Enemy Activity Continues

Monday 17th June 1918

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is currently near Steenbecque, between Hazebrouck and Bethune. This area is receiving more attention from the enemy than some others, leading to opinion that another German offensive in the area may be at hand. The Bedfords have not suffered the incessant shelling of recent days but enemy aircraft have been both prominent and busy. The suspicion is that they are photographing our defences, searching for weak spots.

Between 5 and 6 o'clock this evening a gas cloud was reported to be drifting up from the south. Fortunately it did not reach so far as the Bedfords' position. A draft of forty other ranks arrived during the day as the front line units continue to be built up for the allied offensive everyone hopes will soon be at hand.

Source: X550/2/5

The Cure for Shelling

Saturday 15th June 1918

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the support line near Steenbecque, has, for the third day endured heavy enemy shelling; if anything today's dose was heavier than yesterday's. One other rank was killed and five wounded. Eventually the Commanding Officer's request for retaliation by our artillery was approved and a short but intense barrage on the enemy's guns silenced them(1).

Source: X550/2/5

(1) By this stage of the war the Royal Artillery's sound-ranging techniques were much improved and it was possible to judge an enemy battery's position by the noise of the incoming shells. This made counter-battery fire more accurate and more effective.

Enemy Shelling - Is He Up To Something?

Friday 14th June 1918

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is currently in the support line near Steenbecque. The fact that they are in support rather than in the front line has not helped them avoid casualties, however. Yesterday they endured frequent hostile shelling in which eleven other ranks were wounded. Today they have had more of the same and the men have been engaged in trying to strengthen their positions and to repair damage wrought by the shells.

Things have been comparatively quiet since the last German offensive ended and this shelling has given birth to rumours that another spasm of enemy activity is in the offing. During this quiet period the allies have been building up their strength as the British, Belgians and French train and reorganise and the newly-arrived Americans acclimatise to this war. No doubt a great combined allied offensive is being planned as we speak. A new German offensive might disrupt this planning but many of the officers to whom I have spoken have been sanguine, stating that if Fritz attacks he will find a very different set of circumstances to last March - better defences, good organisation and men who are grimly determined to give no more ground. They fully expect to give any assault a very bloody nose indeed.

Source: X550/2/5

War Games

Saturday 31st March 1917 from our correspondent in the field

The 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, though behind the lines at Steenbecque, south-west of Hazebrouck are not idle. They have been practising the actions necessary when fighting as outposts in a battle. This morning A Company practised this in the open whilst B Company practised defence of a village.

In addition the Battalion has been finding ceremonial guards. At lunchtime they practised march discipline and learning march routine. They then had their rifles inspected by the Armourer Sergeant. To round this off they played football and other outdoor games this afternoon.

Source: X550/8/1