The Battle Of The Somme

Friday the 18th November marked the 100th anniversary of the ending of the Battle of the Somme. It was a battle that lasted months and would become one of the most famous in the years to come. Over the last few months, A Wartime Life has been reflected on what each day was like in our The Somme News series. On the last post of this series, I published how great the news was but in reality, for the soldiers on the front, it was probably just another day - after all, the war was still raging and would carry on for another two years. 

From The Somme News series, you would have seen what really happened on the Somme battlefield and will be able to make your own mind up about whether it was a success or a failure. You will probably be able to see why so many men were lost or devastatingly injured and will now know that the Battle of the Somme was not a battle going forward, but one filled with gaining land as well as retreating with a lot of stalemate in between. 

But what makes the Battle of the Somme so special and such a turning point in history is the release of The Somme film in the Autumn of 1916. It was designed to be a propaganda piece but it ended up being so much more. For the first time ever, news reels shown in the cinema showed real fighting and death. It made people understand what killed in action really meant - it wasn't dying in your sleep peacefully. Instead it was usually dying of wounds, in pain and all alone. 

In fact, The Somme film was so popular that within just six weeks of the film being released, 20 million people had been to see it. For the first time, women on the home front were able to get an idea of what their menfolk were going through and what wartime was like on a battlefield far away. For one woman, she would get more than she bargined for when, at the cinema watching the film, she saw a clip of her husband on a stretcher. The horrors of war were there for all on the home front to see and I would imagine it really proved itself as a propaganda piece. It showed fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, all in the thick of it and of course the families at home, watching the film would be looking at the faces shown, to see if it was one of their loved ones. 

The Somme film gave the home front a reason to continue doing their bit and not to complain, because it was nothing compared to what the brave soldiers on the front were enduring. I believe this to be a turning point in the war, because it gave the people of Britain the strength and drive to carry on and eventually the energy to win the war. It gave those, who maybe weren't as of yet, doing anything to help win the war, a reason to do so. Whether it be something as simple as knit socks for soldiers or something more, it all helped. 

The Somme News - No. 20

Welcome back to the Somme News and week twenty, it certainly feels never ending. Despite an overcast day, our moods were lifted with the news that the number of prisoners we have taken over the last two days has reached over 5,200. British soldiers advanced to the east of the Butte De Warlencourt, adding to the previous number. Haig was seen paying a visit to Rawlinson earlier today, whilst on his way to Paris for a conference and is said to be delighted at Gough's success. 

Not much to report for day one hundred and thirty eight apart from that a German counter-attack earlier today failed. The mood in the trench is sombre tonight, as one chum said as how on the 15th November every year without fail, his mother would make the Christmas cake and he expected he would miss out on another one. It made us all wonder how much longer this war would drag on and which Christmas would it be over by. 

We awoke to a clear but cold day. British soldiers managed to extend their line eastwards from Beaucourt today but retreated from part of the ground to the east of the Butte De Warlencourt. Meanwhile, Rawlinson took Lord Milner to Candas aerodrome earlier, where they enjoyed a tour led by Trenchard as well as watching some flying that had been arranged for them. 

There is not really anything to report on day one hundred and forty of the battle of the Somme apart from that there have been further advances on the Ancre. 

What a momentous day, today, on the 18th November 1916, we received the news that the battle of the Somme was over after British soldiers advanced north and south of the Ancre, reaching the outskirts of Grandcourt. Operations over the Somme are now over but I'm sure a new battle will commence soon. 

The Somme News - No 19

Welcome back to The Somme News and week nineteen of the battle from a very wet trench on the front. Despite heavy rainfall throughout the day, British soldiers have made progress to the east of the Butte De Warlencourt. We are now preparing to bed down for the night, in what can only be described as an awful environment. 

Day one hundred and thirty one of the battle and the rain is yet to stop. Thankfully, I am pleased to report that German soldiers have been repulsed at Saillisel, although I expect they will try again soon. Most of us received parcels from home today, but we made sure that we shared what we had around, because lets face it, we are all in this together now. 

