The first day of July marks the 90th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. This battle hangs over the history
of modern Europe as the new paradigm of industrial attritive warfare. Huge combinations of British troops, including Irish
regiments as well as large contingents from the wide-flung Empire supported by French divisions, faced a well established
German force across the rolling countryside and watered valleys of northern France.
The attack was launched along a front of 40 kilometers; partially to create a breakthrough to a war of movement and partially
to relieve the pressure the Germans were applying at Verdun. Neither outcome resulted. Verdun continued into the winter as
did the Somme. Verdun bled France and the Somme bled Britain. Germany bled in both places.
Hawthorn Ridge
The first day of the Somme was an objective disaster. Despite spectacular use of large underground explosions tunneled
under the German lines and intense artillery barrages, only a fraction of the attacking troops reached their objectives. Those
that did soon withdrew as their flanks became unprotected.
The British Army lost 57,000 casualties on the first day, with 19,200 dead or missing.
Many years ago, I spoke at length with an Irishman who served in a Welsh Regiment. He attacked with his line and was
captured on July 1st, 1916. He saw out the war in a German prisoner of war camp.
Beadle's painting of the 36th (Ulster)
Division
One of the many threads of the many modern Irish mythos is the history of the 36th (Ulster) Division. Made up of
many members of the UVF who had enlisted in 1914, they were given the orders to attack the Festung Schwaben (Schwaben Redoubt)
between the valleys of Thiepval and the Ancre. At a cost of 5,104 casualties they reached the objective but, cut-off and enfiladed,
retreated at days-end. That day still resonates with Ulster Unionists.
I only recently connected some dates and documents to find that my Grandfather's cousin George, from Mountmellick, was
in the 109th Brigade, 36th (Ulster) Division. He died attacking uphill on that warm 1st of July. An only child, he died at
31, leaving his parents to grieve. Never recovered or identified ("Known onto God" as the markers have it) he is commemorated
on the Thiepval Memorial to all those without a named gravesite.
Thiepval Memorial
In today's Ireland, the blood and loss of the Somme is being commemorated at the national level, South and North.Representatives
of Britain, France, Germany, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, India and Australia will be present. To an extent, the events
are crossing some of the old battle lines. Stamps are issued, the great and the good assemble and a balance or context provided
to shade the other events of 1916 recently celebrated.
75 cent stamp
