reported that Acid Drop Copse and sections of trench had been demolished. German: 2–6 July The British attack north of the Bapaume–Albert road failed on 1 July but in the area of the 28th Reserve Division south of the road, the British captured Montauban Ridge and the 28th Reserve Division only avoided destruction because of the arrival of the 10th Bavarian Division, the corps reserve. The British attacks south of the road continued and Fricourt was occupied on the night of Next day, the British advanced up the rise facing the south-west side of Contalmaison and established positions south of Mametz Wood to the right. The 3rd Guard Division was rushed from Valenciennes and relieved the remnants of the 28th Reserve and 10th Bavarian divisions from the Bapaume–Albert road, past Mametz Wood to Flat Iron Copse. After the loss of the first position south of the road on 1 July, the defenders fought on, from intermediate positions in front of the second position along the south side of the Pozières–Ginchy Ridge. The defence took place along the spurs running down from the ridge to the Mametz–Montauban valley. The main 3rd Guard Division position blocking the approaches to Contalmaison was the running across Contalmaison Spur. The trench had been dug before the battle and had barbed wire obstacles in front and several deep-mined dugouts, some deep. On the German right was III (Fourth Street to the British) which connected the with Ovillers and on the left, Wood Trench linked with Mametz Wood. On the night of the relief of the Guard by the 183rd Division from Cambrai began but IR 184 was detached, leaving two regiments to take over, who found that the second position had been severely damaged and that many dug-out entrances were blocked. The area was still occupied by support units of the 3rd Guard Division and many of the 183rd Division troops had to lie on the open, losing many casualties to British artillery-fire. The bombardment continued during the morning and III Battalion, RIR 122 had as Contalmaison disappeared in a cloud of smoke, debris flying upwards as heavy shells exploded. Battle 7 July XV Corps headquarters decided that the attack on Mametz Wood and Contalmaison should begin with the capture of Quadrangle Support Trench beyond Quadrangle Trench and Pearl Alley. The ground was open and the artillery had difficulty in ranging so an attack at by