The Somme News - No. One

As mentioned in the last post, the Battle of the Somme began on the 1st of July with Allied troops attacking a twenty five mile front, both north and south of the Somme. By the end of the first day, the British had been able to capture Montauban and Mametz, whilst the French had reached Hardecourt and Curlu. Reports soon filtered in that the British Army had lost a staggering 18,000 soldiers on the first day.

The second day of the battle has seen German soldiers surrendering at Fricourt - a further step towards victory for the Allied soldiers.

The third day of the Battle of the Somme, has seen rain falling and the ground underfoot becoming very wet. Despite this, La Boisselle & part of Ovillers have been captured by Allied soldiers.

The fourth day has seen more rainfall, making trench life harder to bear. Bernafay Wood was taken by Allied soldiers.

On what is now the fifth day of the battle, Horseshoe Trench has been won. It is reported that a large amount of German soldiers are assembling in Mametz Wood. The next few days are expected to be busy.

Our first setback of the battle so far has been encountered on the sixth day of the battle, with the planned attack on Trones Wood being delayed for twenty four hours. Rain is still falling and soldiers are now both soaking wet and tired.

The seventh day of the Battle of the Somme has seen the capture by Allied soldiers of Contalmaison and Leipzig Redoubt this morning. Heavy rainfall has been experienced all day, making basic things like walking much more difficult. By the evening, the German's have recaptured Contalmaison, meaning that the British Army are unable to get into Mametz Wood.

Despite even more rainfall, British soldiers have been able to penetrate Trones Wood on this eighth day of the battle.

On the ninth day of the battle, a large fire is reported to have broken out at Martinpuich. Fighting has also been continuing at Trones Wood.

The tenth day of the Battle of the Somme has seen the temperature sore to 48 degrees, making soldiers uniforms, already caked in mud, even more stiff and unbearable as the mud dries. Reports of lots of soldiers suffering dehydration is high. Soldiers are still heavily fighting for Mametz Wood.

Join us on the 17th July where the next update will be live.