why was the first day of the battle of somme a disaster
On 1st July 1916, the first phase of the allied offensive, took place on the Northern side of the Western front and was known as the Battle of the Somme.The main reason for the battle was to take pressure off the French army, which had been under heavy attack at Verdun since February, and was close to cracking.It was hoped that a major British offensive on the Somme would force the Germans to withdraw troops from Verdun.The other reason was that it had been a stalemate for 2 years and Douglas Haig, the commanding officer of the British army, wanted to get the break through and win the war.he main reason for the battle was to take pressure off the French army, which had been under heavy attack at Verdun since February, and was close to cracking. It was hoped that a major British offensive on the Somme would force the Germans to withdraw troops from Verdun.