Order of battle for the Battle of the Somme
This is the order of battle for the Battle of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme was an offensive fought on the Western Front during World War I from 1 July to 18 November 1916 as one of the greatest engagements of the war. It was fought between French, British and Dominion forces and the German Empire in the Somme River valley and vicinity in northern France.
Battle of the Somme | |||||||
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Part of the Western Front of the First World War | |||||||
Battle of the Somme 1 July – 18 November 1916. | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Douglas Haig Ferdinand Foch Henry Rawlinson Émile Fayolle Hubert Gough Joseph Alfred Micheler |
Crown Prince Rupprecht of Bavaria Max von Gallwitz Fritz von Below | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
13 British, 11 French divisions 1 July 51 British, 48 French divisions July–November |
10 1⁄2 divisions 1 July 50 divisions July–November | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
623,907 | c. 237,000–500,000 |
Background
British and Dominion forces
In typical British county regiments, the 1st and 2nd Battalions were regular army, the 3rd was the special reserve battalion which did not normally serve overseas but remained at home as the regimental depot and training unit from which replacements were sent to the regular battalions. The 4th, 5th and 6th Battalions were normally Territorial Force battalions. Territorial battalions raised second line battalions which would be numbered 2/4th, 2/5th and 2/6th, initially from men who did not volunteer for overseas service. The terms of service in the Territorial Force meant that men who had signed up on these could not be forced to serve outside the United Kingdom. The number of battalions depended on the recruitment potential of the area from which the battalions were raised (i.e. the Dorsetshire Regiment raised eleven battalions, whilst the London Regiment managed to raise eighty-eight battalions).[1]
Regular Army Divisions were numbered 1st to 8th. "New Army" divisions of Kitchener's Army raised after the outbreak of war were numbered 9th to 26th. The 27th to 29th Divisions were Regular Army divisions made up from units recalled from Imperial Garrison Duties. The 30th to 41st were again made up from New Army units while the 42nd to 74th were Territorial. The 63rd Division (Royal Naval Division) was made up from Naval Reserves and did not follow this numbering pattern.[2]
Army
- British Expeditionary Force: Commander: General Sir Douglas Haig[3]
- Third Army: Army Commander: General Sir Edmund Allenby[3]
- Fourth Army: The Fourth Army was formed on 5 February 1916.[4] Army Commander: General Sir Henry Rawlinson.[3]
- Reserve Army: The Reserve Army was formed on 23 May 1916 and took over VIII and X Corps from the Fourth Army on 4 July 1916, during the Battle of Albert.[5] Army Commander: General Sir Hubert Gough[3]
- Fifth Army: The Reserve Army was renamed the Fifth Army on 30 October 1916[6]
Corps
- II Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Claud Jacob[3]
- III Corps. Corps Commander: Major-General Henry Hudson[7] later replaced by Lieutenant-General Sir William Pulteney[8]
- V Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Edward Fanshawe[3]
- VII Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas d'Oyly Snow[3]
- VIII Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Aylmer Hunter-Weston[9]
- X Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Morland[3]
- XIII Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Walter Congreve VC[10]
- XIV Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Rudolph Lambart, 10th Earl of Cavan[3]
- XV Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant General D.M.G. Campbell, then Lt–Gen Henry Horne then Lt–General John du Cane[3][11]
- Canadian Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General the Honourable Sir Julian Byng[3]
- ANZAC Corps. Corps Commander: Lieutenant-General Sir William Birdwood[12]
- Machine Gun Corps[13]
French Sixth Army, which contained British or Dominion forces:
- 20th Army Corps.[14] The 11th and 39th Divisions were attached to the French XX Corps (Sixth Army) for the opening days of the battle.[15]
- 35th Army Corps.[14] The British 2nd Division was detached to XXXV Corps, Sixth Army.[16]
Formations per battle
Refer following section titled "Divisions" for brigades, regiments and battalions associated with each division participating in the listed battles. Battle nomenclature and participating units information taken from source British Army Council Command Notice 1138 unless stated.[17]
Regular Army and Naval divisions | New Army divisions recruited under Kitchener Recruitment Plan | Territorial divisions | Dominion divisions |
Battle of Albert: 1–13 July
- Capture of Montauban
- Capture of Mametz
- Capture of Fricourt
- Capture of Contalmaison
- Capture of La Boisselle
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | III Corps | 1st Division |
8th Division | ||
12th Division | ||
19th Division | ||
34th Division | ||
VIII Corps | 4th Division | |
29th Division | ||
31st Division | ||
48th Division | ||
X Corps | 23rd Division | |
25th Division | ||
32nd Division | ||
36th Division | ||
49th Division | ||
XIII Corps | 3rd Division | |
9th Division | ||
18th Division | ||
30th Division | ||
35th Division | ||
XV Corps | 7th Division | |
17th Division | ||
21st Division | ||
33rd Division | ||
38th Division | ||
Reserve Army | The Reserve Army took over the VIII and X Corps from the Fourth Army on 4 July 1916[5] | |
Subsidiary Attack on the Gommecourt Salient: 1 July
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Third Army | VII Corps | 37th Division |
46th Division | ||
56th Division | ||
Battle of Bazentin Ridge: 14–17 July
- Capture of Longueval
- Capture of Trônes Wood
- Capture of Ovillers
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | Army Troops | 2nd Indian Cavalry Division |
II Corps | 1st Division | |
23rd Division | ||
34th Division[Note 1] | ||
XIII Corps | 3rd Division | |
9th Division | ||
18th Division | ||
XV Corps | 7th Division | |
21st Division | ||
33rd Division | ||
Reserve Army | X Corps | 25th Division |
32nd Division | ||
48th Division | ||
49th Division | ||
Subsidiary Battle of Fromelles: 19 July
Army | Corps | Divisions |
First Army | XI Corps | 61st Division |
5th Australian Division | ||
Subsidiary Attacks on High Wood: 20–25 July
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | III Corps | 19th Division |
XV Corps | 5th Division | |
7th Division | ||
33rd Division | ||
51st Division |
Battle of Delville Wood: 15 July – 3 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | XIII Corps | 2nd Division |
3rd Division | ||
9th Division | ||
18th (Eastern) Division | ||
24th Division | ||
53rd Bde, 18th Division | ||
XIV Corps | 20th Division | |
24th Division | ||
XV Corps | 7th Division | |
14th Division | ||
Battle of Pozières: 23 July – 3 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | III Corps | 1st Division |
15th Division | ||
19th Division | ||
23rd Division | ||
34th Division | ||
Reserve Army | II Corps | 12th Division |
25th Division | ||
48th Division | ||
49th Division | ||
1 ANZAC Corps | 1st Australian Division | |
2nd Australian Division | ||
4th Australian Division | ||
Battle of Guillemont: 3–6 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | XIV Corps | 5th Division |
16th Division | ||
20th Division | ||
XV Corps | 7th Division | |
24th Division | ||
55th Division | ||
Battle of Ginchy: 9 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | XIV Corps | 16th Division |
56th Division | ||
XV Corps | 55th Division | |
Battle of Flers-Courcelette: 15–22 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | Army Troops | 1st Cavalry Division |
2nd Indian Cavalry Division | ||
III Corps | 1st Division | |
15th Division | ||
23rd Division | ||
47th Division | ||
50th Division | ||
103rd Bde, 34th Division | ||
XIV Corps | Guards Division | |
5th Division | ||
6th Division | ||
20th Division | ||
56th Division | ||
XV Corps | 14th Division | |
21st Division | ||
41st Division | ||
55th Division | ||
New Zealand Division | ||
