Philpott wrote that after the war the French Official History gave five pages to 1 July, with one paragraph on the British attack and that the German Official History Der Weltkrieg covered the day in 62 pages. The British Official History described the day in 177 pages, with one page on the French success. In Joffre 's memoirs the French victory was ascribed to "the excellent work of the artillery '' and German underestimation of French offensive potential remaining from the battle at Verdun, leading them to make their principal defensive effort in the north. The British had been attacked from behind after failing to mop up captured German positions. This military explanation was insufficient for many British commentators, who blamed "anachronistic '' "sword wavers '' for leading volunteers to an unnecessary slaughter. The French success, based on the experience of 1915 was overlooked, as was the French expectation of more quick victories being disappointed, as the battle became a counterpart to the long attrition campaign at Verdun. Philpott also described the Germans being written out of the British narrative of useless sacrifice. The Anglo - French armies had gained an advantage on 1 July, by forcing the German defences for 13 mi (21 km) either side of the Somme to collapse. In the early afternoon a broad breach existed north of the river but the "break in '' was in an unexpected place, which meant that exploitation would have to be improvised.
who won the battle of somme on the first day
The Anglo - French armies