The official view

Text of message to all officers, NCOs and men of the VIII Army Corps sent after the start of the Battle of the Somme by Lt-Gen Hunter-Weston. (DUL ref: Lowe Papers, File B1)

This message from Lieutenant-General Aylmer Hunter-Weston was sent to all Officers, NCOs and men of the VIII Army Corps on the 4th July 1916. Read the source carefully to see what it tells you about the Battle of the Somme. A transcript and an enlarged version of the source are available.

Things to consider.

1. Just from reading this source, do you think that the early days of the Battle of the Somme were a success or not?

2. Does the source give any indication that things didn’t go to plan? If so, what?

3. What is the purpose of this message? Do you think it would have worked?

4. What does this source reveal about senior Army officers’ views of the first few days of the Battle of the Somme?

Now find out more about an infantry officer’s view of the battle.