2nd Battalion Advances

Lieutenant de Buriatte [X550/1/81]

Sunday 18th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

During last night and early this morning the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, at Agny south-west of Arras observed a number of fires behind the German lines and also loud explosions were heard. At 7.30 this morning they received information that the Brigade on their Right (175th Inf.Bde of 58th (2nd/1st London) Division) had advanced and occupied the German Trenches.

Second Lieutenant Methuen [X550/1/81]

At about 8 am orders were received from Brigade Headquarters to send over patrols to ascertain if the Germans in front of the Battalion had gone. One Platoon of A Company under Second Lieutenant T G Searle and one platoon of B Company under Second Lieutenant F T Matthews (both men recently promoted from the ranks) entered the German lines and found them unoccupied.

At about 9.30 A and B Companies under Lieutenant H de Buriatte and Second Lieutenant A P Methuen respectively advanced and occupied the German front and support line. During this occupation of the Battalion was subject to a little artillery fire, chiefly 77 mm and some 4.8 howitzers. Quite a number of traps were encountered, 2nd Lieutenant R H Hose, who only joined the battalion two days ago, and 21111 Private T.Pearson being both killed by bomb traps. The advance was continued and about 1 pm patrols were next pushed on to Malplaquet Trench, also unoccupied by the enemy.

Second Lieutenant R H Hose [X550/1/81]

At 5.45 pm one platoon of "D" Company under Second Lieutenant A W Joyce was ordered to reconnoitre towards Mercatel and ascertain if it was occupied. We have just heard from the adjutant that the village is occupied.

Source: X550/3/WD

Raid Cancelled

Second Lieutenant R H Hose [X550/1/81]

Friday 16th March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

Whilst 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, were struggling to take the Bihucourt Line south of Achiet-le-Petit yesterday, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment was at Agny south-west of Arras.

At 10.30 pm last night the 18th Battalion King’s (Liverpool) Regiment carried out a raid on enemy trenches on the Bedfords’ left. The Bedfords were also supposed to carry out a silent raid (that is, one without artillery support) at same hour. Frustratingly, this had to be cancelled, as the patrols which went out under Second Lieutenant A Stone and Second Lieutenant C.Shekury reported that trenches where gaps had been made were wired in and that sap heads were not held and also wired in. This barbed wire thus prevented any ingress to the enemy trenches.

In the end, the artillery, barraged the flanks of raid which was to have taken place as well as the enemy’s support line. The enemy retaliated with 77 mm shells which did very little damage and inflicted no casualties.

During the day Second Lieutenant R H Hose of 5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, joined the Battalion. Six other ranks also joined from Base Camp.

Source: X550/3/WD