Reserve Army | II Corps | 11th Division |
49th Division | ||
Canadian Corps | 1st Canadian Division | |
2nd Canadian Division | ||
3rd Canadian Division | ||
Battle of Morval: 25–28 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | III Corps | 1st Division |
23rd Division | ||
50th Division | ||
XIV Corps | Guards Division | |
5th Division | ||
6th Division | ||
20th Division | ||
56th Division | ||
XV Corps | 21st Division | |
55th Division | ||
New Zealand Division | ||
Battle of Thiepval: 26–28 September
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Reserve Army | II Corps | 11th Division |
18th Division | ||
V Corps | 39th Division | |
Canadian Corps | 1st Canadian Division | |
2nd Canadian Division | ||
3rd Canadian Division | ||
Battle of Le Transloy: 1–18 October
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | III Corps | 9th Division |
15th Division | ||
23rd Division | ||
47th Division | ||
50th Division | ||
XIV Corps | 4th Division | |
6th Division | ||
20th Division | ||
56th Division | ||
XV Corps | 12th Division | |
21st Division | ||
30th Division | ||
41st Division | ||
New Zealand Division | ||
88th Bde of 29th Division | ||
Reserve Army | Canadian Corps | 1st Canadian Division |
2nd Canadian Division | ||
3rd Canadian Division | ||
4th Canadian Division | ||
Battle of the Ancre Heights: 1–18 October
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Reserve Army | II Corps | 18th Division |
19th Division | ||
25th Division | ||
39th Division | ||
4th Canadian Division | ||
V Corps | 39th Division |
Battle of the Ancre: 13–16 November
Army | Corps | Divisions |
Fourth Army | III Corps | 48th Division |
Fifth Army | II Corps | 18th Division |
19th Division | ||
39th Division | ||
4th Canadian Division | ||
V Corps | 2nd Division | |
3rd Division | ||
32nd Division | ||
37th Division | ||
51st Division | ||
63rd Naval Division | ||
XIII Corps | 31st Division | |
120th Bde, 40th Division | ||
Regular Army and Naval divisions
Guards Division | Major-General Geoffrey Feilding[3] | |
1st Guards Brigade | 2nd Guards Brigade | 3rd Guards Brigade |
2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards | 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards | 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards |
2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards | 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards | 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards |
3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards | 1st Battalion, Scots Guards | 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards |
1st Battalion, Irish Guards | 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards | 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards |
Pioneers | 4th Battalion, Coldstream Guards | |
1st Division | Major-General Peter Strickland[3] | |
1st Brigade | 2nd Brigade | 3rd Brigade |
10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers |
1st Battalion, Black Watch | 1 Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment |
8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment |
1st Battalion, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders | 2nd Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers |
Pioneers | 1/6th Battalion, Welch Regiment | |
2nd Division | Major General Cecil Pereira | |
5th Brigade | 6th Brigade | 99th Brigade |
17th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 1st Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 22nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment | 23rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry | 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment | 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry | 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps |
Pioneers | 10th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry | |
3rd Division | Major-General Aylmer Haldane then Major-General Cyril Deverell[3] | |
8th Brigade | 9th Brigade | 76th Brigade |
2nd Battalion, Royal Scots | 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Regiment |
8th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment |
1st Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers | 13th Battalion, King’s Regiment | 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers |
7th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry | 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders |
Pioneers | 20th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps | |
4th Division | Major-General The Honourable William Lambton[3] | |
10th Brigade | 11th Brigade | 12th Brigade |
1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry | 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders | 1st Battalion, East Lancashires | 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers |
1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers | 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers | 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment |
Pioneers | 21st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | |
5th Division | Major-General Reginald Stephens[3] | |
13th Brigade | 15th Brigade | 95th Brigade |
14th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Devon Regiment |
15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment | 12th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment |
2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers | 1st Battalion, Bedford Regiment | 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment |
1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment | 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry |
Pioneers | 1/6th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders | |
6th Division | Major-General Charles Ross[3] | |
16th Brigade | 18th Brigade | 71st Brigade |
1st Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) | 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 9th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment |
8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment | 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment | 9th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment |
1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry | 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment |
2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment | 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | 2nd Battalion, Sherwood Foresters |
Pioneers | 11th Royal Leicester Regiment | |
7th Division | Major General Herbert Watts[3] | |
20th Brigade | 22nd Brigade | 91st Brigade |
8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Queen's |
9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment | 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Border Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers | 21st Battalion, Manchester Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Gordon Highlanders | 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment | 22nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment |
Pioneers | 24th Battalion, Manchester Regiment | |
8th Division | Major-General Havelock Hudson | |
23rd Brigade | 24th Brigade | 25th Brigade |
2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment |
2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters | 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment | 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles |
2nd Battalion, Scottish Rifles | 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade |
Pioneers | 22nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | |
29th Division | Major-General Henry de Lisle | |
86th Brigade | 87th Brigade | 88th Brigade |
2nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers | 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment |
1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 1st Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers | 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment |
16th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment |
1st Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers | 1st Battalion, Border Regiment | 1st Battalion, Royal Newfoundland Regiment |
Pioneers | 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment | |
