The Fall of Montauban

Monday 26th August 2018

On 1st July 1916 the village of Montauban-de-Picardie was captured by the men from Manchester and Liverpool of 30th Division. A few hundred yards to the west the 18th Division took all its objectives. Today the 18th Division, of Fourth Army, has been in action here again, when 7th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) assisted by 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers took the village. The main differences in today's attack were that two years ago the division was attacking south to north whereas today it has been moving west to east. Back then, although successful, roughly one man in ten was killed. mercifully, today's tally of the gallant fallen is nowhere remotely near that number.

Then it was the 7th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment in action. Today it was 2nd Battalion, which was part of 30th Division two years ago, and held in reserve in case the attack by the northern battalions, whose first major action this was, faltered. In the event the Bedfords were not needed then, nor were they today, simply holding the line in case of a counter-attack which did not materialise.

Further north First Army today undertook an attack around Arras. Between the First and Fourth Armies, Third Army continues to undertake operations around Bapaume. The line has gone forward by another thousand yards during the day. The gallant New Zealanders have now encircled the north of the town, though to the south of the ruins the fighting has been severe where 63rd (Royal Naval) Division has been up against the strongpoint of Thilloy. The 4th Bedfords were to take part in the second wave of the attack on Thilloy and Ligny-Thilloy but never came into action as the initial attack could make no headway. Enemy resistance seems very patchy - in some places the troops are facing the tenacious German army of old, elsewhere the defenders seem to put up little fight. 

Meanwhile 5th Division has taken a troublesome hamlet north-east of Bapaume. There thus seems, despite the problems with Thilloy, every hope that the remains of the town may soon be in allied hands.

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

The Attack Slows as a New One is Planned?

Thursday 15th August 1918

Last night B and C Companies, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, relieved the 11th Royal Fusiliers in the front line. This evening they are due to be relieve 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in the adjoining part of the line as the Fusiliers again move into their former positions. All this suggests that the divisional commander, Major General Lee, is arranging his assets carefully as he prepares to attack. 

In point of fact the attack which began so successfully on 8th August has just about run out of steam. This was expected. New defences have to be established against any enemy counter-attack, reserves and artillery have to be brought up, guns have to be dug in and registered on new targets. The air of bustle in the army suggests that a new attack will begin soon, an attack which will surely include an attempt to retake Albert. 

The battalion has lost a dozen experienced non-commissioned officers during the day as company sergeant majors, company quartermaster sergeants and sergeants have moved to base as supernumerary to establishment, in other words, there are enough of them in the battalion and they will be reassigned to a unit or units lacking in such experience.This situation has arisen due to the combination of the 7th and 2nd Battalions back in May as both battalions were well-equipped with NCOs, no doubt a reason for their excellent conduct during the retreat in March and April before the German assault.

Sources: X550/3/wd

Wednesday 3rd April 1918

The attack planned by the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment and 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers took place last evening at Hangard. Progress was made, but owing to the overwhelming superiority of the enemy artillery and machine gun fire, the battalions were ordered to withdraw. Remember, this attack comes at the end of a long retreat by battalions at below half strength. One officer and two other ranks are reported killed, four officers and 48 other ranks wounded with four reported as missing. At ten o'clock last night the battalion moved back to Gentelles.

Today Lieutenant-Colonel Percival received the following letter from the brigadier, L W Sadleir Jackson: "I am enclosing you the result of the operation yesterday evening. I cannot express to you my admiration for the determination, and gallantry displayed by your Battalion. Although the attack made by your Regiment was unable to make headway in the face of overwhelming Artillery and Machine Gun Fire, the manner in which they held their ground is beyond praise and drew the whole of the enemy's strength, so that the troops co-operating on your left were able to get on to the objective. The Northamptonshire Regiment have pushed up on the right, and the whole objective is now in our possession. I mourn with you, for the loss of so many gallant Officers and men, which I fear was inevitable in so stiff an engagement. I hope you will convey to all ranks under your Command, the information that all the objective has been gained, and this is entirely due to their magnificent steadiness and behaviour in the face of overwhelming odds in artillery and machine guns. I hope you will convey the contents of this letter to all ranks in your Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment have now direct observation on Aubercourt".

