First day on the Somme
Part of the Battle of the Somme (First World War)
The Tyneside Irish Brigade advancing on the La Boisselle sector.
Date 1 July 1916 Location Somme, Picardy, France Result Indecisive
Combatants
British Empire United Kingdom Australia New Zealand South Africa Newfoundland India France For other battles known as Battle of the Somme, see Battle of the Somme (disambiguation). ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Download high resolution version (1000x730, 76 KB)A support company of the Tyneside Irish Brigade advancing from the Tara-Usna Line opposite La Boisselle on 1 July, 1916, the first day on the Somme. ... The Tyneside Irish Brigade was a British First World War infantry brigade of Kitcheners Army, raised in 1914. ... Ovillers-la-Boisselle is a commune of the Somme département in northern France. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Somme is a French département, named after the Somme River, located in the north of France. ... wazzup Categories: | ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... The British Empire in 1897, marked in pink, the traditional colour for Imperial British dominions on maps. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_New_Zealand. ... Image File history File links South_Africa_Red_Ensign. ... Image File history File links Newfoundland_Red_Ensign. ... Motto: Quaerite Prime Regnum Dei (Latin: Seek ye first the kingdom of God) Anthem: Ode to Newfoundland Capital St. ... Image File history File links Imperial-India-Blue-Ensign. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...	German Empire
Commanders
Douglas Haig Henry Rawlinson Ferdinand Foch	Fritz von Below
Strength
13 British divisions 6 French divisions	6 divisions
Casualties
British: 57,470 French: 7,000	8,000 dead or wounded 2,200 prisoners

The first day on the Somme, 1 July 1916, was the opening day of the British and French offensive that became the Battle of the Somme. The middle day of the middle year of the First World War, it is remembered as the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army when 57,470 men became casualties of which 19,240 were killed or died of wounds. In terms of British casualties, the first day on the Somme is only surpassed by the Fall of Singapore when over 80,000 Allied soldiers became prisoners of war. Image File history File links Flag_of_the_German_Empire. ... For German colonial territories, see German Colonial Empire. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Field Marshal Lord Haig Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig, KT, GCB, OM, GCVO, KCIE, ADC (June 19, 1861 – January 28, 1928) was a British soldier and senior commander (Field Marshal) during World War I. He was commander of the British Expeditionary Force during the Battle of the Somme... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... General Henry Rawlinson at Fourth Army HQ, Querrieu Chateau, July 1916. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Ferdinand Foch OM GCB (October 2, 1851 – March 20, 1929) was a French soldier, military theorist, and writer credited with possessing the most original and subtle mind in the French Army in the early 20th century. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_German_Empire. ... Fritz Wilhelm Theodor Karl von Below (1853-1918) was a commander in the German Army during the First World War. ... Combatants British Empire Australia Canada New Zealand Newfoundland South Africa United Kingdom France German Empire Commanders Douglas Haig Joseph Joffre Max von Gallwitz Fritz von Below Strength 13 British & 11 French divisions (initial) 51 British and 48 French divisions (final) 10. ... Combatants United Kingdom South Africa German Empire Commanders Henry Rawlinson Fritz von Below Strength 5 divisions 2 divisions Casualties 9,000 dead, wounded, or missing 1,400 captured The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, launched by the British Fourth Army at dawn on 14 July 1916, marked the start of the... Combatants ‎Australia United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Richard Haking Gustav Scanzoni von Lichtenfels Strength 30,000+ 10,000-15,000 Casualties 5,533 Australian dead, wounded, or captured 1,500 British dead or wounded. ... The Battle of Pozières was a two week struggle for the French village of Pozières, and the ridge on which it stands, during the middle stages of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. ... Mouquet farm, Pozières by Fred Leist, 1917. ... The Battle of Guillemont was a British assault on the German-held village of Guillemont during the 1916 Battle of the Somme. ... The Battle of Ginchy took place on 9 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme when the British 16th (Irish) Division captured the German-held village of Ginchy. ... The Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which began on 15 September 1916 and lasted for one week, was the third and last of the large-scale offensives mounted by the British Army during the Battle of the Somme. ... The Battle of Morval, which began on 25 September 1916, was an attack by the British Fourth Army on the German-held villages of Morval, Gueudecourt and Lesboeufs during the Battle of the Somme. ... The Battle of Thiepval Ridge was the first large offensive mounted by the British Reserve Army of Lieutenant General Hubert Gough during the Battle of the Somme. ... The Battle of Le Transloy was the final offensive mounted by the British Fourth Army during the 1916 Battle of the Somme. ... The Battle of the Ancre Heights was a prolonged battle of attrition in October 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. ... The Battle of the Ancre was the final act of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ... Combatants British Empire Australia Canada New Zealand Newfoundland South Africa United Kingdom France German Empire Commanders Douglas Haig Joseph Joffre Max von Gallwitz Fritz von Below Strength 13 British & 11 French divisions (initial) 51 British and 48 French divisions (final) 10. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Combatants Malaya Command: Indian III Corps Australian 8th Div. ... This article is about the independent states that comprised the Allies. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

For many people, the first day has come to represent the futility and sacrifice of the war, with lines of infantry being mowed down by German machine guns. While the first day marked the beginning of four and a half months of attrition, it has always overshadowed the days that followed. Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I Infantry or footmen are very highly disciplined and trained soldiers who fight primarily with small arms(rifles), but are trained to use everything from their bare hands to missle systems in order to neutralize... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... A battle of attrition is a military engagement in which neither side has any tactical advantage, so that the only result of the fighting is the loss of men and materiel on both sides. ...

1 July marked the start of the first phase of the Battle of the Somme, officially known as the Battle of Albert, which continued until 13 July, the eve of the next major attack, the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 194th day of the year (195th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants United Kingdom South Africa German Empire Commanders Henry Rawlinson Fritz von Below Strength 5 divisions 2 divisions Casualties 9,000 dead, wounded, or missing 1,400 captured The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, launched by the British Fourth Army at dawn on 14 July 1916, marked the start of the...

