On 1 July 1916 there were six German divisions holding the line, with another three in reserve.  The British attacked with 15 divisions.  Three or four German infantry regiments, each of about 2,400 men made up a division.  This was about half the fighting strength of a British division.  A machine gun company was attached to each German infantry regiment.  Initially armed with six machine guns, they had been reinforced by 1916.  The Germans’ numerical disadvantage was offset by their well-sited defences and their superior firepower.