Hard Fighting Around le Cateau

Thursday 17th October 1918

As good as his word yesterday General Rawlinson's Fourth Army attacked the enemy positions along the River Selle today, after a four-day bombardment by over a thousand guns. During the misty light of dawn the men of seven divisions (including the American 27th and 30th Divisions) went forward.

It has been a tough fight all day across the swollen river, the Americans, for example, could not even take their first objective and an enemy counter-attack prompted 50th (Northumbrian) Division to give up some of the ground it had taken. However, 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division, with the South African Brigade to the fore, has taken the village of le Cateau. Tomorrow will see the attack resumed and there is a determination that the enemy are not going to prevail.

Fourth Army will Attack Tomorrow

Wednesday 16th October 1918

As Second Army pushes towards and crosses the River Lys, to the south Fourth Army is preparing to push on after a rest of a few days, over the River Selle and through le Cateau to countryside not seen in four years. In a briefing to the press corps (1) today Fourth Army commander General Rawlinson has set the scene for us: "The valley of the Selle, which the Bosche has fortified to some extent, and, what is more inconvenient, has dammed at many of the mills and bridges, causing inundations which limit the front on which attack is possible. However I am having a go at this position tomorrow, with some seven divisions in line, and I have no doubt that we shall penetrate, and give the enemy another nasty knock"


(1) actually a letter to the King's private secretary Colonel Wigram

Cambrai Falls

Wednesday 9th October 1918

The city of Cambrai, so nearly liberated in November last year has finally been yielded up by the enemy after just over four years of occupation. The German troops left managed to sneak out during the night though almost entirely surrounded. At least, this way, a potentially very costly fight has been avoided. Sadly the centre of the city and much of the suburbs has been almost totally destroyed but, as one local has been reported as saying, sadly shaking his head, "At least they are our ruins now".

The capture of Cambrai has not caused any pause in the advance.  Resistance was fierce at times yesterday, with a number of enemy counter-attacks utilising tanks they had captured from our armies in weeks and months past. All these were beaten off and today there have been none to speak of. Cavalrymen have even been in action on the army's left, or northern, flank where no barbed wire has impeded their progress. The Canadian Cavalry Brigade mounted a successful charge south of Cambrai and took the village of Reumont only four miles or so from le Cateau.

First Army also advanced today and all three British and Imperial armies have achieved stunning advances. Few can now doubt that the end of German resistance is near. This evening it has been announced that the Prime Minister, Mr Lloyd-George has sent a length congratulatory telegram to Field Marshal Haig: "I have just heard from Marshal Foch of the brilliant victory won buy the First, Third and Fourth Armies and I wish to express to yourself, Generals Horne, Byng and Rawlinson and all the officers and men under your command my sincerest congratulations on the great and significant success which the British Armies, with their American brothers in arms have gained during the two past days. The courage and tenacity with which the troops of the Empire, after withstanding the terrific enemy onslaught of the spring of this year, have again resumed the offensive with such decisive results is the greatest chapter in our island history. The smashing of the great defensive system erected by the enemy in the west and claimed by him to be impregnable is a feat of which we are justly proud and for which the Empire will always be grateful".

What Next?

Friday 11th October 1918

There has been a pause in the great advance today. There enemy seems to have come to a halt in a new defensive line. It is reported that Field Marshal Haig met with the commanders of First, Third and Fourth Armies today  (Generals Horne, Byng and Rawlinson) to discuss future operations. Clearly it is the army's job to push the enemy out of France and Belgium but timing and location of the main thrusts must still be decided. 

The Battle of Bouzincourt Ridge

The Basilica at Albert [X550/5/1]


Wednesday 27th March 1918

The unthinkable has indeed happened. Overnight Albert was abandoned to the enemy, for the first time in this war. The decision was made that, symbol or no, the town must be given up and the defences moved to the high ground to the east of the town as well as along the west bank of the River Ancre. Thus the ruins tonight will lie under the Kaiser's jackboot. Those we have spoken to here at Amiens, now the nerve centre of the defence against the German attack, are grimly determined that Albert will not languish long under enemy control. 

Yesterday it was decided to place on man in charge of all allied armies on the Western Front - French, British, Belgian and, eventually, American. Being largely a war fought in France this command has been given to a Frenchman - Marshal Foch. He is said to be a cool-headed, intelligent man and acceptable to Field Marshal Haig. This crisis, the most pressing since the early days of 1914 and the German thrust towards Paris, will certainly test his nerve and abilities to the utmost. 

