1. Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity?
Lesson Objective:
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

2. So what do we already know about World War One?
Guidance:
Who were involved?
Where did the majority of the fighting take place?
Why did it start (what were the MAIN causes)?
What type of warfare was it?
Paired Task:
You will need to remember information from our past few classes!
Create a list of at least 5 things you know about World War One and life in the trenches.
You have 2 minutes, so you must think quickly!
Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

3. X 14 = ??

4. 90,000 x 14 =
There were nearly 1.2 million casualties (people injured/ killed in combat)
Nearly fourteen times the capacity of Wembley Stadium
1,260, 000
These included;
420,000 British
200,000 French
500,000 Germans

5. Background Information
Study the facts below carefully…
In July 1916, the French army was close to collapse.
After the high casualty rate at the Battle of Verdun many troops were refusing to fight.
If the Germans attacked again then the French Army would be defeated and the allies would lose the war.
General Haig was ordered to divert the Germans away from Verdun by launching an attack on the Somme.

6. Study the facts below carefully…
The battle lasted from 1 July – 18 November 1916.
Took place in France and was one of the most significant battles of the First World War.
60,000 British casualties on first day of battle alone.
11 Cambridgeshire Battalion sent 750 ‘over the top’ and 691 became casualties of war.
1,738,000 shells were fired at the Germans in the initial bombardment.
Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

7. How much can you remember?
Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme
Started: 1st July 1916
Ended: 18th November 1916
Where did it take place? France on the Western Front
Why was it launched? It was supposed to release pressure from the French troops at Verdun
How many British casualties were the on the first day? 60,000

8. What can your source tell you about the Battle of the Somme?
Your Task:
You will be assigned groups of 3
Consider what your source can tell us about the Battle of the Somme. Look at your source…… they are all different!!
Keep in mind the five “W”s
Be ready to feedback your ideas to
the rest of the class!!
YOU HAVE 5 MINUTES!!!
Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

9. First look at the PROVENANCE (The five “W”s)
WHO wrote/created it?
WHAT is it?
WHERE is it? WHERE was it produced?
WHEN was it produced?
WHY was it recorded?
If information is not provided,
use your reasoning to provide a
‘Best Fit’ suggestion.
Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

10. What can you learn about the Battle of the Somme from your source?

11. Two important people Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme
Two important people
Field Marshall Lord Kitchener – Secretary of State for War – In charge of recruiting the British Army – Supported the idea of the Pal’s Battalions
General Sir Douglas Haig – leader of the British Army at the Somme. His nickname became “The Butcher of the Somme”.

12. Source 1

13. Source 2

14. Source 3
Second Lieutenant Percy Boswell’s last letter to his father, 30 June 1916
Transcription:
B.E.F.
Dear Father,
I am just writing you a short note which you will receive only if anything has happened to me during the next few days.
The Hun is going to get start hell just in this quarter & we are going over the top tomorrow, when I hope to spend a few merry hours in chasing the Bosch all over the place.  I am absolutely certain that I shall get through all right, but in case the unexpected does happen I shall rest content with the knowledge that I have done my duty – and one can’t do more.
Good Bye & wish the Best of Love to all
from
Percy

15. Source 4
John Terraine, The Smoke and the Fire: Myths and Anti-Myths of War , Sidgwick & Jackson, 1980
'By the end of July, responding to every British or French advance or attempt to advance, the German soldiers had made not less than sixty-seven counter-attacks, large or small, that I can identify.  Probably they had made a great many more, now lost over time- possibly twice as many.  This was the make up of the battle: attack, counter-attack; attack again, counter-attack again…
That is why it is so utterly dreadful to dwell constantly on the freak of 1 July, and to associate the whole battle with the image of that day…
The Somme was the turning point.  The first dim indication of the still far-distant victories of 1918.'

16. Were there any positive outcomes from the battle?

17. Positives Negatives The Allies captured 70 square miles of land.
The battle bought the French enough time to re-organise their army.
Inflicted heavy casualties on the Germans.
Negatives
Bloodiest battle in the history of the British Army.
Limited land gained.
War no closer to an end.

18. Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity?
Final Task
In your book answer our lesson question and give reasons to support your answers:
Was the Battle of the Somme a bloodbath or a tactical necessity?
Lesson Objective
To analyse different interpretations of the Battle of the Somme

19. Success criteria Unsatisfactory Good Outstanding
Provide a simple statement or opinion: either blood bath or tactical necessity.
Provide an opinion and 1 or 2 pieces of evidence to support their argument.
Provide an opinion and 3 or more carefully selected, well explained pieces of evidence to support their argument.