SECRET

18/Div/No/O.P. 13/3

53^rd Infantry Brigade

54^th Infantry Brigade

55^th Infantry Brigade

18^th Div Art

18^th Div R.E.

CRA

Forwarded for your information.   ”A” day is June 8^th.

This letter is not for circulation but is only for the information of the Officer to whom it is addressed.

Major,

D.A. & Q.M.G., 18^th Division

6/6/16

XIII Corps “Q”

SECRET

With reference to Fourth Army No Q.S. 137 of 10^th inst (which is returned herewith) the 2500 4.5” Lachrymatory Shells allotted to XIII Corps should be suballoted as follows:-

30^th Division…………..  1100

18thDivision……………1400 X

2500

X Includes supply of 4.5” Battery of Reserve Division allotted tactically to Heavy Artillery for Counter Battery work.

W.R. Reid

Major, for

Brigadier General,

General Officer Commanding R.A.,

XIII Corps.

Headquarters, R.A.

XIII Corps,

11/6/16

Copies to:-

XIIIth Corps Heavy Artillery.

18^th Divisional Artillery.

30^th Divisional Artillery.

APPENDIX OO/8

SECRET.                                                                                                     Copy No 13

8^th Divisional Artillery

OPERATION ORDER No. 8.

————————————–

11^th June 1916

1. The 45^th Brigade R.F.A. and attached Artillery will move to their Wagon lines HENENCOURT WOOD on the night of 12^th June 1916.

1. The march will be under the arrangements of the Officer Commanding, 45^th Brigade R.F.A.
2. Route:- BAIZIEUX – HENENCOURT
3. No move to take place between the hours of 3.0 a.m. and 8.0 p.m.
4. Completion of moves to be reported to this office.

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8^th Divnal Artillery.

Copies to:-

8^th Divn.

Right Group.

Left Group.

5^th Bde R.H.A.

45^th Bde R.F.A.

A.D.V.S.

Signal Co.

A.D.M.S.

Div Train.

S.S.O.

III Corps R.A.

SECRET

18^th Div Arty.

CA669   Month 7

Will you please send me a complete list of your battle positions with the names of the batteries (as far as you can) which will occupy them, also the positions of Group headquarters and the grouping if known.

13^th Corps Artillery

*******

S.OR.A.

SECRET                                                                                                A.B. No 19/31

Headquarters.

R.A. XIII Corps

Reference your No C.A. 669 dated 7/6/16.

Herewith list of positions and groupings as called for by you, as far as is settled at present:-

LEFT GROUP H.Q…………………………………..F.24.c.5.5.

A/82…………………………………………………..F.23.d.5.6.

B/82…………………………………………………..F.22.d.7.5.

C/82……………………………………………….….F.23.d.7.4.

D/82 4.5”Howr……………………………………….F.28.b.4.2.

A/85…………………………………………..………F.22.b.8.7.

9^th Divn Battery 18-pdr……………………………….F.22.d.9.5

9^th Divn Battery……………   …………………..……A.14.a.4.3.

9^th Divn Battery 4.5” How…………………………….A.14.c.1.9.

9^th Divn Section 18-pdr..……………………………..F.17.b.5.3.

CENTER GROUP H.Q…………………..………….A.25.b.3.9.

A/83………………………………………………….A.20.c.4.3.

B/83………………… …………………….…..…….F.23.c.9.5.

C/83……………………………………….   ……….A.20.c.2.3.

D/83 4.5” Howr…………………………………..…A.26.d.4.9.

B/85………………………………………………….A.19.d.2.3

9^th Divn Battery 18-pdr………………………….……A.23.c.5.5 (Approx) F.23.d.2.5.

9^th Divn Section 18-pdr………………………………A.15.d.7.9.

RIGHT GROUP H.Q.………………………………..A.25.b.6.5

A/84……………………………………….…………A.20.c.1.5.

B/84………………………………………………….A.21.c.2.7.

C/84………………………………………………….A.27.a.8.9.

D/84 4.5”Howr……………………..……………….A.21.d.3.8.

C/85……………………………………….…………A.20.d.8.2.

9^th Divn Battery 18-pdr…………………..………….A.20.d.7.8.

9^th Divn Battery 18-pdr………………………………A.15.c.3.8.

H.Q.R.A.,18^th Div                                                                             Brig. General,

11^th June 1916.                                               Commanding Artillery, 18^th Division.

SECRET

NOTES ON CONFERENCE HELD BY C.R.A.

On 8^th June 1916

(1). GROUPING OF BATTERIES.

Batteries of 9^th Divisional Artillery attached to 18^th Divisional Artillery will form part of Groups as under:-

Left Group.

18-pounder battery at F.23.d.7.4.c.0.4.

18-pounder battery at A.14.a.5.2. 8.8.

