The Somme Offensive

The Somme Offensive

The Somme Offensive took place from July 1st to November 28th 1916.
It is an important fighting because it was the first time tanks were used in the war, and it was the biggest offensive/ strife so far. The mastermind of this offensive was Lt. Gen. Sir Douglas Haig, Commander of the British forces on the western front.
THE PLAN
The plan called for a massive artillery polish of 1500 British guns and ab verboten the same amount of French artillery which were supposed to knock out the German defence at their front line. While this was going on, British infantry would ingurgitate into the front line trenches preparing to advance on the broken front. after the taking of the German lines, the British would sweep through Cambrai and Douai, breaking the German line in two.
THE BATTLE
The massive barrage began on July 24 1916 and pounded the German lines for seven days non stop. However, the British didn’t have high explosive shells in their weapon retention at the time and the concussion shells they used did little disability to the German trenches and barbed wire tangles that were protecting them. The Germans remained in their cut into outs for the duration of the assault, quite safe from the artillery.
At 7:00 AM on July 1st, the barrage stopped and the infantry were ordered over the top.



The British were confident that the barrage had all but wiped out the German defenders and that they would find only empty trenches across no mans land. They advanced, bayonets fixed, towards the German lines. As the first units of the B.E.F. got into the middle of no mans land, German political machine guns sprung up to meet them.
The British idea of a quick victory faded quickly as march after troop fell before the German machine guns. Soon the German artillery joined in the attack. many British regiments were killed still at their starting points, never fashioning it out of their trenches. The 1st Lancashire Fusiliers and several other regiments from the 29th Division, were pinned down...If you exigency to get a full essay, order it on our website: Orderessay



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