Monday, 2 May 2016

More on the 8th Bedfords’ Ordeal



Tuesday 2nd May 1916: The Divisional General(1) after paying a visit to the Battalion Headquarters of the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment at the Front, personally congratulated the Commanding Officer on the Battalion’s coolness and steadiness in action on 19th April under a most fierce bombardment of eight hours’ duration. From information obtained from prisoners taken, it has been discovered that about 1,000 Germans were launched to the attack immediately after the bombardment and our men accounted for about 57 of these. The Germans stated that about 37 of our men were made prisoners. The General Officer left a message to the effect that he wished all ranks to be informed that the division are proud to have such a splendid battalion serving with them as the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment has proved itself during the operations of the past few days, in withstanding, after heavy artillery bombardment, an attack with the odds against them.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 19th May 1916

(1) Major-General Charles Ross of 6th Division.

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