Somme battlefield map book

[RobinS]

Hi

i wondered if someone could recommend a good book of maps for the Somme please

Thanks

 

Robin

[Michelle Young]

Welcome to the forum. Trench maps or modern day maps? 

[RobinS]

Thank you the forum is superb

 

maps that display the battle and positions if possible

 

cheers

 

Robin

[Michelle Young]

Any particular phase of the battle? 

[RobinS]

All of it if possible

 

cheers

 

Robin

[Michelle Young]

As far  as I know there isn't just a map book for the Somme battles. You will probably need a general overview with maps included in the book. The Somme by Peter Hart has maps of situations at certain dates. The day by day account by Chris McCarthy also has maps, but this is a scarce book these days. 

Michelle 

[RobinS]

Thanks for the head up, I’ll look for those books

 

Robin

[Bob Davies]

Hi Robin, an interesting question you have posed. I would think that to cover the whole of the first battle of the Somme in one book it would be a huge undertaking if one were to go into detail. It took place over a large area of land and lasted from 1st July 1916 to the 18th November 1916 involving thousands of men in umpteen regiments. Not to mention the diversionary attack on Gommecourt in the North of the area. A book that I have heard of called 'A lack of offensive spirit' by Alan MacDonald, covers this attack. If you have a particular soldier that you are interested in, then probably best to investigate the area that he and his regiment were in for a start. Recently I have been looking at Guillemont, it came as a huge surprise to find out the number of men and regiments that were involved in one small area of the whole Somme front. But then no surprise in reality. Best of luck and thanks to @Michelle Young for her suggestions. Regards, Bob.