Men of 18 in 1918 Audiobook By Frederick James Hodges cover art

Men of 18 in 1918

Memories of the Western Front in World War One

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Men of 18 in 1918

By: Frederick James Hodges
Narrated by: John Lee
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An astounding account of one young infantryman's personal experience of the Western Front in the last year of World War One.

Perfect for fans of Peter Hart, Max Hastings, and Barbara W. Tuchman.

In the spring of 1918, German forces broke through Allied lines in a last-ditch attempt to overcome their enemies. To hold back this tide, inexperienced young men from France, Britain, the United States, Australia, and Canada were sent into war against battle-hardened and desperate German soldiers.

What was it like to be an eighteen-year-old and sent to the frontlines in the First World War?

Frederick James Hodges was one of these young men and his book, Men of 18 in 1918, provides insight into the ordeals of an ordinary soldier who left Britain as a teenager but returned as a man having witnessed the full horrors of war.

Hodges charts his progress through the conflict from his short period of training to being thrown into defending Allied lines against the onslaught before being ordered, as part of Britain's prime assault troops, into a ninety-five-day non-stop attack which only ended with the armistice of November 1918.

©1988 The Estate of Frederick James Hodges (P)2023 Tantor Historical Military Military & War Wars & Conflicts World War I War
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The book does a good job of communicating what it was like to be a young BEF soldier in the last year of the Great War; the urgency of the nation’s need, the indifference to death that develops, men rising to the ocasion, etc.

As long as the author “stayed in his lane,” he did well. However, when attempting to communicate things he didn’t personally experience, he relies on rumors, hearsay, and misinformation rather than researching his topic.

Two examples I recall:
1)The author indicates the US troops swapped their U.S. manufactured rifles for the British Lee-Enfield .3003 because the US. rifles were too heavy. US troops loaned to service under French and British commanders swapped out their kit for the kit of the nations’ soldiers they were loaned to so as to simplify logistics.
2)Too little credit is given to French Martial Foch for his roll in the 100 days offensive.

Good insight on “Tommy’s” 1918 experience!

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I really enjoyed this book and really recommend it to anyone interested in the history of the Great War.

Great book

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