Training at Guillemont

Thursday 5th September 1918

The 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is at a place they know all too well - Guillemont, a village they attacked at the end of July 1916. Little of Guillemont remains and so the men are camped around the place marked X on the map above. They have been here since the first of the month and are acting as Divisional Reserve, during which they are training.

Source: X550/3/wd

Bapaume Falls

Thursday 29th August 1918

Another great leap forward has taken place on the Somme today. 18th (Eastern) Division began its advance this morning at Trones Wood at first light, sweeping through the familiar village of Guillemont an hour later and at Leuze Wood about nine this morning. This evening sees them north, west and south of Combles, though the village itself yet holds out. 

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, then part of 30th Division lost many men at Guillemont in 1916 so it must have been with great pleasure that this morning they advanced through its few remains without a scratch, following 38th (Welsh) Division. The battalion assisted in the capture of Leuze Wood, and the high ground to the north of it, which gave it little trouble due to the speed and momentum of the advance. Then, as the adjutant informed me a few moments ago: "Our advance was held by strong machine gun fire from the enemy in position along the spur running from Morval southwards towards Combles. the battalion then dug-in as shown on the map above. Altogether four other ranks were killed and thirty-four wounded in today's action.

As already related the Welshmen of 38th Division also advanced today, beginning at Longueval captured the shattered remains of the village of Ginchy and this evening have swept on to take the hamlet of Lesboeufs.

Meanwhile, in the north, the enemy must have evacuated Bapaume as today the New Zealand Division was able to enter the deserted ruins with no finger lifted against it. Similarly 42nd Division took the now empty Thilloy and Ligny-Thilloy. Thus it has taken a mere eight days to advance from Albert to take Bapaume, in 1916 a battle of 144 days brought the army no closer to Bapaume than a few miles to the west. Nothing can so starkly underline the greatly increased efficiency of our own armies and the greatly decreased ability of the enemy to resist.

Source: X550/3/wd

More on Casualties During the Battle of the Somme

Friday 24th November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Following the analysis of the numbers of men who have sacrifices of war in the Battle of the Somme, readers may be interested in the relative costliness of different operations during the course of the battle. The figures below give the number of men killed in action in the most significant attacks made between 1st July and 18th November. The figures are restricted to those killed in action because it is usually impossible to know the actions resulting in deaths due to wounds which can take place several weeks later.

• 1st Day of the Battle and immediate aftermath – 1st to 3rd July: 106 (2nd and 7th Battalions)
• Actions at Contalmaison and Pozières  – 9th to 15th July: 92 (6th Battalion)
• Actions in Trônes Wood  - 11th to 14th July: 61 (2nd and 7th Battalions)
• Actions at Longueval and Delville Wood – 22nd to 31st July: 105 (1st Battalion)
• Actions south of Guillemont – 30th July to 24th September: 138 (1st and 2nd Battalions)
• Actions near Morval – 13th to 25th September: 158 (8th Battalion)
• Actions at Thiepval – 26th to 29th September: 93 (7th Battalion)
• Actions east of Le Sars – 11th to 12th October: 83 (2nd Battalion)
• Actions on the River Ancre – 31st October to 16th November: 110 (4th and 6th Battalions)

Day Seventy Five on the Somme

Wednesday 13th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

Today the 6th Division has relieved 56th (London) Division in Leuze Wood. As soon as they arrived, in the early morning, 18th Brigade assaulted the strongpoint east of Guillemont and north of the wood called the Quadrilateral, where the attack by the Londoners was halted on 9th. The line of the road from Ginchy to Leuze Wood was occupied but the Quadrilateral itself remained un-reached due to the intensity of fire from its defenders.

The unlucky 8th Battalion was involved in this attack. The adjutant told me that Captain Steyer with B Company co-operated with 18th Brigade. These men managed to bomb their way about 100 yards along a German trench causing considerable casualties to the enemy.

The attack was repeated at six o’clock this evening with two platoons of C Company assisting the 18th Brigade in a frontal attack. This attack is now dying down since, once again, it is impossible to get near the enemy position.

