Monthly Archives: June 2016

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Feb 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

 

Sunday February 14th 1915

R.P.

“I am Divisional Orderly Officer tonight, and have to sleep in the General’s Office near the entrance to the barracks. I am the only officer left in the Battery, as the others are away on courses, one at Aldershot, and the other at Woolwich.  Part of the Divisional Artillery have moved to huts at Ipswich, the Dexters with them.  I do not envy them in this weather, which is awful.  The Saturday’s half-holiday has been cancelled now, and the work has been stiffened up a lot.

 

Tuesday February 24 1915.   (?)

R.P.

“The scare here now is German air ships. I am on duty every forth night as Divisional Orderly Officer, and there has been a lot of night work lately.  One day I went by road to Ipswich with six guns and full teams.  Another day we had night trench digging.  Other days our time is occupied in gun drill, ranging practices, and reconnaissance rides.

 

My routine for the last few hours has been: last night in the General’s office, when some business turned up which kept me occupied till after midnight. Next morning at 6.30 am stables, breakfast at 8, a.m.  Parade 8.40 a.m.  Brigade ride to various battery positions with Colonel Lushington from 9 to 12 noon.  Demonstration Section Gun Drill noon to 1, p.m.  Lunch at 1, p.m. Battery Parade at 1.40 p.m.  Officer’s Standing Gun Drill from 2 to 3, p.m.  Men’s rifle and marching drill 3 to 4.30 p.m.  Stables 5 to 6 p.m. Battery accounts at 7 p.m.  Dinner 7.30 p.m.  After dinner I read Battery, Brigade, Divisional, Eastern Command and War Office Daily Orders.

 

On Sunday we had Church Parade. Then the Colonel found some dirty harness, and he ordered harness cleaning from 6 to 8 p.m.

 

Then at a late hour we had the excitement of the bomb bursting near by, which we may consider our baptism of fire.

 

It was quite a good shot for our barracks. The bomb fell just between the lower corner of the Artillery Barracks where our Battery has its quarters and the road in which I am billeted.  A portion of the bomb was found in this road, and mine host declares that a portion of lead from his roof came down.  I was not in my billet at the time, but was in another part of the town, so I did not hear much of the noise.

To night there is not a light to be seen anywhere. I hear a rumour that there are seven airships over Ipswich, but I have my doubts.

 

The other morning in the dim light of dawn I had to go down to the station to detrain a large number of kicking horses, which made me tear my hair until I managed to see the funny side of it, but my sense of humour took a long time to operate.  Now we have a lot of vicious mules for the Ammunition Column, and some of the Battery wagons.

 

I expect leave will be hard to get now in case of emergency parades.

 

The 10th Fusiliers move tomorrow to Andover.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Jan 1915

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

 

1915

 

January 10 1915

R.P.

“Today I am Brigade Orderly Officer, so I have to sleep in Officer’s Quarters as the other officers in the Battery are away I am extra busy.  The weather is dreadful here.

I have seen Dick Pelly, who is Chaplain here. Influenza is rampant here.  According to the doctors one in five have the complaint.  We shall be a very small army if the Germans land on the coast.

 

The other morning I had to get up at 4.30 am to see two lots of men off at the station on leave. It meant riding to and from the station four times.

 

I hear that our Brigade is to go into huts at Reed Hall, two miles out of the town, probably at the end of this month.

 

There are rumours tonight of air ships over London.  I hope it is not true for your sake.

 

We are hoping to get our new guns soon. It is about time too.  Then it will seem more like business.  We have a lot of new Canadian horses, but they are not exactly pleasant rides.

 

January 19 1915

R.P.

Maldon House

Wellesley Road,

Colchester.

 

“One day last week I motored to Clacton for dinner.  The place was in complete darkness.  It was most strange.  There were no lights showing at all.  Now I have a bad cold.

 

On Sunday morning I motored up to town to see some men off to the Front, and when I got back I was bundled off to bed, and no less three doctors came to see me. I slept all day yesterday, and now my temperature is normal.  I hope to be out again tomorrow.  Dick Pelly has been in to see me tonight, and yesterday my visitors were the three doctors.  It is lucky we have not to pay for their visits.  My host and hostess are looking after me very well indeed.

