WW1

• What time did the whistles ring out across allied lines on the 1st of June 1916?


  1. 30 a.m.
• What was the initial action taken by allied soldiers after the whistles rang out?


  They clambered out of their trenches and advanced towards German lines.
• What had allied artillery been doing for a week prior to the advance?


  They had been pounding the German defenses.
• What was the main problem faced by the allied forces during the advance?

  The Germans were dug in deep, and many British shells were duds or ineffective.
• How many casualties were reported on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?

  Over 57,000 casualties.
• Why is the first day of the Battle of the Somme often viewed as a disaster?


  Because of the high number of casualties and ineffective initial strategies.
• How many total casualties did the British suffer throughout the Battle of the Somme?


  360,000 casualties.
• How many casualties did the French and Germans suffer during the Battle of the Somme?


  French: 200,000; Germans: 500,000.
• What was the significance of the Battle of the Somme in World War I?


  It came to define the First World War and the nature of trench warfare.
• Why did the British Army have to fight the Battle of the Somme?


  To relieve pressure off the French and wear down the German army.
• What was the impact of the German attack at Verdun on the Battle of the Somme?


  It shifted the emphasis of the battle to be primarily a British-led offensive.
• What was the British Army's state of readiness for the Battle of the Somme?


  They were not really ready and lacked experience.
• Who made up the majority of the British Army during the Battle of the Somme?

  Kitchener's volunteers and troops from the Empire.
• What was the contribution of the British West Indies Regiment during the Battle of the Somme?


  They provided logistical support and moved ammunition forward.
• What were the allied objectives on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?


  To advance and capture German positions.
• What was the outcome of the allied objectives after two weeks of fighting?


  They had made limited progress, with some successes in specific areas.
• What was the significance of the French heavy guns during the battle?


  They contributed to the only real successes in the battle.
• What did the British Army learn during the Battle of the Somme?


  They learned how to fight a modern war and adapt their tactics.
• When were tanks first used in the Battle of the Somme?

  On the 15th of September.
• What was the reaction of the Germans to the use of tanks during the battle?


  They were frightened and abandoned some positions.
• What were the limitations of the tanks used during the Battle of the Somme?


  Only 36 tanks reached the start lines, and they were mechanically unreliable.
• What was the maximum distance the British Army advanced during the Battle of the Somme?


  A maximum of seven miles.
• What was the impact of the Battle of the Somme on German manpower in 1916?


  The Germans lost about one and a half million men.
• What strategy did the Germans adopt in 1917 as a result of their losses?

  They retreated to the Hindenburg Line.
• How did the heavy casualties from the Battle of the Somme affect British towns and villages?


  Many towns were forever changed due to concentrated losses.
• What role did propaganda films play in the British public's perception of the war effort?


  They helped maintain support for the war effort among the British people.
• How has the public perception of the Battle of the Somme changed since the 1970s?


  Academics have formed a different view, focusing on the overall strategy rather than just the first day.
• What is the significance of the phrase "lions led by donkeys" in relation to the Battle of the Somme?


  It reflects the belief that generals were indifferent to the deaths of their men.
• Why is it important to consider the entire 142 days of the Battle of the Somme?


  To understand the overall impact and the learning curve of the British Army.