"The Somme set the picture by which future generations saw the First World War: hapless soldiers; blundering obstinate generals; nothing achieved."
-A.J.P Taylor
One of the ways the Battle of the Somme had significance in World War One was the attritional wearing down of the German army. The war took a turning point in 1916, up until then some kind of peace could have been reached and an agreement made, this all changed in 1916. Instead of trying to break through each other’s lines the armies concentrated on simply killing as many of the enemy as they could. The German army in the Somme were largely professional and battle hardened soldiers. These men were fighting the greatest British Army ever to be in one place, they were known as 'Kitchener’s …show more content…
The 60 forts around Verdun were the traditional defense of Frances northern borders. They were instrumental to French psyche and morale. The German war secretary Erich von Falkenhayn planned to push the French hard at Verdun, 'bleed them white '. The pressure at Verdun would cause a reaction and the French would throw soldiers at Verdun, the Germans could wear them down. This is where the Somme offensive comes in. It was designed to put such pressure on the German lines in the Somme area that the Germans would have to abandon their offensives in Verdun and hence relieve pressure on the French. There is evidence to suggest that 42 German divisions were moved to the Somme. The offensives in Verdun slowed down, whilst other resources were also sourced from the Verdun area. The Battle of the Somme was significant because it slowed down attacks in Verdun, drew resources and troops from Verdun and relieved pressure on the French at Verdun. This meant that France was still in the War and the Allies weren’t …show more content…
The gaping wounds could never be repaired. In Accrington, Liverpool, Sheffield and Manchester their men will never return. Along with the thousands and thousands of men lost on the Somme, it seemed hope, innocence and humanity died in the mire of the battlefield. The Battle dealt a fatal blow to National optimism and belief in one’s country. The Somme may have laid the foundations for the Allied victory in 1918, but even the redemption of victory fails to explain why we still feel the loss and pain of The Battle of the Somme so deeply almost 100 years
-A.J.P Taylor
One of the ways the Battle of the Somme had significance in World War One was the attritional wearing down of the German army. The war took a turning point in 1916, up until then some kind of peace could have been reached and an agreement made, this all changed in 1916. Instead of trying to break through each other’s lines the armies concentrated on simply killing as many of the enemy as they could. The German army in the Somme were largely professional and battle hardened soldiers. These men were fighting the greatest British Army ever to be in one place, they were known as 'Kitchener’s …show more content…
The 60 forts around Verdun were the traditional defense of Frances northern borders. They were instrumental to French psyche and morale. The German war secretary Erich von Falkenhayn planned to push the French hard at Verdun, 'bleed them white '. The pressure at Verdun would cause a reaction and the French would throw soldiers at Verdun, the Germans could wear them down. This is where the Somme offensive comes in. It was designed to put such pressure on the German lines in the Somme area that the Germans would have to abandon their offensives in Verdun and hence relieve pressure on the French. There is evidence to suggest that 42 German divisions were moved to the Somme. The offensives in Verdun slowed down, whilst other resources were also sourced from the Verdun area. The Battle of the Somme was significant because it slowed down attacks in Verdun, drew resources and troops from Verdun and relieved pressure on the French at Verdun. This meant that France was still in the War and the Allies weren’t …show more content…
The gaping wounds could never be repaired. In Accrington, Liverpool, Sheffield and Manchester their men will never return. Along with the thousands and thousands of men lost on the Somme, it seemed hope, innocence and humanity died in the mire of the battlefield. The Battle dealt a fatal blow to National optimism and belief in one’s country. The Somme may have laid the foundations for the Allied victory in 1918, but even the redemption of victory fails to explain why we still feel the loss and pain of The Battle of the Somme so deeply almost 100 years