A BAD DAY I FEAR: The Irish Divisions at the Battle of Langemarck 16 August 1917

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Discussers the unmitigated disaster at the Battle of Langemarck (16 August 1917) that decimated the 16th (Irish) Division and 36th (Ulster) Division despite their tenacity and sacrifice. Misunderstandings, a general lack of urgency, and a lack of clarity over assigned tactical objectives, mismanagement of artillery, tank, and infantry assets, and a failure to understand local geography contributed to the unfortunate delay between the close of the Messines operations in mid-June 1917 and the opening of Third Ypres on 31 July.

This enabled the German defenders to accelerate construction of reinforced ferro-concrete blockhouses and pillboxes that were to play an important role during the campaign. Their development and method of construction demonstrated the extent of the enemy defenses faced by the Irish divisions.