6th Battalion News

Saturday 30th June 1917

6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is currently the battalion in divisional reserve at Kemmel south of Ypres. During the month their strength has been augmented significantly, from 709 other ranks to 935. The reinforcements make good the casualties suffered in April at Monchy-le-Preux and Greenland Hill when the regiment was reduced to less than sixty unwounded men

During the past month a number of decorations have been received. Five Military Crosses, two Distinguished Conduct Medals, one bar to a Military Medal and twenty-one Military Medals all attest to the gallantry shown in the attacks in April and the raid on 26th May. As June has been spent resting and training there have been no casualties.  

Source: X550/7/1

Twentieth Day of the Battle of Arras

Saturday 28th April 1917

Here in the city of Arras we were awakened this morning just before dawn by a roar of artillery as the Great Push resumed. 12th (Eastern) Division of VI Corps was given the task of advancing a short way to ensure that the northern flank of the bulge, or salient, around Monchy-le-Preux was reduced. The results were mixed, some advances being made but some attacking units taking dreadful casualties.

On the XVII Corps front, 34th Division was given the unenviable task of capturing Roeux, taken and then largely lost again by 51st (Highland) Division on Saint George’s Day. Some progress was made and parts of the village entered but a heavy counter-attack drove parts of the division back to its starting lines again. So Roeux, as I write this, still appears to be in enemy hands. This village is acquiring as bloody a name as Thiepval, Guillemont and Ovillers did last summer on the Somme.

37th Division also attacked yesterday, despite the fact that some Battalions had been reduced fro a theoretical strength of around one thousand to about two hundred by the severe fighting a few days ago. The target was again Greenland Hill, between Roeux and Gavrelle. The adjutant of 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, has wired me reporting that they almost gained their objective, but were hit in the flank by fire from the chemical works outside Roeux. From other sources we understand that the Bedfords were probably a long way from their objective, having mistaken a trench about two hundred yards from their starting point for the trench in front of their true objective which lay three hundred yards beyond that. 63rd Brigade of this Division actually managed a breakthrough just west of Fresnes but steady losses from German counter-attacks has forced them to fall back to the road between Gavrelle and Plouvain. Meanwhile 111th Brigade managed to advance its line by about 800 yards up to the Gavrelle to Plouvain road. My colleague Ian McLeod, who is with the 6th Battalion, tells me that the unit has lost 294 men in the attacks at Greenland Hill of whom 51 are dead and 57 missing. In total this month the Battalion has lost so many men that only 58 are fit for duty.

Attacks have also been made north of Arras by 1st Army at Oppy and Arleux. 188th Brigade of 63rd (Royal Naval) Division was given the task of forming a defensive flank for the attack of 2nd Division further north.  4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was placed under the orders of 188th Brigade but did not go into action, despite the failure of the Brigade to achieve its objectives.

This failure had a serious impact on 2nd Division which had its right flank uncovered (“in the air” in military parlance) as it made its attack. The Division was already seriously under strength - around 3,500 men instead of a full strength figure in excess of 12,000. The Division was to capture the shattered remains of Oppy Wood and the village of Oppy itself beyond it. The attack began from forming up tapes laid by 1st Field Company, East Anglian Royal Engineers (now known officially as 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers). 6th Brigade took the wood but were repulsed from the village and then from the wood as well. 5th Brigade made some progress north of the wood and the village. As I write this we believe that both 63rd and 2nd Divisions are to attack again in the next few minutes.

North of these two British divisions is the Canadian Corps which, fresh from its magnificent capture of Vimy Ridge, was given the task of taking the village of Arleux. They succeeded magnificently in their task and the village is now in their hands. These men from the prairies, mountains and wastes of Canada must be regarded as amongst the very best in the World.

