Summary Of Keeegan's 'Battle Of The Somme'

In his chapter on the Battle of the Somme, Keegan analyzes the factors that caused the British offensive to fall apart. As Keegan explains, the Allied plan for the offensive consisted of a week-long artillery bombardment followed by an infantry attack behind an artillery barrage. The main goals of the first bombardment were to cut German communications lines and keep the Germans from preparing before the Allied attack. The assumption was that the Germans would not be prepared to fight back after the week of heavy shelling. But the bombardment did less than the Allied forces expected. The German back-line trenches still retained their communication system, though the front trenches were cut off. The bombardment at the Somme was thus “inadequate to the task those who planned it expected of it” (239). The British therefore suffered heavy casualties when they attacked. As the British infantry waited for their call to action, they had no idea that the shelling was ineffective. However, after they began to advance, it became clear that the devastation of the German side was only superficial. Many British troops immediately took on heavy fire upon leaving their trenches. But they still continued their advance. Keegan explains that this illogical British advance resulted from many factors.
It was the result of many factors, including an attitude of patriotism and the belief that shirking from battle equated to immorality. In addition, the inexperience of the Kitchener armies also caused them to continue forward. Because many troops had never been in battle before, they were unable to adapt to a situation that their orders did not account for. When the Germans resisted the British advance with counterfire, the British were not experienced enough to change their strategy. All in all, the Kitchener armies pressed forward due to both their inexperience and attitude, leading them to take on heavy