Why we must remember them

 The Battle of the Somme was a major battle of the First World War, fought from 1 July to 18 November 1916. It was one of the bloodiest battles in human history, with over one million casualties, including 19,240 British and Empire soldiers killed on the first day, the worst day of British military history.

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The battle was fought on the Somme River in France, and it was the first major offensive launched by the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) after the failure of the Battle of Loos in September 1915. The aim of the battle was to break through the German lines and drive them back to the Hindenburg Line, a series of fortifications that ran across northern France.

The battle was preceded by a week of heavy bombardment, which failed to destroy the German defences. On 1 July, the British and Empire troops launched a massive infantry assault, but they were met with fierce resistance from the Germans and suffered heavy casualties. The battle continued for the next four and a half months, with both sides suffering heavy losses.

Despite the heavy losses, the Battle of the Somme achieved some limited success. The British and Empire troops did manage to capture some ground, and they inflicted heavy casualties on the Germans. However, the battle did not break the deadlock on the Western Front, and it did not lead to a decisive victory for either side.

The Battle of the Somme was reported on extensively in the British press. The early reports of the battle were optimistic, and they painted a picture of a great victory for the British and Empire troops. However, as the battle continued and the casualties mounted, the tone of the reporting became more sombre. The British public was shocked by the scale of the losses, and it became clear that the war was going to be much longer and more costly than anyone had imagined.

The Battle of the Somme had a profound impact on British society. It led to a loss of faith in the leadership of the War Cabinet and the military, and it contributed to growing anti-war sentiment. The battle also had a long-term impact on British culture, and it is one of the most enduring images of the First World War.

The Battle of the Somme lasted for 141 days. The total number of casualties on both sides is estimated to be between 1.2 and 1.3 million.

The Battle of the Somme was a tragedy of immense proportions. It was a battle that should never have been fought, and it was one that had a profound impact on British society. The battle is a reminder of the horrors of war, and it serves as a warning against the dangers of unchecked ambition.