The Battle of the Somme (World Wars)

Of all the battles of World War I, the Battle of the Somme is the best remembered for its extraordinary duration in pursuit of minimal gains, for the hardships endured by the troops in the trenches, and for the terrible casualties suffered by the British Army on the first day, July 1, 1916. Why was the Somme Valley chosen for "the great push"? Why did Sir Douglas Haig believe that the battle must be won at all costs? What inspired General Henry Rawlinson to command his men to walk across no man's land on July 1, resulting in 58,000 Allied casualties in a single day of fighting? This book looks at the battle in the context of World War I and examines the course of the battle and its long-term consequences.Stewart Ross is the author of 'The Battle of the Somme (World Wars)', published 2004 under ISBN 9780739854792 and ISBN 0739854798.