1st July Somme, 1916

[Tom A McCluskey]

Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone can assist with the following:

1. I am aware that elements of the 7th Division, managed to hold onto part of the Quadrilateral on the evening of the 1st of July.

2. 17 HLI and others from the flanking battalions managed to hold onto the Leipzig Redoubt on the evening of the 1st of July.

3. 16 Royal Scots and elements from the flanking battalions managed to hold on to a portion of German trench (Wood Alley) on the evening of the 1st of July.

With the exception of the 18th & 30th Divisions in the south, did any other units, sub-units, or composite units manage to hold on to any other areas of the German front line on the evening of the 1st of July 1916 till the morning of the 2nd of July? Any stories, accounts, or references much appreciated.

In advance, Many Thanks

Aye

Tom McC

[Desmond7]

36th Division after taking the Schwaben Redoubt, were forced back to the German front line which they had crossed earlier that day. They were still there the next morning. 7th West Yorks who had crossed over to support the Ulstermen in the dusk of the previous evening were also present. Cpl. Sanders of that Bn. was later awarded the VC.

Des

Account below from Falls' 'History of the Ulster Division'.

At seven a.m. next morning, as sun dispersed the first summer ground-mist, observers on the Mesnil Ridge saw that there were yet British troops in small numbers in the first two lines of German trenches. General Nugent ordered General Withycombe to support and reinforce these troops, and to send forward supplies of bombs, ammunition, and water. General Withycombe collected a force of four hundred men of the four battalions of his own Brigade, together with two guns of the 107th Machine-Gun Company.

Under the command of Major Woods, of the 9th Rifles, this devoted band moved across "No Man's Land" at two o'clock in artillery formation. It lost a third of its numbers from the enemy's fire, but it reached its objectives. Two small parties of the 16th Rifles (Pioneers), with bombs and ammunition, crossed later in the afternoon, going through the German barrage in most gallant' fashion.

On the left flank Major Woods found Corporal Sanders, of the 7th West Yorks, with a party of forty men, whom he described as "played out, but full of fight." He had been beating off German bombing attacks all night, had rescued several wounded Ulstermen, and taken a number of prisoners. This stout-hearted N.C.O. was subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross.

That night the 36th Division was relieved by the 49th. The 148th Brigade relieved the 107th in the two lines of trenches now held, between A 12 and A 19. The relief was not complete till after ten o'clock the following morning. when a weary, tattered, pitiful remnant marched into Martinsart and flung themselves down to sleep. They had brought back to Thiepval Wood fourteen prisoners. The total number captured by the 36th Division in the offensive was five hundred and forty-three.

Its casualties in the two days amounted to five thousand five hundred officers and other ranks killed, wounded, and missing.

[Tom A McCluskey]

Desmond,

Brilliant, thanks! A lot of historians fail to mention this fact about the Ulster Division.

Aye

Tom McC