Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141219 in Books
• Published on: 2005-07
• 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By drawing on a very large number of German sources, many of them previously unpublished, Jack Sheldon throws new light on a familiar story.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

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.

Hard Going
I have a hard time with this book: I didn't realise that assembling your research material into chronological order constituted a book. Surely the author is meant to produce a cogent essay from the material, not just publish the material. But I'm not a great fan of "voxpop" books, that just present interviews and diaries as if on television.
For an example of how to do it properly, read David Fromkin's "Europe's Last Summer".

Read with caution
Sheldon's book is based largely on translations from the hundreds of regimental histories that appeared in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s. But, as Sheldon nowhere acknowledges, these were written under conditions of strict censorship imposed by the German government as to their content and point of view. The Reichsarchiv insisted that they 'abstain from any critical position taking'. The regimental 'war diaries' and collections of soldiers' letters (feldpostbriefe) on which the regimental histories drew were also severely controlled and censored. It says a great deal about these regimental 'histories' that one of the greatest admirers of their style and point of view was Adolf Hitler. Sheldon is more of a military enthusiast than a proper historian, so you wouldn't expect him to comment on these matters. But it is shocking that Peter Simkins and Richard Holmes, who introduce Sheldon's works, don't do so. Sheldon's books are useful, if dull, to read, but must be consulted with very great caution.