Prior to the Battle of the Somme the Germany Army carved out their front line trench just a few metres in front of a deep, steep-sided ravine which afforded a unique terrain in which they were able to protect and conceal large numbers of infantry in deep underground shelters.

It came to be known by its wartime nickname from the two stubby arms which fork out in a 'Y' shape at its eastern end, which were just behind the front line trench of July 1, 1916.

However, a slight rise just behind the German front line trench concealed the presence of the ravine and the shelters within.

Confident that the week-long preparatory artillery barrage would decimate the defenses and defenders within, when the attack was launched on July 1, 1916, unseen German soldiers of the battle-hardened 119th Reserve Regiment emerged from their concealed bombardment-proof dugouts hidden in the ravine and played a key role in brutally repelling the attack.

[4] The cemetery, arranged in a cruciform shape, covers an area of 1,166 square metres and is enclosed by a rubble wall.