The Battle of the Somme was originally planned as a French-led offensive in August 1916, but Germany's attack on Verdun forced France to remain defensive. As a result, the British launched an offensive on the Somme in July 1916 to divert German resources from Verdun. Over 1 million soldiers were killed or wounded over the course of the battle, making it one of the bloodiest battles in history, with the British suffering over 57,000 casualties on the first day alone. Tanks were first used in battle during the Somme, and massive mines were detonated under German lines in the opening attacks.

1. 12 things you might not know about the
Battle of the Somme (1916)

2. The Battle of the Somme was originally meant to be a French led offensive with the
British in support. It was also initially planned for August 1916
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3. But, Germany attacked Verdun in Feb 1916. France could not launch an attack,
indeed a British offensive was needed to divert German resources away from Verdun
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4. In the preliminary artillery bombardment for the Battle of the Somme,
British artillery fired 1.73 million shells on to the German lines
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5. During the battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15 September 1916 the tank made an
appearance on a battlefield for the first time.
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6. During the Battle of the Somme, 51 Victoria Crosses were awarded.
17 of them were awarded posthumously
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7. The average British infantryman carried
50lbs (30KG) of equipment as he went over
the top during the first phase of the Battle
of the Somme
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8. 7 Britain lost 57,470 casualties (killed and wounded)
on the first day of the Battle of the Somme (1 July 1916)

9. During the battle between July and November 1916, the Allied armies suffered
around 615,000 casualties. Germany lost around 500,000
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10. A huge mine consisting of 14,000KG of explosives was detonated under a German
strongpoint at Hawthawn Ridge Redoubt at 7.20am on 1st July 1916. Ten minutes
before the general attack started.
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11. An even bigger mine was blown at La Boisselle at 7.28am. It consisted of two charges
with over 27,000KG of explosives and when blown it produced the largest man made
sound in history at that time.
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12. Two cameramen, Geoffrey Malins and John McDowell, were allowed to film the
early days of the battle. Producing some of the most iconic images of the war
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13. It is estimated that 20 million people went to
see the film in the cinema. Nearly half the
population of Britain at that time.
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14. Do you want
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