âA detailed and vivid account of the battles on three deadly fronts. The research is breathtaking, the assembly of the story is masterful.ââThe Long, Long Trail  After the great battles of 1916, the Allied Armies planned to launch massive attacks North and South of the Somme. The German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917 forced the new French CinC General Nivelle to rethink and the French embarked on a major attack in the Aisne area and along the Chemin des Dames, with the British conducting large-scale diversionary operations around Arras.  The French suffered disastrously and, rendered incapable of further offensive operations, it fell to the British to step up the pressure, which they did albeit at a terrible price.  This latest work by expert Jack Sheldon describes the event of Spring 1917 from the defendersâ perspective. In particular it reveals the methods the Germans used to smash the French attacks and Oberst Fritz von Lossbergâs transformation of the defenses in the Arras front. Actions described in detail are the bitter battles around Monchy Le Preun, the Roeux Chemical works and Bullecourt as well as the capture of Vimy Ridge.  âThis volume of Jack Sheldonâs highly detailed series of books on the German Army in the Great War follows his usual effective modelâemploying the clear writing and knowledge learned from dogged, detailed research . . . It would be impossible to offer other than the highest recommendation for this book.ââStand To! The Western Front Association  âIncredibly moving and powerful.ââPennant
nl
en
