Memories

Friday 3rd May 1918

Today marks the anniversary of the action at Cherisy which, as the adjutant admitted unhappily, has been the only reverse suffered by the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment in this war. Today the battalion is at Avesnes-Chaussoy west of Amiens, training.

Lieutenant-Colonel Collings-Wells

The 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is gradually recovering from the hardships and losses of the March retreat, including the action at Bouzincourt Ridge in which they lost their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Collings-Wells. A few days ago the battalion heard that Lieutenant-Colonel Collings-Wells had been awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his leadership during the retreat and his courage immediately before his death. Second-Lieutenant Charles Lovatt, who was killed on 12th April after only eight days with the battalion has also been awarded a posthumous Military Cross; he had previously served with 26th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. The battalion is currently at Talmas, south of Doullens and today welcomed back a working party of four hundred which had been employed at Varennes, a couiple of miles from Bouzincourt.

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

Outrage in the Capital

A Gotha G-IV

Thursday 14th June 1917

News has reached us at the front of the bombing raid on London yesterday. The barbarism of the enemy reached new proportions when German aircraft of the Gotha G IV type dropped their bombs on the capital. Reports state that 162 have been killed and 432 injured. The swinishness of this indiscriminate attack is seen by the fate of Upper North Street Primary School in Poplar - hit by a bomb eighteen of its little attendees were killed, most of them between the ages of four and six. The outrage caused here is palpable with many men to whom I have spoken vowing to make the “baby-killers” pay the highest price imaginable.

The 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in the front line near Chérisy. The adjutant telephoned me with some satisfaction this afternoon reporting that 378 gas projectors had been discharged from Wood Trench, on the flank of their unsuccessful attack on 3rd May, it may be remembered. Around two hundred Germans were subsequently seen being stretchered away. “That’s for the children in Poplar” he remarked with some vehemence.

Source: X550/8/1

A Specimen Movement Order

Saturday 2nd June 1917

In the same way that your correspondent felt it might give a flavour of life at the Front to relay a daily intelligence report on 31st May, today the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, not far from the site of their ordeal on 3rd May, has forwarded a movement order to me for onward communication.

1. INTENTION During the night of the 2nd/3rd the 54th Brigade will relieve the 55th Bde. Relieving troops will take over dispositions of the 55th Bde. All Maps, Aeroplane photographs, Intelligence Summaries, reports on work, trench stores etc will be taken over on relief.

2. ROLE OF UNITS 7th Bedfordshire Rgt will relieve the 7th Queens Rgt in support on the Bde Front. A and B Coys will on completion of relief be situated in the Rookery "C" Coy in Concrete Trench. "D" Coy in Earls Court and Shaft Trench. B.H.Q. [Battalion Head Quarters] N.35.c.2.7. "A" and "B" Coys will take over from A & C Coys. 7 Queens. Starting Point Cross Roads at N.34.a.7.7.

3. ROUTE H.Qrs, "C" and "D" Coys via Shaft Trench. "A" and "B" Coy via Sussex Avenue.

4. GUIDES From the 7th Queens on the scale of 1 per platoon and 1 for B.H.Q. will be at the Starting Point at 3 p.m.

5. INTERVALS East of Hénin-sur-Cojeul Units will move by platoons with 5 minute intervals. West of this village 500 yards will be maintained between Coys. No movements will take place outside Communication Trench until 10.15 pm.

6. ORDER OF MARCH B.H.Q. "C" "D" "A" and "B" Coys.

7. BOX RESPIRATORS Will be worn at the ALERT throughout the relief.

8. RELIEF Coys will report relief complete by the word STORE.

9. DRESS Full Marching Order.

10. TRENCH STORES Copy of Trench Stores will be forwarded to Battn H.Q. on completion of relief.

11. MEALS Dinners 12 noon.

12. TRANSPORT "C" & "D" Coy L.G.Limbers will move up with their Coy as far as Starting Point. "A" and "B" L.G.Limber will move up to N.30.c.7.1. after dark. "C" & "D" Ration Limbers will move up as previously arranged, arriving about 10 p.m. "A" and "B" Coy Ration Limbers will move to point N.30.c.7.1 after dark.

13. COOKING Support and Reserve Bns can cook in Boilers or Kettles. Coy and Platoon cook-houses to be dug in suitable places off the main trenches.

14. WATER "A" and "B" Coys will have water brought up in Petrol Tins on limbers each evening. Empty tins to be returned next evening. H.Q. "C" and "D" Coys. 1 Water Cart will be permanently kept in the Hindenburg Line. 2 Watermen will remain with the water cart.

