e-gun fire they pushed on in ordered lines. Soon the
devastating storm of German artillery fire cut great gaps in their
formation, yet not a man hung back or wavered. And this destructive
German fire, accurate and relentless, the British soldiers faced
unflinchingly from early dawn to high noon. Here and there the German
position was penetrated by the more adventurous spirits, some
detachments even forcing their way through it, but they could not hold
their ground. The attack was checked everywhere, and by evening what
was left of the British troops from Gommecourt to Thiepval struggled
back to their old line.

The British had failed to win their objective, but the day had not been
wholly wasted; they had struck deep into the heart of the German defense
and inspired in the enemy a wholesome respect for their fighting powers.
In this stubborn attack nearly every English, Scotch, and Irish regiment
was represented--a Newfoundland battalion, a little company of
Rhodesians, as well as London and Midland Territorials--all of whom
displayed high courage. Again and again the German position was pierced.
Part of one British division broke through south of Beaumont-Hamel and
penetrated to the Station road on the other side of the quarry, a
desperate adventure that cost many lives. It was at Beaumont-Hamel,
under the Hawthorne Redoubt, that exactly at 7.30 a. m., the hour of
attack, the British exploded a mine which they had been excavating for
seven months. It was the work of Lancashire miners, the largest mine
constructed thus far in the campaign. It was a success. Half the village
and acres of land sprang into the air, blotting out for a time the light
of the sun on the scene and hiding in a pall of dust and smoke the
rapidly advancing British troops.

In the day's fighting the Irish soldiers were especially distinguished
for many remarkable acts of bravery. The Royal Irish Fusiliers were
the first to leave the trenches. To the north of Thiepval the Ulster
Division broke through the German position at a point called "The
Crucifix," holding for a time the formidable Schwaben Redoubt, and
some even penetrated the outskirts of Grandcourt. The Royal Irish
Rifles swept over the German parapet, and, assisted by the
Inniskillings, cleared the trenches and destroyed the machine gunners.
Through the enemy lines they swept, enfiladed on three sides, and
losing so heavily that only a few escaped from the desperate venture.
But the gall