Editing First day on the Somme (section)

==Battle==

===French Sixth Army===

====XXXV Corps====
[[File:Map commune FR insee code 80513.png|thumb|{{centre|Modern map of Maricourt and vicinity (commune FR insee code 80513)}}]]
South of the river, the [[35th Army Corps (France)|XXXV Corps]] (the [[51st Infantry Division (France)|51st]], [[61st Infantry Division (France)|61st]] and [[121st Infantry Division (France)|121st]] Divisions, backed by {{nowrap|20 batteries}} of heavy artillery) attacked two hours after the offensive began on the north bank. The 61st Division was right-flank guard for the I Colonial Corps near the river.{{sfn|Sheldon|2006|pp=170–171}} A French attack of any great size on the south bank had been considered impossible by the German command and after the [[10th Bavarian Infantry Division (German Empire)|10th Bavarian Division]] was transferred north of the river to reinforce the [[XIV Reserve Corps (German Empire)|XIV Reserve Corps]], divisional frontages were made even wider on the south side of the river, the three remaining divisions of XVII Corps using their third regiment to fill the gap at the cost of having no reserve. The French preliminary bombardment caused the Germans many casualties and destroyed many machine-guns and mortars.{{sfn|Sheldon|2006|pp=170–171}}

When the attack began, concealed by mist, the German defenders were surprised and overrun. The French artillery had {{circa|10 }} heavy batteries per {{cvt|1|km|order=flip}} of front, {{nowrap|18 observation}} balloons were opposite the German [[11th Division (German Empire)|11th Division]] alone and French artillery observation aircraft were flown so low by their pilots over [[Estrées-Deniécourt|Estrées]] that German soldiers could see the faces of the crews. The division had only two field artillery regiments and part of one regiment sent as reinforcement, with no heavy guns for counter-battery fire, except for periodic support from a small number of heavy guns covering all of the south side of the river.{{sfn|Sheldon|2006|pp=170–171}}

The German artillery group around Estrées, [[Soyécourt]] and [[Fay, Somme|Fay]], attempted a systematic bombardment of the French front line on 30 June. The French replied with {{nowrap|2,000 heavy}} shells on one German field regiment alone, that knocked out three guns. By the time of the attack of 1 July, German artillery on the south bank had been hit by {{nowrap|15,000 shells}} and had almost been silenced by {{nowrap|11:00 a.m.}}{{sfn|Sheldon|2006|pp=170–171}} Only eight heavy batteries were available to the Germans on the south bank; at {{nowrap|9:30 a.m.,}} the French barrage lifted off the German front line and three mines were blown under a redoubt at the village of Fay. A measure of surprise was gained, despite losses to German flanking fire from beyond the southern flank of the attack.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=342–343}} Grenadier Regiment 10 had been subjected to a "torrent" of fire overnight, which had forced the German infantry to shelter in mine galleries. A gas bombardment was synchronised with the French infantry attack and the mine explosions at {{nowrap|10:00 a.m.}} killed many of the sheltering troops. By {{nowrap|2:00 p.m.}} the German defences had been overwhelmed and the garrisons killed or captured; such reinforcements as existed were moved forward to occupy the second position south of [[Assevillers]].{{sfn|Sheldon|2006|pp=173–174}}

====I Colonial Corps====

[[File:Banks of the Somme, 1916.jpg|thumb|{{centre|Banks of the Somme, 1916}}]]
On the south bank, the [[I Colonial Corps (France)|I Colonial Corps]] ([[2nd Colonial Infantry Division (France)|2nd]], [[3rd Colonial Infantry Division (France)|3rd]], [[16th Colonial Infantry Division (France)|16th Colonial]] and the [[99th Territorial Division (France)|99th Territorial]] divisions along with {{nowrap|65 heavy artillery batteries}}) also attacked two hours after the main assault.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=342–343}} The 2nd and 3rd Colonial divisions, advanced between XXXV Corps and the river and overran the first line of the German [[121st Infantry Division (German Empire)|121st Division]], holding the line south from the Somme, in fifteen minutes, taking [[Dompierre-Becquincourt|Dompierre-Bequincourt]]. On the French left flank, [[Frise, Somme|Frise]] held out until the village was re-bombarded and then taken by a second attack at {{nowrap|12:30 p.m.}} The 2nd and 3rd Colonial divisions began probing {{cvt|2500|m|order=flip}} of the German second position held by the III Battalion, Infantry Regiment 60 around Assevillers and [[Herbécourt]]. Assevillers was captured at {{nowrap|4:00 p.m.}} Herbécourt was attacked from the north-west at {{nowrap|5:30 p.m.}} and captured, then lost to a German counter-attack. The colonial divisions took {{circa| 2,000 prisoners,}} for very few casualties.{{sfn|Philpott|2009|pp=183–184}} The attack on the south bank had advanced {{cvt|2|km|order=flip}}.{{sfn|Doughty|2005|p=293}}

