The Somme

The Darkest Hour on the Western Front

By: Peter Hart

Narrated by: Mark Ashby

Length: 20 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The Somme: these words conjure the image of war rigidly fought by traditional means even when catastrophe clearly loomed. Relying on personal testimonies never before published, this study of those who survived the first day of battle (July 1, 1916) captures this epic conflagration from all angles. Follow the action as soldiers crawl across No Man’s Land in the face of German guns, struggle with the conditions in the trenches, and survey the scene from the air as the RFC tries to control the skies above the battlefield.

©2008 Peter Hart (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Unfathomable horror

There is no battle, or rather battles, that compare to the Somme. The death toll is unconscionable on both sides. Peter Hart brings the battle full circle, making the reader feel like a stunned bystander. And with this, taking it in is slightly more possible. Mark Ashby’s narration is spot on, not overly morose, but just right. The Somme is humanity at its worst, best, and somewhere in the middle.

Good history of an important battle

Balanced and well presented, this narrative is greatly enhanced by the inclusion of the words and stories of the combatants- both British and German

A fateful day

Peter Hart is the oral historian of Britain’s Imperial War Museum. Hart has written a well research book and has dissected the battle in detail. Hart mixes facts and figures with direct quotations from participants to help establish “the face of battle”. This narrative/analytical backdrop contextualizing the personal experiences makes for dramatic reading of the battle. Because of his job at the War Museum Hart has unrivaled access to relevant source material. The author vividly presents the run up to the “big push” expected to end the war, instead resulted in the disaster of the first day July 1, 1916. The British suffered nearly 60,000 casualties, the greatest one day lost in the history of the British Army. Hart does make a point that General Douglas Haig (British Army) wanted to start the 1916 campaign in Belgium but French General Joffre the overall commander insisted on the Somme. The battle lasted for four deadly months.

The British had only a small army as it always relied upon its navy to fight its wars. Prior wars in Europe the British primarily control the ocean and relied on its allies to fight on land. In World War One the British had to quickly build an army so it depended heavily on its colonies to man the army. The 1st Newfoundland Regiment of the Canadian Army was virtually wiped out at Beaumont Hamel on the first day of the battle July 1, 1916. The Canadian army lost 24,713 men at the Somme. Most people have never heard of Delville Wood, but if you mention it in South Africa you will find it is still a place of fame, only 780 out of 3153 men in the South African Regiment survived the battle. A comprehensive study of the battle of the Somme (1916) found that a million combatants were killed/wounded. The British Army learned to fight in the campaign with numerous innovations such as walking artillery fire, and tanks were used for the first time.

The Somme occupies a hallowed place in British memory comparable to Gallipoli for Australians or Gettysburg for Americans, but on a much bigger scale. With just under a half million causalities this was the costliest battle the British Army has ever fought. As I listened to this as an audio book, I used the internet for maps and pictures of the battle of the Somme. I understand the actual book contained many pictures and maps. Mark Ashby did an excellent job narrating the book. This is a must read book for anyone studying the battle of the Somme.

Amazing Book

I enjoyed the book both for education and it's immersive experience. The authors use of diary entries and down to earth narrative way really made the battle of the somme come to life in a unique way!

Devastated

What an incredible story surrounding the Battle of the Somme. I knew of it from general history but this book really places things into perspective at the lowest levels. Reviewing the aloof nature of the generals, the desperation of the officer corp and the sullen morbid fate in the infantry this was an experience just to read. Will read again but not soon. Got to calm down from the first read before jumping in again. I highly recommend if you are a history buff or retired military.

Simply Brilliant.

This is more than a recount of the battle of The Somme, with exquisite taste the author has used the letters, journals, and official papers of those in the battle to tell the story. These make up the bulk of the book and the authors voice is sparse. Simply brilliantly done. Bravo!

Great book

Was very interesting to hear the different view points across the battle of the Somme.

Good but repetitive

Started getting repetitive. Joe Blow, 98th Lancers, 70th Regiment, Queens Guards, Post Office Battalion, 15th Division, 78th company etc etc etc.

Horrors' First Person

An excellent collection of primary sources dealing with the insanity of senseless attrition. An intense look into mass hysteria turned regimental.

Western Front’s bloodiest battle

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this while driving back and forth to work. World War I has captivated my imagination ever since I read the autobiography of Harry Patch, “The Last Tommy”. Peter Hart captures the misery, the horror, and the soldiers perspective of this battle. I highly recommend this book.