Day One Hundred and Thirteen on the Somme

Saturday 21st October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The enemy, it seems, have not yet given up their dreams of holding the Schwaben Redoubt, taken by 39th Division on 14th October. This morning they launched an attack to re-take it but were defeated. Perhaps now they will “get the message” as one of the soldiers said to me. 

A major attack involving four divisions, 18th (Eastern), 25th, 39th and 4th Canadian got underway today. As is appropriate the Canadians attacked Regina Trench west of Le Sars, which they took. 18th, 25th and 39th Divisions all captured their allotted sections of Stuff Trench and at Stump Road an amazing 731 prisoners, nineteen machine guns and three field guns were captured.

Day One Hundred and Seven on the Somme

Sunday 15th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The attacks made by 4th Division last night, we have been told this morning, were unsuccessful. Before dawn this morning 6th Division occupied gun pits in front of Cloudy Trench east of Gueudecourt.

The 8th Battalion adjutant tells me that they are still in front line trenches east of Gueudecourt. There has been intermittent shelling all day, very intense for about half an hour at midnight last night. Three enemy snipers have been shot down. Casualties Second Lieutenant John Seear Gibson has died of wounds inflicted by the shelling and two other ranks have been killed, with eight wounded.

At the Schwaben Redoubt today the Germans launched desperate counter-attacks with their favoured flame-throwers. All of these, I am glad to report, have been defeated.

Source: X550/9/1

Day One Hundred and Six on the Somme

Saturday 14th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Last night the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment were relieved in the front line by 18th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment and withdrew to reserve trenches west of the village of Flers. Just before this, about 8.10 pm in Gird Trench Sergeant F Brown successfully bombed a party of the enemy, capturing one, who was a Saxon. This proved important, as it showed that a relief had taken place, as Bavarians had occupied the trench during the attack on October 12th. Total casuatlies for the attack on 12th are now reckoned to be 10 officers and 242 other ranks killed and wounded.

It appears that another hard-fighting battalion of the regiment is preparing for a third attack in this battle. 7th Battalion have today received orders to the effect that the 18th Division had opened advance Divisional Headquarters at Albert: the 53rd Brigade have moved up in readiness for an attack on Regina Trench and the 54th Brigade will move to Beauville. All necessary arrangements are being made for the Battalion to move tomorrow morning. Advance billeting parties were detailed to proceed ahead at 2 pm today - but, this was cancelled just before time to march off.

This afternoon 25th Division made a successful attack on an area known as The Mound, west of the River Ancre and Saint-Pierre-Divion. Seizing this objective gives them observation of the village.

Perhaps the most momentous news of the day is the capture of the last parts of the Schwaben Redoubt. This was achieved by the 39th Division, specifically the 4th/5th Battalion, Black Watch, the 17th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and our close neighbours from 1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. About 150 prisoners were taken. So the position first attacked by 7th Bedfords and others on 28th September has finally fallen.

About half an hour ago we were told that 2nd Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders of 4th Division have assaulted Rainy Trench and gun pits south of Dewdrop Trench east of Lesboeufs. 2nd Royal Dublin Fusiliers have also attacked gun pits in front of Hazy Trench.

Source: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1

Day One Hundred and One on the Somme

Monday 9th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Whist it was still dark this morning 39th Division tred a surprise attack on the northern face of the Schwaben Redoubt but they were repulsed. This pestilential defence work has been a squabbling point since 28th September and each day has seen some activity there, great or slight. Just after noon 10th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment of 25th Division attacked Stuff Redoubt due east of the Schwaben Redoubt and captured it, supported by a very effective barrage. So, only one of the three Thiepval redoubts remains partially in enemy hands.

Today the Bedfordshire Yeomanry marched from Forest-l’Abbaye to Douriez. This would not be remarkable in itself, except they went via Crécy-en-Ponthieu, site of the grerat victory of Edward III and his son the Black Prince over the French in 1346. The padre, Rev H G Gibbons, told me he was planning a lecture on the battle for some rest period in the future(1)

Source: WW1/WD2

(1) It was given on 2nd December 1916 at Desvres

Day Ninety Seven on the Somme

Thursday 5th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

47th (2nd London) Division this evening has managed to push its front line forward beyond a ruined mill north-west of Eaucourt-l’Abbaye. Meanwhile the floundering attacks through a glutinous sea of mud at the Schwaben Redoubt go on as 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, from 53rd Brigade made an attack which came to naught.

