2nd army bore the brunt of the allied attack in the battle of the somme. it had grown to such an extent that a decision was made to split it into two still-powerful armies. therefore, 1st army was reformed on 19 july 1916 from the right (northern) wing of the 2nd army. the former commander of 2nd army, general der infanterie fritz von below, took command of 1st army and 2nd army got a new commander general der artillerie max von gallwitz. von gallwitz was also installed as commander of "heeresgruppe" gallwitz – somme to co-ordinate the actions of both armies on the somme.