The 2nd Battalion has maintained its tradition of having an American medical officer - Lieutenant Pomcrantz. A number of officers have rejoined the battalion from leave - Captain P J Reiss, Second Lieutenant F C Baldwin, Second Lieutenant A Baker, Second Lieutenant S H Smith, Second Lieutenant P A Page and Second Lieutenant Cecil Shekury(1). Their presence will be welcomed in this unit, so greatly reduced in strength.

The 4th Battalion as gone into the front line, relieving the Highland Light Infantry at Mesnil. Meanwhile we have learned that 5th Division and the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is on its way back from Italy to the Western Front.

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

(1) Frederick Charles Baldwin would die on 11th May, Cecil Shekury on 16th April.

7th Battalion Plan an Attack

Tuesday 2nd April 1918

Today the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at Hangard had a quiet morning and then was shelled occasionally during the day. This evening the battalion is to undertake an attack in conjunction with 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers - the same two battalions which undertook the great attack on 1st July 1916 on the Somme. It seems so long ago

Source: X550/8/1

A Spirited Counter-Attack

The situation this evening - the original front line is shown in black and the enemy gains in red

Monday 25th March 1918

Readers will recall that last evening my conversation with Captain Colley of 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, was cut short by enemy action. It was with some relief this evening that I learned that it was no more than an attack on the nearby French at Guivry, driving them back, which exposed the Bedfords' left flank. At three o'clock this morning the battalion was given orders to retire to Crepigny, which was successfully carried out, the enemy being about two miles in the rear of the left flank.

At 10 a.m. they fell back again to Mont du Grandrû to safeguard the left flank. At noon the Bedfords were heavily shelled by French artillery and machine guns and forced to retire to the high ground west of Grandrû. As the adjutant remarked, the French evidently find it hard to distinguish khaki from field grey.

At three o'clock this afternoon the battalion received orders to march to Varesnes to take up a position south of the River Oise. These orders were countermanded while en-route and new orders received to counter-attack the village of Babouef. The adjutant simply stated that this counter-attack was successful and village retaken, several prisoners being taken and many enemy killed.

As may be imagined, your correspondent was not going to let it go at this. Pressed for more details the adjutant revealed that as the retirement to Varesnes began a gap of over a miles was opened up between the French 1st Dismounted Cavalry Division on the high ground north of Béhéricourt and 53rd Brigade on the railway line south of Baboeuf. This gap was occupied by some French artillery firing towards Babouef, with no infantry in front to protect them. So Brigadier-General Sadleir-Jackson commanding 54th Brigade, decided to attack and take the village to protect these valuable guns.

The attack went in a five o'clock this evening. The attackers were 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, on the left immediately south of the wood east of Béhéricourt and the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers with their right flank on the railway line from Noyon to Chauny. Both battalions were very tired after four days' continual movement and action and the strain of the retreat and both were about half-strength. These are not ideal conditions for an attack. Nevertheless, the adjutant sensed that above all his men wanted to get back at the enemy for the misery they have caused and that their anger and frustration would trump their weariness. So it proved. Though defended by machine guns the village was quickly taken, and half an hour ago the place was being consolidated. Ten machine guns were captured and 230 of the enemy killed or taken prisoner. The Royal Fusiliers were even weaker than the Bedfords in numbers, but they managed to take the ground south of the village with help from the 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.

One oddity mentioned by the adjutant was a young cow. This poor creature was in the main street of Baboeuf, nevertheless it advanced with the Bedfords, though always in front of them and ended the battle quite unscathed.What a gallant little action! If these last few days had ever given rise to doubt none can doubt now the fighting spirit of Tommy Atkins.

On the old Somme battlefield, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment (63rd (Royal Naval) Division and 483rd Field Company, Royal Engineers (2nd Division) have both been in action. 4th Bedfords took a stand at the shattered remnants of that old killing ground, High Wood. Their commanding officer briefly related that they fought to the last but, all their ammunition gone, they were obliged to withdraw to another place familiar from 1916, Thiepval, on its commanding ridge, which fell to the 7th Bedfords on 27th September 1916.

