This book is a superbly researched and detailed account of the fighting around Ypres during April and May 1915. It is essentially a day-by-day record of the Second Battle of Ypres which draws heavily upon personal accounts, regimental histories and war diaries to present a comprehensive study of the battle in which Germany gained the dubious distinction of becoming the first nation in history to use poisonous gas as a weapon of war. The work is complemented with a number of useful Appendices including Officer Casualties, Victoria Cross winners and the British Order of Battle for Hill 60 and the Second Battle of Ypres.Each phase of the battle is discussed in detail aided, where appropriate, by maps and photographs.
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About the Author
John Dixon read Geology at the University of Cardiff and obtained a doctorate in 1983. Since he worked in the construction industry as a professional geologist. A Fellow of the Geological Society, a Chartered Geologist and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society he has published a number of scientific articles and written the definitive history of the Monmouthshire Regiment in the Great War (three volumes).
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
John Dixon's book about second Ypres is not a good book.
1) Dixon uses nearly only British sources. This means that highly relevant questions remain unanswered. To take one example: surely French sources must give better answers to the question why French troops on the left flank did not attack when promised, the reason many attacks of the British were completely futile. Again, German sources should contain more information why the Germans did not push through after the first, very successful gas attacks. This book merely contains guesstimates on German reasoning.
2) I realise how difficult it is to achieve this in book form, but the connection between text and maps is essential if a reader is to understand developments. I found this not very successful. In future it will be possible to develop "books" in which every time you click on the text, you get a map on which the location of happenings is indicated, including the locations of other troops involved.
2) The 2nd point is more a cultural than a qualitative point. Reviewer is a Dutch middle class retired professional, with no military background. Why so much details of British officer casualties, and relatively few of other ranks, and none of German nor French. The book contains 17 portraits of officers killed, and four of other ranks, while only 2% of the casualities were officers. Richard Holmes' "the western front" is an example how this balance can be achieved (at least in the eyes of this alien).
1) Dixon uses nearly only British sources. This means that highly relevant questions remain unanswered. To take one example: surely French sources must give better answers to the question why French troops on the left flank did not attack when promised, the reason many attacks of the British were completely futile. Again, German sources should contain more information why the Germans did not push through after the first, very successful gas attacks. This book merely contains guesstimates on German reasoning.
2) I realise how difficult it is to achieve this in book form, but the connection between text and maps is essential if a reader is to understand developments. I found this not very successful. In future it will be possible to develop "books" in which every time you click on the text, you get a map on which the location of happenings is indicated, including the locations of other troops involved.
2) The 2nd point is more a cultural than a qualitative point. Reviewer is a Dutch middle class retired professional, with no military background. Why so much details of British officer casualties, and relatively few of other ranks, and none of German nor French. The book contains 17 portraits of officers killed, and four of other ranks, while only 2% of the casualities were officers. Richard Holmes' "the western front" is an example how this balance can be achieved (at least in the eyes of this alien).
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Chris Baker
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
A welcome reprint of a solid account of one of the worst times of the British army's experience in holding the Ypres salient.
The surprise use by the German army of poisonous chlorine gas in the afternoon of 22 April 1915 still has the power to shock and revolt us all. The release of the deadly weapon against men with no power to defend themselves against it led to a large break into the Allied line, with only acts of immense personal courage and determination managing to fight back and hold on. Foremost among these was the counter attack by the Canadians at Kitchener's Wood. This terrible day was only a harbinger of horrors to come as both sides drew in reserves and some of the most costly, horrific and at times chaotic fighting took place.
John Dixon draws on official and regimental accounts, as well as memoirs and some secondary sources. There is a number of sketch maps, which provide a reasonable overview but could perhaps be updated and improved in the event of a future republication. Naturally he covers the opening attack and piecemeal counter attacks in detail, but perhaps more importantly he also positions the battle as taking place while fighting of the fiercest and most violent nature was already taking place at Hill 60, and goes on to describe the broader fighting that only died down in mid May. By that time, the depleted British force had been pushed back much closer to Ypres - effectively onto the start point it would have for the Third Battle which opened on 31 July 1917.
It must be said that John's book presents a very British-sided view. There is little coverage of the vital role played by the French and Belgians and we also get little feel, other than of the launch of the gas, as to German thinking and tactics.... Read more ›
The surprise use by the German army of poisonous chlorine gas in the afternoon of 22 April 1915 still has the power to shock and revolt us all. The release of the deadly weapon against men with no power to defend themselves against it led to a large break into the Allied line, with only acts of immense personal courage and determination managing to fight back and hold on. Foremost among these was the counter attack by the Canadians at Kitchener's Wood. This terrible day was only a harbinger of horrors to come as both sides drew in reserves and some of the most costly, horrific and at times chaotic fighting took place.
John Dixon draws on official and regimental accounts, as well as memoirs and some secondary sources. There is a number of sketch maps, which provide a reasonable overview but could perhaps be updated and improved in the event of a future republication. Naturally he covers the opening attack and piecemeal counter attacks in detail, but perhaps more importantly he also positions the battle as taking place while fighting of the fiercest and most violent nature was already taking place at Hill 60, and goes on to describe the broader fighting that only died down in mid May. By that time, the depleted British force had been pushed back much closer to Ypres - effectively onto the start point it would have for the Third Battle which opened on 31 July 1917.
It must be said that John's book presents a very British-sided view. There is little coverage of the vital role played by the French and Belgians and we also get little feel, other than of the launch of the gas, as to German thinking and tactics.... Read more ›
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book is the first one I have come across which covers the Second Battle of Ypres at a reasonable level of detail.
18 Jun 2013
By Sir James
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is the first one I have come across which covers the Second Battle of Ypres at a reasonable level of detail. This battle tends to reside in the shadows of the Third Battle of Ypres, but the defence of the salient in the spring and early summer of 1915 cost very many lives including that of my Great Uncle. This book was a great help to me in locating where, in the vicinity of Hooge Chateau/Bellewaerde Lake/Frezenberg he fought and died. It was a good buy.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Strangely I agree with both the above seemingly opposing reviews. John Dixon had the opportunity to write a First Definitive of the battle. He clearly has the skills of assessment, the greatly needed ability for sorting complex multiple activities, and what it takes to weave the whole into a riveting read. The most infuriating thing was that he did all this, gave us a glimpse of what was required, yet still fell well short. His hour-by-hour, day-by-day recording of the British, Canadian and Indian side of the ground battle is riveting. But even louder than the relentless German artillery is his glaring omissions, the unanswered questions simply scream out at us. There is no explanation as to why Germany chose this time, or place, to launch their attack, nor what their objectives were, other than to suggest they were attempting to "straighten the line". It seems unlikely that Germany would accept the outrage of the world by the use of gas and to expend so many men and in particular artillery resources, whilst deeply engaged in the East, for so little ambition. The German forces and their Government rarely make an appearance other than as a bit part player. Whilst the British, Canadian and Indian forces are clearly defined (but even here what constitutes the make-up of a battalion [i.e. how many bayonets, machine guns, what other weapons do they have, etc.] is totally ignored) French, Belgian and German Forces get not even this detail.... Read more ›
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