Away from the fighting, we have heard that 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has arrived at the Arras front. They are billeted in what the adjutant described as “Hun trenches” near Neuville-Vitasse and this evening expect to move up to the front line near Chérisy.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/8/1; WW1/WD3; information from Ian McLeod

Sixth Day of the Battle of Arras

Saturday 14th April 1917

Last night we understand 3rd Division made an ill-considered attack, unsupported by 50th Division (which had been instructed to assist), on the village of Guémappe. They made no progress and suffered over three hundred casualties.

Today XVII Corps, the northernmost of the three corps east of Arras has, again, made no attacks. The other two Corps, VI and VII have each been in action trying to push the front line further east. Their attacks both began around dawn, 5.30 this morning. VII Corps was given the task of taking the villages of Fontaine-les-Croisilles and Chérisy. Sadly 33rd Division, given the bulk of the task, was not able to advance very far.

VI Corps was to take the village of Guémappe. Today the attack on Guémappe was to be carried out by 29th Division. However, learning that they would receive no support, because the unit which had replaced 3rd Division in the line had had no time to organise itself, the attack was called-off. Consequently the attacks by 56th and 50th Divisions to the south, now unsupported by 29th Division’s attack, both failed, all with heavy casualties.

When divisions attack they are all mutually supportive, each one keeping the flank of its neighbour covered. If one division falls behind, or does not attack at all, its neighbour’s flank receives the full attention of the defenders, slowing its attack, and so on all down the line, rather like a line of dominoes falling over because one of them is pushed over into its neighbour. To be candid, there has been grumbling in the army, even amongst some of the officers, about some of the divisional and corps commanders in this battle, the chief complaint being that they have not “kept a grip” on things, and their failings have thus made an impact on the others. Of course soldiers grumble, but these criticisms have come from quite senior officers with years of command experience.

Still, Tommy Atkins will not be daunted. The attacks, even when unsuccessful were made, and made to the best endeavour of the men taking part. A case in point was the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, some of whom managed an advance of six hundred yards, all on their own. It pains me to report that none of them have been able to make their way back to our lines when counter-attacked by the enemy. A similar story was an attack by 88th Brigade of 29th Division on Hill 100 north of Guémappe and near the village of Monchy-le-Preux which fell on 11th. This hill affords a good view of the surrounding country and so would be a good prize, but an unsupported attack had little chance of success and none of holding a position which would then project into the enemy’s lines and be surrounded on three sides. It is to the great credit of the Essex and Newfoundland Regiments that they were able to take the hill and no reflection on them that they could not hold it against a counter-attack. This defeat left the village of Monchy-le-Preux vulnerable to a German attack but clever and brave work by the remaining Newfoundlanders and by the Hampshire Regiment kept it from falling.

So has ended another day of mess and muddle, ironically, the finest day in terms of weather since the battle began. There have been no snowstorms, though the wind has been bitterly cold. Along with the grumbling mentioned earlier there is some talk of the army “taking stock” at this point before any further offensive action is contemplated. Whether this is so we will see in the days to come(1).

Tonight 63rd (Royal Naval) Division will move into the line to replace 34th Division as part of XIII Corps, north of XVII Corps. The adjutant of the 4th Bedfords, part of 63rd Division, has spoken to me briefly on the “blower” to tell me that they moved up to Arras by motor bus and are now in the front line near the enemy village of Gavrelle.

 Second Lieutenant L Dolman [X550/1/81]

Meanwhile, further north, 1st Bedfords are at a place called Zouave Valley near Givenchy-en-Gohelle, north-west of Vimy Ridge, now of course in the hands of the gallant Canadians. It shows how dangerous it is to undertake any movement close to the front that Second Lieutenant Hood and a private soldier have been wounded, Second Lieutenant Dolman and four other ranks wounded.

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

(1) The days from 9th to 14th April have since been called the First Battle of the Scarpe, the Second Battle of the Scarpe would open on Saint George’s Day, 23rd April.

Third Day of the Battle of Arras

Wednesday 11th April 1917

Because of the progress made in the last two days the battlefield and the attack has been widened today with attacks on the village of Bullecourt. We understand it was originally intended to attack yesterday but the order was cancelled. There were squalls of snow yesterday which caused the tanks designated to support this attack to become lost and the Australians, to whom the majority of the task had been given decided that an attack over 600 yards of No Man’s Land would be too difficult without support. A number of my colleagues from the North Country, however, tell me that 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, ordered to advance with the Australians did not get notice of the cancellation and one brigade, 185th attacked. They did very well to get through the German barbed wire but, unsupported by tanks or Australians, they were the sole targets of machine gun fire described as “murderous”. We understand that 7th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment suffered particularly heavy casualties for no gain.

Today the Australians did attack, though supported by only eleven tanks, the remainder assigned to the task having broken down. Unfortunately much of the barbed wire was uncut and, with the fiasco of yesterday’s half-cock attack the Germans were expecting an assault today. 4th Australian Division was able to penetrate the German front line but could not hold it. It is feared casualties, again, have been heavy.

Second Lieutenant E E Bath [X550/1/81]

North of Bullecourt VII Corps attacked the area of Guémappe and Wancourt. 21st and 30th Divisions were ordered to seize the Hindenburg if they could; neither division was able to achieve much. Once again well to the fore were 2nd Bedfords. Major Poyntz was able to tell me that they had been selected to exploit two gaps in the wire in front of the Hindenburg Line which had been found the previous evening by patrols under Second Lieutenant E E Bath and A F Aldridge. These patrols were difficult and dangerous and both officers had to retire to the second line transport afterwards as they were both, in Major Poyntz’s words “knocked up”. These two gaps were either side of the River Cojeul and the attack commenced at 5.30 this morning. It was held up almost at once by withering fire and the Bedfords had to dig-in short of the Hindenburg Line itself, unsupported as they were by any tanks. The whole divisional attack was, in point of fact, a failure but 56th (London) Division were able to capture the Hindenburg Line as far south as the River Cojeul. 14th (Light) Division made another attack on the Wancourt-Feuchy line but, just like yesterday, was able to make no headway. So today has been the third day of disappointment and waste for the divisions of VII Corps, Bedfords included.

3rd Division of VI Corps attacked Guémappe today but proved unable to take it. The rest of that corps, however, had better fortune. It was given the task of taking the village of Monchy-le-Preux and 15th (Scottish) and 37th Divisions, working together, did so, 37th Division taking the village, with the aid of tanks, and the Scots taking the ground between it and the River Scarpe. Finally, in this action, the cavalry were of assistance to the infantry, Essex Yeomanry and 10th Hussars giving vital assistance in taking the ruins of the village. The capture of this village is a great feather in the cap of 37th Division.

The 6th Bedfords were in reserve and so played no part in the major fighting but tonight are holding the line taken today at la Bergère. The adjutant tells me that Private Batchellor has been singled out for special praise. The position east la Bergère was quite weakly held this afternoon when the Germans were seen massing to attack it. The trench at this point was held by a mixture of men of four battalions, all private soldiers, and Private Batchellor took charge. Finding that the men only had an average of five rounds apiece left, he doled out German rifles, as there was plenty of their ammunition lying in the captured trench. He also collected a good supply of German bombs and he and his men easily repulsed the German attack when it came.

Finally, north of the River Scarpe, XVII Corps were involved in operations too today.4th Division attacked a line running through Plouvain and Greenland Hill to the road from Roeux to Gavrelle. They did not begin their attack until noon and although some progress was made they could not achieve all their objectives. 34th Division took the opportunity of the Germans being distracted by other activities to push their line forward slightly without opposition. Finally, our friends the 51st (Highland) Division were slated to attack today but did not do so because the Germans had evacuated the positions to be attacked so the highlanders simply occupied them, no doubt with great relief.

Sources: X550/3/WD; X550/7/1

Second Day of the Battle of Arras

Tuesday 10th April 1917

Yesterday saw a day of great success for the British Army and for the Canadian Corps. Some units advanced as far as three and a half miles. Yet, as always, one hopes for the very best and the complete rupture of the enemy’s defences just eluded our forces’ grasp.

So it is that today hopes were high that this definitive breakthrough might be achieved. If only the enemy could be pressed hard all day and at all points it was felt that they must surely give way somewhere. Thus, north of the River Scarpe XVII Corps 4th, 34th and 51st Divisions were urged to make good all the final objectives of yesterday. 4th Division were, in places, already at these objectives at the beginning of the day.The other two divisions still had to take a feature known as the Point du Jour. In this 34th Division has been largely successful. The Highlanders, however, have not been so successful and your correspondent understands, from officers whom he knew when the division was in Bedford in the early days of the war, that staff work has been faulty to say the least(1). The officers concerned were angry that this reflects badly on the men who have been, they said “resilient and splendid”.

We understand that some consideration was given to sending the cavalry forward to take a prominent rise known as Greenland Hill as well as the village of Plouvain halfa mile east of it – both decidedly in the enemy rear areas where chaos might have been wreaked. In the event this was not put into action because probing attacks sent out by 4th Division met with withering machine gun fire. We fear that the hour for any breakthrough in this sector has now passed.

A similar situation, it seems, also applies south of the Scarpe. VI Corps lies immediately south of the river. We understand that the corps commander Lieutenant-General Haldane ordered each of his divisional headquarters to move forward closer to their troops where he felt they could exercise greater, and speedier, control of the battle.

37th Division, it will be remembered, had been unable to make any attack yesterday and 12th and 15th Divisions failed to take all their objectives and only then would 37th Division have moved through them to make its own attack. Today the division has gone forward, the 6th Bedfords to the fore. 111th Brigade was ordered to take the village of Monchy-le-Preux. 63rd Brigade was ordered to gain as much ground as possible between Monchy and the River Scarpe, which it did quite well. 111th Brigade failed in its attack, ending 500 yards west of the village. 112th Brigade on their right flank went forward and achieved a splendid result, taking all their objectives. The 6th Bedfords and 8th East Lancashires were the assaulting battalions. The Lancastrians reached a point a mile east of the Wancourt-Feuchy Line. But they were outdone by the Bedfords who got within six hundred yards of the village of Guemappe. 3rd and 12th Divisions were also successful; in their attacks, taking all the objectives they had been given yesterday.

VII Corps had been the least successful corps yesterday. So it has been again today. 56th Division managed to clear the enemy out if the Hindenburg Line but could not even get close to the Wancourt-Feuchy Line. 14th Division did manage to take its allotted part of the line but 30th Division could make no advance at all.

The 2nd Bedfords, part, of course, of 30th Brigade, had a quiet morning but at 1 pm received orders for two companies to attack the Hindenburg Line at 4 pm. This order was cancelled. Then came good news that British cavalry was in Héninel. In the last few minutes this has been found to be false.

So today has been one of disappointment. Some things have been achieved, particularly north of the river, but nowhere near what had been hoped. One has seen this before with battles in this war, notably Neuve-Chapelle and some of the attacks on the Somme: things go well on the first day, then resistance hardens and no clear breakthrough is made. Of course, things have been very tough today, it has been cold and and times men have had to attack the elements as well as the enemy, stumbling forward through squalls of snow. We all hope for better things in the coming days.

Sources: X550/3/WD; X550/7/1

(1) 154th Brigade believed it was already at its objective rather than some way short, as was the case. This muddle was not sorted out until 2 pm and all attacks that day failed in the face of defenders who had had plenty of time to prepare.

Stunning Breakthrough at Arras

Easter Monday 9th April 1917

Correspondents at the Front are receiving news of a stunning victory. The British Army attacked east from Arras with three corps (VI, VII and XVII). Meanwhile the Canadian Corps has achieved a magnificent triumph in driving the Germans from Vimy Ridge, north of Arras and it is here we will begin.

Readers may remember that 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 5^th Division, is at Cambligneul a few miles west of Vimy, acting as reserve to the Canadians. They were not needed in today’s battle but the commanding officer has passed on his intelligence of what occurred today. It seems that there were a series of huge mines buried under the German trenches on top of the ridge which were blown just before the Canadians went over the top. The Canadians then stormed into the German front line and well beyond. Almost along the whole line they achieved complete success. They now have possession of the high ground that overlooks not just the German defences but well beyond into the rear areas. The Canadians have consistently proved themselves élite troops in this war, the best of the colonial forces in France and on a par with the very best the Mother Country has to offer. This victory will only add to their laurels.

The attacks launched by the British divisions today ran in an arc from Croisilles in the south up to Roclincourt in the north. In the south VII Corps launched attacks with (south to north) 21st, 30th, 56th and 14th Divisions. The 2nd Bedfords form a part of 30th Division and were in support to the assaulting battalions, more of their experiences will be related after a brief review of what took place across ther whole front.

Each of the assaulting divisions gained considerable ground. 21st Division were on the right flank of the British attack. They were not to attack until it was clear that the attack by VI to the north had been successful. Thus it was not until just before four o’clock this afternoon that they went forward. However, the division was only able to capture about two-thirds of the ground in front of its first objective due to heavy fire.

30th Division also had to wait until afternoon to attack, though the Bedfords, as we will see, had an important task to carry out in the early hours of the morning, in which they were successful. 89th Brigade was given the task of taking the remains of the village of Héninel. They passed through Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul about 3.30 pm but could get no further in the face of unbroken barbed wire and heavy machine gun fire. The two assaulting battalions of the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment suffered around two hundred casualties each. 21st Brigade of this division attacked at 11.30 this morning but also failed, for the same reasons. Today has been frustrating and discouraging for a division used to success.

Immediately north, 56th (1st London) Division made their attack at 7.45 this morning, tasked with taking Neuville-Vitasse and the Hindenburg Line beyond. They succeeded brilliantly in taking the village in the first hour of the attack and managed to take the front line trench of the Hindenburg Line – a fine achievement capturing 2,000 yards and over six hundred prisoners.

The left-hand division of VII Corps is 14th (Light) Division. Their task was, of course, to get into the Hindenburg Line, but a particular difficulty would be a large German defensive system Headquarters have dubbed The Harp, due to its shape. The division had to take the southern third of this fortification. They also had to tackle a position known as Telegraph Hill. With the aid of tanks the division took its objectives in decisive fashion, some reports suggesting that the defenders seemed demoralised, certainly not up to the standard of the enemy’s usual troops.

Next in the line going north is VI Corps. Here again great success attended the day’s efforts. 3rd Division was given the task of sweeping through the Hindeburg Line and on to the supporting trenches beyond, known as the Wancourt-Feuchy Line. They would have to take the northern two-thirds of The Harp and the village of Tilloy-lès-Moufflaines. The attack began at 5.30 this morning and both Harp and Tilloy were taken. It seems that, as this is written, the division is still advancing on the Wancourt-Feuchy Line.

12th (Eastern) Division had been sheltering in caves and tunnels, reportedly they could go from the crypt of the cathedral in Arras to the German front line entirely underground! One of their objectives, shared with 15th Division, on the left, was the capture of Observation Ridge, behind which German artillery was massed. This ridge did not fall according to the timetable, holding out for three hours longer than expected, but it did fall. The German artillery behind it was ripe for the taking and over thirty pieces were captured. Unfortunately, however, the Wancourt-Feuchy Line could not be breached. It seems harsh to cavil at this failure given all that this division achieved, but it did mean that a complete breakthrough into the open country beyond could not take place. Still, all attacks in this war expect great things and have to settle for what they can get(1).

