BYGONE PILGRIMAGE. ARRAS AND THE BATTLES OF ARTOIS An Illustrated Guide To The Battlefields 1914-1918.

One of the famous series of Michelin guides to the Great War battlefields. This book is primarily concerned with the French offensives of May and September 1915 in which they suffered appalling casualties. It takes you through such places as Notre Dame de Lorette (now the French National Memorial), Carency, Souchez, Ablain St Nazaire, Vimy and, of course, Arras itself. The British part in the overall plan (Joffre’s) was at Aubers Ridge in May and Loos in September; both are outside the scope of this book. The British Arras offensive of April/May 1917 is briefly described. There are numerous, splendid photos of the battlefields before, during and just after the war. There are many familiar places, hard to recognize as they are today; nevertheless this is an evocative record and one full of interest to today’s pilgrims.