Editing Battle of the Somme (section)

==== Battle of Delville Wood, 14 July – 15 September ====
{{Main|Battle of Delville Wood}}

[[File:Delville Wood 14 July 1916 (cropped).png|thumb|Positions on 14 July 1916]]

The Battle of Delville Wood was an operation to secure the British right [[Flanking maneuver|flank]], while the centre advanced to capture the higher-lying areas of High Wood and Pozières. After the Battle of Albert the offensive had evolved to the capture of fortified villages, woods, and other terrain that offered observation for artillery fire, jumping-off points for more attacks, and other tactical advantages. The mutually costly fighting at Delville Wood eventually secured the British right flank and marked the Western Front debut of the South African [[1st Infantry Brigade (South Africa)|1st Infantry Brigade]] (incorporating a [[Southern Rhodesia]]n contingent), which held the wood from 15 to 20 July. When relieved, the brigade had lost {{nowrap|2,536 men}}, similar to the casualties of many brigades on 1 July.{{sfn|Philpott|2009|p = 251}}