The major conflict noted for its use of trench warfare during World War I was the Battle of the Somme, which took place from July to November 1916. The battle was one of the largest during the war and marked a significant offensive by the British and French armies against German positions. Trench warfare characterized the conflict due to the horrific conditions faced by soldiers, as they fought for small territorial gains under constant bombardment and machine-gun fire. The battle resulted in over a million casualties, highlighting the brutality of warfare and leading to profound changes in military strategy and technology in subsequent conflicts.