====XX Corps====
[[File:Map commune FR insee code 80231.png|thumb|{{centre|Modern map of Curlu and vicinity (commune FR insee code 80231)}}]]
North of the Somme, the French XX Corps consisted of the [[11th Division (France)|11th]], [[39th Division (France)|39th]], [[72nd Infantry Division (France)|72nd]] and [[153rd Infantry Division (France)|153rd]] divisions, with {{nowrap|32 batteries}} of heavy artillery. The 11th and 39th divisions attacked at {{nowrap|7.30 a.m.,}} the commanders of the 1st [[Liverpool Pals]] (part of the [[30th Division (United Kingdom)|30th Division]] (XIII Corps) and the French 153rd Infantry Regiment advancing together.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=342–343}} At {{lang|fr| Bois Y}}, north-west of [[Curlu]], which contained many machine-guns and was protected by Menuisiers Trench {{cvt|200|m|yd|order=flip}} further forward, the attack went "like clockwork". The 79th Regiment, whose final objective was {{cvt|1500|m|yd|order=flip}} beyond the start line, found that the French bombardment had destroyed much of the German fortifications and that the creeping barrage kept the Germans under cover. Only at {{lang|fr|Bois Favière}} (in the 39th Division area, where part of the wood was held by the Germans for several days) and at Curlu (in the 11th Division area on the north bank) were the Germans able to conduct an organised defence.{{sfn|Philpott|2009|pp=176–178}}

The 37th Regiment (11th Division) attacked Curlu and received massed small-arms fire; the regiment was repulsed from the western fringe of the village before attacks were suspended for a re-bombardment, by which time the village was outflanked on both sides. Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 6 (BRIR 6) recorded the first attack at {{nowrap|9:00 a.m.,}} after drumfire (so many shells exploding that the reports merged into a rumble) which began at {{nowrap|6:00 a.m.,}} followed by two more until drumfire fell again at {{nowrap|4:00 p.m.}} and the remaining garrison was ordered to retire. Most of BRIR 6 was thrown in piecemeal from the river Somme to Montauban and destroyed, suffering {{nowrap|1,809 casualties.}}{{sfn|Sheldon|2006|p=168}} The French did not exploit their success, because the British did not advance to their second objective beyond Montauban. Four counter-attacks from Hardecourt were repulsed and by mid-morning {{nowrap|2,500 prisoners}} had been taken and an advance of {{cvt|1.5|km|order=flip}} had been achieved.{{sfnm|1a1=Philpott|1y=2009|1pp=183–184|2a1=Doughty|2y=2005|2p=293}}

===British Fourth Army===

====XIII Corps====
{{main|Capture of Montauban}}
[[File:Map commune FR insee code 80560.png|thumb|{{centre|Modern map of Montauban and vicinity (commune FR insee code 80560)}}]]
The southern flank of the British line was held by XIII Corps, which attacked Montauban with the [[Kitchener's Army|New Army]] [[18th (Eastern) Division|18th (Eastern)]] and 30th divisions. The 30th Division took its objectives by {{nowrap|1:00 p.m.}} and the 18th (Eastern) Division completed its advance by {{nowrap|3:00 p.m.}} German defences south of the Albert–Bapaume road were far less developed than to the north and were visible from territory held by the British and French. The infantry advanced behind a creeping barrage and had the benefit of the heavy artillery of French XX Corps to the south. Much of the German artillery in the area had been put out of action during the preliminary bombardment; the German second and third lines were incomplete and had no deep dugouts, except in the first trench.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=344–345}}

On the right of the British attack, most of the German infantry and machine-guns were destroyed before the British advance; a river mist hampered the remaining defenders. In the chaos, alarmist reports were received that Bernafay and Trônes woods had been captured and before noon, every available man, including clerks and cooks was ordered forward to the second position. The [[12th Reserve Division (German Empire)|12th Reserve Division]] was ordered to prepare a counter-attack from Montauban to Mametz overnight but by midnight the division had only reached the second position.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=344–345}} The 30th Division suffered {{nowrap|3,011 casualties,}} the 18th (Eastern) Division {{nowrap|3,115,}} RIR 109 suffered {{nowrap|2,147}} casualties and BRIR 6 {{nowrap|1,810.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=320–345}}

====XV Corps====
=====Mametz=====
{{main|Capture of Mametz}}
[[File:Gordon Highlanders Mametz 1 July 1916.jpg|thumb|{{centre|2nd Battalion, [[Gordon Highlanders]] crossing [[no man's land]] near Mametz}}]]
[[Mametz, Somme|Mametz]] village was attacked by the [[7th Infantry Division (United Kingdom)|7th Division]], which on the right flank had only {{cvt|100|–|200|yd}} of no man's land to cross. The infantry advanced behind a creeping field artillery barrage that lifted slowly according to a timetable and moved towards a standing barrage fired by the heavy artillery, that lifted to the next objective at set times. The right and central brigades attacked on a {{cvt|1800|yd}} front, from support trenches behind the British front line. Crossing no man's land led to few casualties but far more were suffered as the battalions advanced {{cvt|700|yd}} uphill to the village. The east end was captured but several attempts on the north and west ends were repulsed. After a series of bombardments and when British troops further south began to menace the supply routes of the garrison, resistance collapsed and the village was occupied.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=346–353}}

The west side of the village was attacked by the [[20th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)|20th Brigade]], which had to fight forward for most of the day. The infantry pushed on to ground facing Mametz Wood and Willow Stream, outflanking Fricourt further north, though the objectives beyond Mametz were not reached.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=346–353, 365–366}} Much of the front of the 7th Division was opposite Reserve Infantry Regiment 109 (RIR 109), of the [[28th Reserve Division (German Empire)|28th Reserve Division]], which should have been relieved on the night of 30 June and which received a warning of the attack from a listening station at La Boisselle. Most of the regiment was caught in their deep shelters under the front trench and cut off from telephone communication. Most of the supporting machine-guns and artillery was put out of action early on. Reinforcements were sent to the second position but not ordered to counter-attack, due to uncertainty about the situation at Montauban and the need to secure Mametz Wood. The 7th Division suffered {{nowrap|3,380 casualties.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=368–370}}

