The Battle of the Somme, 1st of July - 18th of November 1916.

The Battle of the Somme, 1st of July - 18th of November 1916.

known 1st July 1916

At 7.30 am all along the front line, officers in the trenches blew whistles and their troops scrambled up ladders to go over the top. There was no running. Instead, troops were ordered to walk toward the enemy lines. Met with relentless and continuous machine gun and artillery fire, thousands of brave men were cut down in minutes. By the end of that first day, 19,240 British soldiers lost their lives and the casualty figure (killed and injured) was an over - whelming 57,470. It is the highest number of casualties suffered by the British Army in a single day. The 1st of July is rightly referred to as the worst day in British military history, but he battle raged on for another 140 days. When in finally ended on the 18th of November, more that a million men had been wounded or killed. After four months of fighting, the Allies had advanced a mere five miles.

Created by: , Desmond1478

  • Profile picture for Joseph William Arthur

    Born 1888

    Died 1916

    British Army 20531 Private Durham Light Infantry 15th Battalion

    British Army 20531 Corporal Durham Light Infantry 15th Battalion