Day Twenty Six on the Somme

Wednesday 26th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has been, by chance, bivouacked in the remains of the Pommiers Redbout, west of Montauban, which was captured by 7th Battalion on 1st July. During the day the battalion has been moving north towards the village of Longueval, still in German hands. They were held up for two hours, however, in Caterpillar Valley by a German bombardment which included poisoned gas. Fortunately only two men have been affected. 

This bombardment seems to have been a southern spur of the terrific bombardment of the area around Pozières which has been going on for two days now. Still there is no sign of an attempt by the enemy to retake the village. This evening the bombardment has intensified still further, a thing few thought possible, so our own guns are now all engaged on shelling the German artillery positions and trenches from which any attack will come.

7th Battalion is well to the north now, near the village of Wallon-Cappel between Saint-Omer and Hazebrouck, well behind the front line. The adjutant told me this evening by telephone that the divisional commander, Sir Ivor Maxse inspected the Battalion, which was formed up en-masse in a field. They paraded as strong as possible in dull order rather than parade dress. They totalled 29 officers and about 650 other ranks out of a notional strength of just over 1,000.

General Maxse complimented the battalion highly for turning out so clean and so well-clothed and shod after its recent heavy fighting. On completion of the inspection he called all officers together and spoke in very high terms of praise of both officers, N.C.O's and men who had taken part in the recent fighting. He particularly mentioned the splendid fighting spirit of the Battalion and thanked the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel G D Price and all concerned for the very efficient manner in which the attack on the Pommiers Redoubt was carried out on the 1st July.

Today is the first anniversary of the Battalion’s landing in France. The surviving officers (twelve in number) are assembling for a dinner at the Battalion Headquarters Mess. A very enjoyable evening is anticipated.

The 1st Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers have been under gas bombardment today as they move up to support an impending attack on Longueval. Their commander told me: "This barrage was continued for three hours and the wearing of the poisoned gas helmets coupled with the somewhat dense smoke cloud rendered the location of the various overland tracks extremely difficult as the only other route (Longueval Alley) was being subjected to a fairly severe enemy bombardment".

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/8/1; X550/WD3

Preparations for the Great Offensive and Prodigals Return

Friday 30th June 1916: We have had good news from the 2nd Battalion. Corporal Thurgood and Privates Sutton, Palmer, Humbles and Gray have returned after 24 hours in the German Lines. It had been feared yesterday that they had been captured.

The adjutant of the 7th Battalion tells us that they are now concentrated in trenches of 54 Brigade Battle Front. The Bedfords, with 11th Royal Fusiliers will lead the attack tomorrow morning, with 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in support 12th Middlesex Regiment in reserve. B and C Companies will occupy the forming up trenches with two platoons in each trench. D Company will be in support and A Company in reserve. The Battalion has been at Picquigny, well behind the lines, in recent weeks, painstakingly practising attacks over very similar ground to that they will assault tomorrow, which can only help them in the din, smoke and confusion of battle.

They have three objectives – the German front line system with support trenches; the German second line including a strongpoint known as the Pommiers Redoubt on the main road from Mametz to Montauban and a line well to the rear of the German lines overlooking a place called Caterpillar Valley.

The troops will be expected to be very close to the bombardment of the German positions, within 100 yards if possible. In this way immediately the guns lift in order to bombard the German second line, the troops can quickly get to the German first line before the defenders can man their positions. As the adjutant tells us: The closer the barrage is followed the greater the possibility of success”. To this end the troops will be out in no man’s land when the German front line is being bombarded and not simply waiting in their own trenches as there is some distance between the two sets of front lines.

The Royal Flying Corps will be overhead to determine how the advance is going.  Each Battalion will have a supply of red flares. One flare must be carried by each man. One special signalling lamp, one panel and one ground signal will also be taken. The ground signal will be put out as soon as Battalion Headquarters reaches its new position in the captured German lines.

Each man will carry: a rifle and equipment less the pack, which is to be left behind so that its weight does not impede swift movement. Also to be carried: one ammunition bandolier making 170 rounds carried in all (except for grenadiers who, carrying grenades, will only have 50 rounds); one day’s ration and one iron ration; one waterproof sheet; two empty sandbags and two smoke helmets.

With such a large attack in the offing we have decided to report as much as we can on the day it happens from reporters with each of our units in the field. We will thus be delaying out reports until 6 pm, London time (7 pm in France) from tomorrow, 1st July.

Source: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1