Little-known story of WW1 sacrifice
STUART PIKE
THE epic story of the men of the East Lancashire territorial division is told in a new book marking the 100th anniversary of their heroism and sacrifice.
‘Death of a Division’ explores the story of the 66th (2/1st East Lancashire) Division.
Largely recruited from East Lancashire, there were men from Accrington, Church, Blackburn, Haslingden, Clitheroe and Burnley.
Military historian David Martin’s book charts the origin of the division from recruitment, right through to the Great German Offensive of March 1918 which decimated them.
On March 21, 1918, the German Army unleashed an enormous offensive in a last major effort to win the war. A million German soldiers poured from their trenches to attack a British expeditionary force along a 50-mile front line. Facing the onslaught of more than 40 German divisions stood a dozen British divisions.
David said the battle is often overlooked when compared with more famous ones including the Somme in 1916 and Passchendaele in 1917.
He said: “They are so far down the army order their history was never written. These men who had been mill workers, railwaymen, colliers and clerks found themselves out-numbered on the frontline facing the onslaught of the German army. They were steadfast. They fought bravely.”
The 66th Division were in the thick of the fighting during the 1918 German Offensive, from March 21 to March 31, at the battles of St Quentin and Peronne through to the defence of Amiens. ‘Death Of A Division: Eight Days In March 1918 and the Untold Story of the 66th (2/1st East Lancashire) Division’ is published by Pen & Sword, priced at £19.99.