Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #360659 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 160 pages

Synopsis
The Battle of Loos formed part of a wider offensive conducted by both French and British Forces in September 1915. The British First Army, under the leadership of General Haig, were to break through the German line at Loos thanks in part to their superior numbers, while other operations were to achieve a similar result in Champagne and at Vimy Ridge. Due to lack of artillery the Loos attack was planned to be preceded by a massive gas attack. Chlorine gas would hopefully entirely overcome the Germans' inadequate gas masks and lead to a swift breakthrough. Unfortunately all did not go to plan. First some of the gas was blown back into the British trenches causing over 2,000 casualties. Then when the assault itself took place the attackers were met by fierce German resistance, none more so that at Hill 70 where the German defences were strong. Despite many waves of attack, very few troops made it into enemy trenches. After a few days the attack had to be called off. It had cost 60,000 British casualties for virtually no gain. Rudyard Kipling's son John, serving with the Irish Guards, was also lost.

Customer Reviews

An excellent read!!
I thought this book was brilliant. It was really interesting and full of information. The photographs were excellent, and I just can't help picking it up again and again to have another read!! I recommend this book to anyone wanting to read and learn more about the war. I can't wait to buy another book from the series!

Loos-hill 70.
This book,together with its fellow on the Hohenzollern sector, is lifted above the norm from this series by its excellent elevated panoramic views of the battlefield from 1915.Every feature is highlighted.
A modern tourist,standing on the roof of the "Dud Corner" cemetary, with this volume and a pair of binoculars would have very little left to his imagination.(Only the massive Tower Bridge is missing!)I mention this because at ground level,both Hill 70 and the Hohenzollern Redoubt are virtually invisible.As someone who has walked and cycled over this whole area this guide gets my strong recomendation.