More Advances

Sunday 1st September 1918

Today three divisions to the north of the Somme - in descending order north to south - 42nd, New Zealand and 5th Divisions have made some progress east, the gallant Kiwis, once again, in the lead. On the Somme itself key progress has been made. 38th (Welsh) Division has taken Morval and 18th (Eastern) Division has take the eastern portion of Saint-Vaast Wood. Last night and this morning the Australian Corps crossed the River Somme and drove on Peronne, taking Mont-Saint-Quentin and ending up just west of the town - in German hands since 1914. Everywhere our armies are on the march towards what looks increasingly like a final victory

Day Three of Attacks on the Somme

Friday 23rd August 1918

Again today the business of war has been transacted by IV Corps in the north, around Achiet-le-Grand V Corps in the centre around Aveluy and Saint-Pierre-Divion and III Corps in the south near Albert and Meaulte. 42nd Division of IV Corps succeeded in taking a position known as the Dovecot near Achiet-le-Petit which was initially captured on 21st and lost to counterattack yesterday. 5th Division took the village of Irles and then attacked Loupart Wood and Grevillers, which, sadly, they were unable to take, whilst 37th Division seized the village of Bihucourt, moving through the line established by 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and 4th Bedfords who are being withdrawn this evening, their task, for the moment, over.

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 5th Division, moved up in front of the village of Achiet-le-Petit and went into the attack at eleven o'clock this morning. It secured all its objectives although it suffered quite heavily from machine gun fire. The commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H Courtenay MC has been badly wounded(1), Lieutenants G Abbott, H J A Watson, E I F Nailer, A R C Eaton and R H Arnholz, Second Lieutanants F H Fox and W T Paine have all been killed and two other officers wounded. Altogether the battalion has lost 129 other ranks killed and wounded, a heavier "butcher's bill" than it has had for some time. This evening the battalion will withdraw into the reserve, its job emphatically done. 

The result of these three days of action by IV Corps is to have established the front line east of the railway line between Albert and Arras and almost all the high ground south and west of Bapaume has been taken. Only a ridge running from Loupart Wood through Grevillers to Biefvillers remains in enemy hands. It is reckoned that over two thousand prisoners have been taken along with twenty five pieces of artillery. Readers will be familiar with names such as Bihucourt and Achiet-le-Grand and Petit from the actions of 18th Division in the Spring of 1917 as it is here that Private Christopher Augustus Cox of the 7th Bedfords won the Victoria Cross. To those of us who have been with the armies since 1915 so many of the names of places where actions are currently being fought are horribly familiar.

Last night some soldiers from 38th (Welsh) Division finally managed to cross the marshy River Ancre north of Thiepval Wood. They managed to establish themselves near Saint-Pierre-Divion and, despite enemy counter-attacks have clung on. This morning the rest of the Welsh Division, deployed between the Albert to Bapaume Road and the Ancre attacked and seized Usna Hill meaning they now look towards the pathetic heaps of ruins that mark the sites of the twin villages of Ovillers and la Boisselle.

18th Division has pushed on another thousand yards, in the face of stiff opposition and 3rd Australian Division, again in the teeth of strong opposition has managed a short advance on the north bank of the River Somme towards the south end of Bray-sur-Somme. 2nd Bedfords remain in their positions, having taken no part in today's attack.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd; X550/5/3

(1) He died later on that evening and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt. He was just thirty years old.

The Attack on the Somme Begins

Wednesday 21st August 1918

The great attack by Third Army got underway early this morning. Two corps have been involved. IV and V. IV Corps have been in action in the northern part of the old Somme battlefield. New Zealand Division, eager not to let their cousins from across the Tasman have all the glory supported the attack by 37th Division. The village of Puisieux quickly fell and the division finally ended its advance a good thousand yards beyond. It was then the turn of 5th Division to the south of Bucquoy. This formation advanced two miles during the day and well to the fore was 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment

The Battalion went forward at 4.45 in a misty morning. It encountered but slight opposition and the objective was quickly achieved and consolidated as the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment passed through to attack the next objective. Total casualties - killed and wounded were just 46.