From far away Egypt comes a wire that the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 54th (East Anglian) Division is guarding prisoners. They are at El Shatt Camp and have guard over some two hundred Turks.

Source: X550/6/8

Day Ninety Six on the Somme

Wednesday 4th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

More fighting has been going amid the deep mud at the Schwaben Redoubt today but, as far as can be seen, neither side has gained or lost much. 23rd Division made an attack before dawn toward Le Sars but was stopped by bullets and mud.

Day Ninety Four on the Somme

Monday 2nd October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 7th Bedfords have today travelled to the villages of Vacquerie and Gorges, well behind the lines south-west of Doullens. The 8th Battalion, also in billets behind the lines, has had the honour today of congratulations from General Officer Commanding 6th Division on their performance in terrible circumstances on 15th September as well as on 25th September.

Sadly, strong German counter-attacks in the early hours of this morning pushed the Canadians out of the gains they made in Regina Trench yesterday. The 47th (2nd London) Division carried on the fight around Eaucourt-l’Abbaye but this still remains in enemy hands. 50th (Northumbrian) Division cleared some of the area on the Londoners’ left flank.

The Schwaben Redoubt remains a point of contest. Today 55th Brigade of 18th Division was attacked in its positions in the redoubt and driven from some of them by an attack which has lasted all day

Today has been wet and chilly and the fighting has definitely taken on the characteristics of Autumn. There is mud everywhere and this tires the men as quickly as being in action itself.

Sources: X550/8/1; X550/9/1

Day Ninety One on the Somme

Friday 29th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

All day your correspondent has been wondering about the fate of the 7th Bedfords at the Schwaben Redoubt. This eveing I have heard from Colonel Price: “At 7.15 last night the clearing up of a trench between Points 15 and 19 was taken in hand by a platoon of D Company under Lieutenant Douglas Keep (brother of Leslie)(1) but was held up by strong resistence on the enemy's part and a lack of bombs, and it was not until 9.30, when bombs and reinforcements were sent up that Lieutenant Keep managed to win through and join hands with a party of the West Yorkshires, who had been holding Point 19 and had established bombing stops in and around Point 39”.

“It was at 11.30 pm that the situation in the square formed by Points 22, 45, 19, 86, 95, 13 was showed that it was definitely held by our men, with bombing points round Point 39 and west of Point 86. All night there were constant bombing fights north of Point 45, the Boches coming out of their dug-outs in the second line. About midnight the trench between Points 45 and 19 was reinforced by men of D Company and some West Yorkshires, as it appeared to be too lightly held”.

“In order to ensure that the men, who were very weary, were kept on the alert the square above mentioned was continually patrolled by two officers in reliefs starting from 11.30 to 1 a.m. Captain Colley and Lieutenant Douglas Keep; 1 to 3 Lieutenant Brawn, Company Sergeant Major Hall; 3 to 5 Second Lieutenant Cartwright and Company Sergeant Major Brand”.

“Point 39 was held all night but was lost about the time the relief took place - the Boche making a strong counter-attack with bombs under cover of a smoke cloud. At 6 a.m. the 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment relieved the Bedfords and the West Yorkshires, Lieutenant Keep taking B Company Royal West Kents up the trench between Points 86 and 19 with their right on Point 19 and Captain Leslie Keep taking C Company of the West Kents along the trench between Points 13-22-45-19. On arrival at Point 19 it was found Point 30 had been evacuated but a bombing point had been established along the trench between Points 19 and 39. Point 39 was held by bombers of the West Yorkshires under their Battalion Bombing Officer. Lieutenant Keep and Second Lieutenant Brawn personally saw to the relief and the posting of sentries in both trenches. Captain Keep did not leave the position until 9 a.m.”

The Colonel then went on to mention some good work by his adjutant: “During this attack Captain Bridcutt, who was observing the operations through a very excellent Boche periscope, noticed that the Boches had run down the front and intermediate trench between Points 91 and 29, had lined their parados and shot into the left flank of the advancing troops. All available men consisting of servants, runners, signallers etc. were lined up in front of the Battalion Head Quarters and commenced rapid fire into the flank of the Boche doing great execution and causing them to retire hastily”.

