Planned by Joseph Joffre, its first day is the bloodiest in British history.  
This offensive began with a mine explosion now known as Hawthorn Crater, and its central thrust paralleled a Roman road between Albert and Bapaume. Planned by Joseph Joffre, its first day is the bloodiest in British history.  Though often called a battle, this event includes battles such as Ginchy and Morval. The German bunkers, barbed wire, and machine guns were successful defensively because British explosives were poorly made and many French forces had been diverted to Verdun. Eventually, the Allies advanced about six miles under the leadership of Douglas Haig. The use of British Mark I's in this offensive is the first example of tank warfare. Name this 1916 offensive named after a river in France.
This offensive began with a mine explosion now known as Hawthorn Crater, and its central thrust paralleled a Roman road between Albert and Bapaume.
Battle of the Somme [or Somme Offensive]