The Somme Offensive

The Somme Offensive was a major battle during World War I, fought between July and November 1916 along the Somme River in France. It was initiated by British and French forces against the German army, aiming to relieve pressure on the French at Verdun and break the stalemate of trench warfare. The first day saw the heaviest casualties in British military history. Over the course of the battle, it became notorious for its high human cost, resulting in about 1 million total casualties, and only limited territorial gains. It symbolized the brutal nature of WWI and the tragedy of industrialized warfare.