Roll of Honour - 8th October 1918

What Next?

Friday 11th October 1918

There has been a pause in the great advance today. There enemy seems to have come to a halt in a new defensive line. It is reported that Field Marshal Haig met with the commanders of First, Third and Fourth Armies today  (Generals Horne, Byng and Rawlinson) to discuss future operations. Clearly it is the army's job to push the enemy out of France and Belgium but timing and location of the main thrusts must still be decided. 

4th Battalion Ready to Attack

Monday 7th October 1918

The adjutant of the 4th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment spoke with me on the blower this afternoon and confirmed that they have moved into positions near Noyelles for an attack tomorrow. The major attacks keep coming, with short intervals in between for planning, reorganisation and registering the guns 

In Palestine yesterday the 1st/5th Battalion drew company cash from Haifa to pay the men. Meanwhile a draft of 68 other ranks arrived to join the battalion, just in time for payday. 

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

Guarding Access to Haifa

Sunday 6th October 1918

Yesterday in Palestine the 1st/5th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment moved their bivouac to the edge of the sea north of Haifa. The mosquitoes at the former campsite would descend in clouds on the men and on any exposed flesh, the adjutant told me on the telephone, adding that he was absent-mindedly scratching a bite as he spoke to me!

The battalion is helping to control access to this port town, with a detachment of three non-commissioned officers and six other ranks on the Haifa Gate and five picquets each of one non-commissioned officer and nine other ranks to prevent inhabitants leaving the town. A system of permits has been arranged by which villagers can enter and merchants can leave the town between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. The gate guard has the assistance of the local Palestinian gendarmerie. Men from the battalion are allowed in the town without a pass between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Source: X550/6/8

Roll of Honour - 6th October 1918

The Field Marshal's Summary

Saturday 5th October 1918

Yesterday Field Marshal Haig, in a meeting with senior officers, outlined his appreciation of the current state of affairs on the Western Front. A small amount of it has been made available to the press corps and perhaps the most telling paragraph is reproduced below.

"The recent offensive operations of the Allies on the Western Front have met with success at all points. The enemy has lost heavily in men and material and has been compelled to use his reserves piecemeal to retain his line intact. He is now faced with necessity of maintaining a wide battle front with depleted reserves and dispirited troops".

Victory, we all feel, cannot now be far off.

Roll of Honour - 5th October 1918