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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)
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