The Battle of the Somme- 1 July 18 November 1916

British Plan

- Joint British/French offensive
- Week-long artillery bombardment to destroy German defences (combined arms)
- Mines under strong holds
- 'Creeping' barrage to protect infantry

Why were casualties high? (4 things)

- Strong German defences, anchored and reinforced
- Dugouts 10m deep to protect against artillery
- Germans intercepted intelligence
- 'Creeping Barrage left infantry behind

Haig's Impacts (4 things)

- Sent uncoded messages like a dickhead and was intercepted
- Reused tactics that were failing
- Poor intelligence and communication about defences
- Wasn't there with the troops

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