Category: Bibliography

Books and other publications on the Salonika (Macedonian) campaign of 1915-1918.

NEW BOOK : The Bulgarian Contract

The Bulgarian Contract: the secret lie that ended the Great War

By Graeme Sheppard

SCS members will already appreciate the pivotal role the Macedonian front played during the end-stage of the Great War, and how a mere six weeks after Bulgaria’s collapse the entire conflict was over. But what they will not know, and will be surprised to learn, is that the success of the Balkan breakthrough that September depended upon a secret and hitherto unknown act of political deception, a masterly and cunning piece of misinformation known as the contract, archival evidence for which has only recently been discovered in the UK by the author.

Continue reading “NEW BOOK : The Bulgarian Contract”

NEW : A Salonika Campaign Bibliography

SCS member Keith Roberts has been compiling a list of books in English about the campaign. At present it is limited to books, so items from regimental journals and the like are not included. He has checked, amongst other things, the bibliographies in the better known books on the campaign and searched some online catalogues using key words.

A first version – with nearly 200 books listed – has been produced for review to make good any omissions. Once this review process is over we will make it available in a searchable format on this website – hopefully before the summer – with the expectation of providing occasional updates to capture further discoveries and new publications. This will be a valuable resource for anyone interested in this neglected campaign of the First World War.

If you think you might be able to add to this bibliography please contact Keith for a draft copy on  scsbiblio@gmail.com.

A photograph of a selection of books about the Salonika campaign

The Story of the LZ85 Compass

My thanks go to Bernard Green who contacted the Society to tell us about his book on Zeppelins, which includes a section on LZ85 – brought down over Salonika on 5 May 1916 – and, in particular, its compass. Bernard very kindly sent a copy of the book so that I can tell you more about it. Continue reading “The Story of the LZ85 Compass”

New Book : “No Sideshow” by Nigel Birch

SCS members have been busy – here’s a second book in recent months by a member! Nigel Birch is to be congratulated on not only doing a Master’s Degree in History at the University of Buckingham, but also for having his dissertation published. Continue reading “New Book : “No Sideshow” by Nigel Birch”

NEW BOOK : “So once more it was bundle and go!”

The New Mosquito of September 2016 contained a fascinating article entitled ‘4034 Trooper James Scott Anderson, 1/2 Scottish Horse’. Written by Ann Walker -James’s daughter – it contains an account of his service as a scout in Macedonia from 1916 to 1918. What makes it especially remarkable is that this detailed narrative was written from memory many years later. If, on finishing that article, you wanted to hear more from James, then I have good news for you …

Continue reading “NEW BOOK : “So once more it was bundle and go!””

Remembering Alice Guy

Alice is one of seven female First World War casualties of Newport, South Wales, and one of the city’s heroines. My thanks go to Sylvia Mason who provided this article about Alice Guy and I am pleased to be able to bring her book – Every Woman Remembered: Daughters of Newport in the Great War – to your attention. Continue reading “Remembering Alice Guy”

Review : Daring All Things: The autobiography of George Kendall (1881-1961)

At the end of 2016 we announced the imminent publication of Daring All Things: The autobiography of George Kendall (1881-1961). George Kendall was a hugely experienced war chaplain who briefly served in Salonika with 22nd Division before succumbing to the inevitable malaria and dysentery. In the post-war years he was closely involved in the development of war cemeteries, which culminated in the process to select the body of the ‘Unknown Warrior’. This is a good opportunity to remind you that the book is for sale and to share with you this recent review from Church Times:

The book is published by Helion & Company Ltd and we can expect to hear more about it this year as we approach the centenary of the end of the conflict.

Book : Take Me Back to Blighty

This time a book on the Salonika campaign and nothing but! I’m not sure how I missed this, which was first published by Tommies Guides in January 2017, but it’s just popped up on eBay which seems to be selling lots of new copies at various prices. If you can tell us more about it, please add a comment to this post. Continue reading “Book : Take Me Back to Blighty”

Book – Chapel Street: ‘The Bravest Little Street in England’

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to Christmas presents, whether for others or yourself. My thanks go to SCS Editor Tim Mole, for alerting me to this book which is unusual among the plethora of First Word War books published during the centenary in that Salonika gets more than a passing mention! Continue reading “Book – Chapel Street: ‘The Bravest Little Street in England’”