Prisoners

Tuesday 19th March 1918

Yesterday 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment at Mejdel Yaba had a number of guests. The Battalion has listening posts in advance of the front line and two Turkish soldiers approached rather too close to one of these. When they were fired on, the two gave themselves up. Also during the day two Arabs were found straying close to the lines and were also captured. All four men have been sent to Brigade Headquarters.

Source: X550/6/8

Prisoner Taken

Sunday 3rd March 1918

4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is in the front line near Ribecourt, south-west of Cambrai. The adjutant informs us that Second Lieutenant Hinchliffe has been wounded today. He also mentioned that in a patrol last night Second Lieutenant D H Macklin(1) captured a prisoner, who has now been sent back to headquarters for interrogation.

Source: X550/5/8

(1) 20 year-old David Harold Macklin, from White Wood Corner, Sandy, would be killed on 27th March in the Battalion’s counter-attack at Bouzincourt Ridge north-west of Albert and is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery

Keeness and a Dashing Manner

Thursday 15th November 1917

This afternoon at about 4.30, 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment had to repulse an attack by the Germans on the junction of the French and British armies just south of Houthulst Forest. The adjutant mentioned to me on the blower that Colonel Carot commanding the 43rd French Regiment personally congratulated the 54th Brigade and in particular the Bedfordshire Regiment on their keeness and dashing manner in repelling the German attack.

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has been relieved from its front line trenches today. A little excitement preceded this event, however; an enemy patrol of two men approached the trenches, were detected and attacked. One of the enemy was killed and the other was captured.

Lieutenant Primrose-Wells [X550/1/81]

A further three other ranks joined the 4th Bedfords today along with another officer, Lieutenant J B Primrose-Wells(1).

Source: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/8/1

(1) James Bowen Primrose-Wells would be wounded in the same action in which his commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel J S Collings-Wells was killed. He would die of his wounds on 4th April 1918 as a prisoner-of war and now has no known grave, being commemorated on the Bécourt German Cemetery Memorial in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood.

Better Homes

Tuesday 13th November 1917

The 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment is back in the front line near Polygon Racecourse. Over much of the battlefield at present the front line consists not of trenches and barbed wire but shellholes, scrapes in the earth, concrete pillboxes and blockhouses and advanced posts. During the day the Bedfords have sought to improve their temporary home, making it more habitable and stronger against attack. They have been drained of as much water as can be induced to leave and the shell holes have been joined up into a continuous line that more resembles a trench. During the hours of darkness a patrol surprised a German in No Man’s Land and captured him. He proved to be from the 26th Prussian Regiment.

Sources: X550/2/5

One Hundred and Second Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Friday 9th November 1917

6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has taken over trenches in the Hollebeke Sector, where other battalions of the regiment have found themselves at times this year. Their approximate positions are shown on the

map above. The adjutant remarked to us: “The sector is very much quieter than any trenches previously held by the Battalion this year”. Meanwhile 18th Division has taken over the front line in the northern sector of the battlefield on the southern fringes of Houthulst Forest. The 7th Bedfords are expecting to move up to the support line tomorrow.

In Gaza yesterday 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment had a very quiet day following the Turkish withdrawal. An enemy plane was brought down by one of our machines over their positions. A large explosion was seen in the direction of the enemy railhead and it was afterwards found out that an enemy dump had been blown up. Six Turks who had tarried behind were captured by the Battalion’s patrols during the day and at 5.30 pm the Battalion moved back to the support line.

Since 31st October the Battalion has lost 31 men killed and died of wounds. By the standards of the Western Front this has been a comparatively light butcher’s bill for so impressive a gain.

Source: X550/6/8

Sixty Eighth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Saturday 6th October 1917

Although there has been little to write about today at Ypres we have again heard from the 1st/5th Battalion in Palestine. Yesterday in the front line near Gaza passed without incident. But at six o’clock in the evening patrols were again sent out, commanded by Second Lieutenants Dennis, Phillips and Sowden. They had the same objectives as the previous night, to lure the enemy into a trap. In the event Second Lieutenant Dennis’ patrol had to withdraw under heavy fire and on arrival back at the trench he and Sergeant Clifford were found to be missing. The other two patrols did a lot of shooting at bodies of Turkish infantry, but it is not known with what result(1).

Source: X550/6/8

(1) Sergeant Clifford is listed as killed on 5th October and he is buried in Gaza War Cemetery. Lieutenant Dennis is not listed on the Commonwealth War Graves site and so was probably taken prisoner.

Sixty Fifth Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Wednesday 3rd October 1917

5th Division, having relieved 23rd Division just north of the Menin Road, was attacked by the enemy today, as was 37th Division just south of the road. As far as we can tell both these attacks have been failures.

