Saturday 11th
August 1917
Today has had
little action compared with yesterday. Things did not begin well with 8th
Battalion Norfolk Regiment, relieving the 7th Bedfords in Jargon Trench,
contriving to lose a strong-point the Bedfords had taken yesterday. However,
they later managed to retake it. To the north 29th Division established posts
on the far bank of the Steenbeck, taking Passerele Farm near Langemark.
As I had
hoped the commanding officer of 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Major J H
Bridcutt, has spoken with me today, painting a vivid picture of his unit’s
attack yesterday. Here is what he told me: “At 3.30 a.m. all companies were
formed up for the attack timed for 4.35 a.m. C company on the right, B Company
on the left, A Company in close support and D Company in reserve under Caps O.
Kingdon, H. Driver DSO, R. O. Clark and J. C. M. Ferguson respectively. The
forming up was carried out in an exceedingly steady manner under considerable
enemy artillery and machine-gun fire and great credit is due to the company
commanders for the cool and deliberate manner in which they handled their
companies”.
“At zero hour
an intense British barrage opened and the battalion moved forward close under
its protection. A full account of the glorious manner in which all ranks
carried out their duties will be given later(1) The battalion famous for its
fighting spirit in the past eclipsed all former deeds of gallantry; when heavy
wire held up the foremost men, those behind stood on lumps of earth and rubbish
and fired over the heads of those cutting the wire, seldom have any troops
shown such brilliant dash and utter contempt for the Bosch. By 5.13 a.m. Nonne
Bosschen Wood was reached and at the same time all the other objectives were occupied.
Within an hour, small-arms ammunition Lewis gun drums and other things had been
dispatched to the advanced positions and much consolidation had been carried
out”.
“Very early
in the operations the 11th Royal Fusiliers operating on our right and the Queen’s
of 53rd Brigade, operating on their right became adversely involved with a
Bosch strong point at the north-west corner of Inverness Copse and the whole
attack on our right became confused and fell back. The Fusiliers fell back from
their advanced posts on to a line running along the ridge from the south-west
corner of Glencorse Wood to Clapham Junction. This change in the situation
exposed our right flank and necessitated the partial expenditure of D Company
to make a defensive flank which was carried out by Captain Ferguson in a quick
and clever manner. Very severe fighting resulted later in the day through the
unsatisfactory position in which our troops were placed”.
“About 5.30
p.m. the Bosch showed considerable movement and it became evident that a heavy
counter attack was imminent: by 6 p.m. the attack developed and by 7 p.m. the
situation was severe, the Bosch attacking in mass and our own artillery
shooting desperately short. This condition lasted till 9 p.m. by which time
although we had lost connection with our advanced posts the main position was
still firmly in our hands and the enemy casualties were extremely heavy. About
8.30 p.m. the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment were sent up to relieve
our companies and one company of Norfolks took over the strongpoint at the
south-west corner of Glencorse Wood from which the Fusiliers had previously
been relieved by us. By 2 a.m. this morning the Regiment had been completely
relieved by the Royal Berkshires”.
Source: X550/8/1
(1) see 13th August.