15. MESSCART Mess Cart (Maltese Cart as Ordered by M.O [Medical Officer]) will report at the Mess at 1.30 p.m.

16. BAGGAGE All Blankets (in Bdles of 10) Coy Stores Officers valises etc will be dumped at Q.M. [Quarter Master] Stores by 11 a.m. Trench Kits etc to be dumped Q.M.Stores by 12 noon.

17. BILLETING CERTIFICATES A Certificate will be rendered to the R.S.M. [Regimental Sergeant Major] by 11 a.m. certifying that all Regtl Lines are clean, all refuse removed and Latrines disinfected.

18. ADVANCE PARTY Each company will send 1 Officer and C.S.M. [Company Sergeant Major] to take over from the 7th Queens leaving the Camp about 11 a.m. B.H.Q. will send Lt.Chapman and R.S.M. to take over Dumps, Stores etc.

19. DUMP DUTIES  "C" Coy will supply 1 N.C.O. and 1 O.R. to take over and remain in charge of Dump at T.5.c.7.7. This party will report to Staff Captain at B.H.Q. at 11 a.m. 2-6-17.  Guide will be waiting to take him to his post.

20. TRAFFIC CONTROL "A" Coy will find and take over traffic control post at N.30.c.5.3. "B" Coy will find and take over traffic Control Post on high ground N.29.d. These posts will compel troops to use Communication Trenches and will prohibit movement which previously took place in view of the enemy. They will take over the orders of the posts they relieve. These Orders must be brought to the notice of all ranks and non-compliance will be dealt with severely.

21. ANTI GAS BLANKETS Anti-Gas Blankets must be hung at the entrance of all dugouts. Where these are deficient indent for same will be sent at once.

22. S.O.S. SIGNAL Succession of Red Very Lights till followed by Artillery Barrage.

23. 1st LINE TRANSPORT Drummers, and 2 squads of the Untrained Draft.

(SGD) W.J.W.COLLEY, CAPT AND ADJT.

7TH (S) BN BEDFORDSHIRE REGT.

A Wounded Officer's Description of the Shambles at Cherisy

The ground over which the Bedfords attacked at Cherisy

Saturday 5th May 1917

I have been lucky enough to speak with Second Lieutenant Henry Cartwright of 7th Bedfords about the abortive attack at Chérisy two days ago and here is his story.

“On May 1st D Company, as assaulting company, took up their battle position in the front line. Captain Driver was in command with Second Lieutenants Angas, Lingwood, a newcomer, and myself as platoon commanders. Everything seemed favourable and the general opinion was that it would be easy going. From a sap in our front line we commanded a view over the Bosche lines for miles, a green, undulating country that looked most inviting and made us eager to get there. I was not anxious and windy as on previous occasions”.

“Zero was timed for dawn on 3rd and at 4 o’clock the barrage opened; our signal; out of the trenches we scrambled, up a slope and down into the valley. It was pitch dark and to make matters difficult, there was a ground mist in the low-lying land; touch and direction were soon lost and there were large gaps in our line”.

“As we approached to their lines near Chérisy the wire in front could be seen uncut. The ranks were wavering. Captain Bull and Company Sergeant Major Brand of B Company came up and just as we were discussing the line of advance, I saw a blinding flash, my rifle, smashed to smithereens, was knocked out of my hand and I was hit in the leg. With Company Sergeant Major Brand, wounded in the leg also, I crawled back and just as we reached a trench, Brand was killed by a shell. The most popular and daring man in the Battalion; it seems ironic that he should have been killed just as he had reached some cover. The Medical Officer found me and after putting on a field dressing, I hobbled to a dressing station”.

I have learned more about the Battalion’s losses which have been lighter than in the successful attack on 1st July last year when about a hundred men died. Nevertheless the sting of defeat makes it seem as if losses are far greater than the reality. The following officers have been killed: Captain W H Bull, Second Lieutenant C B Kydd, Second Lieutenant G J Luscombe, Second Lieutenant G Angas and Second Lieutenant E St.H Lingwood. The following officers have been wounded: Second Lieutenant R B Rednall (Signalling Officer); Second Lieutenant S C Tremeer; Second Lieutenant R J Clarke; Second Lieutenant J J Murray; Second Lieutenant W D Oliver Jones; Second Lieutenant H Driver; Second Lieutenant P J Reiss; Second Lieutenant E F Piercy and, of course, Second Lieutenant H Cartwright.

