Italy Bound

Tuesday 11th December 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are off on holiday! At least that is how the adjutant wryly described their current mission to me on the blower this afternoon. Their parent unit, 5th Division, is one of five British divisions being sent from the Western Front to Italy, some have already gone, others are on the way now. This British force will be commanded by General Plumer, who has, reluctantly it is understood, handed over command of Second Army at Ypres to Sir Henry Rawlinson.The British divisions will be formed into two Corps, they comprise 5th, 7th, 23rd, 41st and 48th (South Midland) Divisions. Six French divisions are also being sent to Italy.

The reason for sending over 130,000 allied soldiers from France and Flanders is that Italy is in crisis. The Austrians, bolstered by German troops no longer needed to fight the Russians following that country’s collapse into anarchy, launched an attack at Caporetto on 24th October. In a battle which lasted until early November they smashed the Italian 2nd Army and threatened Venice. Fortunately the Italians managed to stabilise the front but they are dreadfully weakened in what a military friend of mine calls the 3 Ms - material, morale and men. It is hoped that the British and French troops will provide the sort of help to the Italians that the Germans did for the Austrians - well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened units around which the Italians can rebuild their strength.

Today the 1st Bedfords went to Anvin and have boarded trains for their long journey south. They are, in fact, on two separate trains. The first, commanded by the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel P R Worrall consists of B Company and D Company. Major Chirnside commands the second train containing A Company and C Company. The transport and quartermaster’s stores have been divided equally between the two trains. They are expected to arrive at their destination on Sunday.

In far-off Palestine we understand that General Sir Edmund Allenby has made his official entry into Jerusalem. Unwilling for any comparison with his Saviour he chose to walk rather than ride in triumph.

Source: X550/2/5

Sixty Third Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 1st October 1917

23rd Division, just north of the Menin Road, was again attacked today, this time the enemy being supported by the strafing of machine-guns from low-flying aircraft. 69th Brigade received the attack and the enemy managed an advance of about 150 yards before being stopped. Three other attacks were made during the day but these were each seen-off by the defenders.

Two more divisions came under attack through the day. 7th Division is in the sector including the northern parts of Polygon Wood, which it took over from 4th Australian Division. Two attacks were made on them during the day, but without success for the attackers. 21st Division are on 7th Division’s right flank on the eastern fringes of Polygon Wood. The enemy seemed interested in retaking Glencorse Wood, now well behind the lines, penetrating as far as Black Watch Corner as the Leicestershire Regiment was driven back at one point, but we understand that the line has been retaken and stabilised.

Elsewhere the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are back in the front line near Hollebeke. Their dispositions are as shown on the map above. 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are near Lens and had an unusual experience today. At around three o’clock this evening, three Germans were captured. These were not, as one might expect, men from the trenches opposite but three prisoners-of-war who had escaped from a cage at Dieppe and had made it all the way back nearly to No Man’s Land.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/9/1

Sixty Second Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Sunday 30th September 1917

Today the action at Ypres has been restricted to the area of 23rd Division, just north of the Menin Road. They relieved 33rd Division in the line last night. It may be that the enemy realised a relief was under way and sought to exploit the natural confusion that prevails at these times, or it may be they had planned an attack anyway. However it may be, the attack was made with the aid of numerous flame-throwers but was driven off by the 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment of 70th Brigade.

Once again it has been a dry day, so the latter part of September, blue and clear and well and truly autumn, has mocked the high summer days of August, so full of greyness and rain.

Fifty Second Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Thursday 20th September 1917

Today the great offensive, like the engine of a Mark IV Tank, once more roared into life, something the gentlemen of His Majesty’s Press Corps here at the front have been urging for a little while now. Today’s action has straddled the ground either side of the Menin Road, with eleven divisions involved.

One of the earliest actions was a raid near Hollebeke by the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, of which we hope to be able to speak at greater length tomorrow.

The action, running from south to north, has been as follows. 19th (Western) Division attacked with two brigades, 57th and 58th in the area immediately north of Hollebeke and the 2nd Bedfords. Their attack ran south-eastwards and, despite some local difficulties, it appears to have gone well. The strong-points of Hessian Wood, Moat Farm, Funny Farm, Wood Farm, Belgian Wood and North Farm have all been taken and the division is understood to be anticipating a counter-attack(1).

39th Division attacked in a south-easterly direction, took the greater part of Bulgar Wood from positions on the eastern edge of Shrewsbury Forest. A post was also established on the far side of a stream known as the Bassevillebeek.

