The Somme

Old Duffer's Book Corner

Reviewed by Charles Vasey

A.H. Farrar-Hockley

Available on reprint (and usually at a bargain price) this is a 1964 book. As such it is really rather daring in its criticism. The maps are dreadful, they really could have benefited with a dozen more to show individual attacks. At times it is very difficult to follow the action. There is, as usual, a lot of time spent on the first day, but at least the rest get a mention. Farrar-Hockley points out the missed opportunities but avoids the stridency of the present generation of writers who add ignorance to their many other virtues. However, his story is one of what happened, not really whether what happened was worth the candle. He also believes that German losses were broadly equal to British and French (and he pays handsome compliments to the French Army) which I find hard to believe. He points out why German losses are not believed, but how did we ever get them to catch up with our opening day losses? The book opens with a good summary of the war in the west up to 1916.

Old Duffer's Book Corner Book Reviews

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