63rd (Royal Naval) Division [18] | Major General George Forestier-Walker | |
188th (Royal Naval) Brigade | 189th (Royal Naval) Brigade | 190th Brigade |
Anson Battalion | Drake Battalion | 1/1st Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company |
Howe Battalion | Hood Battalion | 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
1st Royal Marine Battalion | Nelson Battalion | 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment |
2nd Royal Marine Battalion | Hawke Battalion | 10th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers |
New Army divisions
9th (Scottish) Division[19] | Major-General William Furse[3] | |
26th Brigade | 27th Brigade | South African Brigade |
8th Battalion, Black Watch | 11th Battalion, Royal Scots | 1st South African Battalion (Cape) |
9th Battalion, Seaforth | 12th Battalion, Royal Scots | 2nd South African Battalion (Natal & OFS) |
5th Battalion, Camerons | 6th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers | 3rd South African Battalion (Transvaal & Rhodesia) |
10th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders | 9th Battalion, Scottish Rifles | 4th South African Battalion (Scottish) |
Pioneers | 9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders | |
11th (Northern) Division | Major-General Charles Woollcombe | |
32nd Brigade | 33rd Brigade | 34th Brigade |
9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment | 8th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers |
6th Battalion, Green Howards | 6th Battalion, Border Regiment | 9th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers |
8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment | 7th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment | 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment |
6th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment | 9th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters | 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment |
Pioneers | 6th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | |
12th (Eastern) Division | Major-General Arthur Scott | |
35th Brigade | 36th Brigade | 37th Brigade |
7th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment | 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 6th Battalion, Queen's Regiment |
7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment | 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 6th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) |
9th Battalion, Essex Regiment | 7th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment |
5th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment | 11th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 6th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment |
Pioneers | 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment | |
14th (Light) Division | Major-General Victor Couper | |
41st Brigade | 42nd Brigade | 43rd Brigade |
7th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Regt | 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry |
8th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry | 6th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Lt.Inf. |
7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 9th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 6th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Lt.Inf. |
8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 10th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry |
Pioneers | 11th Battalion, King's Regiment | |
15th (Scottish) Division | Major-General Frederick McCracken[3] | |
44th Brigade | 45th Brigade | 46th Brigade |
9th Battalion, Black Watch | 13th Battalion, Royal Scots | 10th Battalion, Scottish Rifles |
8th Battalion, Seaforth | 6/7th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers | 7/8th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers |
10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders | 6th Battalion, Camerons | 10/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry |
7th Battalion, Camerons | 11th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders | 12/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry |
Pioneers | 9th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders | |
16th (Irish) Division | Major-General William Hickie | |
47th Brigade | 48th Brigade | 49th Brigade |
6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment | 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles | 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
6th Battalion, Connaught Rangers | 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment | 8th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers | 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers |
8th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers | 9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers |
Pioneers | 11th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment | |
17th (Northern) Division | Major-General Thomas Pilcher, since 13 July Major-General Philip Rynd Robertson | |
50th Brigade | 51st Brigade | 52nd Brigade |
10th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 7th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment | 9th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers |
7th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 7th Battalion, Border Regiment | 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers |
7th Battalion, Green Howards | 8th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment | 9th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment |
6th Battalion, Dorset Regiment | 10th Battalion, Sherwood Forest Regiment | 12th Battalion, Manchester Regiment |
Pioneers | 7th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment | |
18th (Eastern) Division | Major General Ivor Maxse[20] | |
53rd Brigade | 54th Brigade | 55th Brigade |
8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment | 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 7th Battalion, Queen's Regiment |
8th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment | 7th Battalion, Bedford Regiment | 7th Battalion, Buffs |
10th Battalion, Essex Regiment | 8th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment | 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment |
6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment | 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment |
Pioneers | 8th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | |
19th (Western) Division | Major-General Tom Bridges[3] | |
56th Brigade | 57th Brigade | 58th Brigade |
7th Battalion, Kings Own | 10th Battalion, Royal Warwick Regiment | 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment |
7th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment | 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment | 9th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers |
7th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment | 10th Battalion, Worcesters | 9th Battalion, Welch Regiment |
7th Battalion, North Lancashire Regiment | 8th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment | 6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment |
Pioneers | 5th Battalion, South Wales Border Regiment | |
20th (Light) Division | Major-General William Douglas-Smith | |
59th Brigade | 60th Brigade | 61st Brigade |
10th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 6th Battalion, Oxford & Buckinghamshire Lt. Regt | 7th Battalion, Somerset Lt.Inf. |
11th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 6th Battalion, King's Stropshire Lt. Inf. | 7th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Lt.Inf. |
10th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 12th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 7th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Lt.Inf. |
11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 12th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 12th Battalion, King's Regiment |
Pioneers | 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | |
21st Division | Major-General David Campbell | |
62nd Brigade | 63rd Brigade | 64th Brigade |
12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment | 9th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Lt.Inf. |
