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Today marks the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history. On the first day, Britain alone suffered over 57,000 men killed in action. Though there is still dispute on the exact numbers of casualties sustained by both sides due to the sheer scale of destruction on the Somme, most estimates are around 420,000 British and Commonwealth and 200,000 French killed and a further 500,000-600,000 Germans by the end of the campaign on 18 November. By the conclusion of the months-long battle, Britain and France had gained less than seven miles of territory. The Battle of the Somme also saw the debut of armored warfare with the arrival of the British Mark I tank at Flers-Courcelette on 15 September.

Description
Today marks the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles in history. On the first day, Britain alone suffered over 57,000 men killed in action. Though there is still dispute on the exact numbers of casualties sustained by both sides due to the sheer scale of destruction on the Somme, most estimates are around 420,000 British and Commonwealth and 200,000 French killed and a further 500,000-600,000 Germans by the end of the campaign on 18 November. By the conclusion of the months-long battle, Britain and France had gained less than seven miles of territory. The Battle of the Somme also saw the debut of armored warfare with the arrival of the British Mark I tank at Flers-Courcelette on 15 September.