American Success at Saint-Mihiel

Thursday 12th September 1918

Today has seen a whole series of attacks made by the British Expeditionary Force, the Americans and the French. The British IV, V and VI Corps of 3rd Army have all been in action and have taken the villages of Havrincourt and Trescault, a few miles south-west of Cambrai. Despite Sir Douglas Haig's remarks of yesterday the enemy has fought tenaciously today and has launched a series of counter-attacks this evening, all of which have been beaten off and the army has made an advance of about a mile on a five mile front.

Further south the Americans, just after midnight, launched a powerful attack at Saint-Mihiel, south-east of Verdun, a German position they have held continuously since September 1914. The Americans, followed by the French, took all their objectives by this afternoon and are said to have captured a further 16,000 prisoners and more than 400 guns. This triumph has shown the enemy that this new army can achieve anything to which it sets its mind and must surely be the last nail in the coffin of German militarism.

More Attacks at Arras on Day Twenty Five of the Battle

Thursday 3rd May 1917

Today has seen another major assault undertaken against the Germans around Arras with three armies - 1st, 3rd and 5th all involved. In the south, the 5th Army was given the task of taking Bullecourt, Riencourt and Hendecourt. 3rd Army was to seize Fontaine-lès-Croisilles, Chérisy, the factory at Saint-Rohart, Pelves and the station at Plouvain while 1st Army, in the north, was to occupy Oppy and Fresnoy.

We will begin in the south with 5th Army. In order to take Hendecourt and Riencourt the 62nd (West Riding) Division, in its first major battle, was given the task of taking Bullecourt which here forms part of the defences of the Hindenburg Line. The Australians  tried to take this place on 11th April and it is clearly a difficult nut to crack. It is understood that the village is still in German hands as I write these lines. The Australian 2nd Division was ordered to take the Hindenburg Line on the right flank of the village of Bullecourt. Hard fighting here has, we understand, yielded a little success. Though only a small segment of the defences have been penetrated, by 6th Australian Brigade, that task has been no easy one and the troops involved have performed splendidly.

The main weight of the attacks today has fallen, as throughout the battle, on General Allenby’s 3rd Army. Once again VI, VII and XVII Corps have all been in action. VII Corps’ task was to advance in a south-easterly direction. 21st Division had to capture the village of Fontaine-lès-Croisilles and the ground to the south of it. This attack, we learn, has been something of a fiasco, as has the attack on Chérisy by 18th (Eastern) Division, in which 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has taken part. 21st Division seems to have veered off course and run into 18th Division, which had to alter its course in turn. It looks as if no progress has been made. Having tried to raise the adjutant of the Bedfords, and having failed to do so a full report of their actions must wait until tomorrow, we hope they have not suffered too badly. As I write this word has reached me that most of the Battalion is still stuck in No Man’s Land unable to advance or retreat. The attack on 18th Division's left flank by 14th (Light) Division has also failed and, like those of the other two divisions, has gained no ground.

For three divisions to fail to take any objectives there must be serious reasons. We are hearing that the darkness was a major contributory factor, the attacks all beginning before dawn. The German artillery also seems to have been particularly destructive and the German counter-attacks, where any ground was momentarily taken (55th Brigade of 18th Division succeeded, briefly, in occupying Chérisy), decisive.

North of VII Corps lies VI Corps with 56th (London), 3rd and 12th (Eastern) Divisions. These men were to take the factory at Saint-Rohart, a wood called the Bois du Sart and the village of Pelves. 56th Division achieved some solid success in some places but once again, we here, in others the enemy artillery caused great loss, resulting in the division having to retire to its front line once again. 3rd Division's attack, we understand, has had to be undertaken wearing respirators as the enemy deluged them not only with normal artillery fire but with poisoned gas shells too. It comes as no surprise, then, that we hear this attack has also stalled. To 12th Division has fallen, we are led to believe, the only success of the day, 36th Brigade having managed an advance of about a quarter of a mile, though the rest of the division could not match it.

XVII Corps was slated to take Roeux, the chemical works and Greenland Hill, all objectives which have been outstanding since 10th April. 4th Division attacked Roeux but it seems that, this evening, it is still held by the enemy. 9th (Scottish) Division has only two brigades because its South African Brigade is very weak due to reinforcements being wanting, thus 52nd Brigade from 17th (Northern) Division was temporarily transferred to 9th Division to replace it. Here again the attack was unsuccessful and a colleague of mine from Scotland remarked to me that he fears that one battalion, 6th King’s Own Scottish Borderers has been all but wiped out.

