Longueval Falls

Wednesday 28th August 1918

For the last two days 12th (Eastern) Division has seen hard fighting in a area made infamous at the end of July 1916 - Hardecourt and Maltz Horn Farm south of Guillemont. Today their efforts have been crowned with the capture of Hardecourt. This evening we have heard the good news that with great dash the Welshmen of 38th Division have cleared not only the mess that is Delville Wood but the pathetic ruins of what was once the village of Longueval, a place which took two months to capture in 1916.

In the north the twin villages of Thilloy and Ligny-Thilloy have been heavily bombarded all day. 42nd Division has been brought in to replace 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and the 4th Bedfords have gone to rest up at Miraumont. The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 5th Division is now in the vicinity of Bapaume though not in action. A group of 62 reinforcements joined the battalion today.

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

More on Casualties During the Battle of the Somme

Friday 24th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Following the analysis of the numbers of men who have sacrifices of war in the Battle of the Somme, readers may be interested in the relative costliness of different operations during the course of the battle. The figures below give the number of men killed in action in the most significant attacks made between 1st July and 18th November. The figures are restricted to those killed in action because it is usually impossible to know the actions resulting in deaths due to wounds which can take place several weeks later.

• 1st Day of the Battle and immediate aftermath – 1st to 3rd July: 106 (2nd and 7th Battalions)
• Actions at Contalmaison and Pozières  – 9th to 15th July: 92 (6th Battalion)
• Actions in Trônes Wood  - 11th to 14th July: 61 (2nd and 7th Battalions)
• Actions at Longueval and Delville Wood – 22nd to 31st July: 105 (1st Battalion)
• Actions south of Guillemont – 30th July to 24th September: 138 (1st and 2nd Battalions)
• Actions near Morval – 13th to 25th September: 158 (8th Battalion)
• Actions at Thiepval – 26th to 29th September: 93 (7th Battalion)
• Actions east of Le Sars – 11th to 12th October: 83 (2nd Battalion)
• Actions on the River Ancre – 31st October to 16th November: 110 (4th and 6th Battalions)

Day Sixty Seven on the Somme

5th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 1st Bedfords tells me that things are now quiet around Falfemont Farm which was finally captured in the early hours of this morning. A great triumph. Tersely he told me: “We buried all our dead”. These amounted to 17 officers and men on 3rd September and 45 yesterday. Local fatalities came from Biggleswade, Bletsoe, Clifton, Houghton Regis, Luton, Maulden, Toddington, Woburn Sands and Wootton.

Lieutenant Addison Howard

The name most recognised will be that of Lieutenant Addison James Howard, of Kempston Grange, who only joined the battalion a few days ago. He was just 23. I was told that his cousin, Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard, who was alongside him, reported that he was killed instantaneously by one of our own shells yesterday morning(1). Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard himself was wounded a few hours later by a bullet to the chest and two more in a shoulder and is now in hospital at Abbeville.

Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard

Lieutenant Addison Howard was born in April 1893 at Kempston Grange. He was educated at Bedford Grammar School, 1901-1911, where he was in the Officer's Training Corps. Subsequently he went to King's College, Cambridge and there took a Second Class Honours degree in the Mechanical Science Tripos in 1914. Immediately before the close of the term at Cambridge he was seized with illness and had to undergo a serious operation. During his convalescence he was in charge of munition work in his father's works and showed great skill as a mechanician and engineer. He was named after his two grandfathers Mr James Howard MP and Colonel Addison Potter CB and we can only lament that a career which was commenced under such distinguished auspices has been abruptly terminated. His colonel told me: "He was temporarily commanding a company. No one could have handled the men better during an attack the Battalion made on September 3rd, over 1,000 yards under machine gun and shell fire. He had them well together, consolidated, pushed out patrols, took a German prisoner and sent in a series of model reports. He was a first-rate officer and is a very great loss to the Battalion. I need hardly say he was very popular among all ranks".

Second Lieutenant Douglas Howard of the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is the only son of Mr and Mrs John Howard Howard of Clapham Park. He was given his commission in October 1915 after leaving Harrow in the previous July. He was a member of the Harrow School OTC for about four years. Mr Douglas Howard did all his training at Landguard Camp, Felixstowe and went to the Front about a fortnight before he was wounded.

Today more attacks have been launched at Devil’s Wood under covering fire from field artillery at fairly close quarters. We understand that two companies have managed to dig-in on the eastern edge.

