"The three main objects with which we had commenced our offensive in July -- namely, to relieve the pressure on Verdun, to assist our Allies in the other theatres of war by keeping the enemy's forces engaged on this front, and to wear down the strength of the forces opposed to us -- had already been achieved at the date when this review was written. The losses of the enemy and the results obtained fully justify the confidence I then expressed that our offensive had not been entered upon without due consideration of all the factors involved."

Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, Despatch to the Secretary of State for War, 23 December 1916. An official report on the Battle of the Somme, which had concluded on 18 November 1916.