Editing First day on the Somme (section)

===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}}