"OVER 400,000 OF OUR MEN FELL IN THIS BULLHEADED FIGHT AND THE SLAUGHTER AMONGST OUR YOUNG OFFICERS WAS APPALLING...HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THE INEXPLICABLE STUPIDITY OF THE GERMANS IN PROVOKING A QUARREL WITH AMERICA AND BRINGING THAT MIGHTY PEOPLE INTO THE WAR AGAINST THEM JUST AS THEY HAD SUCCEEDED IN ELIMINATING ANOTHER POWERFUL FOE— RUSSIA--THE SOMME WOULD NOT HAVE SAVED US FROM THE INEXTRICABLE STALEMATE."

THE BATTLE OF SOMME CALEB JOHNSTON, BETTY ZHOU, CHASE RAINES, AND SUNNY MALHOTRA

THESIS In World War I, Douglas Haig’s offensive strategy resulted in one of the bloodiest battles fought in World War I which led to revised military tactics on both sides and technological advancements.

BACKGROUND July 1 to November 1, 1916 Northern France Joint Allied Attack Planned Earlier by Englishman

IMPORTANT PEOPLE Joseph Joffre Sir Douglas Haig Erich Von Falkenhayn

SUMMARY Bombardment of German Line Infantry Started with a bang French actually useful British pushed back Haig messed up again British had little success TANKS Rain Rain go away, I’ve loads of men to slay

OUTCOME Stalemate Massive Casualties Dozen Kilometers

CASUALTIES A total of about 1.2 million casualties Both sides suffered massive losses Nothing to show for it

IMPORTANCE First major British offensive British military tactics France gained land German army weakened Heavy casualties

WORKS CITED somme.html