In Flanders, Belgium, on 30 July 1915, the Germans put their new weapon, the flammenwerfer, or flamethrower, to devastating use against the Allies at the Battle of Hooge. The Battle of Hooge represented one of the first major employments of the flamethrower, one of the most feared weapons introduced during the First World War.

In Sanctuary Wood and Hooge (currently available in eBook only), Battleground Europe series editor Nigel Cave takes the reader on an explanatory tour of the immediate area. Included is a description of the museum at Hill 62 with its trench system, stereoscopic photos and weapons.

The Third Battle of Ypres, known as the Battle of Passchendaele, became infamous not only for the scale of casualties, but also for the terrible conditions in which it was fought.

The British offensive got underway on 31 July 1917, with the objective of capturing fifteen miles of territory. The attack quickly lost momentum and, it was not until finally in November that the line managed to advance seven miles. With winter setting in, the British troops were subjected to some of the worst conditions they had ever faced. During the attack 265,000 were either killed or injured.

This battlefield guide gives details of the attacks whilst guiding the reader through the battlefield as it stands today. With illustrated maps and then and now photographs it will appeal to those visiting the area as well as armchair historians.

The Sinking of RMS Tayleur author Gill Hoffs will feature in tonight’s episode of the BBC 2 series, Coast, at 8pm.

In tonight’s episode, Cassie Newland and Miranda Krestovnikoff join forces – on land and underwater – to investigate a shipwreck mystery to rival the Titanic‘s. RMS Tayleur was heralded as the fastest, safest, most advanced vessel of her day. But this iron-hulled ship sank on her maiden voyage with horrific loss of life. Gill and the Coast team uncovers why she sank, why she veered so drastically off course, and why so many women and children died compared with men.

The Sinking of RMS Tayleur is available now in hardback, paperback, Kindle and ePub formats.