Raiding a Lewis Gun Post

Sunday 23rd June 1918

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently near Merville about half way between Bethune and Hazebrouck. Last night a patrol went out to search for and destroy an enemy machine gun post. This post actually contains a Lewis Gun, no doubt captured during the offensives in March and April. The old hands here knew it to be a Lewis Gun by the distinctive noise it made as it fired. 

The post was found and destroyed by the use of Mills Bombs. During a stiff fight with the enemy occupants six men were wounded, but all made it back to our lines.

Source: X550/2/5

Engaging Aircraft

A Roland CII German scout 'plane

Thursday 24th May 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in the trenches south-west of Farbus Wood, north-east of Arras. The adjutant tells me that today German aircraft have been a nuisance. They have been flying very low over the front line trenches, presumably taking photographs to give the Germans a clue as to the state of our defences, how many men are in the front line at any one time and other such vital intelligence. The Battalion has tried to bring the aircraft down by firing on them with Lewis Guns but, given that these machines are moving a considerable speed, perhaps as much as one hundred miles per hour if they have finished taking photographs, it will be seen that they are very difficult to hit.

Source: X550/2/5

Lewis Gunners to the Fore

Lewis Gun by Balcer on Wikipedia

Tuesday 16th January 1916

The 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is at le Touret near the old 1915 battlefield at Neuve-Chapelle. They are busy training for whatever the year may hold. In a conversation with the adjutant this morning he mentioned that an eight-day course began this morning for the Battalion’s Lewis gunners. These men provide vital assistance in any attack as their rapid fire weapons can suppress enemy strongpoints and snipers, allowing the other men to continue going forward, so a Lewis gun team of two men (firer and loader) can never be too well trained.

Source: X550/7/1

8th Bedfords in the Trenches at Givenchy

Monday 4th December 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

In the last few days the adjutant of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been keeping me informed about their situation at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée. This evening he told me that just after dark the Battalion’s Lewis gunners caught an enemy working party in the open. As he remarked matter-of-factly: “Cries of pain denoting casualties were heard”. Earlier in the day a German was seen peering over the parapet. It was his last act as one of the Battalion snipers made sure.

Lieutenant L A L Fink

The 2nd Battalion are still at Berles-au-Bois to the north of the Somme battlefield, having relieved the 20th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment this afternoon. The adjutant heard today that Second Lieutenant L A L Fink has been awarded the Military Cross(1)

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

(1) Captain L A L Fink MC would be killed on 5th October 1917 and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery

Day Ninety Eight on the Somme

Friday 6th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has wired to say that they are at Hédeauville and on their way to the front line on the Somme by way of Mailly-Maillet.

Meanwhile the 1st Battalion are near Festubert where they will be entering the front line within the next few days. They have been joined by Captain J J Moyse. The adjutant told me: “Owing to heavy casualties during the recent fighting and the consequent shortage of trained Lewis gunners and bombers, a school was started today in conjunction with the Officer Commanding 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire, Regiment for the rapid training of sufficient of these me to hold the line.

Sources: X550/2/5;  X550/5/3