What do you think?
Rate this book
1918: A Very British Victory
In the spring of 1918 the German army launched a series of devastating offensives against the French and British lines on the Western Front. This vivid account captures the desperation of ordinary British soldiers fighting with their backs to the wall as they clung on to their fragile lines. Drawing on the dramatic personal accounts of men who were thereboth commanders and ordinary gruntsthe narrative brings to life the sheer suspense of waiting for the German attack, the desperate turmoil of the retreat, and the nail-biting turning of the tide that brought an end to the war. As a chronicle of the vast offensives of 1918, this history is unparalleled in its scope and depth.
552 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
21 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Peter Hart
42 books193 followersPeter Hart is a British military historian.
He has been an oral historian at Sound Archive of Imperial War Museum in London since 1981.
He has written mainly on British participation in the First World War. His books include; The Somme, Jutland 1916, Bloody April on the air war in 1917, Passchendaele, Aces Falling (on the air war in 1918), 1918 A Very British Victory and Gallipoli.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He has been an oral historian at Sound Archive of Imperial War Museum in London since 1981.
He has written mainly on British participation in the First World War. His books include; The Somme, Jutland 1916, Bloody April on the air war in 1917, Passchendaele, Aces Falling (on the air war in 1918), 1918 A Very British Victory and Gallipoli.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 13, 2013
1918: A Very British Victory is a very good look at the operations of the BEF from the German Spring Offensives thru to the end of the war.
Dr. Hart uses first person accounts very well, blending them with the point is making. In fact his use of 1st person accounts remind me a little of Lyn MacDonald.
Hart covers the war from all angles – from the highest levels down to the individual infantryman/gunner. He uses accounts from British, French, US and German sources.
He offers a different Douglas Haig than is conventionally accepted. Rather than uncaring butcher, he portrays Haig as a professional, who was always trying to find a way to break through the trenches. And does care about his men but, he has a job to do. At one point Haig tells Foch that his troops cannot continue the attack, because there is not sufficient artillery and they would incur excessive casualties. His battles with Lloyd George about man power and what it almost cost eh BEF in the Spring of 1918 are well done.
He vividly portrays the importance of artillery in World War One, with many accounts from both gunners and their officers and well as the impact of Arty on the PBI that was its target.
He gives great praise to the Canadian and Australian formations that became the tip of the British spear during the Battle of Amiens and the breaking of the Hindenburg line during the summer and fall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
Dr. Hart uses first person accounts very well, blending them with the point is making. In fact his use of 1st person accounts remind me a little of Lyn MacDonald.
Hart covers the war from all angles – from the highest levels down to the individual infantryman/gunner. He uses accounts from British, French, US and German sources.
He offers a different Douglas Haig than is conventionally accepted. Rather than uncaring butcher, he portrays Haig as a professional, who was always trying to find a way to break through the trenches. And does care about his men but, he has a job to do. At one point Haig tells Foch that his troops cannot continue the attack, because there is not sufficient artillery and they would incur excessive casualties. His battles with Lloyd George about man power and what it almost cost eh BEF in the Spring of 1918 are well done.
He vividly portrays the importance of artillery in World War One, with many accounts from both gunners and their officers and well as the impact of Arty on the PBI that was its target.
He gives great praise to the Canadian and Australian formations that became the tip of the British spear during the Battle of Amiens and the breaking of the Hindenburg line during the summer and fall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it.
January 27, 2018
If you have read any of Peter Hart's books on the Great War you'll know what to expect - knowledgeable desription and analysis of the British military efforts in 1918 interspersed with well chosen memories of the men who were there (many interviewed by Hart in his day job as oral historian for the Imperial War Museum in London). This is a good book, a good read and, above all, good history - highly recommended.
PS I note another reviewer regretting the relatively light coverage of the final weeks of the war - if you need more on that period add Hart's "Last Battle" to your library for greater depth on the most neglected part of the war on the western front.
