What most people get wrong about the Battle of the Somme

Summary

The Battle of the Somme is often viewed solely through the lens of its catastrophic first day, which resulted in 57,000 British casualties, making it the bloodiest day in British military history. However, this infamous battle, lasting 142 days, was pivotal in World War I beyond the initial disaster. It highlighted significant learning curves for the British Army and involved pivotal engagements from allied forces, including French, Australian, Indian, and other troops from the British Empire. Ultimately, it pressured the German forces immensely, leading to strategic shifts, including the retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the adoption of unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany in 1917.

Highlights

• The Battle of the Somme began on July 1, 1916, with a disastrous first day for the British. 🚨
• Original plans were altered, making the Somme primarily a British-led offensive instead of French, due to the German attack on Verdun. 🛡️
• Despite unpreparedness, the British continued fighting, translating initial disaster into gradual learning and improvement. 🚀
• Diverse British Empire troops, including Australians, Canadians, and Indians, significantly contributed to the battle efforts. 🌍
• Revolutionary warfare methods, including night attacks and concentrated artillery, were developed during the battle. 🕶️
• Tanks were used for the first time in battle, causing panic among German forces. 🔥
• The heavy losses pushed Germany to strategic retreats and risky warfare strategies in 1917. ⛑️
• The societal impact was profound, with heavy losses affecting communities across the UK, altering recruitment tactics permanently. ⚖️
• The battle's narrative shifted over time, with a greater understanding of its strategic importance emerging in recent decades. 🎯

Key Takeaways

• The Battle of the Somme is more than just its disastrous first day; it spanned 142 days and was crucial in the learning curve of modern warfare for the British. 🤔
• Allied forces took heavy casualties but also inflicted severe losses on the Germans, leading to crucial German strategic changes in 1917. 📉
• Diverse troops from across the British Empire, including Australians and Indians, played significant roles in various operations during the battle. 🌍
• The battle demonstrated early uses of tanks and revised artillery strategies, marking important evolutions in warfare. 🛡️
• Despite initial losses, the British and their allies eventually achieved advances, learning valuable battlefield strategies that contributed to the 1918 victory. 📈

Overview

The Battle of the Somme is often overshadowed by its first day, where over 57,000 British casualties marked the bloodiest day in British military history. However, focusing solely on this disastrous beginning overlooks the broader picture of this 142-day conflict. Originally supposed to be a French-led offensive, the battle became primarily a British campaign due to changes in the Allied plans in response to German actions at Verdun. Despite being inadequately prepared and suffering heavy losses, the British forces, with the support of diverse troops from across the British Empire, adapted and learned crucial warfare strategies through the course of the conflict.

Throughout the battle, the British Army underwent significant tactical evolutions. They learned to conduct night-time maneuvers and concentrated artillery assaults instead of widespread ones, marking a shift in their approach to warfare. Armored tanks made their battlefield debut, striking fear into German troops and showing the possibilities of new technology in combat. Although the British advances were modest, the cumulative stress on German resources led to strategic withdrawals, such as the retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the introduction of unrestricted submarine warfare, indicating the profound impact on German strategies.

