GREATWAR-L Archives

From: "Hugh Whitney" <>
Subject: Opening Day of the Battle of the Somme?
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 16:50:13 -0330

I am confused. Everywhere I read, it states that the planned opening day, and the actual opening day of the Battle of the Somme was July 1st, 1916. In John Keegan's "The Face of Battle" he refers to a conversation between Haig and Joffre in May 1916 at which they fix July 1st as Z-day.

June 24th was the opening day of bombardments, which were supposed to last for 5 days (also according to Keegan). Due to heavy rain, Z-day then had to be postponed for two days which brings us to July 1st.

Therefore, the original plan should have been to start the attack on June 29th, not July 1st?

Am I missing something?

Hugh Whitney

This thread:

• Opening Day of the Battle of the Somme? by "Hugh Whitney" <>

  • Re: [WW1] Opening Day of the Battle of the Somme? by "Steve Morse" <>
    • Re: [WW1] Opening Day of the Battle of the Somme? by (Bill MacCormick)