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Battle of the Somme Worksheet

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Battle of the Somme Worksheet

Read the briefing and the timeline below, then use evidence to answer the questions. The battle was fought in France during the First World War.

Historical briefing

The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916, when British and French forces attacked German positions along the River Somme in northern France. It lasted until 18 November. The first day was disastrous for the British Army: it suffered about 57,000 casualties, including nearly 19,000 men killed. A casualty is someone killed, wounded, missing or captured. Australian troops joined the fighting later that month. In late July, Australian divisions attacked near the village of Pozières. The fighting there was extremely intense, and many Australians were killed or wounded. Soldiers faced artillery fire, mud, damaged ground and the danger of crossing open land. Families in Australia received news through letters and official casualty lists, often with long delays. The battle brought the Allies some territory, but it did not achieve a decisive breakthrough. It is remembered for its enormous human cost. Tanks were used in battle for the first time during the Somme campaign, at Flers-Courcelette in September 1916.

1.On what date did the Battle of the Somme begin?

2.Which forces fought against the German Army in the Somme campaign?

British and French forces
Australian and Italian forces
French and American forces
German and British forces

3.Timeline of the Battle of the Somme: 1 July 1916 — battle begins; late July 1916 — Australian troops fight near Pozières; September 1916 — first tanks used in battle at Flers-Courcelette; 18 November 1916 — battle ends. About when did the battle end?

4.The briefing explains that a casualty may be killed, wounded, missing or captured. In your own words, what does casualty mean?

5.Australian troops fought near Pozières during the Battle of the Somme.

TrueFalse

6.Fill both gaps: The first tanks were used in battle during the Somme campaign at in 1916.

7.Use the briefing to connect each event with the correct time.

Battle began
Australian troops fought near Pozières
First tanks used in battle during the campaign
Battle ended

Late July 1916
1 July 1916
September 1916
18 November 1916

8.About 57,000 British soldiers became casualties on the first day. Why is it important to say that this number includes more than soldiers who were killed?

9.Give two ways that news of the battle could affect families and communities in Australia.

10.The Allies gained some territory, but there was no decisive breakthrough and the human cost was enormous. Was the Somme a success, a failure, or a mixture of both? State your judgement and support it with two details from the briefing.