Despatch Rider on the Western Front 1915-18 : The Diary of Sergeant Albert Simpkin MM.
Title:
Despatch Rider on the Western Front 1915-18 : The Diary of Sergeant Albert Simpkin MM.
Author:
Simpkin, Albert.
ISBN:
9781473859685
Personal Author:
Physical Description:
1 online resource (233 pages)
Contents:
Cover -- Dedication Page -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Map: The Western Front in Outline 1914-18 -- Acknowledgements -- Introduction by David Venner -- Itinerary -- Abbreviations -- Preface by Albert Simpkin, MM -- The Diary -- chapter 1: August 1914: Joining up -- chapter 2: December 1914: Training -- chapter 3: July 1915 - June 1916 -- Narrative One: The Battle of the Somme -- chapter 4: July - November 1916 -- Narrative Two: The Battle of the Ancre -- chapter 5: November 1916 - April 1917 -- Map: Arras sector, April 1917 -- Narrative Three: The Battle of Arras and the taking of Monchy le Preux -- chapter 6: April - July 1917 -- Narrative Four: The Third Battle of Ypres -- chapter 7: August 1917 - April 1918 -- Narrative Five: The German Spring Offensive -- chapter 8: April - August 1918 -- Narrative Six: The Final Allied Offensive -- chapter 9: September - November 1918 -- Narrative Seven: The Armistice -- chapter 10: November 1918 - February 1919 -- Index -- Untitled.
Abstract:
The book is skilfully abridged version of the diary of a First World War motorcycle despatch rider, Sergeant Albert Simpkin, who was attached to the HQ 37th Division. The diary entries, and some longer descriptions of the main actions of the Division, provide a fascinating record of the life of a despatch rider on the Western Front; one day dodging shell holes and ammunition limbers to take his despatches to the front, the next observing the quaint but often courageous lives of the local populace. Throughout the diary are colourful and amusing anecdotes about his fellow soldiers, and critical comments on the strategies and tactics employed by the officers.
Local Note:
Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, Michigan : ProQuest Ebook Central, 2017. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ProQuest Ebook Central affiliated libraries.
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