Day Forty Five on the Somme

14th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

This evening Australian troops are moving in the direction of Mouquet Farm  (known variously as Moocow Farm and Mucky Farm), north of Pozières and east of Thiepval, still occupied by the Germans. It is expected that they will make an attack on the farm tonight.

This farm is not far from one of the Somme’s most heavily fortified villages – Thiepval. This hamlet sits on top of a commanding position overlooking the River Ancre. It was attacked by Ulster troops on the first day of the battle but resisted capture despite at one time looking likely to fall. In a terrible situation, which is not rare, the troops who had penetrated the defences ran out of ammunition and became cut-off meaning many were killed and others forced to surrender. It is known that High Command believes that capture of this village is vital if this Battle of the Somme is to progress to a victorious conclusion.