The position of the 1st Battalion tonight

63rd (Royal Naval) Division attacked to the north of Bucquoy and the 4th Bedfords were in support to the attack. First, however, they had to get to their attack positions. The adjutant informed me via the telephone that they had considerable difficulty in getting into position near Foncquevillers as the road was blocked by lorries and a tank but they were all in position by 4.15. The attack was made by 189th Brigade and as the Bedfords followed them up the fog made it difficult to see, meaning they became somewhat disorganised. They then followed five tanks to the central part of the railway between Achiet-le-Grand and Miraumont at which point 189th Brigade dug, the Bedfords consolidating the line shown below just west of Achiet-le-Grand

The position of the 4th Bedfords tonight

Further south V Corps were tasked with crossing the River Ancre, of evil memory from the autumn of 1916. 21st Division were around Grandcourt, 17th (Northern) Division at Hamel and 38th (Welsh) Division around Aveluy. The Ancre, it is reported is as much of a swamp today as it was towards the end of 1916. During the day Beaucourt has been taken by 21st Division but the rest of the attack has been unable to make headway because of the marshy nature of the ground, so the Ancre retains its evil name with the army.

Despite this frustration around the Ancre good progress has been made during the day and there is the hope of more steady progress tomorrow.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3

A Warm Welcome

Wednesday 3rd July 1918

Today 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the front line at le Sart, just west of Merville received a visit from two of the Top Brass, as the adjutant described them - the brigadier of 15th Brigade and the commander of 5th Division, Sir Reginald B Stephens. These persons were also given a warm welcome by the enemy - with trench mortars. One other rank was killed and four were wounded. 

Source: X550/2/5

Italy Bound

Tuesday 11th December 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are off on holiday! At least that is how the adjutant wryly described their current mission to me on the blower this afternoon. Their parent unit, 5th Division, is one of five British divisions being sent from the Western Front to Italy, some have already gone, others are on the way now. This British force will be commanded by General Plumer, who has, reluctantly it is understood, handed over command of Second Army at Ypres to Sir Henry Rawlinson.The British divisions will be formed into two Corps, they comprise 5th, 7th, 23rd, 41st and 48th (South Midland) Divisions. Six French divisions are also being sent to Italy.

The reason for sending over 130,000 allied soldiers from France and Flanders is that Italy is in crisis. The Austrians, bolstered by German troops no longer needed to fight the Russians following that country’s collapse into anarchy, launched an attack at Caporetto on 24th October. In a battle which lasted until early November they smashed the Italian 2nd Army and threatened Venice. Fortunately the Italians managed to stabilise the front but they are dreadfully weakened in what a military friend of mine calls the 3 Ms - material, morale and men. It is hoped that the British and French troops will provide the sort of help to the Italians that the Germans did for the Austrians - well-trained, well-equipped and battle-hardened units around which the Italians can rebuild their strength.

Today the 1st Bedfords went to Anvin and have boarded trains for their long journey south. They are, in fact, on two separate trains. The first, commanded by the commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel P R Worrall consists of B Company and D Company. Major Chirnside commands the second train containing A Company and C Company. The transport and quartermaster’s stores have been divided equally between the two trains. They are expected to arrive at their destination on Sunday.

In far-off Palestine we understand that General Sir Edmund Allenby has made his official entry into Jerusalem. Unwilling for any comparison with his Saviour he chose to walk rather than ride in triumph.

Source: X550/2/5

Ninety Ninth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Tuesday 6th November 1917

More attacks have been made here at Ypres today. 95th Brigade of 5th Division made another attempt on Polderhoek Chateau. This has not ended successfully as the defences are strong and the enemy brought down a barrage on the attackers which lasted for two hours, so eager are they to retain control of this strong-point.

Meanwhile 2nd Canadian Division used its 6th Brigade to attack the village of Passchendaele. The enemy were seen to be evacuating the village, or more correctly, its rubble on 30th October. Accordingly no real resistance was encountered until they had passed through the village and then took fire from pillboxes on the north side of the ruins. So this village, which has achieved almost the status of a talisman or icon for the army over the last few weeks has finally fallen. The men from the prairies and mountains add another embellishment to their proud record in this war!

