Osprey Elite 84 : World War I Trench Warfare (2) 1916-1918

The popular image of the trench fighting of World War I has been formed by a few visual cliches. The years from 1914 to 1918 actually saw a whole series of complex and very rapid changes in infantry tactics, which fundamentally altered the way wars had been fought for 150 years. This second book describes and illustrates - in the context of all the major combatant armies - the development of infantry equipment and weapons; of support weapons; of field fortifications; and, most importantly, exactly how these items and techniques were all employed in attack and defence, with what success. Illustrated with scores of contemporary photos and diagrams, and with new colour plates combining detail of uniforms, equipment and weapons with 'bird's-eye views' explaining their use in battle. These books offer a detailed but accessible tactical guidebook on 'how to fight a trench war'. Text by Stephen Bull with illustrations by Adam Hook.

Contents

• 1916 - 'The Big Push' against Established Trench Lines
• The Somme
• Standardised Production of Trench Materials - Trench Camouflage
• Advances in Gas Warfare
• Infantry Training
• Light Machine Guns
• 1917 - Messines & Vimy - Tunnel and Mine Warfare
• Creeping Barrages - Tanks - Light Machine Guns Down to Section Level - Flame Throwers
• New Defensive Systems
• 1918 - The Deadlock Broken
• German Stormtroopers, British 'Blobs & Worms'
• Trench Howitzers - Anti-Tank Rifles - Sub-Machine Guns
• Battles
  The Kaisershlacht
  French and Americans on the Argonne
  The British Break the Hindenburg Line