The Bosnian province apprehension by Austria-Hungary …show more content…
It was the key to the offensive movement for the British to advance and destroy the Germans. Within the eight days of raining artillery steel, the British artillerymen shot 1,738,000 rounds (Cowley). It would equal up to 217,250 rounds of artillery shells per day. The thought behind Haig's plan of bombardment was to destroy the fortified trenches and barbed wire placed in front of the German trenches, paving the way for British troops. "The enemy's position to be attacked was of a very considerable character, situated on high, undulating tract of ground. They had deep trenches, bomb-proof shelters, and wire entanglements forty yards broad often as thick as a man's finger. Defenses of this nature could only be attacked with the prospect of success after careful artillery preparation" (Cowley). Haig knew the only way his men could gain land would be through fierce artillery. The vast amount of artillery came to the Germans as a bit of a surprise. The surprise lasted only the first day of battle. The beginning assault of artillery was a sign for the Germans to prepare for combat. The artillery surprised the German's not only because the tremendous amount of shells, but they were malfunctioning and not exploding on impact. The malfunctioning of artillery shells aloud the German's to develop slowly for a large-scale attack to their lines. German soldiers bunkered into their concrete bunkers to avoid the rain of …show more content…
During the Battle of Somme, the British developed a crucial learning point on the development of an operational mindset inside the Western Front. Although the improvement was perceptible, it did not quantify the ability to maneuver through the frigid rain and mucked field. Battlefield terrain displayed a significant role in regulating the character and outcome of many of these encounters. The appearance of low hills and ridges contributed the focus for many of the most famous enfeebling battles of the Western Front, as each side wrangled to attain the strategic advantage distributed by the high