Day Forty on the Somme

Wednesday 9th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 6th Bedfords, attached to 34th Division and currently at Bazentin-le-Petit, that they were involved last night in fighting which claimed one officer and eight other ranks killed, twenty five other ranks missing and two officers and forty nine other ranks wounded.

At Guillemont another attack was made this morning at 4.20. It was met with withering machine-gun fire. An attack south of the railway line was also made by 2nd Division and also failed. Sadly, the men of the 2nd Division who reached Guillemont Station yesterday and those of 55th Division who got into Guillemont near the quarry  on the western side of the village have been killed or captured. I am told parties could be seen through field glasses, being marched away by the Germans.

The 4th Australian Division attacked north-west from Pozières today, along the ridge. The fighting was intense but the German trench known as Park Lane was captured. This is important as it defends a place called Mouquet Farm, which the Germans still hold.

Source: X550/7/1

Day Thirty Eight on the Somme

Monday 7th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, the seventh battalion of the regiment to go into action in this war, that they are now in France, having kanded on 26th July, based behind the lines in the area around the town of Souchez, between Béthune and Arras. They are part of a most interesting Division called 63rd (Royal Naval Division). The Bedfords’ own Brigade (190th) consists of two other battalions from line regiments (7th Royal Fusiliers and 10th Royal Dublin Fusiliers) as well as a Territorial Army battalion, 1st/1st Honourable Artillery Company (an infantry battalion, not an artillery company, despite its name!).

The other two brigades are made up of two battalions of Royal Marine Light Infantry and six battalions made up of surplus sailors who have been turned into infantrymen. These six battalions are named after great British admirals – Drake, Nelson, Hawke, Hood, Anson and Howe. The exploits of Drake and Nelson are well-known. Edward, Baron Hawke (1705-1781) defeated the French at the Battles of Cape Finisterre in 1747 and Quiberon Bay in 1759. Samuel, 1st Viscount Hood (1724-1819) took part in the American and French revolutionary wars, distinguishing himself against the French in defending British possessions in the West Indies. Admiral Richard Howe (1726-1799) defeated the French on the Glorious First of June (1794) and relieved the siege of Gibraltar in 1783. George, 1st Baron Anson (1697-1762) sailed round the World in 1741-1742, oversaw the navy’s actions in an abortive invasion by the French in 1759 and commanded in successful actions against them in Canada and the West Indies. None of these men ever seem to have fought a German enemy!

7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has re-entered the front line today. It is near Armentières, well to the north of here.

Lieutenant Jacka

Around 4 am this morning the Germans launched another attack on Pozières and quickly defeated and overran the Australians in the front line. However, we understand that a small counter-attack by Lieutenant Jacka VC and seven men inspired his compatriots to stiffen resistance and finally defeat the German attack(1)

Another attack has been made today by 17th (Northern) Division at Delville Wood following their failure on August 4th. This attack was launched at 4.30 this afternoon. Again German artillery stopped the advance whilst it was still in the remains of this accursed wood.

Overnight the German artillery proved positions held by 34th Division, which is in reserve in and around Mametz Wood. 6th Bedfords are part of this division and lost eight other ranks killed and one officer and twenty four other ranks wounded.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/7/1; X550/8/1

(1) Albert Jacka had won the Victoria Cross at Gallipoli. He commanded 14th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. The fact that he was awarded a Military Cross for this action, rather than a bar to his Victoria Cross, was one of many sources of Australian discontent both during and after the war. 

Day Ten on the Somme

Monday 10th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The Battle for Trônes Wood began in earnest yesterday, with the wood being taken and then lost by 30th Division. Last night a trench was dug by 30th Division on the south-west edge of the wood and early this morning troops from 90th Brigade used this to move into the wood, which seemed empty. However, the enemy then moved back in and fighting has been confused throughout the day, dead British and German bodies are intermingled and, added to the fallen and splintered trees and shell-holes have made a once pleasant wood into something from Hell. It is a thoroughly confusing place where it is easy to lose one’s bearings according to men who have been in and come out again alive.

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment forms a part 90th Brigade but has not yet been used in any attack in this ten day-old battle. Tonight the adjutant has received orders that they are to go into action in the wood tomorrow. It is believed that it is currently only lightly held by the enemy but these things can change quickly. Certainly the defenders have put up a stiff fight today. Tonight the Battalion rests near an old French brickworks close to the south-west edge of Bernafay Wood which lies a few hundred yards west of Trônes Wood.

This afternoon the village of Contalmaison was finally captured by 23rd and 34th Divisions. This place has been in the army’s sights for over a week and great satisfaction is felt that it is finally “in the bag”. 6th Bedfords did not take part in the capture but formed a defensive flank against German counter-attacks, which cost them 6 dead, 4 missing and 40 wounded.

The 38th (Welsh) Division has been involved in heavy fighting in Mametz Wood. It is understood that they have managed to infiltrate and capture a good portion of it.

Source: X550/3/wd