=====Fricourt=====
{{main|Capture of Fricourt}}
[[File:Map commune FR insee code 80366.png|thumb|{{centre|Modern map of Fricourt and vicinity (commune FR insee code 80366)}}]]
Fricourt lay in a bend in the front line, which turned eastwards for {{cvt|2|mi}} before running south to the Somme River. XV Corps was to attack either side of the village, to isolate the defenders.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|p=348}} The 20th Brigade, 7th Division, was to capture the west end of Mametz and swing left, creating a defensive flank along Willow Stream, facing Fricourt from the south, as the [[22nd Brigade (United Kingdom)|22nd Brigade]] waited in the British front line, ready to exploit a German retirement from the village. The [[21st Division (United Kingdom)|21st Division]] advance was to pass north of Fricourt, to reach the north bank of Willow Stream beyond Fricourt and Fricourt Wood. To limit [[enfilade]] fire from the village, the three Tambour mines were blown beneath the Tambour salient on the west edge of the village, to raise a ''lip'' of earth, to block the view from the village. The 21st Division made some progress and penetrated to the rear of Fricourt and the [[50th Brigade (United Kingdom)|50th Brigade]] of the [[17th (Northern) Division]], held the front line opposite the village.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=353–361}}

The 10th [[West Yorkshire Regiment]], was required to advance close by Fricourt and suffered {{nowrap|733 casualties,}} the worst battalion losses of the day. A company from the 7th [[Green Howards]] made an unplanned attack directly against the village and was annihilated.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=361–364}} Reserve Infantry Regiment 111, opposite the 21st Division, were severely affected by the bombardment and many dug-outs were blocked by shell explosions. One company was reduced to {{nowrap|80 men}} before the British attack and a reinforcement party failed to get through the British artillery-fire, taking post in Round Wood, where it was able to repulse the [[64th Brigade (United Kingdom)|64th Brigade]]. The rest of the regimental reserves were used to block the route to [[Contalmaison]].{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=369––370}} The loss of Mametz and the advance of the 21st Division made Fricourt untenable and the garrison was withdrawn during the night. The 17th Division occupied the village virtually unopposed early on 2 July and took several prisoners.{{sfn|Miles|1992|pp=5–6}} The 21st Division suffered {{nowrap|4,256 casualties}} and the 50th Brigade of the 17th Division {{nowrap|1,155.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|p=368}}

====III Corps====
=====La Boisselle=====
{{main|Capture of La Boisselle}}
[[File:La Boisselle sector 1 July 1916.png|thumb|{{centre|The 34th Division attack on [[La Boisselle]]}}]]
The 34th Division (New Army) was to attack along the Albert–Bapaume road, aided by the blowing of Lochnagar mine and Y Sap mine (the largest mine explosions of the day) either side of La Boisselle. The mine at Y Sap, north of the village, caused no casualties as the Germans had evacuated the area in time but the springing of the Lochnagar mine, south of the village, temporarily trapped German troops in shelters nearby and the position was lost.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=391–392}} Parties of the [[Grimsby Chums]] got into the Lochnagar mine crater before being pinned down by German small-arms fire. The [[Tyneside Scottish Brigade]] was to attack up Mash Valley and against La Boisselle at the Glory Hole ({{lang|fr|[[L'îlot de La Boisselle|L'îlot]]}} to the French and {{lang|de|Granathof}} to the Germans). The [[Tyneside Irish]] were in reserve, ready to advance and capture the second objective from Contalmaison to Pozières.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=371–375}}

At zero hour, the Tyneside Scottish Brigade started its advance from the Tara–Usna Line (a British reserve position behind the front line) to cross {{cvt|1|mi}} of open ground before they reached no man's land. Despite machine-gun fire, a party of around {{nowrap|50 men}} survived to advance up Sausage Valley, south of La Boisselle, almost to the edge of Contalmaison. The survivors were captured after making the furthest British advance of the day, about {{cvt|4000|yd|mi+km}}.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=375–384}} The positions of Reserve Infantry Regiment 110 had been severely damaged in the bombardment but the regiment was forewarned of the British attack by a {{lang|de|Moritz}} device, which eavesdropped on British telephone signals and allowed the Germans to withdraw before the Y Sap mine exploded.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=391–392}} The 34th Division suffered the worst [[casualties]] of the day, {{nowrap|6,380.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|p=391}}

=====Ovillers=====
{{main|Capture of Ovillers}}
The [[8th Division (United Kingdom) in the First World War|8th Division]] attacked the Ovillers spur, north of the Albert–Bapaume road. The division had to cross {{cvt|750|yd}} of no man's land and advance towards German trenches sited to exploit spurs running down from the ridge. The only approach to the German lines was up Mash Valley, under the guns in La Boisselle to the south, Ovillers to the front and the Thiepval spur to the north. All three brigades attacked, the 23rd Brigade up Mash Valley, where {{circa| 200 men}} reached the German second trench and then held about {{cvt|300|yd}} of the front trench, until {{nowrap|9:15 a.m.}} The centre brigade reached the second line, before being forced back to the British front line and the left-hand brigade managed to reach the third trench, while German counter-bombardments cut off the leading troops from reinforcements. Co-ordination by the British artillery and infantry failed, the field artillery lifting to the final objective and the heavy artillery lifting an hour before the attack, leaving the German defenders unmolested as they repulsed the infantry.{{anchor|Glory Hole}}{{sfnm|1a1=Edmonds|1y=1993|1pp=371–375, 385–389|2a1=Sheffield|2y=2003|2pp=52–54}} Ovillers was defended by Infantry Regiment 180, which had suffered {{nowrap|192 casualties}} in the bombardment. Many of the German defences were smashed, except on their right at The Nab. The British advance was met by massed small-arms fire at {{cvt|100|yd}}, which cut down many men, after which a bombing fight began. British penetrations were contained by German troops in communication trenches on the flanks. The two battalions of the regiment in the area suffered {{nowrap|280 casualties}} and the 8th Division {{nowrap|5,121.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=391–393}}

