Combles

Combles was the largest village on the Somme in 1916 and fighting for its possession began in September 1916. Flanked by two large woods to the west - Bouleaux ('Bully') and Leuze ('Lousy') - these became the front line where men of the 56th (London) Division fought and died. The bastion of Combles finally fell to a combined English and French attack. Tanks were used here in their first action on the Western Front.