The societal impact of the Battle of the Somme was far-reaching, with entire communities in the UK devastated by the losses. Propaganda films like "The Battle of the Somme," allowed the public to witness the front line's harsh realities, fostering continued public support for the war. Over time, academia and the public shifted from viewing the battle as sheer disaster to recognizing its critical role in wearing down the German Army and setting the stage for eventual Allied victory in 1918. The Somme's legacy highlights the importance of understanding the full context of historical events beyond their initial shock value.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to the Battle of the Somme The chapter provides an introduction to the Battle of the Somme, beginning with the scene on June 1, 1916, at 7:30 a.m. when whistles were blown to signal the advance of thousands of allied soldiers from their trenches towards German lines. The allied artillery had been shelling the German defenses for a week with the aim of cutting through the barbed wire, destroying dugouts, and achieving a much-needed breakthrough on the Western Front. Despite these efforts, the German forces were deeply entrenched, posing significant challenges for the advancing British troops.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Initial Failures and Casualties The chapter 'Initial Failures and Casualties' discusses the early failures and setbacks faced by the Allied forces during the first day of the Battle of the Somme. It highlights the ineffectiveness of the artillery shells, which either failed to explode or caused minimal damage. This led to unexpected and fierce resistance from the German forces, who emerged from their shelters and inflicted heavy casualties on the British infantry, resulting in the bloodiest day in British military history with over 57,000 casualties.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Continued Battle and Strategic Importance This chapter explores the continuation of the Battle of the Somme after the initial disaster widely recognized at its outset. The narrative challenges the common perception that the story ends on the first day, instead highlighting the sustained and intense conflict that ensued. It notes that the British suffered a further 360,000 casualties, the French over 200,000, and the Germans over 500,000 in a battle that became emblematic of World War I. The chapter encourages a deeper examination of the battle beyond the initial stages to truly grasp its significance.
• 02:00 - 03:00: Influence of Global Strategies and Alliances The chapter titled 'Influence of Global Strategies and Alliances' starts by mentioning a YouTube channel that provides videos every two weeks. The chapter introduces the Battle of the Somme, clarifying that it wasn't confined to just the first of July 1916 but spanned 142 days. It emphasizes the severe intensity of the first day of the battle, suggesting that if the rest of the battle had been like day one, the British Army might have nearly ceased to exist. To grasp the subsequent events of the battle, the chapter underlines the necessity to understand the reasons behind why the battle was fought, highlighting that 1916 was anticipated as a significant year for the Allies who had planned offensives on various fronts, including the Western and Eastern ones.
• 03:00 - 04:00: Change in Leadership and Battle Plans The chapter 'Change in Leadership and Battle Plans' describes the initial success of the Italian and Balkan fronts and the strategic decisions in the French-led campaign. The French military leadership, under Joff, planned to engage at the Somme because of the convergence of British and French forces there. Though British General Haig preferred to focus on Flanders, his wishes were not aligned with the French strategy. The plan was drastically altered when the Germans launched an offensive at Verdun in February, compelling the French to redirect their efforts to defend this critical position. This development had a significant impact on the allied military strategy for the Western Front.
• 04:00 - 05:00: British Army's Unpreparedness This chapter discusses the British army's unpreparedness during a pivotal time in World War I. There was a strategic disagreement between the British commander Haig and another ally, Jeff, regarding the timing of an offensive. Haig wanted to delay the attack until mid-August, allowing time to train his forces. However, Jeff insisted on launching the attack by July 1st, regardless of the British army's readiness. This led to Haig conducting a major battle at a time and location he did not prefer. The underlying necessity of the battle was to alleviate the pressure on the French forces.
• 05:00 - 06:00: Role of Empire Troops in the Battle The chapter titled 'Role of Empire Troops in the Battle' discusses the strategic intentions and lack of preparedness of the British army during the battle. The grand allied strategy aimed not only to fight but also to weaken the German army. This broader goal sheds light on the catastrophic first day of the battle. Despite the British army's unpreparedness, symbolized by a metaphor likening the expansion of a small corner shop to a large supermarket like Sainsbury's, the fighting persisted past initial failures. This lack of readiness and experience was evident from high command (like Hague) down through the ranks.
• 06:00 - 07:00: Progress and Setbacks Post First Day The chapter titled 'Progress and Setbacks Post First Day' delves into the challenges faced by an organization during a significant battle. It highlights the necessity of learning on the job, a process that can be difficult and result in casualties, especially in war. The chapter emphasizes that the army in question is not the traditional British army; instead, it's primarily composed of Kitchener's volunteers from 1914. These forces are augmented by troops from various parts of the British Empire, including Australians, Canadians, New Zealanders, South Africans, and Indians, all battling together despite the challenges of inexperience and the harsh realities of war.
• 07:00 - 08:00: Tactical Evolutions and Innovations The chapter discusses the involvement of various nationalities in World War I, highlighting the contributions of soldiers from the West Indies, Australia, and India. The text mentions that Australians suffered significant losses at Posier, comparable to those at Gallipoli. Furthermore, Indian cavalry is noted for a relatively successful attack against German machine guns near Highwood, though no breakthrough was achieved. Additionally, men of the British West Indies Regiment, despite not being permitted to fight on the Western Front, provided essential logistical support.
• 08:00 - 09:00: Introduction of New Technologies and Tactics The chapter titled "Introduction of New Technologies and Tactics" discusses the logistical and strategic efforts involved in supporting artillery operations during a conflict. It mentions the importance of transporting ammunition, constructing trenches and camps, and maintaining the movement of troops in and out of the battlefield. The text reflects on the outcomes of an initial offensive, highlighting that despite planning, the allied objectives were not fully met, particularly north of the Roman road from Albert to Bapaume, where efforts resulted in a disaster. However, some progress was noted south of the road, with the British achieving success in specific areas where they could effectively implement new strategies or technologies.
• 09:00 - 10:00: End of Battle and Its Impact The chapter discusses the outcomes and consequences of a battle where French troops excelled, surpassing their objectives and highlighting the disparity between their army and the inexperienced British forces. The operation then shifted focus south of the Roman road to build on partial successes, with British forces capturing Bazanta, Longival, and Delville Wood. However, as this sector faced difficulties by late August, the focus shifted northwards.
• 10:00 - 11:00: Impact on German Strategies The chapter titled 'Impact on German Strategies' describes the fierce battles around Thiepval and the heavily fortified Schwaben Redoubt during World War I. The Germans were steadfast, often holding their positions for extended periods, reflecting their strategic resilience. Meanwhile, the British Army was adapting and evolving their combat strategies, evidenced by actions taken on the first day by the 18th Division, whose divisional commander ordered troops to move into no man's land at night, suggesting a shift towards more strategic and modern warfare tactics.
• 11:00 - 12:00: Long-term Effects on British Society The chapter discusses the tactics used by British forces during battles such as launching attacks at night and capturing enemy trenches under the cover of bombardments. These tactical experimentations were not standardized across the entire army but were often tried at the divisional or core level. Artillery tactics were simultaneously evolving, reflecting a learning process as commanders tested new strategies on the battlefield.
• 12:00 - 13:00: Shift in Historical Perspectives The chapter explores shifts in historical military strategies, particularly focusing on artillery usage. It discusses the tactic of concentrating artillery fire on smaller portions of the battlefield to increase impact, rather than spreading forces thin over many targets. This method ensures more shells per yard, thus hitting positions with greater intensity. A significant example highlighted is the first use of tanks on September 15th at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, illustrating experimentation in warfare.

