_Before reaching Pozières, N. 29 passes over Hill 160._ The windmill
which formerly stood there has disappeared.
From the top of Hill 160, which dominates the whole district, there
is an extensive view in the direction of Bapaume. To keep this
observation-post, the Germans transformed Pozières into a fortress
defended by more than 200 machine-guns.
After capturing Ovillers-la-Boisselle and advancing little by little
along the National road as far as the outskirts of Pozières, the
British attacked on July 23, 1916, but only at midnight were they able
to get a footing in the village. Throughout the night and the two
following days, the fighting went on with unabated fury. It was only
on July 26 that the Germans were definitively driven from the northern
part of the village, and the fortified cemetery, and a few days later
from the windmill on Hill 160.
[Illustration: +BRITISH CROSS.+ _In front: +OVERTURNED TANK+._]
[Illustration: POZIÈRES. GERMAN OBSERVATION-POST.]
Violent counter-attacks were made in August, liquid fire being used in
some cases. These attacks were particularly fierce to the north-west of
the village and in the vicinity of the windmill, on the night of August
16, when six assaulting waves were broken by the British artillery
barrage-fire.
When this furious struggle died down, nothing was left of the village.
Its site, completely levelled and upturned, is now indistinguishable
from the surrounding country--formerly fruitful fields of corn and
beet, to-day a chaotic waste of shell-holes.
A German observation-post of concrete _is seen on the right_, and
another, less damaged, with very deep shelters _(photo below), also on
the right. On leaving the village, 300 yards further on, to the right_,
there is a large British cemetery.
_In the village of Pozières, the road, to Thiepval, which branches off
to the right, is only passable for about 1 km. 500. From this point the
tourist should go on foot to Thiepval._
[Illustration: POZIÈRES. GERMAN OBSERVATION-POST.]
[Illustration]