However the 18 divisions that went over the top between Arras and St-Quentin on the morning of 1 July 1916, walked into a battle that has gone down in the annals of human conflict as the slaughterhouse of a generation. The author has written other books about the history of World War I, including, They Called it Passchendaele and The Roses of No Man's Land.

    The Emden sank two warships and sixteen merchantmen, captured four colliers, shelled the harbor at Madras and raided Penang. In the end seventy-eight British ships were required to run her down. Even being captured left the gallant crew undaunted.