Friday 5th April 1918

As we continue to "mark time" here in France, waiting for the enemy's next move, your correspondent spent a little time this evening with 6th Battalion at Couin. The adjutant tersely described the last few days as "a bad time in the line" at Bucquoy. From five until nine this morning the rear areas were heavily shelled, killing a cook, wounding a mule and wrecking a mobile cooker. One officer and twenty seven other ranks have been badly affected by gas whilst in the line at Bucquoy and one man has died a horrible death from the effects of this vile gas.

The 7th Battalion is now in billets but moved up again during the day to support 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment at Gentelles. Again, they were not needed, returning to their billets this evening, where, we heard a few minutes ago, they have been promptly shelled.

Lieutenant-General Sir Herbert Watts, General Officer Commanding XIX Corps, has sent the following message to 18th Division, of which the 7th Bedfords for a part: "Please accept on your behalf and that of all ranks of the 18th Division my heartiest congratulations on the splendid work done by the Division since joining the Nineteenth Corps. The results achieved by the fine fighting spirit and powers of endurance displayed have been of the greatest importance and I am most grateful to all concerned:

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

Catching Breath

Saturday 30th March 1918

Today, once again, the Germans have attacked our Fifth Army and our French allies south of the River Somme. If any did not believe that this great attack was on its last legs, they now will have changed their mind. The attack gained a small amount of ground but it did not have the energy, the force or the cohesion of the attacks of the last ten days.

The 2nd Battalion have left Rouvrel today, marching to Saleux, just south-west of Amiens and then taking the train to the pretty fishing village of Saint-Valery-sur-Somme. They have more than earned a spell by the seaside! The 4th Battalion is at Forceville, just two or three miles north-west of Bouzincourt. It is refitting and reorganising.

The 6th Battalion is now at Couin, only about seven miles north of the 4th Battalion at Forceville. The 7th Battalion has been a Nampcel for a few days but today took buses to Compiegne and then to Amiens. Their final destination was Boves, south-east of Amiens. They are battered and much reduced, but the indomitable 18th Division now stands ready to defend the city of Amiens from any enemy attack.

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

8th Battalion Advance Continues

Monday 16th April 1917

Readers will remember that yesterday 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment seized some enemy ground near Loos. This evening we have heard once again from their commander, Lord Ampthill. A and C Companies of the battalion, under heavy bombardment, have bombed their way forward and consolidated the objective, some way towards a prominence called Hill 70. However, the battalion attacking on their left failed and retired, leaving the companies of the Bedfords “in the air”, that is, with their flank exposed to enemy fire and attack. Despite this all attacks were repulsed and the Bedfords hung on with just two men killed and seventeen wounded. It is not surprising that Lord Ampthill expressed his pride in men he had trained himself at Ampthill camp, their courage and professionalism being, in his lordhip’s words “second to none”.

Second Lieutenant S E Cline [X550/1/81]

The adjutant of the 2nd Bedfords contacted me late last night with the news that they are at Couin, east of Doullens. They have received significant reinforcements – 170 other ranks and three officers, Second Lieutenants Cline, Haywood and Lydle.

 

Second Lieutenants Haywood and Lydle [X550/1/81]

We have heard that the French have burst into life some way south of here, around the city of Saint-Quentin on a long ridge known as the Chemin des Dames or Ladies’ Ride. They have had a successful first day, gaining ground and taking prisoners, Vive la France!

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