The Battle Of Somme During World War I

The German Command, in planning for a short and swift war, found themselves in a bind when the war started to prolong itself. From the very beginning, their plan started to fall apart, as Belgium, who they assumed would just let them march through to France, took up arms in resisting their approaches (Hull, 2005). The war would get longer and longer and seemed farther away from its conclusion as the months grew colder. As a result of this as well as their Prussian roots, they resorted to dangerously risky and destructive tactics, trying to bring the war to a quicker end while putting more of their resources in jeopardy, a move that eventually did not pay off and ended up leading to the German Empire’s demise (Hull, 2005).

     The object of the German offensive was to push through the Belgian Ardennes, cross the Mousse, retake Antwerp and its harbor facilities, thrust to the north and reach the sea which they almost succeed in doing. This would cut off the Allied troops in Holland and Belgium, making it impossible for them to withdraw. The success of the operation depended on three important

The stand at the Aisne River marks another historic landmark in World War 1. During the end of the battle of the Marne, most German forces had regrouped in the Aisne River. This marked the beginning of trench warfare. Both opposing forces began to use trenches on the Western front of the Aisne River. On September 13, 1914, opposing forces began flanking maneuvers in which today we call the Race to the Sea. During the Race to the Sea, the French failed to remove the German stance north of the Aisne River. Several key factors caused the quick turnaround that caused the German Armies to retreat. Primarily the German’s underestimated French tactics. They realized that once German’s First Army was close to Paris, the French would give in and retreat. While the French in fact were retreating, they were using rail systems to transport troops back and forth. The German First Army found their advance hampered by broken bridges and rails lines on their side of the French border. This caused shortage in food supplies and ammunition to German Armies. This major issue also caused the breakdown in communication within German’s First and Second Armies causing huge gaps in their defensive line. This was enough for French and British troops to come up with the plan to flank the gap the Germans had created during their advancement into Paris. The First Battle of the Marne was a huge success for the French and British Army at the cost of thousands of troops. This did not end the conflict, but was more of a start of conflicts to come during World War 1. This key victory was able to push German’s back at least 40 to 50 miles from the capital city of

The British launched The Battle of the Somme to achieve two objectives. The first and most important goal was to relieve pressure on the French Army at Verdun, and the second was to inflict as heavy a loss as possible on the German Armies. The Battle of the Somme had to be fought to save the French Army from the crucifixion of Verdun. The head of the French Army, General Fock, and some leading British commanders did not believe this battle would help, but political masters in London and Paris supported the campaign. For many years The Battle of the Somme received much criticism for the way the battle was fought based on the number of casualties.

Belgium would attack as a hammer swing effect for they would travel south and around

The Battle of Fromelles was a horrific battle which didn’t help prevent the Battle of Somme. All the battle had done was make people very scared and worried about the Germans. The people who were majorly effected by this were the French British and Australia. The 5th Australian Division suffered 5,533 casualties, 1,547 61st British Division casualties and little less then 1,000 casualties for the Germans.

Well, to start off with the Battle of Somme was ultimately won by the Germans. This is so because they had the more powerful military. According to documents B and C the Germans won the first day of the Battle. In document C he says “the youth of England bled to death.” Describes machine gunfire. and how “Belt after belt was fired…”. I also think that the German won because the British had started the Battle and whoever starts it usually loses. From the beginning the British did not achieve a breakthrough that penetrated the German lines and, end the war. From my knowledge, the Germans were able to contain the British offensive with locally available reserves, but didn't transfer any troops. Also the British suffered extremely heavy casualties,

