were more than half of the battalions in the line engaged simultaneously. British assaults were constant, small and narrow-front, against which the Germans could concentrate artillery, easily to inflict many casualties. British divisions stayed in the front line from and casualties varied from day in the 5th Division to fewer than day in the 23rd Division. Gary Sheffield wrote that criticism of Haig underestimated the difficulty in balancing tactical, operational and strategic demands; line straightening attacks were costly but were better than imposing complicated manoeuvres on the infantry. Casualties From the 1st Division suffered and from the 7th Division lost The German 7th and 8th divisions had from on the front from Delville Wood to High Wood. From August, the 51st (Highland) Division had and the 47th (1/2nd London) Division suffered more than from At least and German soldiers died in the wood in 1916. Commemoration On the edge of High Wood is the London Cemetery and Extension. This Commonwealth cemetery was opened with the interment of of the 47th (1/2nd London) Division in the days following 15 September 1916 and extended in 1934. The men were buried in a large shell hole and by 1987, the cemetery contained the remains of whom have no name. Opposite the cemetery is a 47th (1/2nd London) Division memorial and a cairn for the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Highland Light Infantry. A memorial to the Cameron Highlanders and Black Watch lies on the east side of the wood. Memorials to the 1st and 51st divisions, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, Cameron Highlanders, 1st South Wales Borderers, 10th Glosters and the 20th Royal Fusiliers were also built in the wood; Thistle Dump Cemetery is in a field to the south. High Wood is also mentioned in a poem by Siegfried Sassoon and is the subject of High Wood by P. Johnstone. The stench of rotting corpses in the wood was overwhelming and it inspired Ewart MacKintosh to write a parody of Chalk Farm to Camberwell Green. Notes Footnotes References Further reading External links Campaign Map, Commonwealth War Graves Commission Maps and photographs of High Wood and memorials High Wood photo essay Conflicts in 1916 1916 in France Battle of the Somme Geography of Somme (department) Forests of France Tourist attractions in Somme (department)