Rag, I have never defended any army bit ours, and I have pointed out how much better led ours was than the French, and most definitely the Russians.

Jim,
You explain how any of these can be put down to "good" leadership"

I refer you to the work of the historians and military historians, all of whom know much more about the Somme and all your other issues than you do, and are still quite clear that the army was well and competently led.

You have still not found anything written within the last twenty years that finds otherwise.

Jim and Rag, I suggest we leave it there unless and until you can find some or any support for your dogma from people who actually know about WW1.