Source: X550/9/1

Day Seventy One on the Somme

Saturday 9th September 1916: From our Correspondent in the Field

After seizing a portion of High Wood yesterday 1st Division was today given the unenviable task of taking the rest of it. Sadly the resistance put up by the enemy was stronger than yesterday and all attacks failed. 

However, on the rest of the battlefield the day has been one of considerable success. A few days ago your correspondent was wondering whether the village of Ginchy would take as long to capture as its neighbour to the south-west, Guillemont. It appears that this will not be the case. 16th (Irish) Division has today succeeded in capturing the place. However, it has yet to be held for any period of time and everyone is aware of the German propensity for determined counter-attacks.

56th (London) Division has pushed north from Leuze Wood and succeeded in capturing German positions along the sunken road through Bouleaux Wood to Combles and the road from Guillemont to Morval. 

They have even pushed patrols towards the village of Morval itself. The position known as the Quadrilateral, however, in a hollow, near the eastern end of the ravine east of Guillemont and north of Bouleaux Wood holds out against them.

Today 1st Bedfords moved back to Morlancourt, a village behind the lines south of Albert and not far from the north bank of the River Somme. They are undoubtedly on their way to leaving the area for recuperation and reorganisation. I am sure they will hope never to return as the job will be done in the next little while(1).

To the west, the Canadians made an attack this afternoon towards the village of Martinpuich. They succeeded in advancing about a quarter of a mile and have held their gains against considerable counterattacks.

Source: X550/2/5

(1) Noon on this day marked the half way point in the 141 day battle.

Day Sixty Five on the Somme

Sunday 3rd September 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today has been one of great activity here on the Somme with attacks across a front of five miles or more. There have been separate attacks in the Ancre Valley and on the Thiepval Ridge, at Mouquet Farm, at High Wood, at Guillemont and at Ginchy. We will begin this left to right progress, so to speak, in the Ancre Valley.

The 49th Division made an attack which began at the road from Hamel to Thiepval (known as Mill Road and Thiepval Road) and headed north towards Saint-Pierre-Divion. However, weather has been poor today, with drizzle reducing visibility and the attackers were caught by machine gun fire from the Schwaben Redoubt on their right flank. Some men did penetrate the enemy front line but were forced to evacuate it for lack of ammunition and reinforcements and by mid-morning it became clear that the attack had failed with no ground gained. This attack has made it clear that the whole Thiepval Ridge will need to be cleared of the enemy if any progress is to be made in the Ancre Valley.

To the south-east of the village of Thiepval the Australians have again attacked the remains of Mouquet Farm. They succeeded in capturing most of the rubble and the nearby trenches but have been driven out again by the Germans. All this fighting, both on the surface, in trenches and underground in bunkers has been of the most bestial hand-to-hand variety. The Germans are well aware that if Mouquet Farm falls the back door to Thiepval will be open.

The fight still goes on amongst the splinters of High Wood. 1st Brigade of 1st Division attacked here, again using flame-throwers and Livens Projectors, despite these weapons’ failure on 18th August. To assist the attack a mine containing 3,000 lb of high explosive was detonated under the eastern corner of the wood less than a minute before the troops moved into the attack, giving the Germans no time to recover. Unfortunately the Livens Projectors caused more harm to our men than to the Germans when a stray trench mortar shell exploded the oil drums they were supposed to use against the enemy prematurely. Thus the whole attack failed. This evening, about an hour ago fresh attacks have pierced the remains of the wood.

5th Division was given the task of finally taking the fortress village of Guillemont. This was carried out in combination with the French 127th Regiment. Unfortunately the French were pinned down in Combles Ravine, leaving our men to attack alone. 13th Brigade attacked Falfemont Farm whilst 95th Brigade attacked the spur of ground between Falfemont Farm and Guillemont. The attacks began just before nine o’clock this morning and succeeded in capturing the German front line. 

The second line, from Wedge Wood to the south-eastern tip of the village, fell just before one o’clock. A 13th Brigade attack on Wedge Wood was stopped short of its objective.

