Product Description

A thorough and detailed survey of the events of the first of July 1916 including not only official records and information gleaned from regimental histories but also using first hand accounts from both German and British survivors.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #473449 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 365 pages

Review
"A particularly vivid and personal narrative."

Customer Reviews

Superb Read
Each year i choose a subject to concentrate my interests on for the year.I Decided to enhance my knowledge about the British forces in the first world war and decided to start by having a brief visit to Albert,Thiepval and surrounding areas this year.This was quite an incredible Experience and one that will stay with me forever.I Decided i had a rough idea about the terrible plight of those who went to the Somme,but needed to know more.Martin Middlebrook has now put the missing pieces of the Jigsaw into place as i became enhanced in the book and could rarely put it down,much to my my employers annoyance.He made me feel like i was one of those that had to go over the top and made you feel inside the heads of those involved in the absolute Carnage of this awful mess.This Book certainly done the job for people like me who like to learn more about our own Heritage.I Think the Younger Generation should read a book like this to make them realise that being born in this era is not as bad as they seem to feel,not that i am that old myself at 37.A Fantastic Book we all await someone with the bottle to actually make a modern film about the plight of these brave men and women.Regeneration and the Trench of the recent films were good but perhaps someone will truly explain what really happened.

A day not to forget
As the title suggests, this book focuses almost entirely on the first day of battle(1st July 1916). Middlebrook offers a short introduction on events leading up to this fateful day, and the need for the British to relieve some of the pressure on the French army following Verdun. In order to relieve some of this pressure, the British would conduct their own offensive against the German army. This offensive would be fought in the Somme dept of Northern France, and would last from July to November 1916.

The book starts with the formation of the 'Pals Batallions'(groups of volunteers from the same town/city). These 'Pals' would go to France and fight alongside each other. It was thought the cameraderie and community would help the men during their time in a foreign land. We learn about the planning and preparation for battle, and the crucial time leading up to 'zero hour'.

An obvious comparison can be made with Malcolm Brown's book 'The Book of The Somme'. Like Brown, Middlebrook uses personal records, eyewitness accounts, diary entries and photographs to push the idea that these were not seasoned veterans going to war, but inexperienced and niave 'normal everyday people'. Henry Webber's story is one that is sure to stick in your mind.

The book offers a morning, noon, afternoon and evening review of the 1st July. The artillery bomabrdments by the British was not successful. All along the front, barb wire was intact and machine gun posts unharmed. Wave after wave of British soldiers went over the top to be mown down. Poor communication did not stop later attacks, and we learn of the power struggle between the Generals involved.

This book should be in the collection of anyone who has an interest in World War 1. Material has been well researched, and the use of primary sources ensures that this work provides a close and personal resume. The accounts tell of slaughter on a huge scale, piles of dead bodies, men injured in no man's land with no chance of rescue, but also sincere patriotism and love for King and country. To show our respect, we owe it to those who died and those who survived to read their story.

The First Day on the Somme
Having been a member of the Grenadier Guards for 12 years in peace time, I purchased this book in an attempt to uncover some of the regiments glorious past. Instead I found myself uncovering the truths and heroics of a generation of men that can stand as tall as Guardsmen. Who could ever put themselves in the frame of mind of the countless thousands that climbed out into the morning sun on that day. Martin Middlebrook took me in and amongst the hell that prevailed.
On the going down of the sun, we will remember them