by Michael James Nugent.
Softcover (6.8×9.7 inches). 232 pages. 2023.
Subtitle: The Irish Divisions at the Battle of Langemarck – 16 August 1917
The 16th (Irish) Division and the 36th (Ulster) Division spearheaded the attack in the Langemarck area in just about the worst possible rainstorm and mud you can imagine — made worse by the preliminary bombardment destroying all the drainage systems. The Germans had built lines of barbed-wire protected concrete “pillboxes” with machine guns to break up attacks. Concrete dugouts protected the troops needed for the counterattack.
The casualties were horrendous even before the official start of the attack. The German artillery caused a steady number of casualties per day: 850 killed between July 31 and August 15. Another 1,250 were killed during the battle of August 16 to 20 (p208). All totaled, the 16th Division lost 221 officers and 4064 other ranks from August 1 to 20, while the 36th Division lost 144 officers and 3,441 other ranks (p185-186).
The paper strength of the 26 battalions is about 1,000 men per battalion, but the Irish battalions were understrength, sometimes as low as 40% by the time they went into the attack.
Much of the book includes one or two paragraph bios of officers and other ranks killed in the battle. Many of the photos are tombstones of these men. Some of the accounts are fascinating, others somewhat of a repeat.
If you plan to set up a scenario, the 11th Inniskilling Regiment (battalion) offers a typical formation. It had a frontage of 400 yards, with two companies up front to attack and mop up and two companies behind in support to pass through and capture the next objective line. Two MG teams also advanced, with the rest of the 109th MG Brigade firing in barrage support. Each company had two platoons up and one in support (p167).
The book contains 46 black and white photos and nine black and white maps that can serve as the basis for a tabletop layout.
The Irish divisions did as best they could considering the terrain, weather, and German defensive system. Here’s a detailed account of how the day went badly.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