Second Lieutenant Thomas Percy Wilson

As I write this the Battalion is in the ruins of Thiepval serving as a reserve. It seems as if 43 officers and men were killed yesterday, or have since died of wounds. Added to the 51 men killed on 26th and 27th this makes a total of 94 for the two days – close to the casualty figure for their action on the 1st July. Four officers were killed yesterday: Second Lieutenant Cedric Howard of 10 Cutcliff Place, Bedford; Second Lieutenant Robert Hunston from Birmingham; Second Lieutenant Herbert Merchant from 134 Castle Street, Luton and Second Lieutenant Thomas Percy Wilson(2).

A number of congratulatory telegrams have been received. Sir Hubert Gough, commanding Reserve Army has written to Major-General Maxse, commanding 18th Division: “Congratulate you very heartily on success of today's attack as well as of previous operations. Reflects greatest credit on you and your troops”. The commander of II Corps has written: “The Corps Commander again thanks and congratulates all ranks of 18th Division on further gallant and successful work today. He specially commends the good organisation, training and Staff work displayed and the methodical and determined manner in which all orders and plans have been carried out and all prearranged objectives reached and consolidated”. Touchingly General Plumer, of 2nd Army, under whose command the division briefly fell after removing from the Somme at the end of July has written: “Many congratulations to you and your Division from Commander and Staff, Second Army”.

General Maxse has made it known to the division that the Commander-in-Chief himself, Sir Douglas Haig, called on him at his headquarters to congratulate the division on its success.

A vicious fight has been going on all day at the Schwaben Redoubt. 11th Division has made further attacks today, clearing most of Hessian Trench but failing to take Stuff Redoubt. 

Source: X550/8/1

(1) Douglas Keep would be killed at Zillebeke Lake near Ypres on 14th July 1917 and is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery.

(2) Second Lieutenant Merchant’s body was never recovered and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. The other three are buried in Mill Road Cemetery.

Day Ninety on the Somme

Thursday 28th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

Today has been a day of light rain but this has not prevented another attack by the Bedfords. Having seized Thiepval yesterday they were ordered to take part in another attack, this time on the Schwaben Redbout on a spur of land north of the village ruins. As Captain Bridcutt told me: “From early morning until 12 Noon every one was going at high pressure, preparing for another attack on the ground which included a very high ridge and a Redoubt called the Schwaben Redoubt to the North of Thiepval. At 12 Noon the Battalion was ready for this attack and disposed as follows: A and B were the assaulting companies, D Company was in a dug-out and C Company was Battalion Reserve”.

The attack got underway at 1 pm and much use was made of numbered points on the map to navigate. I am lucky enough to have a sketch plan of these points which I reproduce above and which may assist the reader to follow the action. Colonel Price took a moment from his ongoing exertions was kind enough to tell me what has happened: “In order to conform with the barrage, bombing stops and the forward line previously held were all brought back on the line 34, 33, 43, 83. A and B Companies were the assaulting companies and formed up on the line 34 to 83, their fourth line being between points 13-60. D Company, detailed as clearing-up company, formed up with the two assaulting companies. C Company, in support, were formed up on the roads 67-19, two machine guns were detailed with supporting Company. A Company, 5th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, was used as a Battalion Reserve with the remaining three Companies in support of main attack”.

View from the front line to towards the Schwaben Redoubt on the crest of the ridge in the distance

“The forming up by mid-day was an exceedingly difficult operation as the trenches in question were in full view of the enemy and the light was very good. It was however successfully carried out”.

“The Artillery barrage which opened at 1 pm was very effective, very little enemy fire was met with until lifts in the barrage occurred. The waves followed the barrage very closely and went in beautiful formation until points 29 and 49 were reached”.

Line of attack by the right-hand platoons of the battalion

"A Company, on the right, made for the Cemetery and from thence to swing on to Market Trench but, unfortunately, the right platoon got knocked right out by machine gun fire from the Schwaben Redoubt before ever reaching Market Trench. The whole line from here on appears to have commenced to lay to the left - partly forced there by pressure of the Queen’s (West Surrey) Regiment, on their right. The supports hereabouts joined the assaulting Companies, who were suffering severely from machine gun fire”.

