Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath

Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity? Lesson Objective: To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

So what do we already know about World War One? Paired Task: You will need to remember information from our past few classes! Create a list of at least 5 things you know about World War One and life in the trenches. You have 2 minutes, so you must think quickly! Guidance: Who were involved? Where did the majority of the fighting take place? Why did it start (what were the MAIN causes)? What type of warfare was it? Lesson Objective To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

90, 000 x 14 = 1, 260, 000 There were nearly 1. 2 million casualties (people injured/ killed in combat) Nearly fourteen times the capacity of Wembley Stadium These included; • 420, 000 British • 200, 000 French • 500, 000 Germans

Background Information Study the facts below carefully… • In July 1916, the French army was close to collapse. • After the high casualty rate at the Battle of Verdun many troops were refusing to fight. • If the Germans attacked again the French Army would be defeated and the allies would lose the war. • General Haig was ordered to divert the Germans away from Verdun by launching an attack on the Somme.

Study the facts below carefully… • The battle lasted from 1 July – 18 November 1916. • Took place in France and was one of the most significant battles of the First World War. • 60, 000 British casualties on first day of battle alone. • 11 Cambridgeshire Battalion sent 750 ‘over the top’ and 691 became casualties of war. • 1, 738, 000 shells were fired at the Germans in the initial bombardment. Lesson Objective To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Two important people Field Marshall Lord Kitchener – Secretary of State for War – In charge of recruiting the British Army – Supported the idea of the Pal’s Battalions Lesson Objective To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme General Sir Douglas Haig – leader of the British Army at the Somme. His nickname became “The Butcher of the Somme”.

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Source 3 Second Lieutenant Percy Boswell’s last letter to his father, 30 June 1916 Transcription: 30. 6. 16 B. E. F. Dear Father, I am just writing you a short note which you will receive only if anything has happened to me during the next few days. The Hun is going to get start hell just in this quarter & we are going over the top tomorrow, when I hope to spend a few merry hours in chasing the Bosch all over the place. I am absolutely certain that I shall get through all right, but in case the unexpected does happen I shall rest content with the knowledge that I have done my duty – and one can’t do more. Good Bye & wish the Best of Love to all from Percy

Source 4 John Terraine, The Smoke and the Fire: Myths and Anti-Myths of War 18611945, Sidgwick & Jackson, 1980 'By the end of July, responding to every British or French advance or attempt to advance, the German soldiers had made not less than sixty-seven counterattacks, large or small, that I can identify. Probably they had made a great many more, now lost over time- possibly twice as many. This was the make up of the battle: attack, counter-attack; attack again, counter-attack again… That is why it is so utterly dreadful to dwell constantly on the freak of 1 July, and to associate the whole battle with the image of that day… The Somme was the turning point. The first dim indication of the still fardistant victories of 1918. '

Were there any positive outcomes from the battle?

Positives • The Allies captured 70 square miles of land. • The battle bought the French enough time to re-organise their army. • Inflicted heavy casualties on the Germans. Negatives • Bloodiest battle in the history of the British Army. • Limited land gained. • War no closer to an end.

In your book answer our lesson question and give reasons to support your answers: Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity? Lesson Objective To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Success criteria Unsatisfactory Provide a simple statement or opinion: either blood bath or tactical necessity. Good Provide an opinion and 1 or 2 pieces of evidence to support their argument. Outstanding Provide an opinion and 3 or more carefully selected, well explained pieces of evidence to support their argument.