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below is a record from the Manchester regiment. The bombardment of the german lines commenced in June and after some delays the attack started on 1st July 1916. The 2nd moved from Bazincourt to Aveluy Wood after two weeks of furnishing working parties. On the night of the 30th June they took up their places at the Black Horse shelters and Crucifux Corner. At zero hour the battalion was ordered up to Authuille Wood. The 14th brigade was to follow up the 97th who would advance across the open ground, here they faced german machine guns so well dug in that the artillery had not effected them. Some elements of the 97th and the 14th division made it to the enemy line, but no one was able to get very far. The objective was Mouquet (Monkey) Farm and beyond but after the germans had brought up their artillery, creating havoc in the front and rear, and the troops were running out of ammunition and expecting a counter attack at any minute, it was decided that withdrawal to a less exposed position was the only option. The 2nd battalion was holding the captured ground on the morning of the 2nd July and was counter attacked but held on all day until relieved that evening. My Great Uncle George Terrell Died on the 2nd July aged 24