Somme 2023 - 50th Northumbrian Division Flers-Courcelette

After the failure of the Somme Offensive on 1st July 1916, the British had conducted operations which had moved their front line forward south of the Albert-Bapaume Road, building upon the rare successes of the opening day of the battle.  It was a tactic of 'bite and hold' , capture ground and hold it against German counter-attack.

In September 1916 it was decided to attack on a broader front of 11 kilometers using 11 divisions in an attempt to breakthrough the German lines. The attack would be launched from Courcelette to the west, and Flers to the east.

The Canadian Corps were tasked with the capture of Courcelete, III Corps Martinpunch and XV Corps Flers. The assault would see the first use of tanks in warfare. A preliminary bombardment lasting three days would precede the attack.

The 50th Northumbrian Division were part of III Corps and this would be their first set piece battle. The III Corps plan was capture Martinpunch with the 15th (Scottish) Division on the left, clear High Wood with the 47th (2nd London) Division on the right, with the 50th (Northumbrian) Division in the centre.

The 50th Division would attack with 150 Brigade left, 149 Brigade right and 151 Brigade in reserve. 

 At 06:10 15th September 1916, 4 tanks began to move forward to into 149 Brigades position. Eight minutes later they crossed over the assembly trenches of the 7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers into no mans land. 

At 06:20, the Divisional Artillery began firing a creeping barrage, moving forward at 50 yards a minute. The first time the 50th (Northumbrian) Division had used this method of fire. 

On the left, 150 Brigade made good progress, assisted by the sucess of the 15th (Scottish) Division who had captured Martinpunch by 10:00.  To the right, 149 Brigade was slowed by heavy machine gun fire from High Wood as the 47th (2nd London Division) struggled to clear the area. The 47th would take High Wood by 13:00, assisting 149 Brigade to secure their objectives. 

German counter attacks during the afternoon resulted in them regaining some of the ground in the 150 brigade area. The 151sr Brigade would attempt to recapture the ground over the next two days without sucess.

The relief of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division commenced on the 17th September.

The battle fo Flers-Courcelette resulted in the capture of Courcelette, Martinpunch and Flers, the front advancing between 2,300 metres to 3,200 metres. It did not however achieve the desired breakthrough. 

Somme post Battle Flers-Courcelette

Somme 2023 - Courcelette

Following the disaster of the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, the British had moved their front line forward in a series of attacks, building on the rare successes on the 1st July 1916, south of the Albert-Bapaume Road. 

In September 1916, it was decided to launch a broader offensive to capture Courcelette, Martinpunch, Flers, and secure a flank extending to north of Combles. This would secure ground in order to attack towards to Guedcourt, Lesbouefs and Morval, the aim being to break the German line to allow the Cavalry to exploit in depth. 

The Canadian Corps, in their first offensive on the Somme, were tasked with the capture of the village of Courcelette. Attacking along a frontage of 2,000 metres, the 2nd Canadian Division would attack Courcelette, the 3rd Canadian Division securing the left flank towards Thiepval. In preparation for the attack, there would be a 3 day preliminary bombardment. 

Canadian axis of attack towards Courcelette

Canadian axis of attack towards Courcelette

In what would become designated as the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, tanks would be used for the very first time in warfare, with six being allocated to support the Canadians. 

Battle Flers-Courcelette Mark I Tank

The attack was launched on 15th September 1916 at 06:20, the Canadians advancing behind a creeping barrage. 

By 08:00, a defensive strong point known as the Sugar Factory was captured. 

Canadians capturing Sugar Factory

Battle of Flers Courcelette ruins of the Sugar Factotry 
 IWM (CO 859)

Sugar Factory location March 2023

Only one tank reached thier objective, the rest were either disabled by shellfire, failed mechanically or got stuck in an obstacle. They did however achieve some success, rolling over barbed wire, firing into trenches and engaging machine gun emplacements, before becoming disabled. This presence did strike fear in the Germans, causing some of then to surrender at the mere sight of them.

Battle Flers-Courcelette - Tanks supporting Canadians

The 2nd Canadian Division fought their way into Courcelette, capturing the village and repelling German counter attacks. By the 16th September they had consolidated their position.

Canadians Battle of Courcelette

Courcelette 1916

Courcelette 1916 Ruined Church

Courcelette Church March 2023

Over the forthcoming weeks, the three Canadian Divisions (1/2/3) attacked the German lines to try to capture the Regina Trench. Their endeavours failed.

It would take until the 11th November for the newly arrived 4th Canadian Division to capture the Regina Trench, battling both the enemy and the Somme mud.

The Canadians sustained 24,029 casualties on the Somme. A memorial to the men of the Canadian Corps is situated just outside of the village Courcelette.

Courcelette Canadian Memorial

A granite block bears the inscription 

THE CANADIAN CORPS BORE A VALIANT PART IN FORCING BACK THE GERMANS ON THESE SLOPES DURING THE BATTLES OF THE SOMME SEPT. 3RD - NOV. 18TH 1916

Courcelette Canadian Memorial

Somme 2023 - Pozières Tank Memorial

 A memorial to the Tank Corps is situated north of the village of Pozières. The location was selected as it was near that point that first ever tanks went into action during the Battle of Flers-Courcellette on 15th September 1916. 

Pozières Tank Memorial IJ

It was unveiled by Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas L. N. Morland in July 1922.

Pozières Tank Memorial Unveiling 1922

The memorial features an obelisk with the models of four different tanks mounted on plinths.

Pozières Tank Memorial

Pozières Tank Memorial Mark IV Tank

Pozières Tank Memorial Mark IV Tank

Pozières Tank Memorial Gun Carrier Mark I

Pozières Tank Memorial Whippet Tank

A plaque commemorates the first use of tanks in war  and remembers the men form the Tank Corps who lost thier lives during the Great War. 

Pozières Tank Memorial Commemoration Plaque

NEAR THIS SPOT THE FIRST TANKS USED IN WAR WENT INTO ACTION ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 1915.

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THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF OFFICERS, WARRANT OFFICERS, NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS & MEN OF THE TANK CORPS WHO FELL IN ACTION IN THE YEARS 1916-1917-1918 DURING THE GREAT WAR

Three plaques record the battles and actions in which the Tanks were engaged;

1916 —1st SOMME—ANCRE

1917 —1st ARRAS—MESSINES—3rd YPRES—1st CAMBRAI

1918 —2nd SOMME — RIVER LYS — HAMEL — MARNE — MOREUIL — AMIENS —       BAPAUME—ARRAS— EPEHY— CAMBRAI — ST. QUENTIN — SELLE — MORMAL FOREST

First Tanks in Action

First tank Battle of Flers-Courcelette 15 September 1916

On the evening of the 14th July 36 tanks moved to thier allotted starting points prior to the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. 

Tank preparing to advance at Flers-Courcelette 15-09-1916
Source: IWM Q5574

The first tank into action was D16, which moved off just after 08:20. The Official History of the Great War recording;

The scene in Flers was without precedent in war as tank D16 went forward into Flers village just before 8.20am. Firing as it went, the tank lurched up the main street followed by parties of cheering infantry. Three other tanks (D6, D9 and D17) had begun to move along the eastern edge of the village, smashing into strongpoints and houses which contained machine guns, and spreading panic among the defenders who survived. Most of the Bavarians, however, had fled towards Gueudecourt, and although a few parties of desperate men held out for a time, all resistance was at an end by 10am.

Troops with tank Flers-Courcelette 1916
Source:  IWM Q5578