Somme 2023 - Gommecourt

 The Somme Offensive on the 1st July 1916 was conducted by the British Fourth Army commanded by Lieutenant General Henry Rawlinson. They would be supported by the British Third Army’s VII Corps  who would launch a diversionary attack at Gommecourt. The primary function of this attack was to draw reserves and artillery fire from the main assaulting divisions in the Fourth Army. It would also be the opportunity to remove a salient in the British line.

Gommecourt 1916

Gommecourt 2023

British TrenchGommecourt 1916

The German defences were strong, the Kern Redoubt and formidable defences having being further strengthened as the Germans saw the build up for the forthcoming offensive. The plan was a pincer movement north and south of the salient, 46th Division north, 56th Division south, converging on the village of Gommecourt. 

The 46th Division struggled  as soon as they went over the top. A smoke screen to obscure the troops as they attacked caused problems as it made maintaining 

direction difficult. The wire had not been cut and the attack stalled. Some men reached the German lines, but could not be reinforced as artillery and machine gun fire raked no mans land. 

The 56th Division fared better, initially. The smoke screen was effective and the wire cut, meaning they were able to penetrate the German front line. However, with the 46th Division attack failing, it meant that he Germans could direct their artillery and machine gun fire on the 56th Division. The wekened troops were driven back to their own lines when the Germans counter attacked.

The VII Corps sustained 6,755 casualties, 2,206 of whom were killed.