This afternoon 5th Division, though not 1st Bedfords, have launched an attack on Leuze Wood (generally known as Lousy Wood by Tommy Atkins) and the high ground south and east of Ginchy, particularly around the Ginchy Telegraph, on the highest point of the ridge. There seem to be no Germans in the wood so this attack may do well.

Source: X550/2/5; Bedfordshire Times

(1) He is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery.

Day Sixty Four on the Somme

Saturday 2nd September 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 1st Battalion remain in Silesia Trenches, just north of Maricourt, though it is finding working parties digging assembly trenches in the front line ready for the next great attack. Silesia Trenches have been receiving occasional attention from the enemy, one shell this evening wounding nine men of B Company in their trench. The adjutant remarked to me that this particular shell was “of a peculiar type. It burst on the parapet in a reddish light and formed no crater”.

At noon today 24th Division again took up the fight east of Delville Wood. This area is so pockmarked with shell holes as to resemble parts of the Moon visible through a telescope. The fighting was effectively shell-hole to shell-hole and the division were unable to push the enemy back from the eastern edge of the wood.

Over the last two days a curious little incident has been going on in far-off Egypt. The adjutant wired it to our staff due to its unusual nature. A local Bedford man named Ashpole has been in hospital suffering from some unspecified ailment. At five o’clock yesterday afternoon he escaped from hospital and swam across the Suez Canal “evidently quite insane”. He was recaptured in the early hours of this morning and once more sent to hospital, this time under guard, for his own safety.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/6/8.

Day Sixty Three on the Somme

Friday 1st September 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today sees the beginning of a third month of fighting in this Battle of the Somme. The longest continuous battle in which British forces have taken part in this war before this was the fourteen days of the Battle of Loos. Indeed, one questions whether this really is a battle at all, it is more like a long, protracted siege and the longest of those in which the British Army has ever been engaged is the siege of Gibraltar from 1779 to 1782, which lasted three years and seven months. Today there was been more serious fighting in Delville Wood. 24th Division has attacked the wood from the east but has been able to make no progress.

Second Lieutenant Christopher Blake

The 1st Battalion are currently in Silesia Trenches, just north of Maricourt and now, after two months’ fighting some way behind the lines. They have been finding working parties nearer the front line, which have been heavily shelled with tear gas and other gas shells. The adjutant described Silesia Trench to me succinctly as “in a very bad condition and insanitary”. Second Lieutenant Blake and Second Lieutenant Williams, along with thirty other ranks have just joined as reinforcements.

Second Lieutenant H D Chester

The 2nd Bedfords are at Gorre, near Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée, where they were for much of 1915. They, too, have had reinforcements including Second Lieutenant I T M Collins, Second Lieutenant W H Bird and Second Lieutenant H D Chester.

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

Day Sixty Two on the Somme

Thursday 31st August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Around 1 pm this afternoon there was a massive German attack on British positions in Delville Wood and Longeval. It was preceded by an intense artillery barrage and much activity by German aeroplanes. There has been hand-to-hand fighting with 7th Division and 24th Division east of the wood. The Germans also attacked British positions along the road from Ginchy to Longueval but seem to have been held. The Germans appear to have penetrated the northern outskirts of Longueval.

On a happier note, the new adjutant of 1st Bedfords, now in reserve at Billon Farm near Bray-sur-Somme, tells me that this morning General Horne, commander of XV Corps presented medals for gallantry at Longueval. Acting Company Sergeant Major Afford was given the Distiguished Conduct Medal whilst Lance Corporal Pettengell and Private J King received the Military Medal. The adjutant is now Major N W Lawder because Captain H Williams has been evacuated as sick(1)

Major Noel Lawder

As I write these lines another German attack seems to be developing, probably on the east side of Delville Wood where, so far, they have achieved little. There is considerable noise of artillery, including the dreaded “whizz-bangs”, and I seem to be able to hear rifle fire too.

Source: X550/2/5

(1) Major Noel Wilfred Lawder would be killed on 4th September. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. 

Day Sixty on the Somme

Tuesday 29th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

It turns out that last night’s attack by the 7th Division east of Delville Wood was something of a damp squib. A damp squib which, however, will no doubt have cost the lives of good men.

