Case Study: The Battle Of The Somme, 1916

Question 1

When was the battle of the Somme ?

Answer 1

1916

Question 2

What was the typical kit of a solider at the Somme?

Answer 2

-A lee enfield rifle- breech loaded, capable of running fifteen rounds a minute and had bayonet capabilities
-220 rounds of ammo
-2 grenades
-gas mask
- emergency rations

Question 3

Where did the battle of Somme take place ? Explain what is meant by your answer

Answer 3

The western front
It was a stalemate where both sides couldn’t make a brake through and dug trenches. It was a result of the British, French and Belgium forces halting a German invasion

Question 4

What where four features of a trench ? How did they add protection/ difficulties

Answer 4

Machine gun emplacement: highly fortified defensive position that could withstand light artillery
Barded wire: caused soldiers to slow down or get caught in it
Support trench: allowed for reinforcements and other things
Deep dugouts: protection against shell fire and Germans even made small bunkers!

Question 5

How did soldiers communicate on the battlefield ? Give continuities and new methods

Answer 5

Continuities
Human runners: like at the battle of balaclava
Semaphore: holding up flags to show a signal
New methods
Portable field telephones: sent messages via mores code through cables but they where difficult to lay during an attack and where frequently damaged