The Thiepval Ridge, on which the Thiepval Memorial is located, dominates the surrounding area.
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| Theipval Memorial on the Theipval Ridge |
On the 1st July 1916, X Corps were tasked with securing the feature as part of the Fourth Army's offensive. The Germans had fortified the village of Theipval, with two strong points either side of the village, the Schwaben and Liepzig Redoubts.
The 36th (Ulster) Division attacked on the left, their main objective to capture the Schwaben Redoubt. The 32nd Division on the right were to capture Thiepval.
Despite the problems, the Ulstermen were able to move swiftly to capture the Schwaben Redoubt, as the wire cutting during the preliminary bombardment had been successful. However, the Germans were able to bring heavy artillery and machine gun fire into the area causing groups of men to become isolated and they ran out of ammunition. Any gains made were lost through German counter attacks.
In the 32nd Division, the 16th (Newcastle Commercials) Northumberland Fusiliers left their trenches kicking a rugby football. They, like their compatriots in the other assaulting battalions found the wire was uncut, and heavy machine gun fire caused the attack to falter. Attempts to reinforce the attack failed, and only small gains were made by the 32nd Division
The men of the 16th Battalion (Newcastle Commercials) Northumberland Fusiliers are commemorated in the village of Authuille, where the 16th NF were located.
The church in Authuille has a plaque dedicated to the Newcastle Commercials on it's outside wall, nearby a memorial bench has been dedicated to the 16th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers.
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| Authuille Church |
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| Authuille Church 16 NF Memorial Plaque |
