SECRET.

TABLE FROM -65’ TO 3.15.

‘Z’ DAY

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

TIME              Rds. per           Total.               Line                 Rds. per           Total.

gun per                                                            How per

minute.                                                                        minute.

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

-65’ to -10’      ½                     27                    Front               ½                     27

-10’ to -01       3                      30                    Front               1                      10

0.00 to 0.03     3                      9                    Blue                 2                      6

0.03 to 0.05     3                      20                    Pink                 2                      4

0.05 to 0.25     1                      20                    Green              1                      20

0.25 to 0.48     1                      23                    Brown             ½                     12

0.48 to 1.17     1                      30                    Mauve             ½                     15

1.17 to 1.25     1                      8                    Orange                        1                      8

1.25 to 2.15     1                      50                    Lt. Blue           ½                     25

2.15 to 3.15     1                      60                    Crimson           ½                     30

———————–                                           ———————–

Total per gun            263                                Total per How          157

———————–                                           ————————

NOTE

• Batteries firing on ‘Crimson’ at excessive elevation, will fire H.E.
• E. only will be fired at the portions where the coloured line markings Barrage is under 200 yards from the previous barrage line.

23.6.16

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Bde Major 8^th Div Artillery

SECRET.

TABLE OF AMMUNITION EXPENDITURE

-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-

DAY               TIME                                      18 pdrs                                    4.5 Hows.

V                     10.0 – 10.40 a.m.                    (20                                           0

(12                                           0

4.15 – 5.15 p.m.                      30                                          30

GAS   0.03 – 0.04                                 4                                           0

1.27 – 1.31                              16                                           0

Night firing                                         40                                           40

W                    9.00 – 10.20 a.m.                    60                                            50

Night firing                                         40                                            40

X                     4.30 to 5.50 a.m.                     60                                            50

6.30 to 7.00 p.m.                     30                                            20

7.30 to 8.10 p.m.                     40                                            20

Night firing                             40                                            40

Y                     6.00 to 7.20 a.m.                     40                                            40

4.05 to 5.15 p.m.                     30                                            20

Night firing                             40                                            40

Totals  per gun            502                  per How        390

For Raid on ‘V’ day, or as ordered.

2.00 to 2.15                             200 rds per)                             100 rds)

Battery 30% H.E.)                  per Bty.)

2.16 to 2.20                             50 rds per)                               32 rds)

Bty H.E. only on)                               per Bty)

front line)

2.21 to 2.45                 300 rds per)                                         100 rds)

Bty 30% H.E.)                                                per Bty)

2.46 to 2.55                 40 rds per)                                           20 rds)

Bty 30% H.E.)                                                per Bty)

23.6.16.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Div Artillery

SECRET                                                                                            APPENDIX ‘B’

PROGRAMME FOR THE DISCHARGE OF GAS.

—————————————————————

12 cylinders, White Star, and 8 cylinders, Red Star, per emplacement will be installed.

Gas will be discharged as follows:-

0-0.4.       4 cylinders (White Star) simultaneously per bay.

0.4 – 1.20. 1 cylinder (Red Star) per bay every 10 minutes.

1.20 All remaining cylinders to be turned on.

2. The following Rocket Signals will be fired from OVILLERS and DONNET POSTS commencing at 1.28.

Three pairs of Red Rockets from each post at 30 secs. Interval between pairs.

The G.O’s C. 23^rd and 25^th Bdes will arrange for the firing of these rockets.

The rockets will only be fired provided the discharge of gas has taken place.

SECRET.                                                                                             8^th D.A. No 0/57.

8^th Divisional Artillery Instructions

for forthcoming Operations, dated 22^nd June.

——————————————————-

1. Para 10. add

Should a re-bombardment be required, it will in every case last for 30         minutes, the last five minutes to be intense.

1. Appendix “A” para 1.25 to 2.15.

The barrage will move back slowly from ORANGE so as to be        established on LIGHT BLUE at 2.0

On the extreme left the lift from ORANGE will be directed on to   CRIMSON, LT BLUE between the points R.34.c.9.8. to R.34.a.0.9. at 1.25.

