17 Haunting Coloured Pictures From the WW1 Battle of the Somme

Aug 27, 2016 Damian Lucjan, Guest Author

The Battle of the Somme, also known as the Somme Offensive, was one of the bloodiest battles in WWI. During the first day alone, 1st July 1916, there were roughly 60,000 casualties.

After one month one million were killed or wounded on both sides. The battle is notable for the importance of air power and the first use of the tank.

During the Battle of the Somme thousands of pictures were taken, but here we present to you 34 chosen ones, including 17 colorized.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'A Boche prisoner, wounded and muddy, coming in on the 13th.' — ‘A Boche prisoner, wounded and muddy, coming in on the 13th.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Some jolly gunners and their pet.' — ‘Some jolly gunners and their pet.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Open air cookery in a steel helmet near Miraumont-le-Grand.' — ‘Open air cookery in a steel helmet near Miraumont-le-Grand.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Commander explaining the capture of Thiepval to H.M. from the top of the Thiepval Chateau.' — ‘Commander explaining the capture of Thiepval to H.M. from the top of the Thiepval Chateau.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Artillerymen outside dugouts.' — ‘Artillerymen outside dugouts.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Their home on the Somme.' — ‘Their home on the Somme.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'In the track of the Hun. The first of our men to cross the Somme, near Peronne.' Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland. — ‘In the track of the Hun. The first of our men to cross the Somme, near Peronne.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Artillery stripped trees and a signboard pointing the way for pack transport' — ‘Artillery stripped trees and a signboard pointing the way for pack transport’. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

© Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Horse laden with trench boots on the Somme Front.' — ‘Horse laden with trench boots on the Somme Front.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

10a — © Tom Marshall (PhotograFix | Facebook) 2016

'Clearing the way for our advancing troops.' — ‘Clearing the way for our advancing troops.’ Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland.

Original notes found with the photos above have been included as captions.

1b.A-German-soldier-from-the-2nd-Battalion---236-at-the-Somme — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

German soldier from the 2nd Battalion — German soldier from the 2nd Battalion.

2b.British-sentry-going-up-to-his-post;-near-Beaumont-Hamel,-July-1916. — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

British sentry going up to his post near Beaumont Hamel. July 1916.

3b.British-troops-coming-out-of-the-trenches-near-Guillemont,-27-November-1916. — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

British troops coming out of the trenches near Guillemont. 27 November 1916.

4b.French-Somme — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

Soldiers in trenches. July 1916.

5b.German-soldier-with-a-telephone-wire-drum-in-shell-ruined-and-deserted-Peronne,-1916. — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

German soldier with a telephone wire drum in shell ruined and deserted city. July, 1916. — A German soldier with a telephone wire drum in shell ruined and deserted city. July 1916.

6b.Howitzers-of-the-Royal-Garrison-Artillery,-1917 — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

Howitzers of the Royal Garrison Artillery — Howitzers of the Royal Garrison Artillery.

7b.Photograph-of-Canadians-returning-from-the-trenches,-the-Somme,-November-1916 — © Marina Amaral (Marinamaral.com | Twitter)

Canadians returning from the trenches. The Somme, November 1916 — Canadians returning from the trenches. The Somme, November 1916.