Victoria Crosses on the Western Front – Battles of the Scarpe 1918 and Drocourt-Quéant Line (Paperback)
26 August - 2 September 1918
Imprint: Pen & Sword Military
Series: Victoria Crosses on the Western Front
Pages: 376
ISBN: 9781526788030
Published: 11th August 2021
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In the past, while visiting the First World War battlefields, the author often wondered where the various Victoria Cross actions took place. He resolved to find out. In 1988, in the midst of his army career, research for this book commenced and over the years numerous sources have been consulted.
Victoria Crosses on the Western Front: Battles of the Scarpe & Drocourt- Quéant Line, is designed for the battlefield visitor as much as the armchair reader. A thorough account of each VC action is set within the wider strategic and tactical context. Detailed sketch maps show the area today, together with the battle-lines and movements of the combatants. It will allow visitors to stand upon the spot, or very close to, where each VC was won. Photographs of the battle sites richly illustrate the accounts. There is also a comprehensive biography for each recipient, covering every aspect of their lives warts and all: parents and siblings, education, civilian employment, military career, wife and children, death and burial/commemoration. A host of other information, much of it published for the first time, reveals some fascinating characters, with numerous links to many famous people and events.
These books will tell you the tales and heroism of young men at war which is amazing, but it should be said that credit must be given to the author of these books Paul Oldfield, who really does these men a great service in telling their stories in great and fantastic detail. Credit to Paul Oldfield. In this book we follow the stories of two battles, the Scarpe and Drocourt-Queant Line from Aug-Sept 1918. A fantastic book packed with text, biographies, photos, maps and diagrams. A really good book that is easy enough to dip in and out of, a thoroughly good read and one to be recommended.
UK Historian
Read the full review here
Overall, the book is a good book to read from cover to cover, or just to dip into whilst looking at particular stories. The stories such as this which are continually relayed in Oldfields work, are so important as they provide accounts of these deeds of heroism in central volumes for future generations to reference and in turn make sure that these stories fully live on.
Jon Sandison
A fascinating account of these two specific battles during the last year of the Great War...
Books Monthly
This is a good book based on meticulous research and a decent style of writing.
ARRSE (Army Rumour Service)
5 stars: Ultimate courage documented
Amazon Customer
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Another excellent presentation from Paul Oldfield covering the VC’s awarded in this phase of the war and detailing the backgrounds to the actions and the recipients. This series of books is an ongoing joy.
Michael McCarthy
Michael McCarthy. Battlefield Guide
About Paul Oldfield
Paul Oldfield was born in Sheffield and was educated at Victoria College in Jersey. After serving in the Army for thirty-six years, he became a freelance battlefield guide (he is a badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides) and a historian. In 1988 he co-authored Sheffield City Battalion in the Pals series. Cockleshell Raid and Bruneval in Pen & Sword's Battleground Europe series were published in 2013.This is the twelfth book in his Victoria Crosses on the Western Front series.