mismanagement of artillery, tank and infantry assets and a failure to understand local geography.
The unfortunate delay between the close of the Messines operations in mid-June 1917 and the opening of Third Ypres on 31 July enabled the German defenders to accelerate construction of reinforced ferro-concrete blockhouses and pillboxes that were to play an important role during the campaign. Their development and method of construction demonstrated the extent of the enemy defenses faced by the Irish divisions.
The failure to break through the German defenses on 31 July led to the unplanned relief of XIX Corps' exhausted divisions by both Irish formations. This exchange ensured that 16th and 36th divisions held the front line under horrendous weather conditions and constant enemy shelling for two weeks prior to the 16th August attack. The result of this ordeal was weary and half-strength infantry battalions advancing to the assault at zero hour.
This tragic affair is examined in detail from the perspective of each assault battalion by utilization of contemporary war diaries, personal accounts, official and regimental histories, enabling a coherent picture of the events of 16 August to be revealed for the first time. German sources are also employed as a means of presenting the 'other side of the hill' experience. Careful analysis of the severe manpower losses is included to emphasize the devastating consequences of a dreadful day that brought sorrow to many homes throughout Ireland.
Finally, the controversial post-operation observations by General Sir Hubert Gough (GOC Fifth Army) concerning the performance of the Irish divisions are carefully analyzed to reach the determination that they were ill-advised and a poor attempt to deflect blame from the shortcomings of Fifth Army.
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