A New Commander

Hugh Stainton Poyntz [X550/1/82]

Monday 31st January 1916: The 2nd Battalion are still at Suzanne which was still being shelled yesterday, though not so violently. The adjutant tells us that in the last three days twelve men have been wounded commenting that this is: “a remarkably small number considering the very bad fortifications found in this village”.

Lieutenant-Colonel Onslow left to command the 1st Bedfords and Major Hugh Stainton Poyntz has assumed command. Major Poyntz was, before the war, a cricketer of some note. He played for Somerset and brother, Massey Poyntz captained the eleven in 1913 and 1914. Major Poyntz has played 39 times for Somerset making 1,148 runs at an average of 19.46.

Source: X550/3/wd

More Action Around Frise

Map showing Frise (right) and Suzanne (left) - Eclusier is on the south bank of the Somme in the second full square

Sunday 30th January 1916: The 2nd Battalion reports that German attacks continued yesterday south of the River Somme against the French. Suzanne, where the Bedfords are billeted was also, once again, shelled. The battalion sent a machine gun to fire into the German flank and help the French defending Éclusier-Vaux on the south bank and another gun was sent to the Royal Dragoons in the village under attack where they had gone to help our French allies. In the evening orders came to send two platoons to dugouts in Vaux Wood in support of the dragoons and French, the battalion receiving two platoons from the Norfolk Regiment to replace them.

Amidst all this action the Battalion is to lose its commanding officer. Lieutenant-Colonel C C Onslow has been transferred to command the 1st Battalion and will leave today.

Source: X550/3/wd

The Germans Make an Advance

Map showing Frise (right) and Suzanne (left)

Saturday 29th January 1916: the adjutant of the 2nd Battalion revealed that yesterday morning the Germans began shelling the area where the Battalion is billeted at Suzanne on the north bank of the River Somme. The enemy used high explosive, shrapnel and poison gas and the bombardment lasted throughout the day. Only one man was wounded, however, as the Bedfords were not the target. It became apparent in the afternoon that the French immediately south of the river were the beneficiaries of the Germans’ attention and the village of Frise and high ground south of that village were taken by assault, the enemy advancing his line some half a mile on a frontage of 500 yards. By nightfall the shelling ceased. One wonders if a full scale German offensive is under way or whether this was an isolated incident(1)

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) The great German offensive against the French to the south around Verdun would begin on 21st February.

Fatigues

Saturday 18th September 1915: The adjutant of the 1st Battalion at Suzanne on the north bank of the River Somme has told us that, in addition to the poor state of the trenches taken over from the French, there are problems with supply. All water, stores and meals have to be carried distances varying from half a mile to a mile by hand. Combined with the length of trenches to be guarded, this fatigue work leaves very few men available for the urgent alterations required in the defences and throws a severe strain on all ranks.

Source: X550/2/5

Work to be Done

Friday 17th September 1915: The 1st Bedfords, holding the front line near Suzanne no the north bank of the River Somme, report that their trenches are in very indifferent repair. A very great deal of work is necessary in order to make parapets bullet-proof, construct and revet fire-platforms, construct bomb proof shelters, drain and deepen trenches, erect traverses against enfilade fire and construct obstacles in front, wire entanglements being non-existent. On average the enemy’s trenches are about 160 yards distant.

Source: X550/2/5