The Battle of Albert opened the Somme offensive, resulting in roughly 57,000 British casualties on 1 July 1916 alone, the single worst day in British military history.
Key Facts
- Dates
- 1–13 July 1916
- British casualties on 1 July
- ~57,000 men
- British casualties 1–13 July
- ~85,000 men
- German casualties 1–10 July
- 40,187 men
- Allied front width
- Foucaucourt to Gommecourt
- Preparatory bombardment start
- 24 June 1916
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Allied high command planned a major joint British–French offensive on the Somme to relieve pressure on French forces at Verdun. A week-long preparatory artillery bombardment beginning 24 June 1916 was intended to destroy German defenses before the infantry assault, but proved insufficient against deep German dugouts along much of the front.
On 1 July 1916, British and French infantry attacked along a broad front from Foucaucourt to Gommecourt. The French Sixth Army and the right wing of the British Fourth Army achieved significant gains south of the Albert–Bapaume road, but north of it the British attack collapsed with catastrophic losses. Fighting continued until 13 July as both sides engaged in disorganized, poorly coordinated attacks and counter-attacks for Trônes Wood, Mametz Wood, and Contalmaison.
The battle produced roughly 85,000 British casualties by 13 July, while inflicting over 40,000 German casualties by 10 July. German commander von Below forbade voluntary withdrawals, and the strain forced Falkenhayn to reduce the Verdun offensive. The engagement set the conditions for the Battle of Bazentin Ridge beginning 14 July, but revealed severe deficiencies in British tactical coordination and artillery–infantry cooperation.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
General Sir Douglas Haig, General Joseph Joffre.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Fritz von Below.