With only one brigade of 3rd Army having made any progress we have been waiting to hear news of 1st Army’s attacks on the northern limits of the battlefield. Here XIII Corps used 31st Division and 2nd Division to assault the enemy line. 31st Division assaulted Oppy Wood but seem to have been unable to make consistent progress, a German counterattack even  managing to recapture Gavrelle windmill before they were driven out. 2nd Division is very weak in strength and, trying to capture the village of Oppy, was unsuccessful and is now so reduced in numbers that the phrase “bled white” is being used.

2nd Division was to secure the flank of the Canadian Corps which was to take the village of Fresnoy. In this they succeeded, though at great cost, which meant that the Canadian attack could take place. Here has been the shining light in a day of gloom. The splendid Canadians have taken the village and, last we heard, are still holding it. So another victory has been added to the already extensive battle honours of the men from North America in this war so far.

Source: X550/8/1

Twentieth Day of the Battle of Arras

Saturday 28th April 1917

Here in the city of Arras we were awakened this morning just before dawn by a roar of artillery as the Great Push resumed. 12th (Eastern) Division of VI Corps was given the task of advancing a short way to ensure that the northern flank of the bulge, or salient, around Monchy-le-Preux was reduced. The results were mixed, some advances being made but some attacking units taking dreadful casualties.

On the XVII Corps front, 34th Division was given the unenviable task of capturing Roeux, taken and then largely lost again by 51st (Highland) Division on Saint George’s Day. Some progress was made and parts of the village entered but a heavy counter-attack drove parts of the division back to its starting lines again. So Roeux, as I write this, still appears to be in enemy hands. This village is acquiring as bloody a name as Thiepval, Guillemont and Ovillers did last summer on the Somme.

37th Division also attacked yesterday, despite the fact that some Battalions had been reduced fro a theoretical strength of around one thousand to about two hundred by the severe fighting a few days ago. The target was again Greenland Hill, between Roeux and Gavrelle. The adjutant of 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has wired me reporting that they almost gained their objective, but were hit in the flank by fire from the chemical works outside Roeux. From other sources we understand that the Bedfords were probably a long way from their objective, having mistaken a trench about two hundred yards from their starting point for the trench in front of their true objective which lay three hundred yards beyond that. 63rd Brigade of this Division actually managed a breakthrough just west of Fresnes but steady losses from German counter-attacks has forced them to fall back to the road between Gavrelle and Plouvain. Meanwhile 111th Brigade managed to advance its line by about 800 yards up to the Gavrelle to Plouvain road. My colleague Ian McLeod, who is with the 6th Battalion, tells me that the unit has lost 294 men in the attacks at Greenland Hill of whom 51 are dead and 57 missing. In total this month the Battalion has lost so many men that only 58 are fit for duty.

Attacks have also been made north of Arras by 1st Army at Oppy and Arleux. 188th Brigade of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division was given the task of forming a defensive flank for the attack of 2nd Division further north.  4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was placed under the orders of 188th Brigade but did not go into action, despite the failure of the Brigade to achieve its objectives.

This failure had a serious impact on 2nd Division which had its right flank uncovered (“in the air” in military parlance) as it made its attack. The Division was already seriously under strength - around 3,500 men instead of a full strength figure in excess of 12,000. The Division was to capture the shattered remains of Oppy Wood and the village of Oppy itself beyond it. The attack began from forming up tapes laid by 1st Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers (now known officially as 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers). 6th Brigade took the wood but were repulsed from the village and then from the wood as well. 5th Brigade made some progress north of the wood and the village. As I write this we believe that both 63rd and 2nd Divisions are to attack again in the next few minutes.

North of these two British divisions is the Canadian Corps which, fresh from its magnificent capture of Vimy Ridge, was given the task of taking the village of Arleux. They succeeded magnificently in their task and the village is now in their hands. These men from the prairies, mountains and wastes of Canada must be regarded as amongst the very best in the World.

Away from the fighting, we have heard that 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has arrived at the Arras front. They are billeted in what the adjutant described as “Hun trenches” near Neuville-Vitasse and this evening expect to move up to the front line near Chérisy.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/8/1; WW1/WD3; information from Ian McLeod

Seventeenth Day of the Battle of Arras

Wednesday 25th April 1917

After the severe fighting of the last two days the front has been much quieter here around Arras today. 17th (Northern) Division of VI Corps attacked again today but made little progress and, we understand, it is to be relieved tonight by 12th (Eastern) Division.

The adjutant of the 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has been in touch to say that they are back in the front line at Cité-Saint-Élie near Loos. The enemy has been very active with artillery, shelling the reserve, support and front lines with 5.9 and 4.2 howitzers from 10.30 a.m. until about half an hour ago.

