The Welch at Mametz wood

The Welch (38th) Division) took part in a two-pronged, pincer attack on Mametz Wood on July 7th 1916. The other division involved was the 17th. This was during the second phase of the battle. From our point of view it seems crazy that you would continue with the same approach after the losses on Day one. But that is pretty much what happened. Preliminary bombardment, hope it deals with the defenders (which it did not), advance slowly to objective. And die in your thousands.

The first attack failed. They were ordered in again a few days later and after intense hand-to-hand fighting in what was left of the wood over two days were finally able to evict the German defenders. 4000 men were killed or wounded. The Welch had more than their fare share of poets and writers in the ranks. One of the wrote an epic poem about his experiences in the division and at Mametz wood.

http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/collections/jones

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mametz_Wood