About the Battle of the Somme

Read about the background to the Battle of the Somme, the leaders and the human story of suffering.

Battle Of The Somme Memorials

Read about some of the memorials to those who lost their lives or were maimed at the Battle of the Somme

Gommecourt, Hébuterne, Foncquevillers

Some of the bloodiest fighting of the entire Somme offensive took place around the village of Gommecourt.  On the first day of the battle there were a total of almost 9,000 Allied and German casualties in a single day. 

Mailly-Maillet, Colincamps, Auchonvillers

Colincamps and "Euston", a road junction a little east of the village, were within the Allied lines before the Somme offensive of July 1916.

Serre

Serre is famous because it was here where many of the men of the northern 'Pals' Battalions experienced their first and last taste of war in the first few minutes of the battle.

Beaumont Hamel is inextricably linked with the fate of the Newfoundland Regiment following their huge losses there on 1 July 1916.  Today a large memorial park reminds us of their sacrifice.

Beaumont-Hamel

Beaumont-Hamel is inextricably linked with the fate of the Newfoundland Regiment following their huge losses on 1 July 1916.

Their memorial is the huge Beaumont Hamel Memorial Park where the lines of the trenches can still be discerned.

Thiepval

Thiepval ridge dominated much of the surrounding area and was generally considered to be the strongest German position in the sector.

Albert

Albert was the hub of all Allied activity during the Battle of the Somme.

Albert was heavily bombarded, but superstition had it that while the virgin remained on top of the Basilique’s tower, Albert would not be captured by the Germans.

Courcelette

Courcelette was the scene of very severe fighting during September and October 1916.

As a part of a larger assault on 15 September 1916, Courcelette was to be attacked by the Canadian Corps of the Reserve Army.  The village and the ground beyond it including the notorious German Regina Trench were to become to the Canadians what Pozières was to the Australians.

Ovillers, La Boisselle

Ovillers and La Boisselle are villages spread out on either side of the main road from Albert to Bapaume.

Each has it's own grim story to tell of death and maiming during the Battle of the Somme.

Pozières

Pozières is situated 7km northeast of Albert on the D929 Albert to Bapaume road.

The ridge at Pozières commanded a view of a very wide area of the main battlefield.  Its position was strategic in that it was considered that if Pozières could be captured Ovillers would certainly follow.  At the same time the opportunity would be created to attack the fortress at Thiepval from the rear.

Contalmaison

Contalmaison is situated 6km north east of Albert, Mametz Wood is situated 1km south east of Contalmaison

At the time of the Battle of the Somme, Contalmaison was defended by a well-wired trench system between the German first and second lines.  Contalmaison commanded the rising ground to the west of Mametz Wood. 

Fricourt and Mametz

On July 1, 1916 Fricourt and Mametz lay just behind German lines in what was a pronounced salient.  Like other villages in the area, they had both been heavily fortified with trenches, strong points and very deep dugouts.  Mametz had excellent observation over the British positions from well-sited trenches and strongpoints. 

Martinpuich, Bazentin, High Wood, Longueval