Battle of the Somme Facts

To mark the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, we’ve put together eight interesting and informative facts about this historic conflict – from how many were injured and killed to the reasons why the battle is considered one of the bloodiest in British military history. 

1. Britain’s largest ‘volunteer army’ 

A majority of British troops who were involved in the Battle of the Somme were part of a new volunteer army. For a majority, the Western Front was their first experience of real combat. 

As a result, the Battle of the Somme was the first military battle Britain had been involved in to be mainly fought by civilian volunteers, rather than paid soldiers. 

Many volunteer infantry units were made up of friends, colleagues and family members. Meaning many small, local communities in Britain lost men or were impacted by the Battle of the Somme.

2. A new ‘industrial’ era of warfare 

From 24th June - 1st July 1916, the week before the Battle of the Somme officially began, it’s estimated over 1.7 million shells were fired. However, it’s estimated that 30% of the shells failed to explode on impact. 

A majority of the shells were filled with shrapnel, which had a devastating impact on troops, but weren’t as effective on the German’s concrete dugouts. 

Mines were also deployed by the Allied forces in an effort to destroy the German lines.

3. Devastating number of casualties on the first day

The opening day of the Battle of the Somme was the bloodiest in the history of the British military, resulting in 57,470* casualties, 19,240* of whom lost their lives. 

4. British tanks used for the first time in combat 

On 15th September, 1916, British tanks were used for the first time in warfare at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. The British military had developed these armoured vehicles in response to the rise of trench warfare, seeking a way to safely cross shell holes and barbed wire across the Western Front. 

5. One of the deadliest battles in history 

The Battle of the Somme spanned for a total of 5 months, starting on 1st July, 1916, and concluding on 18th November, 1916. 

At the end of the battle, the human toll was staggering: British casualties reached 419,654**, French losses stood at 204,253**, and the German army suffered between 500,000 and 600,000** casualties. Overall, this resulted in over 1 million casualties. 

6. Life-changing injuries were widespread 

Trench warfare inflicted catastrophic injuries on soldiers on both sides. Continuous bombardment from shells, grenades, and gunfire left soldiers with severe shrapnel wounds and life-changing injuries, including limb loss and the loss of sight.

To honour the 110th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, we want to share the story of Blesma Member Wilfred Whitfield.

Wilfred Whitfield was a British Lieutenant Signaller who fought in the Battle of the Somme. He kept a diary, which was later published, entitled Wasted Effort where he documented his thoughts and experiences during the Battle of the Somme. 

Part of the volunteer army, Wilf was only 5ft2, which was an inch below the regulation height. However, rules were relaxed to increase the number of soldiers on the Western Front. 

In his diary, he recalled the horrific realities of trench warfare: "A cloud of smoke and dust mushroomed about a hundred yards away…We were off again with our hearts pounding and tongues dry. We were not soldiers now, merely frightened boys."

In November, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, Wilf was hit by a shell. The shell caught Wilf. In his diary he recalled: “On the way back a trench too wide saved my life. As I clambered out of the other side, I heard the shell coming. Instinctively freezing, the crash came. My arm, reaching up to the trench top, jerked and something happened to my shoulder and then the arm went numb."

His arm had to be amputated before he was transported back to England. Due to the loss of a limb, Wilf was refused work for three years. The Great Depression also caused disabled veterans benefits to be slashed. Initially, hospitals also found it difficult to cope with the number of prosthetics which were needed. 

This grim reality for veterans suffering a life-changing injury or the loss of eyesight resulted in the creation of Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, to help support and advocate the new generation of war limbless.

7. The first time a battle was captured on film for mass audiences 

A feature-length documentary entitled The Battle of the Somme offered audiences real-life footage from the front lines. Screened in cinemas across Britain, the groundbreaking film was a massive phenomenon, viewed by over 20 million people.

The film provided a rare look at life in the trenches and soldiers preparing for the "Big Push" on the Western Front. Crucially, the documentary didn’t shy away from the grim realities of warfare.

8. The historical impact of the Battle of the Somme

The Battle of the Somme is arguably the most famous conflict in British military history. Despite the catastrophic losses, it is often remembered as the turning point where the Allied forces gained the upper hand on the Western Front.

On the other hand, the battle is etched into British memory and the history books, as it remains Britain's costliest military engagement.

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Today, 110 years after the Battle of the Somme, Blesma’s work continues. We remain the only national Armed Forces charity dedicated to supporting limbless veterans for the duration of their lives.

Blesma was created in the aftermath of WW1 to support veterans who had lost a limb or eyes.

If you would like to support our vital work, your donation can make a profound difference to the lives of veterans who sacrificed so much for our country.

 *Source: Imperial War Museum: What Happened on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme?
**Source: Imperial War Museum: The legacy of the Battle of the Somme