We awoke this morning, with a lighter mood, perhaps because it is a bright and clear Autumn day today. We spent most of the day watching aerial dog fights above us, in which we counted 36 British and 40 German aircraft. Rawlinson received complaints this evening from British gunners who have stated that there are just far too many German aircraft flying over Allied territory. 

We were told this morning that one hundred and thirty three days into battle, Rawlinson was going to be touring part of the battlefield today. He visited Ginchy and Delville Wood and when asked, told reporters how appalled he was at the sight of the roads beyond Ginchy. At the same time, British soldiers managed to capture the east portion of Regina Trench, situated to the north of Thiepval. Not to be outdone, French soldiers captured several trenches to the north east of Lesboeufs. 

We were awoken sharply during the night from bombs dropping nearby from German aircraft, they certainly caused casualties because you could hear the men's cries echoing in the night. We were told to try and get some sleep, but when we awoke in the morning it was a very misty and cloudy day or was that just smoke and dust from last nights chaos. As pay back, the British have spent the day bombarding German trenches on the Ancre. 

Nothing much to report on day one hundred and thirty five of the Battle of the Somme apart from that Henry Wilson paid a visit to Rawlinson earlier today. It is believed they shared the hope that the big attack will take place tomorrow, although as of yet, we have received no news.   

As week nineteen draws to a close, I thought I would very quickly report on what took place today, although I am very weary. We awoke to a foggy start and were told that the Battle of Ancre was about to begin. Beaumont Hamel was stormed by British soldiers, where they took 3,000 prisoners. This apparently is the beginning of the fourth phase of the Battle of the Somme. Rawlinson described today's operations as being a great day for Gough and the fifth Army and I believe so too!

Join us next time for the latest news from the Somme battlefield. 

The Somme News - No.17 & No.18

Welcome back to the Somme news and as the title suggests, we have two weeks put together on the news front, due to a shortage of supplies as well as the delay in our letters being collected. Week seventeen begun with a dull Monday with constant rainfall. French soldiers retook Douaumont, capturing 3,500 prisoners. Meanwhile, Trenchard took tea with Rawlinson, where it is said that they discussed the news that the enemy is currently producing aircraft at a rate of a thousand a month. It is believed that this is the main cause for the Royal Flying Corps having lost six hundred and sixty machines since the battle began on the 1st July. 

Day one hundred and seventeen of the Battle of the Somme, saw very little action with the current shortage of supplies really reducing the effectiveness of the artillery. This paired with the rain we endured all morning, put trench morale at a low. 

We awoke to the news on the 26th October, that due to the bad weather, Rawlinson had decided to postpone today's planned operation until the 30th. Rumours have filtered through that Rawlinson is currently on a break in Versailles, which have left the men wishing they could do the same. Instead, we are stuck in our trench, with the rain still falling, tired, wet and hungry. 

The next morning, we were met by not only wet but cold conditions too. The conditions in fact were so bad, that Rawlinson has voiced his opinion that it would be a physical impossibility for the infantry to advance. Moving up and down the trenches is hard enough, moving across no mans land would wear us all out completely. 

Day one hundred and twenty of the battle was a very wet and cold day. Despite this, morale was lifted with the news that German flying ace Oswald Boelcke has been killed in a collision with one of his pilots, so that's one less to worry about. 

The next morning, despite very wet conditions, Allied soldiers were able to take Dewdrop and Hazy trenches by lunchtime. This was the first action we had seen in days. 

As week seventeen of the Battle of the Somme drew to a close, the condition of the roads were worse than ever, with more rain expected. Having said this, French soldiers managed to take enemy trenches to the north-west of Sailly-Saillisel. 

The beginning of week eighteen began with Rawlinson said to be in despairs, with no further advancements being possible. Road and trench conditions are now extremely bad indeed, with the area around Guedecourt waterlogged. 

Day one hundred and twenty-four saw under heavy rain, a German counter-attack against Sailly-Saillisel repulsed, Allied soldiers advancing north-east of Lesboeufs as well as German soldiers evacutaing Fort Vaux (Verdun). 