Amongst the other ranks 19 were killed in action, 48 are missing and so either dead or prisoners-of-war, 162 have been wounded, 6 have since died of their wounds, 4 are “missing believed killed” and 3 and wounded and missing. This makes a grand total of 242 officers and men killed, wounded and missing, about a quarter of the Battalion’s strength

Now we turn to developments to the south, around Bullecourt. Last evening the Germans made determined efforts to retake the thousand yards of the Hindenburg Line captured by the Australians over the last two days. These were defeated. Unfortunately, reports of the capture of Bullecourt yesterday by 7th Division seem to have been premature.

Today the Australians have been busy holding their trenches against a terrific German bombardment. 7th Division have been probing the Bullecourt defences where the enemy still seems to be entrenched in strength.

Sources: X550/8/1

The Sad Story of the 7th Battalion at Cherisy

The 7th Bedfords' attack at Cherisy

Friday 4th May 1917

After the failure of the attack by 18th Division yesterday at Chérisy your correspondent has been eager to speak with someone from 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which was one of the assaulting battalions, another being 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment from their brigade. This morning the adjutant was able to speak with me at some length. It seems that the attack was due to begin at 3.45 a.m. but it was not light enough to begin until 4.15. The British barrage commenced badly, being irregular and so gave the troops very little cover as they advanced down a gentle slope towards a wood just outside Fontaine-lès-Croisilles. The Battalion’s job was to seize the front line between this village and the village of Chérisy.

The left their trenches before zero and, according to the adjutant they formed up splendidly. The advance started at zero, they soon slightly lost direction. This was because  the men being extended at about 12 paces between them and could scarcely see each other. The battalion on the left, Leicesters of 21st Division, also lost direction and crowded to the right, thus confusing the Bedfords’ attack and causing a further loss of direction, pushing them further to the right.

Four tanks were to be used to attack Fontaine village. One of these was unable to start and another went but a short distance. Worse, a third tank went down the line of a trench called Wood Trench and  then turned and came right through the Bedfords’ advancing lines. This added to the confusion and some groups retired to their starting point someone having been heard to shout: “Retire”. These men were reformed at once by their officers and again advanced, but the covering barrage, such as it was, had gone on. Thus the Battalion was held up at Fontaine Trench, which was strongly defended and the wire was thick and undamaged. They came under heavy machine-gun fire from Vis-en-Artois, Chérisy, Fontaine Trench and Fontaine Wood.

Small detachments pushed forward to an angle formed by Fontaine Trench and Wood Trench but could get no further.  At this time the majority of the 55th Brigade (commanded incidentally by the Bedfords’ old commanding officer Colonel, now Brigadier George Price) had reached their first objective on the left of the Bedfords.

The position of the Battalion about 10 a.m. was in front of Fontaine Trench with their right flank thrown back facing Wood Trench. At this time the Leicesters on the right had not made good Wood Trench except a small portion at the Western end. Some groups of the 55th Brigade reached a portion of their second objective.

About 11.30 the 14th (Light) Division further to the left commenced retiring, followed by the 55th Brigade, 12th Middlesex and some groups of the Bedfords, but about a company still remained in shell-holes in front of Fontaine and Wood Trenches when at midday the troops on their left had all got back to the starting Trenches.

At 7.15 pm a new Barrage started and two companies of 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment attacked on the Bedfords’ frontage in which elements of the Bedfords joined and which was covered by rapid fire from the troops in shell holes. This attack, however, was not successful as the enemy put up an intense barrage and the wire in front could not be forced. The whole lot then fell back to their original front line and held that during the night, being relieved early in the morning by the Northamptons taking over.

The frustration and, indeed, anger in the adjutant’s voice was palpable as he was telling me this. The 7th Bedfords have been used to success and it is galling for them to admit failure. It is notable that in addition to the darkness, the losing of the true line of attack, the poor barrage, the strength of the German defences and the uncut wire the adjutant blamed lack of success on lack of knowledge of the ground. The Battalion had only arrived on Wednesday, two days ago and had not, of course, been able to practise an attack over similar ground. He compared this with the full year they were on the Somme near Carnoy before they made their glorious attack on 1st July last year and the fact that they had had weeks of practising attacking over very similar ground.

There has been no action on the main Arras battlefield today, but fighting continues on the southern edge around the village of Bullecourt. It will be remembered that 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division’s attack yesterday was unsuccessful whilst the 2nd Australian Division had mixed fortune, some failure, some success with a part of the Hindenburg Line being taken. Today  the men of 1st Brigade of 1st Australian Division have been drawn  into the fight, under command of 2nd Division.

The enemy made strong attacks on the captured ground early this morning, but were beaten off. By mid-afternoon today we were hearing that the Australians had not only held their gains of yesterday, but expanded them so that about one thousand yards of the German front line was not in their possession. Further enemy counter-attacks are expected.

