The 16th (Irish) Division's capture of Ginchy on 9 September 1916 eliminated the Delville Wood salient and enabled larger Allied offensives later that month.
Key Facts
- Date
- 9 September 1916
- Capturing division
- 16th (Irish) Division
- Distance from Guillemont
- 1.5 km north-east
- Previous failed attempts
- British attacks repulsed 3–5 September 1916
- German casualties (Sept operations)
- approximately 130,000
- Part of
- Battle of the Somme
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following the Battle of Guillemont on 6 September 1916, XIV and XV Corps needed to advance to positions overlooking the German third line in preparation for a major Anglo-French offensive planned for mid-September. Earlier British attempts to take Ginchy on 3–5 September had been repulsed by German counter-attacks, prompting a relief of the 7th Division by the 16th (Irish) and 55th (West Lancashire) Divisions.
On 9 September 1916, after an early morning bombardment, the British delayed their infantry assault until late afternoon to reduce the window for German counter-attacks before nightfall. The 16th (Irish) Division stormed Ginchy on the northern flank, capturing the village and repelling several subsequent German counter-attacks, while the 56th (1/1st London) Division advanced in the south toward Bouleaux Wood.
The capture of Ginchy denied Germany observation posts over the battlefield and collapsed the costly Delville Wood salient, which had been exposed to German artillery fire from three sides. This success, combined with the French Sixth Army's major operation on 12 September, enabled better Allied coordination and larger combined assaults that inflicted approximately 130,000 casualties on German forces during the rest of September.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Side B
1 belligerent