The stalemate on the Western Front was hard to break.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Oct/Nov 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] The Battle of the Somme was launched.
2. [1] The offensive began at 7.30 am.
3. [1] The infantry advanced across no man's land; most were met with machine-gun fire from the German trenches.
4. [1] Some soldiers were caught in the barbed wire.
5. [1] The British had some success in the south and achieved their objectives around Montauban and Mametz.
6. [1] There was heavy fighting at Thiepval.
7. [1] The French forces operating to the south of the River Somme also achieved some success.
8. [1] There were limited gains.
9. [1] There were almost 60 000 British casualties and almost 20 000 deaths.
10. [6] Level 4 Explains TWO reasons
11. [5] Level 3 Explains ONE reason (e.g. Conditions were unhealthy for soldiers because there was a lack of clean water and effective sanitation. There were rotting corpses, sewage and unwashed soldiers. It was not possible to wash very often or get clean clothes. Toilet facilities were limited. These conditions encouraged rats which carried disease and soldiers were often infested with lice.)
12. [1] There were rotting corpses, sewage and unwashed soldiers.
13. [1] Conditions encouraged rats.
14. [1] The soldiers could be infested with lice.
15. [1] In wet weather soldiers spent much of their time up to their ankles or knees in water.
16. [1] Many soldiers suffered from 'trench foot', caused by standing in water for days.
17. [1] In winter, the trenches offered little protection from the cold. Many soldiers got frostbite.
18. [1] Many suffered psychological problems such as shellshock.
19. [10] Level 5 Explains with evaluation of 'how far' (As Level 4 plus evaluation.)
20. [9] Level 4 Explanation of both sides
21. [6] Level 3 One-sided explanation OR one explanation of both sides (More detailed explanation of one issue to be given two marks.)
22. [3] Some new technology was used effectively. For instance, the machine gun was used to deadly effect by both sides and resulted in 90% of deaths. Larger machine guns required a crew of three to six men and the Germans had added protection by building concrete blockhouses for the machine gun posts. This meant they were able to fire at the enemy during an attack, making it very difficult for the enemy to advance.
23. [3] New technology was not always used effectively. The early tanks were very unreliable often breaking down in no-man's land before they reached the enemy trenches. When they were first used on the Somme, over half of the tanks failed to reach the German front lines.
24. [3] Level 2 Identifies AND/OR describes (One mark for each point)
25. [1] The machine gun was most effective, accounting for over 90% of deaths.
26. [1] Aircraft were useful for reconnaissance.
27. [1] Mustard gas caused panic among the troops.
28. [1] The tanks were slow.
29. [1] Tanks got stuck in the mud and were an easy target.
30. [1] Poison gas only accounted for a small number of deaths.
31. [1] The flame thrower with its petrol was often as dangerous to the user as it was to the enemy.