Day Fifty Nine on the Somme

Monday 28th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today 1st Division has made a minor attack east of High Wood which has succeeded in gaining a small amount of ground. This evening an attack has begun on trenches east of Delville Wood by “the incomparable” 7th Division.  I can hear the noise as I write these few lines.

Day Fifty Eight on the Somme

Sunday 27th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Last night the final part of Edge Trench, which runs along the eastern face of Delville Wood, was seized in a surprise attack by 14th (Light) Division, taking about sixty Germans prisoner. Thus to the 14th (Light) Division fell the honour of finally capturing the last few blasted trees of Devil’s Wood, which has withstood assaults since 14th July and has seen off 5th Division, 9th (Scottish) with its indomitable South African Brigade, and 17th (Northern) Divisions.

Fighting goes on around High Wood. Another Scottish division – 15th has been fighting off German attacks west of the wood.

This afternoon, the adjutant of 1st Bedfords contacted me and told me that senior officers from the Battalion have been inspecting trenches south of Guillemont. So it seems as if 5th Division will be dragged into the fight for this ruined place, so close to the scene of its last actions on the Somme at Longueval. Meanwhile 2nd Bedfords have taken over front line trenches at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée near Béthune.

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

Day Fifty Six on the Somme

Friday 25th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

We understand that the French attack yesterday finally saw them recapture the village of Maurepas, south-east of Guillemont. Meanwhile the German attack on the 23rd/24th August has meant that the British Army continues to consolidate and plan its next move

The adjutant of 1st Bedfords has wired me to say that his unit is back on the Somme. They are currently occupying a sandpit south-east of the village of Méaulte, a few miles behind the lines.

14th (Light) Division made an attack in Delville Wood early this morning. It is reported that they have pushed the enemy from a section of trench on the eastern edge of the wood.

Source: X550/2/5

Day Fifty Five on the Somme

Thursday 24th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today 100th Brigade of 33rd Division made an unsuccessful attack between High Wood and Delville Wood. 

More urgently the Germans attacked 20th (Light) Division’s positions south of the railway and west of Guillemont last night. Our lines were full of engineers and parties of men working on consolidation, nevertheless, the attack was beaten-off. The 20th Division had been due to make an attack on Guillemont this morning but last night’s German effort has meant that this has had to be postponed.

The 14th (Light) Division again tried to push the Germans out of Delville Wood and managed to advance their front line. Nevertheless the enemy retains a foot-hold on the northern and north-eastern fringes on the wood.

Just over an hour ago we heard that the French had launched an attack all the way along the line from the River Somme to the boundary with the British army near Hardecourt-au-Bois. 

Day Fifty Three on the Somme

Tuesday 22nd August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Early this morning 14th (Light) Division captured part of Edge Trench. This trench runs, as the name implies, along the eastern edge of Delville Wood. The Germans now have just a toe-hold remaining in this wood.

On the Pozières Ridge, 48th (South Midland) Division withstood German attacks on posts captured a short time before. This evening the enemy are reported to be attacking again and, indeed, much noise is audible from the north-west of my position in the rear areas around Montauban. 

Day Fifty Two on the Somme

Monday 21st August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Attacks have been made today at those twin sores Delville Wood and Guillemont. An attack by 41st Brigade (of 14th Division) on German defenses inside Devil’s Wood was a failure which inflicted over two hundred casualties on the light infantrymen.

33rd Division made an attack around midnight from the road from Longueval to Flers to a trench called Wood Lane which follows the track from the eastern tip of High Wood south-east towards Longueval and which ends in a T junction short of the northern end of the village. Regrettably one battalion was informed of the planned attack to late so only one battalion made the assault and it was beaten off by the defenders. On a brighter note, 14th (Light) Division succeeded in capturing trenches in and on the east side of Delville Wood and in taking two hundred prisoners.

Last night the French captured Angle Wood, north-east of Hardecourt-au-Bois, north-west of Maurepas and some way south of Guillemont, which they subsequently handed over to 35th Division. 

An attack by 35th Division on a strong-point near Arrowhead Copse was unsuccessful but a trench called Zig-Zag Trench which moves into the remains of Guillemont was captured by 24th Division.

This afternoon an attack on the quarry on the western edge of Guillemont has failed and, although a gallant fight for Guillemont Station was put up by the attackers, our men were unable to hold it due to the number of casualties they had taken. Thus Guillemont still evades the grasping hand of the British Army. 

