Simplify the following text for a Grade 2 native English-speaking person.
Original: The Battle of the Somme , also known as the Somme Offensive , took place during the First World War between 1 July and 18 November 1916 in the Somme department of France , on both banks of the river of the same name .
Simplified: The Somme is a river in northern France . The Battle of the Somme took place around the river .