Tony Author Posted 10 July , 2023 Share Posted 10 July , 2023 Hello, My name is Tony. I've written a series of WW3 combat action thrillers on Amazon that have received over 20,000 reviews. I am a full-time author. I live in Australia and I write under a pen-name. I am currently preparing to research and write a historical fiction novel about the first days of the Battle of Cambrai (1917), focussing on the first use of massed tanks in battle. I was hoping I might be able to make contact with an expert within this forum. For each of my WW3 titles, I had the research assistance of veterans from around the world who checked my manuscripts for idiotic errors! I was very much hoping I might make contact with a similar historical expert within this forum who might be willing to read through my manuscript pages and correct any oversights or technical errors I make. It is a book of historical fiction, yet I still feel compelled to deliver a manuscript that is as accurate and as authentic as possible - hence this request for assistance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner 87 Posted 12 July , 2023 Share Posted 12 July , 2023 (edited) On 10/07/2023 at 23:07, Tony Author said: Hello, My name is Tony. I've written a series of WW3 combat action thrillers on Amazon that have received over 20,000 reviews. I am a full-time author. I live in Australia and I write under a pen-name. I am currently preparing to research and write a historical fiction novel about the first days of the Battle of Cambrai (1917), focussing on the first use of massed tanks in battle. I was hoping I might be able to make contact with an expert within this forum. For each of my WW3 titles, I had the research assistance of veterans from around the world who checked my manuscripts for idiotic errors! I was very much hoping I might make contact with a similar historical expert within this forum who might be willing to read through my manuscript pages and correct any oversights or technical errors I make. It is a book of historical fiction, yet I still feel compelled to deliver a manuscript that is as accurate and as authentic as possible - hence this request for assistance. Hi Tony. I thought to answer your post for a number of reasons. The first, and probably the time you posted it, meant it missed the busy period when many of our experts, who are UK based, are online and then slipped down the list without being noticed. Secondly, to welcome you to the forum. It's a great resource with incredibly experienced members who specialise in a diverse range of fields. Lastly, as you hadn't tagged your post, to alert one of our tank experts, @delta who may not have had he chance to read it. Now the post has ben answered it will go back to the top and maybe read by a member who is willing to help. There is a Royal Tank Regiment Facebook page with a large following. Should you not have any luck here maybe they would create a post on your behalf.... Kind regards Gunner 87 [edit] @Gareth Davies Edited 12 July , 2023 by Gunner 87 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 12 July , 2023 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2023 Thanks, Gunner 87! I am very grateful for your help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 12 July , 2023 Share Posted 12 July , 2023 Tony Interested to learn of your project - my area of research is the first tank actions from September to November 1916 but there are a number of others on this site who do know a lot about the Battle of Cambrai. It may help them to know your main focus of your book - are you looking to write about the Tank Corps aspect or from those infantry they supported? The first few days could cover up to the fighting at Bourlon on 23 Nov There are a few fairly contemporary accounts from tank commanders which may help you get a feel for the battle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 12 July , 2023 Author Share Posted 12 July , 2023 (edited) Hi Delta. Thanks for responding. The book will be an historical fiction account covering the build up to the battle from the Allied POV, followed by the first few days of fighting. Each of my titles are just 50,000 words in length, and the focus is on the combat. The titles are unashamedly filled with action. I'd like to broadly cover each aspect of the conflict, including a little air combat, most certainly a lot of tank action, and of course, the efforts of the infantry. The main characters in the book are the allied commanders (both flawed and competent). I was looking for help from anyone with expertise of the battle (whether it be from a tank POV, an infantry POV, or even anyone with knowledge of WW1 air combat). My WW3 titles covered armoured combat, modern fighters, submarines etc and involved the expertise of a number of veterans from around the world. For some books up to eight different veterans contributed their individual expertise to ensure each title was as authentic and as accurate as possible. So I'd be thrilled for feedback from anyone with any