The Royal Engineers were at Auchonvillers, behind the British lines in July 1916, by noon. The sappers assisted in the defence of Auchonvillers, holding the left portion of the village, 5th Field Company holding the right, with 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment holding the preimeter in old trenches. In the event no attack was made and the engineers are to retire to Bertrancourt tonight.

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment spent most of the day at Buverchy watching the enemy massing for an attack. Our guns did not let this go unhampered, the commanding officer told me. But the enemy gunners were also busy, shelling the two bridges over the canal and the village of Moyencourt. About an hour ago they broke through the French, on the Bedfords' right forcing the Bedfords to retire through Moyencourt. What will happen next is very uncertain and your correspondent wishes the men the best of luck.

Sources: X550/3/wd; X550/5/3; X550/8/1; WW1/WD3

Inspections

Saturday 26th January 1918

2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been inspected by its brigade commander today at Beaulieu-les-Fontaines. 4th Battalion has undergone a similar inspection at Beaulencourt. Meanwhile 7th Battalion has gone back into the front line at Houthulst Forest north of Ypres, relieving the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

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

The Yeomanry

Tuesday 15th January 1918

Early this morning 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, relieved 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in the front line at Houthulst Forest north of Ypres. The night was cold and frosty and the relief was carried out without incident. After this there has been rain all day and the positions, really just a group of shell holes, has become very wet

We have not heard from the Bedfordshire Yeomanry in many months. It turns out that they are currently at a work camp at Mesnil-Bruntel, just south-east of Péronne. They were severely shelled today, resulting in three other ranks being killed, four dying of wounds and twelve more being wounded, in addition to one officer, Second Lieutenant Andrew.

A Skirmish and a Tactical Scheme

Saturday 29th December 1917

1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently at Mulebbis(1) about six miles east of Jaffa. On 27th the Turks began to attack towards Jerusalem in hopes of regaining it. At 4 a.m. yesterday the Bedfords saw about sixty or seventy of the enemy approaching their left post. An officer with a patrol and Lewis gun left the post and got within six hundred yards of the Turks before opening fire causing a rapid withdrawal by the enemy.

At noon the Battalion went into billets in Mulebbis. The area allocated was only capable of holding 200 men and was in a very dirty condition. It was therefore decided that the Battalion should bivouac as a whole(2)

The 7th Battalion, near Poperinge, carried out a tactical scheme for brigade commander General Sadleir Jackson this morning. Two Companies of the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and a detachment of Vickers guns supplied an enemy for this scheme. At the conference afterwards the General pointed out the excellent manner in which the N.C.O's and Section Commanders handled their commands, and the intelligent manner in which all ranks carried out their duties. This tactical scheme was generally considered to be very much above the average.

Sources: X550/6/8; X550/8/1

(1) Now Petah Tikva

(2) The Turkish attacks on the British lines were all beaten off by 31st December.

Fourteenth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 13th August 1917

Today Major Bridcutt, the 7th Bedfords’ commanding officer, as promised a couple of days ago, spoke to me further about the action they took part in on 10th August.

On the night of the 9th/10th each man was given a cup of hot tea and rum as he filed up the line into the attacking positions. Each platoon commander and sergeant was handed copy of the situation map. Each platoon commander was allotted a guide to conduct him to Surbiton Villas A white tape had been laid previously to Surbiton Villas along which each platoon moved and could not possibly miss their way.

As each platoon arrived at a spot near Surbiton Villas they were met by a platoon guide and the company commanders and were conducted to their battle formation. Here they laid down in perfect quietness until the first note of the guns sang out. A Company (the company in immediate support) moved from their cover in a tunnel on the Menin Road by platoons to their place in battle formation, under the same arrangements as the assaulting Companies.

D Company (already in place and holding the line) furnished a covering party (one platoon) who were posted about 150 yards in front of the forming up tapes, pieces of trench which were almost identical to their forming up position afforded this company protection in case of Bosche barrage being turned on; this they occupied, moving forwards to Jargon Trench as previously ordered as the attack went forward.

