Fighting Breaks Down at Bazentin, July 17, 1916

The World War

Latest Official War Report - WTB. Central Headquarters July 16, Official

Western Theater of War

German Planes Over Belfort
(Illustrierte Geschichte des Weltkrieges 1914/1916)

Heavy artillery activity on both sides of the Somme. During the afternoon, four major English attacks completely broke down in the section Ovillers-Bazentin-Le Petit before our lines, following the breakdown of an enemy attack started in the morning to the east of Bazentin.

To the south of the Somme, a lively battle near and to the south of Beaches came to an end. We have once again occupied a part of the village. More than 100 men were taken prisoner.

French attacks were repelled at Barleux, as well as in the area of Estrees and to the west of it in barrage fire. The enemy suffered heavy losses.

To the east of the Maas, the French started heavy attacks at Kalte Erde Hill and Fleury. These were unsuccessful. They repeated the attempts in the evening and penetrated small parts of our foremost line to the south-west of Fort Thiaumont, where fighting continues.

At other parts of the Front, enemy patrol activity to the north of Oulches-Craenelle as well as attacks by larger divisions have been defeated. To the north of Chilly, a German patrol captured 24 French and 1 machine gun.

To the west of Loos, an enemy plane was shot down by infantry. It crashed in our barriers. A bi-plane damaged by defensive fire fell into our hands at Nesle.