Capture of Eaucourt l'Abbaye facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Capture of Eaucourt l'Abbaye |
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| Part of The Battle of the Somme, First World War | |||||||
 Battle of the Somme 1 July – 18 November 1916 |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Britain |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Douglas Haig | Crown Prince Rupprecht | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 1 brigade | 1 regiment | ||||||
The Capture of Eaucourt l'Abbaye was an important event during the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. It happened between 1 and 3 October 1916. Eaucourt l'Abbaye was a group of farm buildings in France, built where an old Augustinian abbey once stood. It was located near the main road between Albert and Bapaume.
This area became a quiet place after fighting in 1914. But in 1916, it became a key target for the British and French armies during the Battle of the Somme. British troops from the 47th (1/2nd London) Division attacked and captured Eaucourt l'Abbaye from a German regiment. This victory was part of the larger Battle of Le Transloy.
After Eaucourt was taken, fighting continued nearby, especially for the Butte de Warlencourt. The winter of 1916–1917 was very harsh, making conditions difficult for soldiers. Eaucourt was lost again in March 1918 during a German attack, but the British recaptured it for good in August 1918.
What Was Eaucourt l'Abbaye?
Eaucourt l'Abbaye was a small group of farm buildings. It was built on the site of an old Augustinian abbey. This location was about 16 miles (26 km) south of Arras in France. It sat at a crossroads, making it a valuable spot.
The Germans had made the area very strong. They fortified nearby places like Destremont Farm and an old quarry. These defenses made Eaucourt a tough place to capture.
Why Was Eaucourt Important?
Early Fighting in 1914
In September 1914, during the "Race to the Sea," German troops advanced through this area. They were trying to reach the coast. French forces pushed them back from some areas. However, Eaucourt l'Abbaye became a less active spot for a while.
The Somme Battle in 1916
By July 1916, Eaucourt was about 1,000 yards (910 m) behind the German front lines. British planes saw new German defense lines being built there. These lines stretched from Le Transloy to Warlencourt.
In September 1916, British forces heavily shelled the German positions around Eaucourt. This was when British tanks were first used in battle. The German commander, Crown Prince Rupprecht, even suggested pulling back from Eaucourt. He thought the position was too hard to defend. But the German army commander refused.
Planning the Attack
British Preparations
The British 47th (1/2nd London) Division had just finished fighting at High Wood. They spent time resting and getting new soldiers. Many experienced officers had been lost. A new commander, Major-General Sir George Gorringe, took charge.
Their next goal was Eaucourt l'Abbaye. This farmstead was known to have large cellars. It was also surrounded by higher ground, except to the northwest. Before the main attack, British troops pushed forward on 29 and 30 September. They wanted to reach higher ground southeast of the village.
The British Plan
The British Fourth Army planned to capture the area around Le Transloy. This was part of a bigger attack. For Eaucourt, the 47th (1/2nd London) Division would attack on 1 October. They would use three battalions and two tanks. The tanks were meant to help clear the German trenches.
German Defenses
The Germans were constantly bringing in fresh troops to the Somme front. They also changed their defense tactics. They aimed for a more "elastic" defense. This meant not holding every piece of ground at all costs. Instead, they would try to counter-attack Allied advances.
The 6th Bavarian Reserve Division defended Eaucourt. They had fortified Destremont Farm and a quarry. They also strengthened other trench lines nearby.
The Battle for Eaucourt
1 October: The First Attack
The attack on Eaucourt l'Abbaye began at 3:15 p.m. on 1 October. A British air observer watched the attack. He noted that the German artillery fire was weak and scattered. The British artillery, however, was very strong. It created a "wall of fire" that helped the infantry advance.
The 1/19th London Regiment got close to the German lines. But German machine guns stopped them. They waited for the two tanks to arrive. The tanks drove along the German trenches, firing at the enemy. This allowed the British infantry to move forward again.
The 1/20th London Regiment also attacked Eaucourt. They rushed through the farm buildings. They set up a new line to the north. Both tanks got stuck in the trenches. On the left side, the 1/17th London faced uncut barbed wire. German machine guns also stopped them. German troops then counter-attacked and pushed the British out of some trenches.
2–3 October: Securing the Position
Early on 2 October, the 1/23rd London was ordered to attack. They were meant to link up with the other British units. But the night was dark and wet. The attack was delayed until 6:45 a.m. The battalion was tired and lost many soldiers to machine-gun fire. They had to pull back.
Rain started around 11:00 a.m. and lasted for two days. Later that day, the 1/18th London reported that the German trenches were almost empty. They attacked at 3:35 p.m. and met little resistance. They reached the area northwest of Eaucourt. They finally connected with the 1/20th London. This completed the circle of British troops around the village.
During the night of 2/3 October, the Germans replaced their troops. But they could not hold Eaucourt. The British had secured the area.
What Happened Next?
Soldier Losses
The German Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment 16 suffered heavy losses. They lost 1,177 soldiers between 3 and 13 October. Only about 350 infantrymen were still able to fight.
Continuing Operations
On 4 October, British brigades fully captured the Flers Support line without a fight. On 5 October, they moved into a ruined mill northwest of Eaucourt. Capturing Eaucourt allowed the British to move their artillery. This helped them support attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt.
The German soldiers faced terrible conditions. Morale was low due to cold food and constant shelling. Many soldiers were sick from the cold, rain, and poor hygiene. They also had no fresh troops to replace them. Despite this, they managed to repel a large British attack on 8 October.
In the winter of 1916–1917, fighting continued with small attacks and artillery fire. This lasted until the Germans pulled back to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917.
Eaucourt in 1918
Eaucourt was lost again on 24 March 1918. This happened during a major German attack called Operation Michael. However, the British 21st Division recaptured it for the last time on 26 August 1918. This was during the Second Battle of Bapaume.
Images for kids
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47th (1/2nd London) Division attack on Eaucourt l'Abbaye, October 1916
