Why did British fail to achieve their objectives in the battle of the somme?

         On July 1st Britain bombardment going at the German lines for 7 days. The plan was to kill the Germans within an 18-mile front through heavy bombardment of their positions, however they lacked the required explosive guns and had little effect to the German trenches and barbed wire On July 1st, and 7.00am. The barrage was lifted, the Generals confident that the battle was won. Unfortunately, instead of walking into devastated German trenches, they came face to face with the undamaged German machine guns Soldier upon soldier was killed by the machine gunners. Soon the German artillery joined in. Some of the attacking troops never made it out of the trenches. The 1st Lancashire Fusiliers were shot to pieces half way to the German line. Few people made it to the barbed wire and the German front line. The British had lost 60,000 men on the first day. This makes the event the costliest day in British military history. Some of the German positions were taken but were not held and advance was therefore difficult the English also used the tank for the first time but the only trouble with the tank was it was too slow and got stuck in the mud easy but the scared the Germans and it was used to attack the trench’s and it also could take a lot damage.                        

Between July and august the attack continued the same way and the same result. Some of the land was gained. But the Germans retreated to good defensive positions in the woods so it made it harder for the British to attack and shoot them and there were on a hill and had trees defend ring them.

Between September and October rain made advance impossible. Because of this weather solders                 got trench foot and many got stuck in the mud and where shoot they only had gauge bandages for protection once they were shoot many of the solders got back from the field at night but many died from bleeding too much.1000 men a week died from influenza and frostbite they needed morphine to easy the pain. The attack was called off in November.

The result and consequences of this battle for both sides were good and bad. The Germans lost 680,000 men but they kept hold on to the high grounds and the Germans were demoralised and could not defeat the French at the battle of Verdun. Where as the British lost 620,000 men. And that’s a terrible cost for 10km reached. Some blamed generals but was there an alternative. No the generals should not get the blame for this as they did not know the Germans know there was an attack about to happen and they was just doing there job.