1st Canadian Division also made an attack today, seizing a spur of land between Bellevue and Meetcheele. They seized a blockhouse at Mosselmarkt and seized Vine Cottage south of Goudberg. From here, as from Passchendaele there are views over the German lines further east which will be relished by our artillery spotters.

Ninetieth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Sunday 28th October 1917

We understand that 5th Division is being relieved in the front line by 14th (Light) Division following its attack two days ago. The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment have been relieved by the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. The relief began at 4.45 pm and is drawing to its conclusion as I write these lines. The adjutant tells me that during the time the battalion was in the line it has suffered 101 casualties to other ranks, with two officers also being wounded one of whom, Second Lieutenant Croockewit, has subsequently died of his wounds.

Source: X550/2/5

Eighty Eighth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 26th October 1917

Another attack has been made today on the village of Passchendaele and its ridge as well as on the village of Gheluveldt along the Menin Road. These attacks have involved eight divisions.

For the first time in three weeks, serious fighting returned to the vicinity of the Menin Road. Here 7th Division attacked south-east towards Gheluveldt. Those with long memories have been struck by the fact that this division, which then included 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, saw its first action in this very vicinity almost exactly three years ago, making an attack from Gheluveldt towards Gheluwe on 15th October 1914. That attack ended in failure and retreat. Today’s attack seems to have been little more successful. 91st Brigade could make any headway against a solid wall of machine-gun fire. 20th Brigade, at times waist-deep in water, did penetrate the village, getting to within one hundred yards of the church. Then came a wave of German counter-attacks which pushed the attackers out of the village and almost back to their starting positions. Those who remember it tell me what a pleasant little place Gheluveldt was before the war, sitting on its ridge over-looking Ypres to the west and Gheluwe to the east. Evidently the enemy are very fond of it, too, and will not give it up without a prolonged struggle.

Next in the line going north is 5th Division, who were also in this vicinity three years ago. This division attacked with 13th Brigade, heading south-east along the north side of the Menin Road down the valley of the Scherriabeek, which has become vile, stinking bog. On 16th October the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment played a war game called “The Taking of Polderhoek Chateau”. That feat was achieved for real today by 15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment but they were forced to pull back, because the units on either flank had made no progress, letting the enemy back into the strong-point he had lost. He then counterattacked the Warwicks and the last we heard the whole of the brigade was back at its starting line of this morning.

The adjutant of the 1st Bedfords told me that at ten o’clock this morning he had received a message from divisional headquarters that all objectives had been taken. At noon another message was received saying that the Warwicks had abandoned the chateau and that 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers had been ordered to reinforce the attack. At 1.15 pm the adjutant received orders for the Bedfords to the support the Borderers and the Battalion moved forward arriving at a spot called the Tower at 4.30. An hour later they were ordered to take over in the front line between the foul morasses of the Reutelbeek and the Scherriabeek which they are in the process of doing as I write this.

So much for the attacks along the Menin Road. The other main area of attack has been the Passchendaele Spur. 4th Canadian Division is astride the road from Broodeseinde to Passchendaele and their attack, by 10th Brigade, was aimed directly for the village. They seized their first objective but, under relentless counter-attacks have withdrawn nearly to their starting position. On the left is 3rd Canadian Division whose attack, by 8th and 9th Brigades, headed in the direction of Mossemarkt and Goudberg. Again, they made their first objective but could not go any further. Nevertheless, Wolf Copse and Bellevue have been taken.

63rd (Royal Naval) Division are next in the line, though 4th Bedfords are still in support closer to Ypres. The attack was made by 188th Brigade comprising two battalions of sailors and two of Royal Marines. As with the Somme last November, many have been the wry remarks about the battlefield being so flooded that the navy has been sent in. Only in the centre was the attack prevented from getting too far forward, the right flank taking Varlet Farm and the left flank taking Bray Farm and Berks Houses. Thus the majority of the first objective has been taken and consolidated.

