jul 1, 1916 - The battle of Somme
Description:
In the 1st of July, 1916, orders from the French came into the British, ordered some 100,000 men to attack the opposing German line. Within the first day though, more than 20% of men were wiped out dead, and 30% were left heavily injured. This attack was primarily used as a way to attack the Germans through the western front whilst the Eastern front was blazing with guns. Despite the enormous losses of that first battle at the Somme, the offensive continued through summer and a particularly wet autumn until the first snow fell on 18 November 1916. The Australian Imperial Force, consisting of men who had fought at Gallipoli and fresh volunteers from home, arrived at the Somme in late July. Even with the major Australian contributions o soldiers, the Somme offensive only helped the allies advance 12 kilometres. It had come at a cost of 430,000 British and Dominion troops and 200,000 French casualties.
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Australian Involvement in WW1
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