Battles of the Somme: Tragedy to triumph

If there ever was a place for the British and German armies not to launch an offensive, it was the Somme. The area held surprisingly little military value. About the only significant aspect of the region was German soldiers, thousands of them. The Battle of the Somme was actually 12separate battles that took place between July 1 and Nov. 18, 1916. Soldiers from Newfoundland and Canada fought and died in eight of those individual battles, earning a reputation for bravery.

Chapter summaries

Battles of the Somme: Tragedy to triumph

By John Boileau

 

Introduction

The Somme

The Germans occupied the Somme region since 1914 and had ample time to prepare strong defences from which they could pour devastating fire onto any attacker. The Somme was chosen for an Allied offensive only because it happened to be where the French and British front lines met.

Part 1

First day in the Somme

 The middle day of the middle year of the First World War was arguably the most horrendous day in history for the British army—and the people of Newfoundland. The British suffered a staggering 30,000 estimated casualties in the first hour and another 30,000 by nightfall, while the Newfoundland Regiment was all but decimated.

 Part 2

Hell on Earth

The bloody offensive continued with the Battle of Albert, resulting in another 25,000 British casualties, but at last penetrating the German second line around Bazentin Ridge. The Battle of Flers-Courcelette in September saw the debut of tanks and the creeping barrage.

Part 3

 Trenches and redoubts

 After a pause following the fighting at Flers-Courcelette, the Canadian Corps was in action again, this time at the Battle of Thiepval Ridge. Their objectives: Hessian and Kenora trenches behind the German line.

Part 4

The Somme—again

Two years later in 1918, Canadian troops were back in the Somme thwarting the largest of five German spring offensives. Germany failed—and Canadian soldiers played a key role in that downfall.

Part 5

 Canada and the Somme today

 Several impressive Newfoundland and Canadian memorials honour the Somme battles of the First World War. They permanently record the significant sacrifices of the soldiers who fought there.

 Conclusion

 The sacrifice

 Superlative statistics are a hallmark of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. In just four-and-a-half months, more than 3 million soldiers fought on all sides, suffering an estimated 1,123,907 casualties. Of these, about 24,978 Canadian and Newfoundland soldiers were killed or wounded.