The next couple of days have nothing much to report apart from on the 2nd October British soldiers managed to capture trenches east of Guedecourt and on the 3rd October, French soldiers advancing to the outskirts of Vaux (Verdun). Both days were met with heavy rainfall throughout, with the area around us now resembling a swamp. In fact we have more chance of dying by slipping off the duck boards than we do under enemy fire. 

Day one hundred and twenty seven of the battle saw a conference take place with Rawlinson, Haig and Foch, the details of which have not yet been released. Meanwhile, French soldiers occupied Damlup in Verdun. 

By the end of the next day, we received the news that French soldiers had managed to occupy the whole of Vaux (Verdun). Not to be left out, the British soldiers made some progress at the Butte De Warlencourt, towards Le Transloy. The Anzac Corps won Bayonet Trench but by nightfall, the news filtered through that it had been lost again. 

As week eighteen of the Battle of the Somme comes to a close, we have just received the news that French soldiers have progressed near St Pierre Wood. For the rest of us, we are currently trying to make ourselves as comfortable as possible, to get some sleep, before the heavy rain comes back. 

Don't forget to come back next Sunday for all the latest news from the Battle of the Somme.

The Somme News - No 16

Good morning and welcome back to the one hundredth and ninth day of the Battle of the Somme. Not much has happened today, with soldiers trying to catch up on much needed sleep that had been missed last night due to the heavy rainfall. Haig met with Rawlinson earlier today, where it is said they discussed plans for future battles. 

Despite constant rain this morning, I am pleased to announce that the Battle of the Transloy Ridge is over. This is not the only piece of good news, as British soldiers have made progress north of Guedecourt whilst French soldiers made progress succeeding in pushing the German's out of Sailly. It is reported that Rawlinson has described today's events as partially successful. 

One hundred and eleven days since the Battle of the Somme began. Constant heavy rain last night as well as this morning has meant both the roads and ground surface are in a dreadful state, making any movement difficult. As a result, planned reserve army operations have been postponed for forty-eight hours. 

We awoke this morning to very cold conditions as Autumn really sets in. In fact is is reportedly the lowest temperature recorded so far during the Somme battle. Despite this, we are soldiering on, with heavy German attacks against the Schwaben and Thiepval Plateau both being repulsed. There has been much aerial activity today with many reconnaissance missions taking place. Earlier today, we even witnessed a German Albatros aircraft get shot down close to High Wood. 

Day one hundred and thirteen of the Battle of the Somme is the day I am pleased to say British soldiers advanced on a line between the Schwaben Redoubt and Le Sars, capturing a vast amount of prisioners of war in the process. Meanwhile, A.J Balfour paid a visit to Rawlinson earlier on, where it is said they discussed the supply of steal not being adequate and where Balfour expressed how anxious he was about the sheer number of casualties of this battle so far. 

Yesterday, day one hundred and fourteen was a bitterly cold day with very little action and therefore there was very little to report. However, we awoke early this morning to misty conditions, yet we pressed on, with British soldiers advancing towards Le Transloy, capturing numerous enemy trenches in the process. Meanwhile Kiggell and Gough had tea with Rawlinson, where they all agreed to postpone the planned attack on the 25th, twenty-four hours, bringing week sixteen of the Battle of the Somme to a close. 

Remember to check back at the same time next week for the latest news from the Somme front.

The Somme News - No.15

Welcome back to the fifteenth edition of the Somme News on this fine, sunny day. It is reported that French soldiers have had success near Chaulnes. Meanwhile, Rawlinson has been inspecting both the roads and rails nearby and has stated that they have both "simply disappeared". He has also reported that the desolation all around us "is appalling". 

We awoke on day one hundred and three of the battle with slight rain. Despite this, the Battle of the Ancre Heights has thankfully ended, whilst French soldiers successfully repulsed German attacks at the Bois De Chaulnes. 

