How to Strengthen Defences

Monday 26^th July 1915: Readers may remember that 2nd Battalion’s trenches were recently criticised by their Brigadier (13th July 1915). The adjutant, mindful of this, has contacted us to explain further work needing to be done in the trench system they are currently occupying, as dictated by an order to all battalions from Divisional Headquarters. The orders read as below.

1. The parapet is to be thickened so as to withstand bombardment by shells of heavy calibre. Whenever possible, this work is to be carried out by working in front of the parapet at night. A borrow pit of not less than 22 feet from the crest of the parapet, of broad but shallow type, is to be made, and the earth thus excavated used to thicken the parapet. The borrow pit so made, is to be filled with a low wire entanglement which will be out of sight of the enemy. Where it is not possible to work in front of the parapet the earth for thickening the parapet must be obtained from the rear; in this case the wire obstacles in front of the parapet are to be increased. The work is to be completed by 2nd August.

2. All communication trenches are to be made capable of being used as fire trenches. The work should be commenced by making banquettes for small parties of men here and there in the trench, and on each side alternately. The trench should be widened as little as possible at these firing places.

A good plan is, if necessary, to cut a shallow recess in the trench wall, to hold four or five men, and to place in this recess, as a banquette, a wooden bench.

3. As soon as the "keeps" now being constructed behind our "support line" are finished, the wire protecting that line is to be opened up in gaps between the keeps so as to admit of counter attack by our reserves. These gaps will be selected by the Brigadier General.

4. Bomb proof shelters for machine guns and their teams are to be made at suitable places in the rear of the foremost line. The object of these shelters is to enable the machine gun detachments and the gun itself to remain safe during the hostile bombardment, and yet to be near enough to get up to their firing emplacements or positions in time to repel the hostile infantry assault.

These shelters must be sited fairly close to the firing line. Sometimes they can be placed opening out of communication trenches. The Brigade Machine Gun Officer will supervise this work.

5. Machine gun firing emplacements and positions must be made to enfilade both the front and support lines of trenches. In every case these emplacements and positions must be adequately protected by wire. Alternative positions are essential. The Brigade Machine Gun Officer will supervise this work.

6. Wherever any communicating or other trenches connecting with "keeps" "defended posts" or "support trenches" admit of an enemy getting up to such positions under cover, care must be taken that traverses are removed and the communicating or other trench opened out, to allow of fire being brought to bear on such trench from such "keep", "defended post" or "support trench", for a distance of 40 yards, that is to say well outside bombing distance.

7. Battalion commanders will report daily by 4 p.m. commencing on the 28th instant, progress made in the above works (using the attached form) for 24 hours ending midday.

Source: X550/3/wd