Welcome back to the fifteenth edition of the Somme News on this fine, sunny day. It is reported that French soldiers have had success near Chaulnes. Meanwhile, Rawlinson has been inspecting both the roads and rails nearby and has stated that they have both "simply disappeared". He has also reported that the desolation all around us "is appalling".
We awoke on day one hundred and three of the battle with slight rain. Despite this, the Battle of the Ancre Heights has thankfully ended, whilst French soldiers successfully repulsed German attacks at the Bois De Chaulnes.
Day one hundred and four of the Battle of the Somme has been a busy one for British soldiers, with them attacking a huge four mile front between Eaucourt and Bapaume. There is casualties and chaos all around me currently and I would say as a general undertaking, the attack has failed.
After yesterdays' failed attack, there is not much else to report other than Rawlinson holding a Corps Conference, the details of such are securely under wraps for secrecy reasons.
On day one hundred and six of the Battle of the Somme, there was not really much to report. In the years to come, when Rawlinson's diary became available to the public, his thoughts on the 14th October were that "the weather will bring the battle to a close soon. The glass is falling and the rain will shortly return. The roads will then become impassable and ammunition will not then be got to the guns." In his diary he also adds that the casualties so far since the 1st July have reached 40,000 and yet there would be many more to add to that list before the battle ended.
Day one hundred and seven today and we awoke to heavy rain as the Autumn is drawing in. British soldiers have been making progress all day in the Schwaden Redoubt and Thiepval areas. Whilst this was taking place, Rawlinson led an inspection of the ground at Longueval, Deville Wood and High Wood. He also passed comment that he believed German soldiers were, at the present time, reviving themselves in the battle and fighting with greater tenacity.
We awoke this morning to a white frost all around us, which was bitterly cold, although the sun did come out during the day. As a result, no operations took place as day one hundred and eight and week fifteen of the Battle of the Somme come to a close.
Don't forget to check back next week for all the latest news from the Somme.
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