The Battle of the Somme, which is referred to several times, was fought between July 1, 1916 and November 18, 1916 and pitted French, British, and Dominion forces against German positions that had occupied that part of France for the past two years. The battle was in itself indecisive although it gave the British and French some tactical advantage and drove the Germans back 40 miles. The cost in human life is estimated at one million men.
This episode takes place in November 1916.
Maj.James Bellamy is said to have been awarded the Military Cross (M.C.). However, only Captains and lower ranks, including Warrant Officers, were eligible for the medal. Majors were only made eligible in 1953.