{"title":"Michael James Nugent","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"a-long-week-in-march-book-michael-james-nugent-9781912390571","title":"A A Long Week in March","description":"The 36th (Ulster) Division are widely regarded as being the most successful British Infantry Division in terms of ground gained on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. The casualties suffered then had a deep impact in the towns and villages of Ulster. In March 1918, however, the Division came close to annihilation as they bore the brunt of the German attack at the beginning of the Spring Offensive and remarkably suffered greater casualties than they did at the Somme. In this unique and fascinating account, Michael Nugent examines the factors beyond the control of those in the Division which led to them holding the front line opposite the northern French town of St Quentin on the morning of 21 March. These include problems with recruitment in IE - Ireland, the lack of reinforcements being sent to the front, the reorganization of the British Army in early 1918, and the imposition of a new defensive system which few in the infantry had any faith in. The opening day of the battle is scrutinized in detail, with the experiences of each of the Infantry battalions forming the Division being analyzed. In the case of 12th and 15th Battalions Royal Irish Rifles, this is the first time an account of the actions of this momentous day have been committed to print. The accounts are drawn from battalion war diaries, personal accounts and the regimental history of the German attackers which provides a fascinating insight and helps to corroborate accounts from the Ulster Division. The actions leading to the award of the two Victoria Crosses won by the Division in the last week of March are investigated, with new information, particularly concerning the award to 2nd Lieutenant Edmund de Wind being made available. Each day of the withdrawal is investigated with important events being analyszd in detail, including the 'last stand' of the 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles on 24 March and the Cavalry Charge by elements of the 3rd Cavalry Division on the same date, which undoubtedly saved an organized withdrawal from becoming a rout. A chapter is devoted to the analysis of casualty figures with each of the fatalities identified and their details contained in an appendix. The varied experiences of those taken prisoner is also examined using personal accounts which highlight that the German Prisoner of War system was overwhelmed by the initial success of its Army. Ultimately the book proves that although under severe pressure, the Ulster Division with typical obstinacy, bent, but never broke and emerged at the beginning of April 1918 in a position to play a full part in the final drive to the Armistice.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":49605872320785,"sku":"GOR011800847","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49739497767185,"sku":"NGR9781912390571","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52325503992081,"sku":"GOR014505014","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1912390574.jpg?v=1751632870"},{"product_id":"a-bad-day-i-fear-book-michael-james-nugent-9781804513262","title":"A A Bad Day, I Fear","description":"\"...a detailed account...\" - Historical Miniatures Gaming Society Having fought alongside each other with great success at the Battle of Messines (7-14 June 1917), the 16th (Irish) Division and 36th (Ulster) Division again fought side by side at the Battle of Langemarck (16 August 1917). On that occasion however, there was to be no success. Instead, an unmitigated disaster ensued resulting in the decimation of both divisions despite their tenacity and sacrifice. In A Bad Day I Fear: The Irish Divisions at the Battle of Langemarck, 16 August 1917, author Michael James Nugent investigates the causes of the failure to exploit the undoubted success of the Messines offensive which contributed to the delay between it and the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres. These were a general lack of urgency, misunderstandings and lack of clarity over assigned tactical objectives, mismanagement of artillery, tank and infantry assets and a failure to understand local geography. The unfortunate delay between the close of the Messines operations in mid-June 1917 and the opening of Third Ypres on 31 July enabled the German defenders to accelerate construction of reinforced ferro-concrete blockhouses and pillboxes that were to play an important role during the campaign. Their development and method of construction demonstrated the extent of the enemy defenses faced by the Irish divisions. The failure to break through the German defenses on 31 July led to the unplanned relief of XIX Corps' exhausted divisions by both Irish formations. This exchange ensured that 16th and 36th divisions held the front line under horrendous weather conditions and constant enemy shelling for two weeks prior to the 16th August attack. The result of this ordeal was weary and half-strength infantry battalions advancing to the assault at zero hour. This tragic affair is examined in detail from the perspective of each assault battalion by utilization of contemporary war diaries, personal accounts, official and regimental histories, enabling a coherent picture of the events of 16 August to be revealed for the first time. German sources are also employed as a means of presenting the 'other side of the hill' experience. Careful analysis of the severe manpower losses is included to emphasize the devastating consequences of a dreadful day that brought sorrow to many homes throughout Ireland. Finally, the controversial post-operation observations by General Sir Hubert Gough (GOC Fifth Army) concerning the performance of the Irish divisions are carefully analyzed to reach the determination that they were ill-advised and a poor attempt to deflect blame from the shortcomings of Fifth Army.","brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"GB \/ NEW \/ GARDNERS","offer_id":49744758440209,"sku":"NGR9781804513262","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ LIKE_NEW \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":50297894273297,"sku":"GOR013917608","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":51244581323025,"sku":"GOR014206765","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"US \/ GOOD \/ SBYB","offer_id":52864085262609,"sku":"CIN1804513261G","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/1804513261.jpg?v=1751632703"},{"product_id":"it-was-an-awful-sunday-book-michael-james-nugent-9781908336361","title":"It Was an Awful Sunday","description":null,"brand":"WoB","offers":[{"title":"- \/ - \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52997120164113,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"GB \/ VERY_GOOD \/ INTERNAL","offer_id":52997120196881,"sku":"GOR009259179","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781908336361.jpg?v=1767719692"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-au\/collections\/author-books-by-michael-james-nugent.oembed","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}