A highly illustrated study of Britain's first attempts to breakout of the Ypres salient in the summer of 1917.

Opening with the stunning capture of Messines Ridge, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) planned to breach the Ypres salient on a broad front. Their immediate objective was Passchendaele Ridge, 5 miles away. Exploitation from there would compel a German withdrawal from Ostend, enabling a link-up with a proposed amphibious operation to deny U-boat bases. The second strategic imperative was to keep German forces occupied while France recovered from the mutinous outcome of its failed 'Nivelle offensive'. Commanding the offensive, General Gough of Fifth Army made initial gains on 31 July, but soon fell behind schedule.

Covering July and August 1917, this book explores the first half of the campaign, including Pilckem Ridge; Second Army attacks to fix German forces on Fifth Army's right flank; French I Corps operations; and German initial counterattacks. The subsequent battles at Westhoek and Langemarck are also examined. With detailed maps, period images, and powerful artwork, this first of two volumes by expert author Alexander Turner looks at how the scheme faltered, prompting an autumn of brutal fighting at Passchendaele.