Thirty Seventh Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Captain L F Beal [X550/1/82] 

Wednesday 5th September 1917

61st (South Midland) Division made another piecemeal attack on Hill 35 today, the 2nd/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment being selected for the task. They succeeded in capturing an outpost but were unable to hold it.

The adjutant of 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells us that Captain L F Beal MC has joined from the 2nd Battalion. He will be an acting major and act as second-in-command.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/7/1

Thirty Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Tuesday 4th September 1917

61st (2nd South Midland) Division continue their small, piecemeal attacks on the German strong-points north of Ypres. Today they managed to get within a few yards of Aisne Farm before falling back due to heavy fire.

The enemy has yielded another strong-point without a fight, however. 58th Division has occupied a place called Spot Farm.

Spot Farm

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are now in the front line trenches east of Oostaverne, well to the south of Ypres, that sector, at the moment, being quiet.

6th Battalion are at Mount Sorrel, south-east of Zillebeke. The adjutant contacted us this evening to let us know that the enemy had attempted to raid the battalion’s trenches east of Klein Zillebeke, but was driven off by rifle fire. He stated: “A Company under Second Lieutenant R K Wright, who was slightly wounded, did very well on this occasion and were mainly instrumental in bringing about the failure of the raid. A patrol sent out after the raid brought in a dead Hun who provided a valuable identification. The enemy came over in some strength and were provided with explosive charges”. The dead man had, presumably, identification papers enabling the Bedfords to determine his unit.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/7/1

Thirty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 3rd September 1917

The only action here today has been another attempt by 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, to take Hill 35 from the enemy, having obtained a foothold on it a few days ago. Their efforts, sad to report, do not seem to have been crowned with success.

6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 37th Division, are at Mount Sorrel south-east of Zillebeke. They have had a petty officer and eight sailors attached for the day to learn what it is like in and near the front line.

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are in the support trenches at Hill 70 near Loos-en-Gohelle. This evening the adjutant contacted your correspondent on the blower with news that Captain G D Brewster and Second Lieutenant T A Jones were both wounded in no man’s land by a German grenade whilst on patrol in the early hours this morning. They did, however, obtain valuable information for their pains.

Sources: X550/7/1; X550/9/1

Thirty Third Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Saturday 1st September 1917

Two small, but stiff, fights have rent the air in different sectors of the Ypres battlefront today. 24th Division in the infamous Inverness Copse found themselves under attack, but managed to throw the attack back. Meanwhile 61st (2nd South Midland) Division further north launched an attack on Hill 35, managing to occupy a portion of it. As one of my football-minded colleagues put it - Great Britain 2, the Kaiser 0.

7th Battalion are hard at work practising for their next attack. They are at a village called Buysscheure well to the west of Ypres and in France. They have been undertaking a new form of attack, developed from experience in their recent fighting.

The 8th Battalion are in trenches south-east of Lens. Their total strength, the adjutant tells us, is 40 officers and 856 other ranks. They have received 22 men back from hospital but the grim weather in August has sent 45 of their fellows thither. 1st/5th Battalion, in far-away Palestine, reports that there are, on average 35 men in hospital at any one time at the moment, but thanks to reinforcements. Their strength has risen from 16 officers and 707 other ranks on 1st August to 27 officers and 855 other ranks as of yesterday.

Sources: X550/6/8; X550/8/1; X550/9/1

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.

Twenty Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Saturday 25th August 1917

Again today the 15th (Scottish) Division has been in action, attacking Gallipoli Farm, which they had assaulted without success two days ago. Today’s attack, by the Black Watch, has again been unsuccessful, though the front line has been advanced by nearly 200 yards. The Division also attacked a strong-point called Iberian Farm, again without success. Meanwhile the Worcesters of 61st Division have also made another unsuccessful attack on Aisne Farm. 48th Division, however, have taken some enemy gun pits near Saint-Julien which the enemy had retaken yesterday.

These small-scale attacks fit the mould to which we became used last year during the battle of the Somme. Grand sweeping attacks would be followed by days of small, piecemeal attacks to straighten the line here, or seize a strong-point there to assist those in the area launching the next grand attack. Again, like the Somme, the lesson has been relived that taking strong-points such as farms, with their ruined buildings and deep cellars is difficult and costly.

Twenty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 24th August 1917

There has been fighting again today around the Ypres Salient. 14th (Light) Division are at the old stamping ground of the 18th Division - Inverness Copse. This morning the front line ran through the middle of this blasted wood and at 4 a.m. the enemy unleashed a powerful barrage upon it and the ground north of it, as far as Glencorse Wood. They then launched an attack by men with grenades and flame-throwers. On the open ground just south of Glencorse Wood and east of Fitzclarence Farm the Germans were successful in driving the Division back somewhat. They were less successful in Inverness Copse, as shattered trees make very effective obstacles to progress of any attacker. As I write this the Division is still holding the western edge of the wood.

Again, as I write the Worcesters of 61st Division are attacking an enemy strongpoint called Aisne Farm(1)

After their day at the seaside yesterday the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are back to training today. The adjutant tells me that 5th Army musketry range was allotted to the Battalion. The men were taken there by lorries starting at 9 a.m. The rifle shooting of the men was good each man fired 15 rounds at a figure target, and Lewis gunners fired at a plate.

Source: X550/8/1

(1)This was unsuccessful.

Twenty Third Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Wednesday 22nd August 1917

Today, another day without rain, has seen a number of attacks, the main effort being made by four divisions between Frezenburg and Langemarck. The divisions involved (south to north) have been 15th (Scottish), 61st (2nd South Midland), 48th (South Midland) and 11th (Northern).

15th Division attacked with two brigades but was able to achieve little against a solid wall of machine-gun fire. We understand some yardage has been gained but the strongpoints of Potsdam, Vampire and Borry Farms remain in enemy hands.

61st Division attacked with 184th Brigade which was able to make a little more progress, taking Hindu Cottage. 48th Division, using 143rd and 144th Brigades, captured some enemy gun pits, but the enemy was able to retake these. We understand that here, again, the advance has been quite limited, the men consolidating just west of Springfield and Winnipeg Farms.

11th Division’s attack was made by 33rd Brigade which began its attack from a sideways V-shaped position, the centre being west of the two flanks. Bulow Farm has been taken, ironing out the kink in the line.

All these attacks have been made in high temperatures through stinking mud and foul standing water. A number of tanks were deployed but they were hamstrung by having to operate only on roads, their great weight bogging them down in the quagmire if they left the firmer surface. Given these dreadful conditions, to make any progress at all has been creditable.