Blood Bath

Explosion at Hawthorn Ridge Mine

         Explosion of the Hawthorn ridge mine July 1st, 1916 was one of the most humiliating days for the British Army. It was the worst one-day combat losses in its history, with nearly 60,000 casualties.  The "Battle of the Somme" was one of the largest battles in the first world war.

This battle, also known as the "Somme Offensive", situated between July 1st and November 18th 1916.  Though it didn't even last 5 months the death toll was around 1,500,000.  That means on average 10000 people died, everyday!


[Image]"Zero hour" (set to 7:30 am) was when many mines were scheduled to be collapsed. The war opened up with many mines being detonated 10 minutes prior to Zero hour the first one being Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt. By the time Zero hour had came, it was time for the infantry to advance.  This day turning out to be a horible loss for the British.