Interior of a mine crater on the Somme, August 1916

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

Prior to their attack on La Boisselle the British dug two large mines, known as Y Sap and Lochnagar, under the German front lines. Although they killed many enemy soldiers when detonated, the mines failed to neutralise the German defences and the attacking troops of the 34th Division suffered nearly 6,500 casualties on 1 July 1916.

From a collection of 550 photographs compiled by Lord Henry Seymour Rawlinson while Commander in Chief in India, 1916-1919.