Battle of the Somme

Royal Flying Corps aircraft support preparatory operations by attacking German observation balloons.

Commands British Third Army during the diversionary attack at Gommecourt.

Commands German Second Army at the opening of the Allied Somme attack.

Commands French Sixth Army on the southern part of the Somme offensive.

Coordinates French northern army operations supporting the Allied Somme offensive.

Commands the British Expeditionary Force as the Somme attack opens after a week of bombardment.

The British attack opens on the Somme, causing 57,470 British casualties on the first day.

Leads the 36th Ulster Division in its costly attack toward the Schwaben Redoubt.

Commands British Fourth Army in the main British attack north of the River Somme.

Commands British Fourth Army in the main attack north of the River Somme.

Posted to No. 7 Squadron and flies bombing, reconnaissance and photographic missions over the Somme front.

Takes command of German Second Army after German forces on the Somme are reorganised.

Takes command of the reorganised German Second Army south of the Somme.

Commands Reserve Army forces as fighting expands around Pozieres and the Albert-Bapaume road.

Wounded in the thigh by a shell splinter near Bapaume and evacuated to hospital in Germany.

Commands Fifth Army during the Battle of the Ancre, the final major phase of the Somme offensive.