Battle of Somme

July 1916

The British launched a major attack against the Germans, using gas for the first time. In the first day of the battle, the British lost 50,000 soldiers. The battle lasted from July 1st until November 8th, and the allies succeeded in recapturing a total of 125 sq. miles of land. No important strategic objectives were captured. The British lost 400,000 troops, the French lost 200,000 and the Germans lost 400-500,000.