The Loss of Hill 60

Official map of Hill 60

Thursday 6th May 1915: Yesterday was very trying for the 1st Battalion of our gallant county regiment. Hill 60 was lost by the troops on their right flank due to the overwhelming numbers of Germans swarming up the slope. This then meant that the Bedfords had an enemy force sitting on their right flank.

During the morning the regiment was attacked but drove the enemy back. Then the Germans attacked the right flank of the battalion’s position by constant throwing of bombs, also called grenades, and firing of both rifles and machine guns. This desperate fighting continued all day with the Germans and our boys often in the same trench, both sides using hand grenades fiercely. No doubt, too, that most dreaded circumstance, hand-to-hand fighting with cold steel has also take place.

Eventually, the enemy worked round the Bedfords’ right flank and enfiladed their position – that is fired all down the line from the side. Despite this the men gallantly maintained their position. The situation was made far worse by our own artillery. One particular British battery spent the whole day firing into the battalion’s own right trenches, causing many casualties. In spite of everything, however, those trenches held out.

We have spoken with Lieutenant Frederick Whittemore who alone claims over fifty Germans to his own rifle. Lest he be thought too boastful he had us speak with an officer of the Royal Artillery who was with the Bedfords, observing for his battery to make sure it did not commit the offence of the battery referred to earlier. He stated that he saw the lieutenant shoot seven Germans in a couple of minutes(1).

It is reported that our casualties in those trenches on the right flank were heavy. Lieutenant Whittemore himself was speaking to us from a Dressing Station, having been wounded.

The adjutant reports, sadly, that an attack by 13th Infantry Brigade to retake Hill 60 has failed. How galling it must be to see a position taken in so dashing a manner and held with such blood of sacrifice succumb, once again, to enemy tenure. The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, however, can hold its collective head high having resisted all enemy attacks and shown courage inspired, we are sure, by the ultimate sacrifice of Private Edward Warner a few days ago. No doubt that courage will be tested further today.

Source: X550/2/5

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(1)  Sadly Lieutenant Whittemore was killed on 29^th March 1916 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.