The Hindenburg Line

A deep dive into the genesis, development, and occupation of the Hindenburg Line, as well as detailed guides to the actions and battles in each sector.

When the Hindenburg Line, Germany’s legendary defence system, was pierced at Cambrai in November 1917, the British were so pleased and delighted that church bells were rung. But that initial elation was followed by disappointment when the Germans used “defence-in-depth” and “elastic-defence” to retake the Hindenburg defences.

This book examines the reasons for the German’s decision to fall back to a strong defence line while their Navy starved Britain into submission, and the “burnt earth” policy of devastation in the area evacuated. The design and layout of the Hindenburg Line, and the Battles for its possession in 1917 and 1918, are given: with numerous maps covering different sectors and the struggles for each village and farm, together with the part played by many British Regiments. The maps contain information on how to find all remaining vestiges of both German and British defences in the region, most of which are rarely visited and many of which have not been seen by British eyes for many years.

No book since the Great War has examined this area in such detail, nor has any single account contained so much for the battlefield visitor to see. The sites of individual acts of bravery, including the winning of many Victoria Crosses are featured, and existing locations of battle lines, headquarters, artillery observation and machine gun posts are also included, together with an absorbing narrative which also guides the armchair reader.