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Furthermore, although they had far fewer guns, the Germans had them organized very effectively in so-called ‘barrage sectors, which allowed them to inflict devastating casualties at the Somme. This was not expected, which meant that the Allies did not achieve the breakthrough they hoped. Then the German soldiers during the battle had been better prepared for example they did not find themselves loaded down with equipment like the British who had to carry almost eight pounds into battle.<ref> Middlebrooks, p. 116</ref> Furthermore, German units proved to be more flexible and could respond better to the dynamic battlefield situation. For example, the Germans proved to adapt to the tanks' threats and found ways to disable and neutralize them.

The Battle of the Somme was not the failure it is often portrayed. It did play an important role in the eventual German defeat in 1918 and did allow the allies to recapture some strategic territory. However, given the losses, the battle did not achieve much, and the Germans did not suffer any major strategic defeats. They proved capable of continuing the fight on the western front for another two years.

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