Source: X550/9/1

Sixteenth Day of the Battle of Arras

Tuesday 24th April 1917

Late last evening VII Corps once more tried to take its first objectives. 33rd Division began its attack yesterday at around thirty minutes after six o’clock in the evening. Here, again, no progress was made, due to strong enemy defences and despite great courage and equally great casualties. At around the same time 30th Division tried a second attack which, again, was largely unsuccessful, though a foot-hold in the enemy’s front line was achieved by 18th Battalion, Manchester Regiment. A second attack by 50th (Northumbrian) Division resulted, quite unexpectedly given the fortunes of VII Corps yesterday, with success. Quite large numbers of the enemy were taken prisoner and the objective, a copse east of Wancourt Tower, was seized and held.

Daylight this morning has shown that VII Corps achieved more than the success by 50th Division yesterday as overnight the enemy had withdrawn down-slope to the line of the road from Chérisy to Croisilles and the Tommies of VII Corps gratefully advanced. 33rd Division was able to reach the road from Fontaine-les-Croisilles to Saint-Martin crossed the enemy second line. There they found parties of men of 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and 2nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who had reached this point yesterday and had been given up for lost when the erst of the division fell back. Their heroism must have played a large part in deciding the enemy’s retreat. 30th Division was finally able to occupy its first objective of yesterday and 50th Division was able to advance a little further than yesterday. Thus, over the two days, we are told that the corps managed an advance of roughly  a mile at the furthest point and took around eighteen hundred prisoners. How the picture can change from one day to another!

On the VI Corps front 15th (Scottish) Division began a limited, renewed attack around six o’clock last evening. One Battalion, however, 10th/11th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, did not receive correct orders and advanced too far and alone, taking many casualties. They held out for a while but were eventually forced to fall back. Generally, however, the division achieved its first objective. 29th Division’s second attack last evening made limited progress and it was relieved by 3rd Division overnight. 17th (Northern) Division’s second attack last evening was as unsuccessful as its first had been yesterday morning. It has attacked again today and won a little ground but is still short of its first objective - the Blue Line.

51st (Highland) Division has replaced some of the battalions worn out by fighting yesterday by some from 34th Division. The division’s position is roughly along the road from Roeux to Gavrelle and yesterday they managed an advance of about a thousand yards, taking 350 prisoners.

63rd (Royal Naval) Division has had to face more counter-attacks today from its position in Gavrelle. A terrific bombardment of the village began about noon and the following attack was repulsed with what must have been equally terrific loss amongst the enemy.

On the surface it appears as if the army has suffered very high casualties, perhaps around eight thousand(1) without huge success. However, objectives have largely been taken and, I think it is fair to say, no one expected a clean breakthrough. The enemy is well aware that a major offensive is under way so no element of surprise exists and the Germans are alert to any movement. The feeling is that the men have done as well as can be expected in the circumstances.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/7/1

The Battle of Arras Begins Again

Monday 23rd April 1917 - Saint George’s Day

After a dormant period lasting eight days the Battle of Arras sprang into life once more today. There have been small, isolated flare-ups during those eight days but today saw the beginning of the second phase of operations with a concerted and widespread attack. Phase One saw VI, VII and XVII Corps making the running, today XIII to the north also joined in the attack. We here in Arras are hearing the fighting today has been gruelling(1)

The day began with a heavy mist from ground which was very wet after snow and rain over the preceding weeks. As the day developed it turned into a bright Spring day, whose beauty belied the grim struggle going on all around. The various objectives were grouped into two lines - the first known as the Blue Line and the second, east of that, known as the Red Line.

VII Corps was instructed to attack downhill towards the River Sensée between Vis-en-Artois and Bullecourt. 33rd Division, on the right flank, gained some ground but could not take all their objectives because the barbed wire was uncut. On their left flank 30th Division, still smarting from its lack of success in the opening phase of the battle, advanced on high ground overlooking the village of Chérisy. The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, played no part in this attack, as it was in reserve around Neuville-Vitasse. Once again their attack was unsuccessful because enemy artillery rained down on them causing huge casualties. 50th (Norhumbrian) Division ‘s attack failed with heavy casualties. Finally we have just heard that 33rd Division has begun an attack of its own, with what results we do not yet know.