PS I note another reviewer regretting the relatively light coverage of the final weeks of the war - if you need more on that period add Hart's "Last Battle" to your library for greater depth on the most neglected part of the war on the western front.
August 9, 2020
The First World War is an event that is much less understood than the Second World War. Many myths have been constructed about it in the hundred since it ended. Today, historians like Peter Hart are evaluating the period in a far more clear eyed manner. It is now accepted it was war started by Germany & it is Germany that is responsible for the mess created. What is less known is that it was British & Empire forces aided by the French that won the conflict over coming the German Army in a brutal contest. The British & Empire forces did this by using tactics, resources & techniques that had been developed as the war had progressed. The Americans played a part, but that part was not all that significant. Had the war gone into 1919 or longer then their contribution would have likely been decisive. The War though finished in 1918 thanks to the British blockade & mainly British force of arms led by Douglas Haig in spite of lack lustre support from his political masters including Lloyd George. The book also features lots of eye witness accounts which give the reader an impression of what it was like at the sharp end on both sides.
February 4, 2019
What a drag to get through.
Although, frequently started listening to other books (I got the audiobook), I wanted to finish this nevertheless. I have multiple complaints about Mr Hart's book.
First off, it should have been called 1918: A Single-minded British view. The author seems to think that any fighting of consequence was only performed by the British. I advice him to dive into more historical material, preferably something else than British propaganda leaflets.
To put aside any French, American, and even Belgian efforts is very disrespectful.
Secondly, the first World War was more than just a small slice of the Western front. The idea that the war was won (or lost, depending on your view) only in France or Flanders is, again, a very narrow view. There are enough historians, that consider the other fronts as important, and even war winning.
Lastly, only about the audio book, the narration was laughable. The way the author (as he was also the narrator) used fake French, Australian, and German accents may fit very well in the "Allo Allo" television series, but in an audio book it is painfully insulting.
If you like a more balanced, better researched, more in-depth and better narrated history of the Great War, I'd like to point you to the podcast of Dan Carlin, "Blueprint for Armageddon".
Although, frequently started listening to other books (I got the audiobook), I wanted to finish this nevertheless. I have multiple complaints about Mr Hart's book.
First off, it should have been called 1918: A Single-minded British view. The author seems to think that any fighting of consequence was only performed by the British. I advice him to dive into more historical material, preferably something else than British propaganda leaflets.
To put aside any French, American, and even Belgian efforts is very disrespectful.
Secondly, the first World War was more than just a small slice of the Western front. The idea that the war was won (or lost, depending on your view) only in France or Flanders is, again, a very narrow view. There are enough historians, that consider the other fronts as important, and even war winning.
Lastly, only about the audio book, the narration was laughable. The way the author (as he was also the narrator) used fake French, Australian, and German accents may fit very well in the "Allo Allo" television series, but in an audio book it is painfully insulting.
If you like a more balanced, better researched, more in-depth and better narrated history of the Great War, I'd like to point you to the podcast of Dan Carlin, "Blueprint for Armageddon".
January 7, 2021
This is a very good book. In a very shrewd move Hart has shared diary accounts from those involved in the events of the time. This gives the book a huge number of different voices and also a definite level of authenticity that you wouldn't get in just a normal account. Although there are some 500 or so pages, they go by extremely quickly.
When it comes to the first world war, most people know about the sacrifice of the Somme, the horror of Verdun and the futility of Paschendaele, but the events of 1918, in particular the fight back, are hardly known. This book redresses that very nicely. Not many people know that we ended the war with the best army in the world. One that had learnt how to combine tanks, artillery, airplanes and enhanced infantry firepower in a world beating combination.
You'll take away a couple of things from the diary accounts. The prevalence of souveniring, where every soldier would happily loot the enemy of watches, cap badges and anything else that took their eye. But above all the role of luck in survival. There are plenty of accounts of near misses and narrow scrapes and a lot of people got hit just through being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
When it comes to the first world war, most people know about the sacrifice of the Somme, the horror of Verdun and the futility of Paschendaele, but the events of 1918, in particular the fight back, are hardly known. This book redresses that very nicely. Not many people know that we ended the war with the best army in the world. One that had learnt how to combine tanks, artillery, airplanes and enhanced infantry firepower in a world beating combination.
