100 years ago today the Battle of the Somme

[Accy cyclist]

What was it, something like 62,000 killed in the first days? I couldn't let the event go without being mentioned on here. I'm sure many of us have recollections of our families memories of World War One.
http://www.accringtonobserver.co.uk/news/accrington-prepares-honour-battle-somme-11546255

 

[Garry A]

 

[TVC]

20,000 deaths on the first day, most down to incompetent leadership.

A football ground full cut down before lunchtime, it's bearly comprehensible.

 

[Colin_P]

We will NEVER forget them !

 

[Accy cyclist]

20,000 deaths on the first day, most down to incompetent leadership.

A football ground full cut down before lunchtime, it's bearly comprehensible.

I always remember my dad telling me that his dad went to Blackpool on holiday in the early 1920's and saw ex soldiers who'd lost limbs, on the sea front begging for money, but many shunned them because they somehow despised them for surviving the war while their sons and husbands didn't., He also spoke about the Salvation Army and how they were the only ones who gave comfort to the wounded and dying on the battlefield while the others were nowhere to be seen.

 

[growingvegetables]

20,000 deaths on the first day, most down to incompetent leadership.

There was a bit more to it than that, as captured brilliantly by Eric Gill's War Memorial in Leeds University.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...-dead-number-britain-uk-germany-a7109096.html

Horrendous causality figures, and all for a six mile gain.

 

[wheresthetorch]

the Salvation Army and how they were the only ones who gave comfort to the wounded and dying on the battlefield while the others were nowhere to be seen.

The chaplains did as well; my grandfather was an Army chaplain and served on the front, including at Ypres. They were amazing men.

 

[ufkacbln]

I don't know if it is still available, but the BBC did an excellent series of "shorts" WW1 -Uncut

One was dressing a person up and getting them to walk across an open field in paint gun gear

They then showed the awesome firepower of weapons, it was an eye opener

Bear in mind the target audience it is a good illustration of the awful nature of "going over the top"

 

[jayonabike]

@Accy cyclist This may be of interest.

http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/somme-battle-anniversary-accrington/index.html

Interactive map of Accrington which suffered some of the highest losses on the first day. Scroll down for the map and click on the icons.

 

[ufkacbln]

I always remember my dad telling me that his dad went to Blackpool on holiday in the early 1920's and saw ex soldiers who'd lost limbs, on the sea front begging for money, but many shunned them because they somehow despised them for surviving the war while their sons and husbands didn't., He also spoke about the Salvation Army and how they were the only ones who gave comfort to the wounded and dying on the battlefield while the others were nowhere to be seen.

Can be difficult to understand in a modern context

Casualties slow down an attacking force, and losing two further men to take that person back to safety debilitates attack even further

Then there was a fear that those of "lower moral fibre" would use the excuse of taking back wounded to avoid doing their duty

Even in the lull snipers and the likes would also use wounded as "bait" and pick off rescuers



It was not that people didn't care, it was often the logistics and balance of risk

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Did a tour (by bike) of some of the cemeteries in 2014. The scale is just mind boggling. Tyne Cot, Verdun .........

Bit of family history. All my ancestors who served came home although one of those died in the 'flu epidemic at the end of the war.

 

[Smithbat]

I am a fan of Stuart Maconies books and in Hope and Glory, he visits Accrington and talks about the Pals regiment and the Somme, and writes very understandingly about it, I would thoroughly recommend it.

I have two ancestors who have no known grave, one is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial and one on Tyne Cot. One day I will go and visit and pay my respects.

 

[ufkacbln]

I was brought up in a village called St Ives, near Cambridge, whilst not Somme specific there were battalions of cyclists many members of which lost their lives at the Somme

Some of the images, letters and entries are poignant

 

[ufkacbln]

My Grandfather was a Sergeant Major with the Royal Artillery

He was as deaf as a post, and all he would ever say was that he had been with a group of horses from the battery, remembered a loud bang and that the horses had disappeared

Apparently they had formed a shield between him and the shell, but it left him with hearing problems

That was all he would ever say, he would never discuss anything else as it was private to him and those he had served with