Day Forty Nine on the Somme

Friday 18th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today has seen more activity than any other day this month so far. On the left of the British line as it attacks from south to north, 33rd Division attacked High Wood. This novel attack was intended to use a German tactic, first used against British troops in July last year at Hooge near Ypres and used against 1st Division yesterday – flame-throwers, as well as oil drums hurled by Livens Projectors(1). Unfortunately the flamethrowers failed and the Livens Projectors were damaged and buried by the British barrage which fell short of its target. Given these failures it is not surprising that the infantry were unable to get forward in any numbers. Despite the setbacks, however, the imaginative thinking employed can only be applauded. At least Wood Trench between High Wood and Delville Wood (and north-west of Delville Wood) was captured.

In the centre of the attack Delville Wood has, once more, been attacked, along with the trenches immediately bordering it to the west and east. This time the unit drawing the proverbial short straw was 14th (Light) Division. Some prisoners were taken in the centre of the remains of the wood and gains were made, with a number of trenches falling to the attackers in the wood and either side of it.

An old and hated name resurfaced briefly in conversation today - Trônes Wood. 24th Division began an attack east on Guillemont from there this morning, following the line of the remains of the track leading from the remains of wood to the remains of the village. The attack mostly ground to a halt in front of the German wire, stopped by machine-guns. However, the German line was penetrated near the quarry on the west side of Guillemont and the position has been consolidated. In the area between the north-west of Guillemont and south-east of Delville Wood progress was made and around one hundred prisoners taken.

The right flank of the attack was south of Guillemont. 3rd Division attacked a trench called Lonely Trench east of Maltz Horn Farm near the road south from Hardecourt-au-Bois to Guillemont – a place which has become as infamous to Tommy Atkins as Delville Wood or High Wood and is generally known as the Gillymong Road. Trenches south-east of Arrowhead Copse were also attacked. Most of these attacks were unsuccessful. Meanwhile French troops took some more of the village of Maurepas and joined up with 3rd Division south of Guillemont. We have just heard, however, that the French have, again, been pushed back by a German counter-attack.

Meanwhile the Australians on the Pozières Ridge made further attacks towards Mouquet Farm as wel las south-east of the road from Albert to Bapaume. We understand some progress has been made here, too.

(1) Essentially large buried mortars

Day Thirty Nine on the Somme

Tuesday 8th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Just after midnight this morning 17th Division managed to finally advance the British line north of the village on Longueval. Delville Wood, however, is still not fully in our hands.

The main fighting today has been, once more, for the village of Guillemont, which readers may recall was attacked by 30th Division, including 2nd Bedfords, on 30th July. The 55th (West Lancashire) Division carried out the attack at 4.20 this morning in conjunction with the French army. The French attack did not get so far as Maltz Horn Farm but the 55th Division succeeded in penetrating the Guillemont defences. However, the Germans managed to isolate those who had got into the village. I believe there will be an attack on the village tonight to try to link of with these men. 2nd Division also attacked to the north of the railway line which curved around the northern edge of the village and Guillemont Station was captured.

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 Thirty Five on the Somme

Friday 4th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today at Devils' Wood 17th (Northern) Division attacked just after midnight but the men were cut down by German artillery and machine-gun fire. The attack was preceded by a five minute “hurricane bombardment” (that is a bombardment of greater than normal intensity) following a slower bombardment of normal intensity. Evidently the enemy were just waiting for the end of the hurricane bombardment to begin their own bombardment on positions which they have had nearly a month to register.

Day Thirty Four on the Somme

Thursday 3rd August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today 17th (Northern) Division has taken up the challenge of trying to capture Delville Wood. The place is a seen of devastation to those who have seen it at close hand – a bewildering mesh of shattered trees, dogged undergrowth, shell holes, barbed wire, trenches and dead bodies. A little of this vileness can be glimpsed through field glasses when the situation is “quiet”.

The fighting today has been marked by the same qualities as on previous days: brave attackers, stubborn defenders, frustration and futility. Nevertheless the fight will go on until the whole devastated place is in our hands.

Day Twenty Nine on the Somme

Saturday 29th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

In the ruins of Delville Wood there has been some smaller scale activity today than of late. We are given to understand that an advance of 500 yards has been made in the west of the wood and a smaller advance in the east. The 1st Bedfords have taken no part, their brigade having been withdrawn yesterday.

