The Long, Long Trail

This is a superbly-produced work, a most fitting memorial at this 90th anniversary of one of the war's most terrible battles. The author, Franky Bostyn, is curator of the splendid Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 in Zonnebeke and president of the Association of Battlefield Archaeology in Flanders. No one can be better placed to assemble a such a work. Franky and his team of collaborators have researched the battle in depth and have the benefit of knowing the ground intimately.

The story of Passchendaele and one of its more striking legacies, the immense Tyne Cot Military cemetery, is told accurately and sensitively, based on in-depth archival research and through the gathering of numerous individual personal stories. It takes the reader stage by stage through the battle, which lasted from July to November 1917. There are many tales of individual soldiers, good clear maps, many black and white photos (principally from the Imperial War Museum) and colour "then and now" shots too. Perhaps more of a book to dip into than read right through, it is a fine commemorative work, produced in high quality glossy paper and with a good hardback binding.

The book is not, however, something for a researcher wishing to find out about a particular unit or day; nor does it cover the grand strategy and political tensions that led to the battle and ensured it carried on too long for too little gain. It is an overview of the fight and of the men who fought.

The people of West Flanders never cease to show friendship to the British, Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders whose grandfathers fought in and for their homeland. "Passchendaele 1917" is another milestone in cementing that relationship, forged under such unimaginable conditions a short ninety years ago. I am grateful to Franky and his team for their work. Next time you are over there, why not say hello. The Zonnebeke museum is excellent, the staff are welcoming and knowledgeable. Pick up a copy of this super book while you have a chance.

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