In 1971 British military historian Martin Middlebrook wrote The First Day on the Somme, a detailed analysis of events leading up to and during the British attack on 1 July. It remains one of the most influential books on British First World War history. Military history is the recording (in writing or otherwise) of the events in the history of humanity that fall within the category of conflict. This may range from a dispute between two tribes that come to blow over a plot of land, to a world war. ... Martin Middlebrook Martin Middlebrook (born Boston, Lincolnshire, 1932) is a British military historian and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. ... The First Day on the Somme (ISBN 0141390719) is a First World War military history book by Martin Middlebrook, published in 1971. ...

Significance of the first day

The Somme was to be the first major offensive mounted by the British Expeditionary Force and the first battle to involve substantial numbers of battalions from Lord Kitchener's New Army. Included were many of the famous Pals battalions that had formed in response to Kitchener's call for volunteers in August 1914. Heavy losses amongst these battalions led to a concentration of casualty notices in the communities from which they were formed. The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was the British army sent to France and Belgium in World War I and British Forces in Europe from 1939–1940 during World War II. The BEF was established by Secretary of State for War Richard Haldane following the Second Boer War in case the... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols This article is about the military unit. ... The Earl Kitchener The Right Honourable Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener, KG, KP, GCB, OM, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, ADC, PC (24 June 1850–5 June 1916) was a British Field Marshal, diplomat and statesman. ... Following the outbreak of hostilities in the Great War the then British Secretary of State for War Horatio Kitchener, Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, advised forming a volunteer army of a million men. ... The Pals battalions of World War I were units of the British Army that consisted of men who had enlisted together at special local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and work colleagues (Pals) rather than having to be mixed...

The first day was unusual in that the British Army contingent was almost entirely from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Since early 1915 the Canadian divisions had been featuring prominently in British battles and as the struggle on the Somme wore on, the Anzacs and South Africans were called upon but on the first day the only non-British troops attacking on the British sector were small units from Bermuda and Newfoundland. (The South African Infantry Brigade and an Indian cavalry division were in reserve and Canadian artillery were involved in the bombardment.) The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... This article is about the historical state called the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland (1801–1927). ... The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (popularly abbreviated as ANZAC) was originally an army corps of Australian and New Zealand troops who fought in World War I at Gallipoli against the Turks. ... Motto: Quaerite Prime Regnum Dei (Latin: Seek ye first the kingdom of God) Anthem: Ode to Newfoundland Capital St. ... Not to be confused with Golgotha, which was called Calvary. ...

For Newfoundland, the first day has special significance. The 1st Battalion of the Newfoundland Regiment, at the time the Dominion's entire military contribution to the war, was virtually wiped out in a mishandled attack near Beaumont Hamel. After the war the Newfoundland government bought 40 acres (162,000 m²) around the site of the battalion's attack and created the Newfoundland Memorial Park to commemorate the dead. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment is a militia unit of the Canadian Armed Forces. ... This article is about Dominions of the British Empire and of the Commonwealth of Nations. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ... An acre is the name of a unit of area in a number of different systems, including Imperial units and United States customary units. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ...

Little emphasis has been placed on the French contribution on the first day on the Somme. This is partly because the French attack, which was largely successful, was overshadowed by the disaster that befell the British divisions. Also the French at the time were still occupied with defending Verdun. Nevertheless the French contribution on the Somme was substantial and it is significant that the only British successes of the first day came on the southern sector neighbouring the French XX Corps. Combatants  France  German Empire Commanders Philippe Pétain Robert Nivelle Erich von Falkenhayn Strength About 30,000 on 21 February 1916 About 150,000 on 21 February 1916 Casualties 378,000; of whom 163,000 died. ...

Plans

British infantry attack plan for 2 July.

The British plan for the Somme offensive was to achieve a breakthrough that could be exploited by cavalry. Once the German front was penetrated, a mobile force would sweep north towards Arras, rolling up the German line. However, the British had insufficient experience in trench warfare to be prepared for the battle becoming attritional. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x952, 64 KB)British infantry attack plan for 1 July 1916, the first day on the Somme. British and French front line shown in red, German front line shown in blue. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (600x952, 64 KB)British infantry attack plan for 1 July 1916, the first day on the Somme. British and French front line shown in red, German front line shown in blue. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I Infantry or footmen are very highly disciplined and trained soldiers who fight primarily with small arms(rifles), but are trained to use everything from their bare hands to missle systems in order to neutralize... Not to be confused with Golgotha, which was called Calvary. ... Arras (Dutch: ) is a town and commune in northern France, préfecture (capital) of the Pas-de-Calais département. ... Trench warfare is a form of war in which both opposing armies have static lines of defense. ... A battle of attrition is a military engagement in which neither side has any tactical advantage, so that the only result of the fighting is the loss of men and materiel on both sides. ...

The Allies were confronted by three lines of German defences, the first two being complete while the third was still under construction. The approximate centre line of the battlefield was defined by the Roman road that ran straight from Albert in the west to Bapaume in the east. The Somme River ran east-west some 5 miles south of the road. Not to be confused with Romans road. ... Albert is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ... Bapaume is a chief town of canton of northern France, in the département of Pas-de-Calais, arrondissement of Arras. ... Somme river The Somme River (French Rivière Somme) is a river in Picardy, northern France. ...

The main attack was to be carried out by the Fourth Army under the command of General Sir Henry Rawlinson. A diversionary attack was to be made on the northern flank by two divisions of General Edmund Allenby's Third Army. When the breakthrough was achieved, the exploitation phase would be carried out by the three cavalry divisions of General Sir Hubert Gough's Reserve Army. For all three men, the Somme would be their first battle in command of an army. The British Fourth Army was a field army of the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War. ... General Henry Rawlinson at Fourth Army HQ, Querrieu Chateau, July 1916. ... Field Marshal Edmund Henry Hynman Allenby, 1st Viscount Allenby ( April 23, 1861 - May 14, 1936) was a British soldier most famous for his role during World War I, in which he led the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in the conquest of Palestine and Syria in 1917 and 1918. ... The British Third Army was a British Army unit. ... Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough (August 12, 1870–1963) was a British World War I general who commanded the British Fifth Army from 1916 to 1918. ... The British Reserve Army was a field army of the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War. ...

