Messines 1917 The Zenith of Siege Warfare |
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| Author:
| Turner, Alexander |
| Illustrator:
| Dennis, Peter |
| Series title: | Campaign Ser. |
| ISBN: | 978-1-84603-845-7 |
| Publication Date: | Aug 2010 |
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Publishing USA
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| Imprint: | Osprey |
| Book Format: | Paperback |
| List Price: | USD $25.00 |
Book Description:
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At 0310 hours on 7 June 1917, the pre-dawn gloom on the Western Front was shattered by the 'pillars of fire' - the rapid detonation of 19 huge mines, secreted in tunnels under the German lines and containing 450 tonnes of explosives. Admitted by the Germans to be a 'masterstroke', the devastating blasts caused 10,000 soldiers to later be posted simply as 'missing'. Launching a pre-planned attack into the carnage, supported by tanks and a devastating artillery barrage, the British took...
More DescriptionAt 0310 hours on 7 June 1917, the pre-dawn gloom on the Western Front was shattered by the 'pillars of fire' - the rapid detonation of 19 huge mines, secreted in tunnels under the German lines and containing 450 tonnes of explosives. Admitted by the Germans to be a 'masterstroke', the devastating blasts caused 10,000 soldiers to later be posted simply as 'missing'. Launching a pre-planned attack into the carnage, supported by tanks and a devastating artillery barrage, the British took the strategic objective of Messines Ridge within hours. A rare example of innovation and success in the First World War (1914-1918), this book is a fresh and timely examination of a fascinating campaign.