 

Monday January 25 1915.

R.P.

“Last night saw me back in Colchester.  One officer is away at Shoeburyness on a course, and one officer has left us altogether, so we are shorthanded.

 

Tomorrow Capt Farmer and another officer and myself will be away all day on a Reconnaissance Ride. The mud here is worse than ever.

 

Give my kind regards to Amy Mac when she turns up.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Dec 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

December1914

 

December 9 1914

R.P.

“We have guns, but only old 15 pounders, very ancient. At last the men in our battery  have got khaki, and they look much smarter.  The convict blue was really terrible.

 

I see that Vyvyan is gazetted today in the “Times” to the R.F.A.   He will not come to this division.

 

December 20, 1914.

 

Everything is alright. Leave for various and very secret reasons has been cancelled.  I suppose I had better not be more explicit now.  Leave is supposed to reopen with luck on Wednesday next.  Then I hope to get home again.  Our train was full of angry officers called back from their homes.  I was so sorry to give you such a fright, but I suppose one must expect such things to happen now, especially with such windy old dug-outs in charge.  I hope the congregation did not think that the Germans had landed.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Nov 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

November 1914

 

1

Nov 13th 1914

 

 

Sir,

I desire to apply for leave from 12, noon on Saturday, November, 14th 1914, to midnight on Sunday November, 15th 1914.

I have the honour to be,

Your obedient servant

A.A. LAPRORT Payne

2/Lieut R.F.A.

 

O.C. 260th Battery

R.F.A. Colchester

II

Forwarded and recommended

H.F.T. Blowey

Lieut R.F.A.

O.C. 260th Battery R.F.A.

 

To O.C. 83rd Brigade R.F.A.

Colchester

3

  1. Commanding 260th Battery R.F.A.

Returned. Brigade Order No. 145 has not been complied with

  1. Hanna

Colonel R.F.A.

Commanding 83rd Brigade R.F.A.

Colchester, 13.11.14

 

Monday November 16 1914

R.P.

“Tomorrow I hope to go into a billet. It will only cost me threepence a day over the amount I am allowed for living out, which is 4/9 per day.

 

November 27

 

“We have a new Battery Commander, the last having left for France to join the Royal Flying Corps.

 

My host’s brother, Major Chopping R.A.M.C. has arrived tonight from Ypres for a short holiday of 3 days.  He has told me a great deal of interesting information.  He says that our troops can only hold the Germans for the present, and nothing further.  The men are worn out with constant marching & fighting.

 

I see Huntriss, whom I knew at Salisbury, has been wounded.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne War October 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

October1914

 

October 2, 1914

R.P.

Alton,

Links Road,

Epsom

“We have actually been paid, 15 shillings each, a ten shilling note and a five shilling postal order. What a lot of work, drill, and being messed about, for those few shillings.  It is drill all day long with long route marches thrown in, and it gets rather boring, for we have no arms or uniform yet.

 

War Office, Whitehall, S.W.

3.10.14

Dear Payne,

I am sorry you could not find a vacancy in either Middlesex Battalion, but we did our best.

I am sure you were wise to accept a Gunner Commission. You will pick up the riding part of it very soon, and you will make a first class artilleryman.  In a few months, in fact, you will despise all footsloggers!

If you find later you don’t care for the work, you can work a transfer to the Line through your Divisional General.

In haste,

Lancelot Storr.

 

War Office

6.10.14.

Dear Payne,

I think you may get to the front just as soon with R.F.A., and you were wise to accept the offer of a temporary commission. Our casualties in the artillery are very heavy.

The main thing is to get to work as soon as possible.

The rest a Greek quote.

Yours sincerely

Lancelot Storr.

 

112/ARTILLERY/1993. (A.G.6)                                                                   War Office

LONDON S.W.

