Author(s): Max Arthur

Music SPECIALS

A landmark book using unique Imperial War Museum archive material, in which the story of WWI during 1916 is told in the words of the men who were there. Following the 2nd battle of Ypres, furious fighting continued on all fronts. Casualties were high, conditions dreadful, and life expectancy short. The only break the men had was a brief home leave, or a few days away from the trenches. It was no comfort, either, that many people back at home had little idea of the suffering in the battlefields, although concern was growing as the mounting casualty lists were published. Meanwhile, British, Indian, French and Australian forces were landed in Gallipoli, in an attempt to defeat the Ottoman Empire which had entered the war on the side of the enemy. This was a disastrous venture, as the Allies sustained appalling losses and were forced to withdraw after 8 months of bitter combat. Back in Europe, as the fighting got even heavier, more and more men were conscripted to replace the huge Allied losses in battles such as Loos and Verdun.