“From this point the Boches could be seen streaming away in full flight towards Saint-Pierre-Divion along trenches 19-63-54 and towards 69. About 2.30 Captain Keep arranged with an officer of the Queen’s to relieve him of trench 22-45 and his bomb stop in trench 45-19. About 3 pm the line 22-45 was taken over by Company Sergeant Major Brand(1) who had with him men of A Coy and West Yorkshires, the latter on the right. Sergeant Patterson of the West Yorks held Strong Point 45 with a platoon of his men”.

“After arranging with the Queen’s officer, Captain Keep hurried back to Point 86 and found that the party at Point 19 had fallen back towards Point 86 making a bombing stop half way up that trench. There was great confusion reigning at this time and the troops available had to be retold-off. Men of the West Yorkshire Regiment under Second Lieutenant Brawn were told off to hold the Line 19-86 with a bombing stop and line 19-63 while Second Lieutenant Cartwright with two Lewis guns and a Stokes mortar was put in charge of a strong point 50 yards west of Point 86. This point was immediately counter-attacked, but as quickly driven off(2)”.

“About 4 pm the shortage of Mills bombs and ammunition was acutely felt. Boche bombs from dugouts were of immense value. The situation at this point was somewhat precarious. It appeared as if the Queen’s had failed to reach point 65 and to clear the dug-outs in second line trench from that point to Point 45. From Point 45 to Point 19 the situation was uncertain except that we held points 45 and 19 but the intervening trench had not been exploited. No bombs were available to do this work”.

“The attack on extreme left advanced very quickly. They had flanking bombing parties posted forward which proved to be invaluable. The Lewis guns advanced on the left flank through Points 36, 29 and 22. Very few casualties or serious opposition were experienced until reaching Points 29, 49, 72”.

“At Point 29 the Boche had a machine-gun emplacement covered by a strong bombing party of some forty men. The flanking bombing party was held up and had to wait until the dug-out clearing party came to their assistance. It was here the first three waves suffered losses – Second Lieutenant Adlam(3) orgainsed a strong party, told the men to cheer and they charged the strong point with him as leader, in one big rush, overbore all resistance and completely wiped out the enemy. The Lewis Guns did great execution at this point. Two more strong points between Points 29 and 91 were taken at point of bayonet after a bomb preparation”.

“The situation hereafter became very difficult, as it was impossible to recognise any trenches owing to the intensity of the Artillery preparation which had obliterated everything. The final objective was almost impossible to locate accurately. This may account for parties of men over-reaching by far the final objective - some patrols pushing as far as Points 47 and 35. The final objective was held early on in the day and the whole of the Boche front line by parties of Lancashire Fusiliers, Bedfords and West Yorkshires”.

Of course the battle still goes on, particularly on the right hand section of the attack, but before turning his attention to events here the Colonel was able to give me a few of his views on the operations so far: “The whole of this operation was carried out with great dash, personal cases of daring bravery were very numerous. The taking of strong points with a determined rush came off every time”.

“The fact that there were two points numbered 45 led to great confusion and accounted for the lagging of the line away from what was, after all, the true objective - the Schwaben Redoubt. The fact that the right of the right attack was blotted out by machine gun fire may have led to the Queen’s filling-in the gap and causing them to lose their real line”.

“I am fully prepared to hold line won by us till day light tomorrow, or even later. The courage, resolution and endurance displayed by all ranks was quite wonderful. They were out to kill and the battlefield is a witness that they carried out to the full their intentions”.

As far as we can tell the southern and western faces of the Schwaben Redoubt are now in the hands of 18th Division. No doubt we can expect more fighting over night.

Today the area around the village of Morval has been handed over to the French 6th Army. In fact today has seen a number of the divisions which attacked on 25th relieved by new divisions, their work having been well done.

View from Cartwright's Post over the Ancre Valley

Source: X550/8/1

(1) Company Sergeant Major Richard Brand MM, DCM would be killed at Chérisy on 3rd May 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

(2) Second Lieutenant Henry Cartwright would be wounded at Chérisy but would survive the war. In his memoirs he expressed disappointment that he was not recommended for a Military Cross for his work on this day. He named his strong-point Cartwright’s Post.

