Although the Somme offensive did not give immediate strategical
results, it nevertheless procured the Allies tactical advantages which
were one of the causes of the German retreat of March, 1917.
The capture of important points of support made the position of the
Germans a very precarious one, at all the points where they had so far
succeeded in maintaining themselves. They feared that if in 1917 the
Allies resumed their offensive--which the experience acquired in 1916
would render still more formidable--further retreat, resulting in the
piercing of their front line, might become necessary. They consequently
decided voluntarily to shorten their lines by falling back on new
positions in the rear, known as the "Hindenburg Line" (see the Michelin
Guide: +"The Hindenburg Line"+).
[Illustration: THE BAND OF THE AUSTRALIAN 5TH BRIGADE PASSING THROUGH
THE SMOKING RUINS OF BAPAUME ON MARCH 19, 1917, WHILE THE BATTLE STILL
RAGED NEAR BY, ON THE LINE BECQUINCOURT--NOVAINS.]
The formation of a new defensive front was only possible by evacuating
a large area, and the German retreat extended to the whole of the
region comprised between Arras and Soissons. It was very skilfully
carried out, unhampered by the Allies, who contented themselves with
following close behind the retreating enemy.
On March 15 and 16, 1917, the French, informed by their Air Service of
the enemy's imminent retirement, made numerous raids into the German
trenches between the Oise and the Avre, advancing in places as much
as 4 km. On the 17th, the cavalry, followed by the infantry, entered
Lassigny and Roye. Noyon was occupied early on the 18th.
On the same day (March 17) the British, having relieved the French as
far as south of Chaulnes during the winter, captured La Maisonnette,
Barleux, Villers-Carbonnel and all the villages still occupied by the
enemy within the loop of the Somme. On the 18th, they entered Péronne
and Chaulnes.
The whole region between the Somme and the Oise was liberated at
that time, after thirty months of German occupation, but only after
it had been systematically and totally devastated, according to
elaborate plans drawn up beforehand. These destructions were absolutely
unjustifiable from a military point of view. Towns and villages were
wiped out, houses plundered, industries ruined, factories destroyed,
land devastated, agricultural implements broken, farms burnt, trees
cut down--in a word, everything done to turn the place into "_a desert
incapable for a long time of producing the things necessary to life_"
(Berliner Tagblatt).
It was from these new lines that in the spring of the following year
the Germans launched their great offensive, designed to separate the
Allied armies and resume their march "_nach Paris_."
[Illustration: THE SHADED PORTION REPRESENTS THE GROUND CONQUERED
DURING THE 1916-1917 OFFENSIVE.]
The German offensive and the Allied counter-offensive of 1918 are dealt
with in the Michelin Guide: +"The Second Battle of the Somme (1918)."+
In addition to the pushing back of the enemy front, the Allies' three
immediate objectives had been attained.
Verdun was soon relieved of the German pressure, as the enemy "were
exhausted and compelled to use their reserves for the Russian front,
and especially in the Somme. Their activities on the Verdun front were
limited to making good their losses. However, they were finally obliged
to weaken this front to a point that they were unable to reply to the
French attacks." (See the Michelin Guide: +"Verdun, and the Battles for
its Possession."+)
The Allies' further aim to keep the maximum of the German forces on the
western front was likewise attained. According to Field-Marshal Haig's
report, the transfer of enemy troops from west to east, begun after
the Russian offensive of June, lasted a very little time after the
beginning of the Somme offensive. Afterwards, with one exception, the
enemy only sent exhausted battle-worn divisions to the eastern front,
which were always replaced by fresh divisions. In November, the number
of enemy divisions present on the western front was greater than in
July, in spite of the abandonment of the offensive against Verdun.
As regards the wearing down of the enemy's fighting strength, their
losses in men and material were much heavier than those of the Allies.
Half the German forces in France came out of the battle physically and
morally worn.
From July 1 to December 1, the enemy had more than 700,000 men put
out of action (killed, wounded or prisoners). More than 300 guns were
captured and many others destroyed.
The German nation, badly shaken by the violence and duration of the
battle, alarmed at the events on the eastern front, and cruelty
disappointed by their failure before Verdun, were on the point of suing
for peace at the end of the Battles of the Somme.
On the other hand, the British had gained full consciousness of their
strength, and had fought in closer union with their French comrades.
The Allies of all ranks had learned to know and appreciate one another
better, and future operations were destined to become more closely
co-ordinated. "To fight under such conditions unity of command is
generally essential, but in this case, the cordial good feeling of the
Allied Armies, and their sincere desire to help one another, served the
same purpose and removed all difficulties" (Field-Marshal Haig).
Among the French, the veterans and young classes vied with one another
in heroism. Many "_bleuets_" (twenty-year old youths) were under fire
for the first time. In contact with their seasoned Verdun comrades,
they fought with splendid dash. After scaling the craggy slopes east
of Curlu village, many of them waved their handkerchiefs to cries of
"_Vive la France!_"
Up to the middle in the foul Somme mud, which at times forced the men
out of the trenches into the open, in spite of the shells and bullets,
the Allied troops acquired the _morale_ of Victory, while the High
Command gained and kept the initiative.
[Illustration: GERMAN TANK CAPTURED BY THE NEW ZEALANDERS DURING THE
ALLIED OFFENSIVE OF 1918.
_Extracted from the Michelin Guide +"The Second Battle of the Somme
(1918)"+_]