1.—Widening the Front
(July 14—September 1.)
In order to support the forthcoming French thrust towards the east, a British attack to the north-east was deemed necessary.
The German second positions from Contalmaison to Trônes Wood, and the crests of the ridge of the plateau formed the objective.
On July 14, the 4th British Army, by a clever manœuvre, took up positions in the dark at attacking distance. Trônes Wood was carried on the first day. Longueval, stormed from east and west, was partly captured. In the centre, Bazentin-le-Grand with its wood and Bazentin-le-Petit were taken. To the left, the southern outskirts of Pozières were reached.
BRITISH GRAVES IN TRÔNES WOOD (p. [85]).
On July 15-16, the British progressed beyond the German second position—carried along a three-mile front—and established their advance-posts in the vicinity of the German third position.