July 15 1916

The Battle of the Somme between German and British forces begins at Delville Wood near Longueal in France. The 1st South African Infantry Brigade holds the wood until July 20, when they are relieved. Only 750 remain of the brigade’s 3 433 soldiers, with the rest either killed or wounded. The Battle of Delville Wood (until September 3), described as an example of supreme sacrifice and heroism, is the bloodiest fought by South Africans yet. A memorial site in remembrance of South Africans who died in World War 1 is erected at Delville Wood and unveiled by the widow of General Louis Botha, Annie, on October 10 1926