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0:00:34 > 0:00:40- Today, wheat and corn sway in - the breeze on the plains at Picardy.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- The beauty is in stark contrast - to the memories of the war.
0:00:44 > 0:00:50- The River Somme, which flows here, - is synonymous with World War I.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57- The Somme leads us to Amiens, - a city scarred by two World Wars.
0:00:57 > 0:01:03- It's now a lively, bustling city, - with a purpose in life.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08- It's a meeting place for those - interested in the Great War.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14- The Amiens skyline is dominated - by the gothic Notre Dame Cathedral.
0:01:14 > 0:01:20- It's amongst the oldest - and most beautiful in France.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30- I'm surprised the town - was such a thriving place in 1916...
0:01:30 > 0:01:36- ..despite, or perhaps because of, - its proximity to the front line.
0:01:36 > 0:01:41- The soldiers lived with death - and destruction every day.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46- They needed somewhere to escape - and Amiens was that place.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52- There was alcohol, - food and brothels galore.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59- Prostitution and war are as old as - each other and that won't change.
0:02:01 > 0:02:07- The poet Talhaiarn said only three - things should inspire poetry.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10- Wine, love and war.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16- I wonder what he'd have written - had he been here in 1916?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- If we went back in time, - we would hear 'Tipperary'...
0:02:21 > 0:02:26- ..and 'Keep The Home Fires Burning' - echoing through the streets.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- The place was really alive.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- Every minute counted - to those young men.
0:02:33 > 0:02:39- They knew, within five minutes - of returning to the front line...
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- ..they could be dead.
0:02:46 > 0:02:52- This was the case at Verdun, where - the French were bleeding to death.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58- The Germans attacked the French - fiercely in February 1916.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04- Every available man and gun - was used to protect Verdun.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07- France was in grave danger.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13- The enemy was about to fulfil its - plan and take France with one blow.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20- It had a catastrophic effect - on the British in the war.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26- With France calling for help, - General Haig agreed to support them.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31- This strict Scot was a key figure - throughout the war.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40- When Haig hinted he might not be - ready to attack until August...
0:03:40 > 0:03:46- ..General Joffre said the French - army would not exist by then.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- Haig agreed to attack - at the end of June, 1916.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- Haig had good reason - to delay his attack.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00- Heavy losses meant - new armies needed to be trained.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05- Recruitment drives at home - and abroad were a success.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10- Men from all walks of life - fought for King and country.
0:04:10 > 0:04:16- Miners, factory workers, farmhands, - clerks, shops boys and graduates...
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- ..came from all over the empire.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23- From Canada, Australia, New Zealand, - South Africa and India.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- They joined up for many reasons.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32- Patriotism, duty, boredom with - their lives or for an adventure.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- They poured into France, - knowing nothing of war...
0:04:38 > 0:04:41- ..and even less - about trench warfare.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- Most of the experienced men - of the pre-war army...
0:04:46 > 0:04:51- ..lay dead in the fields of - northern France and Flanders.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- This new army was far from ready.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10- The Somme offered no real - strategic or tactical objectives.
0:05:10 > 0:05:16- Winning 20 or 30 miles meant very - little in the course of the war.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- The Somme had previously been quiet.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26- This enabled the Germans - to build strong defences.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31- Haig wanted to attack - the Germans at Flanders.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36- This made sense, - as the Germans were less prepared.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- Haig yielded to French persuasion...
0:05:40 > 0:05:44- ..and so they attacked at the Somme.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- We cannot be sure - of Haig's real intentions.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- Would the battle - yield a breakthrough...
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- ..or just wear the enemy down?
0:06:00 > 0:06:05- This is where Rawlinson - and Haig enjoyed the high life.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Just a few miles down the road...
0:06:08 > 0:06:13- ..soldiers fought and died - in the muddy, smelly trenches.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- The plan was to attack - the first line of trenches...
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- ..that had been destroyed - by the field guns...
0:06:22 > 0:06:28- ..attack the second line and use the - cavalry to break through the gaps.
0:06:28 > 0:06:34- Rawlinson thought it a little - ambitious but he was willing to try.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40- It was an 18 mile front, - to the north of the Somme.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44- Haig and Rawlinson - were confident of success...
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- ..yet expected heavy casualties.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- They were always confident.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- Losses were to be expected - despite their thorough preparation.
0:06:55 > 0:07:01- New railways were built, roads and - bridges were prepared and widened.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- Over 120 miles of water pipes - were laid.
0:07:07 > 0:07:13- They stockpiled supplies of food, - ammunition and artillery shells.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19- The enemy saw the preparations, - so losses were to be expected.
0:07:24 > 0:07:30- The bombardment commenced in the - early hours of 24th June, 1916.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37- Over 1,500 field guns were used - to destroy German positions.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- Over 1 million shells were fired - in that fateful week.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47- This is more than was used - during the first year of the war.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51- The gunners needed time - to fulfil the bombardment...
