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Overview of the Battle of the Somme, 1916
The Battle of the Somme is famous not for its military
success but for the very opposite; on 1 July 1916, the first
day of the offensive, 58,000 British troops were lost (20,000
of whom were killed) as they 'went over the top' in a massive
assault on German lines. This grotesque figure remains a one-day
record.
Originally designed by British and French commanders in 1915
as a battle of attrition to bleed the German forces of reserves,
its aim was shifted in early 1916 in response to the German
Verdun offensive. The date of the Somme was brought
forward in the hope that diverting German resources away from
Verdun to this second front would relieve the pressure on
the beleaguered French troops.
The attack was preceded by an eight-day bombardment of German
lines, which with its level of ferocity, was supposed to completely
destroy German frontline defences and allow British forces
to walk across No Man's Land and take their position
from them. On 1 July, British, French and Commonwealth troops
went on the offensive. Many walked slowly towards the German
lines, laden down with supplies, expecting little or no opposition.
But the bombardment had failed in two ways; much of the munitions
used by the English were 'duds' and didn't destroy frontline
barbed wire or robustly built concrete bunkers sheltering
the Germans and it had given them advance warning of an attack.
Tens of thousands of men fell to German machine guns - many
as soon as they climbed out of the trenches.
By the time the offensive was called off in November, the
British and French had gained just eight miles of territory
and lost 620,000 casualties; the German casualties were estimated
at 500,000.
Touring the Somme
There are two ways of visiting the battlefields; with a tour
(of which there are many good ones available) or with a self-guided
group of family or friends. This is certainly favoured by
the many visiting descendants of British and Commonwealth
soldiers who fought or fell here.
If you're going to the Somme to retrace the steps of your
ancestors make sure you have researched the details of their
service in your home country first. In Britain, the process
is simply set out in Fowler, Spencer and Tamblin's 'Army
Service War Records of World War One', published by the
Public Record Office in Kew, London. The Commonwealth War
Graves Commission has a database of men killed and where
they are buried or commemorated. Those never found are remembered
by the vast arch at Thiepval.
A good map is also essential. Recommended maps are the Michelin
1/200,000 Sheet 53 which gives the locations of many Commonwealth
War Graves Commission cemeteries and the British Official
History's 1/40,000 maps in Official History of the War: Military
Operations, France and Belgium, 1916, Volume One (Edmonds).
Once you're there
The best way of taking in the circuit of battlefields, graveyards
and memorials that litter the countryside is by dividing the
places visited into 'stands' where you can survey the scene
and read or talk about what happened here. Weather is unpredictable
in this area of France so bring waterproofs and sensible shoes.
Plan your logistics; there are few toilet facilities so make
sure you schedule in a stop at the café on the edge
of Delville Wood. You can get hearty gallic lunches
in Albert and Bapaume while Avril Williams'
Tea Room in Auchonvillers is both a rest stop and
a museum rolled into one.
One last word of warning; don't be tempted to reap the 'iron
harvest' of shells and grenades that still litter the countryside
- they could kill you. |