1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment has reached the Ypres Salient. It is moving towards a position on the ridge between Tor Top and Stirling Castle. As reserve to the rest 5th Division it was not involved in repulsing the German attack. Nor was 6th Battalion involved in repulsing the enemy attack on 37th Division as it is resting, having preceded the rest of its division in the front line by five days.

63rd (Royal Naval) Division, including the 4th Bedfords, is also evidently coming to the party. The Battalion is currently a Zermezeele near Kassel, close to the Belgian border.

In far-away Palestine yesterday, two of the 1st/5th Battalion snipers captured a Turkish prisoner who had been picking grapes just outside the enemy trenches near The Orchard, south-west of Gaza.

Sources: X550/2/5; X550/5/3; X550/6/8

Sixty Third Day of the Third Battle of Ypres

Monday 1st October 1917

23rd Division, just north of the Menin Road, was again attacked today, this time the enemy being supported by the strafing of machine-guns from low-flying aircraft. 69th Brigade received the attack and the enemy managed an advance of about 150 yards before being stopped. Three other attacks were made during the day but these were each seen-off by the defenders.

Two more divisions came under attack through the day. 7th Division is in the sector including the northern parts of Polygon Wood, which it took over from 4th Australian Division. Two attacks were made on them during the day, but without success for the attackers. 21st Division are on 7th Division’s right flank on the eastern fringes of Polygon Wood. The enemy seemed interested in retaking Glencorse Wood, now well behind the lines, penetrating as far as Black Watch Corner as the Leicestershire Regiment was driven back at one point, but we understand that the line has been retaken and stabilised.

Elsewhere the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, are back in the front line near Hollebeke. Their dispositions are as shown on the map above. 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment are near Lens and had an unusual experience today. At around three o’clock this evening, three Germans were captured. These were not, as one might expect, men from the trenches opposite but three prisoners-of-war who had escaped from a cage at Dieppe and had made it all the way back nearly to No Man’s Land.

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

Twenty Second Day of the Battle of Ypres

Second Lieutenant W R Shaw [X550/1/81] 

Tuesday 21st August 1917

As I indicated yesterday, the rumours we hear of impending attacks are seldom to be trusted. Today is a case in point, action today was promised by the “millers” yesterday but has not come to pass. Still, I doubt Tommy Atkins minds.

At the moment the 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, is in camp, training. Today they have had a new recruit - Second Lieutenant W R Shaw. We have also had news from far-off Palestine where 1st/5th Bedfords find themselves still in front of the enemy-held town of Gaza. Yesterday they heard that five of their number previously simply listed as missing after the first raid on Umbrella Hill on 20th July are, in fact, prisoners-of war. While glad that they are alive, none of their fellows is under any delusion about how dreadful being a prisoner-of-war of the Turks is(1).

The men concerned are: 200497 Sergeant Cleaver; 200573 Private A. Cook; 201316 Private H A Miles; 201326 Private W Patterson and 200696 Private F D Smith.

Source: X550/3/wd; X550/6/8

(1) The Turks were reputed to routinely starve, beat and abuse their prisoners, including sexual abuse. 200573 Private G Cook died on 4th November 1918 and is buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. 201326 Private William Patterson, from Ely [Cambridgeshire], died on 30th October 1917 and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.  

Another Raid Planned on Umbrella Hill

Wednesday 25th July 1917

The adjutant of 1st/5th Battalion has wired to tell us that the Battalion has been ordered to carry out another raid on Umbrella Hill in a few days time. Preparations were started at once and the various modifications - especially in the size of the parties employed were discussed and decided on. Practice started at once. Turkish prisoners report that there are still three machine-guns and three mortars in the works, also one light 37 mm quick-firing gun.

The raiding party will be split into two groups - raiders and support, it being felt that no reserve is necessary. Instead a trench party of sixty one under the Regimental Sergeant Major will man the Battalion’s own front line trench to assist the raiders and support after withdrawal, directing them as to the best way through the lines in case of a hostile barrage. The size of each of the two raiding groups has been reduced to avoid bunching at the end of the raid, which presents targets for other Turkish positions.

Source: X550/6/8

8th Battalion Raids the Enemy

Friday 13th July 1917

8th Battalion is still in the front line near Hulluch. Last night, at 11.30, three fighting patrols of twelve other ranks crossed No Man’s Land under cover of an artillery, mortar and machine gun barrage. Two patrols were to enter the German front line and one was to cut out an enemy post in an advanced sap. A, C, and D Companies respectively furnished these patrols.

A Company’s patrol got into the German front line, killed several Germans, brought one back, and destroyed entrances to two dugouts. C Company’s patrol failed to get in owing to opposition of three hostile machine-guns. D Company's patrol rushed the sap but found it unoccupied, the enemy apparently clearing out when our barrage opened. These patrols took casualties six wounded and four missing(1). Nevertheless, the success of A Company is felt to be retribution for the German raid on the Battalion on 22nd June.

