The Battle of the Somme: Significance and Consequences

In the summer of 1916, the Allies launched a massive offensive in northern France, aiming to break through the German lines and bring an end to the stalemate of trench warfare. The ensuing Battle of the Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in history and a symbol of the human cost of war. This article will explore the background, events, and aftermath of this tragic conflict, while also examining its strategic impact on the war and the evolving perception of warfare.

Battle of the Somme, France. The 39th Siege Battery artillery in action in the Fricourt-Mametz Valley.

Background: The Stalemate and the Plan

By 1916, the Western Front had settled into a stalemate, with both sides dug into their trenches and trying to break the deadlock through attrition and innovation. The Germans had developed a system of deep, well-fortified trenches that proved difficult to penetrate, while the Allies were still experimenting with new tactics and technology, such as gas warfare and tanks.

To break through the German lines and achieve a decisive victory, the British and French High Commands devised a joint plan for a major offensive in the Somme region. The British would take the lead, with the French supporting them on the left flank, while the Russians launched an attack in the east to divert German forces. The objective was to achieve a breakthrough and then exploit it by advancing deep into enemy territory.

View of the Battlefield, showing dead. Courcelette, October 1916. British Front – France General Battle Somme.

Preparation: The Bombardment and the Tunnellers

To prepare for the assault, the British and French artillery began a massive bombardment of the German lines, aiming to destroy their defenses and soften them up for the infantry attack. However, the bombardment had several flaws: it alerted the Germans to the upcoming attack, it did not destroy many of the deep dugouts and tunnels the Germans had constructed, and it also revealed to the Germans that the Allies had not managed to bring enough heavy artillery to the front to breach the German fortifications.

During the months leading up to the attack, the British tunnellers had been digging underground tunnels beneath the German positions to plant large amounts of explosives under them, which could then be detonated to obliterate the German defenses. However, the Germans had detected this activity and had also been digging their counter-tunnels, which led to a deadly underground war.

1916: German troops outside their dugouts on the Somme.

The Assault: The Carnage and the Futility

On July 1, 1916, the British launched their assault, with 100,000 men advancing across No Man’s Land towards the German lines. The plan was to use a creeping barrage, in which the artillery would create a protective wall of fire in front of the advancing troops, while the infantry would move forward in short rushes and seize the German trenches.

Trench Warfare On The Western Front During The First World War, Still from the British film ‘The Battle of the Somme’. 

The Germans had been well-prepared for the attack and had survived the bombardment by taking shelter in their deep dugouts and tunnels. When the British infantry advanced, they were met with a hail of machine gun fire and artillery shells, and many were cut down before they even reached the German lines.

The carnage was unprecedented: on the first day alone, the British suffered over 57,000 casualties, including 19,000 killed, making it the deadliest day in British military history. Despite this, the British and French persisted with the assault for months, using different tactics and reinforcements to try and gain ground.

Remains of a German battery in Biaches, Battle of Somme, France, World War I, from L’Illustrazione Italiana, Year XLIII, No 32, August 6, 1916.

However, the futility of the fighting soon became apparent, as the gains made by the Allies were minimal, while the casualties mounted. By the end of the battle in November 1916, the Allies had advanced only a few miles and had suffered over one million casualties. The Germans, while also suffering heavy losses, had managed to hold their ground and defend their lines.

Aftermath: The Cost and the Impact

The losses suffered by both sides were immense, and the scale of the casualties shocked the world. The battle is often remembered as a turning point in the perception of warfare, as many began to question the effectiveness and morality of such large-scale offensives.

The strategic impact of the battle is more complex. While the Allies failed to achieve a breakthrough, the prolonged fighting tied down German forces and prevented them from reinforcing their troops on other fronts. The battle also allowed the Allies to gain valuable experience in modern warfare tactics, which would prove useful in later battles, such as the successful offensive at Cambrai in 1917.

German prisoners were brought in from Contalmaison, Somme campaign, France, World War I, 1916. Artist Unknown.

The Battle of the Somme also had political repercussions. The failure of the offensive led to a change in leadership in the British army, with General Douglas Haig replacing Sir John French as commander-in-chief. The battle also had an impact on public opinion, as the horrific casualties and the sense of futility and waste of life fuelled anti-war sentiment.

Conclusion: The Lessons and the Legacy

The Battle of the Somme was a tragic and costly struggle for progress. While the initial objectives of the offensive were not achieved, the battle had some strategic benefits for the Allies and allowed them to gain valuable experience and knowledge for future battles. The battle also highlighted the immense human cost of war and contributed to the growing opposition to the conflict.