====X Corps====
{{main|Leipzig salient|Schwaben Redoubt}}

=====Leipzig salient and Thiepval=====

The salient and [[Thiepval|Thiepval village]] were attacked by the New Army [[32nd Division (United Kingdom)|32nd Division]]. The Glasgow Commercials advanced into no man's land at {{nowrap|7:23 a.m.,}} until they were {{cvt|30|–|40|yd}} from the German front line. At zero hour, the British rushed the trench before the garrison could react and captured the {{lang|de|Leipzig}} Redoubt. Attempts to exploit the success were met by machine-gun fire from the {{lang|de|Wundtwerk}} (Wonderwork to the British) and the British were not able to advance further.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=394–399}} The capture of the redoubt was the only permanent success in the northern sector.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=399–403, 408–411}} The [[49th (West Riding) Division]], in reserve, went forward mid-morning in support of the 32nd Division, although the commander, Major-General [[William Rycroft]], had suggested that it would have more effect by reinforcing the success of the [[36th (Ulster) Division]]. The 146th Brigade attacked Thiepval through the 32nd Division area and then the 49th (West Riding) Division was ordered to send any uncommitted battalions direct to the 36th (Ulster) Division.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=394–399, 411–415}} The area was defended by two battalions of Reserve Infantry Regiment 99, whose machine-gun posts survived the bombardment, which opened fire as soon as the British attacked. The 3rd Company, Infantry Regiment 180 was annihilated in hand-to-hand fighting at {{lang|de|Leipzig}} Redoubt. The garrison of Thiepval emerged from the shelters and cellars of the village before the British arrived and cut them down with small-arms fire, leaving a "wall of dead" in front of the position. The 32nd Division suffered {{nowrap|3,949 casualties}} and the 49th (West Riding) Division {{nowrap|590.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=421–422}}

=====Schwaben and Stuff redoubts=====

[[File:Map commune FR insee code 80753.png|thumb|{{centre|Modern map of Thiepval and vicinity (commune FR insee code 80753)}}]]
The 36th (Ulster) Division attacked between Thiepval and the [[Ancre River]] against {{lang|de|Schwaben}} Redoubt and gained a "spectacular victory".{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=394–399}} The preliminary artillery bombardment, which included support from French batteries firing gas-shell and a smoke screen from trench mortars, was more successful than on other parts of the front north of the Albert–Bapaume road. The infantry crept into no man's land before the attack, rushed the German front trench and then pressed on. The defeat of the neighbouring divisions left the 36th (Ulster) Division flanks unsupported and the German defenders on either side were free to rake the division from three sides. German artillery began a barrage ({{lang|de|Sperrfeuer}}) along no man's land which isolated the most advanced Irish troops, who briefly reached the German second line, captured {{lang|de|Schwaben}} Redoubt and closed on Stuff redoubt.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=403–408, 416–420}}

Opposite the 36th (Ulster) Division was III Battalion, Reserve Infantry Regiment 99 (RIR 99) and I and III battalions of Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 8 (BRIR 8). The German units suffered severe casualties due to the British bombardment, which destroyed much of the front position, particularly west of {{lang|de|Schwaben}} Redoubt. The positions were so quickly overrun by the Irish that they received little return fire. II Battalion, BRIR 8 was ordered to recapture the redoubt but the order was delayed and all the troops that could be spared were sent to attack from Goat Redoubt and Grandcourt. In the confusion, few of the German troops were able to assemble; the counter-attack began piecemeal and was repulsed several times, until a bombardment and another attack by two fresh battalions at about {{nowrap|10:00 p.m.,}} forced the Irish out of the redoubt.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=422–423}} The 36th (Ulster) Division suffered {{nowrap|5,104 casualties.}}{{sfn|Sheffield|2003|pp=50–51}}

====VIII Corps====

The northern flank of the Fourth Army was held by VIII Corps (Lieutenant-General [[Aylmer Hunter-Weston]]). Three divisions were to attack on the first day, with the [[48th (South Midland) Division]] in reserve, except for two battalions that held a {{cvt|1.6|mi}} stretch between the Third and Fourth armies and two battalions that were attached to the 4th Division.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|p=426}}

=====Beaumont-Hamel=====

{{main|Capture of Beaumont-Hamel#Beaumont-Hamel|l1=Beaumont Hamel|Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt}}

