Dixon John. Magnificent But Not War: The Second Battle for Ypres, 1915

Barnsley, South Yorkshire, U.K.: Pen & Sword Military, 2009. — 388 p.The book is a detailed account of the fighting around Ypres during April and May 1915. It is essentially a day-by-day record of the Second Battle of Ypres which draws heavily upon personal accounts, regimental histories and war diaries to present a comprehensive study of the battle in which Germany became the first nation to use poisonous gas as a weapon.Each phase of the battle (the Battle of Gravenstafel Ridge; the Battle of St. Julien; the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge and the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge) is discussed in detail aided, where appropriate, by maps and photographs. The main text is accompanied by a number of appendices including officer casualties; Victoria Cross winners and the British Order of Battle for Hill 60 and the Second Battle of Ypres.A solid British-sided view of one of the worst times of the British army’s experience in holding the Ypres salient. Complete with a good index, excellent bibliography, order of battle and other useful supporting details this battle history covers a somewhat neglected period of the Great War.