Modern History
How significant was the Battle of the Somme in attempts to break the stalemate on the Western Front? Use Sources F and G and your own knowledge to answer this question.
The Battle of the Somme, occurring at July 1916 to November 1916, was one of the most significant battles during World War I. Its main purpose was for the British to ease the pressure from the French as they defended themselves during the German siege at Verdun. It was also believed that the attack by the British could cause a breakthrough. On previous occasions, any attempts to break the stalemate have failed due to the tactics used and the improper use of artillery. The result of Battle of the Somme was no different as the British continued to use wave assaults as shown in Source G and weaponry which was ineffectively against the German defences. Despite their losses and the lack of results, the British would take into account their failures and improve on them. The results of their improvement are shown as they are able to break the stalemate between the Allies and the German in 1918.
Before the Battle of the Somme, a war of attrition was in full effect as both sides were unable to break through each other’s defences. Because of this, a series of attempts to break the stalemate occurred with the Battle of the Somme being the most prominent attempt. Before the battle began a week-long barrage of artillery was fired at the area in which they were to attack. Approximately 52000 tonnes of shells were used by the British. Other tactics including the wave assault, creeping barrages and the box barrages were used ineffectively between the years of 1914 and 1916. These tactics were then used in the Battle of the Somme as described in Source G. In this source, a German soldier describes a wave assault by the British on the first day of the battle. As the Germans watched the British soldiers walk towards the enemy lines, they “didn’t have to aim, we just fired into them” and killing soldiers in
The Battle of the Somme, occurring at July 1916 to November 1916, was one of the most significant battles during World War I. Its main purpose was for the British to ease the pressure from the French as they defended themselves during the German siege at Verdun. It was also believed that the attack by the British could cause a breakthrough. On previous occasions, any attempts to break the stalemate have failed due to the tactics used and the improper use of artillery. The result of Battle of the Somme was no different as the British continued to use wave assaults as shown in Source G and weaponry which was ineffectively against the German defences. Despite their losses and the lack of results, the British would take into account their failures and improve on them. The results of their improvement are shown as they are able to break the stalemate between the Allies and the German in 1918.
Before the Battle of the Somme, a war of attrition was in full effect as both sides were unable to break through each other’s defences. Because of this, a series of attempts to break the stalemate occurred with the Battle of the Somme being the most prominent attempt. Before the battle began a week-long barrage of artillery was fired at the area in which they were to attack. Approximately 52000 tonnes of shells were used by the British. Other tactics including the wave assault, creeping barrages and the box barrages were used ineffectively between the years of 1914 and 1916. These tactics were then used in the Battle of the Somme as described in Source G. In this source, a German soldier describes a wave assault by the British on the first day of the battle. As the Germans watched the British soldiers walk towards the enemy lines, they “didn’t have to aim, we just fired into them” and killing soldiers in