The Germans In Flanders 1915 – 1916 (Images Of War - Rare Photographs From Wartime Archives)

This illustrated and informative history by the retired school teacher and lecturer David Bilton principally examines Der Große Krieg (The Great War) from the viewpoint of the Deutsches Heer, (The Imperial German Army). At its heart is its Collecting together of a unique and wide ranging group of archival images portraying an invaluable record of how all ranks of the Deutsches Heer worked together to survive in the grim conditions that were to be found in the frontlines. The chosen images were themselves sourced from a number of vintage German Photographic Publications originally released during The Great War in Germany and Austria. These collected images are both historically significant and windows into the Heer's activities throughout 1914-18 (in particular in and around Ypres). The end result is a detailed and fascinating photographic examination of these servicemen both at war and at rest. The chosen images were all taken by the official German Army Photographers assigned to cover particular sectors of the German Front Line, in this case Flanders, during 1915-16. Alongside a detailed text about the situation faced by Germany over 1914-18 and informative information about the chosen and mostly unseen photographs which have been recreated from their original German negatives and digitally restored to their original high quality clarity. The chosen photos highlight what life was like for not only for the German Infantrymen in these Sectors of the front, but also for the residents inside the occupied territory of Belgium doing their best to survive in an increasingly hostile and destructive battle zone directly behind the frontlines. The book covers the actions of the German Army in the Low Countries during 1915 and 1916. In its broad compass it looks at the battles with the French, Belgians and British, concentrating mostly on the latter. Both 1915 and 1916 were very active years for the Central Powers and the Allies. After a quiet start with minor fighting April 1915 saw gas attacks against Hill 60, followed by 2nd Ypres and intermittent attacks throughout the remainder of the year. There was also considerable naval and air activity through the year. 1916 was arguably the most dramatic year of the War, not least for the Allied Somme offensive.This work, which follows on from the authors German Army in Flanders 1914 in the same series, includes notes on the divisions that fought there and a chronological order of events as they unfolded. Where relevant, material from the German home front is included.Each phase and aspect of the period is detailed from the German point of view using primary and secondary sources from both Germany and Britain. The illustrations provide a pictorial background in both a specific and general form, highlighting life in the front-line as well as rear areas and show how the War affected the towns and villages of the region. [Elib]. The book covers the actions of the German Army in the Low Countries during 1915 and 1916. In its broad compass it looks at the battles with the French, Belgians and British, concentrating mostly on the latter. Both 1915 and 1916 were very active years for the Central Powers and the Allies. After a quiet start with minor fighting April 1915 saw gas attacks against Hill 60, followed by 2nd Ypres and intermittent attacks throughout the remainder of the year. There was also considerable naval and air activity through the year. 1916 was arguably the most dramatic year of the War, not least for the Allied Somme offensive. This work, which follows on from the authors German Army in Flanders 1914 in the same series, includes notes on the divisions that fought there and a chronological order of events as they unfolded. Where relevant, material from the German home front is included. Each phase and aspect of the period is detailed from the German point of view using primary and secondary sources from both Germany and Britain. The illustrations provide a pictorial background in both a specific and general form, highlighting life in the front-line as well as rear areas and show how the War affected the towns and villages of the region. David Bilton. Belgium Will Be Our Grave. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 158-159).