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has been caught up in the fighting. Just before two o’clock this afternoon the battalion moved forward from Silesian Trenches just north of Maricourt. They reached the vicinity of Maltz Horn Farm about half an hour later and at three o’clock was ordered to move to trenches south of Angle Wood. They advanced in company with 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment into Angle Wood under heavy shelling which caused ten casualties. An hour ago, about six o’clock they began their attack on Falfemont Farm, as yet I have heard nothing of their progress.

20th (Light) Division attacked Guillemont from trenches to the west and south-west of the village. These were successful and the village was finally taken. This has led to German counter-attacks this afternoon and this evening but, as far as I can determine, British troops still hold the village, or what remains of it. 

7th Division attacked the village of Ginchy, north-east of Guillemont. Unfortunately, Delville Wood, with its German defenders, has a line of sight over the ground over which the division attacked, being able to fire on the left flank of the attack from the north. Men from 7th and 24th Divisions, thus, were given the task of taking Delville Wood and the trenches leading east from it, but did not manage to achieve their task. They succeeded in taking the eastern edge of the wood but plenty of Germans remained in adjacent trenches to fire at the attack on Ginchy.

7th Division attacked Ginchy from the west, from around Waterlot Farm (shown as "Sugar Refinery" on the map above), thus by-passing Guillemont which lies to the south. Their objective is the site of a telegraph tower, on a prominence east of the village. They were duly struck in their left by fire from the Germans in trenches east of Delville Wood, particularly from a trench called Ale Alley (all the trenches in this sector have been given names relating to beer by our men). I understand that the attack got into Ginchy but, due to the drizzle and murky conditions, could not be seen by headquarters. The Germans then counterattacked and drove the men of 7th Division out of Ginchy again. About 5.30 this evening another attack was launched but it seems to have come for nothing. It took over a month to finally capture Guillemont, everyone hopes, most profoundly, that it will not take another month to capture its sister village of Ginchy.

Source: X550/2/5

Day Fifty Eight on the Somme

Sunday 27th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Last night the final part of Edge Trench, which runs along the eastern face of Delville Wood, was seized in a surprise attack by 14th (Light) Division, taking about sixty Germans prisoner. Thus to the 14th (Light) Division fell the honour of finally capturing the last few blasted trees of Devil’s Wood, which has withstood assaults since 14th July and has seen off 5th Division, 9th (Scottish) with its indomitable South African Brigade, and 17th (Northern) Divisions.

Fighting goes on around High Wood. Another Scottish division – 15th has been fighting off German attacks west of the wood.

This afternoon, the adjutant of 1st Bedfords contacted me and told me that senior officers from the Battalion have been inspecting trenches south of Guillemont. So it seems as if 5th Division will be dragged into the fight for this ruined place, so close to the scene of its last actions on the Somme at Longueval. Meanwhile 2nd Bedfords have taken over front line trenches at Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée near Béthune.

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

Day Fifty Two on the Somme

Monday 21st August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Attacks have been made today at those twin sores Delville Wood and Guillemont. An attack by 41st Brigade (of 14th Division) on German defenses inside Devil’s Wood was a failure which inflicted over two hundred casualties on the light infantrymen.

33rd Division made an attack around midnight from the road from Longueval to Flers to a trench called Wood Lane which follows the track from the eastern tip of High Wood south-east towards Longueval and which ends in a T junction short of the northern end of the village. Regrettably one battalion was informed of the planned attack to late so only one battalion made the assault and it was beaten off by the defenders. On a brighter note, 14th (Light) Division succeeded in capturing trenches in and on the east side of Delville Wood and in taking two hundred prisoners.

Last night the French captured Angle Wood, north-east of Hardecourt-au-Bois, north-west of Maurepas and some way south of Guillemont, which they subsequently handed over to 35th Division. 

An attack by 35th Division on a strong-point near Arrowhead Copse was unsuccessful but a trench called Zig-Zag Trench which moves into the remains of Guillemont was captured by 24th Division.

