Somme (Hawthorn Ridge Mine Explosion)

The initial plans for the battle of the Somme were much larger, but the French disaster at Verdun, early in 1916, caused these plans to be scaled back. This meant that the majority of the offensive effort would switch from …

1916-07-01

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The initial plans for the battle of the Somme were much larger, but the French disaster at Verdun, early in 1916, caused these plans to be scaled back. This meant that the majority of the offensive effort would switch from the French to the British army. A week long British bombardment preceded the attack and early on July 1, large mines that had been placed under the German lines were set off. At Beaumont Hamel, after the mine explosion, the British 29th Division moved forward to capture the mine crater. In addition, an attack was launched from a sunken lane. The Germans, recognizing the importance of the crater, also rushed troops forward. Fierce fighting took place all around the crater and woods, but running low on ammunition British Resistance collapsed and the survivors returned to the British lines.

Hawthorn Ridge Crater, France

The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British Empire and French Third Republic against the German Empire. It took place between 1 July and 18 November 1916 on both sides of the upper reaches of the River Somme in France. The battle was intended to hasten a victory for the Allies. More than three million men fought in the battle and one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the deadliest battles in human history.

Wikipedia: Battle of the Somme

German

British