With hindsight, could the Battle of the Somme have gone differently?

Gravestones of casualties of the battle of the Somme at Delville Wood cemetery, Longueval. Photograph: John Walton/PA Wire

Would the Battle of the Somme (which began 100 years ago this week), with hindsight of casualty numbers, have been fought differently, or even not at all?

Peter Nias, Bradford

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