Featured battle : Messines

Part of First World War

Date : 07 June 1917 - 14 June 1917

A limited but successful attack by combined arms - Artillery, gas, tanks and mines as well as infantry. It set the pattern for the offensives of 1918.

The Secret History of the Roman Roads of Britain

M. C. Bishop
A unusual book on this topic, in that only a small section of it is actually about the Roman Roads themselves. The majority of the well argued and researched text places the roads in the context of the possible pre-existing transit routes around Britain and argues for them following already well established routes. It also then places the subsequent history of the nation in the context of the Roman road network and argues for the pivotal role of these roads in many battles, wars and historical events ever since.

I perhaps would have liked a little more on the roads and the associated archaeology, but I understand there are plenty of other books that cover this. However I feel this provides a refreshing new look into the meaning, context, and lasting effects of one of the most easily seen but oft overlooked artefacts of Roman Britain.
Pen and Sword Military, 2019