G. J. Giddins Studio of Military Art
Military paintings and prints
Morning 1st July 1916, The Buffs at The Somme
Morning 1st July 1916, The Buffs at The Somme by G.J. Giddins
Men of the Buffs regiment fix bayonets in a front line trench in preparation for going 'over the top' at the battle of The Somme.
Oil on canvas, 54" x 40"
Currently hanging in the Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment and Queens Regiment at Dover Castle, Kent, England.
A massive British seven day bombardment designed to reduce German wire defences and remove the threat of their front line machine gun posts proved ineffective. Deep dugouts sheltered German troops, so as the bombardment ceased, signalling an imminent attack, they were able to dash out and set up their machine guns to cut down the British as they left the relative safety of their trenches.
The British losses on that day were greater than on any other before or since. Some 58,000 British were to become casualties on the first day alone, with a million in total between both sides by November.
The 7th Buffs with the 8th Norfolk to their left and the 7th Queens to their right (to their right the 8th East Surreys led by Captain Neville were to pass into legend by kicking footballs as they advanced) occupied the foremost section of trench closest to the German line and played a crucial part in driving the enemy back into Montauban and beyond.
By the end of the battle such gains as there were, could be measured in yards.