expertise regarding the Battle of Cambrai, or any of its specific elements. All I'm looking for is a few knowledgeable pairs of eyes to read the manuscript pages as I work my way through the book, in the hope that silly errors can be avoided and ensure the finished story is as authentic as possible. Typically that kind of backwards-and-forwards phase of corrections is done through Facebook through messenger, or via emails. I understand it's probably impossible to find ONE expert on everything that happened at Cambrai, but I hoped that a few fellows with specific knowledge might be willing to contribute their feedback to my story... @Gareth Davies Edited 12 July , 2023 by Tony Author Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 12 July , 2023 Share Posted 12 July , 2023 Tony If you wish a good, on line, overview of the Battle I recommend that you look at Rob Martin's website https://sites.google.com/site/landships/home/narratives/1917/cambrai-narratives He has drawn on the battalion war diaries, the brigade reports and Jean-Luc Gibot and Phillippe Gorczynski's detailed analysis "Following the Tanks". Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gareth Davies Posted 12 July , 2023 Share Posted 12 July , 2023 Very happy to help Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 12 July , 2023 Admin Share Posted 12 July , 2023 @Bryn_Hammond might be able to help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjwmacro Posted 20 July , 2023 Share Posted 20 July , 2023 Tony I assume you have read @johntaylor 's book, Deborah and the War of the Tanks. Focuses on D Battalion. And Ian Verinder's book Tank Action in the Great War.. Both will also give further sources. And I am happy to help further if I can. Regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 24 July , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 July , 2023 Thanks, Paul! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 24 July , 2023 Share Posted 24 July , 2023 Tony, co-incidentally a new thread appeared overnight referring to a Lt Thomas Milbourn Mercer of the Tank Corps. He perished at Cambrai. I wondered if it may be worth you following that thread also for further background. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 24 July , 2023 Author Share Posted 24 July , 2023 Thanks for the tip, Simon! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenryTheGerman Posted 31 July , 2023 Share Posted 31 July , 2023 Tony, I can recommend you to look into the thesis "British Cavalry on the Western Front 1914 - 1918" by D Kenyon. Much content about Cambrai and the combined advance of tanks and cavalry. See here: https://www.google.de/search?q=british+cavalry+on+the+western+front&source=hp&ei=ev3HZLCrM87jxc8PgK2PqAs&iflsig=AD69kcEAAAAAZMgLih5IiRLMTRV_oXYfCSp5DS4d0aIa&ved=0ahUKEwiw0K7cybmAAxXOcfEDHYDWA7UQ4dUDCAo&uact=5&oq=british+cavalry+on+the+western+front&gs_lp=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&sclient=gws-wiz Regards H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 31 July , 2023 Author Share Posted 31 July , 2023 Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 31 July , 2023 Share Posted 31 July , 2023 Tony, does your plot include nursing the wounded? I only ask as I have had reason to research a sister/Matron recently who had a ‘busy’ war. Among other things she was sister in charge at one of many CCS’ she served at, the one that stood out was one close to Cambrai and she was there 7mths. I think casualty clearing stations kept war diaries which might provide some insight. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 1 August , 2023 Author Share Posted 1 August , 2023 Simon, my titles tend to be more focussed on the action, the combat, and the drama, rather than the aftermath and consequences. My WW3 titles were action-packed and this new series will have an emphasis on the same combat situations. The titles are all very much event driven, rather than character-driven. They're kind of like a war film without subplots, romance or extensive character development. The 'heroes' are the military commanders rather than the sergeants, nurses, or foot soldiers who make the sacrifice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil andrade Posted 2 August , 2023 Share Posted 2 August , 2023 Tony, There isn’t much I can bring to the party here, but I’m aware of very little or no reference in the thread to the role played by the artillery in the initial success of the battle. People think of the tanks, with good reason. There was also a remarkably effective use of what was called “ predicted fire” by the gunners. It was a change from previous artillery tactics. This had very significant impact on the fortunes of the attack , and mustn’t be overlooked. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Author Posted 2 August , 2023 Author Share Posted 2 August , 2023 Thanks, Phil. I am aware of the 'predicted fire' innovation, and I will highlight its significance in the book! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now