Battle of the Somme WI

General Rawlinson's first plan (rejected by Haig) was simply "bite & hold", small advances with manageable goals. WI the Brits had gone with this plan?
 

BlondieBC

Banned
What do you see happening?

Since there were not big breakouts, and they British effectively did take very small chunks of ground and then try to hold them, I don't see a huge change. Now if you mean the British commit a lot less forces to the attack and attack with less aggressiveness, then the effect will be seen in Verdun where Falkenhayn will not have to pull as many units and artillery pieces to fight at Somme.

Did you have some exact scenario in mind?
 
It changes incidental details but not much else. There was zero strategic advantage to be found by an attack on the Somme and the original concept was for a joint Anglo-French attack, not merely a British one.
 
What do you see happening?

Since there were not big breakouts, and they British effectively did take very small chunks of ground and then try to hold them, I don't see a huge change. Now if you mean the British commit a lot less forces to the attack and attack with less aggressiveness, then the effect will be seen in Verdun where Falkenhayn will not have to pull as many units and artillery pieces to fight at Somme.

Did you have some exact scenario in mind?


nope, just curious if to see what would have happened with the first plan
 

BlondieBC

Banned
nope, just curious if to see what would have happened with the first plan

Ok, cancelling the Somme and the British deciding not to attack to 1917 when the tanks and the rest of the army is stronger probably has a huge impact on the war.

The only difference that jumps to mind on the two plans is Haig had Cavalry divisions for the big breakthrough, and I think he even attacked with a few of them. With a plan for small break gains, these division may be else where doing something else. But assuming they stay in France and aren't sent to another theater, then I don't see major impact.

If I had to guess, I would say the Germans lose about the same number of men because Falkenhayn is likely to use any spare units at Verdun. The British attack is a bit more modest, so fewer UK deaths. This is where the extra units at Verdun for the Germans come from. And the French lose a bit more at Verdun.

Now if the British are seen as doing a half hearted attack, there could be interesting impacts on French morale and the diplomatic relationship with France. And there is a tiny outside chance of Romania not interring the war, if the CP has more forces on the border. But the USA could win the next World Cup too. ;) It is that kind of odds.

So baring a strange butterfly, and those can happen, it is largely a wash.
 
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