The British 7th Division attacked Bullecourt again today, trying to succeed where 62nd Division had failed. Reports at this point are contradictory, with some saying Bullecourt has fallen, some saying that it still holds out. We hope to learn of success over night.

Source: X550/8/1

More Attacks at Arras on Day Twenty Five of the Battle

Thursday 3rd May 1917

Today has seen another major assault undertaken against the Germans around Arras with three armies - 1st, 3rd and 5th all involved. In the south, the 5th Army was given the task of taking Bullecourt, Riencourt and Hendecourt. 3rd Army was to seize Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, Chérisy, the factory at Saint-Rohart, Pelves and the station at Plouvain while 1st Army, in the north, was to occupy Oppy and Fresnoy.

We will begin in the south with 5th Army. In order to take Hendecourt and Riencourt the 62nd (West Riding) Division, in its first major battle, was given the task of taking Bullecourt which here forms part of the defences of the Hindenburg Line. The Australians  tried to take this place on 11th April and it is clearly a difficult nut to crack. It is understood that the village is still in German hands as I write these lines. The Australian 2nd Division was ordered to take the Hindenburg Line on the right flank of the village of Bullecourt. Hard fighting here has, we understand, yielded a little success. Though only a small segment of the defences have been penetrated, by 6th Australian Brigade, that task has been no easy one and the troops involved have performed splendidly.

The main weight of the attacks today has fallen, as throughout the battle, on General Allenby’s 3rd Army. Once again VI, VII and XVII Corps have all been in action. VII Corps’ task was to advance in a south-easterly direction. 21st Division had to capture the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles and the ground to the south of it. This attack, we learn, has been something of a fiasco, as has the attack on Chérisy by 18th (Eastern) Division, in which 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has taken part. 21st Division seems to have veered off course and run into 18th Division, which had to alter its course in turn. It looks as if no progress has been made. Having tried to raise the adjutant of the Bedfords, and having failed to do so a full report of their actions must wait until tomorrow, we hope they have not suffered too badly. As I write this word has reached me that most of the Battalion is still stuck in No Man’s Land unable to advance or retreat. The attack on 18th Division's left flank by 14th (Light) Division has also failed and, like those of the other two divisions, has gained no ground.

For three divisions to fail to take any objectives there must be serious reasons. We are hearing that the darkness was a major contributory factor, the attacks all beginning before dawn. The German artillery also seems to have been particularly destructive and the German counter-attacks, where any ground was momentarily taken (55th Brigade of 18th Division succeeded, briefly, in occupying Chérisy), decisive.

North of VII Corps lies VI Corps with 56th (London), 3rd and 12th (Eastern) Divisions. These men were to take the factory at Saint-Rohart, a wood called the Bois du Sart and the village of Pelves. 56th Division achieved some solid success in some places but once again, we here, in others the enemy artillery caused great loss, resulting in the division having to retire to its front line once again. 3rd Division's attack, we understand, has had to be undertaken wearing respirators as the enemy deluged them not only with normal artillery fire but with poisoned gas shells too. It comes as no surprise, then, that we hear this attack has also stalled. To 12th Division has fallen, we are led to believe, the only success of the day, 36th Brigade having managed an advance of about a quarter of a mile, though the rest of the division could not match it.

XVII Corps was slated to take Roeux, the chemical works and Greenland Hill, all objectives which have been outstanding since 10th April. 4th Division attacked Roeux but it seems that, this evening, it is still held by the enemy. 9th (Scottish) Division has only two brigades because its South African Brigade is very weak due to reinforcements being wanting, thus 52nd Brigade from 17th (Northern) Division was temporarily transferred to 9th Division to replace it. Here again the attack was unsuccessful and a colleague of mine from Scotland remarked to me that he fears that one battalion, 6th King’s Own Scottish Borderers has been all but wiped out.

With only one brigade of 3rd Army having made any progress we have been waiting to hear news of 1st Army’s attacks on the northern limits of the battlefield. Here XIII Corps used 31st Division and 2nd Division to assault the enemy line. 31st Division assaulted Oppy Wood but seem to have been unable to make consistent progress, a German counterattack even  managing to recapture Gavrelle windmill before they were driven out. 2nd Division is very weak in strength and, trying to capture the village of Oppy, was unsuccessful and is now so reduced in numbers that the phrase “bled white” is being used.

2nd Division was to secure the flank of the Canadian Corps which was to take the village of Fresnoy. In this they succeeded, though at great cost, which meant that the Canadian attack could take place. Here has been the shining light in a day of gloom. The splendid Canadians have taken the village and, last we heard, are still holding it. So another victory has been added to the already extensive battle honours of the men from North America in this war so far.

