The German Army at Ypres - 1914

by Jack Sheldon

This book will be the first complete account of the operations of the German army in the battles north of Lille in the late autumn of 1914. The main emphasis will be placed on the battles around Ypres against the Old Contemptibles of the BEF, but the fighting against the French and Belgian armies will also be featured, thus providing fresh and broader insights into a campaign. There are those who believe the BEF was all that saved world civilization as the first year of the Great War drew to its end.

The book uses the comprehensive histories of the participating German regiments found in the Kriegsarchiv in Munich and the Hauptstaatsarchiv in Stuttgart. Their use adds authority and authenticity to the book.

The narrative adopts a chronological approach. The book focuses on some of the most bitterly disputed battles of the first three months of the war, when the Germans strained to achieve a breakthrough and the BEF resisted heroically, at the price of its own destruction.

The book employs a similar format to the author’s previous works; the greater part of the text uses the words of the German participants themselves and the primary focus of the book covers the experiences of the fighting troops at regimental level and below. Linking paragraphs provide historical context and commentary and evidence from senior commanders will be introduced as necessary.

Genres: History, World War I

400 pages, Hardcover

First published November 18, 2010

About the author

Educated at Inverness Royal Academy, the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and the Universities of Lancaster and Westminster, Jack Sheldon completed a thirty-five year career as a member of the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment.

In 1982 he graduated from the German General Staff course at the Führungsakademie, Hamburg and went on to fill international staff appointments and to command an infantry training battalion. His final post before retirement in 2003 was as Military Attaché Berlin.

Reviews

[Everett Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a great deal to read in any of Sheldon's books concerning the German Army on the Western Front. It is more informative as to the psychology and feelings of those who wrote the originals, in German, than possibly that of the time that they are writing.

But still fascinating looking 'over the wire' at our grand or great grandfathers enemies.

[Talos]

A riveting account of the battle of Ypres from the German point of view, interspersed with portions dispelling false accounts and bringing balance to contemporary accounts. The book also shows a humane side to the german soldier and the conditions he faced.

[Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

May be just me but very heavy going. Lots of tough names and didn't quite understand the structure of the German army. Too long for what it was covering