This afternoon an attack on the quarry on the western edge of Guillemont has failed and, although a gallant fight for Guillemont Station was put up by the attackers, our men were unable to hold it due to the number of casualties they had taken. Thus Guillemont still evades the grasping hand of the British Army. 

Day Fifty on the Somme

Saturday 19th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Overnight we heard rumours that the successes around Guillemont yesterday had been repulsed. Accordingly, overnight, a special reconnaissance was undertaken which found that, so far from a British repulse, the Germans had fallen back in a line from roughly Falfemont Farm north-west to Wedge Wood, both of which lie south-east of Guillemont. Lonely Trench, which gave so much trouble yesterday, had also been abandoned. Thus today our troops have occupied Lonely Trench and dug in on the eastern side of the Guillemont Road, gaining touch with the French who were also able to reoccupy the ground they had lost. This encouraging event has fuelled fresh optimism that an attack might finally succeed in capturing Guillemont.

Today 1st Australian Division, near the German fortress of Mouquet Farm and south-east of the road to Bapaume, suffered a heavy German counter-attack on the positions they managed to take yesterday. They seem to have weathered them.

Day Forty Nine on the Somme

Friday 18th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today has seen more activity than any other day this month so far. On the left of the British line as it attacks from south to north, 33rd Division attacked High Wood. This novel attack was intended to use a German tactic, first used against British troops in July last year at Hooge near Ypres and used against 1st Division yesterday – flame-throwers, as well as oil drums hurled by Livens Projectors(1). Unfortunately the flamethrowers failed and the Livens Projectors were damaged and buried by the British barrage which fell short of its target. Given these failures it is not surprising that the infantry were unable to get forward in any numbers. Despite the setbacks, however, the imaginative thinking employed can only be applauded. At least Wood Trench between High Wood and Delville Wood (and north-west of Delville Wood) was captured.

In the centre of the attack Delville Wood has, once more, been attacked, along with the trenches immediately bordering it to the west and east. This time the unit drawing the proverbial short straw was 14th (Light) Division. Some prisoners were taken in the centre of the remains of the wood and gains were made, with a number of trenches falling to the attackers in the wood and either side of it.

An old and hated name resurfaced briefly in conversation today - Trônes Wood. 24th Division began an attack east on Guillemont from there this morning, following the line of the remains of the track leading from the remains of wood to the remains of the village. The attack mostly ground to a halt in front of the German wire, stopped by machine-guns. However, the German line was penetrated near the quarry on the west side of Guillemont and the position has been consolidated. In the area between the north-west of Guillemont and south-east of Delville Wood progress was made and around one hundred prisoners taken.

The right flank of the attack was south of Guillemont. 3rd Division attacked a trench called Lonely Trench east of Maltz Horn Farm near the road south from Hardecourt-au-Bois to Guillemont – a place which has become as infamous to Tommy Atkins as Delville Wood or High Wood and is generally known as the Gillymong Road. Trenches south-east of Arrowhead Copse were also attacked. Most of these attacks were unsuccessful. Meanwhile French troops took some more of the village of Maurepas and joined up with 3rd Division south of Guillemont. We have just heard, however, that the French have, again, been pushed back by a German counter-attack.

Meanwhile the Australians on the Pozières Ridge made further attacks towards Mouquet Farm as wel las south-east of the road from Albert to Bapaume. We understand some progress has been made here, too.

(1) Essentially large buried mortars

Day Forty Eight on the Somme

Thursday 17th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

We understand that the attacks carried out in the vicinity of Guillemont yesterday, by our 3rd Division and the French 153rd Division have unraveled overnight. The French were forced to give way by strong German counter-attacks and 3rd Division did not manage to hold the road from Guillemont to Hardecourt due to failures of attacks by other units of the same division on its flanks. The one bright spot is that a particularly troublesome enemy trench called Cochrane Alley, near Maltz Horn Farm, was taken yesterday and has been held.

Early this morning 1st Division was attacked by the enemy in a trench which it had secured to the west of High Wood. The enemy used flame-throwers, ghastly weapons men of the 1st Bedfords will remember from attacks they faced near Ypres in July last year. Unfortunately some of the trench was lost to the enemy.

