War - Ww1 - The Somme Poem by Paul Warren

1st July,1916, the British advance occurred
In the Somme Valley of the Western Front
When they suffered 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 dead
In one day and gained just three square miles of territory

Men advanced over ground where there was cross-fire
Of machine guns set on compass bearings
Where these British soldiers didn't see the machine guns
That killed them when they left their trench systems

They say it was the worst day the British Army suffered
With 19,240 families in Britain losing a son.

© Paul Warren Poetry