1. Newfoundland & the Great War (#3)
NL Studies 2205

2. Battle of Beamont Hamel
Our focus in this section will be to discuss the Battle of Beaumont Hamel and its historical significance for the people of our province
Newfoundland & the Great War

3. Newfoundland & the Great War
Western Front…1916
As 1916 approached, there was still trench deadlock on the Western Front
The massive frontal assaults against enemy trenches over the previous two years had failed to bring any substantial gains or military victories
The Allies intended to finally break through the German positions by launching simultaneous offensives on the Western, Eastern and Italian Fronts
Success from this plan would end the war
Newfoundland & the Great War

4. Newfoundland & the Great War
The Somme: Background
The Allied victory plans were upset in Feb 1916 when the Germans decided to attack the French fortress town of Verdun
The French would never let this location fall to the Germans & would send thousands of troops to their deaths in the defense of this city
Verdun was a slaughter that lasted from Feb – Dec 1916 & tied down considerable French forces
Newfoundland & the Great War

5. Newfoundland & the Great War
The Somme: Background
To keep the French in the war, the British attempted to relieve pressure from the French at Verdun by attacking the Germans at the Somme
This would be a British led operation known as “the Big Push”
Commanded by Douglas Haig
Set to commence on July 1st, 1916
Newfoundland & the Great War

6. Newfoundland & the Great War
The Somme: Planning
The British plan included a 7 day artillery barrage of the German lines beginning on June 24th in order to smash the German trenches, the barbed wire, & troops stationed there
Huge mines would be exploded underneath the German positions
British troops will stay in attacking trench until zero hour when they will go over the top, line up in a series of waves, & walk at a slow pace towards the German trenches (Infantry Charge)
Newfoundland & the Great War

7. The Somme: German Defenses
All along the Western Front, the Germans had developed deep underground dugouts on the ground they captured
During the week-long British artillery barrage these dugouts protected many of the German soldiers on the Somme front
Newfoundland & the Great War

8. Newfoundland & the Great War
The Somme….July 1st, 1916
By July 1st, 1916, 120,000 British troops prepared to attack the German positions & end the trench stalemate
On 7:20am the British exploded two mines underneath the German front line trenches & the artillery also stopped firing
Newfoundland & the Great War

9. Newfoundland & the Great War
The Somme….July 1st, 1916
For the Germans secure in their dugouts, the mine explosion & the artillery stopping signals that an attack is about to commence.
They race up from their shelters & set up their machine guns in preparation of the British attack
At 7:30 the British forces go over the top & prepare to cross ‘no man’s land’
Newfoundland & the Great War

10. Newfoundland & the Great War
The Somme….July 1st, 1916
The opening attack was a slaughter
By 8 am British forces are being destroyed almost everywhere along the front
Approximately 57,000 casualties with 20, 000 dead on this opening day of battle
Unfortunately for the NL Regiment, they would see action on July 1st & would suffer some of the greatest losses out of all British forces involved that day
Newfoundland & the Great War

11. The Somme….July 1st, 1916 Newfoundland Regiment
The Newfoundlanders were to be in the second wave of attack to move into the German front lines & capture enemy positions near the French town of Beaumont-Hamel
For these men waiting in their reserve trenches ….they can’t see what was happening to the first waves of attackers but they can hear the disaster that was unfolding in front of them
Newfoundland & the Great War

12. The Somme….July 1st, 1916 Newfoundland Regiment
Because of the failed opening British attack, the Newfoundland attack was initially cancelled but this decision was reversed when a white flare was seen coming from the German front line
It was believed to be a signal from British forces calling for reinforcements when in fact it was a German flare redirecting artillery fire on to the British attack
The Newfoundlanders were ordered to go & provide assistance
Newfoundland & the Great War