[[File:Ancre sector 1 July 1916.png|thumb|{{centre|The Ancre and Beaumont Hamel, 1 July 1916}}]]
The 29th Division attacked towards Beaumont-Hamel. Part of the attack was filmed and showed the detonation of a {{cvt|40000|lb|LT}} mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt at {{nowrap|7:20 a.m.,}} ten minutes before the infantry attack.{{sfn|Malins|1920|pp=162–163}} The detonation of the mine alerted the Germans and British troops failed to occupy all of the mine crater before German troops could take over the far lip. Many troops of both brigades were shot down in no man's land, which was dominated by Redan Ridge and then caught by German artillery barrages. White German signal rockets were seen and taken for British success flares, which led the divisional commander, Major-General [[Beauvoir De Lisle]], to order the 88th Brigade from reserve to exploit the success. The brigade included the Newfoundland Regiment, which advanced on open ground from reserve trenches {{cvt|200|yd}} back from the British front line.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=424–437}}

The Newfoundland advance avoided the congestion of dead and wounded in communication trenches but many of the troops became casualties to German small-arms fire while still behind their front line. Some Newfoundland troops got across no man's land near Y Ravine but were held up by uncut wire.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=424–437}} Most of the German shelters and Beaumont-Hamel were derelict and shell-craters overlapped. Reserve Infantry Regiment 119, who had been sheltering under the village in {{lang|de|Stollen}} survived and with other units at {{lang|de|Leiling Schlucht}} (Y Ravine) and the {{lang|de|Leiling}} and {{lang|de|Bismarck}} dugouts, engaged the British troops from the wreckage of their trenches. The Newfoundlanders suffered {{nowrap|710 casualties,}} a {{nowrap|91 per cent}} loss, second only to that of the 10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, which suffered {{nowrap|733 casualties}} at Fricourt, south of the Albert–Bapaume road.{{sfnm|1a1=Edmonds|1y=1993|1p=436|2a1=Hilliard Atteridge|2y=2003|2p=110}} The 29th Division suffered {{nowrap|5,240 casualties.}}{{sfn|Sheffield|2003|pp=49–50}}

=====Serre=====

{{see also|Battle of Hébuterne}}

[[File:Hawthorn Ridge mine 1 July 1916.jpg|thumb|{{centre|Explosion of the mine beneath [[Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt]], 7:20 a.m. Photo by [[Ernest Brooks (photographer)|Ernest Brooks]]}}]]
The [[4th Division (United Kingdom)|4th Division]] attacked between Serre and Beaumont-Hamel, capturing the Quadrilateral ({{lang|de|Heidenkopf}}) but could not exploit the success, because the Germans repulsed the attacks by the flanking divisions. Crossfire from Beaumont Hamel and Serre and determined counter-attacks held up the 4th Division. Parties of Lancashire Fusiliers, Seaforth Highlanders and troops from the 11th Brigade entered the Quadrilateral, where they were reinforced by a company of the Royal Irish Fusiliers during the night. Except at the Quadrilateral, the 4th Division ended the day back at its start line.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|p=448}} No other gains were made and German counter-attacks overnight pushed the parties in the Quadrilateral back until only the Irish Fusiliers remained in the German front line, not having received an order to retreat early on 2 July. The Irish eventually withdrew at {{nowrap|11:30 a.m.}} with their wounded and three prisoners; the 4th Division suffered {{nowrap|5,752 casualties.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=424–429, 437–441, 448–449}} In 2006, Grahame Kingston recorded {{nowrap|5,890 casualties}} in the division during July.{{sfn|Kingston|2006|p=248}}

The 31st Division, a New Army division made up of Pals battalions, was to capture Serre and then turn north to form the northern defensive flank of the Fourth Army. The 31st Division attacked uphill from several copses and the two attacking brigades were engaged by the Germans with small-arms fire, expending {{nowrap|74,000 bullets}} against the attack. Small groups of the [[Accrington Pals]] and the [[Sheffield City Battalion]] managed to cross no man's land and reach Serre and a party advanced {{cvt|1.25|mi}} to Pendant Copse, before being cut off and killed or captured. Reserve Infantry Regiment 121 was confronted by the British attack before all the troops had emerged from their dugouts. More than three infantry sections were blown up in the mine explosion at Hawthorn Redoubt, the rest of the garrison being trapped until the end of the attack. A counter-attack towards the redoubt by two platoons gradually bombed the British back; after an hour only the troops in the {{lang|de|Heidenkopf}} remained and it was re-captured during the night. Reserve Infantry Regiment 119 suffered {{nowrap|292 casualties,}} Reserve Infantry Regiment 121 {{nowrap|560,}} Infantry Regiment 169 {{nowrap|362;}} the 31st Division suffered {{nowrap|3,600 casualties.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=424–429, 441–444, 448}}

===British Third Army===
{{main|Attack on the Gommecourt Salient}}

The Third Army (General [[Edmund Allenby]]), was to mount a diversion north of the Fourth Army area, with VII Corps. At the Gommecourt [[Salients, re-entrants and pockets|Salient]], the German trenches curved around a [[château]] and its parkland and a gap of {{cvt|1|mi}} separated the Gommecourt diversion from the northern edge of the main attack. Preparations for a [[pincer movement]] to catch the garrison in a [[pocket (military)|pocket]], were made as obvious as possible to attract German attention.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=453–462}} The 56th (1/1st London) Division had prepared jumping-off trenches in no man's land and when the attack commenced at {{nowrap|7:30 a.m.}} swift progress was made. The first three German trenches were captured and a party pushed on towards the rendezvous with the 46th (North Midland) Division. A German barrage descended on no man's land, which made it impossible for reinforcements to move forward or for a trench to be dug as a defensive flank to the south and the survivors were forced to withdraw after dark. The 46th (North Midland) Division attack found that the German wire was uncut and the ground littered with unexploded [[mortar (weapon)|mortar]] bombs. A smoke screen intended to mask the infantry obscured their view and left the Germans with observation over the attack. The ground was particularly wet and muddy and few troops reached the German trenches; the remaining British troops overran the front line, where German troops were able to emerge from shelters not mopped-up by the supporting battalions pinned down in no man's land by the German barrage and engage the British troops from behind.{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=453–464, 471–474}}

