The German Army on the Somme 1914-1916 [Kindle Edition]

The book describes the Somme campaign up to the end of 1916 through the eyes of German officers and soldiers. Much of the text is apportioned to translations of German firsthand accounts that the author has sifted into a structure framed by his own commentary which provides the background information and supplementary knowledge to complete the picture. The first hand accounts are impressive in themselves for they have lost none of the vitality in translation by the author, himself a product of the German Staff College, and very much retain the expression and idiom that their German authors would have used. The eye witnesses record their experiences and events in factual terms which combine humanity with humour in even the darkest moments such as the medical party covering the dead in No Man's Land with quicklime and being sworn at when they accidentally start to cover the men of one of their own patrol parties too.

The chapters lead the reader chronologically through the campaign capturing the mood of the German defenders. The eye witness accounts record the artillery dominance and initial allied air superiority making all movement extremely hazardous and forcing the defenders to live deep underground with the inherent dangers of being buried alive by British delayed fuse 380 mm (15") heavy artillery shells. The German soldiers frustration at being pinned down is expressed in their longing for `Tommy' to attack and the opportunity to return the favour in kind. Despite this underlying tension the accounts reveal that when the two sides did come face to face in capture or injury the prevailing attitude by both sides was one of fair play.

The author sets the eyewitness accounts in the wider context of the strategy of General von Falkenhayn, Chief of the German General Staff, and the changes that were effected after his removal in August 1916. His policy of not giving up ground was unsustainable and with his replacement, Field Marshal von Hindenburg, came a concept albeit not immediately recognisable as such, of mobile defence. The text is well supported with footnotes and the Appendices contain further useful backgound information including a detailed description of the composition and structure of the German Army in 1914.

This book provides a fascinating insight into the German Army during this fiercely contested campaign and many of the characteristics and qualities of the German Army today are evident in the accounts of the servicemen of that time. The reader is whisked around the battlefield and installed in a German front row seat at the centre of the action. Whether historian or current observer, this vivid account is a study of Germans as much as a tribute to the soldiers of the Somme.

Jack Sheldon, a retired British infantry officer, provides an original and ground-breaking look into the other side of First World War trench combat in The German Army on the Somme 1914-1916. Although the Somme Campaign has been described many times before - memorably by Martin Middlebrook - it has usually been from a British perspective. However, the author was able to make use of a wide variety of German-language materials, ranging from after-action reports, contemporary diaries and post-war memoirs to develop a composite view of how the German Army experienced combat on the Somme. Furthermore, this book is not only about the well-covered battles in July 1916 but ranges back to the early actions in this area against the French in 1914-15 and extends to the final actions of November-December 1916. This book is a must for any serious student of the First World War. Unfortunately, poor organization and inadequate maps have hindered the author's ability to deliver this treasure trove of information to the reader and make this book virtually unfathomable for the general reader.

The German Army on the Somme 1914-1916 is organized into nine chapters, two of which deal with the fighting in this sector in 1914-1915, then one that deals with activity in this area during January-June 1916, one chapter for 1 July 1916 alone, and then each succeeding chapter covers one month of 1916. Overall, this chronological organization works well for a campaign narrative of this length. The author also provides two short appendices on the German Army and sources used, as well as a detailed order of battle for all German divisions that fought on the Somme. This work rests on eyewitness accounts, most of which come from junior officers although there are a fair number of NCOs and common soldiers represented. Most of the accounts are from infantry soldiers, but there are a few from artillerymen and aviators. Many of these accounts are vivid and gripping, depicting trench warfare in all its facets. Some of the more interesting accounts cover night trench raids, escape and evasion from behind enemy lines, several desperate last-ditch stands and capture/escape. From the German point of view, we see the effects of Allied superiority in artillery and airpower that limit the German ability to move troops and supplies up to the front that sounds much like 1944. The German troops were also more impressed with French troops at this stage of the war than British, who were generally regarded as inexperienced amateurs. Throughout the book, the omni-presence of Allied artillery fire and the weakness of German artillery to respond is driven home again and again. It is also clear that the German infantryman had become a bomber rather than a rifleman by this point in the war; in one counterattack each soldier in a company is given ten hand grenades. The translations are generally very good and the author is to be applauded for assembling this vast assortment of accounts into a cogent format.

Author Jack Sheldon has performed a real service to readers in providing a rare glimpse into the first-hand accounts, thoughts and actions of German soldiers of the Great War. For the first time the authentic voice of German veterans can be read by non-German speakers.

Expertly combining first-hand accounts, archival material, as well as large numbers of narratives from German regimental histories, the author weaves together the story of soldiers in combat using their own words.

The value of his writing transcends those interested in the German Army, to those, who reading about their own countries troops, would like to learn more about the men who fought, and often died, "on the other side of the hill."

One of the primary sources left to those researching the German Army of the Great War is the extensive series of regimental histories. With the destruction of the Heeresarchives in 1945, along with almost all official operations and unit files, these histories take on an importance which cannot be overstated. Author Jack Sheldon displays his expert knowledge of the sources with a comprehensive explanation of the use and limitations of the regimental histories. By careful cross checking of facts contained in archival files with those detailed in the regimental histories he demonstrates the fidelity of the regimental accounts.

The primary purpose of the German regimental histories was for the veterans of the units themselves, and to maintain the traditions of units disbanded after the war. The actual writing of the regimental histories was undertaken by single authors or in some cases by regimental associations. With this in mind the author reminds us of the natural (and understandable) human tendency to put endeavors in their best light. It is worth noting that though the regimental histories were not written by the Reicharchivs, influence was exerted in the form of editorial agreements which potential authors had to sign to gain access to the all important unit files in the archives. This being said, it was also written guidance that failures of the unit could be written about honestly.

By explaining the value and limitations of the sources left to researchers of the German army in the war, the author clearly shows that his readers are in good hands.

In summary Jack Sheldon's books offer a valuable look into the up till now closed experience of the German soldier in the Great War. By his able writing and expert use of material he has provided a valuable resource to both students and experts of the Great War