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It was 2 July 1916, and news of an offensive intended to relieve pressure on Verdun was discouraging to Britain. The 4th British Army was suffering heavy casualties in a battlefield of places to be taken when the offensive failed and troops were demoralised the previous day. To the north, it was apparent no diversionary offensive would occur and German troops were moving south. The French had better luck, but their attacks stalled temporarily and it would be days before the British could provide some useful assistance. It was noted that some 30,000 British troops were dead or permanently out of combat from wounds for the month while German reinforcements were moving southwards from Arras.

[German losses remained similar to reality, but better for them, and slightly worse for the French.]

To make matters worse, there were no indications that Verdun would be evacuated. Russia's Brusilov Offensive was also failing against the Germans and there could be no meaningful support for the next few days. Some successes against Austria-Hungary might help, though.
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