Day one hundred and four of the Battle of the Somme has been a busy one for British soldiers, with them attacking a huge four mile front between Eaucourt and Bapaume. There is casualties and chaos all around me currently and I would say as a general undertaking, the attack has failed. 

After yesterdays' failed attack, there is not much else to report other than Rawlinson holding a Corps Conference, the details of such are securely under wraps for secrecy reasons. 

On day one hundred and six of the Battle of the Somme, there was not really much to report. In the years to come, when Rawlinson's diary became available to the public, his thoughts on the 14th October were that "the weather will bring the battle to a close soon. The glass is falling and the rain will shortly return. The roads will then become impassable and ammunition will not then be got to the guns." In his diary he also adds that the casualties so far since the 1st July have reached 40,000 and yet there would be many more to add to that list before the battle ended. 

Day one hundred and seven today and we awoke to heavy rain as the Autumn is drawing in. British soldiers have been making progress all day in the Schwaden Redoubt and Thiepval areas. Whilst this was taking place, Rawlinson led an inspection of the ground at Longueval, Deville Wood and High Wood. He also passed comment that he believed German soldiers were, at the present time, reviving themselves in the battle and fighting with greater tenacity. 

We awoke this morning to a white frost all around us, which was bitterly cold, although the sun did come out during the day. As a result, no operations took place as day one hundred and eight and week fifteen of the Battle of the Somme come to a close. 

Don't forget to check back next week for all the latest news from the Somme. 

The Somme News - No.14

Good morning and welcome back to The Somme News. day ninety-five of the battle has seen a day of heavy rainfall and misty conditions. British soldiers have recovered Eaucourt L'Abbaye, whilst this afternoon saw Rawlinson making the first of two planned visits to local Royal Flying Corps squadrons. Soldiers have today spent their time catching up on sleep, writing home and just generally recuperating as best they can in trench conditions. 

This morning on the battlefield has seen yet more heavy rainfall, making conditions even more harsh and dangerous, with roads and tracks also in a bad way, making any movement a struggle. This led to a decision made by Rawlinson this morning to postpone a series of planned operations for forty-eight hours. I have been notified that talented flying ace, Albert Ball has been posted back to England, although on what grounds I am unable to say. 

Trench morale is at a new low on this day ninety-seven as wet and windy conditions are making the soldiers tired, uncomfortable and restless. British soldiers have today advanced north-west of Eaucourt whilst French soldiers have also been making progress to the east of Morval. In other news, ground conditions are making it extremely difficult for the collection of casualties as well as the bringing up of stores and munitions. 

Rain continued to fall during the night, making sleeping almost impossible as the weather turned more blustery. Today however, the sun came out, and that, paired with the strong winds we are currently experiencing, have meant that the ground is starting to dry out a little. Pack horses have spent much of today, carrying much needed ammunition and food to the infantry in the trenches. Haig paid a lunch visit to Rawlinson earlier today, where it is said he expressed his view that he wants the battle to go on until the winter, unless the weather makes it impossible. Rawlinson also decided that the planned attacks for the 7th should go ahead due the improving ground conditions. 

7th October, the day of the planned attacks. Despite lack of sleep due to a very wet and windy night, the attack goes ahead. Windy conditions paired with low clouds interfered with flying, nevertheless, at 1.45pm the attack began. British and French soldiers made their advance on the Albert-Bapaume road, with British soldiers advancing 1,000 yards in order to capture Le Sars. French soldiers manage to advance to the north-east of Morval, reaching to within 200 yards of Sailly. This evening, whilst exhausted soldiers prepare for nightfall, Rawlinson hears the news that Lord French is to visit French soldiers. 

Day one hundred of the Battle of the Somme has been a busy one. Not only was the British line to the north and east of Courcelette advanced, although the enemy did attack and regain some trenches, but French soldiers also had success at Sailly-Saillisel, as did the Canadian soldiers, who captured both the Regina Trench and the Quadrilateral. However, rumours are filtering through that both of these have seen been lost. 