The main French effort would be carried out by the French Sixth Army of General Marie Émile Fayolle. The southern-most French army on the Somme was the French Tenth Army of General Alfred Micheler which would play a small role in the battle. These two armies were part of the French Northern Army Group, commanded by General Ferdinand Foch from 3 July 1916. The Sixth Army (French: ) was a Field army of the French Army during World War I and World War II. General Maunoury (26 August 1914 - 13 March 1915) General Dubois (13 March 1915 - 26 February 1916) General Fayolle (26 February 1916 - 19 December 1916) General Mangin (19 December 1916 - 4... Marie Émile Fayolle (1858 - 1928) was a Marshal of France. ... The Tenth Army (French: ) was a Field army of the French Army during World War I. It took part in the Battle of the Somme in 1916. ... Ferdinand Foch OM GCB (October 2, 1851 – March 20, 1929) was a French soldier, military theorist, and writer credited with possessing the most original and subtle mind in the French Army in the early 20th century. ... is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1916 (MCMXVI) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar). ...

The natural division between the British and French forces would have been the wide marshland along the Somme River but instead the French commander-in-chief, General Joseph Joffre, placed the French XX Corps north of the Somme alongside the southernmost Fourth Army unit (British XIII Corps) so that the British were unable to act independently. Joseph Jacques Césaire Joffre (12 January 1852 - 3 January 1931) was a Catalan French general who was Commander-in-Chief of the French Army between 1914 and 1916 during World War I. He is most known for regrouping the retreating allied armies to defeat the Germans at the strategically... The Western Desert Force, during World War II, was a British Commonwealth Army unit stationed in Egypt. ...

The British and French on the Somme were confronted by the German Second Army of General Fritz von Below. The Germans became aware of preparations for an Allied offensive in April but were dismissive of the threat posed by the British forces, considering them of "limited combat value". However, by June the developments were sufficiently alarming for von Below to request permission to mount a preemptive attack to disrupt the Allied plans. However, on 4 June the Russians launched the Brusilov Offensive and the Germans were required to send forces to the east to answer the growing crisis. Consequently few troops could be spared on the Somme; four divisions plus artillery were the only reinforcements provided. The German Second Army (German: ) was a World War II field army. ... Fritz Wilhelm Theodor Karl von Below (1853-1918) was a commander in the German Army during the First World War. ... is the 155th day of the year (156th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Russian Empire Austria-Hungary German Empire Commanders Aleksei Brusilov Conrad von Hötzendorf Alexander von Linsingen Strength 40+ infantry divisions (573,000 men) 15 cavalry divisions (60,000 men) 39 infantry divisions (437,000 men) 10 Cavalry divisions (30,000 men) Casualties 500,000+ men killed or wounded 975...

Therefore, von Below had only six divisions manning the front and four and a half in reserve when the Allied offensive was launched by 13 British and six French divisions.

Preparations

Artillery

8-in howitzers of the 39th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, in action near Fricourt.

The plan called for six days of preliminary artillery bombardment (later extended to seven days due to bad weather). The Fourth Army had 1,010 field guns, 182 heavy guns and 245 howitzers plus an additional 100 French guns and howitzers. While this was a substantial increase on the artillery used in previous British battles, the array of tasks allotted and the length of front to be bombarded exceeded the capacity of the guns available. In addition to bombarding the enemy's trenches, the artillery had to cut the barbed wire and neutralise the enemy guns via counter-battery fire. Download high resolution version (900x540, 94 KB)8-in howitzers of the 39th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery conducting a shoot in the Fricourt-Mametz Valley, August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. ... Download high resolution version (900x540, 94 KB)8-in howitzers of the 39th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery conducting a shoot in the Fricourt-Mametz Valley, August 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. ... 19th century 12 pounder (5 kg) mountain howitzer displayed by the National Park Service at Fort Laramie in Wyoming, USA A howitzer is a type of artillery piece that is characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small explosive charges to propel projectiles at trajectories with... RGA redirects here. ... Fricourt is a little village about five kilometres from Albert, in the northern French département of the Somme. ... A field gun is an artillery piece. ... 19th century 12 pounder (5 kg) mountain howitzer displayed by the National Park Service at Fort Laramie in Wyoming, USA A howitzer is a type of artillery piece that is characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small explosive charges to propel projectiles at trajectories with... Typical modern agricultural barbed wire. ...

In these seven days the British artillery would fire more than 1.5 million shells, exceeding the total number of shells fired by the British Army in the first twelve months of the war. A further quarter of a million shells would be fired on the day of the attack. Such was the intensity of this bombardment that it could be heard on Hampstead Heath, three hundred miles away. While this weight of bombardment was new for the British, it was by no means a first. The French Second Battle of Artois in May 1915 had been preceded by a six-day bombardment in which over 2.1 million shells were fired. Hampstead Heath (locally known as The Heath) is a public open space in the north of London. ... Combatants France United Kingdom German Empire Commanders Joseph Joffre Unknown Strength 9 French & British divisions (initial) Unknown Casualties 100,000 French 11,000 British 75,000 A battle on the Western Front of World War I, the First Battle of Artois was fought at the same time as the Second...

On the Somme, while British shell production had increased since the shell scandal of 1915, quality was poor and many shells failed to explode. Also the proportion of shrapnel to high explosive shells was high; shrapnel was virtually useless against entrenched positions and required accurate fuse settings in order to be effective in cutting wire. The Shell Crisis of 1915 brought down the government of the United Kingdom (then engaged in World War I) because it was widely perceived that the production of artillery shells for use by the British Army was inadequate. ... It has been suggested that Fragmentation (weaponry) be merged into this article or section. ... This article is concerned solely with chemical explosives. ...

Mining

A British poison gas attack against Montauban, June 1916.

