Editing Battle of the Somme (section)

==== Battle of the Ancre, 13–18 November ====
{{Main|Battle of the Ancre}}

[[File:Mametz Western Front (Frank Crozier).jpg|thumb|Mametz, Western Front, a winter scene, painting by [[Frank R. Crozier|Frank Crozier]]]]

The Battle of the Ancre was the last big British operation of the year. The Fifth (formerly Reserve) Army attacked into the Ancre valley to exploit German exhaustion after the Battle of the Ancre Heights and gain ground ready for a resumption of the offensive in 1917. Political calculation, concern for Allied morale and Joffre's pressure for a continuation of attacks in France, to prevent German troop transfers to Russia and Italy also influenced Haig.{{sfn|Miles|1992|pp = 476–477}} The battle began with another [[Mining (military)|mine]] being detonated beneath [[Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt]]. The attack on [[Serre (Somme)|Serre]] failed, although a brigade of the 31st Division, which had attacked in the disaster of 1 July, took its objectives before being withdrawn later. South of Serre, Beaumont Hamel and [[Beaucourt-sur-l'Ancre]] were captured. South of the Ancre, St. Pierre Division was captured, the outskirts of Grandcourt reached and the Canadian 4th Division captured [[Regina Trench]] north of Courcelette, then took Desire Support Trench on 18 November. Until January 1917 a lull set in, as both sides concentrated on enduring the weather.{{sfn|McCarthy|1995|pp = 148–162}}