What most people get wrong about the Battle of the Somme Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 at 7 30 a.m on the 1st of june 1916 whistles rang out across allied lines near the river song in northern france thousands of men clambered out of their trenches and slowly began to advance towards german lines allied artillery had been pounding the german defenses for a week hoping to cut their barbed wire destroy their dugouts and provide a long-awaited breakthrough on the western front but there was a problem the germans were dug in deep and many of the british
• 00:30 - 01:00 shells were either duds which failed to explode or shrapnel shells which did little to no damage allied soldiers anticipated limited resistance but when the barrage lifted german machine gunners emerged from their intact shelters and mowed down the oncoming british infantry in their thousands that first day on the battle of the somme was the bloodiest day in british military history with over 57 000 casualties
• 01:00 - 01:30 for many people the story of the psalm ends there with unmitigated disaster but the battle was by no means over the british would go on to take another 360 000 casualties the french over 200 000 and the germans over 500 000 in a fight which would come to define the first world war if you truly want to understand the battle of the psalm you need to look at the fighting beyond the first day before we do that though a reminder to subscribe to the imperial war museum's
• 01:30 - 02:00 youtube channel for more videos just like this every two weeks but of course the battle of the somme is not just the first of july 1916. there's 142 days of action on the song and the rest of the battle is not like the first day had it been like the first day the british army would almost cease to have existed to understand the rest of the battle we first need to understand why the battle is being fought in the first place 1916 was set to be a big year for the allies with planned offensives on the western eastern
• 02:00 - 02:30 italian and balkan fronts well initially the song is supposed to be a french-led campaign so the french armament of joff have decided to fight on the somme because at the somme river the british and french armies meet hague however wants really to fight in flanders but that doesn't cut any ice with the french and the french would have seen your partner here so the french drive allied strategy but when the germans attacked at verdun in february the french army was sucked in to defend it which changed
• 02:30 - 03:00 the allied plans but what happens is that switches the emphasis for the baton to some to be primarily a british-led offensive hey he wants to attack in the middle of august because by that time he'd have trained his army and jeff says no way we cannot wait for this we need to attack by the 1st of july at the latest so hague is now fighting a major battle on ground not of his own choosing and at a time not of his own choosing the psalms simply had to be fought mainly to take pressure off the french
• 03:00 - 03:30 but also to start wearing down the german army as part of grand allied strategy this in part explains the disaster of the first day but more importantly it explains why fighting continued after that point despite british unpreparedness the british army is just not really ready for this battle from hague down people lack experience it's almost like turning a corner shop into sainsbury's overnight where have you got the experience of all levels to
• 03:30 - 04:00 run that organization and to make that organization function properly you haven't you have to learn you have to learn on a job unfortunately learning on the job at war fighting a major battle means you are going to take casualties unfortunately remember this is not the british army of old it's primarily made up of kitchener's volunteers who signed up in 1914 and alongside them are troops of the empire australians canadians new zealanders south africans indians and
• 04:00 - 04:30 west indians all played their part on the song australians famously at posier they actually lose as many men at posiere as they did in the gallipoli campaign there are also indian cavalry indian cavalry make an attack charge german machine guns near near highwood relatively successfully but there's no breakthrough behind the lines are men of the british west indies regiment unfortunately not allowed to fight on the western front but they were doing great logistical work moving that
• 04:30 - 05:00 ammunition forward for the artillery to keep the guns in action digging trenches dugouts forming camps for the men coming out in and out of the line really important contribution from them as well so what was the situation like after the first day well these were the allied objectives on that day and this is where they actually got to after two weeks north of the roman road from alberta bapom it had been a disaster south of the road there have been some progress made but the only places of real success were where the british could make use of
• 05:00 - 05:30 french heavy guns and in fact below the river some french troops had done brilliantly exceeding their objectives and exposing the clear differences between themselves and the green british army the next phase of the operation was focused south of the roman road in an attempt to capitalize on previous half-successes repeated attempts to break through the german lines were made as the british took bazanta longival and eventually delville wood when that sector started to get bogged down in late august focus moved north of the