The arrangements for forming up went without a hitch and at the appointed time (4.35 a.m.) the guns opened and the attack went forward in a most determined manner to the final objective which was reached at 5.13 a.m. Some 100-150 of the enemy were in Glencorse Wood on the Battalion front as well as two machine guns; these were knocked out and the teams destroyed in such a rapid manner that any organised resistance by the enemy was at once overcome and most of them that had not been killed at once cried "Kamerad" and ran forward into our lines most of them wounded and fearfully frightened.

After the objective had been reached battle patrols were sent out and posts established in the usual way, along the south-western end of Nonne Bosschen Wood as near to the protective barrage as it was safe to get. (i.e. about 200 yards). The Battalion then commenced to consolidate.

During the day the enemy made repeated attempts to form up and deliver what appeared to be a counter-attack of some strength. He was prevented time after time from doing so by rifle and machine gun fire, but owing to the expenditure of ammunition and the difficulty of replenishing it, care rose to anxiety and the probability of the foremost line and right flank, where the 11th Royal Fusiliers had retired, being overcome.

Major Bridcutt went on: “At this stage of the operation I considered it advisable if the position was to be held with any degree of certainty it required artillery support in the form of a few shots every few minutes on the only places the Bosch could use to form up under cover from view i.e. Nonne Bosschen Wood, Inverness Copse and the south-western portion of Polygon Wood”.

“This was suggested over the telephone but so far as could be understood it could not be arranged, consequently it appeared to me and others at the front that it was a question of an SOS appeal for artillery or nothing at all and this signal was repeatedly seen in the air at various points along the line but no SOS was asked for by the 7th Bedfords until towards the evening when it was too obvious that the Bosch intended to have a final struggle to get back the ground we held, as troops were seen emerging from each of the three woods above mentioned, and a dense cloud of smoke and gas was being sent over which obscured everything from view. At this time I cannot state the exact clock hour, the artillery opened and with terrible execution, but the Bosch line came on delivering their attack on the right flank of the Battalion”.

“The advanced posts were either killed or captured, it is impossible to say which, but judging from the very intense barrage which the Bosch rolled over Glencorse Wood they were undoubtedly killed. A certain amount of confusion set in on our right and it was only by firm determination that the strong point which I had taken over from the 11th Royal Fusiliers and Jargon Trench was held”.

“When the attack was fully developing reinforcements (two companies) of the Royal Berkshire Regiment arrived and were sent forward to hold our original front line in case the Bosch succeeded in his object to gain the strongpoint and the high ridge running from Stirling Castle through the strongpoint taken from the Royal Fusiliers and Jargon Trench”

The attack however did not materialise and only the enemy’s advanced line got near the position. The situation quietened down and the relief of the Battalion by the Royal Berkshire Regt was carried out by 2 a.m. and the Battalion withdrew to Chateau-Segard. Major Bridcutt stated: “It is worthy of record the splendid manner in which the two companies of the Royal Berkshire Regiment came up to reinforce”.

Finally, Major Bridcutt told me the lessons he believes should be learned from this operation.

1. I venture to think had a fresh Battalion been close at hand when the situation on the right became obscure and pushed in, in attack formation, a good deal more ground would have been taken and the Bosch routed from his position.

2. Artillery should not cease firing on protected lines until the Battalion Commander is satisfied all is well. Artillery ceased on the 10th without any reference to battalions (at least not to 7th Bedfords). I consider it of great importance that Battalion Commanders should be able to convey to Artillery which fire other than SOS is required.

3. No telephone wire to be laid beyond Brigade Headquarters, as it is used for all kinds of things that hopelessly give away arrangements, and too many other ranks have access to it and the commanders of the sector having no knowledge of many things happening on the wire unless he or his Adjutant sits by it. The telephone was a nuisance and not the least assistance to the Battalion on the 10th inst.

4. It took from 5 to 6 minutes before the Hun Barrage got really going on our lines, it was severe when it did do so.

5. The 54th Brigade arrangements for ordering up the reserve companies and the companies for mopping-up was excellent, timing was also extremely good.

6. To avoid any platoon going astray I placed Battalion Police posts 100-200 yards apart along the ATN Track from the RITZ area to the Menin Road passing point.

7. Our own Artillery inflicted many casualties on our troops by firing very short, what appeared to be one 8 inch gun in particular.

