The Battle of the Somme: July-November 1916.

1. The Battle of the Somme:July-November 1916. Was the battle a success or a failure?

2. The Battle of the Somme 1916 Learning Objectives By the end of this lesson: • All will understand what happened during the battle. • Most will assess the tactics used at the battle • Some will evaluate whether the battle was a success or a failure

3. Background: Why the Somme? • By 1916, the Western Front had entered into a stalemate*. • From December 1914 to July 1916, the frontline had not moved more than a few miles. • The Allies had suffered losses and defeats on the Western Front. They needed to break the German lines and gain a victory. • They had suffered heavy losses in the 1st Battle of Ypres, France, the British/ANZAC* failure at the Battle of Gallipoli and the French had heavy losses at the Battle of Verdun. • Something needed to be done.

4. Role Play: British Military Head Quarters, 1916 • In groups of 3 or 4, you are going to going to be the Generals in charge of the battle plan at the Somme. • Based on the flash telegrams coming from the front, you will decide what your battle plans for the Somme should be.

5. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • 1. Artillery Attack on Machine guns and trenches • Firstly, you must plan where your artillery bombardment will go? • 2. Artillery Attack on Barbed Wire in “No Man’s Land”

6. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to Head Quarters • Reports state that some machine gun posts have been hit! However, there may be other hidden ones. • Reports also states that NONE of the enemy trenches have been hit!

7. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • Scouts in the trenches reported that there are some holes in the line. • However, it appears that the barbed wire remains in place and has not been cut. • This could be very dangerous for the men when they attack.

8. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • EMERGENCY MESSAGE!: • To all commanders - Stop all attacks a long the Western Front. • Heavy rain has made it impossible to launch any bombardments. Delay all attacks for 2 days.

9. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • 1. Artillery Attack on Machine guns and trenches • After the two day delay, you must decide there the second artillery bombardment must take place; • 2. Artillery Attack on Barbed Wire in “No Man’s Land” • 3. Artillery Attack the German’s Artillery

10. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Reports state that some machine gun posts have been hit! However, there may be other hidden ones. • Reports also states that NONE of the enemy trenches have been hit! • Back to Head Quarters

11. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • Scouts in the trenches reported that there are some holes in the line. • However, it appears that the barbed wire remains in place and has not been cut. • This could be very dangerous for the men when they attack.

12. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • Your bombardment has been successful. Some of the German’s artillery has been hit. This will help the men when they cross “No Man’s Land” • The German’s are not firing back: This means that we have destroyed them OR they are trying to trick us.

13. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • After 7 days of bombing the German’s, Field Marshall Haig believes that taking the Germans trenches will be easy. There should be very few Germans left to fight: • 1. Send in the first wave of infantrymen in. • 2. Send in the cavalry in to break the line. • Back to British HQ

14. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • The artillery fire has created large holes in no man’s land! • The men are carrying 66 pounds of equipment and the field is very muddy. • There are not many holes in the barbed wire for the man to go through. • There is a lot of confusion! • We don’t know how many men have been killed or wounded.

15. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • DISASTER! • The mud and artillery holes in no mans land, have slowed the horses down and they were easy targets for the German machine guns! • They have been totally wiped out! These units were to break out after the infantry had taken the trenches. • You have been relieved of your command!

16. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • After the first wave, the reports are many men have been wounded. Reports stated that because the wire was not cut down, the Germans could machine gun our men. We don’t know how far the 1st waved advanced. • 1. Send in the first wave of infantrymen in. • 2. Send in the cavalry in to break the line.

17. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • DISASTER! • The mud and artillery holes in no mans land, have slowed the horses down and they were easy targets for the German machine guns! • They have been totally wiped out! These units were to break out after the infantry had taken the trenches. • You have been relieved of your command!

18. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • The artillery fire has created large holes in no man’s land! • The men are carrying 66 pounds of equipment and the field is very muddy. • Again, here are not many holes in the barbed wire for the man to go through. • We don’t know how many men have been killed or wounded.

19. British Expeditionary Force Western Front • Back to British HQ • By order of • Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig: • Stop all attacks until tomorrow. • We need to know how many men have been killed or wounded.