10th October 1914

 

Sir,

I am directed to inform you, that, on appointment to a temporary Second Lieutenancy in the Royal Field Artillery you have been posted to the 18th Divisional Artillery and should apply in writing at once, to the General Officer Commanding 18th Division Colchester for instructions regarding the unit and the station you are to join.

You should at once communicate your address to your regimental agents, Messrs Cox & Co., 16, Charing Cross, S.W., and keep them informed of any change of address, so that orders may readily be communicated to you.

You are requested to acknowledge the receipt of this letter and to return the attached “NEXT OF KIN” form completed, to the War Office.

I am,

Sir.

Your obedient Servant.

Arthur Young,

Lieut. Colonel,

for Major General,

director of Personal Services.

 

2nd Lieutenant A.A. Laporte Payne

Royal Field Artillery

Christchurch Vicarage,

North Finchley

N.

 

War Office.

Whitehall

S.W.

12.10.14

 

Dear Payne,

 

I think for various reasons you should join the Infantry; that you’re your first posting, and the second posting was evidently made in error. Also, there is the question of finance; although for the period of the war I don’t think one Arm will be more expensive than another.

My own tailors are John Morgan, 5, Albemarle Street; they are good but expensive.  I have also had things made by J and G Ross, 32, Old Bond Street, who are less extortionate and have done me well.

Yours

Lancelot Storr.

 

From, O.C. ROYAL ARTILLERY

18 DIVISION

COLCHESTER

October 13 1914

 

MEMORANDUM,

Ref. your letter dated 12th October 1914.

Will you please join as soon as possible at Colchester.

The uniform necessary for you to have on joining is:-

Cap.

1 Suit Service Dress,

Khaki Shirt,

“     Tie,

Boots and spurs,

Sam Browne belt if possible.

 

H.F. Salt,

Captain, R.F.A.

A/Bde. Major, R.A. 18th Division.

 

FIELD KITS OF MOUNTED SERVICES.

 

  1. WORN BY THE OFFICER.

Boots, field     pair 1.

Braces             “   1.

Cap, service dress, with badge 1.

Disc, identity, with cord.

Socks               pair 1.

Suit, service dress (jacket and riding breeches)

Shirt, drab flannel, with collar 1.

Spurs               pair 1.

Tie, drab                 1.

Underclothing, suit.

 

  1. OTHER PERSONAL EFFECTS.

Books Army Book 155 Field service pocket book.

Cap, comforter (in pocket of greatcoat)

Compass, magnetic, pocket (or prismatic in case)

Cutters, wire (in wallets.) pair

Dressing, field (in skirt of jacket)

Glasses (binoculars or telescope, or both in one case)

Slung from left shoulder or worn on belt

Grease (or Vaseline) in wallets tin 1.

Greatcoat 1. Rolled, 26 ins long behind saddle.

Handkerchief              1

Holdall (in wallets), containing knife, fork and spoon hairbrush and combe, toothbrush, shaving brush and razor.

Knife, clasp, with ring and swivel 1

Matches, box 1.

Soap (in wallets) piece 1.

Socks pair 1.

Towel       1.

Watch (in wrist strap)

Whistle and lanyard.

 

  1. ACCOUTREMENTS.

Belt “Sam Browne” (waist belt, 2 shoulder belts, ammunition pouch and pistol case and sword frog.)

Haversack

Mess-tin

Sword knot

Water-bottle (aluminium) and sling.

 

  1. ARMS.

Pistol (no special pattern, but must carry Government ammunition.) On left side of S.B. belt.

Sword. On nearshoe case, edge to rear.

Scabbard, leather.

 

  1. AMMUNITION.

Cartridges, S.A. ball, pistol, Webley, rounds 12.

 

CARRIED IN TRANSPORT TRAIN.

The total weights (excluding articles in camp kettles) of 50 lbs. for a commanding officer and 35 lbs. for other officers must not be exceeded.

Valise, Wolseley.

Boots, field.

Buckets, canvass

Housewife

Lantern, collapsible with talc sides.

Portfolio with writing materials

Shoes, canvas

Socks

Suit, service dress

Shirt, drab, flannel.