41st Division were attacking south-eastwards in the general direction of Gheluveldt, though this was not an objective. All three brigades of this division were used. Progress was difficult at times but objectives have been taken including Java Avenue, Tower Trench and Bitter Wood. They could not quite take Tower Hamlets, which is a very strongly sited and defended maze of concrete dug-outs and pillboxes, but have dug in right in front of it and, in places, they are a way short of the Bassevillebeek.

23rd Division used 68th and 69th Brigades and attacked on the left flank of 41st Division and managed to advance a way further, in most places taking all their objectives. 69th Brigade straddled the Menin Road itself. Between them they have taken Dumbarton Wood and Herenthage Chȃteau and, we are very glad to report, the festering sore of Inverness Copse has been eradicated, by 11th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment. This afternoon the understand the enemy made a two determined attempts to retake lost ground but these were destroyed by artillery fire.

1st Australian Division is on the left of 23rd Division and 2nd Division on their flank further to the north. The 6th Australian Battalion passed through Glencorse Wood, of evil memory, with as little difficulty as the 7th Bedfords did on 10th August. Unlike the case with the Bedfords, the units on their flanks also continued going forward, making the Australians’ advance a much easier proposition. The 1st Division has also taken Fitzclarence Farm along with Verbeek Farm, also Nonne Bosschen, the advance coming to a halt on the western edge of Polygon Wood. 2nd Division took Hanebeek, Iron Cross and Anzac House and achieved all its objectives.

9th (Scottish) Division went into action on the left flank of the Australians, attacking north-eastwards in the general direction of Zonnebeke. Two brigades were used - 27th and the South African Brigade. Hanebeek Wood fell quickly, as did the Potsdam pillboxes and the Zonnebeke Redoubt. The South Africans took Borry Farm, Zevenkote and Bremen Redoubts. We understand they were attacked by the enemy about two hours ago, but beat them off.

55th (West Lancashire) Division attacked with 164th and 165th Brigades. . 165th Brigade has taken Iberian, Lens, Gallipoli, Kier, Suvla, Capitol and Delva Farms as well as Hill 35 - another thoroughly successful attack. The day seems to have been harder for 164th Brigade. They have taken Aisne and Loos Farms and Hindu Cottage and Schuler Galleries but further gains seem to have eluded them, a rare disappointment in this day of successes.

58th (2nd/1st) London Division have also made a successful advance, 174th Brigade taking Vancouver Farm and Keerselare as well as Hübner Farm and Dimple Trench, Cluster House, Clifton House, Wurst Farm and Olive House, all their objectives. 173rd Brigade have made a full advance and taken the western edge of the Gravenstafel Spur.

Our friends the 51st (Highland) Division, quartered in Bedford until 1915, attacked with 154th Brigade. They have taken Pheasant Trench and Flora Cottage, Quebec Farm and Bavaroise House. Pheasant Farm Cemetery, Malta, Rose and Delta Houses were taken in a second wave of attacks. A couple of hours ago the enemy began a counter-attack between York Farm and Tweed House. We understand that the highlanders are putting up stiff resistance(2).

20th (Light) Division was the northernmost division in the attack, using 59th and 60th Brigades. 60th Brigade was held up by a defensive line called Eagle Trench, though we understand this is again under assault as I write this (3). 59th Brigade have also been held up by Eagle Trench(4).

It will be evident from the foregoing that fighting is still going on in parts of the battlefield. Nevertheless, it has been a very successful day, with deep gains across a broad front making it the best day for our armies since 31st July. Naturally we have to be cautious about the possibility of enemy counter-attacks overnight and early tomorrow, but there is a decided air of optimism among the “gentlemen of the press” out here tonight.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) When it arrived at 7.30 p.m. it was quickly stopped.

(2) Until their ammunition ran out, which forced a retirement, Rose Farm falling to the enemy. After collecting ammunition from the dead and wounded the Scots attacked again, retaking the lost ground.

(3) It fell but that was the limit of the gains.

(4) Which could not be taken in its entirety

Twenty Eighth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 27th August 1917

A number of small attacks have again been made today, scattered across the battlefront around Ypres. 41st Brigade of 23rd Division, aided by two tanks, made an attack, in the rain, on about 600 yards of enemy trench running from the Menin Road through the western edge of Inverness Copse, without success.

