the German commanders and by 9 July, fourteen fresh divisions had been committed to the battle. Rumours circulated among the German soldiery that conditions in the battle were worse than in 1915, they were sent into action piecemeal, rather than in their normal units. The German system of devolved command left battalions isolated when they were split up to resist attacks being made in "overwhelming force". British historians called a period of failure, in which cost but to the Germans, the period from 1 to 14 July was one where they lost the initiative and were constantly kept off balance. Philpott, 2009 In 2009, William Philpott wrote that in the English-speaking world, 1 July had become a metaphor of "futility and slaughter", with casualties contrasted with losses. The huge losses of the French armies in 1915 and the refinement of French offensive tactics that took place before the opening of the battle are overlooked, as is the disarray of the Germans after their defences were smashed and the garrisons killed or captured. The British–French had gained a local advantage by the afternoon of 1 July, having breached the German defences either side of the Somme. The gap left the German second line between Assevillers and Fricourt vulnerable to a new attack but the "break-in" was not at the anticipated place and so exploitation was reduced to improvised attacks. German reserves on the Somme had been committed and reinforcements sent forward but unexpected delays had occurred, particularly to the 5th Division, which was caught in the railway bombing at St Quentin. Signs of panic were seen on the south bank and a rapid withdrawal was made to the third position at Biaches and La Maisonette. The French XX Corps on the north bank was held back as the troops on either side pressed forward, the British managing a small advance at La Boisselle. Philpott wrote that the meeting between Joffre, Haig and Foch on 3 July was far less cordial than in other accounts but that over the next day a compromise was agreed, that the British would transfer their main effort south of the Albert–Bapaume road. Foch was instructed by Joffre to co-ordinate the British–French effort on the Somme. The German policy of unyielding defence and counter-attack slowed the British advance but exposed German troops to British artillery directed by air observation, which increased in effectiveness during the period. British