Nicholson Map 5: The Battles of the Somme July - November 1916
Map Upgraded October 16, 2007

This is also described in Nicholson Chapter VI:
Nicholson Chapter VI: The Battles of the Somme, July-November 1916

According to Nicholson, the Somme Offensive took place to relieve pressure on the French Armies at Verdun, to inflict as heavy as possible losses on the German forces and to assist other fronts (East, Italy, etc.) by preventing the transfer of German troops from the Western Front. The British dominated the skies of the Somme but the German artillery was supreme on the ground.

On August 30, 1916 the Canadians began relieving the Anzac Corps (Australia and New Zealand). For the first time the Allied Forces introduced the "tank" into modern warfare, but only 10 of 32 made any great progress. For more details you will have to go to MAP 6 and the Battle of Courcelette.