When the British took over the Somme sector from the French, they had inherited a number of mine workings — the chalk soil of the Somme was ideal for tunnelling. Ten mines were prepared for the first day of the battle; three large mines in excess of 20 tons and seven smaller ones, around 5,000 lb in size. The purpose of the mines was twofold; to destroy the German defences and to provide shelter in no man's land for the advancing infantry. When each mine blew, the infantry would rush forward to seize the crater. Download high resolution version (671x1000, 105 KB)As part of the preparations for the Battle of the Somme, the British launch a gas attack against German trenches in front of Montauban on the Somme, June 1916. ... Download high resolution version (671x1000, 105 KB)As part of the preparations for the Battle of the Somme, the British launch a gas attack against German trenches in front of Montauban on the Somme, June 1916. ... Early detection of chemical agents Sociopolitical climate of chemical warfare While the study of chemicals and their military uses was widespread in China, the use of toxic materials has historically been viewed with mixed emotions and some disdain in the West (especially when the enemy were doing it). ... Montauban-de-Picardie is a village in the Somme département, Picardy region of Northern France. ... Sapping, or undermining, was a siege method used in the Middle Ages against fortified castles. ...

The largest mines, each containing 24 tons of ammonal, were on either side of the Albert-Bapaume road near La Boisselle, the Y Sap mine north of the road and the Lochnager mine to the south. The other large mine was beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt near Beaumont Hamel, containing 18 tons of explosives. Ammonal is an explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate, aluminium dust and stearic acid. ... Ovillers-la-Boisselle is a commune of the Somme département in northern France. ... The Lochnagar mine was an explosive-packed mine located south of the village of La Boisselle in the Somme département of France, which was detonated at 7. ... The Hawthorn Ridge mine is detonated at 7. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ...

The mines were to be detonated 2 minutes prior to zero, at 7.28 am. The exception was the Hawthorn Ridge mine which was detonated 10 minutes before zero at 7.20am. One of the small mines, at Kasino Point, was mistimed and blew late after the infantry attack had commenced.

At the time the Somme mines were the largest yet detonated during the war but they would be eclipsed by the 19 mines fired during the Battle of Messines. For the village, see Passendale. ...

Infantry tactics

Prior to the battle Rawlinson's staff published the Fourth Army Tactical Notes, an instruction pamphlet setting out the recommended assault tactics to be used by the infantry. The notes specified that battalions should advance in waves with two platoons per wave on a 400 yard front which left about 5 yards between each soldier. A battalion would therefore advance in eight waves (two per company) plus additional waves for the battalion HQ and stretcher bearers. The advance would be carried out at a steady walking pace of 50 yards per minute. Military tactics (Greek: Taktikē, the art of organizing an army) are the collective name for methods for engaging and defeating an enemy in battle. ... Platoon of the German Bundeswehr. ... A yard (abbreviation: yd) is the name of a unit of length in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ...

Soldiers in the leading waves were required to carry about 70 lb (32 kg) of equipment; rifle, bayonet, ammunition, two grenades, entrenching tool, empty sandbags, wire cutters, flares, etc. The later waves would also be burdened with the necessary paraphernalia for consolidating the captured trenches such as barbed wire & stakes. For other uses, see Rifle (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see bayonet (disambiguation). ... Grenade may refer to: The well-known hand grenade commonly used by soldiers. ...

Viewed with the benefit of hindsight, these tactics were clearly misjudged. The reasoning behind them was twofold. Firstly, it was felt that the intense artillery bombardment would destroy the German garrison so that all that was required of the infantry was to walk over and take possession of the objectives. Secondly, the basic tactical unit of maneuver in infantry units in 1916 was still the company or 100+ men, under the control of a single officer. Many of the New Army battalions had received little tactical training, and therefore little in the way of tactical acumen could be expected of the troops who had been in uniform for a relatively short period of time, and with little practical experience of offensive military operations.

Many commanders nonetheless approached the battle with great optimism. The pre-battle speech delivered to the 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry — which would suffer 539 casualties on the first day — included: The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry was a regiment of the British Army. ...

"When you go over the top, you can slope arms, light up your pipes and cigarettes, and march all the way to Pozières before meeting any live Germans."

Though these flawed tactics have been blamed for the failures of the first day, they were not universally adhered to by the attacking divisions. It was left to the individual commanders to decide on the method to be used. Many units moved out into no man's land before zero hour so that they could rush the German trenches as soon as the barrage lifted. Whether a particular unit's attack succeeded or failed depended not so much on the infantry tactics but on how well the wire had been cut, the intensity of the German defensive barrage in no man's land and whether or not the defenders could swiftly bring their machine guns into action. Pozières is a village in Somme, France. ... 29th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Division, Canadian Corps. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ...

Diversion at Gommecourt

The British Third Army of General Sir Edmund Allenby occupied the front-line to the north of Rawlinson's Fourth Army. The two armies met just south of the villages of Foncquevillers (British-held) and Gommecourt (German-held). At Gommecourt the German trenches curved around a chateau and its parkland, creating a salient that marked the most westerly point of German territory. General Haig instructed Allenby to mount a diversion to pin German forces to their trenches and attract artillery fire away from the main attack. The Third Army was also to capture Gommecourt thereby reducing the inconvenient salient. The British Third Army was a British Army unit. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Foncquevillers is a commune of northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. ... Gommecourt is a commune of northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. ... A château ( French for castle; plural châteaux) is a manor house or residence of the lord of the manor or a country house of gentry, usually French, with or without fortifications. ... In military terms, a salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. ...