Towels.

Tie, drab.

Underclothing.

 

One Camp Kettle is allowed for every three officers who pack into it each, cup, enamelled plates, enamelled, pots, pepper, salt.

Note. Officers may leave at the base a bullock trunk packed with 100 lbs of personal baggage. This reserve baggage will be forwarded only when it may be deemed convenient to the service by the Commander In Chief.

 

(Scott and Son of 83 Regent Street write that they are making most of the R.A. kits! and offer to supply a drab whipcord service jacket, pair of collar badges and 1 pair stars for £3.15.6 and a Sam Browne Belt complete with holster and pouch for £2.5.6 and a sword, best proved blade with scabbard from five guineas. Field Kit complete for £7.10.0.  Prices for cash, fit and regulation guaranteed.)

 

18th DIVISION

COLCHESTER

 

C.R.A                                      Colonel English

O.C. 83rd Brigade R.F.A.        Major Robertson

260th Battery O.C.                  Gardner.

 

October 19 1914

R.P.

Royal Field Artillery

Colchester

 

“I have arrived here alright, and find my abode in a tent in front of the Gunner Mess. I have already met several men I know, and a friend of Reg’s named Dennis.  The two Dexters are here also.

 

Nov 9th. “still under canvass.”

 

FRIDAY OCTOBER 23 1914

 

R.P.

 

“In this Division at present there are about 50 Second Lieuts including several Oxford & Cambridge men.

I have been posted to the 260th Battery, and I found it possessed only one officer, a second lieut of two months standing who was in command.  He is usually is away, so I was told to carry on.  I did what I could, which was precious little.  I was horribly embarrassed.

The result is that here I am in command of 270 untrained men, trying to teach them marching drill, about which I know nothing at all. Route marching is easier.  We rise at 6 a.m., and at 7 I go on to the parade ground having previously looked up a few words of command in the book called Field Artillery Training.  Since I arrived two other subalterns have arrived, who know less than I do, if that is possible.  Now I can divide the battery up into two sections, which I hand over to the two subalterns, while I look on and wisely criticise.  Then when I have bucked up sufficient courage I join the two sections and drill the whole battery.

The first morning I was on parade was terrifying, but really most amusing.  I was all alone,  did not know any drill at all.  I used to know a little infantry drill, but this is quite different.

 

So when I wanted to advance my knowledge I marched the men about and when their backs were turned towards me, I secretly looked at the drill book.  Then I gave the next order.  So I learn, if the men do not.  Then one day to my horror General Maxse came past when I was in the midst of perpetrating my deceptions.  I managed to give the battery the order to “eyes right” and then almost collapsed.  Maxse hates subalterns, and gunner subalterns most of all.  I wonder what he thought of it all.  No doubt he made great fun of us over his port at night.  However we mean well, and I would not mind betting he never commanded a battery of men knowing no drill on the first day he put on H.M.s uniform

 

Though there are several horses here, we in our battery have none yet. We are hoping for some soon.  Then we shall have some fun.

 

As there is no accommodation for us in the Officers’ Mess, so another fellow and I have found a very decent family to provide us with three meals a day for one guinea a week each. The meals are quite good, including a four course dinner, three course lunch and breakfast.  We are still in tents, but it is not very cold.

 

Week-end leave is impossible. Colonel English is dead against such relaxations, as the men cannot get away too.  Today I paid the troops, and every day I have to inspect Kit, barrack rooms and tents.  As I do not know in the slightest what to look for I do not suppose my inspections are of much use.

 

Parades are 7 to 8,a.m. 9 to 12.15,p.m.;  2 to 4.15 p.m with a lectures for officers at 5.30 p.m.  Then we are supposed to work at night, but by then we are pretty tired.  The only regular officers here are Colonels commanding Brigades, and then they are dug-outs.  All the rest are new subalterns.

 

The 18th Divisional Artillery is commanded by Colonel English.  There are four Brigades.  Mine is the 83rd under Major Richardson.  Each Brigade is composed of three Batteries.  I am in 260th under Lieut Gardner, a Cambridge man.