13th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, Somerset Lt. Inf. | 10th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Lt.Inf. |
1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment | 12th Bn, Prince of Wales' Own West Yorkshires | 14th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry |
10th Bn, Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regt | 10th Bn, York and Lancaster Regiment | 15th Bn, Durham Light Infantry |
Pioneers | 14th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | |
110th Brigade | The 110th Brigade replaced the 63rd Brigade in July 1916[21] | |
6th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment | 7th Bn, Leicestershire Regiment | 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment |
9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment | ||
23rd Division | Major-General James Babington[3] | |
68th Brigade | 69th Brigade | 70th Brigade |
10th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 11th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 11th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters |
11th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, Green Howards | 8th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
12th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | 9th Battalion, Green Howards | 8th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment |
13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | 10th Battalion, Duke of Wellington Regiment | 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment |
Pioneers | 9th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment | |
24th Division | Major-General John Capper | |
17th Brigade | 72nd Brigade | 73rd Brigade |
8th Battalion, Buffs | 8th Battalion, Queen's Regiment | 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment |
1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment | 7th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment |
12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regt. | 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment |
3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regt. | 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment |
Pioneers | 12th Battalion, Sherwood Foreseter Regiment | |
25th Division | Major-General Guy Bainbridge[22] | |
7th Brigade | 74th Brigade | 75th Brigade |
10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment | 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment |
3rd Battalion, Worcester Regiment | 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment | 8th Battalion, Border Regiment |
8th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | 9th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment |
1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles Regiment | 8th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment |
Pioneers | 6th Battalion, South Wales Border Regiment | |
30th Division | Brigadier-General Ferdinand Stanley[23] | |
21st Brigade | 89th Brigade | 90th Brigade |
18th Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment | 17th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 16th Battalion (1st City) Manchester Regiment |
19th Battalion (4th City) Manchester Regiment | 19th Battalion, King's (Liverpool)Regiment | 17th Battalion (2nd City) Manchester Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales' Own Yorkshire Regt | 20th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 18th Battalion (3rd City) Manchester Regiment |
2nd Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers |
Pioneers | 11th Battalion (St.Helens Pioneers) Prince of Wales's Volunteers | |
31st Division | Major-General Wanless O'Gowan | |
92nd Brigade | 93rd Brigade | 94th Brigade |
10th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 15th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 11th Battalion, East Lancaster Regiment |
11th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 16th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 12th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment |
12th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 18th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 13th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment |
13th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 18th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | 14th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regiment |
Pioneers | 12th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Regiment | |
32nd Division | Major-General Reginald Barnes | |
14th Brigade | 96th Brigade | 97th Brigade |
19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 16th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 11th Battalion, Border Regiment |
1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment | 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 2nd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Inf. |
2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment | 16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 16th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry |
15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry | 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers | 17th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry |
Pioneers | 17th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | |
33rd Division | Major-General Reginald Pinney | |
98th Brigade | 100th Brigade | 19th Brigade |
4th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 1st Battalion, Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment | 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
1/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment | 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers |
1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 16th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 1st Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) |
2nd Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders | 1/9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry | 1/5th Battalion, The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) |
Pioneers | 18th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | |
34th Division | Major-General Edward Ingouville-Williams (killed) then Major-General C. L. Nicholson[3] | |
101st Brigade | 102nd Tyneside Scottish Brigade | 103rd Tyneside Irish Brigade |
15th Battalion, Royal Scots | 20th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 24th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers |
16th Battalion, Royal Scots | 21st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 25th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers |
10th Battalion, Lincoln Regiment | 22nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 26th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers |
11th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment[Note 2] | 23rd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 27th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers |
Pioneers | 18th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | |
35th Division | Major-General Herman Landon | |
104th Brigade | 105th Brigade | 106th Brigade |
17th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment | 17th Battalion, Royal Scots Regiment |
18th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 16th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment | 17th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment |
20th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 14th Battalion, Gloster Regiment | 19th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry |
23rd Battalion, Manchester Regiment | 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foreseter Regiment | 18th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry |
Pioneers | 19th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | |
36th (Ulster) Division | Major-General Oliver Nugent | |
107th Brigade | 108th Brigade | 109th Brigade |
8th Bn, (East Belfast), Royal Irish Rifles | 9th Bn, (Armagh, Cavan & Monaghan), Royal Irish Fusiliers | 9th Bn, (County Tyrone), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
