The Battle of Delville Wood
The Battle of Delville Wood (15 July – 3 September 1916) was a series of
engagements in the 1916 Somme Offensive during the First World War.
Delville Wood (Bois d'Elville) was a thick tangle of trees intersected by
narrow grassy rides, to the east of the village of Longueval. As part of
a general offensive starting on 14 July to capture the Bazentin Ridge,
General Douglas Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force,
intended to capture the German second position between Delville Wood
and Bazentin le Petit.
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The 1st South African Infantry Brigade made its Western Front début and
captured Delville Wood on 15 July. The South Africans held the wood, at
huge cost, until they were relieved on the 19 and 20 July.
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For the rest of July and August, both sides fought for control of the wood
and village until it was eventually captured by the British in September.
This novel will deal with the 7 days in which the South African Infantry
Brigade was involved in the battle.
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To see the reference books I read while researching the battle click HERE
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Some interesting websites covering the battle are listed below
