What were the consequences for the British Army of their offensive on 1 July 1916?
What were the consequences for the British Army of their offensive on 1 July 1916?
By the end of the first day on 1 July 1916, British forces had suffered 57,470 casualties, of whom 19,240 were killed. This represented the largest losses suffered by the British Army in a single day.
What offensive happened on the 1st of July 1916?
The Battle of the Somme
But what actually happened on 1 July 1916? The Battle of the Somme (1 July – 18 November 1916) was planned as a joint operation between British and French forces to break the deadlock on the Western Front.
Why was the Battle of the Somme a disaster for the British Army?
The main problem was the huge British artillery bombardment had failed. Although the German defences at ground level had been smashed, many of the barbed wire defences remained.
Who were the generals in the Battle of Somme?
Who were the leaders? The British were led by Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig. Other Allied leaders included French General Ferdinand Foch and British General Henry Rawlinson. The German commanders included General Rupprecht (the Crown Prince of Bavaria), General Max von Gallwitz, and General Fritz von Below.
How many British soldiers died at the Somme?
British troops sustained 420,000 casualties—including 125,000 deaths—during the Battle of the Somme. The casualties also included 200,000 French troops and 500,000 German soldiers.
What is the bloodiest day in history?
The bloodiest single day in the history of the United States Military was June 6, 1944, with 2,500 soldiers killed during the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day. The second-highest single-day toll was the Battle of Antietam with 2,108 dead.
Who was the British commander at the Battle of the Somme?
General Sir Douglas Haig
General Sir Douglas Haig, British Commander-in-Chief on the western front, was not really ready to attack in mid-1916. He wanted to wait until later in the year and attack in Flanders (not the Somme). However, his hand was forced.
How many British soldiers died in the Battle of the Somme?
3. Casualties topped 1 million, including the deaths of more than 300,000. British troops sustained 420,000 casualties—including 125,000 deaths—during the Battle of the Somme. The casualties also included 200,000 French troops and 500,000 German soldiers.