Day Forty Seven on the Somme

Lieutenant D A Roeber

Wednesday 16th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 6th Bedfords are saying farewell to the Somme, at least for the present. They have marched to the village of Behencourt and are reported to be heading north to the area around Loos. They will no doubt be exhaling a collective sigh of relief after a rough time of it here.

The 7th Battalion is not far from this town at the moment, being in the front line opposite Armentières..Yesterday night we understand they carried out a dummy raid. This involves using artillery and trench mortars on a section of the enemy front line then simulating a lift in the bombardment to positions further to the rear, as if to impeded enemy reinforcements. At the same time poles are shown above the British front line trenches to simulate men and smoke is released.  This forces the enemy to man his parapet to shoot at the “raiders”. The dummy raid was successful in doing this and the enemy front line trench was then shelled by field artillery and Stokes mortars. The adjutant remarked to me: “It is thought that the enemy suffered severe losses. His artillery reply was feeble”. The Bedfords themselves lost Lieutenant Roeber and three other ranks killed and two other ranks wounded.

Today the French 153rd Division has again advanced between Maurepas and Guillemont. The British 3rd Division attacked east towards and reached the road running south from Guillemont to Hardecourt-au-Bois.

Sources: X550/7/1; X550/8/1

Day Forty Four on the Somme

Sunday 13th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

There have been no French attacks between Maurepas and Guillemont today and so no units from our army have advanced either(1). So far August has seen considerably less activity than July and all of it seems to have been concentrated into small areas rather than the sweeping attacks which characterised 1st and 15th July. It is not clear to we “newspapermen”whether this is a well-thought-out strategy by High Command or local responses made by officers on the ground.

The fighting continues at Pozières. 12th (Eastern) Division, supporting the Australians, has been involved in hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy west of the village and south-west near the fortress village of Ovillers, which fell a month ago on 14th July.

(1) In the event the French were receiving German counter-attacks following French successes on the previous day and so no advance could be made.

Day Forty Three on the Somme

Saturday 12th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

It seems as if the Somme battle is now revolving around the small village of Guillemont, or rather around its remains. The French today attacked and seized a considerable amount of ground around Maurepas, to the south-east. This evening troops from 55th (West Lancashire) Division attacked the spur of ground south of Guillemont expecting a French effort alongside them. By the time the attack had been underway for a while it became clear that the French were “no shows”. We understand that the attack has been aborted and that the troops will be withdrawn after dark.  

Day Forty on the Somme

Wednesday 9th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of 6th Bedfords, attached to 34th Division and currently at Bazentin-le-Petit, that they were involved last night in fighting which claimed one officer and eight other ranks killed, twenty five other ranks missing and two officers and forty nine other ranks wounded.

At Guillemont another attack was made this morning at 4.20. It was met with withering machine-gun fire. An attack south of the railway line was also made by 2nd Division and also failed. Sadly, the men of the 2nd Division who reached Guillemont Station yesterday and those of 55th Division who got into Guillemont near the quarry  on the western side of the village have been killed or captured. I am told parties could be seen through field glasses, being marched away by the Germans.

The 4th Australian Division attacked north-west from Pozières today, along the ridge. The fighting was intense but the German trench known as Park Lane was captured. This is important as it defends a place called Mouquet Farm, which the Germans still hold.

Source: X550/7/1

Day Thirty Nine on the Somme

Tuesday 8th August 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Just after midnight this morning 17th Division managed to finally advance the British line north of the village on Longueval. Delville Wood, however, is still not fully in our hands.

The main fighting today has been, once more, for the village of Guillemont, which readers may recall was attacked by 30th Division, including 2nd Bedfords, on 30th July. The 55th (West Lancashire) Division carried out the attack at 4.20 this morning in conjunction with the French army. The French attack did not get so far as Maltz Horn Farm but the 55th Division succeeded in penetrating the Guillemont defences. However, the Germans managed to isolate those who had got into the village. I believe there will be an attack on the village tonight to try to link of with these men. 2nd Division also attacked to the north of the railway line which curved around the northern edge of the village and Guillemont Station was captured.

