Episode Details

Nick Lloyd. Guest Nick Lloyd analyzes the "twinned" horrors of 1916: Verdun and the Somme. He explains Falkenhayn's ruthless strategy at Verdun, which was designed purely to "bleed the French white" through industrial-scale killing. In response, the British launched the Somme offensive to relieve the pressure, leading to a famous strategic dispute between Douglas Haig's desire for a breakthrough and Henry Rawlinson's more cautious "bite and hold" tactics. Lloyd argues that in 1916, the British were only truly capable of Rawlinson's incremental approach due to limited technology and training. The summary also touches on the disastrous 1917 Nivelle Offensive, which promised a "formula" for victory but instead led to widespread exhaustion and mutiny within the French army. This period represents one of the darkest chapters for the Allies, where they came close to losing the war, making the eventual arrival of the Americans and the coordination of Ferdinand Foch absolutely vital. 7
1917