Source: X550/8/1

A New Use for Flares

Wednesday 2nd May 1917

Your correspondent has been speaking on the blower with the adjutant of the 7th Battalion. It seems they are expecting to go into action early tomorrow morning near the village of Chérisy (between Fontaine-lès-Croisilles and Vis-en-Artois) as part of another major attack on what will be the twenty-fifth day of the Battle of Arras. A Company will be on the right of the attack and D Company on the left, with B Company in support and C Company in reserve.

In this attack every man will carry a flare. This is designed to ensure that the Royal Flying Corps overhead can see how far the attack has progressed. A klaxon horn will sound from battalion headquarters when flares are to be lit by those soldiers in the front line. This is a novel idea, though doubt has been expressed to me by some veterans as to whether it is practical for men engaged in heavy fighting to listen for a klaxon and light a flare as well as attack the enemy and defend themselves against attack.

Source: X550/8/1

Sixth Day of the Battle of Arras

Saturday 14th April 1917

Last night we understand 3rd Division made an ill-considered attack, unsupported by 50th Division (which had been instructed to assist), on the village of Guémappe. They made no progress and suffered over three hundred casualties.

Today XVII Corps, the northernmost of the three corps east of Arras has, again, made no attacks. The other two Corps, VI and VII have each been in action trying to push the front line further east. Their attacks both began around dawn, 5.30 this morning. VII Corps was given the task of taking the villages of Fontaine-les-Croisilles and Chérisy. Sadly 33rd Division, given the bulk of the task, was not able to advance very far.

VI Corps was to take the village of Guémappe. Today the attack on Guémappe was to be carried out by 29th Division. However, learning that they would receive no support, because the unit which had replaced 3rd Division in the line had had no time to organise itself, the attack was called-off. Consequently the attacks by 56th and 50th Divisions to the south, now unsupported by 29th Division’s attack, both failed, all with heavy casualties.

When divisions attack they are all mutually supportive, each one keeping the flank of its neighbour covered. If one division falls behind, or does not attack at all, its neighbour’s flank receives the full attention of the defenders, slowing its attack, and so on all down the line, rather like a line of dominoes falling over because one of them is pushed over into its neighbour. To be candid, there has been grumbling in the army, even amongst some of the officers, about some of the divisional and corps commanders in this battle, the chief complaint being that they have not “kept a grip” on things, and their failings have thus made an impact on the others. Of course soldiers grumble, but these criticisms have come from quite senior officers with years of command experience.

Still, Tommy Atkins will not be daunted. The attacks, even when unsuccessful were made, and made to the best endeavour of the men taking part. A case in point was the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, some of whom managed an advance of six hundred yards, all on their own. It pains me to report that none of them have been able to make their way back to our lines when counter-attacked by the enemy. A similar story was an attack by 88th Brigade of 29th Division on Hill 100 north of Guémappe and near the village of Monchy-le-Preux which fell on 11th. This hill affords a good view of the surrounding country and so would be a good prize, but an unsupported attack had little chance of success and none of holding a position which would then project into the enemy’s lines and be surrounded on three sides. It is to the great credit of the Essex and Newfoundland Regiments that they were able to take the hill and no reflection on them that they could not hold it against a counter-attack. This defeat left the village of Monchy-le-Preux vulnerable to a German attack but clever and brave work by the remaining Newfoundlanders and by the Hampshire Regiment kept it from falling.

So has ended another day of mess and muddle, ironically, the finest day in terms of weather since the battle began. There have been no snowstorms, though the wind has been bitterly cold. Along with the grumbling mentioned earlier there is some talk of the army “taking stock” at this point before any further offensive action is contemplated. Whether this is so we will see in the days to come(1).

Tonight 63rd (Royal Naval) Division will move into the line to replace 34th Division as part of XIII Corps, north of XVII Corps. The adjutant of the 4th Bedfords, part of 63rd Division, has spoken to me briefly on the “blower” to tell me that they moved up to Arras by motor bus and are now in the front line near the enemy village of Gavrelle.

 Second Lieutenant L Dolman [X550/1/81]

Meanwhile, further north, 1st Bedfords are at a place called Zouave Valley near Givenchy-en-Gohelle, north-west of Vimy Ridge, now of course in the hands of the gallant Canadians. It shows how dangerous it is to undertake any movement close to the front that Second Lieutenant Hood and a private soldier have been wounded, Second Lieutenant Dolman and four other ranks wounded.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3

(1) The days from 9th to 14th April have since been called the First Battle of the Scarpe, the Second Battle of the Scarpe would open on Saint George’s Day, 23rd April.