The main fighting today has been taking place to the north-west on the high ground around Pozières. An attack has been made by 2nd Australian Division and 23rd British Division. The attack was due to start just after midnight but an incessant German bombardment meant that the Australians were late in starting and when they did attack they were met by a wall of machine-gun fire, 5th Australian Brigade does not seem to have been able to leave its front line trenches whilst 7th Brigade found German barbed wire uncut. 6th Australian Brigade was able to make some slight progress, we believe. 23rd Division got bogged down in a bomb-lobbing contest with its German opponents.

A rumour is doing the rounds that the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Douglas Haig, is not happy with the performance of the Australians, telling their Corps commander, General Birdwood: “You’re not fighting Bashi-Bazouks(1) now” or words to that effect. Given that the Australians seem to resent any form of criticism at any time from High Command, such a rumour, whether true or not, will not do the effort in general any good.

(1) Turkish soldiers – a reference to the fighting at Gallipoli the previous year.

Day Twenty Seven on the Somme

Thursday 27th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The shelling of Pozières, which was so severe last night has, mysteriously, melted away this morning with no German attack(1). Today the scene of activity has been east of Pozières at Longueval and the now infamous Delville, or Devil’s, Wood.

A massive bombardment, on top of the almost continuous fighting since 14th, has reduced the wood to a shambles of splinters, shell holes, trenches, bodies and smashed equipment. Today 99th Brigade of 2nd Division took almost all that remains of the wood, save for a strip on the northern edge, though a German counter-attack mid-morning succeeded in retaking a portion of the place by attacking from the east. For a time rumours were circulating that the whole wood had been lost again but, fortunately, these proved to be untrue. As I write sounds of battle, though more muted now, are still heard occasionally from the direction of the wood.

On their left flank 15th Brigade assaulted the ruins of Longueval. The 1st Bedfords took part in this attack. The assault was begun by 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment at 7.10 and at 7.40 the commanding officer of the Norfolks despatched a message requesting help due to heavy shell-fire. The first objective had already been taken by the Norfolks and it was the job of A and B Companies of the Bedfords to assist the Norfolks take the second objectives and for C and D Companies to then move through and take the third objectives. The 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment was requested to occupy front line trenches when these were vacated by C and D Companies. A Company was responsible for that part of the ruins east of the former road running north-south through the village with B Company to the west of this road.

Lieutenant Fyson

A Company assisted the Norfolks to attack a German strong point and Lieutenant Fyson’s platoon succeeded in taking 32 prisoners. Just after 9 am C Company crossed the trench known as Princes Street, extending from Longueval more or less across the middle of Delville Wood but were held up by machine gun fire from the cross-roads in what remains of the village. The ruins holding the gun were taken by a party of the Norfolks and at the same time A Company reached the junction of the main road running south through Longueval and the road running north-east to Flers which skirts the edge of Delville Wood. Here they met a German counter-attack and brushed it off leaving around fifty of the enemy as casualties. From here A Company could see enemy posts on the ridge to the north.

Half an hour later C Company was able to cross Princes Street and took up a position along the main north-south road in touch with two companies of the Norfolks. Heavy machine-gun fire from Duke Street in the area just north of the name “Longueval” on the map (i.e. west and south-west of C Company) prevented any further advance and so they consolidated the position.

This machine-gun at Duke Street also prevented any advance by an officer and thirty men from B Company sent forward as a patrol to reinforce a company of the Norfolks. A Stokes mortar battery was requested to assist but did not. Later under cover of a British artillery bombardment B and D Companies were able to improve their position but at the cost of 2 officer and 54 other ranks and and 2 officers and 106 other ranks respectively.

1st Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers was supporting the attack by 2nd Division in Delville Wood today, ready to consolidate any ground taken. This they did, constructing works to prevent a successful counter-attack. Towards evening such a counter-attack seemed to be in the offing and the sappers manned the parapet and, to quote their commander: "After a considerable amount of rifle fire and bombing the attack was repulsed". Only one sapper was wounded

We have just heard that Royal Fusiliers on the right have been forced to withdraw meaning that A Company has had to move back slightly from the junction of the Flers road. It is expected that B and D Companies may also be ordered to withdraw tonight such is the danger of their position. Much of the fighting today has been hand-to-hand and the brief resumé of activities given above does not do justice to the ferocity of every small action undertaken.

Source: X550/2/5; X550/WD3

(1) Evidence points to the massive British counter-bombardment giving the Germans cause to think another British assault was on the way and so they moved onto the defensive.