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Questions and Answers
How many miles of land did Haig hope to gain during the battle?
How many miles of land did Haig hope to gain during the battle?
The British casualties on the first day of the Battle of the Somme totaled 420,000.
The British casualties on the first day of the Battle of the Somme totaled 420,000.
True
What was the total number of German casualties during the Battle of the Somme?
What was the total number of German casualties during the Battle of the Somme?
500,000
By the end of the battle on 18th November 1916, only ___ miles had been secured.
By the end of the battle on 18th November 1916, only ___ miles had been secured.
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Match the following statements with the correct details:
Match the following statements with the correct details:
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Which of the following was one way the Battle of the Somme can be viewed as a failure?
Which of the following was one way the Battle of the Somme can be viewed as a failure?
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The bombardment of the German trenches was effective in destroying all barbed wire defenses.
The bombardment of the German trenches was effective in destroying all barbed wire defenses.
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Name one way in which the Battle of the Somme can be viewed as a success.
Name one way in which the Battle of the Somme can be viewed as a success.
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What was the main reason the German dugouts were not destroyed during the Battle of the Somme?
What was the main reason the German dugouts were not destroyed during the Battle of the Somme?
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The British artillery was successful in destroying the German barbed wire.
The British artillery was successful in destroying the German barbed wire.
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What was the estimated number of British soldiers killed or wounded by the end of the Battle of the Somme?
What was the estimated number of British soldiers killed or wounded by the end of the Battle of the Somme?
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What warning did the artillery bombardment give to the German defenders?
What warning did the artillery bombardment give to the German defenders?
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The British advanced 20 miles during the Battle of the Somme.
The British advanced 20 miles during the Battle of the Somme.
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How many German soldiers were killed or wounded by the end of the Battle of the Somme?
How many German soldiers were killed or wounded by the end of the Battle of the Somme?
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The British detonated the mine at Hawthorne Ridge ___ minutes before the infantry advanced.
The British detonated the mine at Hawthorne Ridge ___ minutes before the infantry advanced.
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Match the following British errors during the Battle of the Somme with their effects:
Match the following British errors during the Battle of the Somme with their effects:
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The __________ was used by the British for the first time in the Battle of the Somme.
The __________ was used by the British for the first time in the Battle of the Somme.
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Match the following outcomes with their respective statistics from the Battle of the Somme:
Match the following outcomes with their respective statistics from the Battle of the Somme:
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What was the casualty figure for the British on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?
What was the casualty figure for the British on the first day of the Battle of the Somme?
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What was the primary impact of the Battle of the Somme on British military tactics?
What was the primary impact of the Battle of the Somme on British military tactics?
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What was the final consequence for the last of the German professional army during the Battle of the Somme?
What was the final consequence for the last of the German professional army during the Battle of the Somme?
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What was one objective of the Battle of the Somme?
What was one objective of the Battle of the Somme?
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Most Germans were unharmed during the British artillery bombardment.
Most Germans were unharmed during the British artillery bombardment.
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The Germans successfully destroyed the British artillery by the time the battle commenced.
The Germans successfully destroyed the British artillery by the time the battle commenced.
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The Battle of Verdun was strategically important for the French.
The Battle of Verdun was strategically important for the French.
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What nickname was given to General Haig due to his tactics during the Battle of the Somme?
What nickname was given to General Haig due to his tactics during the Battle of the Somme?
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How many shells were fired during the bombardment before the Battle of the Somme?
How many shells were fired during the bombardment before the Battle of the Somme?
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The first wave of soldiers went over the top at __________ on July 1st, 1916.
The first wave of soldiers went over the top at __________ on July 1st, 1916.
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Match the casualties with the type of casualty during the first day of the Battle of the Somme:
Match the casualties with the type of casualty during the first day of the Battle of the Somme:
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Who was the commander of the British forces at the Somme?
Who was the commander of the British forces at the Somme?
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The Germans were unprepared for the attack on the Somme.
The Germans were unprepared for the attack on the Somme.
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What was the intended outcome of the bombardment according to Douglas Haig?
What was the intended outcome of the bombardment according to Douglas Haig?
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What was the primary reason for Britain's attack at the Battle of the Somme?
What was the primary reason for Britain's attack at the Battle of the Somme?
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Artillery bombardment effectively destroyed the German barbed wire.
Artillery bombardment effectively destroyed the German barbed wire.
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When did the Battle of the Somme first begin?
When did the Battle of the Somme first begin?
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Over the course of the Battle of the Somme, hundreds of thousands of soldiers were _______.
Over the course of the Battle of the Somme, hundreds of thousands of soldiers were _______.
