The Somme
by Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson

List Price: $35.00  Hardback: 368 Pages
Publish Date: May 11, 2005

Review by Brian Williams  

The Somme by Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson is a day-by-day, unit-by-unit detailed examination of the famous WWI battle that cost the British Army 432,000 casualties.  The two men examine and make a blistering critique of the commanders -- pulling no punches against Haig and the other commanders.  As the front flap of the book states, "Haig is shown as repeatedly deficient in strategy, tactics, command, and organisation ".

Prior and Wilson make use of the entire public archive on the battle to recount each of the sectors of the front.  Nothing is left out -- the writers analyze air superiority, artillery effectiveness, British tactics, disparities in casualties, British Army peformances, leadership, philosophy and all points in between.

When reading this book, keep in mind that this book is an in-depth analysis of the battle and delves into intricate detail.  And, what Prior and Wilson concludes from this analysis is not at all kind to the British commanders.  One word keeps coming to mind when considering the British Somme offensive; and that word is 'incompetence'.  Prior and Wilson hammers this conclusion home with relentless accuracy.  It is refreshing to see such blistering critical analysis of such a wasteful offensive.

Review by Brian Williams (militaryhistoryonline@hotmail.com)