VI Corps to the north of VII Corps occupied a front from Wancourt and Guémappe to the River Scarpe, south-east of Fampoux, with a bulge, or salient, sticking out towards the enemy around the village of Monchy-le-Preux. 15th (Scottish) Division attacked Guémappe and points north. Guémappe fell after hard fighting and the rest of the Division was able to make some progress. Then a German counter-attack drove the Scots out of Guémappe, though the Germans could not occupy it and the battalions north of the village held their ground. 29th Division, on the Scots’ left flank, took most of its objectives.About four o’clock this afternoon, however, the enemy counter-attacked this division also and managed to force its right-hand units back. 17th (Northern) Division’s attack made very little progress, just obtaining a precarious foot-hold in the enemy trenches.

XVII Corps area lay north of the River Scarpe and their attack today was aided by a division of XIII Corps to its north - our old friends the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, with the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment to the fore. Only two divisions of XVII Corps made any attack, both of them with local interest - 51st (Highland) Division, our Scottish friends who spent the first months of the war in Bedford, and 37th Division which includes 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

51st Division were given the task of taking the village of Roeux and its chemical works and station and then moving on to the fortified ridge and Delbar and Hausa Woods. Thanks to the aid of a tank (C7 under Second Lieutenant L Victor Smith) which fired its cannons through the windows of the houses, the Highlanders were able to take Roeux. The chemical works, however, proved resistant to being captured and then the Scots were forced out of most of Roeux apart from its western fringe. Nevertheless the first objective - the Blue Line - had been taken.

37th Division did very good work today - its 111th Brigade capturing both first and second objectives and ended up two hundred yards east of the road from Roeux to Gavrelle, where it could advance no further, 13th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps even managed to reach the road from Gavrelle to Plouvain. 112th Brigade advanced on Greenland Hill, south-east of Gavrelle, thinking that the Germans had fallen back, however, they were frustrated by the failure of 51st Division to take the chamical works outside Roeux, from which fire stopped any advance. The adjutant of 6th Bedfords was able to send me just a brief message that the battalion took part in this attack on Greenland Hill but could go no further than the road from Roeux to Gavrelle, much to his frustration.

63rd (Royal Naval) Division ws allotted the capture of the village of Gavrelle and an advance three hundred yards beyond it. They were well-supplied with artillery for this limited objective, though the wire in front of the village was not well cut. The adjutant of the 4th Bedfords, like his colleague in the 6th Battalion, has had time for little more than a brief message. They attacked at 4.45 a.m. and captured Gavrelle, reaching their first and second objectives. Its third objective, along the railway line from Arras to Douai proved beyond them, however beuase one of the battalions fo the brigade - 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, failed to take any of its objectives, expising the Bedfords to murderous fire. No units of the division could advance beyond the village. The Bedfords were shelled very heavily during the day and this afternoon they were counter-attacked by the enemy, an attack which they repulsed. They gave suffered about 260 casualties, around a quarter of their entire strength.

So much for events at Arras. It will be seen that fortunes, as usual, have been mixed - some success, some failure. We may only be able to judge the effectiveness of the attacks today over the coming few days.

North of Arras is the village of Givenchy-en-Gohelle and the town of Avion. 5th Division has attacked in this region today, attempting to capture la Coulotte, despite the fact that wire was uncut and the prospects for success slim. I have just received a report from the adjutant of 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Their attack was no avail and the battalion has suffered terrible casualties - eleven officers, including at least five killed and 320 other ranks. The other battalions in the attack (1st Northumberland Fusiliers, 1st Devonshires and 1st Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) have suffered correspondingly devastating casualties. Tonight the shattered battalion will withdraw, probably to Cambligneul. An attack further north by 46th Division was also a failure.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/7/1

(1) The Official History of the War states: “The fighting of 23rd April is described by more than one participant as the hardest of the War so far”.

Fifth Day of the Battle of Arras

Friday 13th April 1917

Sadly, the attack by 9th (Scottish) Division yesterday evening against the village of Roeux and its chemical works was a complete failure. Some of my colleagues from newspapers “north of the Border” tell me that the men had suffered severely in the last few days from manning the line in the freezing cold and that some of them had to be hauled to their feet and rubbed down by comrades before they could even move. Today their formation, XVII Corps, has taken no part in the fighting.

Today’s fighting has to devolve, once more, upon VI and VII Corps. On the VII Corps front 21st Division was able to bomb a little way down the Hindenburg Line towards Fontaine-les-Croisilles but was then told to desist and the other operations by VI and VII Corps were cancelled due to difficulties in getting fresh divisions to the front line to make the attacks, the roads in one part of the area behind battlefield being choked with withdrawing cavalry.

The adjutant of 1st Battalion has been in touch on the “blower”. The battalion, part of 5th Division, has moved to the village of Villers-au-Bois and senior officers and Company Sergeant Majors have been reconnoitering Vimy Ridge and Givenchy-en-Gohelle.

