![]() Meanwhile for the British there were some sharp actions on the Western Front while the French endured heavy german attack at Verdun from 21 February. He received an affirmative answer on 7 April 1916, after which the BEF prepared for the Somme. As late as 31 March, Robertson was still pressing for a decision on whether the BEF should be involved in an offensive, or not. On 13 January 1916 it was only prepared to commit to “ offensive operations next Spring in the main theatre in close co-operation with the Allied Armies and in the greatest possible strength, although it must not be assumed that such offensive operations are finally decided upon” (War Cabinet Minutes). The British War Cabinet – all too conscious of the immaturity of much of the BEF in France and the still inadequate supply of equipment, guns and ammunition – wasn’t so sure. The meeting of the 2nd Inter-Allied Military Conference that had taken place in December 1915 had proposed a simultaneous attack in maximum force by all of the Allies in 1916, in addition to continued vigorous local action to wear down the enemy. A stunning blow was dealt to the British high command on 5 June 1916 when Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener died when HMS Hampshire, en route to Russia, was sunk. General Sir Charles Monro was appointed to replace Haig in command of First Army. A few days later, General Sir William Robertson succeeded Lieut.-General Sir Archibald Murray as Chief of the Imperial General Staff in Whitehall. There was a change at the highest levels of British command on the Western Front on 19 December 1915 when General Sir Douglas Haig succeeded Field Marshal Sir John French as Commander-in-Chief of the British Armies in France. They include fighting when the Germans first used Phosgene gas, a major German attack at Vimy Ridge, and the loss and recapture of high ground east of Ypres in the Battle of Mount Sorrel. Localised operations seeking tactical advantage. 14 February – 13 June 1916: actions in the Spring of 1916.
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