The British bombardment cut much of the wire at Gommecourt and demolished many trenches, particularly in the area of Infantry Regiment 170 opposite the 56th (1/1st London) Division. The smoke screen obstructed the beginning of the attack and the damage caused by the bombardment blocked many dugout entrances; a counter-attack was swiftly mounted from {{lang|de|Kern}} Redoubt (the Maze), which was not under attack. The counter-attack failed to stop the 56th (1/1st London) Division reaching the third line of trenches, before a converging attack by Infantry Regiment 170 and Reserve Infantry {{nowrap|regiments 15 and 55}} began. The British had consolidated and the counter-attack made little progress, until co-ordinated bombing attacks in the afternoon gradually recovered the position. Opposite the 46th (North Midland) Division, Reserve Infantry {{nowrap|regiments 55 and 91}} took post in time, engaged the attackers while they were crossing no man's land but failed to stop the loss of the front trench until a counter-attack from the third trench "annihilated" the leading British troops; the German regiments suffered {{nowrap|1,212 casualties.}} The 46th (North Midland) Division suffered {{nowrap|2,445 casualties,}} which was the lowest divisional loss on 1 July. The commander, Major-General [[Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley|Montagu-Stuart-Wortley]], was dismissed for the failure. The 56th (1/1st London) Division suffered {{nowrap|4,314 casualties.}}{{sfn|Edmonds|1993|pp=453–462, 465–471, 474}}

===Air operations===
British Photographic reconnaissance began in October 1915 and in March 1916 intensive British preparations commenced. The IV Brigade of the RFC was formed on 1 April 1916, with six squadrons of aeroplanes and a Kite Balloon squadron; the IV Brigade squadrons were the first to be increased from twelve to eighteen aircraft. On 25 April photographs were taken which revealed the German construction of a third position from Flers northwards to Le Sars, Pys, Irles, Achiet-le-Petit and Ablainzevelle. In mid-May and late June, the German defences opposite the Fourth Army were photographed again.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=195–197}} {{lang|de|Die Fliegertruppen des Deutschen Kaiserreiches}} (Imperial German Flying Service) had six reconnaissance flights ({{lang|de|Feldflieger-Abteilungen}}) with {{nowrap|42 aircraft}}, four artillery flights ({{lang|de|Artillerieflieger-Abteilungen}}) with {{nowrap|17 aeroplanes}}, a bomber-fighter squadron ({{lang|de|Kampfgeschwader I}}) with {{nowrap|43 aircraft}} a bomber-fighter flight ({{lang|de|Kampfstaffel 32}}) with {{nowrap|8 aeroplanes}} and a single-seater fighter detachment ({{lang|de|Kampfeinsitzer-Kommando}}) with {{nowrap|19 aircraft,}} a strength of {{nowrap|129 aeroplanes.}}{{sfn|Jones|2002|p=201}}

The IV Brigade corps aircraft were to be protected with line patrols, comprising pairs of aircraft from the army squadrons and offensive sweeps by formations of [[Airco DH.2|DH 2]] fighters. The concentration of aircraft for the offensive was completed by the arrival on 19 June of the Ninth (headquarters) Wing with three squadrons and one flight, which brought the number of aircraft on the Fourth Army front to {{nowrap|167, plus}} eighteen at Gommecourt.{{sfn|Jones|2002|p=199}}{{efn|The Ninth Wing was under the command of RFC headquarters and operated as a mobile reserve, conducting strategic reconnaissance, offensive operations against {{lang|de|Die Fliegertruppen}} and long-range bombing.{{sfn|Jones|2002|p=199}}}} The bombing offensive by the RFC was intended to cut railway links behind the Somme front, south of the Valenciennes–Arras railway and west of the lines around Douai, Busigny and Tergnier. Trains were to be attacked in cuttings, railway bridges were to be bombed and the stations at Cambrai, Busigny, St Quentin and Tergnier were to be raided along with the German ammunition depots at Mons, Namur; the station at Lille was also to be attacked.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=198–199}} British aircraft and kite balloons were to be used to observe the intermittent bombardment, which began in mid-June and the preliminary bombardment, which commenced on 24 June. Low cloud and rain obstructed air observation of the bombardment, which soon fell behind schedule. On 25 June, aircraft of the four British Armies on the Western Front attacked the German kite balloons opposite; fifteen were attacked, four were shot down by rockets and one bombed, three of the balloons being in the Fourth Army area. Next day three more balloons were shot down opposite the Fourth Army and during German artillery reply to the Anglo-French bombardment, {{nowrap|102 German}} artillery positions were plotted and a Fokker was shot down near Courcelette.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=206–209}}