 

The batteries are divided “into sections” of two guns each commanded by a subaltern, or four sub sections, each in charge of a sergeant.

 

Tomorrow we hope to start driving drill on our flat feet. It will probably turn into a fearful Harry Tate mess.

 

I can see we shall be here for ages. We require a tremendous amount of training, especially as we are gunners.

 

There is some talk of going into huts at Ipswich, and I shall have to go to Woolwich and Shoeburyness for training.

 

We are being inoculated by batches. My turn is to come.  Well it is all very interesting but bewildering.

 

The life is so strange. I feel like a silly little boy at a vast public school for the first time.  I suppose I shall get used to it some day.

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne Sept 1914

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

Extracted from

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda &

Correspondence

—————–

 

September 1914

 

UNIVERSITIES & PUBLIC SCHOOLS FORCES

ROYAL FUSILIERS

 

EPSOM September, 1914

 

1st Battalion, No 1 Company, Section 4.

 

J.P.D. Clarke.  Sergt.   “Long John”    C.C.C. Camb X

Williams          “Bimph”                                  X

Osborne           “Ossy”

Harry Richards            “Loose Lizzy”

Roland Richards         “Rolly”                                    X

E.C. Collins                 “Lottie”           C.C.C. Camb

P.D. Gilmour Ellis       “Gil”

A.A. Laporte Payne    “Algy”             C.C.C. Camb

 

———————–

 

September 20 1914

R.P.

Sunday

Alton

Links Road

Epsom

“I was first of all billeted in a public house with three other men. When in the town later I met a friend who said he was in a palace, so I got leave from a Special Constable to move there.  On the next day, most unfortunately, we were re-billeted by companies, and we have landed up in a much smaller house and the food is not nearly as good.  But eight of us all friends are billeted together in two adjacent houses.  It is great fun.  I have met several men I know.  There are 3500 of us here now.  I dined out this evening with Richards at the house of friends of his, named Mountain.

 

SEPTEMBER 24th 1914

 

Having obtained leave of absence I called on Major C. Lancelot Storr, Rom 206, War Office, who took details of such qualifications as I had, and said he would do what he could. He informed me that the application from Cambridge University had been mislaid, but that he would put a fresh application for a commission through for me.

 

I obtained leave to go to town by saying that the War Office wanted to interview me. So a full blown private marched boldly into the “Holy of Holies, armed with a sheet of foolscap on which I had set out my name, age, school, University, degree honours, cadet corps service, and the fact that I had been for four weeks or so a private in H.M. Army.

 

I received the advice from an old soldier that “ the thing to do is to make the most of yourself, and not belittle your achievements. Humility does not pay in the army.”

 

 

September 24th 1914

PUBLIC SCHOOL BRIGADE

ROYAL FUSILIERS

 

Private A.A.L. Payne has leave of absence until 10 p.m. September, 24th 1914

 

H.E. Bowes Lyon

O.C. No 1 Company,

No 1 Battalion.

 

 

W.L.P.

“Colonel Griffin ….. is wondering what the War Office have done for you today, and says if you would like a commission in his battalion, the 11th Middlesex Regiment, write to the Officer Commanding this regiment, Hydrabad Barracks, Colchester, and ask for a commission as a 2/Lieut.  State all qualifications.  There is at present one vacancy for a 2nd Lieut. And one or two vacancies in the 12th and 13th Battalions.

Our love to you, my son. May the right decision be clear.  I esteem your prompt response to the call of duty.  The strongest fortress of prayer is yours.

Your affectionate Father.

 

Form M.T. 397                                                                        WAR OFFICE

LONDON, S.W.

25th September 1914

 

Sir,

With reference to your application for appointment to the Special Reserve of Officers, I am directed to inform you that the applications for such appointments already received are far in excess of the vacancies available. It has therefore not been practicable to grant you a commission in the Special Reserve.

I am to say, however, that your name has been placed on a waiting list of candidates for appointment to a temporary regular commission for the period of the war, and you will be duly informed if, and when, there is a vacancy to which you can be appointed.