4.5” howitzer battery at A.14.c.1.9. A13.d.20.75.

18-pounder section at F.17.b.5.2.

Centre Group.

18-pounder battery at F.23.c.5.1.

18-pounder section at A.15.d.7.9.

Right Group.

18-pounder battery at A.20.d.4.9.

18-pounder battery at A.15.c.4.9.

(2). BATTERY POSITIONS.

Work on 9^th Divisional Artillery positions to be commenced at once.

A/83 responsible for construction of position at A.20.d.4.9.

D/82 responsible for construction of position at A.14.c.1.9.

B/85 responsible for construction of position at A.14.a.5.2.

82B responsible for construction of single gun position.

Centre and Right Groups to commence work on remaining positions as soon as possible.

(3). OBSERVATION STATIONS.

Sites for 9^th Divisional Artillery O.P.s to be selected and work commenced without delay.

(4). COMMUNICATIONS.

O.C. B/83 to undertake digging of trench for wires to Mystery Trench O.P.

Group Commanders to ensure that all Signalling lamps are in good order and cells efficient.

In establishing systems of Visual signalling, every endeavour to be made for erecting some means for acknowledging messages.

(5). LIAISON OFFICERS.

One to be detailed to hold himself in readiness in event of Brigade H.Q. moving forward.

Two per Group to be detailed to accompany the Battalion H.Q of the two front attacking Battalions.

(6). F.O.O.s

Two per Group to be detailed to move forward. It would not be necessary for these officers to move beyond our front trench before the POMMIERS TRENCH had been captured and consolidated.

(7). WIRE CUTTING.

Suggested scheme for distribution of tasks decided on, Wire cutting charts will be forwarded to Groups for distribution to batteries.

Decided that detached section at F.17.b.5.2. should assist in cutting wire on POMMIERS REDOUBT.

(8). BOMBARDMENT TO SUPPORT ASSAULT.

The fire of forward batteries will probably be retained till POMMIERS TRENCH is taken.

A.B. No 183

82^nd Brigade

83^rd Brigade

84^th Brigade

The above notes on conference of Group Commanders held by C.R.A., are forwarded for your information and necessary action.

A.F. Brooke

Capt., R.A.

Brigade Major, 18^th Div Artillery.

H.Q.R.A. 18/Div

9/6/16

XIIIth Corps 221/1 (G)

18^th Division No G 654

G.O.C. R.A.

18^th Division

30^th Division

No 9 Squadron R.F.C.

No 12 Kite Balloon Section

Tests have recently been carried out by the Fourth Army and the 30^th Division with a view to determining how soon before sunrise various objects can be seen.

The results are forwarded for your information.

Sg. W.J.F. WHITE, Capt

For B.G. G.S.

XIIIth Corps

5^th June 1916

53^rd Brigade

54^th Brigade

55^th Brigade

Royal Artillery

Forwarded for information

A.J. Bryant

June 8^th 1916                                                                                            Lieut. Colonel

Senior General Staff Officer, 18^th Division.

Copy for each Bde 10/6/16

18^th Division Z.86

SECRET

C.R.A.

18^th Division

Reference telephone conversation last night, the following are the lifts for

1. Heavy Artillery and
2. Divisional Artillery.as at present proposed.

1. Heavy Artillery Lifts. (see Map attached).Lift off dotted blue line on map at                             0.5
3. Lift off POMMIERS trench at                                      0.17
4. Lift off front and support trenches at                          0
5. Divisional Artillery Lifts Lift off BRESLAU Support, BUND SupportLift off BACK Trench at                                           0.15POMMIERS Trench, BUCKET Trench at                    0.20 Intermediate lifts as required to be arranged between Infantry Brigade Commanders and Officers Comdg their respective Artillery Groups.A. Byant         Senior General Staff Officer, 18^th Division
6. June 8^th 1916                                                                                              Lieut. Colonel
9. Lift off POMMIERS Redoubt at                                  1.0
10. Lift off TRAIN Alley, The Loop,
11. and BUND Trench at                                                 0.10.
12. Lift off front and support trenches at                        0

Agenda for Conference.

8^th June 1916

Z Division 6 ** per OW

1. Brief description of situation as it stands at present.

1. Grouping of Batteries.

Distribution of 9^th Div Art batteries.

1. Battery Positions.

Work to be completed without delay.

9^th Div Art positions to be commenced, distribution of these.

Site for 1 single gun required.

1. Observation Stations.

Extent of work completed.

Sites and distribution of O.P.s 9^th Div Art O.P.s.

Gauze for O.P. slits.

1. Communications.

(a) Between Groups & batteries

(b) Between Batteries & O.P.s

(c) Between O.P.s & front line

(d) Plans for lines forward from front line.

