“Fight for It Lads” Battle of Somme “Then the order came down, dump everything and fix bayonets, you have got to… Battle of Somme

Thesis Through the introduction of tanks by British forces, significant casualties, and declining German morale, the Battle of Somme helped end trench warfare and brought the war one step closer to resolution.

Leading up to the battle French were talking heavy casualties at Verdun, needed military relief Wanted to weaken German military French proposed joint Franco-British offensive British attacked the North, France attacked the South British led by Douglas Haig and henry Rawlinson Initially the French were to lead the attack but because of casualties at Verdun the British took over

What Happened July 1, 1916 to Nov 18, 1916 Both sides of the upper reaches of the river Somme 1st day was the bloodiest day in British military history, 20,000 dead Bloodiest battle of the war, 1,000,000 casualties British led by Douglas Haig Germans led by General Rupprecht British employed tanks for the first time Stalemate in first day while British bombarded the Germans, Germans hid Germans surprised British while they crossed no-mans’ land and mowed down the British assault

What killed the British? Do you think the Germans are weak? Do you think horses are modern? Go invade no-man's land! Kill any Germans that are left and have a cup of tea! ...or have 20,000 fellow men die trying

Why it matters First time tanks were used in war Used by the British Trench warfare was getting closer to becoming obsolete German moral was crushed - first signs of cracking in German war effort German’s started using fighter planes A lot of people died… like a lot Known as the “Lost Generation” Because a lot of people died Battle of the Somme film featured the true horrors of war and increased British public support of the war and its end

Sources https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/bold-new-history-battle-somme-180959488/ https://anzacportal.dva.gov.au/history/conflicts/australians-western-front- 19141918/australian-remembrance-trail/thiepval-1 https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Battle-of-the- Sommehttps://www.britannica.com/event/First-Battle-of-the-Somme https://www.bbc.com/timelines/ztngxsg