Fighting at Welsh Ridge Continues

Second Lieutenant Dolman [X550/1/81]

Monday 31st December 1917

In continuing fighting on Welsh Ridge near Villers-Plouich, 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, in the front line have had one officer wounded, two gassed, five other ranks killed, nine wounded and eight gassed. It looks, however, as if the situation has stabilised as darkness approached this afternoon. Captain Spicer, who has been in the thick of the fighting has promised me his memoranda and orders to do with this fighting, showing how a situation can develop and it is hoped to publish them when the fighting is over.

8th Battalion, at Courcelles-le-Comte heard the sad news today that Second Lieutenant Dolman, wounded ten days ago, has died at 45th Casualty Clearing Station in Boulogne.

Sources: X550/5/3; X550/9/1

German Attack Near Cambrai

Sunday 30th December 1917

With two days of 1917 to go, the enemy evidently felt some sort of show of aggressive intent was in order. 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in the trenches near Villers-Plouich on the Cambrai battlefield. They moved up to the line at one hour’s notice owing to an enemy attack on 63rd (Royal Naval) Division’s front on Welsh Ridge.

The enemy attack was in some force and was assisted by the Germans being dressed in white, camouflage which was very successful in blending in to the snowy conditions. They managed to get into the front line trenches and they hold them still. These trenches were in something of a salient into the German lines so it is likely that the divisional commander will write them off.

Source: X550/5/3