since 1 july 1916 , the cost Cost of the battle and the `` meagre gains '' have been a source of grief and controversy in britain ; in german and french writing Writing , the first day of the battle of the somme has been little more than a footnote to the mass losses of unk and the battle of verdun .

New Zealand could not do much more—its meagre military resources were already stretched Body_movement in Malaya and conscription was out of the question .

V and W beaches became Becoming bloodbaths , despite the meagre defences Defending , while the landings Self_motion at other sites were not exploited Reveal_secret .