0:07:51 > 0:07:56- ..so attacks were delayed by a day, - until 1st July 1916.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00- Expectations were high.
0:08:00 > 0:08:06- Many believed the bombardment had - destroyed enemy wire and positions.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10- They even expected the rats to die.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16- Mines had also been dug - under German strong points.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- These would explode - shortly before the attack.
0:08:21 > 0:08:27- One commander suggested his soldiers - should light a cigarette or pipe...
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- ..as they would not see - a living German for some time.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Not everyone was as confident.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- Mr Sharp, sir. - Something to do with Mr Hilton?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- I'm afraid it's got worse, they want - us to go out and check the wire.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- Myself and four others will go. - Get the men to black up.
0:08:48 > 0:08:54- Patrols on the front line reported - that many enemy dugouts were intact.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- The bombardment had been inadequate.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05- Many shells failed to explode and - the barbed wire was still intact.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13- The information was ignored, so as - not to dishearten the soldiers.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- Bloody wire has not been touched.
0:09:15 > 0:09:16- Bloody wire has not been touched.- - You're joking!
0:09:16 > 0:09:17- Not a shred of it.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Division told us, - they assured us, it would be cut!
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- There was no real liaison - between soldiers and officers.
0:09:26 > 0:09:32- Many senior officers were not - selected for their skill...
0:09:32 > 0:09:37- ..but because of their wealth - and titles.
0:09:37 > 0:09:43- This may have worked for Wellington - but it was very different in 1916.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- Haig was no Wellington.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- On the eve of the battle, before - going to his comfortable bed...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- ..Haig wrote to his wife saying...
0:09:56 > 0:10:02- .."I feel that every step of my plan - has been taken with divine help."
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- Thousands crammed into - the front and support trenches...
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- ..in the hours before the attack.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- Despite rumours - that the wire had not broken...
0:10:18 > 0:10:23- ..the new army was brave - and ready to follow orders.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- Keep your head down and keep going.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- If anybody gets wounded, - even if it's your mate, leave him.
0:10:30 > 0:10:36- Zero hour was to be 7.30 am, - 1st July 1916.
0:10:36 > 0:10:42- With full kit, they were to advance - and- walk- towards the Germans.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49- On that fateful morning, many noted - the quiet hush over the battlefield.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- Bird song could even be heard.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57- At 6.25am all hell broke loose - on the German lines.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- The final bombardment had begun.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Ten minutes before zero hour...
0:11:03 > 0:11:08- ..a huge mine was detonated under - German positions at Beaumont-Hamel.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Other mines were detonated - along the line.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- At 7.30am, at the sound - of the whistle...
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- ..the first British assault - came out of the trenches.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- The Germans had rushed - to their defence posts.
0:11:28 > 0:11:34- As ordered, the new British army - walked- into the storm of metal.
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0:12:01 > 0:12:05- The battle of the Somme - on July 1st, 1916.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- The most bloody day - in British military history.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- In order to get a perspective - on this dreadful day...
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- ..we'll follow the line of attack - from north to south.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- Yes, from one village to the next.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- Gommecourt and Foncquevillers, - or Funky Villas as it was known...
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- ..were the most northern points - of the attack.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- The attack was diversionary, - to fool the Germans.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- The 46th division attacked, - under a smoke screen...
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- ..which hid the fact that the - barbed wire ahead was still intact.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49- They got stuck in the wire and - were shot to pieces by the Germans.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01- The 56th division had better luck - and reached the German front line...
0:13:02 > 0:13:07- ..but German artillery - fired shells on them.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- The attackers were cut off - from the supporting troops.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Whole companies were wiped out.
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- Despite the immense gallantry - of the British, it was all in vain.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- Gommecourt remained - in German hands until 1917.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33- When they left, British bodies were - still rotting on the barbed wire.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44- The 31st division attacked - the village of Serre.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49- They were men from Leeds, - Bradford, Accrington, Sheffield...
0:13:49 > 0:13:54- ..Barnsley and Durham and were - known as the Pals Battalions.
0:13:54 > 0:14:00- They were a brotherhood from towns, - cities, workshops and factories.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07- Despite a courageous attack, they - were perforated by machine gun fire.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- Their native towns experienced - a catastrophic loss.
0:14:20 > 0:14:26- The Germans held strong positions at - Beaumont-Hamel and Hawthorne Ridge.
0:14:27 > 0:14:33- A mine was blown under the Germans, - ten minutes before the attack.
0:14:33 > 0:14:39- This alerted the suspicious German - defenders to the imminent attack.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- 'Y' Ravine was another German - strong point near Beaumont-Hamel.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- It was a deep site, crammed - with machine guns and barbed wire.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- These guns had a taken a dreadful - toll during the initial attacks.
