THE SOMME VOLUME I THE FIRST BATTLE OF THE SOMME (1916-1917) (ALBERT--BAPAUME--PÉRONNE) Published by +MICHELIN & Cie.+ Clermont-Ferrand, France. Copyright 1919 by Michelin & Cie. _All rights of translation, adaptation, or reproduction (in part or whole), reserved in all countries._ THE FRANCO-BRITISH OFFENSIVE OF THE SOMME (1916). THE OBJECTIVES OF THE OFFENSIVE. In June, 1916, the enemy were the attacking party; the Germans were pressing Verdun hard, and the Austrians had begun a vigorous offensive against the Italians. It therefore became necessary for the Allies to make a powerful effort to regain the initiative of the military operations. [Illustration: GENERAL FOCH, IN COMMAND OF THE FAYOLLE-MICHELER ARMY GROUP, DURING THE SOMME OFFENSIVE OF 1916.] The objectives of the Franco-British offensive were, to regain the initiative of the military operations; to relieve Verdun; to immobilise the largest possible number of German divisions on the western front, and prevent their transfer to other sectors; to wear down the fighting strength of the numerous enemy divisions which would be brought up to the front of attack. Thanks to the immense effort made by the entire British Empire, their army had considerably increased in men and material, and was now in a position to undertake a powerful offensive. Under the command of Field-Marshal Haig, two armies, the 4th (General Rawlinson) and the 2nd (General Gough) were to take part in the offensive. In spite of the terrible strain France was undergoing at Verdun, the number of troops left before that fortress, under the command of General Pétain, who had thoroughly consolidated the defences, was reduced to the strictest minimum, and the 6th and 10th Armies, under the command of General Fayolle and General Micheler, respectively, were thus able to collaborate with the British in the Somme offensive. Within a few days of the enemy's formidable onslaught of June 23 against the Thiaumont--Vaux front, in which seventeen German regiments took part (see the Michelin Guide: +"Verdun, and the Battles for its Possession"+), the Allied offensive was launched (July 1). [Illustration: FRENCH HEAVY GUN ON RAILS.] The Theory, Methods and Tactics adopted With both sides entrenched along a continuous front, the predominating problem was: How to break through the enemy's defences to the open ground beyond the last trenches, and then force the final decision. In 1915, the Allies had endeavoured unsuccessfully to solve it; in 1916, the Germans, in turn, had suffered their severest check before Verdun. Putting experience to profit, the Allies now sought to apply the methods of piercing on broader lines.