Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Status:
"“If a thing loves, it is infinite.”"
(set 5 days ago)
Location: Great Britain
27,189 posts, read 13,477,157 times
Reputation: 19519
Advertisements
Today the 1st July 2016 marks the start of the Battle of the Somme in World War 1, which occurred exectly 100 years ago.
19,240 British and Commonwealth Soldiers were killed on this day 100 years ago, and in the four months that followed over 481,842 British and Commonwealth Soldiers died and over 794,238 men were killed overall in what was the most bloody battle in the history of mankind.
The only American museum devoted to WW I is in Kansas City. I had just finished listening to Dan Carlin's "Blueprint for Armageddon" when I visited the museum.
What a catastrophic bloodbath the Somme was. I'm often reminded of the classic film by Stanley Kubrick on WWI, "Paths of Glory" (starring Kirk Douglas as Col. Dax in a powerful performance) as to why these tragic bloodbaths continued, and how Generals could evade responsibility for their incompetence.
19,240 British and Commonwealth Soldiers were killed on this day 100 years ago, and in the four months that followed over 481,842 British and Commonwealth Soldiers died
The 481,842 represent total Commonwealth casualties, not killed. According to the links you provided, there were 95,675 Commonwealth soldiers killed, and 50,756 French for a total Allies killed of 146,431.
Status:
"“If a thing loves, it is infinite.”"
(set 5 days ago)
Location: Great Britain
27,189 posts, read 13,477,157 times
Reputation: 19519
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grandstander
The 481,842 represent total Commonwealth casualties, not killed. According to the links you provided, there were 95,675 Commonwealth soldiers killed, and 50,756 French for a total Allies killed of 146,431.
The actual casualty figure for the first day of the Somme was 56,000 British and Commonwealth troops, with 19,240 lost.
In total 1,332,156 people would be killed during the Battle of the Somme - 481,842 of them British and Commonwealth. The figure 481,842 represents British and Commonwealth Soldiers lost.
Around 17 million fell during The Great War, with 20 million wounded
The actual casualty figure for the first day of the Somme was 56,000 British and Commonwealth troops, with 19,240 lost.
In total 1,332,156 people would be killed during the Battle of the Somme - 481,842 of them British and Commonwealth. The figure 481,842 represents British and Commonwealth Soldiers lost.
Casualties means killed, wounded, captured/missing. Killed is an individual category. Check your own links, you are confusing killed and casualties.
Casualties means killed, wounded, captured/missing. Killed is an individual category. Check your own links, you are confusing killed and casualties.
Yeah the figures quoted for the Ulster Division deaths was 5,000 on the 1st day but was later changed to 5,000 casualties and 2,000 odd deaths on the first day of the Somme battle.
I see in my grandfather's discharge report that the was credited with being in two separate "Somme" battles (fights?? contacts?? attacks??). Yea, I am aware these were not the earlier, massive battle referred to as the Battle of the Somme, but found it interesting none the less:
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