As week fourteen of the Battle of the Somme, British soldiers have made progress to the east of Le Sars, towards the Butte De Warlencourt.

Don't forget to check back on 16th October for all the latest news from the Somme front.

Somme 100 App Review

100 years ago today, the Battle of the Somme was raging and showed no sign of slowing up. Advancements and retreats on both sides was getting the war nowhere but with so many problems in the world today, not much is being said about it on the news. 

I first heard about the Somme 100 App, creating by Dan Snow and The Royal British Legion, when he announced it on his YouTube channel on launch day. I downloaded it but didn't get a chance to have a proper look at it until a few days later and was pleasantly suprised at how much content and options there were. 

The first thing I love it the simple homepage - With a background that looks like old paper (I remember recreating this as a child with a used teabag), your attention is immediately caught by the bright red poppy, a system especially of the First World War. But it's the picture of the three men that really got me thinking, for it is them that lived through the days at the Somme, just normal men with families and lives back home, that were fighting the enemy to survive each day. I think they simple homepage really pays tribute to those men, and makes you realised that it could have just as likely been you or I that were there. 

For those who are learning about the Battle of the Somme for the first time, your first stop has to be there Battle Timeline. Here you will find key information about how the tension grew to start the war and then its split down into segments after that. For example, what happened on that first day or what happened at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. You also have the option to read interviews and letters or listen to the soldiers themselves talk about their experience. This particular option really showed me just how much like me and my family they were. When you see a black and white photograph, of a man wearing uniform that you have never seen, it makes it difficult to relate to but as soon as you hear them speaking, you realise just how much alike you are. This is shown even more so in a video clip of a poem The Royal British Legion have commissioned. In this clip, word artist Molly Case is talking to the camera, in a pub and as she talks the camera pans around to show our generation down the pub with friends, wearing everyday clothes and showed that effect of the war on just the people in that pub. It is hard to explain the effect it has on you watching it, unless you have seen it, but it certainly made me cry! In this section, you can also watch video clips by Dan Snow, telling you information such as how the British Army was supplied or what was it like away from the front line. 

If like me, you want more of a breakdown of what happened Battle Timeline - Battle Day by Day is great, giving you the option to read about what is happening on a particular day. I love looking at each day, on the day before I get up each morning. Here, it means I have an insight into what those men were going through, 100 years ago, whilst I go to work or join my family for dinner and it makes me even more thankful for what they sacrificed. 

The Battle of the Somme section is more of an overview and is great for help with homework or finding out about a particular section of the battle. Here you can also find out the key events for each month of the Battle and see how it progressed. The Map of the Somme section is a great interactive learning resource and shows just how close England was to the battles. Here you can choose the date range you want to look at and see what was going on in a particular area. The information on the Pals Battalions are great, with information of when they formed, what regiments they were part of and any more stories or information known about them. Finding out about different villages and what happened in them throughout the war in another great aspect of this section, whilst towards the end of the date range, you can see all the memorials that were created which is a good tool if you are thinking about visiting any of them yourself. 

If you are looking for more of a birds eye view of what difference certain attacks made and on how important advancements were then the Animated Battle Maps are perfect for you. Here you can see exactly how the front line changed throughout the Battle of the Somme, whilst it also gives you an insight into just how close the British trenches were to the German trenches. 

The search section is an added bonus so that if you want to find a bit of information that you were previously looking at, you can be directed straight to it rather than having to go through all the sections to find it yourself and the useful links section gives you information on were you can find even more information. If you have an problems with the app or are not sure how to use it, be sure to check out the frequently asked question section on there, where they cover pretty much everything you need to know.

Overall, I think the app is a great idea for the modern world, making it seem much more of a personal journey you are learning about and is great for both kids and adults. Each section has just a small section of writing so that you can actually take the information in and to make sure you understand, the animations show you what they mean. I highly recommend you checking the app out because it has so many different media types that will give you much more of an understanding that reading any book will and I hope that maybe in the future, more apps like this will be available, if only to make sure we always remember those brave soldiers in any war.