A four-month offensive in which the Canadian Corps fought at Courcelette, and Indian cavalry made one of the war's few mounted actions on the Western Front.
The Canadian Corps entered the Somme fighting from late August 1916 and attacked at Courcelette on 15 September, an action that also saw one of the first uses of tanks in war. Canadian formations remained in the Somme sector into the autumn.
On 14 July 1916 the Secunderabad Cavalry Brigade — including the 20th Deccan Horse alongside the 7th Dragoon Guards — advanced towards High Wood in one of the rare mounted actions of the Western Front. Indian cavalry divisions remained in France after the Indian infantry divisions had departed for other theatres.
Source: Canadian War Museum; Imperial War Museums; National Army Museum
An in-depth study of this engagement is in preparation. See the battles already published.