Accurate observation was not possible at dawn on 1 July due to patches of mist but by {{nowrap|6:30 a.m.}} the general effect of the Anglo-French bombardment could be seen. Observers in contact-patrol aircraft could see lines of British infantry crawling into no man's land, ready to attack the German front trench at {{nowrap|7:30 a.m.}} Each corps and division had a wireless receiving-station for messages from airborne artillery-observers and ground observers were stationed at various points, to receive messages and maps dropped from aircraft.{{sfn|Jones|2002|p=209}} As contact observers reported the progress of the infantry attack, artillery-observers sent many messages to the British artillery and reported the effect of counter-battery fire on German guns. Balloon observers used their telephones to report changes in the German counter-barrage and to direct British artillery on fleeting targets, reporting during the night by [[flash spotting]]. Air reconnaissance during the day found little movement on the roads and railways behind the German front; the railways at Bapaume were bombed from {{nowrap|5:00 a.m.}} Flights to Cambrai, Busigny and Etreux later in the day saw no unusual movement, although German aircraft attacked the observation aircraft all the way to the targets and back, two Rolands being shot down by the escorts. Bombing began the evening before with a raid on the station at St Saveur by six [[Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.7|R.E. 7s]] of 21 Squadron, whose pilots claimed hits on sheds and a second raid around {{nowrap|6:00 a.m.}} on 1 July hit the station and railway lines; both attacks were escorted and two [[Fokker Eindecker fighters|Fokkers]] were shot down on the second raid.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=209–215}}

Railway bombing was conducted by {{nowrap|28 aircraft,}} each with two {{cvt|112|lb}} bombs, at intervals after midday; Cambrai station was hit with seven bombs, for the loss of one aircraft. In the early evening an ammunition train was hit on the line between Aubigny-au-Bac and Cambrai and set on fire, the cargo burning and exploding for several hours. Raids on St Quentin and Busigny were reported to be failures by the crews and three aircraft were lost.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=215–216}}{{efn|German prisoners captured by the French army later in July, reported that they were at the station during the bombing, which hit an ammunition shed near {{nowrap|200 ammunition}} wagons. Sixty wagons caught fire, exploded and destroyed the troop train and two battalions' worth of equipment piled on the platform, killing or wounding {{nowrap|180 troops.}} Reserve Infantry Regiment 71 had to be sent back to Etreillers and then Ham to re-equip.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=216–217}}}} All corps aircraft carried {{cvt|20|lb}} bombs to attack billets, transport, trenches and artillery-batteries. Offensive sweeps were flown by 27 and 60 squadrons from {{nowrap|11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.}} but found few German aircraft and only an [[LVG C.II|LVG]] was forced down. Two sets of line patrols were flown, one by 24 Squadron DH.2s from Péronne to Pys and Gommecourt from {{nowrap|6:45 a.m. to}} nightfall, which met six German aircraft during the day and forced two down. The second set of patrols by pairs of [[Royal Aircraft Factory F.E.2|F.E.2bs]] were made by 22 Squadron between {{nowrap|4:12 a.m.}} and dusk, from Longueval to Cléry and Douchy to Miraumont. for a loss of two aircraft and one damaged but prevented attacks on the corps aircraft.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=215–218}}

XIII Corps was watched by most of 9 Squadron, which saw the 30th Division troops take the line Dublin Trench–Glatz Redoubt by {{nowrap|8:30 a.m.}} and the 18th (Eastern) Division take Pommiers Trench and Pommiers Redoubt. At {{nowrap|10:00 a.m.}} an observer saw a line of flashes on the ground from mirrors carried by 30th Division soldiers on their packs as the British troops moved along Train Alley towards Montauban. A German artillery battery began to fire from Bernafay Wood and the pilot machine-gunned the crews from {{cvt|700|ft}}, putting the battery out of action. On return towards the British lines, the crew saw Montauban being occupied and 18th (Eastern) Division troops advancing up the ridge to the west of the village ,the pilot flew low along the ridge and gave the troops a wave. By {{nowrap|11:15 a.m.}} mirrors were seen flashing along the north edge of Montauban.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=213–214}}

The XV Corps attack on either side of Fricourt was observed by parts of 3 and 9 squadrons, which were able to report by evening that the 21st Division and the 34th Division to the north had advanced deeply into the German defensive positions above Fricourt. The 7th Division had advanced beyond Mametz, forming a defensive flank on the left and linking on the right with XIII Corps. Troops from III Corps and XV Corps lit red flares, which were quickly reported by observers in contact-patrol aircraft. A balloon observer from 3 Kite Balloon Section was able to get the artillery to re-bombard {{lang|de|Danzig}} Alley, after British troops were forced out by a German counter-attack, a second British attack in the afternoon took the trench easily. Most of 3 Squadron watched over the disastrous III Corps attack at La Boisselle and Ovillers and saw some 34th Division troops reach Peake Wood north of Fricourt.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=212–213}}

The attacks by X Corps and VIII Corps, from Thiepval to Serre were observed by crews from 4 and 15 squadrons. Ground observers could see much of the battle and communications were better than on other parts of the front. Some of the deeper British infantry advances could only be seen from the air, particularly those at {{lang|de|Schwaben}} Redoubt and Pendant Copse. 4 Squadron reported the hurried withdrawal of German artillery between Courcelette and Grandcourt during the afternoon and spotted the massing of German troops at {{nowrap|4:30 p.m.}} A special flight was sent to Thiepval and the pilot flew by at {{cvt|600|ft}} to examine the ground and report that the British attacks had failed. With 15 Squadron observing the disaster occurring to VIII Corps around Beaumont Hamel, the defeat of the British attacks and the repulse of the troops from the few areas where break-ins had occurred were reported by the aircraft observers.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=211–212}}

