What was the plan of attack at the Somme?

General Sir Henry Rawlinson’s original plan of attack was simple. He intended to hit the front line of German defences with intense artillery bombardments to destroy German positions and kill large numbers of troops. The idea was to wear down the Germans in a war of attrition.

Who made the plan for the Battle of Somme?

Sir Douglas Haig
The plan for the Somme was devised by Sir Douglas Haig and Sir Henry Rawlinson. The huge casualties suffered during the Battle of the Somme played a significant part in earning Haig the nickname ‘The Butcher’. Here are 5 facts about the Battle of the Somme.

What tactic was used in the Battle of Somme?

Haig’s plan was to capture ground, breaking past the first enemy line and into the second enemy line on the first day. All possibilities to exploit enemy disorganisation should be grasped from then on.

Why did the plan for the Battle of the Somme fail?

The British failed to use artillery effectively That was a grave error. One of the problems with the bombardment was that it didn’t deal with the German wire effectively enough. A 60-Pounder heavy field gun at the Somme. Britain overestimated the damage its artillery would do during the initial seven-day bombardment.

What was the main aim of the Battle of the Somme?

Planning and Preparation. The Battle of the Somme (1 July – 18 November 1916) was a joint operation between British and French forces intended to achieve a decisive victory over the Germans on the Western Front after 18 months of trench deadlock.

How did the British prepare for the Battle of the Somme?

Training and large scale rehearsals were carried out over a period of weeks before the attack. Tons of supplies and equipment, hundreds of guns, thousands of men and hundreds of horses arrived in the rear areas ready for deployment to the forward lines to attack or support the attack.

What was the main cause of the Battle of the Somme?

The campaign, staged along an 18-mile stretch around the Somme River in France, was a joint French and British offensive to expel German forces. The location and timing of the attack was also intended to relieve pressure on Verdun, where French troops were enduring a punishing German attack.

How did the Battle of Somme unfold?

After a full week of artillery bombardment, the offensive began in earnest on the morning of July 1, 1916, when soldiers from 11 British divisions emerged from their trenches near the Somme River in northwestern France and advanced toward the German front lines.