58th (2nd/1st London) Division made the attack on the navy’s left flank, using one brigade, the 173rd, pushing north-east from Poelcapelle. Cameron House and its blockhouses fell quickly but then the advance stalled and we understand that enemy counter-attacks this afternoon have pushed the Londoners back to their original line.

57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division attacked with 170th Brigade but, in truth, never really began. It simply could not get through the marsh in front of it. A few men were able to get round the morass and establish posts in Memling farm and Rubens Farm, which were unoccupied by the enemy but that has been the extent of what was possible.

Finally, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, heavily involved in the final stages of the Somme campaign in the bitter fighting in the bogs around the Butte de Warlencourt was faced with more of the same today when 149th Brigade was ordered to attack north-eastwards towards Schaap-Balie. The weight of fire from the enemy, combined with the state of the ground has reduced their advance to one of eighty yards in some places, no advance at all in others.

The attacks today have not had the same success as some of those of recent times. The enemy’s resistance seems to be stiffening as the year fails and the weather closes in. Still the village of Passchendaele, which seems to have become something of a touchstone for the later stages of this battle, remains untaken.

This evening we hear that Brazil has joined the long list of civilized countries which have lost patience with German aggression. A few days ago one of their ships was sunk by a U-Boat and its captain taken prisoner. Relations have not been good between the two states for most of this year but this has been the final straw and Brazil has declared war on Germany. Whether we see any soldiers from the land of the samba remains to be seen(1)

Source: X550/2/5

(1) Only about twenty men were sent to the Western Front to learn the strategy and tactics of modern war. The Brazilian navy, however, played an important part in anti-U-boat operations in the South Atlantic.

Seventy Third Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Captain H A W Pearse [X550/1/81] 

Thursday 11th October 1917

Today has been one of reliefs, with four new divisions coming into the line. One of the divisions relieved is 5th Division, amongst which is 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which was relieved last evening and has withdrawn to Ridge Wood.

Second Lieutenant H W Fleming [X550/1/82]

The adjutant has, this morning, given us a précis of the battalion’s time in the front line near the Menin Road. From the 4th to 10th the Battalion was subjected to heavy shelling during which four officers (Second Lieutenants H H Reynolds, H W Fleming, J Cotchin and P N J Christie) and thirty-five other ranks were killed and six officers (Captain H A W Pearse and Second Lieutenants Laughton, E F K Graham, F Flavell, S Norrish and E I F Nailer) and ninety-seven other ranks (including acting regimental Sergeant-Major N Freer) wounded. wounded, in addition four other ranks are missing.

Second Lieutenant S Norrish [X550/1/82]

During the tour the Battalion captured four machine-guns and killed over one hundred of the enemy by sniping and use of rifle grenades.

Source: X550/2/5

Seventy First Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Tuesday 9th October 1917

Hard on the heels of the major attack on 4th October today has seen another significant onslaught, this time by ten divisions. Furthest south 5th Division attacked using 15th Brigade, though not the 1st Bedfords, who were in reserve, fortunately for them as the attack seems to have been a complete failure, the two assaulting Battalions, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment and 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment making no progress whatsoever due to mud and withering fire from Polderhoek Château. Incidentally the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 37th Division, which took no part in the attack had, we understand, orders to advance if the enemy began to show signs of withdrawal, but this did not happen.

Next in the line, going north, is 21st Division, but this unit was not slated to make an attack. On their right flank is 7th Division, which did send its 21st Brigade “over the top” in order to straighten an inwards bulge by the enemy line at this point around the hamlet of Reutel. The hamlet was taken and the bulge satisfactorily dealt with.

1st Australian Division was next north but, again, this formation did not make an attack. On their left flank 2nd Australian Division attacked with its 5th and 6th Brigades. We understand that most battalions in this fine force have been reduced to less than the strength of a company - between 150 and 200 men when they should have around one thousand. 6th Brigade pushed forward from Broodseinde to cover the flank of 5th Brigade  This formation cleared Decoy Wood and the strong-point called Rhine was taken and they surged on to their final objective. Here their lack of numbers told more than their excellent fighting spirit and they were forced back to the first objective, where they dug in.

