The Battle of the Somme raged from 1 July to 18 November 1916 and was one of the bloodiest fought in military history. For many, it has come to signify the waste and bloodshed of the First World War, as hundreds of thousands of men on all sides lost their lives fighting over small gains in land. Yet this battle was also to mark a turning point in the war and to witness new methods of warfare, such as all-arms integrated attacks, with infantry units and the new tank corps fighting alongside each other.In Somme 1916: The Blasted Battle, Andrew Robertshaw seeks to lift the battle out of its controversy and explain what really happened and why. Complete with detailed maps and photographs, as well as fascinating facts and profiles of the leaders, this book provides an unparalleled introduction to this legendary battle.