The Darkest Year

Nineteen-seventeen was a desperately hard year for the Allies. The forces of France, Russia and Italy were at a low ebb, whilst the Central Powers appeared resurgent. By the middle of the year only the British Army was capable of major offensive operations on the Western Front. Forced to bear the brunt of the war, it found itself locked in hard fighting against a skilled and determined German foe. Thus the year would not only be defined by the mud-stricken Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) but also by major offensives at Arras, Messines Ridge and Cambrai.

The fourth of a five-volume series, The Darkest Year brings together leading First World War scholars to examine the British Army in 1917. It includes essays which consider grand strategy, tactical development and training, maintenance of morale and the importance of intelligence gathering. It also includes insightful studies of crucial battles and engagements such as the advance to the Hindenburg Line, Third Battle of the Scarpe and the dreadful struggle for Bourlon Wood. Drawing upon the latest research, this volume provides valuable new insights into the British Army’s experience during this controversial year.

" Darkest Year offers penetrating insights into the conduct of the war and the performance of the BEF when it bore the brunt of the fighting on the Western Front. It shows how quickly the British Army learned from its previous experience on the Somme, and while there were inconsistencies, especially at the higher command level, its development during 1917 set the foundation for victory in 1918. In doing so, there are lessons contained in several of the chapters that officers in today’s armies would do well to consider. Highly recommended." Chris Roberts, Land Power Forum, Australian Army Research Centre

"The fourth in a projected five-volume series, The Darkest Year addresses the challenges that the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) faced in the year 1917. Similar to the first three books, series editor, Spencer Jones, has curated an anthology of sixteen essays drawing on scholarship from a wide range of historians, some very familiar names whilst others are lesser known. This diversity of voices gives the book a richness and sophistication that is a notable strength......Whether you read it sequentially, or dip in and out of chapters of specific interest, this book will advance your understanding of the Great War on the Western Front in 1917. Recommended." Stand To! No 127, Aug 2022

"In all these essays, the authors use a variety of sources to give us a fair evaluation of the topics. Their scholarship is sound and their writing is clear...highly recommended for those who are interested in the latest research on the BEF." Roads to the Great War

"....This is a specialist work, made up of sixteen valuable studies entrusted to prominent specialists ." Desperta Ferro Magazine