The Somme – From Defeat to Victory

The Somme – From Defeat to Victory Movie Poster Country Germany United Kingdom Directed by Detlef Siebert Release Date July 2, 2006 Language English German (Swabian) Studio British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) Distributor BBC Worldwide Main Cast Character Actor Fiddes Iain McKee Mellor Chris Hannon Sharples Peter Barich Rüdiger Kuhlbrodt Ralf Rueller Friedrich Hinkel Steffan Boje General Hans von Plessen Wolf Kahler Stammler (Stammerer) John Shortell

The Somme – From Defeat to Victory is a 2006 British-German-produced BBC Documentary about the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and was broadcast for the 90th anniversary of the battle. The docudrama focuses on the struggle of the small village Thiepval between the 36th (Ulster) Division and the German 26th (Württembergische) Reserve Division. For almost five months, from July to November 1916, the Battle of the Somme, a river in northern France, raged. It was the most costly and bloody battle fought during the First World War. More than a million German, British, and French soldiers lost their lives in this slaughter. This battle is also seen as a turning point in modern military history. It is the preeminent symbol of World War I in Great Britain.

The 2005 Channel Four Documentary describes the struggle for the southern villages of Ovillers and Mametz.

The following weapons were used in the film The Somme – From Defeat to Victory:

Revolvers

Webley Mk. V

A Webley Mk V is briefly seen wielded by a British officer.

Webley Mark V - .455 Webley

An officer holds while waiting to attack.

Webley Mk. VI

Various British officers are armed with Webley Mk VI Revolvers.

Webley Mark VI - .455 Webley

An officer advances in No Man's Land with his Webley.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III*

British soldiers use Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III* rifles with their Pattern 1907 sword bayonets. One of these SMLEs is equipped with a Winchester A5 telescopic sight.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III* - .303 British

British soldiers going over the top with their SMLEs.

Several rifles in the background lying on the ground.

A British soldier aims his rifle.

Two soldiers fire their rifles in a German Trench.

The rifle rests on the legs of the soldier in the center.

Closer view of the side-mounted telescopic sight.

Mauser Gewehr 1898

The Mauser Gewehr 1898 is used by German soldiers including Corporal Hinkel (Steffan Boje) and the Stammler (John Shortell).

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Corporal Hinkel fires his rifle.

A German soldier reloads his Gewehr.

Stammler aims his Mauser.

Mauser Model 1903/30

A German soldier is briefly seen with what appears to be a post-WWI updated Turkish Mauser 1903/30 Rifle during close combat.

Turkish Mauser 1903/30 - 7.92x57mm

Machine Guns

Maxim MG 08

The Maxim MG08 is fired by German soldiers during the first day of the offensive.

Maxim MG 08 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Maxim MG 08/15

The German soldiers defending the village with Maxim MG08/15 machine guns. It is also seen ineffectively shooting at a Mark IV tank.

Maxim MG 08/15 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

A German soldier fires the Maxim.

A full view of the Maxim.

Lewis Gun

A Lewis Gun is briefly seen as Captain Tweed's (Mike Rogers) men go over the top.

Lewis Gun - .303 British

The soldier in the background holds the lmG.

Hotchkiss M1909 Mk. I

The Hotchkiss Mk.I is seen in the Mark IV.

Hotchkiss Mark I - .303 British

The barrel is visible.

Hand Grenades

Mills Bomb

British soldiers use Mills Bombs.

No. 36M Mk. I "Mills Bomb"

Dave holds two grenades.

Other

Mark IV Tank

The tank stucks in the mud.