Luis S Helen L Rhiannon R Daniel S Doran 02062017 THESIS As a continuation of the Battle of Verdun the Battle of the Somme was specifically crafted to ID: 528334
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Slide1
The Somme
Luis S. Helen L. Rhiannon R. Daniel S.
Doran 02/06/2017Slide2
THESIS:
As a continuation of
the
Battle
of
Verdun
,
the
Battle
of
the
Somme
was
specifically
crafted
to
force
the
Germans
to
defend
two
offensives
. As
it
variably
relieved
pressure
off
the
French
Army
at
Verdun
,
the
"
seemingly
"
insignificant
battle
quickly
escalated
to
create
the
bloody
massacre
facilitated
by
vast
advancements
in
weapons
and
battlefield
technology
as
well
as
encouraging
a
stronger
sense
of
nationalism
from
both
sides
.
Although
it
is
considered
by
some
to
have
been
a
pointless
battle, the Somme
provided
the
proving
grounds
for
new
tactics
and
equipment
while
providing
the
strategic
edge
that
the
Allies
needed
to
defeat
Germany
in 1918.Slide3
Overview
Extension of Battle of Verdun
Britain wants to end war fast
Plan:
Bombard Germans
March over No-Man’s-Land for direct attack[plan fails here; Germans still have machine guns]Result:Allies gain a few miles & lose a lot of people but manage to take pressure off VerdunSlide4
Purpose
While the Battle of Verdun was ongoing, German and Allied generals had a “brilliant” idea
Thought they were being smart with their flanking tactics
Simply “branched off” and moved a few miles from Verdun
The French Army was taking a beating at Verdun so they created a quasi-offensive at the Somme
Speed was needed to surprise the Germans but they were just as quick as the AlliesCreate enough distractions for the Germans while Allied reinforcements arrived to keep pushingSlide5
Technology
Larger Trucks
Transport troops & supplies faster
Artillery
Vast use of artillery to clear lines one by one and prepare for gradual infantry advances.
TanksFirst use, but ineffective initiallyIntroduced late; didn’t affect WWI much (except at Cambrai) British Mark I armed with “six-pounders” and Lewis GunsSlide6
Technology (Continued)
The Vickers Gun (British) and the MG-08 (German), mowed down soldiers advancing after heavy shelling
Fokker and
Albatross
biplanes dominated the air with great recon abilities and combat superiority
Led British to develop the famous “Sopwith Camel”Field guns in conjunction with machine guns created a wall of flying ironSlide7
The Somme River, Southwest of Pas-Des-Calais.Slide8
Unfolding
“The Germans were under increasing pressure and were forced to redeploy guns and men from Verdun to reinforce their lines.” The British mostly kept a slight advantage throughout but nothing significant
“Made by the War Office as a public information film for the home front, "The Battle of the Somme" featured real footage from the war.”
Used for propaganda as a result of the carnage
Inspired people to end Great War quickly
So large and prolonged it can be referred to as an offensive, also known as the Somme OffensiveSuccessful in drawing the Germans out of Verdun but resulted in over 1,000,000 M.I.A. or K.I.A., the bloodiest battle in the Great War
(BBC)Slide9
Works Cited
http://www.bbc.co.uk/timelines/ztngxsg
http://www.firstworldwar.com/battles/somme.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/world-war-one/battles-of-world-war-one/the-battle-of-verdun/