Forty Second Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 10th September 1917

Almost, it seems, as a reply to the discomfort of the 2nd Battalion, 6th Battalion, at Mount Sorrel south-east of Zillebeke, last night attempted a raid on enemy trenches in the area inside the black box marked on the map above.

B Company under Second Lieutenant D W Wright made the raid but, in the laconic report of the adjutant it “proved a  complete failure owing to the artillery shooting short and putting the barrage between ourselves and our objective. Fortunately no casualties”.

Source: X550/7/1

Thirty Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Tuesday 4th September 1917

61st (2nd South Midland) Division continue their small, piecemeal attacks on the German strong-points north of Ypres. Today they managed to get within a few yards of Aisne Farm before falling back due to heavy fire.

The enemy has yielded another strong-point without a fight, however. 58th Division has occupied a place called Spot Farm.

Spot Farm

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are now in the front line trenches east of Oostaverne, well to the south of Ypres, that sector, at the moment, being quiet.

6th Battalion are at Mount Sorrel, south-east of Zillebeke. The adjutant contacted us this evening to let us know that the enemy had attempted to raid the battalion’s trenches east of Klein Zillebeke, but was driven off by rifle fire. He stated: “A Company under Second Lieutenant R K Wright, who was slightly wounded, did very well on this occasion and were mainly instrumental in bringing about the failure of the raid. A patrol sent out after the raid brought in a dead Hun who provided a valuable identification. The enemy came over in some strength and were provided with explosive charges”. The dead man had, presumably, identification papers enabling the Bedfords to determine his unit.

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

Thirty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 3rd September 1917

The only action here today has been another attempt by 61st (2nd South Midland) Division, to take Hill 35 from the enemy, having obtained a foothold on it a few days ago. Their efforts, sad to report, do not seem to have been crowned with success.

6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 37th Division, are at Mount Sorrel south-east of Zillebeke. They have had a petty officer and eight sailors attached for the day to learn what it is like in and near the front line.

8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are in the support trenches at Hill 70 near Loos-en-Gohelle. This evening the adjutant contacted your correspondent on the blower with news that Captain G D Brewster and Second Lieutenant T A Jones were both wounded in no man’s land by a German grenade whilst on patrol in the early hours this morning. They did, however, obtain valuable information for their pains.

Sources: X550/7/1; X550/9/1