Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #442520 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

Synopsis
By drawing on a very large number of German sources, many of them previously unpublished, Jack Sheldon throws new light on a familiar story. In an account filled with graphic descriptions of life and death in the trenches, the author demonstrates that the dreadful losses of 1st July were a direct consequence of meticulous German planning and preparation. Although the Battle of the Somme was frequently a close-run affair, poor Allied co-ordination and persistence in attacking weakly on narrow fronts played into the hands of the German commanders, who were able to rush forward reserves, maintain the overall integrity of their defences and so continue a successful delaying battle until the onset of winter ultimately neutralised the considerable Allied superiority in men and material.

Customer Reviews

An excellent book
This is one of the most impressive books that I have read on the Somme, providing something which has been conspicuously absent from all too many books- namely the German view. Meticulously researched and footnoted, it succeeds in telling the 'other half of the story', from the early clashes with the French in 1914 through to the closing down of the Allied offensive in November 1916.

The book is based upon material drawn from a multitude of German unit histories and archives. The various accounts, the majority of them firsthand, have been skilfully incorporated into an accessible narrative, punctuated throughout by pertinent insights into the Allied as well as the German experience of the campaign. It contains a good selection of photographs, and some excellent appendices dealing with the organisation of the German Army and its order of battle for the period July-December 1916. It is hard to fault this book, but minor criticisms might be that the reproduction quality of some photographs could have been better, and that a different choice of typeface might have proved somewhat easier on the eye.

In summary, this is an excellent book, which I would thoroughly recommend to anyone with more than a passing interest in the Somme, or indeed the Western Front generally. I can only hope that the author produces similar works on other campaigns of the Great War.

Possibly the best book on the Somme.
It is very difficult indeed to find fault with this book.
It is a magnificent addition to anybody's Great War library and quite simply an invaluable resource.
We are given, from primary sources, the German view of the Somme battlefield as a counterpoint to the many books over the past thirty years giving the view from British sources.

Perhaps as a consequence of the German tendency towards sentimentality in comradeship, the accounts by German soldiers seem to have greater detail and poignancy compared with the rather more reserved approach of their British counterparts with which we are familiar. The emotions of the German soldier and his pain and frustration at often being unable to help comrades during the horrific artillery `drumfire' helps us establish an empathetic response and emotionally engages us in his fate.

The use of both personal accounts and army archive sources allows the narrative of the battle events to be skilfully interwoven with the primary sources but without becoming an overpowering litany of horror stories. The German Sommekampfer of July 1916 is seen as a skilful motivated and very effective soldier who is eroded by the constant battering of five months of battle. We see from the accounts that he is still at the end of the battle a formidable opponent, but one that is missing that spark of brilliance. His words show the sadness of the loss of so many comrades, and the Sommekampfer above all knows that these were the best of the German army, now gone forever.

Some of the source material is known, but much is new. It adds greatly to our knowledge and sources and because so much is new it is definitely not a regurgitation of established work previously available to the mainstream reader.
The only, and I mean only, criticism is the failure to produce maps that place the accounts in their detailed context. It would have been magnificent if for example we had a detailed map showing the position of Unteroffizier Otto Lais and his other machine gun teams near the Serre - Mailly Road. If that were done in each case it would provide the missing link between the men and the ground. Those of us who know the Otto Lais account can see the significance of his story in context but such a map would help the reader new to the ground. Do not however let this minor criticism deter. It is still a 5 star book and is a key resource for the understanding of the human dimension on the Western Front.


Michael McCarthy
Editor, "The Battle Guide"
Guild of Battlefield Guides.

Groundbreaking and valuable addition to the literature of the Great War
Author Jack Sheldon has performed a real service to readers in providing a rare glimpse into the first-hand accounts, thoughts and actions of German soldiers of the Great War. For the first time the authentic voice of German veterans can be read by non-German speakers.

Expertly combining first-hand accounts, archival material, as well as large numbers of narratives from German regimental histories, the author weaves together the story of soldiers in combat using their own words.

The value of his writing transcends those interested in the German Army, to those, who reading about their own countries troops, would like to learn more about the men who fought, and often died, "on the other side of the hill."

One of the primary sources left to those researching the German Army of the Great War is the extensive series of regimental histories. With the destruction of the Heeresarchives in 1945, along with almost all official operations and unit files, these histories take on an importance which cannot be overstated. Author Jack Sheldon displays his expert knowledge of the sources with a comprehensive explanation of the use and limitations of the regimental histories. By careful cross checking of facts contained in archival files with those detailed in the regimental histories he demonstrates the fidelity of the regimental accounts.

The primary purpose of the German regimental histories was for the veterans of the units themselves, and to maintain the traditions of units disbanded after the war. The actual writing of the regimental histories was undertaken by single authors or in some cases by regimental associations. With this in mind the author reminds us of the natural (and understandable) human tendency to put endeavors in their best light. It is worth noting that though the regimental histories were not written by the Reicharchivs, influence was exerted in the form of editorial agreements which potential authors had to sign to gain access to the all important unit files in the archives. This being said, it was also written guidance that failures of the unit could be written about honestly.

By explaining the value and limitations of the sources left to researchers of the German army in the war, the author clearly shows that his readers are in good hands.

In summary Jack Sheldon's books offer a valuable look into the up till now closed experience of the German soldier in the Great War. By his able writing and expert use of material he has provided a valuable resource to both students and experts of the Great War.