Source: X550/2/5

Fourth Day of the Battle of Arras

Thursday 12th April 1917

Today the Canadians now down off Vimy Ridge and advancing east, have attacked an annoying enemy position called the Pimple, the only objective not to fall to them on 10th April. All day the battle raged in showers of snow but we have just heard that the position finally fell to the men from the prairies about an hour ago.

Here around the city of Arras the attack begun on 9th continues. Those of us “old hands” who have been reporting on this war from the front line since the beginning of operations on the Somme last July have an uneasy feeling that we have seen this situation before. Often grand set-piece attacks achieve a considerable amount on the first day but then, as our armies try to exploit the initial successes, defences harden, conditions become more difficult and opportunities missed in the first few hours come back to haunt our men over succeeding days. So the scale of successes of 9th April have diminished since then and in some areas, notably the south of the area of operations covered by VII Corps and the Australians, hardly any success has been achieved. Often it is at this point that the battle fragments into a series of strictly local attacks made by groups of men as small as a company or even a platoon rather than a combined, co-ordinated effort by the whole force; pin pricks by tens of men rather than a grand sweep by tens of thousands.

Today VII Corps was given the task of finally making a significant advance. Things began well because 21st Division found that the Hindenburg Line in front of it had been abandoned. In fact this advance meant that 21st Division and 56th (London) Division “joined hands” and 30th Division which had been between them was no longer required and will be replaced by 33rd Division.

Major E S M Poyntz [X550/1/81]

Major Poyntz told me by telephone this evening that 2nd Bedfords are withdrawng to Blaireville. During the last few days the battalion has lost six officers wounded as well as 89 other ranks, including 68 wounded. So ends a very unsatisfactory battle for 30th Division.

Meanwhile 56th Division were able to occupy the villages of Wancourt and Héninel, abandoned by the enemy. Thus VII Corps has reaped the rewards of the good work by VI Corps in the last few days as the Germans in the south fall back to keep the line straight, their compatriots to the north having been driven back by VI Corps.

VI Corps has made no attack today. XVII Corps was given the order to take the village of Roeux and its adjacent chemical works. In order to have time to make a detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions no attack was made today until two hours ago. At 5 pm 9th (Scottish) Division went into the attack. We wait to see what becomes of it.

6th Bedfords, 37th Division, went out of the line today, marching towards Tilloy. My colleague Ian McLeod, the man on the spot, tells me they have suffered 190 casualties, of whom 34 have been killed and 12 are missing in the last four days' fighting at Monchy-le-Preux.

Source: X550/3/WD; information from Ian McLeod

Third Day of the Battle of Arras

Wednesday 11th April 1917

Because of the progress made in the last two days the battlefield and the attack has been widened today with attacks on the village of Bullecourt. We understand it was originally intended to attack yesterday but the order was cancelled. There were squalls of snow yesterday which caused the tanks designated to support this attack to become lost and the Australians, to whom the majority of the task had been given decided that an attack over 600 yards of No Man’s Land would be too difficult without support. A number of my colleagues from the North Country, however, tell me that 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, ordered to advance with the Australians did not get notice of the cancellation and one brigade, 185th attacked. They did very well to get through the German barbed wire but, unsupported by tanks or Australians, they were the sole targets of machine gun fire described as “murderous”. We understand that 7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment suffered particularly heavy casualties for no gain.

Today the Australians did attack, though supported by only eleven tanks, the remainder assigned to the task having broken down. Unfortunately much of the barbed wire was uncut and, with the fiasco of yesterday’s half-cock attack the Germans were expecting an assault today. 4th Australian Division was able to penetrate the German front line but could not hold it. It is feared casualties, again, have been heavy.

Second Lieutenant E E Bath [X550/1/81]

North of Bullecourt VII Corps attacked the area of Guémappe and Wancourt. 21st and 30th Divisions were ordered to seize the Hindenburg if they could; neither division was able to achieve much. Once again well to the fore were 2nd Bedfords. Major Poyntz was able to tell me that they had been selected to exploit two gaps in the wire in front of the Hindenburg Line which had been found the previous evening by patrols under Second Lieutenant E E Bath and A F Aldridge. These patrols were difficult and dangerous and both officers had to retire to the second line transport afterwards as they were both, in Major Poyntz’s words “knocked up”. These two gaps were either side of the River Cojeul and the attack commenced at 5.30 this morning. It was held up almost at once by withering fire and the Bedfords had to dig-in short of the Hindenburg Line itself, unsupported as they were by any tanks. The whole divisional attack was, in point of fact, a failure but 56th (London) Division were able to capture the Hindenburg Line as far south as the River Cojeul. 14th (Light) Division made another attack on the Wancourt-Feuchy line but, just like yesterday, was able to make no headway. So today has been the third day of disappointment and waste for the divisions of VII Corps, Bedfords included.

