Le Sars

Located north east of Courcelette on the Albert-Bapaume Road

70 Bde of 23rd Div attacked in this area.

11th Bn, Sherwood Foresters and 8th Bn, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry formed up in No Man’s Land and quickly took Flers Trench and Flers Support, linking up with 151 Bde (50th Div) on the right and the Canadians on the left. 9th Bn, Yorks & Lancs came up in support and attempted to get patrols into Le Sars but they were driven back by fire from the houses.

151 Bde meanwhile attacked with 1/6th Bn, Durham Light Infantry and 1/5th Bn, Northumberland Fusiliers. The Durhams entered Flers Trench but were flanked on the right by the Germans. To make matters worse they lost their CO. 1/9th Bn, Durham Light Infantry came up in support and the two battalions secured Flers Trench under command of Lt Col Roland Bradford. Bradford was awarded a VC for his actions and went on to become the British Army's youngest General ever when promoted Brigadier in 1917 aged 25. He was KIA on 30 Nov 1917 at Cambrai. He and his brother George were the only brothers to win VCs in the Great War.

The Fusiliers secured their area without this drama.

Eaucourt L’Abbaye

Located south east of Le Sars 141 Bde of 47th Div attacked here supported by two tanks.

1/19th London Regt was held up by MG fire, sheltering in shell holes 50 yards from the German Line. The tanks worked along Flers Trench allowing the Londons to advance and link with the New Zealanders on the Le Barque Road. 1/20th London Regt waited for the tanks too and then swept through Eaucourt L’Abbaye and linked with 1/19th Bn. During this attack the tanks were ditched in Flers Trench and so 1/17th London did not have their support on the left flank. Held up by uncut wire and MG fire,a German counter attack drove them back.