Battle of the Somme Flashcards
Why was there stalemate on the Western Front?
1
Q
When?
A
July 1916 - Nov 1916
2
Q
Where?
A
River Somme, France
3
Q
The 2 key ppl
A
- General Sir Doulgas Haig
- General Rawlinson
3
Q
who VS who
A
B & F forces VS G
4
Q
Who was General Sir Doulgas Haig? (3)
A
- B commander
- end 1915: commanded all the B forces in F
- main commander during the Somme
5
Q
How many B casualties on the 1st day?
A
50,000
6
Q
Who was General Rawlinson?
A
Haig’s deputy
7
Q
How many British died on the 1st day?
A
20,000
= bloodiest day in B history
8
Q
What were the main aims of the Allies? (3)
A
- to gain territory
- draw troops away from Verdun to relieve pressure on F
- kill as many G as possible
9
Q
What were the main tactics? (4)
A
- MINES / massive ARTILLERY BOMBARDMENTS
–> G position + dugouts destroyed / smashed - CUTTING BARBED WIRE
- CROSS NO MAN’S LAND BY FOOT
–> bc of heavy packs + weapons underestimated - CARRY HEAVY PACKS
–> to defend / repair enemy trenches when taking over
10
Q
What were the main obstacles? (5)
A
- artillery’s ability OVERESTIMATED
–> Haig knew abt the dug-outs & barbed wire - G were on HIGH GROUND
–> better view - G defences placed from 1914
- G had BARBED WIRE & STRETCHED WIRE of + 30m !!
- Allied shells = POOR QUALITY
11
Q
1st day of battle?
A
1 July 1916 - 7:30 am
12
Q
What happened on the 1st day? (2)
A
- 2 huge mines were placed under G lines
- 750,000 men went OVER THE TOP
13
Q
How were the French forces? (4)
A
- made some QUICK GAINS
- more experienced
- moved QUICKLY = not weighted down by packs
- found themselves ISOLATED = had to WITHDRAW
–> bc B were to slow
14
Q
What did the French isolation allow G to do?
A
gave more time to emerge from dug-outs & set up their machine guns