• 05:30 - 06:00 road to the high ground around thiep val and the heavily fortified schwab and redoubt the fighting was brutal in places and the germans did not give any ground often staying in their positions for weeks unable to be relieved but throughout their time the british army was learning how to fight a modern war i mean even on the first day uh 18th division their divisional commander actually gets them to go into no man's land at night lie down in no man's stand lightly equipped and as soon
• 06:00 - 06:30 as the barrage lifts at zero out rush across no man's land and take those german trenches that works they get in there and capture those trenches they also move troops up at night and start to launch attacks at night that happens in the middle of july into august september these experimentations were not army-wide it was often divisional or core level commanders trying new things and learning on the job likewise artillery tactics were also developing
• 06:30 - 07:00 even if you've got a lot of artillery if you spread it over a lot of targets it's not going to crush any any of your targets so the idea is you you attack a smaller portion of the line so you can you can group your artillery together hit fewer targets but it means more shells per yard of battlefield so you're hitting those positions harder and harder one of the most famous instances of this experimentation came on the 15th of september when tanks were used for the first time at the battle of fleur's corsalette if you want to find out more
• 07:00 - 07:30 about those tanks i've linked our video on that in the description because it's a new weapon a lot the germans absolutely freak out on the battlefield and abandon some of their positions the big problem is only 36 tanks get to the start lines and because mechanically they're very unreliable and by the end of that day there's really none left to use in subsequent in subsequent days all of these things are tried and the british army is on a learning curve through the song there are going to be more big battles more heavy casualties
• 07:30 - 08:00 but but this these are the seeds of battlefield success in 1918 as the weather deteriorated into sleet and snow the final part of the battle in october and november was an attempt to bite off a few more german positions the village of beaumont hamel an objective on the first day of the battle was finally taken in mid-november bringing the fight to a close the british army had advanced a maximum of seven miles
• 08:00 - 08:30 but they'd learned a lot in that time and they taken an important chunk out of the german army but if you look at the german casualties alongside verdun the germans lose about one and a half million men in 1916 and in fact if we look at what the germans do in 1917 firstly they retreat to the hindenburg line because they just don't have the manpower left now really to hold the front line securely the other thing they do of course is they go for for unrestricted submarine warfare the reason they risk doing that and potentially risk bringing america into
• 08:30 - 09:00 the war is they cannot take another somme battle and both hindenburg and ludendorff say we are doing this to prevent more some fighting so the som is the key thing in the german army for the allies though the heavy casualties did take their toll back home many towns and villages were forever changed as so-called pals battalions made up of people from the same area or profession concentrated the losses in particular areas so some of these some
• 09:00 - 09:30 of these times are absolutely decimated by the song almost everybody knows somebody if they haven't had a casualty themselves they know somebody who has and it's normally somebody they personally know they don't recruit people's battalions after this it's it's just not worth it really despite those casualties though on the first day and beyond british soldiers and the british people remained entirely behind the war effort this was in part thanks to propaganda films like the battle of the somme a feature-length documentary shot within the trenches and
• 09:30 - 10:00 the battle of something was released really within weeks of the battle starting and it's seen by millions of people in britain and um people flock to this because it's their first chance to see something of what it is like to be a soldier on the western front and of course that film the battle of the somme is is one of the gems of the iwm collection since then though the british public has started to have a different view of the events on the somme for many people it's
• 10:00 - 10:30 an example of the so-called lions led by donkeys generals who didn't care about the deaths of their own men although the horrendous casualties on the first day of the psalm have never been surpassed since the 1970s academics have started to form a different view of the battle okay we don't have a successful decisive breakthrough as as hague was hoping but unfortunately if you want to defeat the main enemy in the main theater of war
• 10:30 - 11:00 you have to wear down his ability to fight that means both sides are going to take heavy casualties we've just got this fixation with that first day and those 57 000 casualties and we really need to look at the other 141 days of this battle which will lead ultimately to british victory or allied victory in 1918.