Over a million men became casualties in the long and bitter struggle on the Somme.  The offensive cost Britain and the Empire 419,654 casualties, 125,000 of them dead.  In Britain the impact of the losses was severe, particularly in the north of England where many of the Pals battalions had been recruited. 

French casualties numbered 204,253.  Estimates of German casualties vary widely between 437,000 and 680,000.  A German staff officer described the Somme as ‘the muddy grave of the German field army.’