BATTLE // September 3, 1916

Battle of Delville Wood

Name: Battle of Delville Wood
Start: 1916-09-03
End: 1916-09-03
Location: Battle of Delville Wood

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Significance

The Battle of Delville Wood, fought from 15 July to 3 September 1916, was a prolonged series of engagements within the larger Battle of the Somme. The fighting centered on Delville Wood, a dense stand of beech and hornbeam interspersed with hazel thickets east of Longueval, which formed part of the German second defensive position. British commander Douglas Haig designated the wood as an objective within the broader Battle of Bazentin Ridge offensive launched on 14 July, aiming to break through the German second line between Delville Wood and Bazentin le Petit. Holding or capturing this position was integral to the British effort to exploit the Somme offensive and press the German line, making the wood a focal point of attritional combat over nearly seven weeks of the campaign.

Tactics

The overview describes Delville Wood as a thick tangle of trees, chiefly beech and hornbeam, with dense hazel thickets intersected by grassy rides, situated east of Longueval. Haig's intent was to capture the German second position between Delville Wood and Bazentin le Petit as part of the general offensive beginning 14 July. Beyond these dispositions and objectives, the source does not detail the specific tactical maneuvers or conduct of the fighting within the wood.