Day Thirty One on the Somme

Monday 31st July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

We understand that after the costly action yesterday at Guillemont 30th Division (which has been in action since the beginning of the month, taking Montauban on the first day of this Battle of the Somme and heavily involved in the fighting at Trônes Wood in the second week, was relieved by 55th Division last night.

Today Major-General Shea had the 2nd Bedfords drawn up and addressed them as follows: "I have come here this morning to thank you all for the way that you fought yesterday. It may seem to most of you that after doing all you could, you were only successful in capturing a small amount of ground.

This however does not in any way represent the results of your hard fighting.

It came to my knowledge only this morning, that eleven of the freshest German Battalions (The 12th Bavarian Reserve) had just been brought up on the front which you attacked”.

“There were only eight battalions actually fighting for the Division, and judging from the number of prisoners taken, and the number of casualties known to have been inflicted on the enemy, it is clear that you were instrumental in completely preventing what would have been a very strong counter attack on the Bantams(1) in Trônes Wood”.

“The Army Commander has told me to thank you for him, and to his thanks I add mine and my hearty congratulations”.

“Colonel Poyntz I congratulate you on your Battalion and on your men."

I have heard from the adjutant of 1st Bedfords that at 6.45 yesterday evening orders were received to reinforce 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers holding the line in Longueval with the 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment in support. The leading platoon moved off at 6.53 p.m. and reached Longueval at 7.45 p.m. relieving the Royal West Kents

At 10.12 p.m., the commanding officer of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers. reported that his men were retiring from the front line and A and C Companies were directed to proceed with guides to hold and consolidate this line. It was proposed to withdraw KOSB into reserve at dawn. Just after midnight the enemy began an intense bombardment on this already desolate and churned-up place and by 2.30 all companies were reporting heavy casualties including two officers killed and a number wounded.

All day snipers and machine gunners prevented the battalion establishing the line as had been ordered. Any movement attracted considerable shell-fire. Nevertheless the battalion held firm in the positions it had managed to reach until six o’clock this evening when the 1st Norfolks relieved both the shattered KOSB and the forward companies of the Bedfords who moved back to a reserve position east the remains of Longueval church. It is hoped that the battalion will be completely relieved tonight.

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

(1) 35th Division, so-called because all men were under the normal height for soldiers in the British Army of 5 feet 3 inches.

(2) Second Lieutenant A N Marshall and Second Lieutenant D N Gaussen. Gaussen is buried at Gaussen Communal Cemetery but Marshall has no known grave at is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Day Thirty on the Somme

Sunday 30th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today the attack on Guillemont, anticipated since 16th of this month, has got underway. This attack has been undertaken by 30th Division, including 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Having spoken with the Battalion’s adjutant it seems they were in reserve for the attack which was spear-headed by 19th and 20th Battalions, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment with 17th Liverpools in support. The attack was made in conjunction with an attack by the French, 30th Division being the most right-hand units of the British Expeditionary Force in France. A Company of the Bedfords, however, was part of the assaulting troops. As well as the attack on the village, 89th Brigade of 30th Division attacked Falfemont Farm, south-east of the village. On the other side of 90th Brigade Guillemont station and trenches north-west of the village were attacked by 5th Brigade of 2nd Division.

The attack began at 4.45 am and A Company, under Lieutenant White, operating with the French 153rd Regiment on its right flank it advanced north and seized Maltz Horn Farm(1) without opposition. This place was taken on 8th July but subsequently abandoned. There is a rumour that Lieutenant White and his French counterpart advanced arm-in-arm for part of the way, though I have not been able to verify this. The attack was a brilliant success, from seventy to eighty Germans being killed in the Maltz Horn Trench in front of the farm and one prisoner taken. The farm was found to be unoccupied. Once the position was taken the company rejoined the rest of the battalion in reserve and the farm was abandoned. The company lost about thirty men killed and wounded in this small operation, including Lieutenant H C Lovely, who was wounded.