8. The Bosch attack was guided by a line of his men at a few paces apart firing Very lights, during the advance these were with the first wave.

Source: X550/8/1

Twelfth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Saturday 11th August 1917

Today has had little action compared with yesterday. Things did not begin well with 8th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, relieving the 7th Bedfords in Jargon Trench, contriving to lose a strong-point the Bedfords had taken yesterday. However, they later managed to retake it. To the north 29th Division established posts on the far bank of the Steenbeck, taking Passerele Farm near Langemark.

As I had hoped the commanding officer of 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, Major J H Bridcutt, has spoken with me today, painting a vivid picture of his unit’s attack yesterday. Here is what he told me: “At 3.30 a.m. all companies were formed up for the attack timed for 4.35 a.m. C company on the right, B Company on the left, A Company in close support and D Company in reserve under Caps O. Kingdon, H. Driver DSO, R. O. Clark and J. C. M. Ferguson respectively. The forming up was carried out in an exceedingly steady manner under considerable enemy artillery and machine-gun fire and great credit is due to the company commanders for the cool and deliberate manner in which they handled their companies”.

“At zero hour an intense British barrage opened and the battalion moved forward close under its protection. A full account of the glorious manner in which all ranks carried out their duties will be given later(1) The battalion famous for its fighting spirit in the past eclipsed all former deeds of gallantry; when heavy wire held up the foremost men, those behind stood on lumps of earth and rubbish and fired over the heads of those cutting the wire, seldom have any troops shown such brilliant dash and utter contempt for the Bosch. By 5.13 a.m. Nonne Bosschen Wood was reached and at the same time all the other objectives were occupied. Within an hour, small-arms ammunition Lewis gun drums and other things had been dispatched to the advanced positions and much consolidation had been carried out”.

“Very early in the operations the 11th Royal Fusiliers operating on our right and the Queen’s of 53rd Brigade, operating on their right became adversely involved with a Bosch strong point at the north-west corner of Inverness Copse and the whole attack on our right became confused and fell back. The Fusiliers fell back from their advanced posts on to a line running along the ridge from the south-west corner of Glencorse Wood to Clapham Junction. This change in the situation exposed our right flank and necessitated the partial expenditure of D Company to make a defensive flank which was carried out by Captain Ferguson in a quick and clever manner. Very severe fighting resulted later in the day through the unsatisfactory position in which our troops were placed”.

“About 5.30 p.m. the Bosch showed considerable movement and it became evident that a heavy counter attack was imminent: by 6 p.m. the attack developed and by 7 p.m. the situation was severe, the Bosch attacking in mass and our own artillery shooting desperately short. This condition lasted till 9 p.m. by which time although we had lost connection with our advanced posts the main position was still firmly in our hands and the enemy casualties were extremely heavy. About 8.30 p.m. the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment were sent up to relieve our companies and one company of Norfolks took over the strongpoint at the south-west corner of Glencorse Wood from which the Fusiliers had previously been relieved by us. By 2 a.m. this morning the Regiment had been completely relieved by the Royal Berkshires”.

Source: X550/8/1

(1) see 13th August.

Eleventh Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 10th August 1917

Today has seen the first day of major operations in this new offensive since 31st July. Two divisions have been involved in trying to push forward in the one area where the first day of the battle achieved little overall success - the ground on and immediately north of the Menin Road, known as the Westhoek Ridge. The divisions taking part were 18th (Eastern) Division and 25th Division. The weather has been wet recently, uncharacteristically so for August and it has rained again today, the warm air temperature making a debilitating, muggy atmosphere. In places there is reckoned to be a foot of standing water(1)

74th Brigade from 25th Division attacked across a very wide area (a 2,000-yard frontage) from the railway from Ypres to Roulers in the north, down past the western edges of the village of Westhoek to a point just west of the northern edge of Glencorse Wood. The attack was designed to take the village and its two strongpoints and the ground on either flank. This comparatively modest advance was carried out successfully, despite the conditions and our troops are now preparing against any German counter-attack.

