On My Way to the Somme: New Zealanders and the Bloody ..., Tauranga in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty for sale
The Somme Offensive of September 1916 saw the first deployment of the entire NZ Division in WWI. An important and hazardous assignment awaited the division in this fully-fledged committment against German forces holding strong defensive positions, typical of the trench warfare that had developed on the Western Front. For Sir Douglas Haig, the Commander of British troops in Europe, the offensive had two main objectives --- to take pressure off the French forces defending Verdun and, if successful in breaking through the German front, releasing the British troops, including the cavalry, to end the static trench warfare. It was realised that the offensive could become one of attrition, to the Allies and the enemy. The NZ Division was committed to the battleground for just over three weeks and according to the book's forward it entered the battle"untried, unsure of the calibre of the officers and men and anxious to do well. It left the Somme battle-hardened, experienced and sure of it own quality."Casualties to the infantrymen of the Division reached 1981 killed. The Division's artillery was in action for 52 days and when it was withdrawn the total killed had risen to 2111, with another 5848 wounded. This represented 53 per cent casualties for the division'officers and men."On My Way to the Somme"was Andrew Macdonald's first military history and a noted NZ military historian, Chris Pugslery, has described it as a"classic in battle studies."The Somme offensive was conducted in horrific conditions, with the last encounters taking place in heavy rain, with thick enervating mud and on ground churned up through continuous battles and shelling. The text material is drawn from a number of sources, with official and historic records interspersed with letters, diaries and recollections from officers and men giving a personal identity to an account that provides a valuable addition to recognising the NZ Division's first test of spirit and ability on the Western Front in WWI. First published by Harper Collins in 2005, 335 pages including, two appendices, endnotes, bibliography and index, illustrated with 39 b/w photos, including portraits, nine maps. Pictorial card covers are VG+ with minor bruise lower front corner, tiny tear lower rear spine base, inkgift inscription to half-title, text block otherwise excellent. Size: 23.5cm By 15cm
On My Way to the Somme: New Zealanders and the Bloody Offensive of 1916 (Books)
Author
Andrew Madonald
Title
On My Way to the Somme: New Zealanders and the Bloody Offensive of 1916
Publisher name
Harper Collins, Auckland
Shipping time
2 - 4 days
Publication year
2005
Edition
First edition
Binding type
Hard cover
Listing condition
Used
Item condition
Very good
Vendor name
BOPBooks
Vendor rating
Key words
World War One, Military History, New Zealand Division, Somme Offensive ,british Army
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