Towards the end of June 1916, the Allies began a week-long artillery bom­­­­bardment of German defensive positions on the Somme River in northern France, in preparation for a major British-led offensive. Then, at 7.30am on July 1, 1916, the British barrage of the enemy’s front trenches was lifted.

Along a 14-mile stretch, the British infantry moved forward, many in long lines. This offensive, known as the Battle of the Somme, left 19,240 officers and men of the British Expeditionary Force killed and 35,493 wounded. The 57,470 casualties made July 1, 1916, the bloodiest day ever in British military history. The losses occurred because the German defences were still intact despite the seven-day bombardment designed to knock them out. The British also attacked in daylight, advancing in lines shoulder-to-shoulder only to be systematically gunned down by German machine-gunners.

A book published by Joshua Levine titled Forgotten Voices of the Somme contains a large number of testimonies of what happened on this fateful date. Three particular testimonies are selected to experience what really happened during that day. The testimonies begin from before the attack started to when the British troops reached the German trenches.

Private Reginald Glenn, who served in the 12th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, remembers: “We didn’t know about the attack until the day before. We went into the line that night, and we relieved the regiment that was in. By now, everybody knew we were going in to attack, and we all had our big overcoats, and our haversacks with rations in. I had my rifle and a telephone, and a mile of wire as well. Other people were carrying wire cutters and digging equipment.

“Actually I wasn’t meant to go over, but one man, a university student, got shell shock, and he dropped out on the way into the line. So I was detailed to take his place. I was supposed to reach the German lines, and go through there into Serre village.

“The signal to attack was a whistle. The officers were the first to jump up and they only had revolvers. We had a creeping barrage that was supposed to be creeping forward as we moved forward. The first line went, and then they all lay down. I thought they must have had different order to us – we’d been told to walk. But the reason they lay down was because they’d been shot. They were mown down like corn. Then we went forward – and the same thing happened.

“I didn’t know what was happening around me. There were gaps in our wire, where it had been cut, that were marked by white tape on the ground. We were told to walk and to carry the rifle at high port, but I was just trying to find my way through the shell-holes. I didn’t get as far as the British wire. There was so much pandemonium. I lay down, but soon we all got orders to get back to our trenches.”

The second testimony is that of Private Arthur Pearson, who served in the 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment: “At zero hour, everybody climbed out of the trenches.

“Two platoons formed the first wave. Every man climbed out of trench at the officers’ whistles and not a man hesitated. I was lucky. I was at a part of the trench where the parapet had been battered down, and when I ran out of the trench, I was under the hail of bullets that were whizzing over my head.

“Most of our fellows were killed, kneeling on the parapet. There was nobody coming forward with me – only one man – and the reserves had been shelled in our lines and blown to smithereens.”

The last experience is that of Private Stanley Bewshire, who served in the 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment: “When we got into the German front-line trench, there was nobody there, they had gone. There were only dead men lying about. I moved forward. I hadn’t gone very far before I got a whack on the head. I didn’t know, but it must have been in the afternoon when I came round. Whoever did it had left me, taken my gun and gone. When I came round, all was quiet... .”

The Battle of the Somme is divided into a number of offensives, which include the Gommecourt Salient subsidiary attack (July 1, 1916), the Battle of Albert (July 1-13, 1916), the Battle of Bazentin (July 14-17, 1916), the Attacks at High Wood (July 20-25, 1916), the Battle of Delville Wood (July 15 - September 3, 1916), the Battle of Pozières (July 23 - September 3, 1916), the Battle of Guillemont (September 3-6, 1916) and the Battle of Ginchy (September 9 1916).

During the first day of the Battle of the Somme, a Maltese, Private Edgar Camilleri, who had volunteered at the outbreak of the war, serving in the 14th London (London Scottish) Regiment. Although thousands of British troops were killed and wounded, Camilleri survived, to be captured by the Germans. However, it was not known if he was wounded or his fate.

German defences were still intact despite the seven-day bombardment designed to knock them out

Meanwhile in Malta, a letter was published on the Daily Malta Chronicle about Maltese prisoners of war. The letter said that a certain Mr Borg of The British Central Pharmacy, situated at Strada Reale (nowadays Republic Street), Valletta, had great interest in the Malta Prisoners of War Fund. He had already collected the sum of £250.6.1, and the same newspaper described that he showed loyalty and patriotism and his energy displayed in his labour of love on behalf of the Maltese interned in enemy countries. The funds were being expended in the way that it was obligatory that each Maltese prisoner had to have 6/- parcels sent to him every fortnight and that the Central Prisoners of War Committee of London had undertaken to send the parcels for this Maltese fund.

