<– Part 103 – July 9, 1916  | Part 104 – July 16, 1916 |  Part 105 – July 23, 1916 –>

Battle of the Somme, 1916

Fighting at the Bazentin Ridge, July 1916

Fighting at the Somme continues, with the British capturing the village of Contalmaison July 10. In the fighting, the Germans were tied down, achieving both the British primary and secondary objectives; however, the loss of 12,000 British to only 4,000 Germans has resulted in the commander of the 17th Division being removed from his command. British objectives were also achieved July 13 at the Trones Woods, with confused back and forth fighting in the forest undergrowth. Fighting near Albert is winding down as the offensive shifts eastward & southward, especially at the Bazentin Ridge, which has achieved some success despite German reinforcements slowing the advance. Fighting is ongoing in and around the Delville Wood.

At Verdun, the Germans launched an assault on Fort Souville July 11, but were pushed back and ordered to go on the defensive (though some units did reach the fort, gazing at the highest points of Verdun, including the cathedral). A French counter-attack July 15 gained no ground.

Delville Wood, 14 July 1916

Delville Wood, 15 July 1916

Delville Wood, 16 July 1916