The battle of Somme took place during the 1st of July and the 18th of November 1916 in the region Somme department of France, on both banks of the river of Somme. It was during the time of the First World War that Newfoundland was still under the power of the British Empire. Britain declared war on Germany in August of 1914. This was the beginning of Newfoundland's first regiment. There was a great response from Newfoundland with many proud Newfoundlanders ready to serve in the war. There was such a huge demand that from a population of 240,000 that more than 12,000 people joined up for the regiment. When war had been declared an enormous amounts of soldiers were being killed and the rapid progression of military warfare such as tanks, grenades and mines were being introduced promptly in large numbers. In order to end this war, generals came up with the conclusion of making what they called the "Big Push" which was the joining of the British and French troops against enemy Germany. These troops would start the assault at the Somme. This would be the Battle of Somme near Beaumont Hamel that the first Newfoundland Regiment would partake in. On the morning of July 1st thousands of British and French troops marched towards No Man's Land, within half an hour of walking to their destination, the troops were dramatically decreasing in soldiers

This was to be a joint operation between British, French and American forces. Though it was not the actual boundaries, the Meuse River and the Argonne Forrest restricted much of the U.S. 1st Army’s maneuverability between them. This area was comprised of a very dense and thick vegetation with few roads for heavy equipment and supplies to flow forth once the offensive began; therefore this was to be used to the Allied Powers advantage. The Germans would be attacked all along the front from British, French, and American forces simultaneously.

The British went into the Somme with a mixed attack plan, which led to an unsuccessful first assault resulting in a battle of attrition. The opening day of The Battle of the Somme resulted in near 60,000 casualties for the British, the largest in British military history for a single day. Originally the Somme was supposed to be a French dominated offensive, however the Germans attacked to the South in Verdun occupying the majority of French troops. The British were then thrust into control of the offensive, leaving Sir Douglas Haig and General Rawlinson to arrange an offensive strike against the Germans. Haig advocated for the use of infantry including foot soldiers as well as cavalry to lead the offensive. Rawlinson countered with a bite and hold strategy, which involved fortifying a strong defense and warding off German counter attacks. Rather than committing to one strategy, the two were combined in order to create a week-long bombardment followed by an offensive attack on foot.

In “The Face of Battle,” John Keegan analyzed the experiences of the individuals involved in the battles of the Somme and Waterloo; he thoroughly examined the advancements of industrialization in warfare and battle strategy between 1815 and 1916. The industrialization of modern warfare during the battle of the Somme, while progressive, was very much still in its experimental stages. While the inventions during this time period were later evolved into much more useful products, it seems as though the organized warfare in Waterloo was much more effective; the soldier’s mediocre training for the Somme was obvious in the chaotic events that occurred. While each battle was disastrous in their own ways, industrialization certainly improved means of warfare and the experience that the soldiers had.

Canada played a large role in world war one, many Canadians have faced tragedies, victories, sacrificed their lives. The battle of Ypres was from 22 April to May 25 1915 it was located in North West Belgium. The second battle of Ypres is generally remembered today as marking the first use of gas on the western front. The three main gases that were used were chlorine, phosgene and mustard gas. The battle of the Somme took place July 1st-Nov 18 was located north of Somme river between arras and albert. The purpose of the battle was British wanted to divert Germans away from Verdun. British goal to capture the town of Bapaume most concentrated use of aircraft an attempt to end trench warfare. The third battle of Ypres which is called the battle

The Battle of Verdun took place in 1916 and was the longest battle of World War I. The battle was fought from 21 February to 18 december and was fought between the German and French army. The location of this battle was fought out in Verdun, France. The result of this war was that the french one this war. World war one was stemmed from german general Erich Von Falkenhayn edict to elicit major bloodshed, because the french defense of the fortress complex around Verdun.

(The battle of the Sommes was a notorious event that occurred in the time frame of World War I, between France and England on one side, while on the other side, Germany. The objective of this battle for the English side is too re-conquer/ seize the French town of Verdun, a stronghold of France against Germany. Also, the English soldiers were ordered to annihilate as much German soldiers as possible, in order to eventually gain the vantage point of the battle. The English soldiers were lead by General Douglas Haig, and as a General, he devised a tactic that he thought would ensure victory for England and France. However, it was because of this plan that Haig became one of the main focal point of

At the end the British had won this battle even though the Germans had more plans but the British were cleverer and could win this battle easily.