World War 1 Canadian Battles – The Somme CCH2P / D Ms. Pannell

The Somme, 1916  July 1 – November 18, 1916  A British offensive led by British General Haig  A series of out-dated poorly planned battles along the Somme River lasting 5 months

The Somme

The Somme, 1916

The Somme

The Somme – the plan Step 1: artillery attack for 2 weeks – intended to destroy barbed wire and German trenches. – Artillery attack FAILED Step 2: Allies then given the order to go ‘over the top’ where they were mowed down by German machine gun fire  Total 1.25 million are killed Land gain = 10 km

The Somme – over the top