Understandably those who were responsible for the major decisions in this battle have come under a lot of criticism. Haig’s conduct has been interpreted as inflexible, his tactics flawed and that he cared little for his troops. However there are also those that argue the Somme was a success and that it was necessary to relieve the drain on the French at Verdun.

The following sources appear to be evidence in support of the second interpretation:

Source A
This quotation is taken from the autobiography of the German General Ludendorff, My War Memories, 1914-1918, written in 1919.

We had heavy losses in men and material. As a result of the Somme we were completely exhausted on the Western Front. If the War had lasted our defeat seemed inevitable.

Source B
This extract is taken from General Sir Douglas Haig's 'Despatches' relating to the objectives of the Somme offensive. It was published after the battle on 23rd December 1916.

'The object of that offensive was threefold:
i. To relieve the pressure on Verdun.
ii. To assist our Allies in the other theatres of war by stopping any further transfer of German troops from the Western front.
iii. To wear down the strength of the forces opposed to us.

Verdun had been relieved; the main German forces had been held on the Western front; and the enemy's strength had been very considerably worn down.

Any one of these three results is in itself sufficient to justify the Somme battle. The attainment of all three of them affords ample compensation for the splendid efforts of our troops and for the sacrifices made by ourselves and our Allies. They have brought us a long step forward towards the final victory of the Allied cause.'