The Somme

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Regards,

Edwin
 
I visit the Somme a few years ago its unbelievable what happend there on the first day of the batlle the Britisch army lost 57.470 men 19.240 were killed.

Thiepval memorial.
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Newfoundland War Memorial park Beaumont Hamel.
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For those who are interested in this topic, I strongly recommend ' The First Day On The Somme' by Martin Middlebrook. It deals with the British involvement in the battle, covering not just strategy and tactics, but also the experience of many individual soldiers. I bought this in the 1970's and it made a profound impression on me. I have just re-read it for the umpteenth time and it is as powerful as ever. Rawlinson, the British general who was primarily responsible for the tactics and decisions which led to much of the slaughter was honoured and financially rewarded after the war, whilst the survivors were left to fend for themselves in a country which wasn't the 'land fit for heroes ' they had been promised by the politicians.

Patrick
 
"Lions led by donkeys".....No problem fellows. The barbed wire will be gone. ..After 7 days non stop shelling the guns fell silent. The Germans climbed out of their deep dugouts and positioned their MG's. Aiming at knee hight. Mowing like a scythe through the formations of the advancing Companies....
 
chinstrap said:
For those who are interested in this topic, I strongly recommend ' The First Day On The Somme' by Martin Middlebrook. It deals with the British involvement in the battle, covering not just strategy and tactics, but also the experience of many individual soldiers. I bought this in the 1970's and it made a profound impression on me. I have just re-read it for the umpteenth time and it is as powerful as ever. Rawlinson, the British general who was primarily responsible for the tactics and decisions which led to much of the slaughter was honoured and financially rewarded after the war, whilst the survivors were left to fend for themselves in a country which wasn't the 'land fit for heroes ' they had been promised by the politicians.

Patrick

I bought this book about 30 years later but it certainly is a classic :D

Regards.

Edwin
 
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