9th Bn, (West Belfast), Royal Irish Rifles | 11th Bn, (South Antrim), Royal Irish Rifles | 10th Bn, (Derry), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
10th Bn, (South Belfast), Royal Irish Rifles | 12th Bn, (Central Antrim), Royal Irish Rifles | 11th Bn, (Donegal and Fermanagh), Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers |
15th Bn, (North Belfast), Royal Irish Rifles | 13th Bn, (1st Co. Down), Royal Irish Rifles | 14th Bn, (Young Citizens Volunteers), Royal Irish Rifles |
Pioneers | 16th Bn, (2nd Co. Down), Royal Irish Rifles | |
37th Division | Major General Lord Edward Gleichen | |
110th Brigade | 111th Brigade | 112th Brigade |
6th Battalion, Leicester Regiment | 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 11th Battalion, Royal Warwick Regiment |
7th Battalion, Leicester Regiment | 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers | 6th Battalion, Bedford Regiment |
8th Battalion, Leicester Regiment | 13th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 8th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment |
9th Battalion, Leicester Regiment | 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 10th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment |
Pioneers | 9th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment | |
38th (Welsh) Division | Major-General Charles Blackader | |
113th Brigade | 114th Brigade | 115th Brigade |
13th Bn, (1st North Wales), Royal Welch Fusiliers | 10th Battalion (1st Rhondda), Welch Regiment | 17th Bn, (2nd North Wales), Royal Welch Fusiliers |
14th Bn, Royal Welch Fusiliers | 13th Battalion (2nd Rhondda), Welch Regiment | 10th Bn, (1st Gwent), South Wales Borderers |
15th Bn, (1st London Welsh), Royal Welch Fusiliers | 14th Battalion (Swansea), Welch Regiment | 11th Bn, (2nd Gwent), South Wales Borderers |
16th Bn, Royal Welch Fusiliers | 15th Battalion (Carmarthenshire), Welch Regiment | 16th Bn, (Cardiff City), Welch Regiment |
Pioneers | 19th Battalion (Glamorgan Pioneers), Welsh Regiment | |
39th Division | Major General Gerald Cuthbert | |
116th Brigade | 117th Brigade | 118th Brigade |
11th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | 16th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters | 1/6th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment |
12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | 17th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters | 1/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment |
13th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | 17th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps | 1/1st Battalion, Hertfordshire Regiment |
14th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment | 16th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | 4/5th Battalion, Black Watch |
Pioneers | 13th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment | |
41st Division | Major-General Sydney Barlow-Lawford | |
122nd Brigade | 123rd Brigade | 124th Brigade |
12th Bn, East Surrey Regiment[Note 3] | 11th Bn, Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt | 10th Bn, The Queen's Royal West Surrey Regt |
15th Bn, Hampshire Regiment[Note 4] | 10th Bn, Royal West Kent Regiment[Note 5] | 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
11th Bn, Royal West Kent Regiment[Note 6] | 23rd Bn, Middlesex Regiment[Note 7] | 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers |
18th Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps[Note 8] | 20th Bn, Durham Light Infantry[Note 9] | 21st Bn, King's Royal Rifle Corps[Note 10] |
Pioneers | 19th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment[Note 11] | |
Territorial divisions
46th (North Midland) Division | Major-General The Honourable Edward James Montagu-Stuart-Wortley[3] | |
137th Brigade | 138th Brigade | 139th Brigade |
1/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters |
1/6th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment | 1/6th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters |
1/5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment | 1/7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters |
1/6th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment | 1/8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters |
Pioneers | 1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment | |
47th (1/2nd London) Division | Major-General Sir Charles Barter (relieved) then Major-General George Gorringe[3] | |
140th Brigade | 141st Brigade | 142nd Brigade |
1/6th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 12] | 1/17th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 13] | 1/21st Battalion, London Regiment[Note 14] |
1/7th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 12] | 1/18th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 15] | 1/22nd Battalion, London Regiment[Note 16] |
1/8th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 17] | 1/19th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 18] | 1/23rd Battalion, London Regiment |
1/15th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 19] | 1/20th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 20] | 1/24th Battalion, London Regiment[Note 16] |
Pioneers | 1st Battalion, 4th Royal Welch Fusiliers | |
48th (South Midland) Division | Major-General Robert Fanshawe | |
143rd Brigade (Warwickshire) | 144th Brigade (Gloucester and Worcester) | 145th Brigade (South Midland) |
1/5th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1/4th (City of Bristol) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regt. | 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regt |
1/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Lt. Inf. |
1/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1/7th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment | 1/1st Battalionn, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Lt. Inf. |
1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment | 1/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment |
Pioneers | 1/5th (Cinque Ports) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment | |
49th (West Riding) Division | Major-General Edward Perceval | |
146th Brigade | 147th Brigade | 148th Brigade |
1/5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
1/6th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry |
1/7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regt. |
1/8th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment | 1/7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, York & Lancaster Regt. |
Pioneers | 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment (replaced by 19th Bn. Lancashire Fusiliers 6 August 1916) | |
50th (Northumbrian) Division | Major-General Sir Percival Wilkinson | |
149th Brigade | 150th Brigade | 151st Brigade |
1/4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 1/4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment | 1/6th Battalion, Durham Lt Inf |
1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 1/4th Bn, Green Howards | 1/8th Battalion, Durham Lt Inf |
1/6th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 1/5th Bn, Green Howards | 1/9th Battalion, Durham Lt Inf |
1/7th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers | 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | 1/5th Battalion, Border Regiment |
Pioneers | 1/7th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry | |
51st (Highland) Division | Major-General George Harper | |
152nd (1st Highland) Brigade | 153rd (2nd Highland) Brigade | 154th (3rd Highland) Brigade |
1/5th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders[Note 21] | 1/6th Battalion, Black Watch | 1/4th Bn, Seaforth Highlanders[Note 22] |
1/6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders[Note 23] | 1/7th Battalion, Black Watch[Note 24] | 1/4th Bn, Gordon Highlanders |
1/8th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders[Note 25] | 1/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders[Note 26] | 1/9th Bn, Royal Scots [Note 27] |
1/6th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders[Note 28] | 1/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders[Note 29] | 1/7th Bn, the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders |
Pioneers | ||
