The Battle Hostile_encounter of the Ancre was fought Hostile_encounter by the Fifth Army ( Lieutenant-General Hubert Gough ) , against the German 1st Army ( General Fritz von Below ) .

Nine corps of the French Sixth Army and the British Fourth and Third armies , attacked Attack the German 2nd Army ( General Fritz von Below ) from Foucaucourt south of the Somme northwards across the Ancre to Serre and at Gommecourt , beyond , in the Third Army area .