Source: X550/9/1

(1) No members of the Battalion are recorded as killed in action at this date, so they must have been captured giving the Germans a four-to-one edge.

8th Battalion Caught Napping

Friday 22nd June 1917

The adjutant of the 8th Battalion, in the front line near Hulluch, spoke to me on the blower today, admitting that they had been caught unawares by a German patrol. At three o’clock this morning the enemy opened up with concentrated intense mortar fire on B and C Companies in the front line. At 3.10 am an 'S.O.S.' signal flare was observed to go up from the front line which was repeated at Battalion Headquarters and sent through by the Brigade Headquarters by telephone to the artillery.

It transpired later that a small party of one officer and fifteen German other ranks had managed to enter the front line between two of the Battalion’s posts under cover of smoke and darkness. They surprised the inhabitants of the front line trench and are believed to have captured nine of the Battalion’s men. As if that was not enough a patrol of one non-commissioned officer and two men who were in No Man's Land when the bombardment commenced are missing. In their defence, the adjutant stressed that the enemy only managed to enter the front line for a few minutes, although he kept up his intense barrage unil 3.45 a.m.

Second Lieutenant Haywood [X550/1/81]

The 2nd Battalion, in camp at Dickebusch near Ypres, reports that Second Lieutenant C.Haywood has been wounded whilst on a reconnaissance of infantry tracks leading to the trenches.

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

Day One Hundred and Twenty Six on the Somme

Friday 3rd November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The adjutant of the 1st Battalion has telephoned me today with the results of the examination of the three prisoners Captain C A S Morris’ raiding party captured on the night of Halloween. All three belong to 6th Bavarian Regiment, 6th Bavarian Division, III Bavarian Corps

The first man is a reservist and served from 1910 to 1912. He was mobilised on the 4th August 1914, and joined the 21st Bavarian Regiment. He was wounded in the leg towards the end of August 1914 and remained in hospital until February 1915. He was sent out to the front again in July 1916, to join the 21st Bavarian Regiment. He and about twenty other men were transferred to the 6th Bavarian Regiment about the middle of August 1916, owing to the heavy casualties that regiment had suffered at Verdun. Since being with the 6th Bavarian Regiment this man seems to have spent most of the time in the rest station, as his leg is still very troublesome, and only returned to the regiment about fourteen days ago.

The second man belongs to the 1915 class, was called up for service on the 1st March 1915, and received his training at the Depot of the 6th Bavarian Regiment. He joined the regiment at the front on 27th July 1915. This man has gone through the Verdun fighting, was buried by the explosion of a shell at Flers, and sent to a rest station. He returned to duty about eight days ago. His company went into the Somme fighting about 240 men strong and came out with 63 men, having suffered many casualties from their own artillery fire. He does not think the 6th Bavarian Division will take part in the Somme fighting again, as they were severely handled both at Verdun and on the Somme and the men would consider it a punishment if they were sent down again.

Neither of the prisoners were able to give much information about the composition of the recent drafts, they said these mostly consisted of returned wounded men and young recruits.

German reliefs are carried out every five days by battalions. One battalion holds the front line, and one battalion is in reserve line near Lorgies. The remaining battalion of the regiment is in rest billets at Petit Hantay, where they live in barracks. The last relief took place on the 31st October.

The Germans’ rations are very indifferent. There is no issue of fresh meat now, only tinned meat is served out. The bread ration has been cut down to one-third of a loaf per man per day, it used to be half a loaf a day(1).

Source: X550/2/5

(1) The blockade of Germany by the Royal Navy, an important part in the collapse of the German state in November 1918, was obviously already beginning to have effect.

Day One Hundred and Twenty Four on the Somme

Wednesday 1st November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Captain Morris and his intrepid men carried out their raid on the German trenches near the ruined watermill north of Quinque Rue(1) and just east of Festubert. The raid began at eight o’clock last night. Captain Morris told me today, by telephone, that the party on the right found very heavy wire and came under machine gun fire from a point in the front line trench and, owing to bomb and rifle fire, were unable to get into the trench. They remained in position and later were able to effect an entry and join the Left Party, which had quickly penetrated the enemy trench and completely surprised a patrol of Germans, killing five and taking three prisoner. It was not found practicable to continue over the open to the support line, owing to the rough nature of the ground.

When a counter-attack appeared imminent a withdrawal was ordered and carried out, covered by Lewis guns, the wounded being first evacuated. The trenches were found empty except for the patrol, and no material was found. Second Lieutenant Wright was wounded with one other rank killed, seventeen wounded and two missing, these were seen helping each other back. Sadly it is probable that they were buried by a Minenwerfer which opened fire at the end of Shetland Trench.

