A 100 years ago, British , Commonwealth and French troops launched the Battle of la Somme. This Battle is the British "VERDUN" . Today a great tribute was made for the fallen A great diaporama of the ceremony here: http://actu.orange.fr/monde/diaporamas/la-famille-royale-britannique-commemore-la-bataille-de-la-somme-CNT000000qJn9z.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Somme Casualties and losses 794,238[1] British losses 481,842, French losses about 250,000[2] 537,918[1] German losses 236,19 "The first day on the Somme was also the worst day in the history of the British army, which suffered 57,470 casualties," http://dernancourt.free.fr/Bataill%20de%20la%20Somme%201916.htm http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/bristol-commuters-moved-to-tears-by-this-simple-but-powerful-wearehere-somme-tribute/story-29464991-detail/story.html#ixzz4D99hswmB http://www.lesechos.fr/politique-societe/societe/0211088676822-hollande-cameron-et-la-famille-royale-britannique-commemorent-la-bataille-de-la-somme-2011487.php
http://www.ouest-france.fr/picardie/somme/la-famille-royale-britannique-commemore-le-centenaire-de-la-bataille-de-la-somme-4339092
The numbers are simply astounding. But it is the losses that are most remembered. The first day of the Somme offensive, July 1, 1916, resulted in 57,470 British casualties, greater than the total combined British casualties in the Crimean, Boer, and Korean wars. In contrast, the French, with fewer divisions, suffered only around 2,000 casualties. By the time the offensive ended in November, the British had suffered around 420,000 casualties, and the French about 200,000. German casualty numbers are controversial, but may be about 465,000. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/battle-of-the-somme
Yes it was a terrible surprised for British troops when they realised they were facing intact German Maxim squads in open fields. They paid a hard price for this experience. with some regiments like the Middlesex one losing up to 90% of its strenght.
I'm a bit late but here's the picture I posted in another thread. London metro 100 years after Somme. Let us never forget those men!
Grear picture indeed. More tributes here. Glasgow Swansea Newcastle Birmingham http://imgur.com/gallery/f2tKB
and in Belfast too http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/hundreds-gather-belfast-commemorate-100th-11491640
French troops http://actu.cotetoulouse.fr/centenaire-14-18-passionnes-font-revivre-tranchee-de-toulouse-verdun_29859/
This one includes both allied nations (+ Commonwelath) and the future generations. https://www.francebleu.fr/infos/societe/centenaire-de-la-bataille-de-la-somme-le-plan-de-circulation-et-le-transport-scolaire-1467131479
Great photos Skipper! I honestly got goosebumps while looking at those photos and imagining how those men felt like going to war. Now I regret even more that I missed the opportunity of buying a French WWI victory medal from my contact.
Looking to research my Great Grand Father (Mathews). Apparently he was gassed twice and injured in the Middlesex reg. will post shortly
