picture is taken during day time and shows a scene or a quiet trench with
soldiers lying down and one looking towards no-mans land. Source b
supports source a as the guards are relaxing during the day means that most
of the major activated were at night.
The heading of source b tells us the photograph is of British soldiers in
Somme, September 1916. it was photographed by British military. We can
see by the angle of the photograph that the guard is over looking no-mans
land. This is very dangerous, as he becomes a target for enemy snipers.
Examining the photo further it can be seem that the barbed wire is on the
opposite side of the trench along with the fire step. The only explanation is
that the British had captured the trench, which means that no-mans land
would lie to the left of source b and the guard is looking to the right. This
now explains the purpose of the photo.
Source c shows us how dangerous it was to occupy trenches. Source c
confirms the amount of deaths during certain periods of the battle of Somme.
Neither the provenance nor the actual source gives us the detail to who
complied the figures or how they were used. Source a tells us that life in the
trenches were dull and tiresome but source c shows that even in the quietest
periods men still died. If the men did not die from full on contact deaths still
occurred from snipers and shells. Source c clearly shows that other times
were dangerous than others, or example July - November 1916 was more
dangerous than July 1915- June 1916. Source c may also be misleading, as
there is no reference to injured soldiers of the battle. Source c is inaccurate
as it tells us the same number of deaths occurred a day over a period of time,
which is very unlikely so consequently the deaths would have been averaged
over this time period. As a conclusion, source a is booked up by source b but
are both challenged by source c.
Question 3
Source d is an extract from a book for children, which was published in
1916. It is a primary piece of evidence as it is written at the time of the
event. The extract talks about the allied troops and how they battled through
no-mans land and described the battle as one-sided. It also implies that not a
single allied soldier was injured. ‘ Our men leapt with from there trenches
and advanced…but not a man did falter…’ this did not happen and in fact
the British troops had suffered 60,000 casualties. The source is full of
propaganda. An important fact is that many of the children reading this were
enjoying the fact that their fathers and older brothers were winning the battle
in France.
Source e is a letter by Lieutenant John Raws, he was a soldier on the
Somme. This was his last letter before he dies in 1916. I assume he had been
writing to a close friend or family by the use of nicknames in the letter and
he must trust the recipient a lot. In the letter he says that other officers who
were killed as a result of disregard by higher powers in the army. He also
talks about the incompetence of these in high ranks who command the war.
This would be seen to destroy any public support because it will let people
know that the troops did not prepare well for the war. He also talks about the
deaths of soldiers and that would also upset the families of the soldiers
battling in the war. Lt. John Raws was quite fearful of what he was writing
would get out to his officers as the higher ranks control every situation and
would not allow leak of information getting out to the people if it was not
positive.
Source f is a film that gives encouraging footage of the soldiers at Somme. It
is in black and white and is a primary piece of evidence as it is taken at the
time of the war. The film shows cheerful soldiers smiling as they carry their
equipment and are in good morale and good spirits as they walk in an
orderly fashion. This was made to ease the suffering and pain for the wives
and children of the soldiers and o gain more support from the public.
This source is very positive and inspiring due to film editing such as
looping. Footage is looped to give the effect of many good things happening
a lot such as prisoners being led away. The film also shows that the Germans
were not returning fire but would show the allied troops with big weapons
and seem to be in power.
Question 4
In source g, there are many dead bodies lying on the floor and four living soldiers looking down on them. This source is a primary piece of evidence as it is looking down on them. This source is a primary piece of evidence as it is taken at the time. The provenance does not tell us who took the photo or what purpose it was for. I would imagine it was taken to keep record and not for the public at home as it would cause panic and they would cause panic and they would lose support, as people would see the reality of what is actually happening to their loved ones.