Wednesday 7th April 1915:
The adjutant of 1st Bedfords tells us that the enemy
shelled Ypres at about 8.30 a.m. The first
howitzer shell smashed up house next to the Battalion Headquarters, the second
smashed a house on other side of the headquarters, breaking the H. Q.'s windows
and other shells broke up houses in the neighbourhood causing considerable
casualties. He also tells us that they have just received word they are to move
today from 28th Division back to 5th Division command, moving back to Reningelst,
to the south-west of Ypres .
Meanwhile we have heard that
Brigadier-General H. E. Watts, commanding 21st Infantry Brigade wishes experiments
carried out on the lines set out below and the men practised in the use of wire
netting to get over barbed wire entanglements. The system of crossing barbed wire
entanglements by means of rabbit wire is as follows: - rolls of wire netting
are thrown across the obstacle and form a species of bridge over which the men
following can cross. Experiments go to show that it is quite easy for men to
cross in this way. The wire netting forms a
convenient bridge over the space between the strands, on which the men can
place their feet. To obtain the best result it is advisable that the wire
should not be cut at all. It does not matter whether the wire is taut or slack.
The length of netting will
vary according to the width of the obstacle to be crossed, and is limited by
the amount one man can conveniently carry. Thirty feet has been found by
experiment to be the maximum an average man can carry and throw into position.
This length would enable a depth of eight yards to nine yards to be bridged.
Each length or roll has a wooden post or stay at each end to which the wire is
fastened. The wire is then rolled tight thus placing one stay in the centre and
one at the outside. The most suitable netting is the standard size of two feet
six inches or three feet wide, with a one inch mesh.
On reaching the obstacle,
the man carrying the roll holds it with both hands - with one hand he holds the
outer stay and with the other, with a motion somewhat similar to "putting
the shot" or "bowling" heaves the roll over the obstacle. By
holding the outer stay the roll is thus caused to unwind as it flies through
the air. The actual throwing requires a certain amount of practice in order to
ensure its unfolding completely and reaching the other side. The wire must be thrown
between the posts. Once it has fallen on to the entanglement it will not be
possible in the heat of action to alter its position owing to the barbs on the
entanglement. Men must, therefore, be well practised in order that they can
ensure throwing it accurately at the first attempt.
Its chief use appears to me
to be crossing of secondary lines of entanglements behind the first line of
trenches which may be encountered by the further advance, and against which an
accurate artillery fire cannot be brought to bear. It would also be most useful
in crossing the first line, should the artillery fail to cut this.
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