Fourth Army

Gen. Sir Henry Rawlinson, Commanding Officer of the Fourth Army 1916-1918

The British Fourth Army was a Field Army that formed part of the British Expeditionary Force during the First World War. It was formed in France on 5 February 1916 and initially placed under the command of General Sir Henry Rawlinson where it would be heavily involved with the Battle of the Somme between July and November, 1916. The Fourth Army remained on the Western Front throughout the rest of the war.

Commanding Officers

• General Sir Henry Rawlinson – 5 February 1916
• General Sir William Birdwood – 21 February 1918
• General Sir Henry Rawlinson – 28 March 1918

Battle

• The Battles of the Somme 1916 (July-November 1916)
• Pursuit of the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line (March-April 1917)
• The Battle of Amiens (August 1918)
• The Second Battles of the Somme 1918 (August-September 1918)
• The Battles of the Hindenburg Line (September-October 1918)
• The final advance in Picardy (October-November 1918)

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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