Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme, was fought in northern France, it was one of the bloodiest battles of the first world war. It lasted for five months, in this time the British and French armies fought the Germans in a brutal battle of attrition on a 15-mile front.

The aims of the battle were to relieve the French Army fighting at Verdun and to weaken the German Army. Though, the Allies were unable to break through German lines. In total, there were over one million dead and wounded on all sides.

The aims of the battle were to relieve the French Army fighting at Verdun and to weaken the German Army. Though, the Allies were unable to break through German lines. In total, there were over one million dead and wounded on all sides.

The Allies had been bombarding the German trenches for seven days and then on the first of July 1916 the battle began, 100,000 men went over the top to attack the German lines.

The first day was a total disaster for the British army. The Germans had dug in deep and weathered the bombardment from the Allies. As the British soldiers made their advance they were cut down by machine gun & rifle fire. 19,240 British soldiers lost their lives on this day. The French however had more success and inflicted large losses on the German army. Even after the heavy loss of men suffered by the British army, Douglas Haig, did not call off the attack and instead agreed for it to continue.