The Battle of the Somme during the First World War showing the Ulster division and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders during the Somme Offensive. Military art prints published by Cranston Fine Arts.

Allied offensive in northern France on the River Somme at  Beaumont-Hamel-Chaulnes during July and November 1916. The First Battle  was launched by the British 4th Army with the French 3rd and 8th Army groups supporting them. On the 1st of July 1916. the attack went ahead against a well protected and well dug in German 2nd army, (The British had bombarded the area with a huge artillery bombardment which did little damage to the German defences, and also gave them warning of the impending attack. The heaviest losses the British army had incurred, 19,000 troops were Killed,  Even with these huge losses the attack continued and several small advances were made. on the 14th of July the German defences lines were nearly breached. After a 2 month lull, the attack started again but this time 47 tanks took part, but most of them broke down. again a few gains were made, . by the middle of November the total losses were a staggering 615,000 Allied casualties and 500,000 German casualties.