1916 The First World War in Old Photographs: A War of Attrition (The First World War in Photographs)

In January 1916 conscription was introduced by the British to feed the insatiable demand for men at the front. The spring saw the launch of the German offensive at Verdun and the British counterattack, but neither side achieved any significant gains. On 1 July the Allies experienced the bloodiest day of the war at the Somme with some 60,000 men killed in a single day.

The British Mark 1 tank also made its combat debut at the Somme, heralding a new era of mechanized warfare.

Lord Kitchener died when HMS Hampshire sank after hitting a mine. Kitchener had become the iconic figure of the First World War, appearing on countless recruiting posters.