Monday 13th
November 1916 From our Correspondent in the Field
Today the 63rd
(Royal Naval) Division made its first attack on the Somme. Together with 51st
(Highland) Division, whose base of operations in 1914 was Bedford, as residents
will well remember. Other divisions, too, have been involved in an attack which
stretched from Hébuterne in the north to Grandcourt, the front forming a rough
L-shape.
31st Division
made the attack near Hébuterne. They easily took the German front line trenches
and got into a hot fight at the enemy’s support line, many Germans being killed
during one of their counter-attacks. This evening, we understand, the division
has been ordered to return to its front lines, yielding ground gained. This is
because 3rd Division failed completely in its attack on the village of Serre.
This area was the site of terribly costly attacks on 1st July by many pals
battalions from the north of England, forming 31st Division. Then the ground
was rock hard, today it was waist deep in mud and it was this, more than the
German defences, which caused the failure. 2nd Division attacked to the south
of 3rd Division, advanding along the Redan Ridge. Here some ground, including
the German front line was taken.
The
Highlanders attacked Beaumont-Hamel itself together with Y-Ravine with the
Naval Division attacking between Y-Ravine and the River Ancre. The Scots’
attack was aided by the explosion of a huge mine at Hawthorn Crater. The blast
was terrific, the very mud beneath one’s feet quivering with the shock waves.
We have been told that 30,000 pounds of explosive were used. The attackers were
also aided by a low mist which hampered the Germans’ line of sight. It was some
recompense for the deep mud through which the men had to stumble and slog. Their
achievement in taking Beaumont-Hamel and Y-Ravine was thus a very notable one of
which the men from the glens can be proud.
The Royal
Naval Division attacked with its sailors and Royal Marines (188th and 189th
Brigades), the “army men” of 190th Brigade, including the 4th Bedfords, being
held in reserve. The German front line was taken, along with Beaucourt Station
and Station Road, four hundred prisoners being captured into the bargain. The
attack on the left, closest to Y-Ravine, suffered many casualties and 190th
Brigade was inserted at that point.
The Bedfords
suffered from fire from an enemy strongpoint between the German first and
second lines. This had been by-passed by the leading brigade. Nevertheless the
battalion got to the enemy second line and from there parties pushed on to
Station Road and beyond. Thus, in their first action the battalion did itself
great credit, though I understand that losses have been heavy,
disproportionately so amongst the officers.
On the other
side of the River Ancre, 39th Division met with considerable success, advancing
over a thousand yards and taking Beaucourt Mill. The village of
Saint-Pierre-Divion fell before eight o’clock this morning. 19th (Northern)
Division formed the right-hand of the attack. The brigade on the left managed
an advance but the brigade on the right, where it joined 18th (Eastern)
Division failed to make any headway.
So although today’s attacks have met with mixed
success, two more villages, Saint-Pierre-Divion and the much longed-for prize
of Beaumont-Hamel have been added to the “bag” in this battle of 136 days.
