Thursday 23 February 2017

More Work for the Royal Engineers


Friday 23rd February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The adjutant of the 1st Field Company East Anglian Royal Engineers reports that they have taken over “intermediate work”. It turns out that this means the installation of a water supply system from a well in an old sugar beet factory of which there are a number on the Somme. They are also building of several messes on dug-outs south of Miraumont for the use of 2nd Divisional Headquarters.

They are also making a dug-out for the Royal Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters, fitting gas canisters in dugouts at Courcellette, erecting camouflage screens, constructing an office at Centre Way Dump, maintaining and repairing a duck board track to said dump and constructing a bomb store. Truly, there is no rest for the sapper.

We continue to hear rumours of German retreat. All our fingers are crossed(1).

Source: WW1/WD3

(1) The German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line began on the night of 22nd/23rd February. The Germans concealed it brilliantly and the allies were slow to follow-up.

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