The Battle of the Somme commenced on 1 July 1916, marking the beginning of one of the most significant and devastating military engagements of the First World War. Launched as a joint offensive by British and French forces against the German Empire, the operation was intended to relieve pressure on the French army at Verdun and to break the stalemate that had gripped the Western Front since the autumn of 1914.

The opening day of the offensive remains the deadliest in the history of the British Army, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. The subsequent months of attrition saw fighting continue through the summer and autumn, characterised by brutal trench warfare and the introduction of new military technologies, including the tank. For the British public, the prolonged nature of the conflict and the sheer scale of the losses sustained came to symbolise the profound human cost of the war.

Key aspects of the engagement include:

• The offensive was designed to weaken the German army through a war of attrition.
• The first day of the battle resulted in nearly 60,000 British casualties.
• The fighting persisted for over four months, ending in November 1916.
• The campaign saw the first operational use of tanks in military history.
• The battle remains a defining event in the collective memory of the First World War.

By the time the offensive concluded in November 1916, the Allied forces had advanced only a few miles into German-held territory. Despite the limited territorial gains, the battle played a crucial role in the wider Allied strategy, forcing the German army to divert resources and manpower away from other sectors. The legacy of the Somme continues to be remembered as a poignant example of the sacrifice made by a generation of soldiers during the conflict.