Editing First day on the Somme (section)

=====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}}