Sample Solution

Flanders, 2nd Dispatch”, 30). The Allies wore down the resistance of the German army because they were able to inflict more casualties and take more prisoners as well as resources. This significant loss of resources and an estimated 500,000 German casualties in battle definitely demoralized the German war effort on the Western Front. Even though the Allies and Germans had different understandings about the Battle of the Somme, they both can agree that it was one the bloodiest battle of World War I.

The Germans and the Allied powers had different strategic goals and objectives for the Battle of Somme as discussed previously, however; they both were of the same mentality that the Battle of the Somme did not mean a decisive victory was at hand. The ultimate goal of the Allies was not to end the war, as there were other theaters still in full swing, but to cripple and inflict enough German casualties to lower their prestige and war morale. Similarly, the Germans also did not believe that the Battle of the Somme would be a decisive victory. They were of the opinion that the offensive would be long and arduous but they had taken necessary precautions and were prepared for the continuation of the war (“The Battle of the Somme by Crown Prince Rupprecht”, 39). While the Battle of the Somme is considered an Allied victory, it is considered a tactical victory.

While often debated, the commanders would be surprised to some extent that the war continued until the end of 1918. Due to the back and forth nature of the war up until this point, it is easy to argue that neither side would achieve an overarching, grand victory. The nature of trench w