Retreat and Rearguard, Somme 1918: The Fifth Army Retreat

by Jerry Murland

The German Spring offensive - or Kaiserschlacht - was a period of great danger for the Allies. Both sides were exhausted after years of bitter fighting and huge losses. While eventually catastrophically unsuccessful and the prelude to their final defeat, the German forced the Allies back over hard-won ground until the tide turned.Historian Jerry Murland has researched and visited the scenes of desperate actions during late March 1918. He describes in graphic detail the battles fought by British, Irish and South African regiments in the area from St Leger in the North to La Fere in the South. He unearths the extraordinary stories of unit and individual courage. He also examines the work of the Royal Engineers who blew bridges and disrupted lines of communication. This original approach covers battles that in many cases have only been described briefly in official histories. The book is a useful companion for any battlefield visitor.

444 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2014

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read that at times became a bit bogged down in details. It follows specifically the British Fifth Army retreat during the opening of the German Spring Offensive in March 1918. It details the actions fought in each corps sector on the first days and then goes onto the subsequent retreat during the days following. As other reviewers has mentioned, more detailed maps would have been a big help in this book, especially a map for each chapter to follow the actions and directions better.

The book is a mix of battalion, regimental and divisional records put together with diaries, letters and personal recollections of the men in the thick of the action, and the author has balanced this well. These men were always outnumbered and mostly cut off during the early days, yet they fought on tenaciously, sometimes even to the last man. Of special interest for me was the role played by the South African Regiment which was part of the 9th Scottish Division.

Interesting read focusing on just one part of this massive battle and would recommend this if you are interested in this part of WW1 history.

[Mark Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, could have used many more detailed maps, since the actions written about were very tactical in nature. The writing is first class, and if I hadn’t had Google Earth to keep me straight I would have enjoyed it much less. I don’t understand books that detail actions in named woods, named roads and villages and then don’t have any accompanying maps to give it a since of place. I guess it’s cheaper that way to produce. The maps that are in the book are useful, but are more sketches than maps. Don’t let my complaining turn you off. The actions covered are very well covered, and the bravery of both the Anglo-Irish forces and the Germans are well documented with many first person accounts from both sides to add color to an otherwise intense combat narrative. Good book, but be prepared to use Google Earth!

[David Worsfold · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough and brilliantly researched account of retreat of the BEF through France in 1940. It is meticulous in its recording of the military aspects but contains enough extracts from first hand accounts and regimental diaries to bring it alive and remind the reader of the impact on individual soldiers.