Thiepval - map of the battleground at the time of the Somme
The memorial stands on one of the strongest parts of the of the German front line, which was attacked by 32nd Division on 1 July 1916: it was held by 99th Reserve Infantry Regiment. Thiepval village was attacked by 15th Battalion The Lancashire Fusiliers (The Salford Pals) who lost 21 officers and 650 NCOs and men.
Part of the ground to the north, between Thiepval and the River Ancre, was taken by 36th (Ulster) Division. But 32nd Division's inability to capture Thiepval meant that the German machine-guns there prevented the Ulstermen from being reinforced.
Thiepval was eventually taken by 18th Division on 26 September 1916 in a well-planned operation which reflected great credit on its commander, Major General Ivor Maxse, one of the most capable British generals of the war. No less than 60,000 shells (including 500 gas shells) were used in the three-day bombardment for this attack alone.
