Battle Of Somme Flashcards
What was the British aim for this battle
To force the Germans out of their entrenched position and eventually out of France
What would ensure an easy advancement for the British
A heavy bombardment of artillery which would last a week
When would this “easy advancement” take place
On the 1st of July
What were the assumptions of this battle
That the Germans would not expect the bombardment or the 1st of July advancement
That the German line would largely be destroyed by the bombardment including machine gun posts, defensive barbed wire and dugouts
That every she’ll would explode upon impact
That the German morale would be so low by 1st of July that survivors would have no will to fight
That the route would be so decisive that there was no need for speed
What was the actual outcome of this battle
Germans were aware of heavy build-up in the region before the bombardment began and so could anticipate an attack
The bombardment failed to destroy German bunkers and deep dugouts and much of trench system
The bombardment failed to destroy machine gun post, the measured march across no mans land became a slaughter
The bombardment failed to destroy much of the barbed wire
What did the British plan ignore
The fact that defence would be stronger than offence
What was the casualties by the end of day 1
Dead - 20 000
Injured - 40 000
Who was more successful with attacking - French or British
French , but they could not be sustained without the British also oh hung forward
By November, the end, who far did the allies push?
5 miles
What were the losses of the battle
Britain - 420 000
France - 195 000
Germany - 650 000
When did the battle of Somme take place
July - November 1916
