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.]