The VII Corps attack was observed by 8 Squadron, which had photographed during clear weather the day before. The attack of the 46th (North Midland) and 56th (1/1st London) divisions, had a standing patrol of one aircraft each from {{nowrap|6:45 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.}} and then one aircraft for both divisions. No red infantry flares were seen and aircraft flew through the barrage to make visual identifications at low level; by the end of the day German ground fire had made three aircraft unserviceable. One aeroplane flew into a balloon cable near St Amand, damaging the aircraft; the crew escaping unhurt. Reports from the observation crews related the fate of the leading troops of the 46th (North Midland) Division, who were cut off after over-running the German first line by German troops emerging from underground shelters. Following waves intended to mop-up the German front line were seen pinned down in no man's land by artillery and machine-gun barrages. On the 56th (1/1st London) Division front, observers watched the leading British troops capture the first, second and third lines before being cut off by another German barrage in no man's land. German infantry were seen to mass and then counter-attack, regaining the third line by midday, the second line by afternoon and the first line late in the evening.{{sfn|Jones|2002|pp=210–211}}

===German 2nd Army===
By May 1916, eight German divisions held the front from [[Roye, Somme|Roye]] northwards to Arras with three in reserve. The German defence of the south bank of the Somme was the responsibility of XVII Corps (General {{ill|Günther von Pannewitz (General)|de}}), with three divisions. On the north bank the XIV Reserve Corps ({{lang|de|[[Generalleutnant]]}} [[Hermann von Stein (1854-1927)|Hermann von Stein]]) with two divisions held the line from the Somme to the Ancre and the [[Guard Corps]] ([[General of the Infantry (Germany)|General]] [[Karl von Plettenberg]]) with three divisions held the ground north of the Ancre opposite Serre and Gommecourt. On 20 June, British heavy artillery bombarded German communications behind the front line as far back as Bapaume and then continued intermittently until the evening of 22 June. At dawn on 24 June, a shrapnel barrage began on the German front position and villages nearby. At noon, more accurate fire began before increasing in intensity around Thiepval as heavy batteries commenced firing and in the evening, a light rain turned the German positions to mud.{{sfn|Rogers|2010|pp=57–58}}

On 25 June, heavy artillery-fire predominated, smashing trenches and blocking dugouts. Variations in the intensity of fire indicated likely areas to be attacked; the greatest weight of fire occurring at Mametz, Fricourt and Ovillers; during the night the German commanders prepared their defences around the villages and ordered the second line to be manned. After an overnight lull, the bombardment increased again on 26 June, gas being discharged at {{nowrap|5:00 a.m.}} towards Beaumont Hamel and Serre, before the bombardment increased in intensity near Thiepval, then suddenly stopped. The German garrison took post and fired red rockets to call for artillery support, which placed a barrage in no man's land. Later in the afternoon huge mortar bombs began to fall, destroying shallower dug-outs, a super-heavy gun began to bombard the main German strong-points, as smaller guns pulverised the villages close to the front line, from which civilians were hurriedly removed.{{sfn|Rogers|2010|pp=58–60}}

German troops billeted in the villages moved into the open to avoid the shelling and on {{nowrap|27 and 28 June,}} heavy rain added to the devastation, as the bombardment varied from steady accurate shelling to shell-storms and periods of quiet. At night British patrols moved into no man's land; prisoners taken by the Germans said that they were checking on the damage and searching for German survivors. German interrogators gleaned information suggesting that an offensive would come either side of the Somme and Ancre rivers at {{nowrap|5:00 a.m.}} on 29 June. All of the German infantry stood to with reinforcements but the bombardment resumed in the afternoon, rising to drumfire several times. Artillery-fire concentrated on small parts of the front, then lines of shells moved forward into the depth of the German defences. Periodic gas discharges and infantry probes continued but German sentries watching through periscopes were often able to warn the garrisons in time to react. The bombardment on 30 June repeated the pattern of the earlier days, by when, much of the German surface defences had been swept away, look-out shelters and observation posts were in ruins and many communication trenches had disappeared.{{sfn|Rogers|2010|pp=60–61}}

On the night of {{nowrap|30 June /1 July,}} the bombardment fell on rear defences and communication trenches; at dawn British aircraft "filled the sky", captive balloons rose into the air at {{nowrap|6:30 a.m.}} and an unprecedented barrage began all along the German front, until {{nowrap|7:30 a.m.,}} when the bombardment abruptly stopped. The remaining German trench garrisons began to leave their shelters and set up machine-guns in the remains of trenches and shell-holes, which proved difficult to spot and allowed the occupants to change direction, easily to face threats from all directions. Where the British infantry advanced close behind the barrage the German defenders were often overrun and at Montauban, Mametz and around Fricourt, the Germans were rushed while most were still underground. Further north, the Germans had time to emerge and stopped most attacks in no man's land.{{sfn|Rogers|2010|pp=61–64}}

The 26th Reserve Division held a front of {{cvt|9000|yd|mi+km}}, from Ovillers to Serre, four regiments occupied the first line with two battalions each, one in the support line and one in reserve. The Germans emerged to see lines of British infantry in no man's land and opened rapid fire on them, lines and waves falling down, reforming and moving forward. Some German infantry stood on trench parapets to aim better and red rockets were fired to call for artillery barrages on no man's land, which shattered the British infantry formations. The survivors kept going and began a bombing fight close to the German line, which was defeated, except at the {{lang|de|Leipzig}} Redoubt, which was quickly sealed off by German flanking parties and between Thiepval and the Ancre, where the Irish advanced towards Grandcourt {{cvt|3000|yd|mi+km}} away. Counter-attacks forced the British back to the German front trench after dark.{{sfn|Rogers|2010|pp=61–64}}