Saturday, 5 August 2017

Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres



Sunday 5th August 1917

Today the Germans again attacked the hamlet of Hollebeke and, again, managed to take it, but were again driven out by 41st Division,. This time with help from 19th (Western) Division. However, another German attack, on 24th Division, managed to capture part of that formation’s front line near Shrewsbury Forest. Such piecemeal attacks might suggest that the enemy does not have the strength for an all-out counter-attack against the whole of our newly advanced line and so is picking places he thinks are likely to be most susceptible.


The men of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, near the front line at Railway Dugouts spent today improving the path at the foot of an embankment and built an esplanade along a pond to assist in troop movements. Eight scouts and two runners per company and Headquarters reconnoitred the route up to the Hooge Tunnel dug-outs (at the place on Menin Road where it suddenly turns south-east after going east in a straight line) where their Headquarters are to be for the pending operations. Major Bridcutt DSO and the Adjutant are attending a conference at Brigade Headquarters as I write these lines to discuss the general principles of the intended attack.

Source: X550/8/1

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