Thiepval Memorial

It was said by King Albert of Belgium

“ The general conduct of the war has been entrusted to incompetent men, there the trouble lies ”

This was certainly true of the somme.

On the first of July 1916, volunteer British Army attacked the trenches of German positions on the Somme. However, they relied to much on artillery bombardment, which was not as effective as expected.

British casualties on the first day alone, were over 60,000 and by the time the fighting ended on the 17th November 1916 more than 400,000 were killed.

The Germans are thought to have lost about as many men as the British, and in all, the maximum advance was only six and a half miles.

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Somme

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In Flanders fields the poppies blow, between the crosses, row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still singing, fly - scarce heard amid the guns below. we are the dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie - in Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe; To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die, we shall not sleep, though poppies grow..... In Flanders fields....