On 1st July 1916 the Battles of the Somme commenced. It was planned to be a swift decisive battle to break the deadlock of nearly two years of trench warfare. In th end it turned out to be a series of battles of attrition, the objectives of the 1st July not being secured until November 1916.
CWGC The Battle of the Somme
BBC Battle of the Somme Animated Map
Imperial War Museum Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme is epiomised by the images of the infantry going over the top and slaughered in no mans land.
What of the Royal Artillery............
Over 1,400 guns of all calibres were made available and 1.6 million shells. Expectations were high. It was envisaged that this amount of firepower would destroy the German defences, General Sir Henry Rawlinson informing his subordinates that "nothing could exist at the conclusion of the bombardment in the area covered by it".
The plan for the Battle aimed at breaking through the German defensive positions, creating a gap, in order that the cavalry could penetrate deep into the German held territory. The attack was to be conducted on a broad front of 25,000 yards using 25 Divisions.
In preparation for the attack, a preliminary bombardment commenced 24th June 1916, targeting strong points, logistics, enemy artillery and conducting wire cutting.
The tasks for the guns and the overall timescale of 6 days were defined. Counter Battery fire tasks were laid down, pauses for aerial photography, and deception methods co-ordinated. The allocation to tasks, observers and deployments was delegated to the individual GOCRA’s at Corps HQ.
The preliminary bombardment was to commence on the 24th June 1916, designated U day, and would continue for 5 days till Y day, 29th June 1916. As a result of the poor weather and uncertainties about the effect of artillery fires, orders are issued at 11 am for a 48 hour delay, Z day would be 1st July 1916.The offensive on Z day would be supported by a barrage aimed at assisting the infantry to close on the German trenches. Tasks would include the cutting of wire, destroying strong points, counter battery fire and targets in depth.
Over 1,400 guns of all calibres were made available and 1.6 million shells. Expectations were high. It was envisaged that this amount of firepower would destroy the German defences, General Sir Henry Rawlinson informing his subordinates that "nothing could exist at the conclusion of the bombardment in the area covered by it".
The plan for the Battle aimed at breaking through the German defensive positions, creating a gap, in order that the cavalry could penetrate deep into the German held territory. The attack was to be conducted on a broad front of 25,000 yards using 25 Divisions.In preparation for the attack, a preliminary bombardment commenced 24th June 1916, targeting strong points, logistics, enemy artillery and conducting wire cutting.
The tasks for the guns and the overall timescale of 6 days were defined. Counter Battery fire tasks were laid down, pauses for aerial photography, and deception methods co-ordinated. The allocation to tasks, observers and deployments was delegated to the individual GOCRA’s at Corps HQ.
The preliminary bombardment was to commence on the 24th June 1916, designated U day, and would continue for 5 days till Y day, 29th June 1916. As a result of the poor weather and uncertainties about the effect of artillery fires, orders are issued at 11 am for a 48 hour delay, Z day would be 1st July 1916.The offensive on Z day would be supported by a barrage aimed at assisting the infantry to close on the German trenches. Tasks would include the cutting of wire, destroying strong points, counter battery fire and targets in depth.
View NVAA Somme Tour 2011 in a larger map
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