Ypres, 1917: A Personal Account

by NORMAN GLADDEN

An enthralling eyewitness account of the bloody battle of Passchendaele.

Perfect for fans of Lyn MacDonald, Martin Middlebrook and Barbara W. Tuchman.

The Third Battle of Ypres, commonly known as the Battle of Passchendaele, took place in the muddy fields of Flanders in the summer and autumn of 1917 in an effort to break the deadlock of trench warfare. This attack would cost both Allied and German forces over half a million casualties, but like so many previous battles, ended in a stalemate.

Norman Gladden, who had witnessed the full horrors of modern warfare at the Somme the previous year, served with the 11th Northumberland Fusiliers through the course of 1917. He and his fellow men saw action in the Battle of Messines, which was a precursor to the Third Battle of Ypres, before being involved in the action at Menin Road, Polygon Wood and the First and Second Battles of Passchendaele.

Throughout his time barraged by shells in this atrocious quagmire Gladden kept a diary, recording his personal experiences, providing the basis for this remarkable and unique insight into life on the Western Front seen through the eyes of an ordinary soldier.

Ypres, 1917 should be essential reading for all interested in the history of the First World War and seeing one its most ferocious battles from the viewpoint of an infantry soldier. This book is the second part of Norman Gladden’s World War One trilogy, Full Pack — A Private’s War, preceded by The Somme, 1916 and followed by Across the Piave. A portion of the revenue from every sale of each book in this trilogy goes to The National Trust.

Genres: History, World War I, Military History, Nonfiction

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2023

Reviews

[Peter john Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cannon Fodder

A personal confirmation that a « privileged » section of European society in the early 20th century considered the rest of their society was expendable. They should be damned for eternity for their uncaring arrogance.

[Graham Mott · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent and detailed memoir of Messines and Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. The middle book of trilogy it gains from focusing on a single year rather than being a history of the whole war. A perceptive observer who was a clerical worker before the war but served in the ranks he has a fine eye for detail and seems to have understood he was part of something extraordinary. His description of troops moving out of Ypres, passing artillery batteries under fire or gas attack are very vivid. The descriptions of battle come across very well, bringing it the chaos and confusion as they advance with little idea of where they are, where there are going and what they are trying to achieve. All the time suffering random casualties from an unseen enemy. His relationships with officers is interesting, being extraordinarily distant. While he generally seems to have respected them, anything above his company commander was another planet, his life being centred on the junior NCOs who had a huge impact on his day to day life and indeed survival. Not a book to wallow in misery but the loss of his friends through random violence is effectively and sensitively done. The proceeding volume on the Somme and following one on Italy probably worth checking out. Recommended and original copies can be found at a good price.

[Matthew Welker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 2nd book in Norman Gladden’s memoirs of his experience in WWI. This covers what experienced at Ypres in 1917. Bit shorter than book one and gets quicker to the battle action. Also has a bit more of it.

And yeah it’s a war memoir. Not pretty stuff. But it’s good to read the insights and experiences of those who served. While I didn’t mention in my review of book 1, I also really like the historical context chapters throughout. I haven’t read a ton of memoirs, but these are among the first I’ve seen such a thing incorporated.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read quite a few First World War memoirs and this is one of the most vivid. Written by a private soldier rather than an officer. As well as several descriptions of coming under fire, there are some fascinating insights into the organisation and disorganisation behind the lines. The writing style is formal and dated, but I didn't mind that. What these millions of young men endured absolutely beggars belief.

[rick ladd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The constant fear.

I can not imagine how it felt to be in that conflict but the author helped me to in some measure, visualize it. You can feel the emotions in his writing style. A good read.

[d c mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping account of everyday life in the Ypres salient

A valuable addition to other WW1 memoirs, be they English, German or French. It's considerable similarities to Barthas' Poilu, are remarkable and show the absurdity and mundanity of the war.

[wally walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and well written account about a phase of WW1 which shows all the horrors and poor leadership of the war

[Daniel Patitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trenches and war

Awful conditions were prevalent but the author truly depicted the horrors of such a situation. Well described the whole scene was well related.

[Michael C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.2