David Bilton's book is the highly commendable first in a series projected to cover the entire Great War. It leans firmly, and securely, on German sources...to reveal the conflict with the British, Belgians and the French in 1914. Authorship is clear and incisive and few, if any, of the pictures will have been seen before by many readers. Recommended.

The Western Front Association Stand To! No. 95

Another in the superb series of 'rare photographs from wartime archives', this time covering the Germans in Flanders at the start of the war as they fought the French, Belgians and British. Each phase and aspect is described from the German perspective. Using many images previously unpublished, the activities at the Front are complemented by images of life in the rear and on the home front. A well written account runs throughout and contains a chronology of events and information on the German Divisions engaged. It is our understanding that this is the first volume in a planned series of three. A very popular series. 10/10.

Great War Magazine

While there's little in the way of military vehicle content apart from the odd few photographs of various softskin vehicles (remember the tank hadn't been invented by then!), it's still a fascinating account of that period of the Great War, with lots of images packed between the covers showing various aspects of military life for the German soldier at the time. In addition to the comprehensive written history that is profusely illustrated by the accompanying photos there are a number of maps and an extensive chronology of events in Flanders 1914 that offers the reader a day-by-day account of the action in Belgium. There's also a comprehensive listing of the histories of the many different German units involved at Flanders, all of which builds into a comprehensive account. While there isn't much to specifically satisfy the military vehicle enthusiast, it is nonetheless a superb account of an important WW1 action.

Military Machines