(e) * Visual Signalling within Groups, and from points in captured German trenches. * Discs i daily bombardment from present O.P. ii

1. Liaison Officers.

Not to be confounded with F.O.O.

One detailed to go with Bde H.Q. in case the latter moves.

One detailed with each attacking batteryalion H.Q. headquarters i.e. 3 pre Group.  Duty:- Liaison not observation.

1. F.O.O.s.

How many to go forward per Group? To be fully acquainted with position of forward terminals of Artillery trench wires.  Party to consist of 1 F.O.O., 2 Telephonists, 2 Linesmen, 3 Signallers with lamp, and 3 orderlies.  To carry 1 mile of D3 and 1* mile of D1.  Wire etc to be stored close to forward terminal previous to assault. * is 1 mile enough?

1. Wire Cutting.

Discuss attached schemes for wire cutting.

1. Bombardment to Support Assault.

Lifts. Nature of ammunition, whether advisable to fire H.E. only for last few seconds before lifts.

Lane fronts allotted to batteries. Simplify.

Barrages to stop counter attacks. When should forward batteries open fire?  Barrages should objective be attained.

Registration with aeroplane of Caterpillar Wood battery valley.

Difficulty of observation from new lines.

1. Preparation for possible Advance.

Each Group to reconnoitre two forward positions:- Batteries to be held in readiness to advance to be detailed. Roads to forward positions to be reconnoitered and bridges prepared.

Suitable advance sites for Wagon lines to be reconnoitered. Possibility of Group H.Q. having to move forward at a later period to be considered. E.g. Left at Carnoy exchange.

Possible sites for batteries on POMMIERS Ridge to be considered.

1. Points brought forward at last Conference.

Ammunition Recesses.

Preparation for 4 days supply of water and food.

Accommodation for increase of personnel at batteries to allow for reliefs and replacement of casualties.

Spare parts for guns. Triggers party plates & springs stakes etc.

Bde Armament Artificer to be in central position.

Group dressing stations.

Reserve of sandbags for batteries moving forward.

Date                Unit                             From                                        To                    Starting time                                       Remarks

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Night               5^th Bty. R.F.A.                        HENENCOURT WOOD       W.6.c.3.9.        8.0 p.m.

13^th                  (2 Sections)

14^th                  3^rd Bty. R.F.A.                                    ditto                            W.11.b.7.4.     8.0 p.m.

(2 Sections)

D/5 Bty Hows.                        ditto                            W.24.a.3.7.      8.20 p.m.

15^th                  1^st Bty R.F.A.                         ditto                            W.11.b.6.1.     8.0 p.m.

(2 Sections)

“Z” Bty. R.H.A.                     ditto                            W.12.c.3.2.      8.20 p.m.

(2 Sections)

————————————————————————————-

SECRET                                                                                                         A.B. 20/17

82^nd Brigade

83^rd Brigade

84^th Brigade

1. Herewith tracing showing forward lines which it is proposed to lay from observation stations to front line, consisting of four pairs for each group.

2. The object of these lines is twofold:-

(a). For purposes of forward observation during wire cutting.

(b). To form advanced telephone terminals from which lines would be run in the event of an advance.

3. Suitable observation posts for front line wire, and ground visible from them are also shown on tracing.

4. The front terminals are situated at the advanced Battalion Headquarters, and consequently will be available for use of Liaison Officers during assault.

5. Group Commanders should decide which of their main observation stations they wish connected with forward lines respectively.  Decisions arrived at to be communicated to O.C. Signals, 18^th Div through Group Signalling Officer.

(Sd.) A.F. Brooke

Capt., R.A.

Brigade Major, 18^th Div. Artillery

7/6/16

O.C. Signals,

18^th Division.

For your information

A.F. Brooke

Capt R.A.

Brigade Major 18^th Div Artillery.

7/6/16

SECRET

151 Artillery

Reference para. 18 of the Scheme.

151^st Brigade will not go forward as a Brigade but probably by Sections or single batteries.

These sections or batteries will act on their own keeping in close touch with the Infantry.

Communication should also be gained as soon as possible with Group H.Q.s

****

Major

7-6-1916                                                                                                                         Brigade Major 30^th Divisional Artillery

18^th Division NoZ.85

SECRET

53^rd Infantry Brigade

54^th Infantry Brigade

55^th Infantry Brigade

Royal Artillery

The following definition of “Zero time” and with a notes regarding artillery “lifts” are is forwarded for your information.

1. Zero time to be at the hour named, by which time our Infantry is to be in an irregular line, lying down within 60 yards of Bosch wire.

1. All previously announced hours for “lifts” are liable to alteration before the day and all ranks must be quick to learn new times.

A.Byant

June 8^th 1916                                                                                       Lieut-Colonel.

Senior General Staff Officer, 18^th Division.