The Battle of the Somme

Question 1

Background of the Battle of the Somme

Answer 1

• Date: 1 July – 18 November 1916
• Location: Western Front, Northern France
• Objective: Break the stalemate on the Western Front and relieve pressure on French forces at Verdun.

Question 2

Why Are There Different Perspectives?

Answer 2

• The Battle of the Somme was one of the deadliest battles in human history, with over 1 million casualties.
• People’s perspectives depended on their role, nationality, and access to information.
• Governments used propaganda to shape public opinion, while soldiers’ letters and diaries often revealed a more personal, critical view.

Question 3

Perspective of British soldiers (on the front lines) on the war

Answer 3

Often saw the battle as a disaster; many were disillusioned by poor leadership and heavy casualties.

Question 4

Reasons for the perspective of British soldiers (on the front lines) on the war

Answer 4

Soldiers experienced horrific conditions, little progress, and high death tolls on the first day alone.

Question 5

Perspective of British generals and commanders on the war

Answer 5

Tended to view it as a necessary sacrifice to wear down the German army (“war of attrition”).

Question 6

Reasons for the perspective of British generals and commanders on the war

Answer 6

Focused on long-term strategy and believed it weakened German morale and resources.

Question 7

Perspective of British public (early in battle) on the war

Answer 7

Initially saw it as a heroic effort; heavily influenced by propaganda and censored reports.

Question 8

Reason for the perspective of British public (early in battle) on the war

Answer 8

Newsreels and posters glorified the offensive; negative details were withheld.

Question 9

Perspective of British public (later in war) on the war

Answer 9

Became more critical as casualty lists grew and no clear victory was achieved.

Question 10

Reasons for the perspective of British public (later in war) on the war

Answer 10

Letters from soldiers, public mourning, and lack of progress caused doubts about military leadership.

Question 11

German perspective on the war

Answer 11

Mixed: recognised the high cost to Britain but also saw it as a successful defence.

Question 12

Reasons for German perspectives on the war

Answer 12

German troops held their ground in many areas but suffered massive losses too.

Question 13

Perspective of Historians (modern) on the war

Answer 13

Divided – some see it as a tragic failure, others argue it helped turn the tide of the war.

Question 14

Reasons for the perspective of Historians (modern) on the war

Answer 14

Later access to records shows both the scale of loss and the strategic impact on German resources.