Strategies+and+tactics+2-+the+Somme

Why did Haig launch an offensive here? What were the strategies and tactics used to plan for success? General haig launched an offensive at Somme, with the sole purpose of relieving the pressure at Verdun. The Somme was a campagne rather than a battle so many strategies and techniques were used. These are only some parts of the battle of Somme.
 * For the British, the main push would come north of the Somme and would be led by General Sir Henry Rawlinson's Fourth Army.
 * Like most parts of the BEF, the Fourth Army was largely composed of inexperienced Territorial or New Army troops. To the south, French forces from General Marie Fayolle's Sixth Army would attack on both banks of the Somme. Preceded by a seven-day bombardment and the detonation of 17 mines under German strong points, the offensive began at 7:30 AM on July 1.
 * Attacking with 13 divisions, the British attempted advance up an old Roman road that ran 12 miles from Albert, northeast to Bapaume.
 * Advancing behind a creeping barrage, British troops encountered heavy German resistance as the preliminary bombardment had been largely ineffective. In all areas the British attack achieved little success or was repulsed outright. On July 1, the BEF suffered over 57,470 casualties (19,240 killed) making it the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army. Dubbed the Battle of Albert, Haig persisted in pushing forward over the next several days.
 * To the south, the French, utilizing different tactics and a surprise bombardment, achieved more success and reached many of their initial objectives.
 * As the British attempted to re-start their attack, the French continued to advance along the Somme. On July 3/4, the French XX Corps nearly achieved a breakthrough but was forced to halt to allow the British on their left flank to catch up. By July 10, French forces had advanced six miles and had captured the Flaucourt Plateau and 12,000 prisoners.
 * On July 11, Rawlinson's men finally secured the first line of German trenches, but were unable to breakthrough. Later that day, the Germans began shifting troops from Verdun to reinforce General Fritz von Below's Second Army north of the Somme.

Loss of 57.470 British troops on the first day : 19.240 d ead , 35.493 wounded , 2.152 missing  585 men were made prisoner of war. A total which to this day remains a one-day record.



Charles Bean The Somme The Somme today Lions led by Donkeys Somme The Battle of the Somme