PILLARS OF FIRE: The Battle of Messines Ridge, June 1917

Passingham, Ian

ISBN 10: 0750917040 / ISBN 13: 9780750917049

Published by Sutton Publishing Ltd, Stroud, 1998

About this Item

This copy is in new, unmarked condition bound in burgundy cloth covered boards with bright gilt titling to the spine. This copy is bright, tight, white and square. The unclipped dust wrapper is in new condition. International postal rates are calculated on a book weighing 1 Kilo, in cases where the book weighs more than 1 Kilo increased postal rates will be quoted, where the book weighs less then postage will be reduced accordingly. Drawing his material from a range of primary sources in England, Germany and Australia, the author looks at the action at the Battle of Messines from all levels of command, including the soldiers' perspectives, during the preparatory, battle and post-battle stages. He reassesses the reasons for General Plumer's success on the day, the implications of Haig's failure to exploit that success, and the legacy of the battle for the maturing of the BEF in 1918. The attack is also examined from the viewpoint of the defending German troops on the other side of the wire. A study of the planning and execution of the Royal Engineers' tunneling and mining activities is also included. Ref K 7.

Seller Inventory # 035052

Bibliographic Details

• Title: PILLARS OF FIRE: The Battle of Messines Ridge, June 1917
• Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd, Stroud
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0750917040
• ISBN 13: 9780750917049
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: New
• Dust Jacket Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Until 1918, Messines was the only clear-cut Allied victory on the Western Front.
Pillars of Fire is the first detailed account of the battle for the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge and is examined from the British/ANZAC and German perspectives. It reassesses the reasons for General Plumer's success on the day, the implications of Haig's failure to exploit that success, and finally the legacy of the battle for the maturing of the BEF in 1918.
Fully illustrated with a selection of archive photographs and maps, many of which are previously unpublished, Pillars of Fire is a major contribution to our understanding of one of the seminal battles of the First World War.

About the Author

Ian Passingham was educated at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and Keele University, serving in the British Army for 18 years before leaving as a major to pursue a career as a professional historian and defence analyst.