Germany’s Western Front: 1915

Mark Osborne Humphries is Associate Professor; Dunkley Chair in War and the Canadian Experience at Wilfrid Laurier University and Director, Laurier Centre for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies (LCMSDS). He is the author of numerous publications, including The Last Plague: Spanish Influenza and the Politics of Public Health in Canada (2013). John Maker received his PhD in history from the University of Ottawa in 2010. His work has been published in Canadian Military History and Histoire Sociale.

``Masterfully edited and translated by a team of scholars that only a university press ... could assemble. That dedicated effort includes reproduction or adaptation of very fine maps used in the German tomes.... By any measure, this volume is exceptionally well done and belongs on the bookshelf of scholars, serious students and dedicated World War I buffs. It is recommended highly.'' -- Peter Kilduff -- Over the Front, Spring 2011, 201104

• Germany's Western Front: Translations from the German Official History of the Great War 1915, edited by Mark Osborne Humphries and John MakerTable of MapsPrefaceIntroductionAcknowledgementsA Note on the Translation and SourcesPART I: WINTER AND SPRING1. The Question of the War's Centre of Gravity in January2. The Western Front to the Middle of AprilDecision-making at the OHLOperations on Western Front until the Middle of February 1915The Battle of SoissonsSeventh ArmyThe Winter Battle in the ChampagneFifth ArmyThe French and British High Commands at the Beginning of the YearThe Apex of the Winter Battle in the Champagne from the Middle of February until the Middle of March 1915Intentions of the French Commanders in the ChampagneThe German DefenceOperations on the Remainder of the Western Front from the Middle of February to the Middle of March 1915The Battle at Neuve ChapelleArmee Abteilung StrantzThe OHL's Return to the Western FrontThe Defensive Battles from the Middle of March until the Middle of AprilThe Defensive Battle of Armee Abteilung StrantzArmee-Abteilung Strantz3. The Change in Falkenhayn's PlansThe Creation of the New GHQ ReserveThe Plan to Mount a Decisive Breakthrough Operation in the WestThe Political Situation and its Influence on the Military Decision-MakingTo the Dardanelles OffensiveTo the Employment of the GHQ Reserve in the EastPART II: SPRING AND SUMMER4. The General Situation of the Central Powers in MayThe Intervention of ItalyThe Intensification of the Economic Situation and Economic Warfare by SubmarineThe Manpower and Ammunition Situation to the End of the Year5. The Western Front from the Middle of April to the Beginning of AugustOperations to the Start of the Spring Battle at the Beginning of MayThe OHL and the Western Army in AprilFourth Army's Gas Attack at YpresThe Offensive Battles of the Armee Abteilungs Strantz and GaedeThe Actions of the French and British Commanders to the Beginning of MayThe Beginning of the Spring Offensive in the ArtoisSixth Army's Battles from 9-14 MayGeneral Lochow's Assumption of Command on the Main Battle Front and the Fighting until the Middle of JuneOperations of the Remaining Armies on the Western Front from the Middle of May to the End of JulyThe Renewal of the Major Offensive in the Artois: Operations from 16-18 June to the End of the Spring OffensiveThe Reorganization of the Western Army Part I: Until the Beginning of August6. Overview of the Multi-Front War During the SummerThe General Situation to the Beginning of AugustThe OHL's Peace EffortsShifting the War's Centre of GravityPART III: SUMMER AND AUTUMN7. Overview of the Military Situation to the Middle of September8. The Western Front from Mid-August to the Beginning of the Autumn OffensiveThe Enemy's Situation and Plans in the SummerThe OHL from August to 22 SeptemberThe Events on the Western Front until 22 SeptemberIn the ArtoisIn the ChampagneOn the Remainder of the Western Front9. The Autumn Offensive in the Artois and ChampagneThe Preparation for the Battle (22 to 24 September 1915)In the ArtoisIn the Champagne The OHL until Noon on 25 SeptemberThe 25th of SeptemberThe Attack in the ArtoisThe Attack in the ChampagneActions of the OHL during the afternoon of 25 September26 September In the Artois In the ChampagneThe Situation at the OHLThe Further Course of the Battle until the end of SeptemberIn the Artois: Operations, 30 September-10 OctoberIn the Champagne: Operations, 11-13 OctoberIn the Artois: Operations, 30 September-10 OctoberIn the Artois: Operations, 11-13 OctoberIn the Champagne: Operations, 30 September-5 OctoberIn the Champagne: New Major Offensive Operations after 6 OctoberThe Enemy's Situation at the End of the OffensiveLessons Learned from the Fall Offensive10. The Western Front to the End of the YearOperations of the Remaining Armies until mid-OctoberThe Reorganization of the Western Army Part IIOperations from mid-October until the End of the YearFourth ArmySixth, Second, and Seventh ArmiesThird Army Fifth ArmyArmee Abteilung Strantz Armee Abteilung FalkenhausenArmee Abteilung GaedeThe Entente's Situation in the West at the End of the YearThe Situation at the OHL in November and December11. The Central Powers' Situation at the End of 1915APPENDICESAppendix 1: A Comparison of German, British, and French Artillery in the Spring Battles in the ArtoisAppendix 2: A Comparison of German, British, and French Artillery in the Autumn BattlesAppendix 3: A Comparison of Forces at War's Beginning and the end of 1915Appendix 4: Overview of Powder and Munitions Production from War's Beginning to the End of 1915Appendix 5: Standing Orders for the Defence in the WestSelected BibliographyIndex