On the Australians’ left is 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division which used 197th and 198th Brigades in its attack. 198th Brigade reached its first objective but could go no further in the face of determined resistance whilst 197th Brigade managed more and reached its second line of objectives but, misinterpreting formation of a defensive flank by the troops on their left as a withdrawal , also withdrew back to their first objective. During the day patrols from the Division got all the way to the outskirts of Passchendaele so the eventual curtailing of this division’s advance, we guess, is particularly galling to high command.

49th (West Riding) Division also used two brigades in its attack, 146th and 148th. Again one of the brigades had better fortune than the other. 148th Brigade had to cross a stream called Revebeek. Reports suggest that this is now more of a shallow river, approaching fifty yards width of cold, muddy, waist-deep water. Heavy fire from well-defended positions has forced the attack to be abandoned after a day of trying to slog forward, we understand - exhausting and demoralising for the men concerned. 146th Brigade took Yetta House and a pillbox known, incongruously as Peter Pan as well as Kronprinz Farm but had to curtail the advance a few hundred yards short of their first objective.

48th (South Midland) Division used its 144th Brigade in the attack, with two battalions each from Gloucestershire and Worcestershire Regiments. Vacher Farm and Adler Farm were taken but Inch Farm and Oxford House resisted attack, confining gains to roughly the line of the first objective.

11th (Northern) Division also used a single Brigade, 33rd, for its attack. They began their attack in the eastern fringes of the village of Poelcapelle but, try as they might, could simply not get forward due to enemy fire.

4th Division used its 12th Brigade for this attack. It lies on the northern shoulder of the line and its attack, instead of going east or north east went almost due north-north-east. They did well on this day of disappointments, getting mid-way between their first and second objectives by the time their advance had to be shut down. We understand that both Millers Farm and Landing Farm have been taken.

29th Division’s attack , in between that of 29th Division and the Guards, was also north-eastwards and here great success was achieved. 86th and 88th Brigades cleared Olga House, Senegal Farm, Namur Crossing, Pascal Farm and Cairo House and the whole division ended up half way between their second and third objectives

The left-most division to attack today, again heading north-north-east, was the Guards Division, using its 1st and 2nd Brigades. They took Vee Bend, Egypt Farm and the Brickfield, Gruyierszale Farm and Ney Wood ending up with their left flank on the village of Veldhoek and their right on the brickfield at les Cinq Chemins having taken all objectives - a performance worthy of household troops and bringing them close to the southern reaches of Huthoulst Forest

Today’s attack was, it is fair to say, patchy with some great success, particularly in the northern sector, but also a complete lack of success in parts towards the south. The poor conditions were a major factor, swollen streams, clagging mud and cold. It truly feels like October now after quite a dry and balmy end to September. Some areas, such as around the approaches to Passchendaele are well and truly waterlogged. And, of course, the Germans continue to make use of their fortified positions long prepared; mud is of little handicap to defenders.

No one here knows when the next attack will be. Opinion is divided between those suggesting that high command may begin winding this battle down as the bad weather and dismal conditions draw on, others opine that it will speed-up due to time-pressure to achieve some sort of breakthrough before winter. Only time will tell.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/7/1

Sixty Sixth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Thursday 4th October 1917

Today is the third day in a row it has been raining and another full-scale attack has been made on the enemy here at Ypres, by twelve divisions. The most southerly of these was 37th Division, which attacked with 63rd and 111th Brigades. 6th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment was lent to these brigades but was not called upon, though I am very sad to report that my friend, the laconic adjutant, Captain H J Cunningham has been killed by a shell. 63rd Brigade went forward and managed to take their first objective but the Germans are always very protective of the ground anywhere in the vicinity of the Menin Road and a series of desperate counter-attacks drove the brigade back to its starting positions. 111th Brigade had more success, capturing Tower Trench but being unable to take all their objectives.

