Product Description

The book is a detailed account of the fighting around Ypres during April and May 1915. It is essentially a day-by-day record of the Second Battle of Ypres which draws heavily upon personal accounts, regimental histories and war diaries to present a comprehensive study of the battle in which Germany became the first nation to use poisonous gas as a weapon. Each phase of the battle (the Battle of Gravenstafel; the Battle of St. Julien; the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge and the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge) is discussed in detail aided, where appropriate, by maps and photographs. The main text is accompanied by a number of appendices including officer casualties; Victoria Cross winners and the British Order of Battle for Hill 60 and the Second Battle of Ypres.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #202363 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-19
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 388 pages

Customer Reviews

British-centred but solid account
A welcome reprint of a solid account of one of the worst times of the British army's experience in holding the Ypres salient.

The surprise use by the German army of poisonous chlorine gas in the afternoon of 22 April 1915 still has the power to shock and revolt us all. The release of the deadly weapon against men with no power to defend themselves against it led to a large break into the Allied line, with only acts of immense personal courage and determination managing to fight back and hold on. Foremost among these was the counter attack by the Canadians at Kitchener's Wood. This terrible day was only a harbinger of horrors to come as both sides drew in reserves and some of the most costly, horrific and at times chaotic fighting took place.

John Dixon draws on official and regimental accounts, as well as memoirs and some secondary sources. There is a number of sketch maps, which provide a reasonable overview but could perhaps be updated and improved in the event of a future republication. Naturally he covers the opening attack and piecemeal counter attacks in detail, but perhaps more importantly he also positions the battle as taking place while fighting of the fiercest and most violent nature was already taking place at Hill 60, and goes on to describe the broader fighting that only died down in mid May. By that time, the depleted British force had been pushed back much closer to Ypres - effectively onto the start point it would have for the Third Battle which opened on 31 July 1917.

It must be said that John's book presents a very British-sided view. There is little coverage of the vital role played by the French and Belgians and we also get little feel, other than of the launch of the gas, as to German thinking and tactics.

In some ways, novelty of the gas attack aside, Second Ypres has been something of a neglected period. Few Kitchener's men here, no pals battalions being slaughtered as they walked to their doom. No. This was the remnant of the regular army (notably including those 27th and 28th Divisions that were inevitably late to the fray as they were recalled from the furthest outposts of Empire), Cavalry Divisions fighting dismounted, the Indian Corps, gallant Canadians, French and Belgians. The force also included the 50th (Northumbrian) Division, a Territorial formation committed to the battle so soon after they had arrived in France that the men had not seen a trench. The Germans lost 6000 dead in this battle, the British 14000.

Finally, how good it is to find a book with a good index, excellent bibliography, order of battle and other useful supporting details. In this regard, "Magnificent but not war" is a model of its type.

not magnificent and strange
John Dixon's book about second Ypres is not a good book.
1) Dixon uses nearly only British sources. This means that highly relevant questions remain unanswered. To take one example: surely French sources must give better answers to the question why French troops on the left flank did not attack when promised, the reason many attacks of the British were completely futile. Again, German sources should contain more information why the Germans did not push through after the first, very successful gas attacks. This book merely contains guesstimates on German reasoning.
2) I realise how difficult it is to achieve this in book form, but the connection between text and maps is essential if a reader is to understand developments. I found this not very successful. In future it will be possible to develop "books" in which every time you click on the text, you get a map on which the location of happenings is indicated, including the locations of other troops involved.
2) The 2nd point is more a cultural than a qualitative point. Reviewer is a Dutch middle class retired professional, with no military background. Why so much details of British officer casualties, and relatively few of other ranks, and none of German nor French. The book contains 17 portraits of officers killed, and four of other ranks, while only 2% of the casualities were officers. Richard Holmes' "the western front" is an example how this balance can be achieved (at least in the eyes of this alien).