Looking at the battalions of the Bedfordshire Regiment currently engaged, I have been able to contact each of them. 2nd Battalion came under attack again this morning, and began a fighting withdrawal just after midday. They held the line of a road from Arvillers to Folies and were able to stop any further German attacks in their tracks and remain in this same position this evening.

The 7th Battalion marched to Saint-Aubin this afternoon and form a reserve to 58th Division. The adjutant quoted a letter he had received from General Brecard of 1st Dismounted Cavalry Division, with whom the battalion has been working:  "During the Operations of the 24th/25th March, the 18th Division with two Brigades of Artillery, commanded by General Lee has been put under my orders".

"With regard to this, I wish to bring to your notice the splendid attitude and the brilliant bearing of the 54th Brigade and the 8th and 83rd Artillery Brigades".

"I wish to bear testimony to the perfect "camaraderie" which those General Officers and their units placed under their commands have never ceased to show, as also to the superb bearing of their troops".

"It is thanks to their splendid and dogged defence that I have been able to free on my right a situation often difficult, especially at the time of retirement on to the South Bank of the Oise on the night of 25th/26th March."

Today's main news, however, concerns the 4th Battalion, part of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The news is both grave and glorious. The battalion was at Bouzincourt Ridge, overlooking Albert as the town was ceded to the enemy overnight. At 7.30 this morning they attacked the railway line here, to slow the German advance. Your correspondent managed to speak with one of the senior officers - Captain FT Spicer who reported as follows: "At 6.30 pm yesterday orders were received to move at once in advance guard formation to Bouzincourt, which was reached at 8 pm. During the evening the enemy, attacking in mass formation, had gained Albert and had obtained a footing in Aveluy Wood. Small parties of the enemy had advanced on Bouzincourt but had been driven back just before we arrived".

"At midnight we moved from the village onto the high ground to the east, preparatory to an attack".

"About 7.30 a.m., in conjunction with troops on the right and left, we attacked, drove the Germans off the high ground and regained the Albert-Arras railway near Aveluy".

"At first all went well. The Germans were driven back down the Ancre valley to the railway, where for a long time the fighting was confused. After desperate fighting, during which the bayonet was freely used, the railway was reached in several places, and by bombing outwards the whole of the railway was made good".

"Meanwhile large parties of Germans debouched from Albert and counter-attacked the right flank. The arrival of some machine guns, however, saved the situation and forced the Germans to retire back into the town".

"Throughout the afternoon and evening strong counter-attacks under cover of a heavy artillery and trench mortar fire (the enemy was very quick in bringing up trench mortars) were made. These attacks followed rapidly one after the other and were only repulsed after the most bitter fighting. The enemy suffered heavily from our rifle and machine gun fire".

"During one of these attacks a trench mortar bomb fell and exploded in the shell hole from which Lieutenant-Colonel Collings-Wells was directing the operation".

This attack has come at great cost. Your correspondent spoke yesterday to the battalion's commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Collings-Wells. Tonight he lies in earth, killed just as Captain Spicer relates. Major Nunneley, Second Lieutenant Macklin and Second Lieutenant Soames were also killed. Captain Plumbly is now in command of the battalion(1)

This evening has come a surprise statement. At five o'clock General Sir Hubert Gough was relieved of command of Fifth Army and will be replaced by Sir Henry Rawlinson tomorrow. This great German offensive has been aimed largely at Fifth Army and it seems as if Sir Hubert has paid the price for its success so far. Ironically, many officers to whom my colleagues and I have spoken feel that the capture of Albert will be about the limit of this advance. The enemy is not moving so quickly as he did a few days ago, nor getting so far. His troops are obviously tired, their supplies stretched and their momentum appears to be slowing. let us hope so.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/5/1; X550/5/3; X550/8/1

(1) The action took place just south of Bouzaincourt Ridge Cemetery, where today some of the battalion, including Collings-Wells and Soames lie buried. On 23rd April The London Gazette carried the following citation for a posthumous Victoria Cross awarded to John Stanhope Collings-Wells: "For most conspicuous bravery, skilful leading and handling of his battalion in very critical situations during a withdrawal. When the rearguard was almost surrounded and in great danger of being captured, Lieutenant Colonel Collings-Wells, realising the situation, called for volunteers to remain behind and hold up the enemy whilst the remainder of the rearguard withdrew, and with his small body of volunteers held them up for one and half hours until they had expended every round of ammunition. During this time he moved freely amongst his men guiding and encouraging them, and by his great courage undoubtedly saved the situation. On a subsequent occasion, when his battalion was ordered to carry out a counter-attack, he showed the greatest bravery. Knowing that his men were extremely tired after six days' fighting, he placed himself in front and led the attack, and even when twice wounded refused to leave them but continued to lead and encourage his men until he was killed at the moment of gaining their objective. The successful results of the operations were, without doubt, due to the undaunted courage exhibited by this officer."

