Cycling the Somme

The 1st day of the Somme

On 1 July 1916, 13 British Divisions attacked along a line from North of Gommecourt to Mariecourt in what became known as the Great Push.  Few battles in history  have started with the buoyant confidence shown by the British 4th Army and no battle can compare to the catastrophic losses suffered by the end of the first day.

The attack met fierce German resistance  from strong defensive positions barely touched by the seven day preliminary bombardment.  From Gommecourt to Montauban, with the exception of a few temporary successes, the attack was a failure.

Only on the Southern flank, at Fricourt and North of Mametz, did the British Army enjoy success.  South of the River Somme, the French Army also managed to achieve its objectives on the first day.