c1900 - Present - The Western Front And The Somme

Question 1

When was the battle of the Somme?

Answer 1

1916

Question 2

What was the nature of warfare/strategy at the Western Front and Somme 1916?

Answer 2

The nature of trench warfare included:
Boring daily routines such as sentry duty and cleaning weapons
Constant wet feet lead to trench foot
Disease spread by dirty water and rats
Lice which caused trench fever
Little sleep due to continuous bombardment
Frontline soldiers living in dugouts
Shellshock

Question 3

The Somme Offensive (in detail)

Answer 3

1. Royal flying corps shot down German observation balloons to ensure surprise
2. Gas attacks at 40 different places along the front
3. Week-long heavy artillery bombardment
4. Creeping barrage of artillery led the infantry advance to clear their way
5. About 120,000 infantry went ‘over the top’, towards the german trenches
6. That first day 20000 British infantry were killed and 40000 injured or captured

Question 4

How long did the somme offensive last?

Answer 4

Five months

Question 5

What weapons were used? (Somme 1916 and Western Front)

Answer 5

Gas attacks
Heavy artillery bombardment
Artillery
Tanks
Rifles
Machine guns

Question 6

Reasons for the outcome of the Somme offensive

Answer 6

• Surprise was lost as the artillery barrage signalled an attack was about to start.
• The German trench system was strong and deep: 12 lines of parallel trenches and dugouts, including useful tunnels.
• Power of defence: rifles, machine guns and artillery cut down soldiers as they advanced.
• The British infantry were new volunteers and lacked experience and training.
• The British artillery barrage failed: the defences in No Man’s Land remained intact.
• Tanks were poorly managed, spread over a wide area so their impact was limited.

Question 7

Role of General Haig: positives

Answer 7

Under government pressure to recapture lost land so needed to attack
Wanted to pin down the German troops at the somme
Calculated heavy casualties would hit Germany harder than allies

Question 8

Role of General Haig: Negatives

Answer 8

Didn’t change strategy after earlier infantry attacks were so unsuccessful
Used new weapons badly
Didn’t listen to advice from other generals to change his tactics