The 5th Division attack was also made without the Bedfords, the 1st Battalion being in reserve. An advance to the grounds of Polderhoek Chȃteau has been made though that attack cannot get any further as the position is very strongly held. Elsewhere Cameron Copse has been taken and the advance has ended just short of Juniper Hill which, again is very strongly held. Despite this the advance has taken a reasonable amount of ground on the Polderhoek Spur which the enemy will be unhappy to lose(1).

21st Division is on the 5th Division’s left flank and on the eastern edge of the southern part of Polygon Wood. Their attack, with 62nd and 64th Brigades, has been slightly more successful. They have taken Joist Farm, Juniper Trench and Judge Trench and a number of enemy strong-points.

7th Division is next in the line going north. They used 20th and 91st Brigades in their attack. They seem to have been completely successful, taking all their objectives including Jetty Wood, Jubilee Croft, Jay Barn, Jay Croft and Jolting House.

The colonials of the two ANZAC Corps form the next four divisions. 1st Australian Division obtained most of their objectives and even managed to capture a battery of four 77mm field guns en-route! Romulus and Remus Woods have fallen and all objectives have been taken

2nd Australian Division had to go round Zonnebeke Lake in making their attack but managed to capture Zonnebeke itself. This division, too, not to be outdone, also captured a battery of four light artillery pieces. Going on they have also managed to capture the village of Broodeseinde, giving two in one attack. We understand they have not quite achieved their final objective but can be proud of what they have achieved.

3rd Australian Division took the strong-points called Seine and Hamburg. The New Zealand Division is the furthest north of the four ANZAC divisions, they have taken Dear House, Dochy Farm, Berlin Farm, Albatross Farm, Aviatik Farm and Otto Farm and the strong-points called Boetleer, Korek, Waterloo, Riverside, Calgary Grange, Winzig and Winchester. Another splendid success for the men from the islands of the long white cloud.

48th (South Midland) Division are the next in line and attacked with one brigade. They have taken Vale Farm and Tweed House but were unable to take all their objectives, ending some way short of their final objective.

11th Division used two brigades, 33rd and 34th, in their attack. The good news is that they have taken the village of Poelcapelle as well as strong-points such as Gloster Farm, Ferdan House and Malta House.

4th Division used 10th and 11th Brigades in its attack and took Kangaroo Trench without difficulty. 11th Brigade went on to take all their objectives, a truly splendid effort worthy of the old regular army. 10th Brigade has been less fortunate, taking 19 Metre Hill but being unable to make further progress. We understand they then were hit by an enemy counter-attack but managed to fight it off.

29th Division formed the northernmost attack of today. 86th and 87th Brigades’ task was to make a defensive flank to protect the units further south from interference. A number of strong-points have been taken including Chinese House and ‘t Goed ter Vesten Farm. When the enemy counter-attacked and drove the 4th Division back it was flanking fire from 29th Division which routed the Germans and enabled 4th Division to regain the ground it had lost.

So today has seen more steady progress. It is true that not all objectives have been reached but some divisions have had great success and none have encountered outright failure. Such attacks, chipping away at the enemy bit by bit must surely begin to make an impact on him. The army is now within sight of the ridge on which stands the village of Passchendaele.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/7/1

(1) They put in no less than eight counter-attacks regaining some of the ground.

Sixty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Wednesday 3rd October 1917

5th Division, having relieved 23rd Division just north of the Menin Road, was attacked by the enemy today, as was 37th Division just south of the road. As far as we can tell both these attacks have been failures.

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has reached the Ypres Salient. It is moving towards a position on the ridge between Tor Top and Stirling Castle. As reserve to the rest 5th Division it was not involved in repulsing the German attack. Nor was 6th Battalion involved in repulsing the enemy attack on 37th Division as it is resting, having preceded the rest of its division in the front line by five days.

63rd (Royal Naval) Division, including the 4th Bedfords, is also evidently coming to the party. The Battalion is currently a Zermezeele near Kassel, close to the Belgian border.