18th Division, including our own 7th Battalion, attacked to the south of 74th Brigade, between them and Inverness Copse. 54th Brigade attacked north of the Menin Road and 53rd Brigade astride and south of it. 54th Brigade, the Bedfords well to the fore, stormed into Glencorse Wood from a position some way to the west of it. The west edge of the wood is protected by a major trench known as Jargon Trench and this fell quickly. We understand that the Bedfords took the whole of Glencorse Wood with the 11th Royal Fusiliers getting as far as Fitzclarence Farm. At this point the enemy massed in Polygon Wood and Nonne Bosschen Wood for a counter-attack. They pushed the Fusiliers back nearly to their starting positions. The Bedfords, I have been hearing, were let down by this failure of the Fusiliers, having to defend not only their front but an over-extended right flank where the Fusiliers had withdrawn. As a result they have fallen back to Jargon Trench where they are holding. I hope for a more detailed picture to emerge tonight.

7th Queen’s of 53rd Brigade attacked Inverness Copse from the south. This was only after the enemy spotted them forming up in the pre-dawn half-light and caused many casualties. A strongpoint at the south-western edge of the wood further hampered the attack which has now been called off.

So the attack has had mixed fortunes but I have been able to gauge that the opinion is that the 7th Bedfords, at least, have added to their laurels today.

Source: X550/8/1

(1) The water table was naturally high in such low-lying ground as that around Ypres. The constant shelling had destroyed ditches and drainage systems and the rain had made the soil waterlogged.

The Aftermath of Boom Ravine

Sunday 18th February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, were fortunate to be in reserve for the desperate fight at Boom Ravine yesterday rather than one of the assaulting battalions. The adjutant spoke to me this morning: “Casualties for the fight are said to be one thousand NCOs and men and thirty five officers. The 11th Royal Fusiliers and 6th Northants suffered the heaviest”.

Today the whole brigade, 54th, have been relieved by 55th Brigade and have withdrawn to hits in and around the village of Martinsart. 7th Bedfords are being employed on fatigues for the Royal Engineers.

Source: X550/8/1

The Battle of Boom Ravine

Saturday 17th February 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The adjutant of the 7th Battalion has been in contact this evening to tell me about their attack on Petit Miraumont today. This village lies on the south bank of the River Ancre directly north of Pozieres. The village of Miraumont lies on the north bank.

The adjutant tells me that today was termed Z Day. All arrangements were complete for the attack by 4 am. The final objective was South Miraumont Trench (shown on the map above) which defends the southern portion of Petit Miraumont. At 5.45 am our Barrage opened - the attacking troops being formed up ready before this. In fact during this forming up the men were heavily shelled by the enemy who had apparently detected or gained information that something was taking place(1). Many casualties were suffered by this shell fire adding to the difficulties of making a good start.

The Bedfords were in reserve to the two assaulting battalions, 11th Royal Fusiliers and 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment and the support battalion - 12th Middlesex. The adjutant calmly related that the battle “progressed in the usual way” until the second objective was reached. This is a spot called the Boom Ravine (shown in yellow on the map above) about 500 yards short of the final objective. Maps show this ravine as being 40 feet deep. Here it was found almost impossible to advance further as most of the officers had become wounded also many other ranks. As soon as this fact had been established orders were issued by 54th Bde headquarters for the assaulting troops to entrench and make dispositions for holding the ground they had gained, this was done and by nightfall the work of consolidation was well advanced.

A German counterattack was to be expected and in view of this the General Officer Commanding 54th Brigade ordered two companies of the 7th Bedfords to be moved forward into close support. Accordingly A Company moved to a spot about 500 yards behind the front line known as The Gulley and B Company to Regina Trench(2).

This setback comes after successful attacks in recent days including a successful Australian attack on 4th February and an attack on 8th when 17th Division took the trench overlooking the village of Saillisel.

Source: X550/8/1

(1) Information seems to have been given the Germans by a deserter.

(2) As well as 18th (Eastern Division), 2nd Division was also involved in the attack which nowhere gained its full objectives but managed an advance of between 500 and 1,000 yards. Casualties were very high - nearly 900 men in 2nd Division and nearly 1,200 in 18th.

