Lessons From the Mud: 55th (West Lancashire) Division at the Third Battle of Ypres
First World War generals have a reputation for both failing to understand the conditions their men were fighting in, and also to adopt to the reality of the Western Front. All too often in discussions, the 'Lions led by Donkeys' attitude prevails, which has been reinforced by Blackadder's General Melchett.
General Jeudwine was neither a donkey nor a Melchett. His command of 55th (West Lancashire) Division from January 1916 was highly regarded, and the division was in the top third of the British Expeditionary Force.
The division attacked twice during the Third Battle of Ypres. After each attack, Jeudwine collected Narratives from his men. These range from formal reports from Commanding Officers to private soldier's handwritten memoirs on a sheet of paper torn from a notepad.
Transcribed in their entirety for the first time, these Narratives offer a fascinating, first-hand account of two major battles, written within days of the events. Within the Narratives are details of the fates of men whose names are recorded on the Menin Gate, the practical application of tactics, small-scale actions around German strongpoints.
In analysis, the evolution of tactics is seen between the two attacks, which shows the army as a learning organization.
Paperback
245mm x 170mm
464 pages
4 black-and-white maps
2 black-and-white photos
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