15.3.4

Battle of the Somme

Test yourself

Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme (July - November 1916 AD) was the most famous battle of the First World War.

Illustrative background for BackgroundIllustrative background for Background ?? "content

Background

  • The Battle of the Somme was fought to help the French troops in Verdun.
  • It was intended to speed up a victory for the Allies.
Illustrative background for Artillery bombardmentIllustrative background for Artillery bombardment ?? "content

Artillery bombardment

  • The battle began with the heaviest artillery bombardment of the war.
  • The Allies planned for seven days of continuous artillery bombardment.
  • They thought that the lengthy bombardment would destroy any German barbed wire defences and kill Germans in the trenches.
Illustrative background for Day oneIllustrative background for Day one ?? "content

Day one

  • 1 July 1916 AD: The Allies sent 100,000 men to attack German lines.
  • The allied soldiers had to cross hundreds of metres of no man’s land.
  • In some places, British soldiers did reach the German trenches but many were shot down by German machine guns.
Illustrative background for Casualties Illustrative background for Casualties  ?? "content

Casualties

  • By the end of the first day, Britain had suffered 57,000 casualties in a single day.
  • Progress was very slow, and by 4 July 1916 AD Britain had suffered a further 25,000 casualties.
  • By the end of August, Germany had suffered almost 250,000 casualties.
Illustrative background for SupportIllustrative background for Support ?? "content

Support

  • Britain was supported by its Empire.
  • Troops from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand all contributed to the war effort.
  • 15 September 1916 Ad: Britain used the tank for the first time.
  • Eventually, the British gained Morval and Thiepval Ridge.

Jump to other topics

1The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

1.1Anglo-Saxon England

1.2The Contest for the English Throne

1.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

1.4King John

1.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

1.6The Black Death

2Worldviews

3The Empire of Mali

4The Renaissance & Reformations, 1500-1598 AD

5The British Empire, 1583-1960 AD

6The Peasants' Revolt

7Religion in the Middle Ages

8Slavery, 1619-1833 AD

9The English Civil War, 1642-1660

10The Industrial Revolution, 1750-1840

11US Independence, 1775-1783

12The French Revolution, 1789-1815

13The British Empire, 1857–1930

14Suffrage

15World War 1, 1914-1918

16The Inter-War Years, 1919-1939

17World War 2, 1939-1945

18The Cold War, 1947-1962

19Civil Rights in the USA, 1954-1975

Go student ad image

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring

  • Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home

  • Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs

  • 30+ school subjects covered

Book a free trial lesson