Italy Bound

Tuesday 11th December 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are off on holiday! At least that is how the adjutant wryly described their current mission to me on the blower this afternoon. Their parent unit, 5th Division, is one of five British divisions being sent from the Western Front to Italy, some have already gone, others are on the way now. This British force will be commanded by General Plumer, who has, reluctantly it is understood, handed over command of Second Army at Ypres to Sir Henry Rawlinson.The British divisions will be formed into two Corps, they comprise 5th, 7th, 23rd, 41st and 48th (South Midland) Divisions. Six French divisions are also being sent to Italy.

The reason for sending over 130,000 allied soldiers from France and Flanders is that Italy is in crisis. The Austrians, bolstered by German troops no longer needed to fight the Russians following that country’s collapse into anarchy, launched an attack at Caporetto on 24th October. In a battle which lasted until early November they smashed the Italian 2nd Army and threatened Venice. Fortunately the Italians managed to stabilise the front but they are dreadfully weakened in what a military friend of mine calls the 3 Ms - material, morale and men. It is hoped that the British and French troops will provide the sort of help to the Italians that the Germans did for the Austrians - well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened units around which the Italians can rebuild their strength.

Today the 1st Bedfords went to Anvin and have boarded trains for their long journey south. They are, in fact, on two separate trains. The first, commanded by the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel P R Worrall consists of B Company and D Company. Major Chirnside commands the second train containing A Company and C Company. The transport and quartermaster’s stores have been divided equally between the two trains. They are expected to arrive at their destination on Sunday.

In far-off Palestine we understand that General Sir Edmund Allenby has made his official entry into Jerusalem. Unwilling for any comparison with his Saviour he chose to walk rather than ride in triumph.

Source: X550/2/5

Day Twenty Two in the Somme

Saturday 22nd July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

We understand that 18th (Eastern) Division, of which the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment forms a part, is leaving Fourth Army and this Battle of the Somme, now in its twenty second day. Rumour has it that the move north will be to the area near Béthune and Loos, scene of so much of the fighting last year but comparatively “quiet” this year.

Colonel Price shared the following telegram sent by Fourth Army commander General Rawlinson to the whole of 18th Division: “The part which the 18th Division has taken in the Battle of the Somme reflects the highest credit on every Officer, Non Commissioned Officer and Man, and I desire to tender to one and all my gratitude and congratulations”.

“The gallantry and determination displayed in the assault of the enemy's first system of defence, together with the night attack on, and final capture, of Trônes Wood, were feats of arms which will rank amongst the best attainments of the British Army. Nothing could have been finer than the behaviour of those men of the West Kent Regiment who held their position throughout the night when surrounded by the enemy at the northern end of the wood”.

“The heavy fighting in the village of Longueval and Delville Wood in which portions of the Division were engaged was an example of discipline, valour, and endurance which was wholly admirable”.

“It is with great regret that I hear the Division is to be transferred to another Army and I trust at some future time I may be honoured by again having it under my command”.

Source: X550/8/1

Day Seven on the Somme

Friday 7th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

As the 7th Bedfords withdraw from this battle, now in its seventh day, the adjutant has passed on the congratulatory telegrams received in the wake of the successful attack on 1st July. General Rawlinson, commander-in-chief of 4th Army wrote, on 2nd July: "please convey to 18th Division my best congratulations and thanks for their dashing attack yesterday. They have done excellent work and I desire to thank them most heartily." The commander of XIII Corps, General Sir Walter Norris Congreve wrote: “please convey to all units my intense appreciation of their splendid fighting which has attained all asked for from them and resulted in heavy losses to the enemy, nearly 1,000 prisoners have already passed through the cage”. And the commander of 18th Division, Sir Ivor Maxse wrote simply: “well done; it's what I expected; now hold on to what you have gained so splendidly”.

Today 17th Division made a determined attack on the area south of the village of Contalmaison this morning. They began at 2 am but their attack failed due to strong defence and uncut wire. The Germans then counter-attacked but were defeated by 7 am. Another attack was then made by 17th Division but this, too, was defeated.

23rd Division, next-door to 17th, also made an attack this morning, with the aim of taking the village of Contalmaison itself. Despite furious machine-gun fire they entered the village as far as the church, but suppoting attacks failed and, with ammunition running out, the gallant men of 23rd Division were forced to abandon the village. This ended what has been a frustrating day, like so many in this war.

