The Second Day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle

Thursday 11th March 1915: As we predicted yesterday the 2^nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment moved up during the afternoon to take up a position near the village of Mauquissart as shown in the plan above. They were, in fact, lining a road. They then advanced across the old no-man’s land and entered the former German front line which had been cleared by men of 8th Division. They have now taken up a position more or less as the map below shows. The map, drawn by our graphic artist Mrs Bates, based on a sketch sent by the adjutant, does not show the maze of German trenches around the Bedfords' positions for reasons of military confidentiality. The Bedfords are under some shell and rifle fire. Private A. Hearne, we understand, has distinguished himself carrying messages backwards and forwards from the battalion to Brigade Headquarters, passing through belts of shrapnel and rifle fire. He has been wounded.

As regards the battle itself we understand that the village of Neuve Chapelle, a little way south of the Bedfords’ position, did indeed fall to our forces yesterday. This morning, however, all further attacks have been repelled. The Germans were busy shoring up their second line defences during the night and have brought in reinforcements including more artillery. A fifteen minute bombardment by our artillery seems to have failed to break any of the defences and none of our troops can advance.

Other units from the 7th Division have tied to make headway without success whilst the 2nd Bedfords have been held in reserve. The adjutant tells us: “The 2nd Northamptons [24th Brigade, 8th Division] attempted to assault the houses to their front in the southern outskirts of Mauquissart but were met with a very heavy rifle and machine gun fire and had to desist”. Who now can say what tomorrow will bring?

Source: X550/3/wd