Pillars of Fire: The Battle of Messines Ridge, June 1917

Abstract

Prelude an orchestra of war instruments of war across the wire - towards soldatendammerung overture - 1-6 June The Messines Symphony - first movement and phase one - soldatendammerung am 7 June second movement and phase two - strike the chord - pm 7 June third movement - not a retreat, merely a withdrawal - 8-14 June fourth movement - opportunity gained... and lost finale - repercussions - third Ypres, Cambrai and crisis coda - the legacy of Messines postscript - to my chum.