Fierce Close Combat in Longueval and Delville Wood, July 29, 1916

The World War

Latest Official War Report - WTB. Central Headquarters July 28, Official

Western Theater of War

French telephone line to the front trenches
(Illustrierte Geschichte des Weltkrieges 1914/1916)

A German patrol advance resulted in the capture of 30 prisoners, including 3 officers, and 2 machine guns.

The English fire, which has increased to the highest level of intensity to the north of the Somme, was followed during the course of the afternoon by heavy attacks which completely collapsed at Pozières, as well as at Foureaux Wood and to the south-east of the wood in front of our lines.

The attacks led to fierce close combat in Longueval and in Delville Wood; but here too, the enemy was unsuccessful. To the south of the Somme, both sides continued lively artillery activity and only enemy hand grenade troops advanced at Soyecourt. These advances were repulsed.

To the east of the Maas, French attempts to capture Fort Thiaumont remained unsuccessful. 

The Price of Blood of the Offensive, July 28, 1916

The Third Phase of the Battle at the Somme

Modern protective weapons: The steel waistcoat of
an English captain which saved him from certain death
(Illustrierte Geschichte des Weltkrieges 1914/1916)

Rotterdam, July 27, TU. The war correspondent who works for "The Times" and the "Daily News" in the English headquarters has sent his newspapers a detailed telegram containing only very little positive news. One believes that the Germans, after they cleared Pozières, have now occupied a new stronghold in the forest extending as far as the road to Bapaume. With the capture of Pozières, the second phase of the Battle at the Somme is deemed to be finished; the third phase will commence forthwith. This correspondent also reports that the Germans have received further reinforcements of heavy artillery.

The Price of Blood of the Offensive

Hamburg, July 27 (TU). The newspaper "Hamburger Fremdenblatt" reports from The Hague: "According to well-informed French sources, the English losses in dead and wounded in the few days up to mid-July is estimated at well above 100,000 men. Since then, the number of additional troops brought in has further increased, so that the number of losses with regard to the growing intensity of battles must have reached at least 150,000 to 170,000 men".

German Explosion Destroys English Bastion at Comines-Ypres Canal, July 27, 1916

The World War

Latest Official War Report - WTB. Central Headquarters July 26, Official

Western Theater of War

Telegraph station on a Farman bi-plane
(Illustrierte Geschichte des Weltkrieges 1914/1916)

A German explosion has destroyed the large English bastion at the Comines-Ypres canal, together with its crew.

To the north of the Somme, the English are staying at Pozières, following heavy fighting. Further east at Foureaux Wood and at Longueval, minor enemy advances have been repulsed. At Trones Wood, aggressive intentions were discerned and thwarted by fire.

To the south of the Somme, we held ground gained to the south-west of La Maisonnette Farm in the night of July 25, against French attempts to reconquer it. Heavy close combat took place yesterday to the south of Estrées.

At the Hill La Fille Morte (Argonne), the French occupied a crater they had blown up, but were buried by a German counter-attack shortly after.

To the left of the Maas, our troops made some minor progress at Hill 304. Artillery fire took place during the night to the right of the river in the area of Fort Thiaumont.

Enemy patrols were repulsed at several points along the Front.

To the north of the Somme, two enemy planes were brought down in our lines by infantry and machine gun fire, one of them on fire after aerial combat, in the area of Luneville. A French bi-plane was shot down by a direct hit from an anti-aircraft gun in the direction of Fort Souville on July 24. 

The French Charge at Estrées-Soyecourt, Heavy Fighting at Pozières, July 26, 1916

Recommencement of the English Attack 

Latest Official War Report - WTB. Central Headquarters July 25, Official

Western Theater of War

His Excellency von Lochow (marked by X), Commanding General
of the Brandenburg Army Corps in the West
(Illustrierte Geschichte des Weltkrieges, 1914/1916)

To the north of the Somme, the English-French forces were brought together at the Pozières-Manre Front for a decisive thrust after the failed attack of July 22. The attempt once again broke down at various positions, partially during fire and following heavy close combat, in particular to the east of Pozières at Foureaux Wood, Longueval and Guillemont.

The Brandenburg Grenadiers and the brave Saxons of Reserve Regiment 104 once again proved themselves magnificently.

To the south of the Somme, the French simultaneously led heavy charges in the section of Estrées-Soyecourt, but only gained ground temporarily to the south of Estrées, Elsewhere the charges were smashed with heavy and bloody losses for the enemy.

Intermittent heavy artillery battle in the area of the Maas. Insignificant hand grenade combat to the left of the river, To the right of the river, the enemy repeatedly attempted to reconquer the "Kalte Erde" ridge but were repulsed in curtain fire.

To the north of Balischweiler (Alsace), a German patrol captured 30 prisoners from the French trench.

Leutnant Baldamus shot down a French bi-plane to the south of Binarville, thus putting his 4th opponent out of action.