If you are desirous of taking up such an appointment it will not be necessary for you (or any other person on your behalf) to address any further communication to this Office on the subject. Owing to pressure of work it will not be practicable to reply to such communication if sent.

If, however, you do not wish to be appointed to a temporary regular commission you should at once notify the fact to this Office.

 

I am,

Sir,

Your Obedient Servant,

  1. Grant, Captain

for Director of Military Training.

 

Secretary of State for War.                                                                 War Office,

Whitehall,

S.W.

25 Sept 1914

 

Dear Mr. Payne,

I have handed your application personally to the Assistant Military Secretary, so I hope you will be fixed up before long. You may have to wait a week or two.

In the meantime, get Major Griffin to apply officially for you to go to him directly you are gazetted and ask him to address the envelope to me by name to save time. Let me hear if you are not fixed up, say, in 3 weeks time.

Very truly yours

  1. Storr.

Colchester

28.9.14

Sir,

As I have no vacancies for officers in my battalion I have forwarded your letter to Colonel Glover, commanding 12th Middlesex Regiment.

Yours faithfully

W.D. Ingle

Lieut. Colonel

Comdg. 11th Middlesex Regt.

 

Form M.T. 426 (M.T. 3)                                                                      WAR OFFICE

LONDON S.W.

30th September, 1914.

Sir,

I am directed to inform you that your application for an appointment to a Temporary Commission in the Regular Army has been received. The Cavalry List is full at present.  Will you kindly state by return if possible, whether you desire to be considered for appointment to a Temporary Commission in the Royal Field Artillery.

Please state exactly what previous military experience you have had and also what standard of riding you have attained. If you have hunted state for how many seasons and with what pack etc.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant

E.B. CLIVE Capt.

for Director of Military Training.

18th Division Z. 101/1 15 June 1916

18th Division Z. 101/1

SECRET

7th Division

30th Division

Royal Artillery

53rd Brigade

54th Brigade

55th Brigade

 

The following amendments to 18th Division No Z.101 dated 14th instant are published:-

Page 1, cancel para 1 and substitute.

  • To secure and consolidate the line running from the Railway at A.3.c.8.6. to the junction of DUGOUT trench and BRESLAU ALLEY, thence North East up BRESLAU ALLEY to the junction of trenches at A.3.c.15.72., thence along the trench joining BRESLAU ALLEY with MINE ALLEY, thence by points 2258, 6159, POMMIERS LANE, POMMIERS REDOUBT to junction of trenches F.6.a.70.10. and to hold them at any cost for a prolonged period against counter attack. (2) To consolidate the trench from MONTAUBAN through S.26.d. and c. (MONTAUBAN ALLEY) and BEETLE TRENCH.  (3) To secure and consolidate the line running from the Western corner of MONTAUBAN as far E. as Divisional Boundary, thence westwards to trench junction as S.27.c.1.7. and along to junction of trenches at S.26.d.7.6., thence Northwards along trench to about S.26.b.5.4. thence Westwards along the spur through S.26.a.8.3. and S.25.a.2.2., trench to join up with right of 7th Division near S.25.b.3.0.  A t latter point a strong point is to be constructed immediately it is gained; the 7th Division will construct 4 strong points to the west of this and to the south of the crest of the ridge, roughly along the line S.25.b.3.0 to about X.29.d.9.10.  (between S.25.b. and d. and between X.30.a. and c.).

 

Page 2 para 5, L ines 13 and 14 should read:- “Each Brigade has 2 sections R.E. Field Company and 2 Platoons Pioneers definitely allotted to it for its interior requirements.”

 

 

 

Major,

for Lieut. Colonel.

Senior General Staff Officer, 18th Division.

June 15th 1916

8th DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY 8th DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY 15 June 1916

APPENDIX OO/10

 

SECRET.                                                                                                     Copy No 15

 

8th DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY

OPERATION ORDER No 10.

———————————————

 

15th June 1916.