The task fell to the VII Corps of Lieutenant General Sir T. d'Oyly Snow. A gap of one mile existed between the Gommecourt diversion and the northern edge of the main attack and preparations were made as obvious as possible in an effort to distract German attention away from the Fourth Army but this only made the task of VII Corps all the more difficult. The plan called for a pincer movement, pinching out the base of the salient and capturing the garrison in a pocket. The northern pincer was the 46th (North Midland) Division and the southern pincer was the 56th (1/1st London) Division, both Territorial Force units. VII Corps was formed in the United Kingdom during mid-1940 to control field forces deployed to counter the invasion threat of that year. ... Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas D’Oyly Snow, CB, KCB, KCMG (May 5, 1858–August 30, 1940) was a British General in the First World War who commanded during some of the major battles of the Western front. ... A pincer movement whereby the blue force doubly envelops the red force. ... In military terms, a salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. ... // The British 46th (North Midland) Division was a 1st Line Territorial Army division. ... The British 56th (1/1st London) Division was a first-line Territorial Army division. ... In the United Kingdom the Territorial Army is a part of the British Army composed of reserve units, or part-time soldiers. ...

The 56th Division had prepared jumping-off trenches in no man's land and when the attack commenced at 7.30am, progress was initially good. The first three German trenches were captured and a party pushed on towards the expected link-up point with the 46th Division, east of the village. Once a heavy German barrage descended on no man's land, it proved impossible for reinforcements to reach the captured positions or for a trench to be dug to form a defensive flank to the south. Finally the survivors were forced to withdraw.

In contrast the 46th Division's attack started badly and got worse. The German wire was uncut (the ground was littered with dud mortar shells) and the smoke that was meant to aid the British only managed to hinder them. Furthermore the ground on this sector was particularly wet and muddy, making movement difficult. A few groups made it to the German trenches but not in sufficient numbers to hold them. The division's commander, Major General E.J. Montagu-Stuart-Wortley, was sacked for the failure. US soldier loading a M224 60-mm mortar. ... Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. ... The Honourable Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley was a British general during the First World War who is best remembered as the first British general to be dismissed during the Battle of the Somme. ...

Serre & Beaumont Hamel

The northern flank of the Fourth Army's sector was held by Lt.Gen. Aylmer Hunter-Weston's VIII Corps. Three divisions of VIII Corps would attack on the first day while the fourth, the 48th (South Midland) Division, was holding the one-mile gap between the Third and Fourth Armies. Hunter-Weston at VIII Corps headquarters, Cape Helles, 1915. ... The British VIII Corps was an army corps formation that existed during World War I and World War II. World War I The VIII Corps was first formed at Gallipoli during World War I. The main British battle front was at Cape Helles on the tip of the Gallipoli peninsula. ... The British 48th (South Midland) Division was a Territorial Army division. ...

The 31st Division had the job of forming the defensive flank of the Fourth Army. This involved driving east to capture the village of Serre and then turning north and consolidating. The 31st was the quintessential New Army division, made up entirely of Pals battalions such as the Accrington Pals. Small groups reached Serre village and another party penetrated 1¼ miles but by the end of the day they had been killed or captured and the division was back at its start line, having suffered 3,600 casualties. The British 31st Division was a New Army division formed in April 1915 as part of the K4 Army Group and taken over by the War Office on 10 August 1915. ... Following the outbreak of hostilities in the Great War the then British Secretary of State for War Horatio Kitchener, Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, advised forming a volunteer army of a million men. ... The Pals battalions of World War I were units of the British Army that consisted of men who had enlisted together at special local recruiting drives, with the promise that they would be able to serve alongside their friends, neighbours and work colleagues (Pals) rather than having to be mixed... The Accrington Pals was a British First World War Pals battalion of Kitcheners Army raised in and around the town of Accrington in Lancashire. ...

Explosion of the mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt, 7.20am.

The 4th Division attacked between the Serre and Beaumont Hamel and managed to capture the German strongpoint known as Quadrilateral Redoubt. However as this proved to be the only gain on this sector it was subjected to intense German counter-attacks and the position was abandoned on the morning of 2 July by which time the division had suffered 4,700 casualties. Still image from the film The Battle of the Somme showing the explosion of the mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt on July 1, 1916. ... Still image from the film The Battle of the Somme showing the explosion of the mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt on July 1, 1916. ... The Hawthorn Ridge mine is detonated at 7. ... The British 4th Division was was originally formed in 1809 by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington for service in the Peninsula War. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Front-line north and south of the Ancre River. The 29th Division attacked towards Beaumont Hamel while the 36th (Ulster) Division captured the Schwaben Redoubt north of Thiepval.

The 29th Division, which had served with distinction at Gallipoli, attacked towards Beaumont Hamel. Part of the division's attack was captured on film by Geoffrey Malins and has since provided some of the most enduring images of the war, including the detonation of the mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt which was blown at 7.20am. The British failed to completely seize the mine crater and the explosion alerted the defenders such that when the attack commenced, the infantry were mown down in no man's land without even reaching the German wire. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (990x1240, 298 KB)Map of the Ancre River sector of the Somme battlefield on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (990x1240, 298 KB)Map of the Ancre River sector of the Somme battlefield on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. ... The British 29th Division, known as the Incomparable Division, was a First World War regular army infantry division formed in early 1915 by combining various units that had been acting as garrisons about the British Empire. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ... The British 36th (Ulster) Division was a New Army division formed in September 1914. ... The Schwaben Redoubt lies between the Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster tower. ... This article is about the Thiepval village and memorial, for other uses see Thiepval (disambiguation) Thiepval is a village and commune in the Somme département, Picardy région of Northern France. ... The British 29th Division, known as the Incomparable Division, was a First World War regular army infantry division formed in early 1915 by combining various units that had been acting as garrisons about the British Empire. ... Combatants British Empire Australia British India Newfoundland New Zealand United Kingdom Egyptian labourers[1] France Senegal  Ottoman Empire Commanders Sir Ian Hamilton Lord Kitchener John de Robeck Otto von Sanders Mustafa Kemal Strength 5 divisions (initial) 16 divisions (final) 6 divisions (initial) 15 divisions (final) Casualties 252,000[2] 195... The Hawthorn Ridge mine is detonated at 7. ...