You'll take away a couple of things from the diary accounts. The prevalence of souveniring, where every soldier would happily loot the enemy of watches, cap badges and anything else that took their eye. But above all the role of luck in survival. There are plenty of accounts of near misses and narrow scrapes and a lot of people got hit just through being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
January 3, 2021
Very aptly titled, 1918: A Very British Victory focuses on what Dr. Hart believes (and many others) to be the decisive western front during the final year of the war. A good overview of tactics, strategy and personal account during the final days of the war, this account does tend to focus very heavily on the BEF and their efforts, which makes sense given Hart’s position.
Overall it was a relatively quick listen (for books on The Great War go) and the focus on just that final year was very enlightening after hearing over and over about the start of the war and the entrenching the years following. The personal accounts were insightful and harrowing, and while I’d have liked to hear more from different perspectives this was a focused account and that is fine.
Overall it was a relatively quick listen (for books on The Great War go) and the focus on just that final year was very enlightening after hearing over and over about the start of the war and the entrenching the years following. The personal accounts were insightful and harrowing, and while I’d have liked to hear more from different perspectives this was a focused account and that is fine.
February 13, 2021
Peter Hart is a fantastic author of popular military history. He fills this books with many fascinating first hand accounts of the people that were there.
My only issue with this book was that I personally felt that it had too many first hand accounts and not quite enough explanations of the strategic situation.
My only issue with this book was that I personally felt that it had too many first hand accounts and not quite enough explanations of the strategic situation.
January 27, 2018
Great read! Hart does an exceptional job of allowing the combatants to speak for themselves. Looking forward to reading more of his books on this subject.
March 8, 2018
Very much enjoyed this look of the last year of WW1 from all angles. Excellent performance too. Audible.
September 5, 2019
This book analyses a lot of received wisdom regarding the least year of the war. My only real complaint is that it feels a bit short, but then it does only cover a small part of the war.
April 20, 2015
I was raised to believe that the British and French were on the ropes in World War One until the United States entered the war and saved the day. Much in the way settlers circled the wagons and held on until the cavalry rode to the rescue. "1918: A Very British Victory" disabused me of this belief.
Peter Hart described the situation in early 1918. The Russian Revolution ended combat to a large degree on the eastern front freeing a million or so German troops, many of them specially trained assault troops called "Strossstruppen," to come to the western front for one last try at winning the war. The United States had entered the war but would not be ready to contribute to the Allied effort until later in 1918. So there was an envelope of time for the Germans to make headway before American troops could enter the fray.
Douglas Haig, the general in charge of the British troops in the British Expeditionary Force, knew the German reinforcements were on the way and expected the major German drive which emerged. However, the Prime Minister of England, Lloyd George, we denying Haig reinforcements, fearing that Haig would mount pointless offensives that would gain nothing and cost thousands more lives. As if this was not enough, Haig was forced to take over part of the French sectors on his right stretching his already thin line even thinner.
The belief of George was that Haig had learned nothing in the three previous years of war but the British army had learned new tactics but would have to hold off the Germans until the time was ripe to use them.
The Germans mounted major offensives in the British sectors. The British were forced to withdraw all along their lines but they never broke. The Germans exhausted themselves and then the British and French, with help from the Americans drove the Germans back into Germany.
"1918" is excellent. The author explains the situation and then lets the people involved give ground level descriptions of the actions. These are poignant and aptly describe the horror the soldiers were going through day after day after day. If you read one book on the Great War, this should be it.
