Why Did Britain's Failure To Take Thiepval
The British did succeed in holding certain areas but the lack of communication withheld them fully from succeeding. They were eventually pushed back because the lack of reinforcements. The Ulser division broke through the German lines and captured Schwaben Redoudt and had the advantage in taking Thiepval. Lt General Thomas Marlin was watching the battle from 3 miles behind the front and for complete disregard of Major General Percival advice failed to execute an idea that would have possibly changed the outcome of the battle. Percival wanted to use his twelve thousand men that he had in the reserves and bring them up through Schwaben Redoudt to attack the German line from behind instead of up front. Marlin thought it was a stupid idea and did
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Colonel Maxwell’s battalion the 12th Middlesex were going to attack from the front the 11th royals on the left flank. They were tasked with attacking the most fortified positions of Thiepval. The attack began with artillery bombardment such as July 1st attack. Maxwell’s men were using the new tactic creeping barrage basically it started with shooting in no mans land and as the infantry were pushing forward they field artillery would be advancing in order to keep the German heads down so the British infantry could advance and attack. As they advance the Middlesex reach the first German trench with ease. As they march forward toward Thiepval Chateau that’s where everything starts to go wrong. The artillery barrage was going way to fast for Maxwell’s men. So the German defenses were able once again to set up and prepare for a upcoming attack. Just as the onslaught of July 1st was happening to Maxwell men the Mark One tank shows up the Germans at this time were very confused about what this machine was. This was the first time a tank was ever used in a battle. They deployed two tanks, but because of mechanical issues only one was able to fight. They were able to take the Chateau because the tank took out the enemy machine guns and obstacles of the German defenses. As they were going through Thiepval Maxwell’s men faced fierce hand-to-hand combat. Maxwell’s officers were taking heavy losses and because of this
Colonel Maxwell’s battalion the 12th Middlesex were going to attack from the front the 11th royals on the left flank. They were tasked with attacking the most fortified positions of Thiepval. The attack began with artillery bombardment such as July 1st attack. Maxwell’s men were using the new tactic creeping barrage basically it started with shooting in no mans land and as the infantry were pushing forward they field artillery would be advancing in order to keep the German heads down so the British infantry could advance and attack. As they advance the Middlesex reach the first German trench with ease. As they march forward toward Thiepval Chateau that’s where everything starts to go wrong. The artillery barrage was going way to fast for Maxwell’s men. So the German defenses were able once again to set up and prepare for a upcoming attack. Just as the onslaught of July 1st was happening to Maxwell men the Mark One tank shows up the Germans at this time were very confused about what this machine was. This was the first time a tank was ever used in a battle. They deployed two tanks, but because of mechanical issues only one was able to fight. They were able to take the Chateau because the tank took out the enemy machine guns and obstacles of the German defenses. As they were going through Thiepval Maxwell’s men faced fierce hand-to-hand combat. Maxwell’s officers were taking heavy losses and because of this