Source: X550/8/1

The Battles of Festubert and Ypres End

Saturday 29th May 1915: News from France is that the Battle of Festubert is at an end. General Rawlinson, commanding IV Corps, has called a halt to further attacks and is well pleased to have advanced by about a mile and a half and to have taken the village and held all gains in the course of the fortnight’s fighting. German counter-attacks now seem to have ended and so, presumably, the line will solidify at this point for the foreseeable future.

We understand from a source in high command that casualties have been severe, but an inevitable cost for such a victory. We understand that they break down as follows:

·       - 2nd Division (which includes 1st East Anglian Field Company, Royal Engineers): 582 killed; 3,845 wounded; 1,018 missing – total 5,445

·       - 7th Division (which includes 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment): 731 killed; 2,726 wounded; 666 missing – total 4,123

·     -  Meerut Division: 224 killed; 2,037 wounded; 260 missing – total 2,527

·     -  47th (2nd London) Division: 233 killed; 1,535 wounded; 597 missing – total 2,365

·     -  Canadian Division: 381 killed; 1,606 wounded; 217 missing – total 2,204

This gives a combined total of 2,151 killed, 11,749 wounded and 2,758 missing or 16,658 casualties in full. It is thought that the enemy have lost about 5,000 men including 800 prisoners-of-war.

The struggle around Ypres also seems to have ended. We have had our eyes fixed on Hill 60 where the 1st Bedfords fought so bravely but there have been German attacks in many places. Our forces hold a large salient, essentially a bulge like the mirror image of the letter C around the city of Ypres and the enemy has succeeded in pushing our lines back in places but nowhere have they achieved the coveted breakthrough. We seem to have suffered just under 60,000 casualties, our French allies about 18,000 and the Canadian troops, who then went on to fight at Festubert, around 6,000. It is believed that the enemy lost around 35,000 men(1).

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(1) Private Edward Warner of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, would receive a posthumous Victoria Cross. Nine other VCs were awarded: Lance Sergeant D. W. Belcher (London Rifle Brigade); Captain E. D. Bellew (7th Battalion, British Columbia Regiment); Jemadar Mir Dast (55th Rifles, attached 57th Rifles, Ferozepore Brigade); Lance Corporal F. Fisher (13th Battalion, Royal Highlanders of Canada); Company Sergeant Major F. W. Hall (8th Battalion, Winnipeg Rifles); Private J. Lynn (2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers); 2nd Lieutenant W. B. Rhodes-Moorhouse (2nd Squadron, Royal Flying Corps); Captain F. A. C. Scrimger (Canadian Army Medical Service and 14th Battalion, Royal Montreal Regiment) and Corporal I. Smith (1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment).

2nd Battalion at Aubers Ridge

Monday 10th May 1915: We understand from the adjutant that the 2nd Bedfords, in reserve for the attack on Aubers yesterday are under orders from IV Corps commander, General Rawlinson, to move at short notice. Yesterday’s attacks by 1st and 8th Divisions and the Meerut Division of the Indian Army were not all that had been hoped. We believe that the southern attack has not made progress and has cost many lives because, if scattered reports reaching us are to be believed, the artillery failed to cut the German barbed wire in front of their trenches or do much damage to the machine-gunners who were giving our units casualties even as they climbed out of their trenches.

The attack from the north, which 2nd Bedfords were to exploit if successful, was undertaken by 8th Division. It met with more success as no man’s land at this point was quite narrow though many British guns seemed to drop their shells short, on our own front line and our men going forward. We believe that some of the 8th Division captured parts of the German front line. It is disappointing to learn that those men who had reached the German front line have been ordered to withdraw as they cannot be supported.

It looks as if both attacks have met with less success than was desired. Following the success at Neuve-Chapelle in March this must be disappointing to our men and their commanders. Nevertheless, it is understood that the French have captured Vimy Ridge to the south so perhaps the sacrifice of our boys helped in this effort by diverting German reinforcements(2).

Any hope that more attacks today or tomorrow will snatch victory from the hands of frustration seems unlikely. The adjutant tells us that word in the trenches is that there is little or no artillery ammunition left and without artillery support any attack is doomed to failure. Thus, it seems, must end the Battle of Aubers Ridge(3).

Source: X550/2/wd

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(1)  1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment was in the first wave of the 1st Division attack and 2nd Battalion in the first wave of the 8th Division attack. 1st Battalion lost 560 dead and wounded, more than any other unit attacking that day. 2nd Battalion lost 426. Total British casualties were around 11,000.

(2)  The Battle of Aubers Ridge was a complete failure and seems to have had no bearing on French success, itself limited, further south.