55th (West Lancashire) Division | Major-General Hugh Jeudwine | |
164th (North Lancashire) Brigade | 165th (Liverpool) Brigade | 166th (South Lancashire) Brigade |
1/4th Battalion, King's Own Royal Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regt. |
1/4th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment | 1/6th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment | 1/10th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regt. |
1/8th (Irish) Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 1/7th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Volunteers |
2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers | 1/9th Battalion, King's (Liverpool) Regiment | 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment |
Pioneers | 1/4th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Volunteers (South Lancashire Regiment) | |
56th (1st London) Division | Major-General Charles Hull | |
167th Brigade | 168th Brigade | 169th Brigade |
1/1st Battalion, London Regiment | 1/4th Battalion, London Regiment | 1/2nd Battalion, London Regiment |
1/3rd Battalion, London Regiment | 1/12th (London Rangers) Battalion, London Regiment | 1/5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment |
1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 1/13th (Kensington) Battalion, London Regiment | 1/9th (Queen's Victoria Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment |
1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment | 1/14th (London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment | 1/16th (Queen's Westminster Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment |
Pioneers | 1/5th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment | |
Dominion divisions
Canadian Cavalry Brigade | (attached to 2nd Indian Cavalry Division) | |
Royal Canadian Dragoons | Lord Strathcona's Horse | Fort Garry Horse |
Canadian Cavalry Brigade Machine Gun Squadron | ||
New Zealand Division[Note 30] | Major-General Andrew Russell[3] | |
1st New Zealand Brigade | 2nd New Zealand Brigade | 3rd New Zealand Rifle Brigade |
1st Auckland Battalion | 2nd Auckland Battalion | 1st Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade |
1st Canterbury Battalion | 2nd Canterbury Battalion | 2nd Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade |
1st Otago Battalion | 2nd Otago Battalion | 3rd Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade |
1st Wellington Battalion | 2nd Wellington Battalion | 4th Battalion, NZ Rifle Brigade |
Pioneers | New Zealand Pioneer Battalion | |
4th Canadian Division | Major General Sir David Watson | |
10th Brigade | 11th Brigade | 12th Brigade |
44th Battalion | 54th (Kootenay) Battalion | 38th (Ottawa) Battalion |
46th (South Saskatchewan) Battalion | 75th (Mississauga) Battalion | 72nd (Seaforth Highlanders) Battalion |
47th (British Columbia) Battalion | 87th (Canadian Grenadier Guards) Battalion | 73rd (Royal Highlanders) Battalion |
50th (Calgary) Battalion | 102nd Battalion | 78th (Winnipeg Grenadiers) Battalion |
Pioneers | 67th Canadian Pioneer Battalion | |
1st Australian Division | Major General Harold Walker | |
1st (New South Wales) Brigade | 2nd (Victoria) Brigade | 3rd Brigade |
1st Battalion | 5th Battalion | 9th (Queensland) Battalion |
2nd Battalion | 6th Battalion | 10th (South Australia) Battalion |
3rd Battalion | 7th Battalion | 11th (West Australia) Battalion |
4th Battalion | 8th Battalion | 12th (Tasmania, S and W Australia) Battalion |
Pioneers | 1st Australian Pioneer Battalion | |
2nd Australian Division | Major General James Legge[3] | |
5th (New South Wales) Brigade | 6th (Victoria) Brigade | 7th Brigade |
17th Battalion | 21st Battalion | 25th (Queensland) Battalion |
18th Battalion | 22nd Battalion | 26th (Queensland & Tasmania) Battalion |
19th Battalion | 23rd Battalion | 27th (South Australia) Battalion |
20th Battalion | 24th Battalion | 28th (West Australia) Battalion |
Pioneers | 2nd Australian Pioneer Battalion | |
4th Australian Division | Major General Sir Herbert Cox[3] | |
4th Brigade | 12th Brigade | 13th Brigade |
13th (New South Wales) Battalion | 45th (New South Wales) Battalion | 49th (Queensland) Battalion |
14th (Victoria) Battalion | 46th (Victoria) Battalion | 50th (South Australia & Tasmania) Battalion |
15th (Queensland & Tasmania) Battalion | 47th (Queensland & Tasmania) Battalion | 51st (West Australia) Battalion |
16th (South & West Australia) Battalion | 48th (South & West Australia) Battalion | 52nd (West & South Australia, Tasmania) Battalion |
Pioneers | 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion | |
5th Australian Division | Major-General The Honourable James McCay[3] | |
8th Brigade | 14th (New South Wales) Brigade | 15th (Victoria) Brigade |
29th (Victoria) Battalion | 53rd Battalion | 57th Battalion |
30th (New South Wales) Battalion | 54th Battalion | 58th Battalion |
31st (Queensland & Victoria) Battalion | 55th Battalion | 59th Battalion |
32nd (South & West Australia) Battalion | 56th Battalion | 60th Battalion |
Pioneers | 5th Australian Pioneer Battalion | |
French forces
A majority of the French Divisions were triangular divisions – that is comprising three regiments, with each regiment containing three battalions.
During the Battle of Verdun, General Pétain had rotated the French Divisions through the battle – resulting in a large number of divisions entering the battle with experience.
Army and corps organisation
List of Army/Corp/Divisions involved taken from Organigramme des Grandes Batailles.[24]
Army
- Northern Army Group (Groupe d'armées du Nord): Commander: General Ferdinand Foch
- Sixth Army: Army Commander: General Marie Émile Fayolle
- Tenth Army: Army Commander: General Joseph Alfred Micheler
Corps
- I Corps. Corps Commander: General Adolphe Guillaumat
- II Corps. Corps Commander: General Denis Auguste Duchêne
- V Corps. Corps Commander: General Antoine Baucheron de Boissoudy
- VI Corps. Corps Commander: General Marie Jean Auguste Paulinier
- VII Corps. Corps Commander: General Georges de Bazelaire
- IX Corps. Corps Commander: General Horace Fernand Achille Pentel
- XI Corps. Corps Commander: General Charles Mangin
- XX Corps. Corps Commander: Generals Georges Prosper Anne Claret de la Touche and Émile Alexis Mazillier
- XXI Corps. Corps Commander: General Paul Maistre
- XXX Corps. Corps Commander: General Paul Chrétien
- XXXII Corps. Corps Commander: Generals Henri Mathias Berthelot and Marie-Eugène Debeney
- XXXIII Corps. Corps Commander: General Alphonse Nudant
- XXXV Corps. Corps Commander: General Charles Jacquot
- I Colonial Corps. Corps Commander: General Pierre Berdoulat
- II Colonial Corps. Corps Commander: General Ernest Blondlat
- I Cavalry Corps. Corps Commander: General Louis Conneau
- II Cavalry Corps. Corps Commander: General Antoine de Mitry
(Note: A majority of the corps and divisions were transferred from other armies during the battle.)
Infantry Divisions
- 1st Infantry Division
- 2nd Infantry Division
- 3rd Infantry Division
- 4th Infantry Division
- 10th Infantry Division
- 11th Infantry Division
- 12th Infantry Division
- 13th Infantry Division
- 14th Infantry Division
- 17th Infantry Division
- 18th Infantry Division
- 20th Infantry Division
- 25th Infantry Division
- 26th Infantry Division
- 39th Infantry Division
- 41st Infantry Division
- 42nd Infantry Division
- 43rd Infantry Division
- 45th Infantry Division
- 46th Infantry Division
- 47th Infantry Division
- 48th Infantry Division
- 51st Infantry Division
- 53rd Infantry Division
- 56th Infantry Division
- 61st Infantry Division
- 62nd Infantry Division
- 66th Infantry Division
- 70th Infantry Division
- 72nd Infantry Division
- 77th Infantry Division
- 120th Infantry Division
- 121st Infantry Division
- 125th Infantry Division
- 127th Infantry Division
- 132nd Infantry Division
- 152nd Infantry Division
- 153rd Infantry Division
- Moroccan Infantry Division
- 2nd Colonial Infantry Division
- 3rd Colonial Infantry Division
- 10th Colonial Infantry Division
- 15th Colonial Infantry Division
- 16th Colonial Infantry Division
Cavalry Divisions
- 1st Cavalry Division
- 2nd Cavalry Division
- 3rd Cavalry Division
- 4th Cavalry Division
German: 2nd Army
German order of battle derived from Hart, Appendix C unless stated.