Another attempt was made mid-morning by two battalions from the 88th Brigade including the 1st Newfoundland Regiment. The Newfoundlanders, completely unsupported and attacking from the reserve line because the communications trenches were blocked, took casualties from the start but most were killed as they tried to file through the gaps in the British wire. The battalion suffered 684 casualties, 91% of its strength and the second worst battalion loss of the first day. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment is a militia unit of the Canadian Armed Forces. ... Motto: Quaerite Prime Regnum Dei (Latin: Seek ye first the kingdom of God) Anthem: Ode to Newfoundland Capital St. ...

Thiepval

The only significant first day success on the northern sector was made by the northern Irishmen of the 36th (Ulster) Division, attacking between the Ancre and Thiepval against a position known as the Schwaben Redoubt. The British 36th (Ulster) Division was a New Army division formed in September 1914. ... This article is about the Thiepval village and memorial, for other uses see Thiepval (disambiguation) Thiepval is a village and commune in the Somme département, Picardy région of Northern France. ... The Schwaben Redoubt lies between the Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster tower. ...

Ignoring the recommended tactics, the infantry had crawled into no man's land before zero hour and, with the aid of an effective smoke screen, were able to rush the German frontline when the barrage lifted. The advance briefly reached the German second line at Stuff Redoubt. However, once the German barrage descended on no man's land it was impossible to reinforce the captured position and, as the attacks on either side had failed, the men were subjected to counter-attacks from three directions. Having held out all day, the survivors retired in the evening.

Thiepval village, and the Leipzig Salient to its south, were attacked by the 32nd Division. Thiepval was a fortress that would haunt the British for most of the Somme fighting and the assault on the first day was an utter failure. Leipzig Salient was the one enduring success on the northern sector. Captured by the Glasgow Commercials Pals battalion, who had also crawled within 40 yards of the German frontline before zero hour, it was held against German counter-attacks. The British 32nd Division was a New Army division that was originally made up of battalions raised by public subscription or private patronage. ...

Ovillers & La Boisselle

The 34th Division's attack on Ovillers and La Boisselle.

The villages of Ovillers and La Boisselle flanked the Albert-Bapaume road and marked the centre of the Fourth Army's front. It was here that the Reserve Army cavalry would advance if a breakthrough was achieved. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x1350, 285 KB)Map of the British 34th Divisions attack on the Ovillers-La Boisselle sector of the Somme front, astride the Albert-Bapaume road, on 1 July 1916 — the first day on the Somme. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (900x1350, 285 KB)Map of the British 34th Divisions attack on the Ovillers-La Boisselle sector of the Somme front, astride the Albert-Bapaume road, on 1 July 1916 — the first day on the Somme. ... The British 34th Division was a New Army division formed in April France on January 1916 and spent the duration of the First World War in action on the Western Front. ... Ovillers-la-Boisselle is a commune of the Somme département in northern France. ... Ovillers-la-Boisselle is a commune of the Somme département in northern France. ... The British Reserve Army was a field army of the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War. ... Not to be confused with Golgotha, which was called Calvary. ...

The 8th Division, attacking Ovillers, had to cross the 750 yards of no man's land and advance up Mash Valley which was a veritable killing ground. Despite the almost impossible task, the brigades did temporarily penetrate as far as the third trench of the German front-line system, and a small group did manage to capture a section of the German front-line trench and hold out until after 9am, but by midday the attack had failed. The British 8th Infantry Division was a World War II division. ...

Attacking along the axis of the Albert-Bapaume road was the 34th Division which was aided by the blowing of the two largest mines on either side of La Boisselle. South of the village, some infantry from the Grimsby Chums got into the Lochnager mine crater where they were pinned down. The Tyneside Scottish Brigade attacked up Mash Valley and against La Boisselle itself, on a sector known as the Glory Hole. The British 34th Division was a New Army division formed in April France on January 1916 and spent the duration of the First World War in action on the Western Front. ... The Grimsby Chums was a British First World War Pals battalion of Kitcheners Army raised in and around the town of Grimsby in Lincolnshire. ... The Lochnagar mine was an explosive-packed mine located south of the village of La Boisselle in the Somme département of France, which was detonated at 7. ... The Tyneside Scottish Brigade was a British First World War infantry brigade of Kitcheners Army, raised in 1914. ...

The Tyneside Irish Brigade was the reserve brigade whose task was to follow through and capture the secondary objectives of Contalmaison and Pozières. At zero hour the brigade started its advance from the reserve position known as the Tara-Usna Line and had to advance one mile over open ground before they even reached the British front-line. They were machine-gunned all the way but amazingly a small group, 50 men or so, made it all the way up Sausage Valley, south of La Boisselle and almost to the edge of Contalmaison. The survivors were captured but they had the distinction of making the furthest advance of the day, about 4,000 yards. The Tyneside Irish Brigade was a British First World War infantry brigade of Kitcheners Army, raised in 1914. ... Pozières is a village in Somme, France. ... Sausage Valley was the name given by British soldiers during the First World War to a shallow valley south of the village of La Boisselle in the Somme département, France. ...

The 34th Division, by committing all three of its brigades to the attack on one of the toughest objectives, suffered the worst casualties of any division on the day; 6,380 men killed, wounded or captured. This figure exceeded the next worst loss, that of the 29th Division, by over 1,000 men. So badly devastated were the Tyneside brigades that they were withdrawn from the division until late August, replaced by brigades of the 37th Division. A casualty is a person who is the victim of an accident, injury, or trauma. ... The British 29th Division, known as the Incomparable Division, was a First World War regular army infantry division formed in early 1915 by combining various units that had been acting as garrisons about the British Empire. ...

Fricourt, Mametz & Montauban

The fortified village of Fricourt lay in a bend in the front-line where it turned eastwards for two miles before swinging south again to the Somme River. If the attacks by XV Corps on either side of Fricourt reached their objectives, the village would be isolated in a pocket so it was deemed unnecessary to make a frontal assault. Fricourt is a little village about five kilometres from Albert, in the northern French département of the Somme. ...

The 21st Division advanced to the north of Fricourt. In an effort to protect the infantry from enfilade fire from the village, three mines, collectively known as the Triple Tambour mines, were blown beneath the Tambour salient on the northern edge of the village. The sole purpose of these mines was to raise a protective "lip" of earth that would obscure the view from the village but the benefit was minimal. The British 21st Division was a New Army division raised in September France in September 1915 and served on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War. ... Enfilade and defilade are military tactical concepts used to describe a fighting units exposure to enemy fire. ...