Preparations for the Great Offensive and Prodigals Return

Friday 30th June 1916: We have had good news from the 2nd Battalion. Corporal Thurgood and Privates Sutton, Palmer, Humbles and Gray have returned after 24 hours in the German Lines. It had been feared yesterday that they had been captured.

The adjutant of the 7th Battalion tells us that they are now concentrated in trenches of 54 Brigade Battle Front. The Bedfords, with 11th Royal Fusiliers will lead the attack tomorrow morning, with 6th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in support 12th Middlesex Regiment in reserve. B and C Companies will occupy the forming up trenches with two platoons in each trench. D Company will be in support and A Company in reserve. The Battalion has been at Picquigny, well behind the lines, in recent weeks, painstakingly practising attacks over very similar ground to that they will assault tomorrow, which can only help them in the din, smoke and confusion of battle.

They have three objectives – the German front line system with support trenches; the German second line including a strongpoint known as the Pommiers Redoubt on the main road from Mametz to Montauban and a line well to the rear of the German lines overlooking a place called Caterpillar Valley.

The troops will be expected to be very close to the bombardment of the German positions, within 100 yards if possible. In this way immediately the guns lift in order to bombard the German second line, the troops can quickly get to the German first line before the defenders can man their positions. As the adjutant tells us: The closer the barrage is followed the greater the possibility of success”. To this end the troops will be out in no man’s land when the German front line is being bombarded and not simply waiting in their own trenches as there is some distance between the two sets of front lines.

The Royal Flying Corps will be overhead to determine how the advance is going.  Each Battalion will have a supply of red flares. One flare must be carried by each man. One special signalling lamp, one panel and one ground signal will also be taken. The ground signal will be put out as soon as Battalion Headquarters reaches its new position in the captured German lines.

Each man will carry: a rifle and equipment less the pack, which is to be left behind so that its weight does not impede swift movement. Also to be carried: one ammunition bandolier making 170 rounds carried in all (except for grenadiers who, carrying grenades, will only have 50 rounds); one day’s ration and one iron ration; one waterproof sheet; two empty sandbags and two smoke helmets.

With such a large attack in the offing we have decided to report as much as we can on the day it happens from reporters with each of our units in the field. We will thus be delaying out reports until 6 pm, London time (7 pm in France) from tomorrow, 1st July.

Source: X550/3/wd; X550/8/1

A Suspension of Football

Friday 28th January 1916: We have heard from Lance Sergeant Fred Blakeman of A Company, 7th Battalion, a Bedford lad who is well-known on most of the football grounds of this county: “I am pleased to inform you that I remain first class but we are in the trenches once again and have had it a bit rough this time and won’t be sorry to get back for a rest; but all the boys are as cheerful as one could expect under the circumstances. The last time we were resting we managed to arrange a few games of football, my company beating B by 3 goals to 2. During this match(1) “Fritz” got the range nicely and planted several shells within forty yards of our pitch; no one was hurt, but I have never seen a footer ground cleared so quickly. Eventually we returned and completed the game. The following day I played in a Rugby match against a team of Fusiliers(2), whom we beat by 23 points to nil, your humble scoring a couple of tries. You know a little bit of sport of this kind helps to keep up the boys’ spirits, but our greatest regret now is that the ball you sent us is about played out so should you know of anyone with an old football, no matter what condition it may be, ask them to send it over here”.

Source: Bedfordshire Times 11th February 1916

(1) On 26th January – the war diary states: “Enemy sent over one round battery fire at men playing football North Road end. No damage done”.

(2) Probably 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers who were in the same brigade

German Trench Mortars

 German 76 mm trench mortar at IWM Duxford

Tuesday 12th October 1915: The Germans call their trench mortars minenwerfers, or mine launchers. They are known unaffectionately as Minnies by our men. The adjutant of the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the front line near Fricourt on the Somme tells us that the day before yesterday a Minnie was used to shell the 11th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in a neighbouring trench.

Yesterday this Minnie was reported on as firing from a range of about 700 yards. The shells could be distinctly seen in the air and exploded by a time fuse as two burst in mid-air while others buried themselves for some time before exploding. The position was logged and British artillery searched this spot with high explosive and no more firing was experienced from it.

Source: X550/8/1