Lieutenant Lovely

The main attack by the Liverpools was greatly hampered by a German bombardment last night and a dense fog this morning and about 6.30 am reinforcements were called for. B and C Companies of the Bedfords, accordingly moved out, but the Commanding Officer of 17th Liverpools stopped them from going too far as he had no word from his fellow commanders of the two assaulting battalions as to where exactly the support was needed. So the two companies stayed at the 17th Liverpools’ headquarters. Fifteen minutes later Lieutenant H A Chamen was seriously wounded(2).

Lieutenant Chamen

At 9 o’clock Lieutenant J T Coe and Lieutenant A L Gordon were both wounded and an hour later Lieutenant White again led A Company off to get back in contact with the French. Their attack had also been held up and they were digging in, so A Company dug in on their flank, just south of Maltz Horn Farm. Second Lieutenant F A Sloan was wounded just before midday.

Second Lieutenant Sloan

About 1.30 this afternoon it became clear that the attack on Guillemont had stalled and the Bedfords were ordered to consolidate a line along the low ridge from a small wood called Arrowhead Copse, just short of Guillemont, east to the French left wing. This they did, digging a new trench about 300 yards long. It is anticipated that the battalion will be relieved tonight, having suffered 6 officers and 186 other ranks dead and wounded.

I have just heard that this morning’s attack succeeded in entering Guillemont. However, due to the inability to communicate due to fog and telephone wires being cut Major-General Shea commanding the division took the decision to consolidate the line from the west side of Guillemont south-west to Maltz Horn Farm rather than losing what had been gained to any German counter-attack. The attack by 2nd Division on the north-west of Guillemont was a complete failure. The final line now extends from Maltz Horn Farm, to the road running south from Guillemont to Hardecourt, then north-west to Arrowhead Copse.

To assist the attack on Guillemont subsidiary attacks were made to the north-west at Longueval and Delville Wood again. This attack was confused and extremely costly and seems to have gained little or nothing. The fighting in this area may be described, not melodramatically, as a blood-bath and one of the Battalions of 5th Division is reported to have been reduced from 1,000 at full strength to just 175.

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) The proper name was Maltzkorn Farm after its founder, an 18th century German called Paul Maltzkorn. Today the farm buildings are long gone but a large crucifix stands on the site.

(2) Aged 22, he died on 1st August and is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension.

Day Eighteen on the Somme

Tuesday 18th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

I have heard from the adjutant of 1st Bedfords that they have been reconnoitring the ground in the area of High Wood, which is still firmly in German hands. Meanwhile the adjutant of 7th Bedfords tells me of a rumour in the division (18th) that it will not be called on to attack Guillemont due to the heavy casualties it incurred on the first day of the Battle and subsequently in the taking of Trônes Wood.

This afternoon the Germans have launched an attack on the village and wood at Longueval. The South Africans have been engaged in bitter hand-to-hand fighting in the shattered remains of that dreadful wood but, as I write, they are still hanging on. Australians to whom I have talked seem to see the failed invasion of Gallipoli last year as a badge of honour for their country blaming, of course, its failure on the British. One wonders if, in years to come, Delville Wood will not be seen by South Africans as similarly definitive for their nation.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/8/1

Day Seventeen on the Somme

Monday 17th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Word has reached us that 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is about to join the struggle on the Somme, now in its seventeenth day. The battalion has marched to the town of Ville-sur-Ancre after a series of four route marches in the last four days. The 2nd Battalion is at Vaux and has been training after its struggle in Trônes Wood. The 7th Battalion, meanwhile, received fresh orders this morning to assault the village of Guillemont in co-operation with 53rd Brigade from the same division (18th). Again these have been cancelled but the battalion remains under orders to move at a moment’s notice.

Again the reason for the delay in any assault on Guillemont is the failure to secure the northern parts of the village of Longueval and the north-west of Delville Wood. Further attacks by the Scots and the South Africans early this morning ground to a halt around noon.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/3/wd; X550/8/1