*VIRTUAL TOUR - The Somme Offensive Continued* The Sheffield Pals and the Battle Of Serre, 1st July 1916
THE SHEFFIELD PALS AND THE BATTLE OF SERRE On Saturday 24th June, the British Artillery opened a bombardment that, over a five-day period, was intended to destroy the German defences. Each night the Battalion sent out raiding and wire-examining parties; worryingly, the German wire was found to be uncut. On the 28th June, word was received that the attack would be postponed for two days because of the poor weather. The new time for the start of the offensive was 07:30hrs on Saturday the 1st July 1916. The day before the Offensive began badly, with the news that Lt-Col. Crosthwaite was seriously ill, requiring his hurried replacement by Major Plackett. At 03:45hrs on the 1st July, the Battalion was in position in the assembly trenches, finding them already in a terrible condition from German shellfire. Patrols from the fourth and seventh Companies of the 169th (8th Baden) Infantry Regiment defending Serre noted the build-up. With the appearance of daylight at 04:05hrs, Ge...

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