German dead in a front line trench, 15 September 1916 (b/w photo)

German dead in a front line trench, 15 September 1916. Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1916. This photograph was taken during the Battle of Flers Courcelette on the Somme. To assist the six divisions involved in the attack, tanks were deployed for the first time. They would lead the assault, destroying strong-points and allow the infantry behind to push on and secure their objectives. Prior to Zero Hour a number failed to reach the start through breakdowns and some were unable to pass beyond it. When the attack commenced, only 15 were able to move into no-mans land. These machines made a great impact on the Bavarian troops facing them, many of which were terrified, and a few tanks were able to advance far into the enemy defences. These were gradually reduced in number by breakdowns and enemy action. Flers was captured, but a total breakthrough eluded the tanks. From an album of 49 official war photographs.