Battlefront: Somme

In July 1916 the Allied army launched its latest assault on the German battle lines around the River Somme in northern France. The aim was twofold: to relieve the pressure on the French at Verdun and to achieve a breakthrough followed by 'the big push' forward. The battle that ensued was to last five months, resulting in more than a million casualties.

Following the success of the very first Battlefront pack published in 1997 (1st July 1916. The First Day of the Somme) this title considers the campaign between July and December 1916. The collection of facsimile documents examines the preparations for the first day and the development of tactics to suit the terrain up to the German withdrawal in November.

This Pack Contains:

Section of Stanford's map of the British Front in France and Flanders, March 1916
Preparations by the 4th Army
Map of German positions
Report on German trenches
Notes on artillery material in the Battle of the Somme
20th Infantry Brigade operation order no. 74
German war diary (translation)
Tank operations
Notes on tactics for tanks
Pilot Mackensie, RNAS, 4 Wing; a selection of his letters during the Somme campaign
Order of Battle, Royal Flying Corps
Instructions regarding the cooperation of aeroplanes with other arms

An illustrated introduction provides expert background to the action and a full explanation of the documents themselves.