The Franco-British Victories at Combles and Thiepval

The success of the Allies in France continues unchecked. The advance on 25 September opened a week of victory. The British stormed Lesboeufs and Morval, while the French on the right captured Fregicourt, to the east of Combles, and improved their positions in advance of Rancourt and Bouchavesnes. The effect of this double success was to isolate Combles, which had been an important German depôt for many months. It was now enclosed in a long cul de sac, and on the 26th was taken by a joint advance of British and French. It was still held by a rearguard, which fought to the death and was practically annihilated. More than 1,500 corpses were counted and the ruins were full of wounded.

But this was only part of the Allies' success. While the British right and the extreme French left were clearing Combles, the British left was moving on Thiepval, the fortressed village which had resisted efforts ever since the commencement of our advance in July. The way was prepared by the artillery and accompanied by the armoured "Tanks," and Thiepval was captured rapidly and at surprisingly small cost.


View of the Ruins of Thiepval
View of the ruins of Thiepval


Guedecourt, half-way between Combles and Bapaume, was also captured, and British cavalry pursued retreating German detachments. During the two days the British captured about 4,000 prisoners and the French about 1,000. Official reticence prevents us from knowing which of our generals and units gained this brilliant victory, but we know that the French army corps co-operating on the right were the 1st (General Guillaumat), the 7th (General Debazelaire), and the 21st (General Nudant).

The 27th was a day of lull, but on the 28th both British and French made local advances, and – apparently – a great ammunition depôt behind the German lines was blown up. There were German counter-attacks next day, and the fighting near Thiepval was very severe. The British division attacked, however, held its ground gallantly, while elsewhere our troops were steadily penetrating the trench tangle north of the village known as the Schwaben Redoubt. By Sunday it was practically entirely in our hands, as well as the adjacent "Hessian Trench" and "Stuff Redoubt."


The Battlefield of the Somme
The battlefield of the Somme


On Sunday afternoon a new advance was made on a front of 3,000 yards between Eaucourt l'Abbaye and the Albert-Bapaume road. We were everywhere successful, though the edge of the village is still disputed by the enemy. Le Transloy was heavily bombarded, an ammunition depôt blown up, and several hundred prisoners were taken. The "Tanks" did splendid service. It is pleasant to read of the humorously affectionate greeting given to one of them by the troops as it lumbered up to support the attack on Thiepval, and there is no doubt that these effective war-machines have captured the imagination of the army.

From the opening of the advance up to 30 September the British Army took 558 officers and 26,147 men prisoners, and thirty guns within the last ten days alone. Considering the nature of the fighting, this is good testimony to the quality of the citizen army which the Empire has raised for the aid of its Allies. The approach of our French friends is especially gratifying. General Zurlinden writes in the Gaulois: "The devotion and enthusiasm of the British Empire will forever be one of the wonders of history. France admires, and will never forget Britain's marvellous effort."


Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.