3rd Division of VI Corps attacked Guémappe today but proved unable to take it. The rest of that corps, however, had better fortune. It was given the task of taking the village of Monchy-le-Preux and 15th (Scottish) and 37th Divisions, working together, did so, 37th Division taking the village, with the aid of tanks, and the Scots taking the ground between it and the River Scarpe. Finally, in this action, the cavalry were of assistance to the infantry, Essex Yeomanry and 10th Hussars giving vital assistance in taking the ruins of the village. The capture of this village is a great feather in the cap of 37th Division.

The 6th Bedfords were in reserve and so played no part in the major fighting but tonight are holding the line taken today at la Bergère. The adjutant tells me that Private Batchellor has been singled out for special praise. The position east la Bergère was quite weakly held this afternoon when the Germans were seen massing to attack it. The trench at this point was held by a mixture of men of four battalions, all private soldiers, and Private Batchellor took charge. Finding that the men only had an average of five rounds apiece left, he doled out German rifles, as there was plenty of their ammunition lying in the captured trench. He also collected a good supply of German bombs and he and his men easily repulsed the German attack when it came.

Finally, north of the River Scarpe, XVII Corps were involved in operations too today.4th Division attacked a line running through Plouvain and Greenland Hill to the road from Roeux to Gavrelle. They did not begin their attack until noon and although some progress was made they could not achieve all their objectives. 34th Division took the opportunity of the Germans being distracted by other activities to push their line forward slightly without opposition. Finally, our friends the 51st (Highland) Division were slated to attack today but did not do so because the Germans had evacuated the positions to be attacked so the highlanders simply occupied them, no doubt with great relief.

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

Second Day of the Battle of Arras

Tuesday 10th April 1917

Yesterday saw a day of great success for the British Army and for the Canadian Corps. Some units advanced as far as three and a half miles. Yet, as always, one hopes for the very best and the complete rupture of the enemy’s defences just eluded our forces’ grasp.

So it is that today hopes were high that this definitive breakthrough might be achieved. If only the enemy could be pressed hard all day and at all points it was felt that they must surely give way somewhere. Thus, north of the River Scarpe XVII Corps 4th, 34th and 51st Divisions were urged to make good all the final objectives of yesterday. 4th Division were, in places, already at these objectives at the beginning of the day.The other two divisions still had to take a feature known as the Point du Jour. In this 34th Division has been largely successful. The Highlanders, however, have not been so successful and your correspondent understands, from officers whom he knew when the division was in Bedford in the early days of the war, that staff work has been faulty to say the least(1). The officers concerned were angry that this reflects badly on the men who have been, they said “resilient and splendid”.

We understand that some consideration was given to sending the cavalry forward to take a prominent rise known as Greenland Hill as well as the village of Plouvain halfa mile east of it – both decidedly in the enemy rear areas where chaos might have been wreaked. In the event this was not put into action because probing attacks sent out by 4th Division met with withering machine gun fire. We fear that the hour for any breakthrough in this sector has now passed.

A similar situation, it seems, also applies south of the Scarpe. VI Corps lies immediately south of the river. We understand that the corps commander Lieutenant-General Haldane ordered each of his divisional headquarters to move forward closer to their troops where he felt they could exercise greater, and speedier, control of the battle.

37th Division, it will be remembered, had been unable to make any attack yesterday and 12th and 15th Divisions failed to take all their objectives and only then would 37th Division have moved through them to make its own attack. Today the division has gone forward, the 6th Bedfords to the fore. 111th Brigade was ordered to take the village of Monchy-le-Preux. 63rd Brigade was ordered to gain as much ground as possible between Monchy and the River Scarpe, which it did quite well. 111th Brigade failed in its attack, ending 500 yards west of the village. 112th Brigade on their right flank went forward and achieved a splendid result, taking all their objectives. The 6th Bedfords and 8th East Lancashires were the assaulting battalions. The Lancastrians reached a point a mile east of the Wancourt-Feuchy Line. But they were outdone by the Bedfords who got within six hundred yards of the village of Guemappe. 3rd and 12th Divisions were also successful; in their attacks, taking all the objectives they had been given yesterday.

VII Corps had been the least successful corps yesterday. So it has been again today. 56th Division managed to clear the enemy out if the Hindenburg Line but could not even get close to the Wancourt-Feuchy Line. 14th Division did manage to take its allotted part of the line but 30th Division could make no advance at all.

