Overview
This groundbreaking modern history of the 46th (North Midland) Division draws upon a vast array of largely neglected sources from a variety of archives, and challenges some comfortable assumptions. University historians' increasingly positive views of Haig are challenged by primary evidence of his own blatant willingness to change his mind to protect his promotion prospects. The overall theme is of how the ordinary Tommies of 46th Division learnt to fight more effectively and ultimately stormed the Hindenburg Line. In dealing with the Somme, the book effectively rewrites our understanding of Third Army's experience; the book demonstrates that Middlebrook was mistaken in accepting the claim by Major General Stuart-Wortley that he was sacked for saving his men from further slaughter. That chapter concludes with the evidence of young subalterns, bringing to life moments in history that illuminate a generation's experience of the carnage of war. All previous large-scale studies have focused on elite units, but this book follows this un-fancied, often belittled, division along the learning curve of the British Army. The book therefore develops the view put forward in studies of the Canadian Corps, and reflected in modern biographies of leading commanders, that the British Army gradually developed the system of ""bite and hold"". The poignant chapter on a ""Shot at Dawn"" and the concluding chapter on the poor postwar treatment of the many miners make this book more than a purely military history by linking the First World War to its social, political and economic context. 30 b/w photos, 8 colour maps, 2 tables
Full Product Details
Author: Simon Peaple
Publisher: Helion & Company
Imprint: Helion & Company
Edition: Reprint ed.
Volume: 8
ISBN: 9781804515655
ISBN 10: 1804515655
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 23 July 2024
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Not yet available
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Reviews
"" ... a product of much research and academic vigour ... a model of clarity in terms of analysis and explanation of events. It contains some of the best maps I have seen in recently published work and makes for a very good reference work.""-- ""The Long, Long Trail"" "" ... an accomplished piece of research which works very hard to remain objective whilst making a case for the Division; again, commendations to Helion for making research of this quality available at a price accessible to all with an interest.""-- ""Newsletter of the Society of Friends of the National Army Museum""
""" ... a product of much research and academic vigour ... a model of clarity in terms of analysis and explanation of events. It contains some of the best maps I have seen in recently published work and makes for a very good reference work.""-- ""The Long, Long Trail"" "" ... an accomplished piece of research which works very hard to remain objective whilst making a case for the Division; again, commendations to Helion for making research of this quality available at a price accessible to all with an interest.""-- ""Newsletter of the Society of Friends of the National Army Museum"""
Author Information
Author and retired teacher whose previous work on 46th Division was awarded second prize as Best First Book in 2015 by the Society for Army Historical Research.
