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

2. 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.

3. 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

5. 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, ,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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Sources
/australian-remembrance-trail/thiepval-1
Sommehttps://