'French Infantry crawling to the Attack' on the Somme, 1916

Postcard photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1916.

The French played an important role in the Somme offensive with their Sixth Army attacking in the southern part of the theatre. On 1 July 1916 they made more progress than their British counterparts further north. Originally their planned commitment was much greater, but the desperate situation at Verdun reduced their role in the operation. Despite this, the offensive cost France over 200,000 casualties.