Field Marshall Douglas Haig: Butcher of the Somme? Today’s Objective – To look at the plan of the Battle of the Somme and the reality
What does this picture reveal about Haig?
The Battle of the Somme It was one of the most significant battles of the First World War It was fought along the River Somme in France in June 1916 The commander of British troops Field Marshall Douglas Haig doubted there would be ‘even a rat’ alive in the German trenches after the offensive On the first day of the offensive British casualties amounted to 58,000 (a third of them killed)
Why the Somme? ..\..\..\ThinkHistory3\chapter9\TH3battleofthesomme.et
Look at the plan and the reality. What went wrong?
The Somme: The plan Fundamentally as explained by Field Marshall Douglas Haig commander in charge of the battle, the objective of the attack was threefold: To relieve pressure on the French at Verdun To help the allies, the French by distracting the German troops To wear down the strength of the enemy forces You have been provided with a sheet outlining the plan of the Battle of the Somme
The Somme: The reality In reality, this plan went drastically wrong for a number of reasons. Now read the sheet you have been given outlining the reality of the battle
Mind Mapping the Somme Create two mind maps Outlining the plan Outlining the reality You must only use key words and a few key images
Plenary: Turning Point? The Battle of the Somme was a huge turning point in the First World War, it resulted in the resignation of Atlee as Prime Minister, with the replacement of Lloyd George. Can you think about why it would have been such a huge turning point? What impact would this have had on opinions of Haig?