The capture of La Boisselle on 6 July 1916 secured a key village on the Somme front after catastrophic losses on the first day of the battle.
Key Facts
- Date of operation
- 1–6 July 1916
- III Corps casualties
- More than 11,000 casualties
- 103rd Brigade casualties
- 70 per cent before reaching British front line
- Attacking division (1 July)
- 34th Division, III Corps
- Reserve division deployed
- 19th (Western) Division
- Village mostly captured by
- 4 July 1916
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
On 1 July 1916, the 34th Division attacked La Boisselle as part of the opening of the Battle of the Somme. The British bombardment had failed to destroy German deep-mined dugouts, and a German listening post had intercepted a British telephone call the previous day, forewarning the enemy of the assault's timing and direction.
The III Corps attack on 1 July 1916 resulted in over 11,000 casualties and failed to capture La Boisselle or Ovillers. Only small footholds were gained near the XV Corps boundary and at Schwabenhöhe, partly aided by the Lochnagar mine explosion. The 19th (Western) Division was rushed forward from reserve to press the attack over the following days.
After several days of continued fighting, most of La Boisselle was captured by 4 July and the operation was completed by 6 July 1916. The village was secured at enormous human cost, illustrating the severe tactical difficulties British forces faced against well-prepared German defences during the early Somme offensive.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent