Day Thirteen on the Somme

Thursday 13th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Just after midnight this morning 2nd Bedfords were relieved from their trenches in the south-west of Trônes Wood by 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment of 55th Brigade, 18th Division. We understand that two battalions of 54th Brigade have also been assigned to the struggle in the wood, joining 55th Brigade. 7th Bedfords are part of 54th Brigade but have not yet been fed into this confusing and brutal struggle. This evening an attack by three different battalions from three directions is under way. 

We understand that the work so ably begun by the 38th (Welsh) Division has been completed today by 21st Division. Now the whole of Mametz Wood is in British hands

Day Eleven on the Somme

Tuesday 11th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The 2nd Bedfords have taken their first truly active part in the Battle of the Somme today – its eleventh day. As I write this despatch the battalion is still in Trônes Wood where it has been since early this morning. The men were drawn up at 1.30 am and began their advance on the south-west portion of the wood at 3.10 when the first pre-dawn light was beginning to suffuse the sky. They advanced in columns of half-companies, A Company leading the way, and spread out, five yards between each man and his neighbour. They were about a quarter of a mile from the wood when the German machine-guns opened up. This was soon followed by artillery and the battalion suffered many casualties before it entered the wood.

By 3.45 every surviving man was inside the wood, at its southern end. Wounded men returning from the fight told me that the undergrowth is luxuriant, unaffected by shellfire, and makes it difficult to see more than about four yards ahead. They also say the wood is full of enemy trenches and dug-outs which one does not see until one is right upon them. As soon as they entered the wood Lieutenant R B Gibson was killed and Second Lieutenant F E Plummer was wounded.

Second Lieutenant Plummer

After a lot of fighting, A and B Companies dug themselves in on the south-east side of the wood with C and D Companies digging in on the south-west edge. By 4.20 am Captain L F Beal, commander of C Company had led 27 men of D Company and 13 men of B Company under their commander Lieutenant H A Chamen up to the north-east edge of the wood where they dug-in. Sadly no other reinforcements came up and a large number of Germans were seen advancing south from the village of Longueval, causing these 42 men to abandon their position and withdraw south in order to avoid being surrounded. They eventually reached C Company’s position in the south-east corner the wood about 5 pm.

Lieutenant Fox

Around 8 am Lieutenant L H Fox led a patrol into the interior which has not returned. I understand they are believed to have been captured(1). At 11.30 a third patrol followed those of Captain Beal and Lieutenant Fox. This was led by Captain C G Tyler along with Second Lieutenant L H Walker and Second Lieutenant D P Cross with about forty men. They worked north up the eastern edge of the wood but encountered a strong-point where a track from the village of Guillemont enters the wood. Captain Tyler was badly wounded and ordered the party back to their starting position. Distressingly the captain had to be left where he was(2). The men, now back in their trench fought off several German counter-attacks. From the above it is clear that the fighting in the stifling conditions of this wood was even more confused than normal for this war.

Captain Tyler

As I write this A, B, C and half of D Company are believed to be dug-in at the southern part of the wood. Every company is reported as having suffered many casualties. Patrols have been sent into the middle of the wood to find stragglers and to bomb and the enemy out of their trenches there. Thus the 2nd Battalion’s first day, whilst not as clear-cut as that of the 7th Battalion has been satisfactory and ground has been gained.

Fighting continues in Mametz Wood. The Welshmen of 38th Division have captured more of it today.

Sources: X550/3/wd

(1) In fact Lieutenant Leslie Herbert Fox had been killed and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

(2) Captain Cornelius George Tyler either died of his wounds that day or was subsequently killed by the enemy. Again he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Day Ten on the Somme

Monday 10th July 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The Battle for Trônes Wood began in earnest yesterday, with the wood being taken and then lost by 30th Division. Last night a trench was dug by 30th Division on the south-west edge of the wood and early this morning troops from 90th Brigade used this to move into the wood, which seemed empty. However, the enemy then moved back in and fighting has been confused throughout the day, dead British and German bodies are intermingled and, added to the fallen and splintered trees and shell-holes have made a once pleasant wood into something from Hell. It is a thoroughly confusing place where it is easy to lose one’s bearings according to men who have been in and come out again alive.

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment forms a part 90th Brigade but has not yet been used in any attack in this ten day-old battle. Tonight the adjutant has received orders that they are to go into action in the wood tomorrow. It is believed that it is currently only lightly held by the enemy but these things can change quickly. Certainly the defenders have put up a stiff fight today. Tonight the Battalion rests near an old French brickworks close to the south-west edge of Bernafay Wood which lies a few hundred yards west of Trônes Wood.

This afternoon the village of Contalmaison was finally captured by 23rd and 34th Divisions. This place has been in the army’s sights for over a week and great satisfaction is felt that it is finally “in the bag”. 6th Bedfords did not take part in the capture but formed a defensive flank against German counter-attacks, which cost them 6 dead, 4 missing and 40 wounded.

The 38th (Welsh) Division has been involved in heavy fighting in Mametz Wood. It is understood that they have managed to infiltrate and capture a good portion of it.

Source: X550/3/wd