Combles

Combles

Population 1914:

Population 2004: 676

Location: 

First Attacked: September 1916
Captured: 26th September 1916

Site Links

Communal Cemetery

Guards Cemetery

External Links

Bataille de Combles

History

Combles was one of the largest villages on the Somme, and a major billeting and communications area for the Germans. Deep catacombs below the village were used to shelter troops. To the west of the village were two woods: Bouleaux ('Bully') and Leuze ('Lousy'). These became the battleground of the 56th (London) Division from early September 1916. By the 25th most of the wooded area had been taken, and a joint attack by British and French troops took the village on 26th September. It then served as a headquarters for British units in the line at Rancourt and Sailly-Saillesel during the winter of 1916/17.