In the vast open landscapes of the Somme, near to the village of Fleurs,

tanks were used for the first time in September 1916. But here too an English earl led his

men into their first battle and was killed, and the ground on which he was buried became known locally as the

Colonel's Field. What links this part of the old front line to Yorkshire? And who was this

English Earl? We begin this week in the hearse of the village of Fleurs, on the road

that runs from Longerval, near Delville Wood,

right through the village and onwards to Ligny-Tilloy.

Fleurs gives its name to the Battle of Fleurs-Corslet, which took place in this area on the 15th of September, 1916,

when British, Canadian and New Zealand forces attacked on a large front from the village of Corsolette on the left

through to Fleurs roughly in the centre, and across to two woods, Boulogwood, Loiswood, Bulley and Lousy Wood, near to the village of Combles on the right.

In this attack, tanks were used for the very first time as part of the heavy section machine gun corps.

And here at Fleurs, on this very road that we're standing on now,

it was said that tanks were advancing through the village of Fleurs

with the whole of the British army behind cheering.

Well, it wasn't quite entirely like that, and the use of tanks in this very first battle

is a subject that will return to one day. But we're beginning at a memorial right in the use of tanks in this very first battle is a subject that we'll return to one day.

But we're beginning at a memorial right in the middle of the village of Fleurs.

A very striking memorial of bronze British Tommy with his Lee Enfield rifle in his hand,

still helmet, looking out straight down that road.

And it's a memorial that I first saw on the cover of Rose

Coombs before Endeavors Fade which was in those days the guidebook to the battlefields of the

Great War it's an imposing striking monument and it commemorates the men of the 41st division

...