The Battle of the Somme was launched on 1 July 1916. The main aim of the battle was to relieve the important northern French fortress of Verdun. This had been placed under siege by the German Army ...
D-Day vet was told: 'You're the assault wave, you won't be coming back' AS his landing craft made its way to Juno beach, Alan King found himself surrounded by flames . . . and the heads ...
Almost 2,000 soldiers from the 36th Ulster Division died on the first day of the Somme campaign. When it was withdrawn from the line, the division had won a reputation as courageous soldiers.
The Battle of the Somme, of which 1st July was just the first, disastrous day, raged for another four months, and was vital not only in diverting German forces away from their assault on the ...