‘Rockets throwing a rope with a grapnel attached’ ‘Smoke balls’ ‘Rockets throwing a rope with a grapnel attached’ ‘Spring catapults, or special pumping apparatus to throw oil or petrol’ Above are three tactical suggestions – Which one do you think is from the First World War...And why!? Grapnel – A device consisting of several hooks on the end of a rope.

The First World War They were all tactics suggested for use during a cabinet meeting of the British Government held on 28th December 1914 CAB 1/10

Task Why would the Government be discussing possible tactics such as these? What difficulties do you think they were facing?

Task Read through the document you have been given. You will be asked to either produce a list of difficulties the British faced or a list of possible solutions.

1916 In February 1916, the German army attacked the French fortress of Verdun. The attack continued for four months until there was a danger that Verdun would fall and the Germans would break through the French lines. It was decided that the British would launch their first major attack on the Somme.

The Allied plan of attack at the Somme

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205021931 IWM (Q 55066)

IWM (Q 65442) http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205023967

What are the aims of the battle? Orders sent out to British commanders, 22 June 1916 (Catalogue ref: WO 158/234) What are the aims of the battle?

What were the options open to the commanders? The Somme The first day of the battle began on 1 July 1916. On this day the British Fourth Army sustained over 57,000 killed, wounded and missing What were the options open to the commanders?