The 2nd Bedfords, part, of course, of 30th Brigade, had a quiet morning but at 1 pm received orders for two companies to attack the Hindenburg Line at 4 pm. This order was cancelled. Then came good news that British cavalry was in Héninel. In the last few minutes this has been found to be false.

So today has been one of disappointment. Some things have been achieved, particularly north of the river, but nowhere near what had been hoped. One has seen this before with battles in this war, notably Neuve-Chapelle and some of the attacks on the Somme: things go well on the first day, then resistance hardens and no clear breakthrough is made. Of course, things have been very tough today, it has been cold and and times men have had to attack the elements as well as the enemy, stumbling forward through squalls of snow. We all hope for better things in the coming days.

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

(1) 154th Brigade believed it was already at its objective rather than some way short, as was the case. This muddle was not sorted out until 2 pm and all attacks that day failed in the face of defenders who had had plenty of time to prepare.

Stunning Breakthrough at Arras

Easter Monday 9th April 1917

Correspondents at the Front are receiving news of a stunning victory. The British Army attacked east from Arras with three corps (VI, VII and XVII). Meanwhile the Canadian Corps has achieved a magnificent triumph in driving the Germans from Vimy Ridge, north of Arras and it is here we will begin.

Readers may remember that 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 5^th Division, is at Cambligneul a few miles west of Vimy, acting as reserve to the Canadians. They were not needed in today’s battle but the commanding officer has passed on his intelligence of what occurred today. It seems that there were a series of huge mines buried under the German trenches on top of the ridge which were blown just before the Canadians went over the top. The Canadians then stormed into the German front line and well beyond. Almost along the whole line they achieved complete success. They now have possession of the high ground that overlooks not just the German defences but well beyond into the rear areas. The Canadians have consistently proved themselves élite troops in this war, the best of the colonial forces in France and on a par with the very best the Mother Country has to offer. This victory will only add to their laurels.

The attacks launched by the British divisions today ran in an arc from Croisilles in the south up to Roclincourt in the north. In the south VII Corps launched attacks with (south to north) 21st, 30th, 56th and 14th Divisions. The 2nd Bedfords form a part of 30th Division and were in support to the assaulting battalions, more of their experiences will be related after a brief review of what took place across ther whole front.

Each of the assaulting divisions gained considerable ground. 21st Division were on the right flank of the British attack. They were not to attack until it was clear that the attack by VI to the north had been successful. Thus it was not until just before four o’clock this afternoon that they went forward. However, the division was only able to capture about two-thirds of the ground in front of its first objective due to heavy fire.

30th Division also had to wait until afternoon to attack, though the Bedfords, as we will see, had an important task to carry out in the early hours of the morning, in which they were successful. 89th Brigade was given the task of taking the remains of the village of Héninel. They passed through Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul about 3.30 pm but could get no further in the face of unbroken barbed wire and heavy machine gun fire. The two assaulting battalions of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment suffered around two hundred casualties each. 21st Brigade of this division attacked at 11.30 this morning but also failed, for the same reasons. Today has been frustrating and discouraging for a division used to success.

Immediately north, 56th (1st London) Division made their attack at 7.45 this morning, tasked with taking Neuville-Vitasse and the Hindenburg Line beyond. They succeeded brilliantly in taking the village in the first hour of the attack and managed to take the front line trench of the Hindenburg Line – a fine achievement capturing 2,000 yards and over six hundred prisoners.

The left-hand division of VII Corps is 14th (Light) Division. Their task was, of course, to get into the Hindenburg Line, but a particular difficulty would be a large German defensive system Headquarters have dubbed The Harp, due to its shape. The division had to take the southern third of this fortification. They also had to tackle a position known as Telegraph Hill. With the aid of tanks the division took its objectives in decisive fashion, some reports suggesting that the defenders seemed demoralised, certainly not up to the standard of the enemy’s usual troops.

Next in the line going north is VI Corps. Here again great success attended the day’s efforts. 3rd Division was given the task of sweeping through the Hindeburg Line and on to the supporting trenches beyond, known as the Wancourt-Feuchy Line. They would have to take the northern two-thirds of The Harp and the village of Tilloy-lès-Moufflaines. The attack began at 5.30 this morning and both Harp and Tilloy were taken. It seems that, as this is written, the division is still advancing on the Wancourt-Feuchy Line.