37th Division was ordered to take the villages of Guemappe and Monchy-le-Preux once 12th and 15th Division took their objectives. One of the assaulting battalions was 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. However, it did no assaulting today as the other two divisions had not managed to take all their objectives. In common with the rest of the division the Battalion simply dug in as far forward as it could get, in this case the road running north-south through Feuchy Chapel.

The 15th (Scottish) Division advance captured more German artillery pieces on the other side of Observation Ridge. It also took the village of Feuchy on the south bank of the River Scarpe and forward patrols entered Fampoux on the north bank. The Scots (of two divisions) achieved more, perhaps, than any others on a day of some success for most attacking units. VI Corps in all has advanced, on average, two miles, it is reckoned.

The northern corps in this attack was XVII Corps. On the left of one Scots Division, 15th, was another, 9th. It has been in the neighbourhood of Arras since the beginning of December last year. One might think these Scots in competition with their compatriots, so great was their advance. They took the villages of Saint-Laurent-Blangy and Athies and all their objectives along with two thousand prisoners!

4th Division were given the task of moving through 9th Division to assault the final objective for the army today. Many Germans, it is reported, ran forward and surrendered rather than fight. If this is the shape of things to come this war might be over before the Americans arrive! The village of Fampoux, entered by patrols of 9th Division, was taken. The advance of 15th and 4th Divisions has been prodigious. It is believed the advance, three and a half miles is the greatest made in one day by anyone since trench warfare set in back in the autumn of 1914.

34th Division also advanced a long way, in the face of largely ineffective opposition. It is believed that some positions were abandoned wholesale by their terrified opponents. Only on the left, 103rd Brigade, was total success not achieved and even here good progress has been made.

The third Scottish formation attacking today are our old friends the 51st (Highland) Division, which spent the first months of the war in Bedford. They form the left flank of the British attack, and have the triumphant Canadians on their left. They encountered stiffer resistance than their fellow countrymen. As a result, it is reported that they have suffered many casualties. It has also failed to gain its final objectives, but has advanced a good distance, and taken seven hundred prisoners to boot, which is not too shabby!(2)

Now to return to the actions of the 2nd Bedfords. They had been given the job of taking the village of Saint-Martin-sur-Cojeul, north-east of Hénin-sur-Cojeul. At 1.30 this morning D Company under Second Lieutenant J P Pitts attacked the village. At the same time C Company under Captain R E Oakley pushed forward on the flanks and established posts. After D Company had cleared Saint-Martin, Second Lieutenant A F Aldridge of C Company established a post holding one Platoon. This attack, in pitch darkness resulted in three men wounded and the capture of a number of prisoners of the 86th Reserve Infantry Regiment.

The remainder of the Battalion’s morning was quiet and was spent in fitting and resting. When the 89th Brigade attack began at 2 o’clock this afternoon A and D Companies were supporting 19th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment south of the River Cojeul. B Company supported 19th and 20th King’s north of the river. C Company was in posts at Saint-Martin and in reserve.

Though the enemy put up a fairly strong barrage in Hénin-sur-Cojeul, B Company avoided casualties by keeping to the left of the village. A and D Companies crossed the river 500 yards west of Hénin. The attack, as mentioned above, was held up by uncut wire and by machine gun fire, also owing to 21st Brigade on the left being held up. In the end B and D Companies dug in as shown in blue on the map above with A Company in advance on the right flank as shown by the blue cross.

Source: X550/3/WD

(1) Sir Edmund Allenby, Commander-in-Chief of Third Army reportedly said that they had aimed for the sky, but hit the ceiling.

(2) Total prisoners-of-war taken that day were reportedly about 5,600.

Feeble

Tuesday 18th January 1916: The 6th Battalion are in the front line, south-east of the city of Arras. Yesterday the machine guns of two brigades of their division combined to barrage the village of Monchy-le-Preux with bullets – a total of 26 guns in all. This was undertaken to try to gauge in what strength the town is held. The enemy’s reply was noted as feeble. Does this mean that there are not very many of them there or that they simply chose not to give away their strength by replying?

Source: X550/7/1