Commander: General der Infanterie Fritz von Below On 19 July, split into the 1st Army (opposite the British) and the 2nd Army, Commander: General der Artillerie Max von Gallwitz (opposite the French) with authority over the 1st Army as Armeegruppe Gallwitz-Somme, this was not an army group, the term for which was Heeresgruppe
Chief of the German General Staff: General der Infanterie Erich Falkenhayn (until 28 August 1916), Generalfeldmarschall Paul von Hindenburg
German divisions were being converted from square to triangular, hence some had four infantry regiments, others had three.
Guards Divisions
Guards Divisions | |||
3rd Guards Infantry Division | Guards Fusiliers | Lehr Infantry Regiment | Grenadier Regiment No. 9 |
4th Guards Infantry Division | 5th Foot Guards | 5th Guards Grenadiers | 93rd Reserve Infantry Regiment |
Line Divisions
Line Divisions | ||||
5th Division | Grenadier Regiment 8 | Grenadier Regiment No. 12 | Regiment 52 | |
6th Division | Regiment 20 | Regiment 24 | Regiment 64 | |
7th Division | Regiment 26 | Regiment 27 | Regiment 165 | |
8th Division | Regiment 72 | Regiment 93 | Regiment 153 | |
12th Division | Regiment 23 (2nd Upper Silesian) | Regiment 62 (3rd Upper Silesian) | Regiment 63 (4th Upper Silesian) | |
16th Division | Regiment 28 | Regiment 29 | Regiment 68 | Regiment 69 |
24th Division | Regiment 133 | Regiment 139 | Regiment 179 | |
26th Division (Württemberg) | Grenadier Regiment 119 | Regiment 121 | Regiment 125 | |
27th Division | Regiment 120 | Grenadier Regiment 123 | Regiment 124 | Regiment 127 |
35th Division | Regiment 141 | Regiment 61 | Regiment 176 | |
38th Division | Regiment 94 | Regiment 95 | Regiment 96 | |
40th Division | Regiment 104 | Regiment 134 | Regiment 181 | |
52nd Division | Regiment 66 (3rd Magdeburg) | Regiment 169 (8th Baden) | Regiment 170 (9th Baden) | |
56th Division | Fusilier Regiment 35 | Regiment 88 | Regiment 118 | |
58th Division | Regiment 106 | Regiment 107 | Reserve Regiment 120 | |
111th Division | Fusilier Regiment 20 | Regiment 76 | Regiment 164 | |
117th Division | Regiment 157 | Reserve Regiment 11 | Reserve Regiment 22 | |
121st Division | Regiment 60 | Reserve Regiment 7 | Reserve Regiment 35 | |
183rd Division | Regiment 183 | Regiment 184 | Reserve Regiment 122 | |
185th Division | Regiment 185 | Regiment 186 | Regiment 190 | |
208th Division | Regiment 25 | Regiment 185 | Reserve Regiment 65 | |
222nd Division | Regiment 193 | Regiment 397 | Reserve Regiment 81 | |
223rd Division | Regiment 144 | Regiment 173 | Ersatz Regiment 29 | |
2nd Bavarian Division | Bavarian Regiment 12 | Bavarian Regiment 15 | Bavarian Regiment 20 | |
3rd Bavarian Division | Bavarian Regiment 17 | Bavarian Regiment 18 | Bavarian Regiment 23 | |
4th Bavarian Division | Bavarian Regiment 5 | Bavarian Regiment 9 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 5 | |
5th Bavarian Division | Bavarian Regiment 7 | Bavarian Regiment 14 | Bavarian Regiment 19 | Bavarian Regiment 21 |
6th Bavarian Division | Bavarian Regiment 6 | Bavarian Regiment 10 | Bavarian Regiment 11 | Bavarian Regiment 13 |
10th Bavarian Division[25] | Bavarian Regiment 16 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 6 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 8 | |
Marine Brigade | Marine Regiment 1 | Marine Regiment 2 | Marine Regiment 3 | |
Reserve Guards Divisions
Reserve Guards Divisions[26] | ||||
1st Guards Reserve Division | Guards Reserve Regiment 1 | Guards Reserve Regiment 2 | Reserve Regiment 64 | |
2nd Guards Reserve Division[25] | Reserve Regiment 15 | Reserve Regiment 55 | Reserve Regiment 77 | Reserve Regiment 91 |
Reserve Infantry Divisions
Reserve Infantry Divisions[26] | ||||
7th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 36 | Reserve Regiment 66 | Reserve Regiment 72 | |
12th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 23 | Reserve Regiment 38 | Reserve Regiment 51 | |
17th Reserve Infantry Division | Regiment 162 | Regiment 163 | Reserve Regiment 75 | Reserve Regiment 76 |
18th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 31 | Reserve Regiment 84 | Reserve Regiment 86 | |
19th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 73 | Reserve Regiment 78 | Reserve Regiment 79 | Reserve Regiment 92 |
23rd Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Grenadier Regiment 101 | Reserve Regiment 101 | Reserve Regiment 102 | |
24th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 101 | Reserve Regiment 107 | Reserve Regiment 133 | |
26th Reserve Infantry Division[25] | Regiment 180 (10th Württemberg) | Reserve Regiment 99 | Reserve Regiment 119 (1st Württemberg) | Reserve Regiment 121 (3rd Württemberg) |
28th Reserve Infantry Division[25] | Reserve Regiment 109 | Reserve Regiment 110 | Reserve Regiment 111 | |
45th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 210 | Reserve Regiment 211 | Reserve Regiment 212 | |
50th Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 229 | Reserve Regiment 230 | Reserve Regiment 231 | |
51st Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 233 | Reserve Regiment 234 | Reserve Regiment 235 | Reserve Regiment 236 |
52nd Reserve Infantry Division | Reserve Regiment 238 | Reserve Regiment 239 | Reserve Regiment 240 | |