(3)  British industry at this point in the war was just not geared up to produce the large number of shells necessary for large scale offensive operations. To make matters worse, Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener had ordered significant stockpiles of shells to be diverted for the forthcoming operations

Praise for the 2nd Battalion

Sir Henry Rawlinson

Thursday 15th April 1915: The adjutant of 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, tells us that the battalion has received a communication from IV Corps Headquarters regarding the inspection by Sir John French which they underwent on 12th of this month. Apparently the corps commander (Sir Henry Rawlinson) was very pleased with the turnout of each of the four battalions of 21st Infantry Brigade which he thought was: “… very creditable. The smart handling of arms and steadiness in the ranks was particularly satisfactory and he desires this may be brought to the notice of all concerned".

Source: X550/3/wd

Praise for the Men of Neuve Chapelle

Sunday 14th March 1915: The general officer commanding IV Corps, Sir Henry Rawlinson, who masterminded the battle of Neuve Chapelle, has today issued this statement: “The brilliant success which the troops of the Fourth Corps have achieved in the capture of Neuve Chapelle is of the first importance to the Allied cause, especially at this period of the war. The heroism and gallantry of regimental officers and men and the assistance afforded them by artillery units is deserving of the highest praise and the Corps Commander desires to congratulate them on the severe defeat they have inflicted upon the enemy, whose losses amount to not less than 4,000 men in killed and prisoners alone(1). The magnificent behaviour of the infantry units is deserving of the highest commendation, and in deploring the loss of those gallant comrades who have given their lives for their King and country, Sir Henry Rawlinson hopes that all officers and men fully realise that what they have accomplished in breaking through the German line is an achievement  of which they should all feel justly proud”.

Source: Bedfordshire Standard 26th March 1915

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(1) Modern estimate are for 12,000 German casualties, of which 1,689 were prisoners-of-war. British and Indian casualties amounted to 11,652 killed, wounded and missing.

The First Day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Wednesday 10th March 1915: Our correspondent tells us that today the British army in France has begun a large scale attack designed to break through the German lines around the village of Neuve Chapelle, north-east of Béthune and south-west of Armentières. This will be the first attack our troops have made since last October and the ill-fated advance east from Ypres. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Rawlinson of IV Corps, has issued the following order of the day: “The attack which we are about to undertake is of the first importance to the Allied Cause. The Army and the Nation are watching the results and Sir John French(1) is confident that every individual in IV Corps will do his duty and inflict a crushing defeat  on the German VII Corps which is opposed to us”.

We understand that a huge amount of artillery has been brought in to bombard the German defences north and south of the village, where their front line forms a bulge like the letter C, known as a salient. The area being attacked is around two miles in length and it is believed that so great is our concentration of artillery that there is around one gun for every six yards of enemy front line. It is to be hoped such a violent destructive force will rupture the German lines and allow our men to flood through.

We understand that none of the units local to this county will be taking part in today’s main attack but that the 7th Division, which includes the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is in reserve. It is also understood that the French were due to launch simultaneous attacks but have now refused to do so, citing British failure to reinforce the line further north at Ypres and allow them to move more of their own men south. Despite this breach of promise by our gallant ally we are sure British pluck and determination will carry the day.

The ground around Neuve Chapelle is as flat as the Fens and, just like it, intersected by drainage ditches. A mile beyond Neuve Chapelle, however is a slight rise, just twenty feet higher than the plain, called the Aubers Ridge. Twenty feet in such a flat landscape is a lot and will allow our men to see over German lines further east.

The initial bombardment of an hour’s duration has been followed by attacks by two brigades of 8^th Division and Gharwal Brigade of our splendid Indian Corps. We understand the village will surely fall during the course of the day. What awaits the men of the 2nd Bedfords as they take up the cudgels tomorrow? This morning they are gathered just south-west of a hamlet called la Flinque and are expected to move south-east towards the village of Mauquissart this afternoon to bring them close to the front line.

The commanding officer of the East Anglian Royal Engineers tells us that at 7 this morning the division to which his unit is attached, 2nd Division, made an attack on the extreme right of the main attack which was delivered at Neuve Chapelle  but owing to the wire in front of German trenches being left intact no ground was gained. The EARE was working with the South Staffordshire Regiment, two sections furnishing blocking parties and the other two in reserve. A second attack is to be made at 2 pm but the same result is expected. The weather is misty with rain now just beginning to fall.

Source: X550/3/wd; Bedfordshire Standard 26th March 1915

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(1) Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force which, at this stage of the war, comprised 1st and 2nd Armies which comprised five corps between them.