(3) He would receive the Victoria Cross for this action and for his gallantry and initiative on the previous day’s attack.

Day Eighty Nine on the Somme

Wednesday 27th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

This morning I received some splendid news from the adjutant of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Captain Bridcutt. Readers will remember that yesterday 54th Brigade of 18th Division seized a good part of the fortress village of Thiepval: “The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel G. D. Price and I arrived at the Chateau in Thiepval. After conferring with Lieutenant-Colonel Maxwell, 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, commanding the scattered portions of the three battalions (12th Middlesex, 11th Royal Fusiliers and 6th Northamptonshires) Colonel Price decided to attack the untaken portion of Thiepval - the north-western part of the village. Dispositions for the attack were as follows C and D Companies, commanded by Captains Leslie Keep and Mulligan respectively, were detailed for the assault which was to be carried out in two waves with C Company on the right and D Company on the left. A and B Companies were sheltered close at hand in German dug-outs. Zero was fixed for 5.30 a.m.”

Captain T R J Mulligan

“The morning was extremely dark and the assaulting companies had great difficulty in forming up for the attack on the correct alignment. At about 5.45 all was ready and a few minutes later the two waves advanced, sweeping across the untaken portion of ground and the enemy trenches. Two machine-guns and a good deal of rifle fire opened from the enemy's lines but our troops continued to advance and in a short time were in possession of the German trenches on the north-western face of Thiepval. Captain Mulligan and Second Lieutenant Potts fell, badly wounded but during the action 36 prisoners were taken and about a hundred Germans killed by rifle fire and bayonets”.

“This action, though apparently small, was of the utmost importance as without the whole of the Village of Thiepval and the trenches surrounding it being captured, the whole line of attack was held up. So to the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (especially C and D Companies) belongs the honour and glory of the final destruction of one of the Germans’ strongest positions and one which they had boasted could never be taken”.

“Our casualties were 2 officers above mentioned and about 110 other ranks in the above action. The other three battalions of the 54th Brigade, who made yesterday’s attack on Thiepval, had been withdrawn to cover in our support area”. If Captain Bridcutt sounded elated he can be forgiven. The Battalion, and the division more widely, has achieved something of note today, the equal of its successes on the first day of the battle and at Trônes Wood.

I have since learned that of just over one hundred men wounded, 51 have been killed today, with two having died last night in moving up to support the brigade attack. A number of others will likely not survive the day. An officer killed, not mentioned by the adjutant, is Second Lieutenant Ian Ross-Taylor from Essex. Lieutenant Henry Potts is very gravely wounded and has been moved back to a hospital near Boulogne(1).

This evening Captain Bridcutt has been back in touch. It looks as if the battalion will be called on again tomorrow to attack one of the three redoubts which lie near Thiepval from north to east – Schwaben Redoubt to the north. This promises to be a more dangerous operation than the taking of the village.

This afternoon 11th Division, having taken Mouquet Farm yesterday but failed to take another of these redoubts – Zollern Redoubt, tried again. Evidently they had done considerabe damage in their attack yesterday as they found the place empty and have gladly occupied it. No doubt the seizure of Thiepval also contributed to this evacuation as the place was then outflanked. They have also attacked the third of the redoubts, which lies just north of Zollern Redoubt – Stuff Redoubt. An attack here this morning filed but this afternoon 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment attacked alone. This can be disastrous but to the Yorkshiremen’s credit they have obtained a toehold on the southern face of the redoubt. An hour later another Yorkshire unit – 6th Battalion Green Howards, who had been due to attack with the West Yorkshires, took eighty or so prisoners in a nearby trench and joined their colleagues at the south face of the redoubt.

The Canadians have been involved in heavy fighting south of Le Sars over a trench called Kenora Trench, which is an eastern extension of the Regina Trench mentioned yesterday.

Elsewhere 55th (West Lancashire) Division have taken another section of Gird Trench, north-west of Gueudecourt, the village which fell yesterday. The Germans still hold part of this trench, where it joins with another called Goose Alley. 1st Division and 23rd Division have also made small gains today.

Source: X550/8/1

(1) He would die on 1st October and is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.