It was thought that the Battle of the Somme would be a decisive breakthrough in the First World War, however the German soldiers were ready for the attack and on 1 July 1916 and the British suffered 60,000 casualties of which 20,000 were killed; 60% of all the officers involved on the first day were killed.
At the conclusion of the battle in mid November the Allies had advanced by only 5 miles.
Captain R. Ede
England’s watch
This watch is from Wakefield Museums collection. It was worn by Captain R. Ede
England Officer commanding D Company, 12th
Battalion Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry , Miners Pioneers, on 1 July
1916.
D Company were timed to ‘go over the top’ at 7.48 am on the
1 July at the Battle of the Somme, this is the watch that timed that event in the battle.
War is a fascinating subject. Despite the dubious morality of using violence to achieve personal or political aims. It remains that conflict has been used to do just that throughout recorded history.
ReplyDeleteYour article is very well done, a good read.