The Battle of Delville Wood was fought from 14 July to 3 September 1916, one of the twelve battles of the Somme in 1916. It was fought by the British and French against the army of the German Empire in the Somme River valley in northern France. The battle was the début of the 1st South African Brigade (part of the 9th (Scottish) Division) on the Western Front, which captured Delville Wood and held it from The casualties of the brigade were similar to those of many British brigades on First day on the Somme (1 July 1916).
Delville Wood is well preserved with the remains of trenches, a museum and monument to the 1st South African Brigade. After the relief of the South Africans the battle for the wood continued until the end of August, when the last German footholds were captured by the 43rd Brigade of the 14th (Light) Division on 27 August. A large German counter-attack on 31 August regained part of the north edge of the wood until British attacks from which secured the wood until the battles of 1918.
Orders of Battle
British and Dominion forces
South African casualties
Note: * = Officers
German Forces
Footnotes
References
Further reading
Books
Journals
External links
German situation maps, 14, 31 July
Conflicts in 1916
1916 in France
Battles of the Western Front (World War I) Battles of World War I involving the United Kingdom Battles of World War I involving Germany Battles of World War I involving South Africa Battle of the Somme World War I orders of battle