In military terminology the term ‘Zero Hour’ denotes the designated time at which a planned attack is launched; the moment infantry go over the top to begin their assault. ‘Z Day’ is the day selected for the offensive action. There is a specific Zero Hour and Z Day which stands out firmly from all others in the annals of British military history; 7.30 am, 1 July 1916.
In this series of books the author, with 14-years of research, sets out to chronicle in greater detail than ever before the story of 1 July 1916. Using previously unseen material from British and German archives and utilising untold accounts he analyses the build-up, preparations, intelligence, weapons, tactics, training, rehearsals and attack undertaken at Zero Hour, Z Day.
'When this book [Volume I] was delivered, I was more than impressed; I was staggered. I can say no more than the whole book is a remarkably, superb, informative product.' Martin Middlebrook (Military Historian and author of The First Day on the Somme).