0:14:56 > 0:15:02- The 1st Newfoundland Regiment losses - echo the massacre at Beaumont-Hamel.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- The British front line was - crammed with the dead and wounded.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- Of the 752 officers, - over 680 were lost within minutes.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- A memorial was built - to remember their efforts.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29- Nearly 13,000 soldiers died, - went missing or were wounded...
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- ..at Beaumont-Hamel - on July 1st 1916.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Despite agreeing - a temporary truce...
0:15:37 > 0:15:42- ..it still took three days to - clear the bodies from no-man's land.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47- The South Wales Borderers - also suffered heavy casualties.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Thiepval, on the German line...
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- ..was possibly the most difficult - place to take on the first day.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12- The area was strongly defended - by the Schwaben and Leipzig.
0:16:12 > 0:16:18- The task fell to the 32nd and 36th - division, supported by the reserves.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- The Ulster men of the 36th division - had the sense to charge...
0:16:25 > 0:16:31- ..instead of walking like lambs to - the slaughter, as was the practice.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- They almost broke through - as they reached German lines...
0:16:37 > 0:16:42- ..but once again, German - machine guns opened up on them.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- They gained some land - around Thiepval...
0:16:51 > 0:16:55- ..but at a cost of over 9,000 lives.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- The story remained the same - at Ovillers and La Boisselle.
0:17:06 > 0:17:12- British soldiers were shot down - by guns and hung on the barbed wire.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- This is Lochnagar Crater - by La Boisselle.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- It was created by a mine that - detonated prior to the attack.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- It's 300 feet across - and over 90 feet deep.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47- As we move further south along the - line of attack we reach Fricourt.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- In order to capture enemy positions - around the village...
0:17:52 > 0:17:58- ..they decided to attack the flanks - instead of making a direct attack.
0:17:59 > 0:18:05- Once again, the German machine gun - posts and barbed wire stayed intact.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- It was absolute carnage - for the West Yorkshire regiment.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17- The British continued to attack and - by nightfall, the Germans withdrew.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- The Welsh will never forget - the village of Mametz.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32- The village was taken - at a cost of 8,500 casualties...
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- ..but the battle - was deemed a success.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41- This spurred the British on - to win more land.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Mametz Wood lies behind me.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55- British units wanted to carry on and - take the wood the following day...
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- ..before the Germans - reinforced their position.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- The attack was delayed by a week.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- The decision was to have dire - consequences for many Welshmen.
0:19:14 > 0:19:19- Carnoy and Montauban lay at the - southern end of the attacking line.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23- British and French lines met here.
0:19:23 > 0:19:28- A mine was detonated near Carnoy - but it was too late...
0:19:28 > 0:19:34- ..as the British had started - their attack and many were killed.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40- Here, Captain W P Neville kicked - a football towards enemy lines...
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- ..and encouraged his men - to follow it.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Neville did not live - to see half time!
0:19:51 > 0:19:55- With the help of French artillery, - they won these strategic positions.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- The French were successful in their - attacks south of the Somme.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- Once again, the nearby wood and open - ground were ripe for the taking...
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- ..and the order to advance - was sought.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- General Rawlinson refused.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- It was a poor and costly decision.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- Behind the lines of attack...
0:20:20 > 0:20:26- ..thousands were carried - to the makeshift hospitals.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- There, doctors and nurses - fought in vain...
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- ..to save - the badly wounded soldiers.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54- Without doubt, the attack on July - 1st, 1916 was a complete disaster.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58- It cannot be argued otherwise.
0:20:58 > 0:21:03- The official figures show, - that on a hot summer's day...
0:21:03 > 0:21:08- ..100,000 soldiers attacked - the 18 mile-long front.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- Nearly 60,000 soldiers - were lost or wounded...
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- ..and they can be categorised.
0:21:18 > 0:21:24- 20,000 were killed - or died from their wounds...
0:21:25 > 0:21:28- ..35,000 were injured...
0:21:28 > 0:21:34- ..2,000 were presumed missing, - probably blown to pieces...
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- ..and 600 men were taken prisoner.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- There's not a lot to say.
0:21:43 > 0:21:49- Haig himself said the machine gun - was an overrated weapon!
0:21:52 > 0:21:58- In German hands, it accounted - for 60% of all casualties.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- Many British and Allied soldiers - were killed in no-man's land...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- ..before they even reached - enemy lines.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13- When you think about that first day - and what followed at the Somme...
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- ..I'm reminded of the words of - the Reverend Lewis Valentine.
0:22:19 > 0:22:24- He came to the Somme three months - after the attacks and wrote...
0:22:25 > 0:22:31- .."We are in Hell and here is the - devil's fire dance to entertain us."
0:22:31 > 0:22:37- He asked a question - at that scene of carnage.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- "Have all the rulers - of every nation gone mad?"
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- The big question is...
0:22:45 > 0:22:50- ..how did Haig and Rawlinson react - to this most bloody of days?
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Exactly.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54