Introduction
The Battle of Somme is regarded as
one of the bloodiest and most devastating battles in the history of warfare. It
was fought during World War 1 between July 1 and November 18, 1916, along the
banks of the Somme River in France. The battle was fought between the Allied
Forces, mainly British and French troops, and the German Army.
The objective of the fight was to break the German front line, alleviate the
pressure on the French at Verdun and advance towards the German heartland. The
battle, however, turned into a stalemate resulting in massive casualties on
both sides. This article provides an extensive overview of the Battle of Somme,
its causes, key events, consequences, and legacy.
Causes of the Battle
The Battle of Somme was fought
during World War 1, a global conflict from 1914 to 1918. The war
was caused by a complex interplay of territorial disputes,
nationalism, arms race, alliances, and imperialism. The main trigger for the
war was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in
1914. This led to a chain of events that culminated in the outbreak of war
between the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire)
and the Allied Powers (France, Britain, and Russia). The battle quickly escalated
into a global conflict, with millions of soldiers from around the world fighting
in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.
The Battle of Somme was fought in
the context of the wider war. The Allied Forces had suffered heavy losses at
the Battle of Verdun, which had been raging since February 1916. The German
Army had launched a massive offensive against the French at Verdun, hoping to
bleed them dry and force them to surrender. The French, however, had held on
stubbornly, and the battle had turned into a brutal stalemate. The British High
Command decided to launch an offensive of their own, hoping to relieve the
pressure on the French and break through the German front line.
Key Events
The Battle of Somme began on July 1,
1916, with a massive artillery barrage of over 1.5 million shells. The Allied
Forces then attacked the German front line with over 100,000
troops. The attack was preceded by the detonation of several mines under the
German positions, creating huge craters that swallowed entire sections of the
German trenches. The British troops advanced towards the German lines but were met with fierce resistance from the German defenders who had survived the
artillery barrage. The British suffered heavy casualties as they moved across no man's land, exposed to German machine gun fire.
The battle continued throughout the
summer and into the autumn of 1916, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The
British continued to launch attacks against the German lines, but they made
little progress. Conversely, the Germans could hold their ground
and inflict heavy casualties on the Allied Forces. The battle turned into a
brutal stalemate, with both sides dug in and unable to make any significant
gains.
The battle finally ended on November
18, 1916, with the Allied Forces advancing only a few miles into German
territory. The casualties on both sides were staggering, with over 1 million
soldiers killed, wounded, or missing. The British suffered 420,000 losses,
including 60,000 on the first day alone. The French suffered 195,000
casualties, and the Germans suffered 450,000 casualties.
Consequences and Legacy
The Battle of Somme was a disaster
for the Allied Forces and the German Army. The Allies had failed to break
the German front line, and the Germans had suffered massive casualties. The
battle had also shattered the morale of the soldiers and civilians on both
sides, who had been led to believe that victory was just around the corner. The
Battle of Somme marked a turning point in World War 1, as it became clear that
the war would be much longer and bloodier than anyone had anticipated.
The Battle of Somme also profoundly impacted military tactics and strategy. The failure of the Allied
Forces to break through the German lines led to a reassessment of the use of
massive infantry assaults and reliance on artillery. New tactics, such as the
creeping barrage and the use of tanks, were developed, which would play a
crucial role in later battles.
The Battle of Somme also had a
profound impact on society and culture. The massive loss of life and the
senseless brutality of the war led to a reevaluation of traditional values and
beliefs. Many soldiers and civilians began to question the wisdom of war and
the role of patriotism in society. The battle also inspired works of art,
literature, and music, which captured the horror and futility of war.
Conclusion
The Battle of Somme was a watershed
moment in World War 1, marking the beginning of a new phase of the war. The
battle was fought in a broader conflict rooted in
complex geopolitical and social factors. The competition was marked by massive
casualties and a brutal stalemate, profoundly impacting military
tactics, strategy, and society. The Battle of Somme is a reminder of the high
cost of war and the need to strive for peace and understanding among nations.
References
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