'The roar of the guns is incessant... the casualties are very heavy': WWI trench diary which describes how Tommies were 'cut to pieces' by the Germans on the disastrous first day of the Somme is found 108 years later

The gut-wrenching diary of a Lieutenant written on the first day of the Somme, a battle which resulted in the deaths of around 300,000 soldiers, has been dug out 108 years on.

The entry was penned by Lieutenant Ernest Pearson on July 1 1916, known as the bloodiest day in British history with 57,000 casualties including 20,000 deaths, and gives a 'blow by blow' account of the brutal First World War battle.

The soldier's notes show how early optimism was soon wiped out as British troops were mown down on the disastrous first day.

Lt Pearson initially describes waking up on 'The Day of the Great Battle' adding that it was 'probably one of the greatest in history, the roar of the guns is incessant'.

The lieutenant was stationed near Authuille Wood with the 11th Notts & Derby Regiment and he details the attack on the German-held Nab salient which began at 7.30am.

The poignant diary of a World War One Lieutenant written on the first day of the Somme, a battle which resulted in the deaths of around 300,000 soldiers, has been dug out 108 years on

Despite a positive start, the slaughter soon begins and the soldier solemnly announces that the 70th Infantry Brigade, which also went on to serve in World War Two, 'has been cut to pieces'

Lt Pearson initially describes waking up on 'The Day of the Great Battle' adding that it was 'probably one of the greatest in history, the roar of the guns is incessant' (pictured: British soldiers with a Vickers machine gun)

Five minutes later, the soldier writes that there are 'infantry over Bosche front line'. Bosche was a derisive term for the Germans during World War One.

And things continue to look positive in the early hours of the Somme with Lt Pearson jotting down that the 16th Highland Light Infantry, a successful battalion during the war which lost more than 500 men during the bloody battle, had started 'shooting Germans in the trenches'.

But early progress soon grinds to a halt and, by 10.05am, the diarist reports 'no progress, both Brigades held up by machine gun fire'.

And just over an hour later, the first signs of the true violence of the battle are detailed with Lt Pearson writing that 'casualties [are] very heavy'.

There then follows eight hours of deadlock as the British attempt to block a heavy German barrage but the slaughter continues and the soldier solemnly announces that the 70th Infantry Brigade, which also went on to serve in World War Two, 'has been cut to pieces'. 

He adds: '8th Y&L [York and Lancaster] went into action 22 officers 677 O.R. [other ranks] & came out 65 O.R.' 

The A5 diary covers the build-up to the famous battle, which killed around 125,000 British soldiers, from June 16 and details the first few weeks of the Somme up until July 27 1916.

The British and French had joined forces to fight the Germans on a 15-mile-long front but the grim battle ended in an attritional stalemate in November 1916 having lasted 141 days.

The collector's item has gone up for sale for £800 at C&T Auctions, of Ashford, Kent and has been consigned by a private collector. The sale is set to take place on February 14

Lt Pearson initially describes waking up on 'The Day of the Great Battle' adding that it was 'probably one of the greatest in history, the roar of the guns is incessant'

The lieutenant was stationed near Authuille Wood with the 11th Notts & Derby Regiment and he details the attack on the German-held Nab salient which began at 7.30am

The diary also outlines the numbers and the strength of a number of battalions fighting at the Somme

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, said: 'Lt Pearson's diary recounts the preparations for the Battle of the Somme, the events of the day and its aftermath'

The Tommies had advanced just seven miles and failed to break the resolute German defence.

On the last day of the battle, however, the 51st Highland Division took Beaumont Hamel and captured 7,000 German prisoners.

The plan was for a 'Big Push' to relieve the French forces, who were besieged further south at Verdun, and break through German lines.

Although it did take pressure off Verdun it failed to provide a breakthrough and the war dragged on for another two years.

On top of more than 100,000 British deaths, another 200,000 French troops and 500,000 Germans were either killed or wounded in action.

Battle of the Somme: One of the deadliest fights in history

Lasting 141 days, the Battle of the Somme was the bloodiest battle of the First World War.

The British suffered 420,000 casualties, including 125,000 deaths, during the intense fighting. Another 200,000 French troops and 500,000 Germans were either killed or wounded in action.

It is estimated 24,000 Canadian and 23,000 Australian servicemen also fell in the four-month fight.

A British soldier keeps watch over No Man's Land as his comrades sleep during the Battle of the Somme in 1916

The British and French joined forces to fight the Germans on a 15-mile-long front, with more than a million-people killed or injured on both sides.

The Battle started on the July 1, 1916, and lasted until November 19, 1916. The British managed to advance seven-miles but failed to break the German defence.

On the first day alone, 19,240 British soldiers were killed after 'going over the top' and more than 38,000 were wounded.

But on the last day of the battle, the 51st Highland Division took Beaumont Hamel and captured 7,000 German prisoners.

The plan was for a 'Big Push' to relieve the French forces, who were besieged further south at Verdun, and break through German lines.

Although it did take pressure off Verdun it failed to provide a breakthrough and the war dragged on for another two years.

It is estimated 24,000 Canadian and 23,000 Australian servicemen also fell in the fight.

The collector's item has gone up for sale for £800 at C&T Auctions, of Ashford, Kent and has been consigned by a private collector. 

The sale is set to take place on February 14. 

Ahead of the battle, each soldier was instructed to carry 220 rounds of ammunition and was 'forbidden to stop to collect souvenirs'.

On top of more than 100,000 British deaths, another 200,000 French troops and 500,000 Germans were either killed or wounded in action

The British and French had joined forces to fight the Germans on a 15-mile-long front but the grim battle ended in an attritional stalemate in November 1916 having lasted 141 days

The plan was for a 'Big Push' to relieve the French forces, who were besieged further south at Verdun, and break through German lines (pictured: a piper of the 7th Seaforth Highlanders pipes men)

It is estimated 24,000 Canadian and 23,000 Australian servicemen also fell in the fight

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, said: 'Lt Pearson's diary recounts the preparations for the Battle of the Somme, the events of the day and its aftermath.

'The account starts with optimism but quickly turns to despair due to the huge number of casualties.

'There is a fascination among collectors with the first day of the Somme as it is one of the most historic events of World War One.'