The 21st made some progress and penetrated to the rear of Fricourt. The 50th Brigade of the 17th (Northern) Division held the front-line opposite the village. One battalion of this brigade, the 10th West Yorkshire Regiment, was required to advance close by Fricourt and suffered 710 casualties, the worst battalion losses of the day. A Company from the 7th Green Howards made an unplanned attack directly against the village and was annihilated. The battalion commander later said: The British 17th (Northern) Division was a New Army division formed in September 1914 as part of the K2 Army Group. ... The West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Waless Own) (the 14th of Foot) amalgamated with the East Yorkshire Regiment (the 15th of Foot) in 1958 to form The Prince of Waless Own Regiment of Yorkshire. ... A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 100-200 soldiers. ... The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Waless Own Yorkshire Regiment) is an infantry regiment of the British Army. ...

I got a message to say that A Company on the right had assaulted at 8.20. ... I could only account for this by supposing that the company commander had gone mad.

2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders crossing no man's land near Mametz.

East of Fricourt, the village of Mametz was captured by the 7th Division though the line of objectives beyond the village were not reached. The loss of Mametz made the German position in Fricourt precarious so the garrison was withdrawn during the night and a patrol from the 17th Division took possession of the village early on 2 July. Download high resolution version (1175x790, 165 KB)British troops, believed to be the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders (20th Brigade, British 7th Division) crossing no mans land near Mametz on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. ... Download high resolution version (1175x790, 165 KB)British troops, believed to be the 2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders (20th Brigade, British 7th Division) crossing no mans land near Mametz on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. ... The Gordon Highlanders was a British Army infantry regiment from 1881 until 1994. ... 29th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Division, Canadian Corps. ... Mametz is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais département of northern France. ... Mametz is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais département of northern France. ... The British 7th Infantry Division was a World War II division. ... is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

The southern flank of the British line was held by XIII Corps whose objective was the village of Montauban. The two assault divisions — the 18th (Eastern) and 30th Division, both New Army formations — seized all their objectives at the cost of over 3,000 casualties each. The Western Desert Force, during World War II, was a British Commonwealth Army unit stationed in Egypt. ... Montauban-de-Picardie is a village in the Somme département, Picardy region of Northern France. ... The British 18th (Eastern) Division was a New Army division formed in September 1914 as part of the K2 Army Group. ... The British 30th Division was a New Army division that was originally made up of battalions raised by public subscription or private patronage. ...

There were a number of reasons for the success on the southern flank. The 18th Division, despite being New Army, was impeccably trained by Maj.Gen. Ivor Maxse, widely regarded as one of the finest British generals of the war. The German defences in the south were not as formidable as those north of the Albert-Bapaume road and lacked the terrain advantages. The British were also aided by support from the superior artillery of the neighbouring French army. General Sir (Frederick) Ivor Maxse, KCB, CVO, DSO, (1862-1958) was a World War I divisional and corps commander, and noted wartime trainer. ...

French sector

Unlike their British comrades, the French divisions enjoyed complete success on the first day, even surpassing their objectives in places south of the Somme River. The French possessed overwhelming superiority in artillery with 84 heavy batteries to Germany's eight on this sector. They were also aided by a river mist which obscured the early stages of the battle. Somme river The Somme River (French Rivière Somme) is a river in Picardy, northern France. ... Remains of a battery of English cannon from Youghal, County Cork. ...

North of the Somme, the French XX Corps had attacked with the British at 7.30am. Progress was good though not without difficulties; it took two attempts for the village of Curlu on the Somme to be seized and the Germans resisted stubbornly in Faviere Wood. The French were only restrained from advancing further because the British had halted on their objectives around Montauban.

South of the river the French I Colonial Corps and XXXV Corps attacked two hours after the main attack which granted them the benefit of surprise. In the centre the French pushed beyond their objectives and got close to the German second position. Over 4,000 German prisoners were taken while French casualties were relatively light by the standard of the day.

Aftermath

As night fell — and there were only six hours of darkness in July — many survivors began to make their way back to the British trenches and stretcher-bearers went out in search of the wounded. Some bearers continued to operate the following day, despite the risks. Two Victoria Crosses were awarded to Robert Quigg and Geoffrey Cather (posthumously) for recovering the wounded. Even Maj.-Gen. Ingouville-Williams, commander of the 34th Division, participated in the search. Some of the wounded survived for up to a week in no man's land before being rescued. For other uses, see Victoria Cross (disambiguation). ... Robert Quigg VC (February 28, 1885 - 14 May 1955) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. ... Photo submitted by Neil Hutton Geoffrey St. ... A posthumous recognition is a ceremonial award given after the recipient has passed away. ... The British 34th Division was a New Army division formed in April France on January 1916 and spent the duration of the First World War in action on the Western Front. ...

The reaction of the Germans to the British attempts to recover the wounded varied from place to place. On 5 July at Beaumont Hamel two British medical officers approached the German trenches under a Red Cross flag and arranged an informal truce with their opposite number which lasted until the remaining wounded had been brought in. Elsewhere no such mercy was shown and anyone moving in no man's land was fired on. is the 186th day of the year (187th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ... The Anarchist Black Cross was originally called the Anarchist Red Cross. The band Redd Kross was originally called Red Cross. This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

The British Army's hospital system failed badly on 1 July. Prior to the battle General Rawlinson, preparing for the worst, had requested 18 ambulance trains to be provided to evacuate the wounded throughout the day. He was assured by the Quartermaster General, Lt.Gen. R.C. Maxwell, that the needs of the Fourth Army would be met. However, only three trains stood by during the day and these departed, partly filled, before the bulk of the wounded had been brought to the Casualty Clearing Stations, which only had collective capacity for 9,500 cases. Consequently many wounded were left untended in the open. It was not until 4 July that the Fourth Army's medical services were brought under control. Such was the strain on the system that some of the wounded reached hospitals in England still wearing their original field dressings. is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Due to the primitive battlefield communications, the extent of the catastrophe that befell the British Army on 1 July was not immediately known to the generals. At 7.30pm Rawlinson figured his casualties at 16,000. The figure rose to 40,000 by 3 July and the final tally of 60,000 was not determined until 6 July (though exact figures were not reached for some time). is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

As an example of how far from reality the limited information reaching the headquarters was, on the evening of 1 July, General Haig wrote in his diary:

North of the Ancre, VIII Corps said they began well, but as the day progressed, their troops were forced back in to the German front line, except two battalions which occupied Serre Village, and were, it is said, cut off. I am inclined to believe from further reports that few of VIII Corps left their trenches.

