Battle of Albert (1916) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Albert (1916)
Part of the Battle of the Somme
Date 1–13 July 1916 Location Somme, Picardy, France 50°00′10″N 02°39′10″E / 50.00278°N 2.65278°E / 50.00278; 2.65278 Result See the Aftermath section
Belligerents
France  British Empire  Bermuda  Newfoundland  South Africa  United Kingdom	German Empire
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Joffre Ferdinand Foch Émile Fayolle Douglas Haig Henry Rawlinson Hubert Gough Edmund Allenby	Erich von Falkenhayn Fritz von Below Fritz von Loßberg Günther von Pannewitz [de]
Strength
11 French divisions 13 British divisions	6 divisions
Casualties and losses
French, 1 July: 1,590 2–21 July: 17,600 British, 1 July: 57,470 2–13 July: 25,000	1 July: 10,200 1–10 July: 40,187–46,315

The Battle of Albert (July 1–13, 1916) was the first part of a much larger conflict called the Battle of the Somme during World War I. This battle involved British and French forces working together against the German army in Picardy, France. The fighting began after a week-long artillery bombardment. On July 1, British and French soldiers attacked. While the French army and some British units had success in the south, many British soldiers faced very strong German defenses in the north, leading to many losses. General Douglas Haig, the British commander, decided to focus the attacks where they were having more success. Over the next two weeks, British and French forces slowly pushed forward, getting closer to the German second line of defense.

Why the Battle Happened

Big Plans for the War

The Somme river valley

General Erich von Falkenhayn, a German leader, wanted to weaken the British and French armies in 1916. He hoped to end the war before the Allies became too strong. His plan was to attack a sensitive area near Verdun in France. He thought this would force the French to fight hard and lose many soldiers. Then, the British would have to attack to help their French allies, also suffering many losses.

However, the fighting at Verdun lasted much longer and cost more than expected. This used up many German soldiers and supplies. Meanwhile, on the Eastern Front, Russia launched a big attack in June 1916. This forced Germany to send some of its troops to Russia. Because of these events, Germany had to focus more on defending its positions.

The British and French had planned a big attack on the Somme front since December 1915. This was part of a larger Allied effort. But the German attack at Verdun changed everything. France had to send many soldiers to Verdun, so they had fewer troops for the Somme. The Somme offensive became mainly a British effort, with French support. The main goal changed from a decisive victory to relieving pressure on the French army at Verdun.

First Day of Fighting: July 1st

British objectives on the Somme, July 1, 1916

The first day of the Battle of Albert, July 1, 1916, was the start of the Somme offensive. French and British armies attacked German defenses. South of the Albert–Bapaume road, the French attack was very successful. They broke through German lines and took many prisoners. Some British units also had good success in this area.

However, north of the Albert–Bapaume road, the British attack faced huge challenges. German defenses were very strong, and many British soldiers were lost. German counter-attacks later in the day helped them regain some lost ground. The British army suffered its highest number of casualties in a single day. Despite this, the French and some British successes in the south caused problems for the German defense.

Continuing the Fight: July 2–13

After July 1, the British changed their approach. They started using smaller, more focused attacks with strong artillery support, similar to French methods. The goal was to push towards the German second line of defense. German commanders, like General Fritz von Below, ordered their soldiers to hold their ground at all costs. They quickly sent reinforcements to areas under attack.

Both sides faced tough conditions. The ground became muddy from rain, making it hard to move. Supply routes were often blocked. German counter-attacks were frequent and also very costly. The fighting was intense as both sides tried to gain an advantage.

Preparing for Battle

British and French Get Ready

The British army had many more artillery guns by mid-1916. They also had more soldiers. From March 1916, British corps prepared their artillery positions and built roads and trenches. They tried to keep these preparations secret from German planes.

British commanders planned daily objectives for their attacks. They discussed how to best use their artillery to cut barbed wire and support the infantry. The French also prepared, coordinating their efforts with the British.

The British also used gas attacks before the main infantry assault. This was done by releasing gas from cylinders towards German lines.

German Defenses

The Germans had built strong defenses on the Somme front since 1915. These included wide belts of barbed wire, three lines of trenches, and deep underground shelters called dugouts. These dugouts were strong enough to protect many soldiers from artillery fire.

They also had a second and third line of defense further back. German artillery was set up to create strong barrages, making it hard for enemy soldiers to advance. However, their front trenches were on a forward slope, which made them easy targets for Allied observers and artillery. Many German soldiers were concentrated in these front lines, making them vulnerable to heavy bombardments.

Key Moments of the Battle

French Army Advances

French advances on the Somme, July 1–11, 1916

By the end of July 1, the French Sixth Army had captured most of the German first line of defense in their sector. They took many prisoners and suffered fewer losses than the British. French artillery was moved forward to continue the attack.

Over the next few days, the French continued to push forward. They captured villages like Estrées, Assevillers, Flaucourt, and Feuillères. This was a significant advance, the deepest penetration since trench warfare began. French cavalry even explored areas near the Somme river. However, German reinforcements arrived, slowing the French advance and leading to more intense fighting.

British Army Fights On

South of the Albert–Bapaume road, British attacks continued after July 1. They aimed to capture key German strongholds.

Taking La Boisselle

British soldiers attacked La Boisselle on July 3. After fierce hand-to-hand fighting, they managed to capture the village. However, German forces quickly counter-attacked and retook part of it. British reinforcements arrived, and after more fighting, they secured the village on July 7, taking many prisoners.

