Consequences of the Battle of the Somme
History: KS3, topic 16.3.5
Consequences of the Battle of the Somme
The battle turned into a disaster for both sides, with thousands of troops lost.
War Office film
- The War Office decided to make a film about the Battle of the Somme to boost morale. This was very popular.
- But the public at home was shocked by the thousands of wounded troops returning and the long casualty lists being published in the newspapers.
Morale
- These casualty lists were so long that the government stopped publishing them in 1916 AD.
- Seeing so many fellow soldiers being injured and killed seriously affected morale.
The end of the battle
- In November, after 141 days fighting and combined losses of around one million men, the Somme offensive came to an end.
- The British had advanced just seven miles and failed to break the German defence.
- In March 1917 AD, the Germans retreated to the Hindenburg line instead of resuming the Battle of the Somme
- For around 1 million lives. This is why Remembrance Sunday is important.
Test yourself on Consequences of the Battle of the Somme
Who made the British propaganda film about the Battle of the Somme?
How long was the Battle of the Somme?
What was the situation at the end of the Battle of the Somme?
What did the German army do in March 1917?