1. Appendix “E” is amended as follows:-

1. If the wind permits, smoke will be discharged on “W”, “X”, and “Y” days.
2. It will be discharged along the lines at the following times:-

“W” day 10.10 a.m. to 10.20. a.m.

“X” day 5.40 a.m. to 5.50 a.m.

“Y” day 7.10 a.m. to 7.20 a.m.

23-6-16

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnl. Artillery.

SECRET                     8^th Divisional Artillery Instructions No. 3                  Copy No

Instructions for Artillery during

Advance of Brigades R.H & R.F.A.

1. The 89^th Brigade R.F.A., on getting into action, will cover POZIERES, but must husband as much ammunition as possible to deal with any counter attacks which may be launched by the enemy.

1. When the 33^rd Brigade R.F.A. advances, the front of 23^rd Infantry Brigade will be supported by 86^th Brigade R.F.A., that of 25^th Infantry Brigade, by 5^th Brigade R.H.A., that of 70^th Infantry Brigade by 45^th Brigade R.F.A.

1. When the 33^rd Brigade R.F.A. is in action in its advanced position, it will again support 23^rd Infantry Brigade.

25^th Infantry Brigade will be supported by 86^th Bde R.F.A.

70^th Infantry Brigade will be supported by 5^th Brigade R.H.A. and 45^th Brigade    R.F.A.

1. When the 5^th Brigade R.H.A. advances, the 70^th Infantry Brigade will be supported by the 45^th Brigade R.F.A.

The 23^rd and 25^th Infantry Bdes. Supported as in para 3.

1. When the 45^th Brigade R.F.A. advances, the 5^th Brigade R.H.A. will support the 70^th Infantry Brigade.

The 23^rd and 25^th Infantry Bdes supported as in para. 3.

1. When the 86^th Brigade R.F.A. advances, the

23^rd Infantry Brigade will be supported by 33^rd Bde R.F.A.

25^th     “              “        “    “        “          “   5^th Bde. R.H.A.

70^th     “              “        “    “        “          “  45^th Bde. R.F.A.

1. When 86^th Brigade R.F.A. is in action, para 13, ”Instructions for forthcoming Operations” issued on 22.6.16 will be carried out.

NOTE. – During the advance of 33^rd and 45^th Brigades R.F.A., one 18 pdr Battery per         Brigade will remain in action in present position until the other two have        arrived at the new positions, and will continue to support the Infantry                         Brigades according to previous orders.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

23.6.16.                                                                              Brigade Major 8^th Div. Arty.

Copies.            1 8^th Div.

2 C.R.A.

3 5^th Bde R.H.A.

4 33^rd Bde R.F.A.

5 45^th   “       “

6 86^th   “       “

7 89^th   “       “

8 23^rd Infy Bde.

9 25^th   “      “

10 70^th “     “

SECRET.                                                                                                 APPENDIX C.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE DISCHARGE OF SMOKE.

———————————————————————-

1. If the wind permits, smoke will be discharged during the last10 minutes of all the concentrated bombardments which are to be carried out on ‘V’ ‘W’ “X” and ‘Y’ days.

2. It will be discharged all along the line at the following times:-

‘V’ Day           5.10 p.m. to 5.20 p.m.

‘W’  “              10.10 a.m. to 10.20 a.m.

‘X’  “               (5.40 a.m. to 5.50 a.m.

(6.50 p.m. to 7.0 p.m.

‘Y’  “               (7.10 a.m. to 7.20 a.m.

(5.10 p.m. to 5.20 p.m.

SECRET.                                                                                                   8^th D.A. O/57

Reference 8^th Divisional Artillery Instructions for forthcoming Operations “AMENDMENT” dated 23-6-16.

FURTHER AMENDMENT

APPENDIX A.

At 2.15   CRIMSON LINE 18 pdr (52) X.5.d.3.8. to R.34.d.5.8. to R.34.a.9.9.

SHOULD READ

At 2.15 CRIMSON LINE 18 pdr (52) X.5.d.3.8. to R.34.d.5.8. to R.34.a.9.1. to                                                                                       R.28.c.8.1.

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE

23-6-16

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnl. Artillery.

SECRET                                            B.M./164/2                             Copy No 17

8^th DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY OPERATION ORDER No 11

23^rd June 1916.

