Editing First day on the Somme (section)

====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}}