Battle of the Somme

battle of da somme :3

When did the Battle of the Somme begin?

1 July 1916

How long did the Battle of the Somme last?

Nearly 5 months/141 days (1 July 1916 - 18th November 1916)

How is the Battle of the Somme remembered?

As one of the bloodiest battles of WWI and in the history of the British Army

How many people fought on both sides?

3 million

How many were wounded or killed on both sides?

1 million

How many British causalties were there?

420,000

How many British soldiers died?

125,000

How many miles of land were gained at the Somme by the British?

6 miles

Why did the British plan the Battle of the Somme?

To relieve the French troops at Verdun by attacking the Germans at the nearby River Somme, forcing the Germans to divert troops from Verdun to the Somme

Why did the British try and relieve the French troops at Verdun?

Since it is an important town and would have been a huge blow to the allies if lost to the Germans

Who led the British Expedionary Force?

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig

What were the British aims at the Battle of the Somme?

• to relieve the French troops at Verdun

• to gain territory

• to kill as many German soldiers as possible

How were the German trenches supposed to be destroyed by the British prior to the beginning of the battle?

• 7 days of artillery shell bombardment to destroy German trenches

• explosives mines were set underneath the German trenches

What was the plan in the Battle of the Somme?

Once the trenches were destroyed, the British soldiers would go over the top and capture them, gaining territory.

What does going “over the top” mean?

climb out of the trenches and go forward towards the enemies

At what time on the first day did the British soldiers go over the top?

7:30 am

How did the prior efforts by the British army to destroy the German trenches before the Battle fail?

• 30% of artillery failed to detonate

• the german trenches were well defended so the army remained safe

• the mines had not destroyed the German trenches

• the bared wire wasn’t destroyed so the British couldn’t get through

• the shells exploding prior to the British advance gave the German army warning of the upcoming attack

How many British causalties on the first day?

57,000

How many British deaths on the first day?

20,000

Did the British Army end up forcing the German Army to divert troops from Verdun?

Yes, allowing the French to to launch a successful counter-attck against the German forces, resulting in their defeat

Is the Battle of the Somme a British or German victory?

British victory as they lost slightly less troops

How is Douglas Haig remembered?

1. a hero (had a state funeral)

2. a bad general (seen as the “butcher of the Somme”)

3. nuanced (both a bit too traditional but trying his best)