Editing First day on the Somme (section)

=====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}}