The Wipers Times: The Famous First World War Trench Newspaper Christopher Westhorp 9781472834225

The bestselling facsimile reproduction of the famed trench newspaper of the First World War - a unique portrait of life on the wartime frontline. Decades ahead of the amusing but distorting buffoonery of Blackadder Goes Forth, this complete edition of the Wipers Times, the famed trench newspaper of the First World War, is an extraordinary mix of black humour, fake entertainment programmes and pastiche articles, and constitutes a unique record of life on the wartime frontline. From its long-running cartoon pun (Are We Being Offensive Enough?) to its brilliantly subversive column Things We Want to Know (the name of the officer who originated the idea), its hilarious spoof ads to its pastiche fake contributors (Belary Helloc), this complete facsimile edition of the Wipers Times, produced to accompany the BBC dramatization, is a historical masterpiece that enables us to sample the real spirit of the trenches . . . from the safety of our armchairs. If you can drink the beer the Belgians sell you, And pay the price they ask with ne'er a grouse, If you believe the tales that some will tell you, And live in mud with ground sheet for a house, If you can live on bully and a biscuit, And thank your stars that you've a tot of rum, Dodge whizzbangs with a grin, and as you risk it Talk glibly of the pretty way they hum. . .

The bestselling facsimile reproduction of the famed trench newspaper of the First World War - a unique portrait of life on the wartime frontline.

About the Author
Chris Westhorp is an experienced freelance editor, writer and researcher. Formerly of Arms and Armour Press and Duncan Baird Publishing, he has a specialist interest in military history and aviation. Chris is the author of The Commando Pocket Manual 1950-1945(Conway, 2012) amongst numerous other titles.

Reviews
Now faithfully reproduced page by page, it remains immensely moving in the laughter of its resilience and still relevant as a testament to gallantry under fire. * The Times *
The humour woven into the correspondence, observations and stories for all 23 issues published characterises an indomitable spirit. * Discover Britain *
a remarkable insight into life in the trenches * Good Book Guide *



Book Information
ISBN 9781472834225
Author Christopher Westhorp
Format Hardback
Page Count 336
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Weight(grams) 604g