This is a welcome addition to Pen & Sword's ever-expanding Battleground Series of Guide Books. Many members are of course familiar with the well-trodden Retreat to Dunkirk itineraries that conveniently run from Ypres back to Bray Dunes and on to cross-channel terminals at Calais. This useful new guide widens the readers scope and highlights some of the less well known BEF actions fought along the line of the Escaut. The standard battleground template has been enhanced by the author, the balance of maps, pictures and anecdotal accounts is above average. Certainly, worth investing in a copy if you are new to the campaign and fancy broadening your 1940 horizons.
Despatches, Winter 2016 This is a welcome addition to Pen & Swords ever expanding battleground series of Guide Books. This useful new guide widens the readers scope and highlights some of the less well known BEF actions fought along the lines of the Escaut. Certainly worth investing in a copy if you are new to the campaign and fancy broadening your 1940 horizons.
Guild of Battlefield Guides ... This is a well-researched book, around a relatively little know action in the fight of France. It is well laid out and the tour descriptions are interspersed with lots of relevant historic and modern photos. The overview of the three British Corps involved in the fighting is very well done, and the Order of Battle provided for them are amongst the more comprehensive I have seen. These Orbats are especially surprising given the small size of the book, which should fit easily into most pockets on walking trousers. Murland's writing style is both pleasant and effective, making for an easy read, and he has chosen his excerpts well. The author seems to have taken an objective view of what happened, which is always good to see... ... Overall, this was an interesting little read which would make for the basis of an interesting touring break away with like-minded friends, and beer!
(08/01/2017)