I got to the end of 1st July chapter in Hart's THE SOMME last night and my first disappointment.

Not much on why the French could view the 1st July a success when Britain failed so catastrophically in so many parts of the Line.

One point Hart did make that I hadnt considered was the experience of the French soldiers compared to the relatively green British troops.

The other reason is of course their superior shelling of German artillery positions. The French 75 was regarded as probably the best all round field gun and it is no coincidence that the British XIII Corps success was in part because they stood next to the French in Line and had the benefit of French artillery ranging on common enemy positions.

A final point was in one sector, I presume the last sector in the Line, the French didnt go over the top until 9:30am ... something about a delay with the croissants no doubt. In all seriousness, as I read this I thought what an excellent piece of deception. By this time the opposing Boche had given up on a French attack.