To the north, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division attacked a line from Schuler Farm to Gallipoli Farm, again without success. On their right flank 15th (Scottish) Division tried to take Gallipoli Farm itself. On reaching the remains of the farm buildings heavy machine-gun fire forced the men of the Highland Light Infantry back. On the left flank of 61st Division, 144th Brigade of 48th (South Midland) Division attacked the strong-points of Springfield, Vancouver and Vampire Farms. As I write this there is word that Springfield Farm has finally fallen to the men of 1st/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, otherwise little of the muddy ground could be gained, the ooze being knee-deep in most places.

11th (Northern) Division, just to the north of 48th Division, They managed a short advance but were faced with severe machine gun fire from the German strong-points at Vampire, Vancouver and Pheasant Farms. However, we understand that the outer buildings of Vielles Maisons have been reached and part of Pheasant Trench has been taken. On the left flank of 11th Division, 38th (Welsh) Division tried to go forward but, we are given to understand, fell too far behind the barrage because of the bad going and were subjected to such intense fire that they could not advance.

Away from the mud of Flanders, we heard this morning that yesterday the 1st/5th Bedfords, in front of Gaza are occupying a position picturesquely entitled Wart Hill, a way behind the front line on Sire Ridge south of the enemy-occupied town. About 10.30 last night a man was killed while sleeping in a dug-out, the earth gave way and buried him(1). For the last ten days of so the Battalion has been digging communication trenches on Sheikh Abbas Ridge south-east of Gaza

Source: X550/6/8

(1) 200728 Private S Kirby, he is now buried in Gaza War Cemetery having been buried in Essex Cemetery at 18.30 on 27th August by Captain Rev. Marriot, Chaplain to the Forces.

Day One Hundred on the Somme

Sunday 8th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The Canadians have been in action today in cold, stinging rain. They attacked another position on the battlefield called, due to its shape, The Quadrilateral. This particular quadrilateral is north-west of Le Sars. Sadly, the gallant men from the prairies lost two-thirds of their strength and were forced to retire to their starting positions. Regina Trench still holds out against the Canadians.

The fighting from Le Sars in an arc south-east to Lesboeufs begun yesterday continues today. It rained all night and the battlefield is very muddy. 23rd Division have got as far as a point around half a mile north-west of Le Sars. 47th (1st/2nd London) Division managed to enter Snag Trench but were soon evicted again.

Away on the right 56th (London) Division attacked north-east. However, once again their progress was very difficult and we understand that they will retire back to their original line under cover of darkness as there are too few men to hold the positions gained.

Second Lieutenant A H Waddy

7th Bedfords are training behind the lines. Captain Bridcutt tells me that they have been joined by Second Lieutenant H M Woodyer, Second Lieutenant R J Clarke, Second Lieutenant J J Murray and Second Lieutenant A H Waddy. He commented to me: “These are a good stamp of recruit officers”.

Source: X550/8/1

Day Ninety Six on the Somme

Wednesday 4th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

More fighting has been going amid the deep mud at the Schwaben Redoubt today but, as far as can be seen, neither side has gained or lost much. 23rd Division made an attack before dawn toward Le Sars but was stopped by bullets and mud.

Day Eighty Nine on the Somme

Wednesday 27th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

This morning I received some splendid news from the adjutant of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Captain Bridcutt. Readers will remember that yesterday 54th Brigade of 18th Division seized a good part of the fortress village of Thiepval: “The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel G. D. Price and I arrived at the Chateau in Thiepval. After conferring with Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, commanding the scattered portions of the three battalions (12th Middlesex, 11th Royal Fusiliers and 6th Northamptonshires) Colonel Price decided to attack the untaken portion of Thiepval - the north-western part of the village. Dispositions for the attack were as follows C and D Companies, commanded by Captains Leslie Keep and Mulligan respectively, were detailed for the assault which was to be carried out in two waves with C Company on the right and D Company on the left. A and B Companies were sheltered close at hand in German dug-outs. Zero was fixed for 5.30 a.m.”

Captain T R J Mulligan

“The morning was extremely dark and the assaulting companies had great difficulty in forming up for the attack on the correct alignment. At about 5.45 all was ready and a few minutes later the two waves advanced, sweeping across the untaken portion of ground and the enemy trenches. Two machine-guns and a good deal of rifle fire opened from the enemy's lines but our troops continued to advance and in a short time were in possession of the German trenches on the north-western face of Thiepval. Captain Mulligan and Second Lieutenant Potts fell, badly wounded but during the action 36 prisoners were taken and about a hundred Germans killed by rifle fire and bayonets”.

