Second Edition Available Now
Imperial Germany's "Iron Regiment" of the First World War
Infantry Regiment 169 1914 - 1918
Imperial Germany's "Iron Regiment" of the First World War
Infantry Regiment 169 1914 - 1918
October 2017 Release of Second Edition of Imperial Germany’s ‘Iron Regiment’ of the First World War
Memories of Service with Infantry Regiment 169, 1914-18
Memories of Service with Infantry Regiment 169, 1914-18
The Badgley Publishing Company, and author John K. Rieth, are pleased to announce the October 2017 publication of the 2nd Edition of Imperial Germany’s ‘Iron Regiment’ of the First World War, War Memories of Service with Infantry Regiment 169, 1914-1918.
This second edition adds over 100 pages of new content to the original 2014 version. The tremendous reader response to the first edition resulted in the author uncovering rich source material not previously available. Inclusion of these sources truly completes a premier, English-language telling of a German infantry regiment’s journey through the entirety of World War I. Key sources include excerpts from two books written by Otto Lais, one of a handful of survivors from Infantry Regiment 169’s destruction in the Argonne Forest on November 1, 1918. Presented for the first time in English, Lais’ remarkable accounts of service in the regiment from 1917-1918 renders first-hand descriptions of some of the War’s most bitter combat.
Additional authoritative material included in the Second Edition round out this unique glimpse into the creation, complete wartime service and ultimate destruction of an elite German infantry regiment.
Dennis Showalter on the second edition of The Iron Regiment: On December 30, 2019, the German military history academic field lost one of its greatest scholars, Professor Dennis Showalter. In the year before his passing, I had the opportunity to engage with Dennis on the Iron Regiment. I am proud of his response to my book included the following quote: "What you have is the best "up to date" regimental history of the Kaiser's WWI army that I am aware of in any language. It's an excellent combination of the sort of thing Sheldon does so well with a solid integration of the regiment's experience into both the Western Front narrative and the often neglected home front connection. Its been a pleasure to read--my one regret is not being able to integrate it into INSTRUMENT OF WAR." Dennis was an inclusive champion of non-academic contributions to the study of military history and will be missed.
First Edition reviews of the ‘Iron Regiment’ include the following:
-- “An excellent writing looking at WW 1 from a German soldier’s perspective. I highly recommend it to everyone interested in learning more about the Great War.” Gerald York, Colonel (Ret), US Army; Grandson of Sergeant Alvin York, famed US Army WW I Medal of Honor Recipient
-- “This book stands head and shoulders above previously published unit histories and should not be ignored for its substantial value in providing the whole picture of many of the war’s landmark battles.” Roads to the Great War
-- “War histories of German regiments during either the First or Second World War are comparatively rare. Inspired by a wartime journal written by the author’s grandfather, a veteran of the regiment, much of the book is drawn from this rare testimony. This is an information-packed and well edited book, illustrated with maps relevant to particular sections. Certainly a worthwhile publication giving a German perspective of the war.” Britain at War Magazine, February 2015.
-- "A complete lifecycle account of a German regiment for the duration of the First World War, and so a rare contribution to those wishing to see the war from the German perspective.” Great War Society
The ‘Iron Regiment’ is available now in soft cover copy and E-book formats now through www,BadgleyPublishingCompany.com.
See more on this book at: www.ironregiment169.com
This second edition adds over 100 pages of new content to the original 2014 version. The tremendous reader response to the first edition resulted in the author uncovering rich source material not previously available. Inclusion of these sources truly completes a premier, English-language telling of a German infantry regiment’s journey through the entirety of World War I. Key sources include excerpts from two books written by Otto Lais, one of a handful of survivors from Infantry Regiment 169’s destruction in the Argonne Forest on November 1, 1918. Presented for the first time in English, Lais’ remarkable accounts of service in the regiment from 1917-1918 renders first-hand descriptions of some of the War’s most bitter combat.
Additional authoritative material included in the Second Edition round out this unique glimpse into the creation, complete wartime service and ultimate destruction of an elite German infantry regiment.
Dennis Showalter on the second edition of The Iron Regiment: On December 30, 2019, the German military history academic field lost one of its greatest scholars, Professor Dennis Showalter. In the year before his passing, I had the opportunity to engage with Dennis on the Iron Regiment. I am proud of his response to my book included the following quote: "What you have is the best "up to date" regimental history of the Kaiser's WWI army that I am aware of in any language. It's an excellent combination of the sort of thing Sheldon does so well with a solid integration of the regiment's experience into both the Western Front narrative and the often neglected home front connection. Its been a pleasure to read--my one regret is not being able to integrate it into INSTRUMENT OF WAR." Dennis was an inclusive champion of non-academic contributions to the study of military history and will be missed.
First Edition reviews of the ‘Iron Regiment’ include the following:
-- “An excellent writing looking at WW 1 from a German soldier’s perspective. I highly recommend it to everyone interested in learning more about the Great War.” Gerald York, Colonel (Ret), US Army; Grandson of Sergeant Alvin York, famed US Army WW I Medal of Honor Recipient
-- “This book stands head and shoulders above previously published unit histories and should not be ignored for its substantial value in providing the whole picture of many of the war’s landmark battles.” Roads to the Great War
-- “War histories of German regiments during either the First or Second World War are comparatively rare. Inspired by a wartime journal written by the author’s grandfather, a veteran of the regiment, much of the book is drawn from this rare testimony. This is an information-packed and well edited book, illustrated with maps relevant to particular sections. Certainly a worthwhile publication giving a German perspective of the war.” Britain at War Magazine, February 2015.
-- "A complete lifecycle account of a German regiment for the duration of the First World War, and so a rare contribution to those wishing to see the war from the German perspective.” Great War Society
The ‘Iron Regiment’ is available now in soft cover copy and E-book formats now through www,BadgleyPublishingCompany.com.
See more on this book at: www.ironregiment169.com
-- Banner Illustration: In 2014, Osprey Books published COMBAT 5; Somme 1916, British Infantryman vs German Infantryman. This excellent book, written by noted WW I historian Dr. Stephen Bull, prominently features the depiction of a German Infantry Regiment 169 soldier on the front cover. The book goes into great detail on IR 169's stoic defense of Serre on 1 July 1916, and features the excellent graphics and maps that one can expect from Osprey products. Check the book out on the link: https://ospreypublishing.com/british-infantryman-vs-german-infantryman-somme-1916 (Osprey has kindly permitted use of the cover image depicted above in this website.)
-- An excerpt from Imperial Germany's 'Iron Regiment' of the First World War appeared in the August-September 2015 edition of History Magazine. The article, titled "First Blood at Mulhouse" describes Infantry Regiment 169's ill-fated attack in this first major battle of World War I on August 9, 1914. (Visit www.history-magazine.com for more information.)
-- Map Page: This website's Google Map links customized imagery and graphics that depicts all of the key sites listed in the book. The map is a useful tool to understand IR 169's journey through the First World War.
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