Battle of the Somme: 100 years

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• The offensive took place between the British and French against the German empire and began on July 1, 1916 - the deadliest day in British military history - The offensive took place between the British and French against the German empire and began on July 1, 1916 - the deadliest day in British military history
• It was the largest battle to take place on the Western Front - and with more than one million soldiers killed on both sides of the fight, it was also one of the bloodiest in history - It was the largest battle to take place on the Western Front - and with more than one million soldiers killed on both sides of the fight, it was also one of the bloodiest in history
• The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire - The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire
• Tens of thousands of soldiers died during the first day of the Battle of the Somme - Tens of thousands of soldiers died during the first day of the Battle of the Somme
• The images, which show soldiers relaxing before the battle began and in action once the offensive started, have been put together in bestselling World War One author Richard van Emden’s book, ‘The Somme: The Epic Battle in the Soldiers’ own Words an - The images, which show soldiers relaxing before the battle began and in action once the offensive started, have been put together in bestselling World War One author Richard van Emden’s book, ‘The Somme: The Epic Battle in the Soldiers’ own Words an
• Illegal images taken by the soldiers themselves on secret cameras during the horrific Battle of the Somme have been revealed in a new book - Illegal images taken by the soldiers themselves on secret cameras during the horrific Battle of the Somme have been revealed in a new book
• Richard explained how the book gives an important new insight into the soldiers’ lives at the Battle of the Somme, as we approach the 100th anniversary - Richard explained how the book gives an important new insight into the soldiers’ lives at the Battle of the Somme, as we approach the 100th anniversary
• The Somme: The Epic Battle In The Soldiers’ Own Words And Photographs’ by Richard Van Emden is published by Pen & Sword Military, priced £25 - The Somme: The Epic Battle In The Soldiers’ Own Words And Photographs’ by Richard Van Emden is published by Pen & Sword Military, priced £25
• A century on, they give a different perspective of the war - A century on, they give a different perspective of the war
• Order the new book at mailbookshop.co.uk, p&p; is free on orders over £12 - Order the new book at mailbookshop.co.uk, p&p; is free on orders over £12
• The words are from soldiers’ diaries, letters and memoirs - The words are from soldiers’ diaries, letters and memoirs
• The pictures shown here have come from a variety of sources: from online auctioneers to regimental museums; direct from the families of the men who fought; and from repositories such as the Imperial War Museums - The pictures shown here have come from a variety of sources: from online auctioneers to regimental museums; direct from the families of the men who fought; and from repositories such as the Imperial War Museums
• The pictures shown here, the vast majority never published before - The pictures shown here, the vast majority never published before
• Fortunately, cameras were still kept by a small number of officers and even fewer other ranks. In the main, private photographs were not taken in moments of critical danger – the men had more pressing issues to take care of - Fortunately, cameras were still kept by a small number of officers and even fewer other ranks. In the main, private photographs were not taken in moments of critical danger – the men had more pressing issues to take care of
• The top brass had banned their use just before Christmas 1914, when it was discovered that soldiers were selling their photos to the press - The top brass had banned their use just before Christmas 1914, when it was discovered that soldiers were selling their photos to the press
• There were just two official photographers on the Western Front and the Army threatened disciplinary action against anyone else found with a camera - There were just two official photographers on the Western Front and the Army threatened disciplinary action against anyone else found with a camera
• To mark the centenary of the battle, Richard Van Emden had assembled a collection of extraordinary photographs, taken on their own illegally held cameras, by the men who fought there - To mark the centenary of the battle, Richard Van Emden had assembled a collection of extraordinary photographs, taken on their own illegally held cameras, by the men who fought there
• The Battle of the Somme marks its 100th anniversary this year having run from July 1-November 18, 1916 - The Battle of the Somme marks its 100th anniversary this year having run from July 1-November 18, 1916
• A two-minute silence will begin at 7.30am, exactly 100 years after the whistles blew and Allied soldiers bravery went over the top - A two-minute silence will begin at 7.30am, exactly 100 years after the whistles blew and Allied soldiers bravery went over the top
• Britain will mark the centenary of the first day of the battle tomorrow - Britain will mark the centenary of the first day of the battle tomorrow
• Britain will mark the centenary of the first day of the battle tomorrow - Britain will mark the centenary of the first day of the battle tomorrow
• General Douglas Haig, who oversaw much of the battle, became known as the “Butcher of the Somme” due to his ill-advised and hung-ho approach - General Douglas Haig, who oversaw much of the battle, became known as the “Butcher of the Somme” due to his ill-advised and hung-ho approach
• The devastating first day of conflict was followed by 140 more, during which time more than 400,000 British soldiers were killed. France and Germany also both suffered around 250,000 losses each - The devastating first day of conflict was followed by 140 more, during which time more than 400,000 British soldiers were killed. France and Germany also both suffered around 250,000 losses each
• When Allied forces eventually stormed across the divide, they were met with far more soldiers than they had anticipated, resulting in the bloody massacre - When Allied forces eventually stormed across the divide, they were met with far more soldiers than they had anticipated, resulting in the bloody massacre
• The German army had developed protective new trench covers called dug-outs, which saved many enemy soldiers during the bombardment - The German army had developed protective new trench covers called dug-outs, which saved many enemy soldiers during the bombardment
• In the week leading up to the attack, for example, the Allies launched a huge aerial bombardment on the German line, hoping to wipe out enemy soldiers before the rush across No Man’s Land - In the week leading up to the attack, for example, the Allies launched a huge aerial bombardment on the German line, hoping to wipe out enemy soldiers before the rush across No Man’s Land
• The British and French authorities saw the Battle of the Somme as a way to break the deadlock and rush the German lines - The British and French authorities saw the Battle of the Somme as a way to break the deadlock and rush the German lines
• The battle took place due to the ongoing quagmire developing in France, with Allied and Axis forces at a stand-off two years into the war - The battle took place due to the ongoing quagmire developing in France, with Allied and Axis forces at a stand-off two years into the war
• A German soldier noted at the time: “Somme. The whole history of the world cannot contain a more ghastly word.” - A German soldier noted at the time: “Somme. The whole history of the world cannot contain a more ghastly word.”