In far-away Palestine yesterday, two of the 1st/5th Battalion snipers captured a Turkish prisoner who had been picking grapes just outside the enemy trenches near The Orchard, south-west of Gaza.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/6/8

Le Touret

Lieutenant R E Oakley [X550/1/81]

Thursday 1st February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 1st Battalion adjutant remarked to me today that they, part of 5th Division, are now quite close to 6th Battalion, who are part of 37th Division. Last month 6th Battalion were at le Touret today it is 1st Battalion who are acting as brigade reserve. The adjutant commented: “Very cold weather and very cold billets for the men”.

2nd Battalion are still at Baurepaire, hard at work building a railway. We hear that Lieutenant R E Oakley has been granted the acting rank of Captain whilst he commands a company.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/WD

Day Eighty Seven on the Somme

Monday 25th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

Today has seen another large attack across a broad front extending in an arc from Martinpuich through Eaucourt-l’Abbaye, Gueudecourt, Lesboeufs and Morval to Combles in the south. Our own 1st and 8th Battalions have been caught up in these attacks.

Moving from left to right: 50th (Northumbrian) Division and 1st Division have advanced a small way north towards the hamlet of Eaucourt-l’Abbaye. The New Zealanders formed the defensive left flank for this whole operation. They moved forward against unexpectedly weak opposition and now face north-west towards Eaucourt-l’Abbaye. 55th (West Lancashire) Division took a short stretch of a main German defensive line called Gird Trench just to the north of its original position

21st Division attacked towards the village of Gueudecourt. We had heard rumours that Gueudecourt had fallen, but it has become clear this evening that it has not. The attack could get no further than Gird Trench, part of which was taken but most of which remains in German hands.

The Guards Division attacked an area south of Gueudecourt as far as a road through the middle of Lesboeufs. The Guards met with little in the way of opposition, stormed through the ruins and have now occupied ground just to the east.

6th Division attacked towards Lesboeufs. The adjutant of 8th Bedfords tells me that they were in reserve for the 16th Infantry Brigade attack on the German lines between Lesboeufs and Morval to the south: “The attack commenced at 12.35 pm and the Battalion moved up to the original front line when the second objective had been taken about 2.35. Casualties from the enemy barrage were very slight. The attack proved successful and many prisoners were taken. Tonight the Battalion will furnish carrying parties to the front line battalions with ammunition and water”.

The division attacked an area north of Morval as far as the road through the centre of Lesboeufs. The division succeeded splendidly in taking all its objectives and is now dug-in east of Lesboeufs with the Guards on its right and 5th Division on its left.

The aforementioned 5th Division includes, of course, 1st Bedfords. They were in their assembly trenches by 9.30 last night. The adjutant takes up the story: "At 1.35 pm the Battalion advanced in four waves at 150 yards distance one from another, passing over the trench taken by the 1st Norfolks. The first line reached their objective, the sunken road, by 1.40. Lewis guns were immediately placed in position on the top of the bank and several drums fired at the retiring enemy. The Battalion dug-in along the line of the road and also on the top of the bank. Touch was gained with the 16th Brigade at 1.50 and with the 95th Brigade about 2 pm”.

So far so good, but there have, it seems, been familiar problems: “Considerable casualties were sustained from our own field guns, both during the advance and while holding the sunken road”. This issue, it will be remembered, hampered the 8th Battalion attack on 15th. However, Morval, along with Lesboeufs, has fallen today. 1st Cheshires succeeded in occupying it by 3 pm. The farthest point reached has been the old windmill east of the village.

The right flank of the British armies in France is currently held by 56th (London) Division. This formation attacked Combles in co-operation wih French 2nd Division around midnight. They advanced round the north end of Bouleaux Wood, which still contains German defenders, and the two nations’ troops succeeded in taking Combles and are now dug-in well to the east of it, the British facing east and the French facing north.

So today, whilst not uniformly successful, has seen another series of hammer blows to the German lines. The capture of three villages is a huge success and in places the German defenses have been much weaker than normal. One wonders if there is some sort of crisis in the German army on the Somme which our forces may be able to exploit in the days ahead(1)

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/9/1

(1) The Germans, worried about a breakthrough on the Somme, had just begun a fortified line some miles behind their own front line. This was the Siegfriedstellung, known the British as the Hindenburg Line. During the Spring of 1917 the Germans withdrew