As regards the wearing down of the enemy's fighting strength, their losses in men and material were much heavier than those of the Allies.
Half the German forces in France came out of the battle physically and morally worn.
From July 1 to December 1, the enemy had more than 700,000 men put out of action (killed, wounded or prisoners). More than 300 guns were captured and many others destroyed.
The German nation, badly shaken by the violence and duration of the battle, alarmed at the events on the eastern front, and cruelty disappointed by their failure before Verdun, were on the point of suing for peace at the end of the Battles of the Somme.
On the other hand, the British had gained full consciousness of their strength, and had fought in closer union with their French comrades.
The Allies of all ranks had learned to know and appreciate one another better, and future operations were destined to become more closely co-ordinated. "To fight under such conditions unity of command is generally essential, but in this case, the cordial good feeling of the Allied Armies, and their sincere desire to help one another, served the same purpose and removed all difficulties" (Field-Marshal Haig).
Among the French, the veterans and young classes vied with one another in heroism. Many "bleuets" (twenty-year old youths) were under fire for the first time. In contact with their seasoned Verdun comrades, they fought with splendid dash. After scaling the craggy slopes east of Curlu village, many of them waved their handkerchiefs to cries of "Vive la France!"
Up to the middle in the foul Somme mud, which at times forced the men out of the trenches into the open, in spite of the shells and bullets, the Allied troops acquired the morale of Victory, while the High Command gained and kept the initiative.
GERMAN TANK CAPTURED BY THE NEW ZEALANDERS DURING THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE OF 1918.