Welcome to week thirteen of the Battle of the Somme with news coming straight to you from the front. Good advancements today, with Combles falling straight into Allied hands, British soldiers storming Guedecourt and Thiepval finally being captured, after much fighting over the last few weeks. As a consequence, the battle for Thiepval Ridge has begun.
Day eighty-nine has seen some heavy showers this afternoon. Despite this, British soldiers have advanced to the north of Flers, to the east of Eaucourt L'Abbaye.
Today has been a busy day on the front line. British soldiers have attacked the Schwaben Redoubt on the crest of Thiepval Plateau and captured the most part. They managed to advance to the north and north-east of Courcelette situated between Martinpuich and Guedecourt. At the same time, French soldiers made progress at Morval with the Battle of Morval Ridge ending. Rawlinson today made an inspection of the current ground conditions and describes them as appalling. The ground is completely flattened to the point of the extension of railways being made impossible. The whole ground is a sea of soldiers, guns and bivouacs.
Today's weather has been miserable, with very wet and windy conditions, making flying conditions hazardous. Having said this, British soldiers have managed to capture Destremont Farm, which for those of you who don't know, is a strongly defended group of buildings that have taken weeks to capture.
On day ninety-two of the Battle of the Somme, I am pleased to announce that the Thiepval Ridge has been captured except for the Schwaben Redoubt area.
As one battle ends, another one begins with the Battle of Translay Ridge and Ancre Height beginning. It was a successful day for British soldiers today, after attacking the line Eaucourt Le Sars, situated on the Albert-Bapaume Road, completing all of the objectives and advances on a front of 3,000 yards.
As week thirteen of the Battle of the Somme comes to a close, I am sad to report that it has been a bad day. Not only has the heavy rain continued to fall, misty conditions meant that no flying has taken place today. Without aerial bombardment, German soldiers were able to stage a counter-attack in Eaucourt, where the British soldiers failed to hold onto Le Sars.
Don't forget to check back on the 9th October for all the latest news from the Somme Front.
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