For many in Britain, the resulting battle remains the most painful and infamous episode of the First World War.
Pictures copyright Press Association
1. 1918: The ruined basilica of Albert in northern France, former frontline town for British troops in the Somme region. The basilica was famous for its leaning statue of the Virgin and child which was finally toppled by British shellfire during the German offensive of March 1918, 'The Kaiser's Battle', in order to prevent its use as an observation post. Picture part of PA First World War collection.
1918: The ruined basilica of Albert in northern France, former frontline town for British troops in the Somme region. The basilica was famous for its leaning statue of the Virgin and child which was finally toppled by British shellfire during the German offensive of March 1918, 'The Kaiser's Battle', in order to prevent its use as an observation post. Picture part of PA First World War collection.:- Photo: PA
2. 1916: A German field gun and its emplacement wrecked by artillery fire during the Battle of the Somme. A dug out can be seen to right.
1916: A German field gun and its emplacement wrecked by artillery fire during the Battle of the Somme. A dug out can be seen to right.:- Photo: PA
3. A scene in one of the German trenches in front of Guillemont, near Albert, during the Battle of the Somme. It shows the havoc wrought by the British bombardment, with German dead visible in the photograph. Guillemont was captured by the British in late September, 1916.
A scene in one of the German trenches in front of Guillemont, near Albert, during the Battle of the Somme. It shows the havoc wrought by the British bombardment, with German dead visible in the photograph. Guillemont was captured by the British in late September, 1916.:- Photo: PA
4. Kaiser Wilhelm II watches the battle from a safe distance.
Kaiser Wilhelm II watches the battle from a safe distance.:- Photo: PA Photos:PA