Product Description

Drawing his material from a range of primary sources in England, Germany and Australia, the author looks at the action at the Battle of Messines from all levels of command, including the soldiers' perspectives, during the preparatory, battle and post-battle stages. He reassesses the reasons for General Plumer's success on the day, the implications of Haig's failure to exploit that success, and the legacy of the battle for the maturing of the BEF in 1918. The attack is also examined from the viewpoint of the defending German troops on the other side of the wire. A study of the planning and execution of the Royal Engineers' tunnelling and mining activities is also included.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1099837 in Books
• Published on: 2000-08-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Customer Reviews

A detailed account of one of WW1's most sucessfull battles
Ian Passingham's account of the battel of Messens is with out doubt of of the best works covering this highly sucessfull battelyet published. Involving troops from both Britian and the Comonwealth Messens showed what was possible within the confines of WW1 infantry tactics and was a glimps of what may have been possible latter in 1917 given the continuation of the leadership shown at Messens. Vital reading for all interested in WW1,Pillars of Fire would also be of interest to those from Britian and the Comonwealth whos faimly menbers took part with the ANZAC Divisions.

A masterly account of the start of the 3rd Battle of Ypres
Few people outside military historians will have heard of the 3rd Battle of Ypres, however few anglophones will not have heard the name Passchendaele.

Ian Passingham's work details the first and highly successful phase of the battle, the taking of the southern range of ridges around the Belgian town of Ypres.

He explores in detail the actions of all arms engaged, including those of the Australians, New Zealander and Canadians who played such a great part. The real beauty of Passingham's book though is its shear readabilty, especially for those who would not normally consider themselves students of warfare.

What emerges in Passingham's book is a story of what could have been had the success of the opening of the battle been continued. That the battle bogged down in the mud of the Flanders Plain with all the attendant horror that the name Passchendaele conjures up is one of the greatest tragedies of the Great War.