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The Other Side of the Wire Volume 1 With the German XIV Reserve Corps

Started by Simon Jones , Mar 04 2010 12:44 PM

206 replies to this topic

#1 Simon Jones

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 12:44 PM

Ralph's long-awaited book on the German army on the Somme has just been delivered on the day I move house (perfect timing Helion!). I haven't opened it yet as it will just get dirty.
EDIT: Pickfords have just knocked off for lunch so have opened it.  The title is 'The Other Side of the Wire Volume 1 With the German XIV Reserve Corps on the Somme, September 1914 - June 1916', it is limited to 750 copies, mine is number 323, with Ralph's autograph inserted.  615 pages, masses of photos and maps.  It looks fantastic. I can't wait to go through the La Boisselle sections, as well as all the other sectors.

#2 Paul Reed

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 01:19 PM

Just got mine too. Looks a great book - well done, Ralph.

#3 Jonathan Saunders

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 01:22 PM

Just had to re-order my copy.  Might even be with me for the weekend!  Thanks for the Heads-up that it has been published.

#4 bmac

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 01:32 PM

Mine's number 350.  So, who has got the lowest number then?   biggrin.gif

#5 squirrel

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 01:45 PM

Not me - mine's 402. A solid read judging by the weight of it...................a quick flip through looks like an excellent piece of work.

#6 somme visitor

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 07:13 PM

Just received mine this morning, number 401. It looks a cracking good book, can't wait to get stuck into it

#7 RoyEvans

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 07:28 PM

QUOTE (bmac @ Mar 4 2010, 01:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Mine's number 350.  So, who has got the lowest number then?   biggrin.gif


Ralph? tongue.gif

#8 bmac

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 09:13 PM

His copies haven't arrived yet!  How's that for frustration.

#9 Mick D

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 09:17 PM

Mine is no. 424, wonder when volume 2 is out !

Mick

#10 Bernard_Lewis

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 11:04 PM

Does it cover the Germans defending Mametz Wood, July 1916 please?

Bernard

#11 Ralph J. Whitehead

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Posted 04 March 2010 - 11:52 PM

QUOTE (Bernard_Lewis @ Mar 4 2010, 06:04 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Does it cover the Germans defending Mametz Wood, July 1916 please?

Bernard

Bernard,

Volume 2 is well under way with hundreds of pages so far on 1 July alone. It will cover the same units through the end of the war and through the 1970's to a lesser extent. More great photos in volume 2 as well.

What part of Mametz Wood are you looking at? It might not involve my units but then there is always room for other books, my publisher has extended an offer to publish anything else I might consider.

Ralph

#12 Jonathan Saunders

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Posted 05 March 2010 - 08:54 AM

Hoping my copy arrives this weekend.  Hoping more that vol 1 covers IR 180 at Ovillers!?

#13 Desmond7

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Posted 05 March 2010 - 12:14 PM

Heartiest congratulations to a real gentleman.

Des

#14 trenchtrotter

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Posted 05 March 2010 - 05:22 PM

Just ordered a copy from Amazon.

TT

#15 Brian_Curragh

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Posted 05 March 2010 - 06:55 PM

Likewise!

Brian

#16 Keith Roberts

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Posted 05 March 2010 - 11:19 PM

I'm waiting for mine too. This could be sold out quite quickly.

Keith

#17 Robert Dunlop

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Posted 06 March 2010 - 05:47 AM

That should improve Ralph's bank balance (though not by as much as he deserves) but if a reprint is required then Ralph is likely to get repetitive strain injury from signing more labels wink.gif. Nice touch by the way, Ralph.

Robert

#18 Ralph J. Whitehead

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Posted 06 March 2010 - 03:27 PM

QUOTE (Robert Dunlop @ Mar 6 2010, 12:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
That should improve Ralph's bank balance (though not by as much as he deserves) but if a reprint is required then Ralph is likely to get repetitive strain injury from signing more labels wink.gif. Nice touch by the way, Ralph.

Robert

While any money I make on the book will recoup some of the overall expenses (10% or less it seems) I am still waiting for the call from Hollywood or Bollywood, which ever comes first. Then the big bucks will roll in. I sit here by the phone in anticipation.  laugh.gif

Ralph

#19 RoyEvans

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Posted 06 March 2010 - 06:49 PM

Mine (No. 450) arrived this morning. Looks excellent, I'll be starting it this evening.

Roy

#20 Tim Wright

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Posted 06 March 2010 - 06:56 PM

Just ordered my copy, looks great.
Well done Ralph

#21 Doug Lewis

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Posted 06 March 2010 - 08:10 PM

My copy (No. 26) arrived this morning,looks like it's going to be an interesting read  rolleyes.gif

Regards Doug.

#22 Bernard_Lewis

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Posted 06 March 2010 - 11:51 PM

Ralph - specifically the first two weeks of July 1916 when the Welsh Division (and others) attacked Mametz Wood.

Bernard

#23 Ralph J. Whitehead

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Posted 07 March 2010 - 02:30 AM

QUOTE (Bernard_Lewis @ Mar 6 2010, 06:51 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ralph - specifically the first two weeks of July 1916 when the Welsh Division (and others) attacked Mametz Wood.

Bernard

Bernard,

I am not sure just how much of this part of the battle I will be including in my second volume. I am continuing the story of the XIV Reserve Corps through the end of the war. As soon as I have more details on this portion of the fighting I will post it here.

Thanks everyone for all of the comments on the book. I hope that after you get into it you will provide some additional feedback for me. It would be appreciated.

Ralph

#24 Bernard_Lewis

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Posted 07 March 2010 - 09:48 PM

Thanks Ralph. Very interested if the 1916 fighting in Mametz Wood is included.

Bernard

#25 Ram

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Posted 08 March 2010 - 11:50 AM

Whilst initially disappointed that it stops at June 16 I am now totally hooked on the 'Early years'. I love the idea that that they should stop overnight at La Boisselle and stay for two years. It is so interesting reading about the birth of the line, something I for one have more or less taken for granted.
Roll on Vol. II.  

Chris
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