Peter Hart described the situation in early 1918. The Russian Revolution ended combat to a large degree on the eastern front freeing a million or so German troops, many of them specially trained assault troops called "Strossstruppen," to come to the western front for one last try at winning the war. The United States had entered the war but would not be ready to contribute to the Allied effort until later in 1918. So there was an envelope of time for the Germans to make headway before American troops could enter the fray.
Douglas Haig, the general in charge of the British troops in the British Expeditionary Force, knew the German reinforcements were on the way and expected the major German drive which emerged. However, the Prime Minister of England, Lloyd George, we denying Haig reinforcements, fearing that Haig would mount pointless offensives that would gain nothing and cost thousands more lives. As if this was not enough, Haig was forced to take over part of the French sectors on his right stretching his already thin line even thinner.
The belief of George was that Haig had learned nothing in the three previous years of war but the British army had learned new tactics but would have to hold off the Germans until the time was ripe to use them.
The Germans mounted major offensives in the British sectors. The British were forced to withdraw all along their lines but they never broke. The Germans exhausted themselves and then the British and French, with help from the Americans drove the Germans back into Germany.
"1918" is excellent. The author explains the situation and then lets the people involved give ground level descriptions of the actions. These are poignant and aptly describe the horror the soldiers were going through day after day after day. If you read one book on the Great War, this should be it.
February 14, 2012
I was at Heathrow Airport without anything to read, my Kindle was on it's way to the plane in my suitcase; and I can't live without at least the posibility of something to read. So I headed to WHS to get my fix.
After lots of looking around I saw this book and it proved to be a great catch. I always been more of a 2nd World War fanatic but the premise of this book, proving than that 1918 was actually a great British victory instead of the myth of massacre after massage shown in Blackadder.
This is not a book that concentrates on cold statistics and incomprehensible for non-military staff troop movements. It provides plenty of details to get an insight of the tactics from both sides, historical background (politics) and lots of snippets of diaries from all levels of the battlefield. Although a few more from the German side would have been welcomed. It is an easy, emotive and thrilling read.
The only two things I could criticize are: there should have been more maps to follow where the soldier were without having to hunt for my atlas and Hart seems to spend more time on the first months of 1918 than in the last months to the point of feeling rushed. Despite this it is a great read.
After lots of looking around I saw this book and it proved to be a great catch. I always been more of a 2nd World War fanatic but the premise of this book, proving than that 1918 was actually a great British victory instead of the myth of massacre after massage shown in Blackadder.
This is not a book that concentrates on cold statistics and incomprehensible for non-military staff troop movements. It provides plenty of details to get an insight of the tactics from both sides, historical background (politics) and lots of snippets of diaries from all levels of the battlefield. Although a few more from the German side would have been welcomed. It is an easy, emotive and thrilling read.
The only two things I could criticize are: there should have been more maps to follow where the soldier were without having to hunt for my atlas and Hart seems to spend more time on the first months of 1918 than in the last months to the point of feeling rushed. Despite this it is a great read.
November 29, 2012
This was a good read, though it seemed a little long to me.
The key element was the weaving together of many veteran accounts and narrations the battles in which they participated. The narrations were effective at pushing the author's contention that the British army in 1918 had become, through hard experience and careful staff work, the best in the world. As they had defeated the previous contender (the Imperial German Army), it is hard for me to dispute this.
The key element was the weaving together of many veteran accounts and narrations the battles in which they participated. The narrations were effective at pushing the author's contention that the British army in 1918 had become, through hard experience and careful staff work, the best in the world. As they had defeated the previous contender (the Imperial German Army), it is hard for me to dispute this.
April 22, 2022
Good overview of the last year of WW I
Although written from the perspective of the British Army Hart's work provides an excellent analysis of the effects of the German Spring offensives and subsequent counter attacks that led to end of the war. Not an operational history but one that concentrates on the personal perspective.
Although written from the perspective of the British Army Hart's work provides an excellent analysis of the effects of the German Spring offensives and subsequent counter attacks that led to end of the war. Not an operational history but one that concentrates on the personal perspective.
June 24, 2013
superbly researched and a good read
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews