THE BATTLE OF SOMME Flashcards
The Battle of the Somme was the…
The largest/bloodiest battle of WW1
When did the Somme take place?
1st JULY - 18TH NOV 1916 (4 MONTHS)
Took place?
Near RIVER SOMME (🧭NORTHERN FRANCE)
Who was involved?
FRANCE&BRITAIN VS GERMANY
How many men took part in TBOS?
3 Million men
What British commander was in charge of the Western Front?
General Douglas Haig
What French commander was in charge of the Western Front?
General Joffre
What were the allies planning?
Allies planning / An attack in hopes of breaking stalemate
Stalemate
Neither side can gain an advantage
Why the Somme?
British French trenches MET🔱 at the RIVER SOMME
(1st half of 1916)
Planning/preparing for battle in SUPPOSE (summer1916)
What went wrong?
Germany attacked Verdun
When did Germany attack Verdun?
Feb 1916
Why did the Germans attack Verdun?
No real strategic importance / historically sig.
French prepared to defend at any cost
Germany wanted to ‘🩸BLEED FRANCE WHITE’ ⬜
Why was Germany’s attack in Verdun very smart?
France sent 5 divisions// instead of 40=