Key Facts
- Dates
- 3–6 September 1916
- Conflict
- Part of the Battle of the Somme, World War I
- Attacker
- British Fourth Army
- Defender
- German 2nd Army
- Duration
- 4 days
Strategic Narrative Overview
Repeated British attempts to take Guillemont from late July onward were hampered by German resilience, poor coordination with French forces, bad weather turning shell-cratered roads to swamps, supply problems, and inexperienced troops. German counter-attacks, including the largest yet mounted on this front, delayed progress. Joffre, Haig, Foch, Rawlinson, and Fayolle struggled to synchronise operations. Eventually, abandoning large combined attacks in favour of sequenced army assaults, Anglo-French forces launched a coordinated offensive in early September.
01 / The Origins
During the broader Battle of the Somme in 1916, the British Fourth Army sought to advance its right flank and eliminate a German salient at Delville Wood. Guillemont was a fortified position in the German second line, offering observation over the French Sixth Army sector. After advancing close to the village during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge in July, British attacks beginning 22/23 July aimed to clear German defences anchored in fortified villages and farms across the front.
03 / The Outcome
Between 3 and 6 September 1916, the Fourth Army and French Sixth Army captured Guillemont and adjacent German defences from Cléry to Guillemont, gaining ground overlooking the German third position. Rain, congestion, and the need to relieve exhausted divisions forced a French pause until 12 September. The British then captured Ginchy on 9 September, setting the stage for the larger Battle of Flers–Courcelette on 15 September, which introduced tanks to warfare.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
Henry Rawlinson, Émile Fayolle, Douglas Haig, Ferdinand Foch, Joseph Joffre.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.