The Battle of the Somme lasted from 1 July to 18 November 1916.  The failure of Rawlinson’s Fourth Army to make a decisive breakthrough on the opening day resulted in attritional or ‘wearing out’ fighting during July and August. 

The battlefield debut of the tank on 15 September did not bring victory any closer, but Haig maintained the pressure on the Germans hoping they would break.  Operations on the River Ancre continued with some gains, but in deteriorating weather, major operations ended on 18 November.