The Battle for Contalmaison

Diagram of German defenses near Fricourt and Contalmaison, July 1916

British units attacked Contalmaison on July 7. The Germans were ready, and a strong counter-barrage caused problems for the British. Many shells fell short, hitting their own troops. Despite some initial breakthroughs, the British were pushed back. Mud and communication issues also made attacks difficult.

After several attempts and heavy fighting, British forces finally captured Contalmaison on July 10. They used a strong artillery barrage and advanced in waves, overcoming determined German resistance.

Fighting in Mametz Wood

British forces advanced towards Mametz Wood on July 3. They faced strong German machine-gun fire but eventually secured nearby woods. Artillery was brought up to cut the wire around Mametz Wood.

The battle for Mametz Wood was very difficult. British attacks were often stopped by uncut wire and German machine-gun fire. The terrain, with thick undergrowth and fallen trees, made movement and communication hard. After several days of intense fighting and many losses, British forces finally captured the wood on July 10. They then worked to secure and link up their positions.

Securing Trônes Wood

On July 3, British soldiers occupied Bernafay Wood with few losses. They found that Trônes Wood was defended by German machine-gun units. A combined British and French attack on Trônes Wood was planned for July 7 but was delayed.

The British attack began on July 8. They faced heavy fire and suffered many losses. German counter-attacks were strong, and the wood changed hands several times. The fighting was very confusing, with soldiers getting lost in the dense wood. Despite the challenges, British forces continued to push. By July 13, after a two-hour bombardment, they launched another attack and finally secured the wood.

Ovillers and Thiepval

British attacks on Ovillers began on July 3. Despite a strong bombardment, German defenses were resilient. Many British soldiers were lost, and the attack was largely unsuccessful. Over the next few days, British units made slow progress against determined German defenders. The fighting for Ovillers continued into the next phase of the Somme battle.

Near Thiepval, British attacks on July 2 also faced strong German resistance. Communication problems and uncut wire led to many losses. Despite gaining some small footholds, the British were often pushed back by German counter-attacks.

Eyes in the Sky: Air Operations

A German Fokker E.IV fighter plane, 1916

Aircraft played an important role in the battle. British and French planes were used for reconnaissance, taking photos, and observing artillery fire. They helped direct their own artillery onto German positions. German air units also tried to do the same.

Before the battle, British planes observed German preparations and attacked German observation balloons. On July 1, observers in planes watched the infantry attack and sent messages to their artillery. They also bombed German railways and supply lines, causing significant damage to an ammunition train.

A British Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7 plane

British planes also flew offensive patrols to protect their observation aircraft and engage German planes. They shot down several German aircraft.

A captured German LVG C.II plane, around 1916

In the days after July 1, air reconnaissance continued. Planes spotted German troop movements and directed artillery fire onto them. Bombing raids on German railway centers also continued, aiming to disrupt reinforcements and supplies.

A British Airco DH.2 fighter plane

The weather sometimes made air operations difficult, with rain and low clouds. However, air observers were crucial for reporting on the progress of the ground battle and directing artillery.

A British Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c plane

German Army's Response

Flag of a German Army Headquarters, 1871–1918

The German 2nd Army quickly brought in reinforcements after the Allied attacks began on July 1. However, some reinforcements were delayed by air raids. General Falkenhayn insisted on a policy of "unyielding defense," meaning no ground should be given up. If ground was lost, it had to be retaken immediately.

German commanders faced a crisis as their defenses were broken in some areas. They committed their reserve troops quickly to threatened sectors. This often meant sending soldiers into battle piecemeal, which made them less effective and led to many losses. The French artillery, especially, was very powerful and accurate, causing significant damage to German positions and soldiers.

The Germans struggled with communication, as telephone lines were often cut. They also had difficulty moving supplies and resting their troops. Despite these challenges, German soldiers fought tenaciously, making the Allied advance very costly.

Aftermath

The Battle of Albert was a very costly start to the Battle of the Somme. On July 1 alone, the British suffered around 57,470 casualties. The French had fewer losses, about 1,590 on the first day. From July 2 to 13, the British had about 25,000 more casualties. German casualties were also very high, with about 12,000 on July 1 and over 40,000 by July 10.

Historians have studied this battle to understand its impact. Many point out the huge number of British losses on the first day. However, the French successes and the overall pressure on the German army were important. The battle forced Germany to reduce its offensive at Verdun and send more troops to the Somme. This showed that the Allied offensive was having a strategic effect.

The British and French armies captured important German positions like Trônes Wood, Mametz Wood, Contalmaison, and La Boisselle. This gained them about 20 square miles of territory. While some British attacks were criticized for being poorly coordinated, the constant pressure prevented the Germans from reorganizing effectively.

Next Steps: Battle of Bazentin Ridge

Map: Battle of the Somme, 1916

The Battle of Bazentin Ridge (July 14–17, 1916) was the next phase of the Battle of the Somme. British preparations included carefully watching German movements and locating their new artillery positions.

This attack, which began at dawn on July 14, was much more successful for the British. They achieved a tactical surprise by assembling troops silently in no man's land during the night. After a short but intense bombardment, British infantry rushed the German defenses. Within hours, they had captured a significant part of the German second line, throwing the German defense into confusion once again.

See also

• Battle of the Somme: order of battle