An infantry officer’s view

Alexander Macfarlane Grieve was a Lieutenant in the 4th Highland Infantry in 1916 and saw action in the Battle of the Somme. Read the source carefully to see what it tells you about that action. A transcript and an enlarged version of the source are available.

Things to consider.

1. Macfarlane Grieve states that the men of the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry were seized by panic. Why do you think this happened?

2. What does Macfarlane Grieve think is the worst aspect of the fighting?

3. Do you think that the officers and men are clear about what they are meant to be doing?

4. After reading this source, what do you think it was like for the infantry officers and men fighting in the Battle of the Somme?

Finished? Move on to find out what it was like for men in the artillery.