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Preparations were underway for an Allied offensive
on the Somme, which were intensified as more artillery was
brought into the area behind the Ulster Division. For many
men, this was a very exciting time indeed. No one had believed
that the army could be so obviously strong.
On 7th May 1916, the Division made its first raid, designed
to damage enemy positions and - more importantly - to gain
intelligence and prisoners. In early June, two Brigades were
relieved by units of 49th Division, in order to permit them
to train together, in the tactics of the offensive.
108th Brigade was at this time stationed in the area of
Martinsart: close enough to move up in support if anything
happened at the front. The fine weather broke on 12 June,
which disrupted training and other preparations.
This poor spell continued through the opening of the immense
British bombardment of enemy wire defences and front lines
on 25 June.
On some days, visibility was so poor for men on the ground
and in the air that it proved difficult to observe the effect
of the shelling. The barrage was extended for two more days,
and the final time for the infantry attack fixed for 7.30am
on 1st July 1916.
The Battle of Albert (first phase of the Battle of the Somme
1916): The Ulster Division was one of those selected to make
the initial assault. It was in X Corps, with 32nd Division
- a New Army formation - on its right facing the height around
the immensely fortified position of Thiepval, and the regular
army 29th Division, recently arrived from Gallipoli, facing
Beaumont Hamel on the other bank of the Ancre.
The Ulster Division faced an uphill advance, with the objective
of capturing a large strongpoint complex in the enemy lines,
called the Schwaben redoubt.
The
Division's attack on 1 July 1916 has been covered by writers
in immense detail, and has entered into Ulster folklore as
a day of enduring memory. Overall the day was one of significant
defeat for the British Army, when more than 57,000 men became
casualties, of whom 20,000 were killed.
However, it is often forgotten that three Divisions captured
their objectives, and that several others while not doing
so did perform exceptional feats. The Ulster Division was
one of them: it captured and held for a considerable time
the Schwaben Redoubt, despite virtually no progress being
made by either Division on its flanks.The Division was relieved
on 2nd July, having suffered 5,104 casualties of who approximately
2,069 died.
Volumes have been written about the Battle of the Somme,
which continued until November 1916. The author of the 36th
Divisional History, the noted military historian Cyril falls
says this of it: "But - and of this there can be no shadow
of doubt today - it laid the foundations of final victory.
The German troops were never the same after it, while our
young levies, dreadful as were their sacrifices, were to arrive
at a far higher standard of military virtue".
On 5 July the Division moved back to Rubempré, and
five days later the Bernaville area, although the artillery
remained in position. Replacement drafts began to arrive before
the Division was moved north, to Flanders. In his book Cyril
Falls said: "On 12 July
Brigade marching from the
station of Thiennes into Blaringhem. The least practiced eye
could tell that to these men confidence was returning; that
the worst of the horror they had endured had been shaken from
their shoulders. They marched like victors, as was their right".
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