Somme 1916

There have been many books written about the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916, and each of these works brings out more aspects from the archives and authors re-assess the events. The very name of the battle has become a byword for hardship and suffering of troops during WWI. In this case, the author has gone to great lengths to secure details from a range of sources and presents them in a riveting way, which makes for a compelling read. He prepares the ground by explaining how and why the battle was planned, before examining the units involved. This contains all the graphic drama and he relates it well. The desperate action of trench warfare, flamethrowers, bayonets as well as machine guns, artillery and, of course, rifles. The first day of the battle must have been a nightmare for those who survived and in using first-hand accounts, the author presents a history of an action we can only shake our heads at in disbelief today, even after 100 years.