page_title: Capture of Combles
section_title: Subsequent operations
hierarchical_section_title: Capture of Combles / Aftermath / Subsequent operations
caption_attribution_description: English: Diagram of French attacks after the capture of Combles, September-October 1916
context_page_description: The Capture of Combles was a tactical incident that took place during the Battle of the Somme. Combles lies 30 mi north-east of Amiens and 10 mi east of Albert, on the D 20 Rancourt–Guillemont road, 8 mi south of Bapaume, in the Combles valley a hollow between outcrops of Bazentin Ridge, between Morval to the north, Ginchy to the north-west and Falfemont Farm to the west. North of the village the valley widens into a basin, which forks north-east around the Morval Spur. In late September 1914, military operations took place in the vicinity, when the II Bavarian Corps was engaged by French Territorial divisions in an encounter battle. The French divisions were forced back and the two divisions of the II Bavarian Corps, advanced westwards on the north side of the Somme, eventually being stopped around Maricourt, Montauban and Fricourt.
  Combles became a backwater until 1916, when it was used as a shelter for reserves, supplies and engineer stores and a staging area for reinforcements. Gallwitz Riegel the German third defensive position being built as the battle began, ran close behind the village.
context_section_description: During the evening of 26 September, the 1/4th London was relieved in Bouleaux Wood by the 1/13th London (The Kensingtons) and withdrew to Bully and Beef trenches. During 27 September, trenches held by the 1/4th London were bombarded but there was no German counter-attack. In the evening the 168th Brigade handed over to the 2nd French Division and the 1/4th London, without relief in Bully and Beef trenches, withdrew to Casement Trench. The casualties of the 1/4th London were about 32 and rest of the  56th Division was relieved by the 20th and 6th divisions, as the inter-army boundary was moved north during 27 September. I Corps advanced a short distance against the 213th Division, east of the Frégicourt–Le Tranloy road and a renewal of the attack from 27–28 September, towards the German defences between Haïe Wood and St Pierre Vaast Wood, was delayed. Mutton Trench on the left flank was attacked at 4:00 p.m. by the British and the French attack managed to advance on the flanks but was held up in the centre around Sailly.
caption: French attacks after the capture of Combles, September–October 1916
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