This controversial and stirring account of one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War recounts a heroic but disastrous engagement which left a lasting rift between the British and Australians. Drawing from a wealth of unpublished sources and eyewitness accounts, Jonathan Walker's study of the Battle of Bullecourt is vital to an understanding of the difficulties that faced Great War commanders. Central to The Blood Tub is a reassessment of Sir Hubert Gough, one of the Great War's most colourful generals. In the late ...
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This controversial and stirring account of one of the bloodiest battles of the Great War recounts a heroic but disastrous engagement which left a lasting rift between the British and Australians. Drawing from a wealth of unpublished sources and eyewitness accounts, Jonathan Walker's study of the Battle of Bullecourt is vital to an understanding of the difficulties that faced Great War commanders. Central to The Blood Tub is a reassessment of Sir Hubert Gough, one of the Great War's most colourful generals. In the late spring of 1917, the Allies attacked at Arras, and a combined British and Australian force under General 'Thruster' Gough assaulted the fortress village of Bullecourt. Despite using the new wonder weapon, the tank, Gough's first attack ended in disaster and bitter recriminations. He then launched a second massive attack. For the next two weeks, the Battle of Bullecourt dominated British offensive action on the Western Front. It was the excessive brutality and ferocity of the hand-to-hand fighting that earned Bullecourt the name 'Blood Tub'. Endorsements: 'An excellent, even handed account of a highly contentious battle...Walker debunks many myths.' British Army Review 'Jonathan Walker has produced a comprehensive and most readable account...For serious students, and those simply interested in this period, it is a great read.' Journal of the Australian War Memorial 'Walker's command of the sources held in archives in Britain and in Australia is masterly. This allows him to move easily from the concerns of high command to the experiences of the PBI, and to produce a picture of Bullecourt 'in the round'...The Blood Tub is a well-researched, well-written, and analytical account of the battles for Bullecourt in 1917.' Professor Gary Sheffield, Military Illustrated 'Deeply researched and well-written. For the serious student of war, The Blood Tub will repay thoughtful reading.' Tank Journal
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Seller's Description:
New in New jacket. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall New copy of Pen & Sword edition of this classic Great War title. This book was the first operational study of the controversial battle involving the British and Australian forces pitched against crack German units near Arras. General Gough, who commanded the Allied forces came in for much criticism over his handling of the battle and the author also investigates the role of the early tanks in the debacle. A great read which received much acclaim from both British and Australian historians.
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Seller's Description:
Good in Very Good jacket. 8vo-over 7¾-9¾" tall. 1st Printing. Jacket is very tidy. Copy is free of inscriptions with clean contents. Tear in margin of first plate page and subsequent plates have very small damp mark at top corner which has not bled onto the plates themselves. Apart from this defect, a very nice copy of the Spellmount first edition, first printing of this Great War classic.
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Seller's Description:
Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. 8vo. xx, 220pp, 16pp b/w photos, two appendices: Order of Battle, British and Australian Divisions; Order of Battle, German Divisions, bibliography, index. Spine slightly cocked. Blue cloth boards in dust-jacket. The author 're-examines the controversial role of General 'Thruster' Gough together with a study of Ango-Australian rivalry, shattering the myth of a unified Anzac Command. Using unpublished documents and eye-witness accounts, he confirms the terror rather than the thrill of a battle that must rank as one of the most savage contests of the Great War'.