Captain Morris commented that the enemy trenches are very similar to our own - floorboarded and with a low parados (bank at the rear to prevent silhouetting of men looking over the parapet at the front).. Several dug-outs were entered and were very similar to those in our lines. The Salient does not appear to be held, but only patrolled.

The captain added that electric torches fixed to the rifles near the hand grip proved exceedingly useful. The fact that the men had their faces blacked raised the morale of the men enormously.

Early this morning a patrol went out from our lines and searched the whole of the ground over which the raiding party had passed. They failed to find the two missing men. The body of the man killed was recovered

The commanding officer of the battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Allason, told me that the two companies which had been holding that sector were ordered to submit names of men who could be considered fit to take part in the raid. Owing to casualties on the Somme, he said, the choice was very restricted, and arrangements had to be made to give further instruction in live bomb throwing to the majority of those selected.

Enlargements of an aeroplane photo were made and issued to group leaders. The trenches were also staked out on the ground and the attack practised, first by the demonstration method, then by the whole party. This was done twice by day, and when all the groups understood their role, by night also. Thus the raid was very thoroughly planned.

Apparently the raid has been judged a success. Brigadier Turner has been asked by the Corps commander, Lieutenant-General Haking “to convey to Lieutenant Colonel Allason DSO and the officers and men of 1st Bedfordshire Regiment, my appreciation and thanks for the successful raid carried out by them last night. The operation was skilfully planned, and carried out with a fine fighting spirit, and the damage done to the enemy and the capture of the prisoners was most commendable”.

Source: X550/2/5

(1) Now called Rue de Lille (D72)

Day One Hundred and Fourteen on the Somme

Sunday 22nd October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

Today 19th (Northern) Division has relieved 25th and part of 39th Division near Thiepval. More prisoners have been taken today, bringing the total for the last two days to over a thousand. These are all men the German Army here can ill afford to lose.

Day One Hundred and Thirteen on the Somme

Saturday 21st October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

The enemy, it seems, have not yet given up their dreams of holding the Schwaben Redoubt, taken by 39th Division on 14th October. This morning they launched an attack to re-take it but were defeated. Perhaps now they will “get the message” as one of the soldiers said to me. 

A major attack involving four divisions, 18th (Eastern), 25th, 39th and 4th Canadian got underway today. As is appropriate the Canadians attacked Regina Trench west of Le Sars, which they took. 18th, 25th and 39th Divisions all captured their allotted sections of Stuff Trench and at Stump Road an amazing 731 prisoners, nineteen machine guns and three field guns were captured.

Day Ninety Seven on the Somme

Thursday 5th October 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field

47th (2nd London) Division this evening has managed to push its front line forward beyond a ruined mill north-west of Eaucourt-l’Abbaye. Meanwhile the floundering attacks through a glutinous sea of mud at the Schwaben Redoubt go on as 8th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, from 53rd Brigade made an attack which came to naught.

From far away Egypt comes a wire that the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, part of 54th (East Anglian) Division is guarding prisoners. They are at El Shatt Camp and have guard over some two hundred Turks.

Source: X550/6/8

Biggleswade Brothers Safe

Friday 9th June 1916: Readers may remember we reported on 13th May that brothers Private Herbert A C Wells and Private Frederick C Wells, of Biggleswade were missing following the attack on 8th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, on 19th/20th April. Private H A Cartwright Wells has written home to say that he is a prisoner at Darmstadt. We are very glad to know that Herbert, like his brother, is safe and we trust that in due course these Biggleswade soldier brothers will return to their parents at West’s Yard, Biggleswade.

Source: Biggleswade Chronicle 9th June 1916

Patrols Return to the Suez Canal

Sunday 16th April 1916: On 10th April, as readers may remember, patrols were sent out by 1st/5th Battalion towards Turkish outposts in Sinai. Yesterday the patrols returned and their activities are detailed below.

On 10th four officers and one hundred men accompanied a camel convoy to Darb-el-Haj, taking five and a half hours to reach that place, where they bivouacked for the night. The next day they marched to Wadi-el-Hagge, being joined en-route by the Middlesex Yeomanry. On 13th the yeomanry captured three Turkish prisoners which they handed over to the Bedfords’ column. The column started back to Shalufa the next day and arrived back yesterday, without casualties.

Source: X550/6/8

French Attack

H A Chamen

Sunday 13th February 1916: The adjutant of the 2nd Battalion at Maricourt on the Somme tells us that the French on their right have made an attack on the village of Frise, taken by the Germans at the end of last month. They have taken a hundred prisoners. The Battalion has lost the services of Second Lieutenant Chamen who has been dispatched to 3rd Entrenching Battalion(1).

Source: X550/3/wd

(1) He would rejoin on 4th June and be seriously in the Battle of the Somme in an attack on Guillemont on 30th July, dying of wounds on 1st August.