12th (Eastern) Division had been sheltering in caves and tunnels, reportedly they could go from the crypt of the cathedral in Arras to the German front line entirely underground! One of their objectives, shared with 15th Division, on the left, was the capture of Observation Ridge, behind which German artillery was massed. This ridge did not fall according to the timetable, holding out for three hours longer than expected, but it did fall. The German artillery behind it was ripe for the taking and over thirty pieces were captured. Unfortunately, however, the Wancourt-Feuchy Line could not be breached. It seems harsh to cavil at this failure given all that this division achieved, but it did mean that a complete breakthrough into the open country beyond could not take place. Still, all attacks in this war expect great things and have to settle for what they can get(1).

37th Division was ordered to take the villages of Guemappe and Monchy-le-Preux once 12th and 15th Division took their objectives. One of the assaulting battalions was 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. However, it did no assaulting today as the other two divisions had not managed to take all their objectives. In common with the rest of the division the Battalion simply dug in as far forward as it could get, in this case the road running north-south through Feuchy Chapel.

The 15th (Scottish) Division advance captured more German artillery pieces on the other side of Observation Ridge. It also took the village of Feuchy on the south bank of the River Scarpe and forward patrols entered Fampoux on the north bank. The Scots (of two divisions) achieved more, perhaps, than any others on a day of some success for most attacking units. VI Corps in all has advanced, on average, two miles, it is reckoned.

The northern corps in this attack was XVII Corps. On the left of one Scots Division, 15th, was another, 9th. It has been in the neighbourhood of Arras since the beginning of December last year. One might think these Scots in competition with their compatriots, so great was their advance. They took the villages of Saint-Laurent-Blangy and Athies and all their objectives along with two thousand prisoners!

4th Division were given the task of moving through 9th Division to assault the final objective for the army today. Many Germans, it is reported, ran forward and surrendered rather than fight. If this is the shape of things to come this war might be over before the Americans arrive! The village of Fampoux, entered by patrols of 9th Division, was taken. The advance of 15th and 4th Divisions has been prodigious. It is believed the advance, three and a half miles is the greatest made in one day by anyone since trench warfare set in back in the autumn of 1914.

34th Division also advanced a long way, in the face of largely ineffective opposition. It is believed that some positions were abandoned wholesale by their terrified opponents. Only on the left, 103rd Brigade, was total success not achieved and even here good progress has been made.

The third Scottish formation attacking today are our old friends the 51st (Highland) Division, which spent the first months of the war in Bedford. They form the left flank of the British attack, and have the triumphant Canadians on their left. They encountered stiffer resistance than their fellow countrymen. As a result, it is reported that they have suffered many casualties. It has also failed to gain its final objectives, but has advanced a good distance, and taken seven hundred prisoners to boot, which is not too shabby!(2)

Now to return to the actions of the 2nd Bedfords. They had been given the job of taking the village of Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul, north-east of Hénin-sur-Cojeul. At 1.30 this morning D Company under Second Lieutenant J P Pitts attacked the village. At the same time C Company under Captain R E Oakley pushed forward on the flanks and established posts. After D Company had cleared Saint-Martin, Second Lieutenant A F Aldridge of C Company established a post holding one Platoon. This attack, in pitch darkness resulted in three men wounded and the capture of a number of prisoners of the 86th Reserve Infantry Regiment.

The remainder of the Battalion’s morning was quiet and was spent in fitting and resting. When the 89th Brigade attack began at 2 o’clock this afternoon A and D Companies were supporting 19th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment south of the River Cojeul. B Company supported 19th and 20th King’s north of the river. C Company was in posts at Saint-Martin and in reserve.

Though the enemy put up a fairly strong barrage in Hénin-sur-Cojeul, B Company avoided casualties by keeping to the left of the village. A and D Companies crossed the river 500 yards west of Hénin. The attack, as mentioned above, was held up by uncut wire and by machine gun fire, also owing to 21st Brigade on the left being held up. In the end B and D Companies dug in as shown in blue on the map above with A Company in advance on the right flank as shown by the blue cross.

Source: X550/3/WD

(1) Sir Edmund Allenby, Commander-in-Chief of Third Army reportedly said that they had aimed for the sky, but hit the ceiling.

(2) Total prisoners-of-war taken that day were reportedly about 5,600.

Digging Cavalry

Monday 26th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

It might be thought beneath a cavalryman’s dignity to get off his horse and dig, certainly the knights of old would have thought so. In this modern war, however, there is, at present, very little role for cavalry. Thus Second Lieutenant Fields Clarke and Second Lieutenant Wing and seventy troopers of the Bedfordshire Yeomanry find themselves ordered to go forth with shovels and dig in the area occupied by VI Corps.

Source: WW1/WD2