Schwaben Redoubt The Schwaben Redoubt ( ) was a German strongpoint built near the village of Thiepval , overlooking the River Ancre . It formed part of the German defensive system in the Somme sector of the Western Front during the First World War . Consisting of a mass of gun emplacements , trenches and dug - outs , this warren of earthworks and its garrison resisted several British assaults during the course of the Battle of the Somme , before being captured in October 1916 . It was defended by the 26th Reserve Division that came from Swabia , a southwestern region of Germany . The site of the Redoubt now lies between the Thiepval Memorial and the Ulster Tower Background . Tactical developments . Construction of Redoubt began in early 1915 as a small network of trenches known as the ( earthworks ) on high ground , roughly north of the village of Thiepval . It was connected by trenches to other locations including Mouquet Farm , frontline trenches near Thiepval wood and to Thiepval village . During 1915 the German front trench system was strengthened by an intermediate zone of strongpoints . Redoubt dominated the high ground in the vicinity of Thiepval to the south and St Pierre Divion to the north - west . The redoubts ( which included Stuff and Pommiers redoubts ) had observation in all directions and a garrison that could reinforce the front line or deliver a counterattack . The redoubt had deep dug - outs for accommodation ( with multiple entrances ) , a battalion command post , first aid post , signalling station and strongpoints with three heavy machine guns and four light machine guns . The redoubt was triangular , with an extension to the east across the Thiepval – Grandcourt road and had a frontage of around . The area was garrisoned by troops of Reserve Infantry Regiment 99 , 26th Reserve Division commanded by Major General Franz Ludwig Freiherr von Soden . Battle . 1 July : Redoubt was the objective of 109 Brigade , which attacked on the right with 9th and 10th Battalions , Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers making the assault . Advancing at the troops crossed no man ' s land , captured the redoubt and advanced to a reserve trench beyond it . By the troops had reached the Mouquet Switch line and the eastern face of the redoubt . The success of 109 Brigade advance created a salient deep and wide . The failure of the other 36th Division brigade and the 29th Division to the north and 32nd Division to the south , made it impossible for the troops occupying the redoubt to be reinforced . The brigade was eventually forced to withdraw , having exhausted its ammunition repulsing German counter - attacks . Small parties remained in the German front line at The 36th Division lost ; the severity of these losses left an enduring psychological scar on Northern Ireland . The redoubt was assaulted again on 3 September by troops of 49th ( West Riding ) Division . The assault failed due to German machine gun fire , for a loss of 28 September – 6 October : The redoubt was attacked by the 54th Brigade of the 18th ( Eastern ) Division during the Battle of Thiepval Ridge which gained a foothold in the Redoubt ( ) . By the evening of 28 September the redoubt had been captured except for the German hold on to the north face until 14 October , when it was captured by the 118th Brigade of the 39th Division . The Territorial " Fen Tigers " of the 1st Battalion Cambridgeshire Regiment under the command of Lieutenant - Colonel Riddell , advanced under a creeping barrage and reached the redoubt without loss . The German garrison was routed in hand - to - hand fighting and the Cambridgeshires defended the redoubt for before being relieved , having defeated several counter - attacks . British casualties were and General Haig , commander of the British Expeditionary Force , described the attack as “ one of the finest feats of arms in the history of the British Army ” .