Maltese officers serving overseas continued to show courage and for these actions some were awarded honours. Two other Maltese officers serving in France were awarded important medals. The first was Captain Arthur Agius, who was serving in the London Regiment, and served with the same regiment in Malta after the outbreak of war. The other was Lieutenant Arthur J. Samut, who was serving with an infantry regiment of the line. Both were awarded the Military Cross. In total, six Military Crosses were awarded to Maltese officers serving at the front. There were also other Maltese servicemen who were mentioned in despatches.

Private R. F. Grech, who had emigrated to Canada before the outbreak of war, serving with the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in France, lost his life in duty. It appeared that he lost his life during the last Canadian grand attack. He was serving with the 13th Battalion, 3rd Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. One of his uncles was Colonel Grech, Royal Army Medical Corps, who had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his conspicuous service at the front.

On July 10, the Germans attacked again at Verdun, using poison gas, and advanced toward Fort Souville. Four days later, the French counter-attacked and halted the Germans. A few days later, the British launched a night attack against the German positions of the Somme front. But after succeeding to penetrate the German line, they were forced to retreat.

At this time, Captain O. M. Carbonaro and Captain J. M. De Domenico of the Royal Malta Artillery were promoted to the rank of temporary majors. Also, Lieutenant E. H. Reynaud, P. Savona, W. L. Ganado and R. Mizzi of the same Maltese regiment were promoted to temporary captains. Four officers of the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia, Lieutenants C. Von Brockdorff, L. Agius, E. A. Mifsud and H. Von Brockdorff, were temporarily transferred to the Royal Malta Artillery. The last two Maltese officers had served during the failed Gallipoli campaign.

In March 1916, a Maltese, Dr Wyndham Levy Grech, volunteered to join the Royal Flying Corps, with the rank of second lieutenant. Previously, after the outbreak of war, he had enlisted in the British Army. On April 8, 1916, Grech joined No. 2 School of Aviation. He succeeded in passing all his tests with flying colours and was granted his aviator’s certificate number 7293 on July 19, 1916. A month later he was flying with No. 7 Reserve Squadron.

Prior to being posted for active service, Grech was given enough leave to visit his relatives in Malta. After he returned to the UK, Grech was posted on August 9, 1916, with No. 42 Squadron in France where, on September 11, 1916, he shot down his first enemy aircraft in air combat on the Western Front.

Although thousands of British troops were killed and wounded, Camilleri survived, to be captured by the Germans

In mid-August 1916, the Malta Government Gazette published The Malta Defence Regulations, 1916. It contained a large body of regulations issued by the Governor “for securing the public safety and the defence of these islands.” These included:

• Power to requisition movable and immovable property;

• Power to order extinguishment or reduction of light, and to protect and clear certain areas;

• Power to control arrivals and departs in and from the Maltese islands, communication with vessels, movement and search of vessels, and other roles relating to navigation;

• Prohibition against signalling, communicating with spies, against spreading alarming reports, or reports likely to create disloyalty, disaffection and sedition, and in general against any acts calculated to directly or indirectly assist the enemy;

• Press and postal censorship;

• Power to search certain premises and to search, arrest and deport suspecting people;

• Restrictions on the trade of intoxicating liquors with regard to people and premises.

• Provisions relative to corruption of and embezzlement by public officers charged with the care of public goods, and to the stealing thereof;

• Trials and punishment.

In the same edition the following orders were issued in exercise of the powers conferred by theregualtions:

• Traffic regulations relating to search and movement of vessels and boats within the territorial waters of the Maltese islands, communications with ships, and special orders for fishing and other boats and boom defence;

• Orders as to obstructions dangerous to navigation;

• Military protection afforded to the foreshore of Fort St Elmo and Grand Harbour breakwaters;

• Appointment of Major A. J. H. Keyes, General Staff Officer, to be the competent military authority for the purpose of the regulations;

• Prohibition against boats approaching within 300 yards of certain localities at Gozo;

• Regulations for the storage of gasoline or petroleum spirit.

At the same time, the London Gazette announced the promotion of Lieutenant A. V. Falzon Sant Manduca, Royal Malta Artillery, to temporary captain, and the promotion of Lieutenant A. Bencini, General Reserve of Officers, to captain.

To be concluded.

Charles Debono is curator, National War Museum.