Document

January 7, 2018 | Author: Anonymous | Category: History, US History, World Wars And The Great Depression (1910-1945), World War II
Share Embed Donate


Short Description

Download Document...

Description

The First World War

The Battle of the Somme The Battle of the Somme What happened?

The Battle of the Somme

What happened?

© Hodder Education, 2010

The Battle of the Somme What happened?

The First World War

Here are the titles and bullet points for the presentation but they are all jumbled up. Rearrange them to make a presentation which tells the story of the battle. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

1.7 million shells pounded German lines in last week of June 27 British divisions attacked 16 German divisions Artillery bombardment to destroy German positions Attack began 1 July 1916 – not at dawn because little resistance was expected Barbed wire would be cut and dug-outs smashed Battle ended November 1916 British commander Haig favoured attack in Flanders British troops would walk across No Man’s Land British would attack at Somme to relieve Verdun British would carry heavy packs and equipment Casualties: British 420,000; French 200,000; German 500,000 Cavalry to charge through gaps Chaos in the attack Defenders in strong position – high ground and good view First day of the battle French forces made quick gains but British advanced slowly German defences well established German pressure on Verdun led to change in plans German wire almost impossible to get through

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Haig and his deputy Rawlinson worked out tactics Haig and Rawlinson’s tactics Haig faced much criticism Many shells were poor quality and not powerful enough to destroy defences No spectacular breakthroughs but some territory captured and many Germans casualties Original plan was French attack with British support Rawlinson had doubts about continuing but Haig insisted Secondary aim was to cause heavy German casualties Slow pace of the British allowed the Germans to recover their defences Some new approaches were tried, e.g. tanks September 1916 Soon became clear it was a disaster – junior officers decimated The plan The rest of the battle Were they the right tactics? Wire undamaged in many areas

© Hodder Education, 2010

View more...

Comments

Copyright � 2017 NANOPDF Inc.
SUPPORT NANOPDF