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yesterday as overnight the enemy had withdrawn down-slope to the line of the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
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