Battle of the Somme Begins — Bloodiest Day in British Military History

The Battle of the Somme opened with a massive British assault following a seven-day artillery bombardment of 1.5 million shells. Despite the bombardment, German machine-gunners emerged from deep dugouts and mowed down advancing British infantry. On July 1, the British Army suffered 57,470 casualties (19,240 killed), the bloodiest single day in British military history. The Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont-Hamel was virtually annihilated, suffering 91% casualties.