6th Bavarian Reserve Division | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 16 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 17 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 20 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 21 |
89th Reserve Brigade | Reserve Regiment 209 | Reserve Regiment 213 | ||
Ersatz Divisions
Ersatz Divisions[26] | ||||
4th Ersatz Division | Regiment 359 | Regiment 360 | Regiment 361 | Regiment 362 |
5th Ersatz Division | Landwehr Regiment 73 | Landwehr Regiment 74 | Reserve Ersatz Regiment 3 | |
Bavarian Ersatz Division | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 14 | Bavarian Reserve Regiment 15 | Ersatz Regiment 28 | |
Notes
- The 102nd and 103rd Infantry Brigades of the 34th Division had suffered many losses in the Battle of Albert, 1916, changed places with the 111th and 112th Infantry Brigades of the 37th Division and went into line with the 37th Division, IV Corps, First Army on Vimy Ridge, while the two 37th Division brigades, fought in the battles of Bazentin and Pozières under the 34th Division. (Liddle p. 176)
- The Cambridgeshire Battalion
- The Bermondsey Battalion
- The 2nd Portsmouth Battalion
- The Kent County Battalion
- The Lewisham Battalion
- The 2nd Football Battalion
- The Arts and Crafts Battalion
- The Wearside Battalion
- The Yeomen Rifles Battalion
- The 2nd Public Works Battalion
- City of London Regiment
- Poplar and Stepney Rifles Regiment
- 1st Surrey Rifles Regiment
- London Irish Rifles Regiment
- The Queen's Regiment
- Post Office Rifles Regiment
- St. Pancras Regiment
- Civil Service Rifles Regiment
- Blackheath and Woolwich Regiment
- The Sutherland and Caithness Battalion
- The Ross Highland Battalion
- The Morayshire Battalion
- The Fife Battalion
- The Argyllshire Battalion
- The Buchan and Formartine Battalion
- The Highlanders Battalion
- The Banff and Donside Battalion
- The Deeside Highland Battalion
- The New Zealand Division later joined II ANZAC Corps together with the 3rd and 5th Australian Divisions
Citations and references
Citations
- Hart p. 42
- Hart p.43
- Western Front Association website
- Liddle p. 175
- Liddle p.174
- Liddle p.175
- Hart p.164
- Hart p.385
- Hart p.132
- Hart p.184
- Liddell-Hart p.322
- Hart p.308
- Keegan p.320
- Doughty p. 291
- Hart p.209
- Hart Appendix B
- Army Council, Cmnd 1138
- National Archives: Naval Division (1914–1919)
- Buchan p.58
- Buchan p. 56
- Long Long Trail
- Kincaid Smith 1920, pp. 11–12
- Hart p.54
- Archived 2011-07-23 at the Wayback Machine french: Organigramme des Grandes Batailles. Accessed 2010-07-01.
- Imperial War Museum (The Somme) website
- Hart Appendix C
References
Books
- Buchan, John (1992) [1920]. The History of the South African forces in France (litho repr. ed.). London: Imperial War Museum & Battery Press. ISBN 978-0-901627-89-6.
- Digby, Peter. K. (1993). Pyramids and Poppies: The 1st SA Infantry Brigade in Libya, France and Flanders: 1915–1919. Rivonia: Ashanti. ISBN 978-1-874800-53-8.
- Doughty, Robert A. (2005). Pyrrhic victory: French Strategy and Operation in the Great War. Cambridge, Massachusetts and London: Belknap Press. ISBN 978-0-674-01880-8.
- Hart, Peter (2006). The Somme. London: Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-36735-1.
- Keegan, John (1998). The First World War (1st ed.). London: Random House. ISBN 978-0-09-180178-6.
- Kincaid-Smith, M. (2001) [1920]. The 25th Division in France and Flanders (pbk. repr. Naval & Military Press ed.). London: Harrison & Sons. ISBN 978-1-84342-123-8. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
- Liddle, P. H. (2001). The 1916 Battle of the Somme: A Reappraisal. Hertfordshire: Wordsworth. ISBN 978-1-84022-240-1 – via Archive foundation.
- Liddell-Hart, B. H. (1973) [1970]. History of the First World War (3rd ed.). London: Pan Books. ISBN 978-0-304-93653-3.
- Robertshaw, Andrew; Dennis, Peter (2006). Somme: 1 July 1916. Campaign 169. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 978-1-84603-038-3.
- The Official Names of the Battles and Other Engagements Fought by the Military Forces of the British Empire during the Great War, 1914–1919, and the Third Afghan War, 1919: Report of the Battles Nomenclature Committee as Approved by The Army Council Presented to Parliament by Command of His Majesty. London: HMSO. 1921. OCLC 29078007.
Websites
- "Order Of Battle For The Somme July–November 1916". Western Front Association. Retrieved 2009-07-31.
- "Royal Naval Division (1914–1919)". The National Archives. Retrieved 2009-08-08.
- "The 21st Division in 1914–1918". The Long, Long Trail. 1914–1918 Net. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
- "The German Army: Order of Battle 1 July 1916". The Battle of the Somme 1916 [microsite]. Imperial War Museum. 2006. Retrieved 14 March 2012.
Further reading
- Edmonds, J. E.; Wynne, G. C. (2010) [1932]. Military Operations France and Belgium 1916: Appendices. History of the Great War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. I (Imperial War Museum and Naval & Military Press ed.). London: Macmillan. ISBN 978-1-84574-730-5.
- James, E. A. (1990) [1924]. A Record of the Battles and Engagements of the British Armies in France and Flanders 1914–1918 (repr. London Stamp Exchange ed.). Aldershot: Gale & Polden. ISBN 978-0-948130-18-2.