Lack of forward planning meant train use tended to be ad hoc. Before the Somme offensive, between five and twelve ammunition trains per day had been sufficient, but after mid-1916 the number grew rapidly to between fortyfive and ninety. Many ammunition problems stemmed from the transportation system, which developed from the lower demands of 1914–1915 and the ‘daily usage’ restrictions. The increase in ammunition production encouraged field commanders to use more and demand more still. But Boulogne could handle only 2,000 tons per day, so sending 5,000 just led to queues of ships awaiting
...more