• 1,500 French soldiers and 12,000 German soldiers also lost their lives during those first shocking 24 hours - 1,500 French soldiers and 12,000 German soldiers also lost their lives during those first shocking 24 hours
• Around 20,000 British soldiers were killed in horrifying circumstances - Around 20,000 British soldiers were killed in horrifying circumstances
• Hordes of British soldiers surged forward into machine gun fire, sacrificing their lives in a desperate bid to push back the German line - Hordes of British soldiers surged forward into machine gun fire, sacrificing their lives in a desperate bid to push back the German line
• Barnsley War Memorial in South Yorkshire, which is one of several war memorials to be upgraded to Grade II listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Barnsley War Memorial in South Yorkshire, which is one of several war memorials to be upgraded to Grade II listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Penrith War Memoria in Cumbria, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Penrith War Memoria in Cumbria, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Bradford War Memorial in West Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Bradford War Memorial in West Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• 1st Surrey Rifles at St Giles‚ Church in Camberwell, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - 1st Surrey Rifles at St Giles‚ Church in Camberwell, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• The Rifle Brigade War Memorial in London, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - The Rifle Brigade War Memorial in London, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Preston War Memorial in Lancashire, which has been upgraded to Grade I listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Preston War Memorial in Lancashire, which has been upgraded to Grade I listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Historic England of the Commondale Shepherd‚ Memorial in North Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Historic England of the Commondale Shepherd‚ Memorial in North Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Leeds Pals (15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment) in Colsterdale, West Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Leeds Pals (15th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment) in Colsterdale, West Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Commondale Shepherd, Memorial in North Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Commondale Shepherd, Memorial in North Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Sheffield War Memorial in South Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Sheffield War Memorial in South Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Carlton Colville Scouts Memorial in Suffolk, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Carlton Colville Scouts Memorial in Suffolk, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Green Howards Regimental Cross in Richmond, North Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Green Howards Regimental Cross in Richmond, North Yorkshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• War Memorial at All Saints in Aldershot, Hampshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - War Memorial at All Saints in Aldershot, Hampshire, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• City and County of London Troops War Memorial in London, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - City and County of London Troops War Memorial in London, which is one of the newly listed war memorials to receive Grade II status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• Lichfield War Memorial in Staffordshire, which is one of several war memorials to be upgraded to Grade II listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme. - Lichfield War Memorial in Staffordshire, which is one of several war memorials to be upgraded to Grade II listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme.
• Accrington War Memorial in Lancashire, which is one of several war memorials to be upgraded to Grade II listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme - Accrington War Memorial in Lancashire, which is one of several war memorials to be upgraded to Grade II listed status to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War's Battle of the Somme
• 22nd August 1918: German prisoners of war at Abbeville, captured on the Somme on the 21st and 22nd August 1918. - 22nd August 1918: German prisoners of war at Abbeville, captured on the Somme on the 21st and 22nd August 1918.
• 22nd March 1918: Wounded British and German troops in the streets of St Quentin, France, after the Second Battle of the Somme - 22nd March 1918: Wounded British and German troops in the streets of St Quentin, France, after the Second Battle of the Somme
• September 1916: A man building barbed wire defences on the Somme - September 1916: A man building barbed wire defences on the Somme
• Arras sector of the battlefield after the first Battle of the Somme had taken place - 1916 - Arras sector of the battlefield after the first Battle of the Somme had taken place - 1916
• circa 1920: The British cemetery at Albert in the Somme - circa 1920: The British cemetery at Albert in the Somme
• 29th April 1917: Scottish troops advancing in the attack near Arras, during the Battle of the Somme. British troops suffered record loss of life on the first day of the battle with 57,470 casualties - 29th April 1917: Scottish troops advancing in the attack near Arras, during the Battle of the Somme. British troops suffered record loss of life on the first day of the battle with 57,470 casualties
• British General Douglas Haig (1861 - 1928) - British General Douglas Haig (1861 - 1928)
• 22nd August 1918: The British Cavalry passing the remains of Albert Cathedral, after the 2nd Battle of the Somme - 22nd August 1918: The British Cavalry passing the remains of Albert Cathedral, after the 2nd Battle of the Somme
• A heavy shell exploding during the Battle of the Somme - A heavy shell exploding during the Battle of the Somme
• Gas-masked men of the British Machine Gun Corps with a Vickers machine gun during the first battle of the Somme in 1916 - Gas-masked men of the British Machine Gun Corps with a Vickers machine gun during the first battle of the Somme in 1916