VIII Corps had indeed left their trenches and over 14,000 men had become casualties. This statement of Haig's has been used repeatedly to portray him as being callous and indifferent to the plight of the soldiers under his command, though at the time he could only make an assessment based on the information given to him. The British VIII Corps was an army corps formation that existed during World War I and World War II. World War I The VIII Corps was first formed at Gallipoli during World War I. The main British battle front was at Cape Helles on the tip of the Gallipoli peninsula. ...

Decorations

The following were awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces, for deeds on 1 July 1916. For other uses, see Victoria Cross (disambiguation). ... The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Don McKinnon (since 1 April 2000) Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total...

• Eric Norman Frankland Bell, 9th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers at Thiepval
• Geoffrey St. George Shillington Cather, 9th Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers at Hamel
• John Leslie Green, Royal Army Medical Corps (att'd 1/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters) at Foncquevillers
• Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand, 10th Battalion Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment) at Fricourt
• William Frederick McFadzean, 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Thiepval Wood
• Robert Quigg, 12th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles at Hamel
• Walter Potter Ritchie, 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, Duke of Albany's) at Beaumont Hamel
• George Sanders, 1/7th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own) at Thiepval
• James Youll Turnbull, 17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry at Authuille

Photo submitted by Martin Hornby - (Gallaher Cigarette Cards) Eric Norman Frankland Bell VC (28 August 1895 - 1 July 1916) was born Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland and was by birth an [Irish]] recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy... Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Motto: Nec Aspera Terrent (By Difficulties Undaunted) In 1688 the inhabitants of Inniskillen, Ireland, organized a town millitia to defend the area aginst James II. The millitia fought the enemy with such succes that it was later incorporated into the army of William III as the Inniskilling... This article is about the Thiepval village and memorial, for other uses see Thiepval (disambiguation) Thiepval is a village and commune in the Somme département, Picardy région of Northern France. ... Photo submitted by Neil Hutton Geoffrey St. ... The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1881 and amalgamated with The Royal Ulster Rifles and The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers to form The Royal Irish Rangers in 1968. ... Hamel can refer to: People Alan Hamel, Canadian television personality Denis Hamel, Canadian ice hockey player Gary Hamel, business theorist Georg Hamel, German mathematician Gustav Hamel, pioneer aviator Hendrick Hamel, 17th century Dutch writer Jean-Marc Hamel, member of the Order of Canada Peter Michael Hamel, German composer Veronica Hamel... Capt. ... The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace. ... Category: Possible copyright violations ... Foncquevillers is a commune of northern France, in the Pas-de-Calais département. ... Photo by Terry Macdonald Stewart Walter Loudoun-Shand (8 October 1879-1 July 1916) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... The Green Howards (Alexandra, Princess of Waless Own Yorkshire Regiment) is an infantry regiment of the British Army. ... Fricourt is a little village about five kilometres from Albert, in the northern French département of the Somme. ... William Frederick McFadzean (born October 9, 1895 - died July 1, 1916) was born in Lurgan, County Armagh and hence was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... The Regiment of the Infantry of the Line that became to be known as The Royal Ulster Rifles dates backs to the reign of King George III. In 1793 there was some expansion of the Armed Forces to meet the commitments of the war with France. ... Robert Quigg VC (February 28, 1885 - 14 May 1955) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. ... The Regiment of the Infantry of the Line that became to be known as The Royal Ulster Rifles dates backs to the reign of King George III. In 1793 there was some expansion of the Armed Forces to meet the commitments of the war with France. ... Hamel can refer to: People Alan Hamel, Canadian television personality Denis Hamel, Canadian ice hockey player Gary Hamel, business theorist Georg Hamel, German mathematician Gustav Hamel, pioneer aviator Hendrick Hamel, 17th century Dutch writer Jean-Marc Hamel, member of the Order of Canada Peter Michael Hamel, German composer Veronica Hamel... Photo submitted by Martin Hornby - (Gallaher Cigarette Cards) Walter Potter Ritchie (27 March 1892 – 17 March 1965) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. ... This page is for the historical Scottish regiment. ... The Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel Beaumont-Hamel is a commune of the Somme département, in northern France. ... George Sanders VC MC (8 July 1894 - 4 April 1950; born in Leeds, England, to Thomas and Amy Sanders) was a soldier and English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and... The West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Waless Own) (the 14th of Foot) amalgamated with the East Yorkshire Regiment (the 15th of Foot) in 1958 to form The Prince of Waless Own Regiment of Yorkshire. ... This article is about the Thiepval village and memorial, for other uses see Thiepval (disambiguation) Thiepval is a village and commune in the Somme département, Picardy région of Northern France. ... Photo submitted by Martin Hornby - (Gallaher Cigarette Cards) Photo by Phil Payne - Mar 2000 James Youll Turnbull (December 24, 1883 - July 1, 1916) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to... The Highland Light Infantry later the Highland Light Infantry (City of Glasgow Regiment) was a regiment of the British Army. ...

References

• The First Day on the Somme, Martin Middlebrook, 1971, Penguin Books, ISBN 0-14-139071-9
• Somme 1 July 1916: Tragedy and Triumph, Andrew Robertshaw, 2006, Campaign Series #169, Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1-84603-038-2