——————————————————————————————————-

Reference Map FRANCE Sheet 57 D S.E. Edition 2 B.  1/20,000

FRANCE Sheet 57 C S.E. Edition 2 B. 1/20,000

INFORMATION 1 (a) Offensive Operations by the 4^th Army will commence on ’Z’                                 Day (time and date to be notified later)

(b) The IIIrd Corps will Assault and capture the line

S.5. Central to M.26.c.1.7.

(c)  The 8^th Division will assault and capture the line

X.5.c.0.5. to R.28.c.2.0.

(d) The 34^th Division operates on our Right.

(e) The 32^nd Division, X Corps operates on our left.

(f) The 19^th Division is in Corps Reserve.

2. The 2^nd and 3^rd Phases as previously detailed will be undertaken by    the 19^th and 12^th Divisions, supported by Artillery as in 1^st Phase.

ARTILLERY 3. The Infantry will be supported by Artillery in accordance with instructions already issued.

BOUNDARIES 4. Boundaries for Groups, during the 2^nd phase support of 12^th Division will be

RIGHT GROUP (89^th and 33^rd Bdes R.F.A.)

Right Boundary X.5.d. Central, S.2. Central, M.33.b. central.

LEFT Boundary Road X.5.b.3.5. – M.27.c.5.2.

CENTRE GROUP (86^th Brigade R.F.A.)

Right Boundary Road X.5.b.3.5. to M.27.c.5.2.

Left Boundary R.35.5c.8.1. to M.27.c.4.5.

LEFT GROUP (5^th Brigade R.H.A. 45^th Bde R.F.A.)

Right Boundary R.35.c.8.1. to M.27.c.4.5.

Left Boundary R.34.Central to M.26.c.2.9.

MISCELLANEOUS 5.          Orders for Divisional Ammunition Column,

Royal Engineer Services,

Dressing Stations,

Mobile Veterinary Section,

Communications,

have already been forwarded.

HEADQUARTERS 6. Divisional Artillery Headquarters will, from the moment of Assault, be at the CHATEAU HENENCOURT until further orders.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Div Arty.

Issued at 11.30 a.m.

23.6.16

Copy No         1. 8^th Division.

2. 23^rd Infy Bde.

3 25^th   do.

4 70^th   do.

5 5^th Bde R.H.A.

6 33^rd Bde R.F.A.

7 44^th   do.

8 86^th   do.

9 89^th   do.

10 8^th D.A.C.

11 19^th D.A.C.

12 8^th Signal Coy.

13 T.M. Officer.

14 A.D.C. for C.R.A.

15 Staff Captain.

16&17 War Diary.

18 to 20 Spare.

Y.M.C.A headed notepaper

Pte. A.A. Smith

No 27521

Reply to “C” Company 12^th Bat. Essex Regt

Stationed at Dovercourt

June 23^rd 1916

Dear Father

Many thanks for your letter.  I am glad to hear you are all well; pleased to say I am A.1. again now.

We shall be leaving here on Tuesday but I don’t think it will be Romford I think it will be further away instead of nearer.  I believe it is France this time; they called up those that have been in the army since 17^th March first, but there was not sufficient to make up the number so we clicked for it; there is about 150 all together.  I thought I might as well tell you now but don’t you go worrying about it.  I don’t mind going at all I have plenty of Pals to keep me company.  The reason for sending us so quickly is to make room for all the married men they are bringing up; we are bound to be at the base for sometime to complete our training as we have plenty to learn yet.  I reckon it will be a holiday to what it is here now they are working us all day.

I have not very much else to tell you now.  You can bet I should like to have your parcel but it is no use to send one at present I will write to you again as soon as possible.  I should be pleased to have a few lines from you before Tuesday if you have time.

We are booked at present for Tuesday but of course one never knows whether we shall go as soon as that; the army often alter things at the last moment.

Please remember me to Jess & Ethel & all enquiring friends. Don’t forget to keep smiling we are all merry & bright.  You ought to be in camp at night we have all the latest songs before lights out.

I really think I must finish now

With much love

Your devoted

Son

Alf

P.S. What do you think of the war news.  The Russians are doing jolly well.  I don’t think it will last very long now.