Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity?

Lesson Objective:To analyse different interpretations

of the Battle of the Somme

So what do we already know about World War One?

Lesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Paired Task:You will need to remember information from our past few classes!

Create a list of at least 5 things you know about World War One and life in the trenches.

You have 2 minutes, so you must think quickly!

Guidance:Who were involved?

Where did the majority of the fighting take place?

Why did it start (what were the MAIN causes)?

What type of warfare was it?

X 14 = ??

These included;

•420,000 British

•200,000 French

•500,000 Germans

90,000 x 14 =

There were nearly 1.2 million casualties (people injured/ killed in combat)

Nearly fourteen times the capacity of Wembley Stadium

1,260, 000

Background Information

• In July 1916, the French army was close to collapse.

• After the high casualty rate at the Battle of Verdun many troops were refusing to fight.

• If the Germans attacked again then the French Army would be defeated and the allies would lose the war.

• General Haig was ordered to divert the Germans away from Verdun by launching an attack on the Somme.

Study the facts below carefully…

Study the facts below carefully…• The battle lasted from 1 July – 18 November 1916.• Took place in France and was one of the most significant

battles of the First World War.• 60,000 British casualties on first day of battle alone.• 11 Cambridgeshire Battalion sent 750 ‘over the top’ and 691

became casualties of war.• 1,738,000 shells were fired at the Germans in the initial

bombardment. Lesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

How much can you remember?Lesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Started: 1st July 1916

Ended: 18th November 1916

Where did it take place? France on the Western Front

Why was it launched? It was supposed to release pressure from the French troops at Verdun

How many British casualties were the on the first day? 60,000

What can your source tell you about the Battle of the Somme?

Lesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Your Task: •You will be assigned groups of 3 • Consider what your source can tell us about the Battle of the Somme. Look at your source…… they are all different!!

• Keep in mind the five “W”s• Be ready to feedback your ideas to the rest of the class!!

•YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES!!!

First look at the PROVENANCE (The five “W”s)

Lesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

WHO wrote/created it? WHAT is it?

WHERE is it? WHERE was it produced?WHEN was it produced?WHY was it recorded?

If information is not provided,use your reasoning to provide a‘Best Fit’ suggestion.

What can you learn about the Battle of the Somme from your

source?

Two important peopleLesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Field Marshall Lord Kitchener – Secretary of State for War – In charge of recruiting the British Army – Supported the idea of the Pal’s Battalions

General Sir Douglas Haig – leader of the British Army at the Somme. His nickname became “The Butcher of the Somme”.

Source 1

Source 2

Source 3Second Lieutenant Percy Boswell’s last letter to his father, 30 June 1916 Transcription:30.6.16B.E.F.Dear Father,I am just writing you a short note which you will receive only if anything has happened to me during the next few days.The Hun is going to get start hell just in this quarter & we are going over the top tomorrow, when I hope to spend a few merry hours in chasing the Bosch all over the place. I am absolutely certain that I shall get through all right, but in case the unexpected does happen I shall rest content with the knowledge that I have done my duty – and one can’t do more.Good Bye & wish the Best of Love to allfromPercy

Source 4John Terraine, The Smoke and the Fire: Myths and Anti-Myths of War 1861-1945, Sidgwick & Jackson, 1980

'By the end of July, responding to every British or French advance or attempt to advance, the German soldiers had made not less than sixty-seven counter-attacks, large or small, that I can identify. Probably they had made a great many more, now lost over time- possibly twice as many. This was the make up of the battle: attack, counter-attack; attack again, counter-attack again…That is why it is so utterly dreadful to dwell constantly on the freak of 1 July, and to associate the whole battle with the image of that day…The Somme was the turning point. The first dim indication of the still far-distant victories of 1918.'

Were there any positive outcomes from the battle?

Positives• The Allies captured 70 square miles of land.• The battle bought the French enough time to re-organise

their army.• Inflicted heavy casualties on the Germans.

Negatives

• Bloodiest battle in the history of the British Army.• Limited land gained.• War no closer to an end.

Final Task

In your book answer our lesson question and give reasons to support your answers:

Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity?

Lesson ObjectiveTo analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

Success criteria

Unsatisfactory Good OutstandingProvide a simple statement or opinion: either blood bath or tactical necessity.

Provide an opinion and 1 or 2 pieces of evidence to support their argument.

Provide an opinion and 3 or more carefully selected, well explained pieces of evidence to support their argument.