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Match the provided dates with their corresponding events:
Match the provided dates with their corresponding events:
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What happened to many British soldiers while trying to cross No Man's Land?
What happened to many British soldiers while trying to cross No Man's Land?
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What was the name of the General who led the offensive at the Battle of the Somme?
What was the name of the General who led the offensive at the Battle of the Somme?
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The soldiers believed that the artillery bombardment would effectively destroy the German barbed wire.
The soldiers believed that the artillery bombardment would effectively destroy the German barbed wire.
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What weapon was first used at the Battle of the Somme?
What weapon was first used at the Battle of the Somme?
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The Schlieffen Plan was designed to ensure a quick victory in a two-front war.
The Schlieffen Plan was designed to ensure a quick victory in a two-front war.
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Name one disease suffered by soldiers in the trenches.
Name one disease suffered by soldiers in the trenches.
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The German advance was stopped at the ______.
The German advance was stopped at the ______.
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What is stalemate?
What is stalemate?
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Match the sources with their views on Haig and the Somme:
Match the sources with their views on Haig and the Somme:
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Give one use of aircraft during WW1.
Give one use of aircraft during WW1.
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Haig was praised for his imaginative strategies during the Battle of the Somme.
Haig was praised for his imaginative strategies during the Battle of the Somme.
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Study Notes
The Battle of the Somme and Passchendaele
- The Battle of the Somme took place between July 1st and November 18th, 1916.
- It was fought near the River Somme in northern France, with British and French forces against German forces.
- It was the largest battle of World War One, with over 3 million men participating.
- The battle was one of the bloodiest in human history, with around one million casualties.
Why the Somme?
- British and French commanders (Haig and Joffre) aimed for a breakthrough, coordinated attack in 1915 to push back German forces.
- The River Somme was chosen as the location due to the meeting point of French and British trenches.
Verdun
- In February 1916, German forces attacked the French fortress of Verdun.
- Although Verdun was not strategically important, the French defended it fiercely to maintain morale.
- This diverted German troops from the Somme, allowing less French participation.
The Plan
- Haig's plan focused on an intense bombardment to cripple the German defenses, followed by an infantry advance.
- The plan also involved soldiers carrying equipment to repair trenches & 1.7 million shells fired at German trenches and No-Man's Land.
The First Day
- On July 1st, 1916, the initial attack suffered 20,000 British deaths and 40,000 wounded/prisoners.
- German observers had spotted British movements and were prepared.
- One-third of British shells were duds.
- German trenches and bunkers were not significantly damaged by the artillery bombardment.
- Barbed wire was tangled, making advancing difficult.
What happened next
- Despite high casualties, Haig continued offensives.
- Tanks were introduced (with difficulties).
- The battle lasted until November 1916.
- The British advanced only 5 miles.
- Total casualties (British, French, and German) approached 1 million.
Revision Questions
- Question 1: When did the Battle of the Somme take place?
- Answer 1: July 1st to November 18th, 1916.
- Question 2: Give one objective of the Battle of the Somme.
- Answer 2: To break the stalemate and push back the German forces.
- Question 3: How many shells were fired in the week before the Battle?
- Answer 3: 1.7 million.
- Question 4: What was the bombardment meant to do?
- Answer 4: Destroy the barbed wire and German defenses, allowing an infantry advance.
Week 8 Explore 1: How Successful was the Battle?
- Haig's attack plan stages are outlined (chronological order).
Task: Find the Incorrect Statement
- Several incorrect statements about the Battle of the Somme are given.
Task: Connect Error with Explanation
- The mistakes in the British plan and execution of the Somme offensive are explained.
Task: Categorize Statements
- Statements are classified as successes or failures of the Battle of the Somme.
Task: Source Comparison
- A comparison of sources A and B is to be done.
- What aspects do the source agree/disagree on, in terms of the Battle of the Somme.
Plenary Questions and Answers
- Questions related to the Battle of the Somme are presented with their respective answers.
Week 8 Explore 2 : The Battle of the Somme
- Questions related to the Battle of the Somme are given.
War Reporter's View
- A war reporter's critique of General Haig and the Somme offensive is summarized.
Task: Highlight Supporting Sources
- Sources supporting and contradicting a particular view on Haig's strategies are identified.
The Butcher of the Somme?
- The argument surrounding General Haig's characterisation as the 'Butcher of the Somme' is presented.
- The article argues that Haig should be criticised for poor planning and execution that led to horrific casualties.
Label Paragraph (page 20)
- A detailed label is for the paragraph on the horrific casualties.
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Description
Explore the significant battles of the Somme and Passchendaele during World War I. Learn about the strategies, leadership, and the devastating impact these battles had on the soldiers and the war as a whole. Delve into the historical context and consequences of these monumental events.
