Battle of Flers–Courcelette summary

The Battle of Flers–Courcelette, was a battle within the Franco-British Somme Offensive which took place in the summer and autumn of 1916. Launched on 15 September 1916 the battle went on for one week.

1. Like the earlier offensives of 1 July (Battle of Albert) and 14 July (Battle of Bazentin Ridge), Haig had hoped to achieve a breakthrough of the German defences, enabling a return to mobile warfare with cavalry units pouring through a hole punched in the line by a successful swift and decisive infantry strike.
2. Flers–Courcelette began with the objective of cutting a hole in the German line by using massed artillery.
3. The Canadian Corps made its debut on the Somme on left flank, at the north end of the attack.
4. The Canadians saw considerable first day success on 15 September, advancing approximately 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) in their initial attacks, capturing their objectives in and around Courcelette village.
5. After having struggling for the preceding two months to take control of it, on the commencement of the battle, the British 47th (1/2nd London) Division succeeded in clearing the last German-held sections of High Wood, sustaining heavy losses in the process.
6. To the south, on the right flank of the attack, where Haig had hoped the hole would be opened in the German lines to allow the cavalry penetration and breakthrough, the attacks faltered. In this area, a fortified German position known as the Quadrilateral Redoubt sat west of Ginchy, but due to poor weather that prevented flying and poor sight lines, the exact position of the trenches of the redoubt were unknown to the attackers.
7. The artillery preparation and tank support did little to neutralise the defenses and left the trenches and wire protecting the position largely intact, which allowed the German garrison to batter the 56th (London) Infantry Division and 6th Division of the XIV Corps' attack.
8. The 6th division finally took the Quadrilateral after four days of attacks on 18 September. With the Quadralateral quieted The Guards Division made considerable headway, advancing 2,000 yards (1,800 m) but they were stopped short of their ultimate objective, the village of Lesbœufs. To take the remaining objectives, the British Fourth Army launched the Battle of Morval on 25 September.
9. The Tenth French Army attacked on 15 and 17 September, capturing Berny, Deniécourt and Vermandovillers, despite numerous German counter-attacks but this success was not followed up due to lack of reserves