Editing First day on the Somme (section)

=====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The loss of Mametz and the advance of the 21st Division made Fricourt untenable and the garrison was withdrawn during the night.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}}