The Somme

What does this image tell us about the Somme?

What does this source tell you about the success of the Somme? The Germans had lost 680,000 men and had retreated ten kilometres from their trenches. As one German general later admitted this broke the heart of the Germany Army, ‘We were completely exhausted’ he wrote, ‘if the war lasted out defeat seemed certain’.

Haig’s plan for the Somme Smash German trenches with a storm of shell- fire. The send in foot soldiers – the infantry- to capture what was left of the trenches. The soldiers were told to approach the German trenches with a steady walk so as to avoid confusion. Finally would come the breakthrough, soldiers on horses – the cavalry- would ride over the captured trenches into open country.

The Death Rate By the end of the battle of the Somme, the British Army had suffered 420,000 casualties the French lost 200,000 soldiers and the Germans lost almost 500,000 soldiers during the Battle of the Somme. 60,000 British soldiers died on the first day of the battle alone. This was the worst day of fighting in British history

The Battle lasted 140 days An average of 8000 soldiers were killed everyday 333 men an hour 5 men a minute.

Sort Cards First of all sort the information into chronological order down the middle of your table Then in pairs put the statements which show Haig as a good military man to the left Place the cards that show Haig as a bad leader to the right Leave the cards that show Haig in neither a good or bad light in the middle Once you have sorted these cards out you may write up this information in your books in any form you like.