Improving Defences

Wednesday 15th May 1918

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently in the front line near Tannay near Hazebrouck. Yesterday and today they have been working to bolster the front line defences in case the enemy carry out any more of their sudden attacks. They have dug a new trench and some shelters known, due to their size, as elephant shelters for headquarters.

Source: X550/2/5

2nd Bedfords Back in the Line

Saturday 13th April 1918

The attack which began yesterday against Hazebrouck has already been halted, a long way from its target. This attack lacked the fury of those of March and it seems that, if our army is tired and weakened then the enemy's must be as badly off, if not worse. Attack is almost always more costly than defence in this war and it is hoped that the casualties the Germans have already suffered will tell against them if they launch more attacks and when, eventually, the Allied Armies begin attacks of their own.

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which suffered greatly in the retreat from Saint-Quentin is once more in the  line. It is now part of General Plumer's Second Army around Ypres and finds itself between Pilkem and Langemarck immediately north of the city in support to the front line. They have on their flank, for the first time in this war, a unit of Belgians - their 10th Infantry Regiment.

Source: X550/3/wd

An Attack Towards Hazebrouck

Friday 12th April 1918

Today we have seen the German attack towards Ypres from the direction of Messines grind to a halt. Like a gangrel cat in panic trying to escape a sack, the enemy has tried to claw his way through in another place. Today's attack has been towards the town of Hazebrouck. Their advance has been but two miles and the only place of note to have fallen is Merville.

The 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is once more in the line, south of Mesnil, a short distance from Bouzincourt Ridge. Today they have lost an officer killed and two wounded, however, five new officers, including a captain and two lieutenants have joined. 

Sources: X550/5/3

War Games

Saturday 31st March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, though behind the lines at Steenbecque, south-west of Hazebrouck are not idle. They have been practising the actions necessary when fighting as outposts in a battle. This morning A Company practised this in the open whilst B Company practised defence of a village.

In addition the Battalion has been finding ceremonial guards. At lunchtime they practised march discipline and learning march routine. They then had their rifles inspected by the Armourer Sergeant. To round this off they played football and other outdoor games this afternoon.

Source: X550/8/1