“This action, though apparently small, was of the utmost importance as without the whole of the Village of Thiepval and the trenches surrounding it being captured, the whole line of attack was held up. So to the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (especially C and D Companies) belongs the honour and glory of the final destruction of one of the Germans’ strongest positions and one which they had boasted could never be taken”.

“Our casualties were 2 officers above mentioned and about 110 other ranks in the above action. The other three battalions of the 54th Brigade, who made yesterday’s attack on Thiepval, had been withdrawn to cover in our support area”. If Captain Bridcutt sounded elated he can be forgiven. The Battalion, and the division more widely, has achieved something of note today, the equal of its successes on the first day of the battle and at Trônes Wood.

I have since learned that of just over one hundred men wounded, 51 have been killed today, with two having died last night in moving up to support the brigade attack. A number of others will likely not survive the day. An officer killed, not mentioned by the adjutant, is Second Lieutenant Ian Ross-Taylor from Essex. Lieutenant Henry Potts is very gravely wounded and has been moved back to a hospital near Boulogne(1).

This evening Captain Bridcutt has been back in touch. It looks as if the battalion will be called on again tomorrow to attack one of the three redoubts which lie near Thiepval from north to east – Schwaben Redoubt to the north. This promises to be a more dangerous operation than the taking of the village.

This afternoon 11th Division, having taken Mouquet Farm yesterday but failed to take another of these redoubts – Zollern Redoubt, tried again. Evidently they had done considerabe damage in their attack yesterday as they found the place empty and have gladly occupied it. No doubt the seizure of Thiepval also contributed to this evacuation as the place was then outflanked. They have also attacked the third of the redoubts, which lies just north of Zollern Redoubt – Stuff Redoubt. An attack here this morning filed but this afternoon 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment attacked alone. This can be disastrous but to the Yorkshiremen’s credit they have obtained a toehold on the southern face of the redoubt. An hour later another Yorkshire unit – 6th Battalion Green Howards, who had been due to attack with the West Yorkshires, took eighty or so prisoners in a nearby trench and joined their colleagues at the south face of the redoubt.

The Canadians have been involved in heavy fighting south of Le Sars over a trench called Kenora Trench, which is an eastern extension of the Regina Trench mentioned yesterday.

Elsewhere 55th (West Lancashire) Division have taken another section of Gird Trench, north-west of Gueudecourt, the village which fell yesterday. The Germans still hold part of this trench, where it joins with another called Goose Alley. 1st Division and 23rd Division have also made small gains today.

Source: X550/8/1

(1) He would die on 1st October and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

Day Eighty Six on the Somme

Sunday 24th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 1st Battalion tells me they are at Arrowhead Copse this evening, south-west of Guillemont and not far from their triumph at Falfemont Farm. They will go into action again tomorrow, using the assembly trenches east of Ginchy which they helped to dig on 20th. These are at the small squares immediately south-west of “9” on the map above.

Their task is to help take the village of Morval to the east-north-east. They will seize the second objective after 1st Norfolks have taken the first. 1st Cheshires will then drive on to the third objective, the village itself. The second objective is the sunken road immediately west of Morval shown on the map above.

56th (London) Division failed in an attempt to link up with the French today near Combles. 6th Division repulsed a German attack and an attack by 23rd Division near le Sars was thwarted. 

Source: X550/2/5

Day Eighty Four on the Somme

Friday 22nd September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

Today III Corps has been consolidating the Starfish Line which the Germans have abandoned. So this Battle of the Somme moves a little way forward. In addition a trench running from Courcelette towards Le Sars has been abandoned by the enemy and taken over by 23rd Division.

One can only assume that the Germans are suffering. They are still fighting the French at Verdun and our army’s attacks, though they have cost us thousands of dead and injured, must have hurt them as badly. It is noticeable that the German doctrine calls for immediate and heavy counter-attacks when a position is lost and these must inflict as many casualties on them as the initial assault does on our men. For the Germans to give up a number of trenches like this is unusual and may reflect the fact that the enemy are, slowly, being “bled white” as they themselves planned to do to the French at Verdun(1)

(1) The Battle of the Somme would cost around half a million British and Commonwealth casualties and a quarter of a million French. The Germans would lose somewhere between these two figures. The casualties at Verdun were of about the same magnitude – half a million each for French and Germans. This day would prove to be exactly half way through the war.