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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Soldiers Killed On The first Day Of The Somme


SMG65

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I have been given a copy of this book and had never heard of it before.

It is by Ernest W Bell and was printed in 1977. The introduction is by Martin Middlebrook.

His book totals 18,011 deaths on the first day and he explains the 3,381 difference between his total and the official figure as being due to these soldiers being wounded on the first day and dying on 2nd July and later.

Can anyone tell me the accuracy of this and whether this book is a trustworthy source of information?

SEAN

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Also, many soldiers who died on the 1st are incorrectly recorded as having died on the 2nd in 'Soldiers Died', which also accounts for the discrepency in numbers.

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Sean - guy did the best he could at the time. If you look at 12th Royal Irish Rifles he attributes a VC to that BTn to McFadzean - when he was 14th rIRifles.

But generally a good effort.

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