The First Day of the Somme: Gommecourt to Maricourt, 1 July 1916
Many guidebooks cover the Somme offensive in 1916, the five-month struggle that has come to be seen as one of the defining episodes in the history of the fighting on the Western Front during the First World War. But no previous guide has concentrated on the first day, 1 July 1916, when the British Army suffered around 60,000 casualties. That is why, on the centenary of that great battle, this new volume from Pen & Sword is so timely.
In a series of tours that can be walked, biked or driven, expert authors Jon Cooksey and Jerry Murland take the visitor along the eighteen-mile front line that was the starting point for the Somme offensive, from Gommecourt in the north to Maricourt in the south. The tours allow the visitor to trace the entire course of the opening day on the ground. In vivid detail the authors describe what happened, where it happened and why and which units were involved, and point out the sights that remain for the visitor to see.
1123569914
The First Day of the Somme: Gommecourt to Maricourt, 1 July 1916
Many guidebooks cover the Somme offensive in 1916, the five-month struggle that has come to be seen as one of the defining episodes in the history of the fighting on the Western Front during the First World War. But no previous guide has concentrated on the first day, 1 July 1916, when the British Army suffered around 60,000 casualties. That is why, on the centenary of that great battle, this new volume from Pen & Sword is so timely.
In a series of tours that can be walked, biked or driven, expert authors Jon Cooksey and Jerry Murland take the visitor along the eighteen-mile front line that was the starting point for the Somme offensive, from Gommecourt in the north to Maricourt in the south. The tours allow the visitor to trace the entire course of the opening day on the ground. In vivid detail the authors describe what happened, where it happened and why and which units were involved, and point out the sights that remain for the visitor to see.
14.99 In Stock
The First Day of the Somme: Gommecourt to Maricourt, 1 July 1916

The First Day of the Somme: Gommecourt to Maricourt, 1 July 1916

The First Day of the Somme: Gommecourt to Maricourt, 1 July 1916

The First Day of the Somme: Gommecourt to Maricourt, 1 July 1916

eBook

$14.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK devices, the free NOOK App and in My Digital Library.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

Many guidebooks cover the Somme offensive in 1916, the five-month struggle that has come to be seen as one of the defining episodes in the history of the fighting on the Western Front during the First World War. But no previous guide has concentrated on the first day, 1 July 1916, when the British Army suffered around 60,000 casualties. That is why, on the centenary of that great battle, this new volume from Pen & Sword is so timely.
In a series of tours that can be walked, biked or driven, expert authors Jon Cooksey and Jerry Murland take the visitor along the eighteen-mile front line that was the starting point for the Somme offensive, from Gommecourt in the north to Maricourt in the south. The tours allow the visitor to trace the entire course of the opening day on the ground. In vivid detail the authors describe what happened, where it happened and why and which units were involved, and point out the sights that remain for the visitor to see.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473897236
Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
Publication date: 01/31/2020
Series: A Visitor's Guide
Sold by: OPEN ROAD INTEGRATED - EBKS
Format: eBook
Pages: 240
File size: 8 MB

About the Author

Jon Cooksey is a leading military historian who takes a special interest in the history of the world wars. He is the editor of Stand To!, the journal of the Western Front Association, and he is an experienced battlefield guide. His books include The Barnsley Pals, Calais, Harry's War and, as editor, Blood and Iron.
Jon Cooksey iwasa leading military historian who takes a special interest in the history of the world wars. He was the editor of Stand To!, the journal of the Western Front Association, and he is an experienced battlefield guide. His books include The Barnsley Pals, Calais, Harry’s War and, as editor, Blood and Iron.

Table of Contents

Introduction and Acknowledgements 6

Visiting Military Cemeteries 8

Historical Context 12

Visiting the Area 16

Route 1 Gommecourt North 22

Route 2 Gommecourt South 35

Front Line Spine Route: Gommecourt to Serre 50

Route 3 Serre 53

Route 4 Serre - Alternative Start 73

Front Line Spine Route: Serre Road Cemetery No. 1 to Beaumont Hamel 83

Route 5 Beaumont Hamel 87

Front Line Spine Route: Beaumont Hamel to the Ulster Tower 111

Route 6 The Thiepval Spur 115

Front Line Spine Route: Ulster Tower to Ovillers-la -Boisselle 131

Route 7 Ovillers-la-Boisselle 143

Front Line Spine Route: Ovillers-la-Boisselle to la Boisselle 154

Route 8 La Boisselle 156

Front Line Spine Route: la Boisselle to Fricourt 174

Route 9 Fricourt 177

Front Line Spine Route: Fricourt to Mametz 193

Route 10 Mametz 194

Front Line Spine Route: Mametz to Montauban 205

Route 11 Montauban 210

Front Line Spine Route: Montauban to the Maricourt Anglo/French Junction 221

Appendix 1 Where to Find the VC Winners 225

Appendix 2 Where to Find the Soldier Poets 226

Index 230

From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews