Field Marshall Douglas Haig: Butcher of the Somme?

Today’s Objective – To look at the plan of the Battle of the Somme

and the reality

What does this picture reveal about Haig?

The Battle of the Somme

• It was one of the most significant battles of the First World War

• It was fought along the River Somme in France in June 1916

• The commander of British troops Field Marshall Douglas Haig doubted there would be ‘even a rat’ alive in the German trenches after the offensive

• On the first day of the offensive British casualties amounted to 58,000 (a third of them killed)

Why the Somme?

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Look at the plan and the reality. What went wrong?

The Somme: The plan Fundamentally as explained by Field Marshall Douglas Haig commander in charge of the battle, the objective of the attack was threefold:

1. To relieve pressure on the French at Verdun

2. To help the allies, the French by distracting the German troops

3. To wear down the strength of the enemy forces

You have been provided with a sheet outlining the plan of the Battle of the Somme

The Somme: The reality

• In reality, this plan went drastically wrong for a number of

reasons. Now read the sheet you have been given outlining the reality of the battle

Mind Mapping the Somme

• Create two mind maps

1. Outlining the plan

2. Outlining the reality

• You must only use key words and a few key images

Plenary: Turning Point?

• The Battle of the Somme was a huge turning point in the First World War, it resulted in the resignation of Atlee as Prime Minister, with the replacement of Lloyd George.

• Can you think about why it would have been such a huge turning point?

• What impact would this have had on opinions of Haig?