Op La Boisselle - Auchonvillers

Auchonvillers Ocean Villers IJ

In 1914 following the Battle of the Aisne Allied and German forces advanced northward towards the North Sea, each side trying to outflank each other, a Race to the Sea. The Germans established a defensive position at Beaumont Hamel with the French digging in opposite them. A communication trench was dug from the French front line to the village of Auchonvillers 1500 metres to the rear. 

In July 1915 the British Army took over the Somme Sector from the French. British Soldrs referred to the village as Ocean Villas. They evacuated the the residents from Auchonvillers and utilised the cellars in the village. The trenches around the village were strengthened with bricks from damaged houses. 

Auchonvillers Damaged Church

Auchonvillers Trench System

Auchonvillers Trench System

Auchonvillers Trench System

Auchonvillers Trench leading to Cellar Entrance

Auchonvillers Cellar

Men of the 29th division passed along the communication trenches in readiness for the assault on Beaumont Hamel on 1st July 1916. 

Men of 29th Division Communication Trench

The trenches fell out of use when the Germans withdrew to the Hindenburg line in April 1917. 

In March 1918 the Germans launched their Spring Offensive. The British 2nd Division and the New Zealand Division utilised the trenches and the cellars of Auchonvillers in the battle to block the German onslaught.

After the First World War ended the villagers would return in 1923 to start to rebuild their village. 

Auchonvillers

Auchonvillers Wall of Remembrance

Auchonvillers Wall of Remembrance

Op La Boisselle - Auchonvillers Military Cemetery

 The Auchonvillers Military Cemetery is located on the edge of the village from which it is named. 

The cemetery commenced in June 1915 and it was used until February 1917 when the Germans withdrew to the Hindenberg Line. Additional casualties were reinterned there after the Armistice. 

Auchonvillers Military Cemetery | CWGC

Auchonvillers Military Cemetery

Auchonvillers Military Cemetery

Auchonvillers Military Cemetery
Unknown Soldiers of the Great War

The village of Auchonvillers lay behind the British Front line on 1st July 1916 and the cemetery contains casualties from opening day of the Battles of the Somme.

 Auchonvillers 1st July 1916

June 1916 and 1st July 1916 multiple graves

1st July 1916 multiple graves

Royal Dublin Fusiliers1st July 1916 multiple graves

Fighting on the Somme continued through the summer of 1916.

Corporal Joe Sharples
148 Battery Royal Field Artillery
25th August 1916

Clifford Valances served as
Private J Brown
Hertfordshire Regiment
26th September 1916

Beaumont Hamel, an objective on the opening of the Battles of the Somme on 1st July 1916, was eventually secured in November 1916 by the 51st Highland Division. Casualties from the Scottish Regiments engaged in the fighting can be found in the cemetery. 

51st Highland Division Casualties
November 1916 

The cemetery was used until until February 1917 when the Germans withdrew to the Hindenberg Line. The cemetery was again used after the Armistice of 11th November 1918 when casualties buried in scattered graves to the east of Auchonvillers were concentrated. 

New Zealand Casualties
April 1918