 

 

  1. The moves as in attached March Table will take place between June 17th and June 23rd.

 

  1. Wagon lines of the 86th Brigade R.F.A. and A/89 Battery R.F.A. will be at E.2. a & b.

 

  1. Batteries of 86th Brigade R.F.A. and A/89 battery will send a guide to meet their batteries at road junction V.29.d.7.3.

 

  1. A guide will meet the 89th Brigade, R.F.A. at the CHATEAU HENENCOURT.

 

  1. Progress of moves to be reported to Divisional Artillery Headquarters.

 

  1. Acknowledge.

 

C.R. Gover Major R.A.

Brigade Major 8th Divnl. Arty.

Issued at 1.0 p.m.

 

Copies to:-

1 86th Bde R.F.A.

2 88th     “

3 89th     “

4 33rd   “

5 45th   “

6 5th   “ R.H.A.

7 8th Divn.

8 A.D.V.S.

9 Signal Coy.

10 A.D.M.S.

11 S.S.O.

12 Divnl Train

13 19th Div Arty.

14 3rd Corps R.A.

8 Div. Arty. Movement Order 15 June 1916

TABLE “A”

 

DATE.                        UNIT.               FROM .                    TO.                              ROUTE.                                                          REMARKS.

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

Night               33rd Bty (1 Sect)          X.25.c.8.5.                  W.24.c.6.4.                                                                              No move before 10 p.m.

17/18th             36th   “         “               X.25.c.8.5.                  W.24.c.3.7.                                                                                          ditto

D/86  “ R.F.A. (Hows)  BAIZIEUX              W.18.b.7.0.     HENENCOURT – MILLENCOURT                        Not to pass the road

– EMERGENCY Road No 1.                         junction V.29.d.7.3.                                                                                                                                                                                                    before  10.30 pm.

A/86 Bty R.F.A.         BAIZIEUX                W.12.d.2.6                     ditto                                                             ditto

Night               B/86Bty R.F.A.          BAIZIEUX                W.12.d.3.1.                    ditto                                                 To leave BAIZIEUX at

18/19th                                                                                                                                                                                     9.0 p.m.

A89   “      “                ditto                            W.18.b.6.2.                    ditto                                                 To leave BAIZIEUX at

9.30 p.m.

Night               C/86 Bty R.F.A.         ditto                            W.18.d.2.8.                 ditto                                                  To leave BAIZIEUX at

19/20th                                                                                                                                                                                     9.45 p.m.

45th Bde. R.F.A.         HENENCOURT        BRICKWORKS         MILLENCOURT –                          To leave HENENCOURT

(Wagon lines)              WOOD                       (W.22)                         EMERGENCY Road No 1                WOOD at 9.0 p.m.

 

33rd Bde. R.F.A.            ditto                                    QUARRY                      ditto                                              To leave HENENCOURT

(Wagon lines)                                                  W.27.b                                                                                                WOOD at 9.15 p.m.

 

5th Bde R.H.A.                           ditto                         E.2.a & b.                    ditto                                             To leave HENNENCOURT

(Wagon lines)                                                                                                                                                  WOOD at 9.30 p.m.

 

Night               89th Bde R.F.A.          HENENCOURT        LONG VALLEY       BAIZIEUX – HENENCOURT            Not to pass road junction

23/24th             (less 1 Battery and D/88 Battery W.19d/20.c.           – Road Junction V.29.c.6.4.                                        V.29.c.6.4. before 10.30                                             R.F.A. (Hows)                                   – Cross roads V.24.c.                                                            p.m.

  • EMENGENCY Road No 3.

APPENDIX “A” 14 June 1916

APPENDIX “A”

 

WIRE CUTTING

 

  1. Wire cutting will be carried out by five 18-pounder batteries from each Group, assisted by the Medium Trench Mortars.

 

  1. Since it is inadvisable to disclose the positions of the trench mortars too early in the bombardment, they will not open fire till the second day. The 2nd and 3rd days will consequently be allotted to them for wire cutting, and they will endeavour to cut the wire on the front and second lines opposite Left and Centre Groups, and on the first line opposite the Right Group.

 

  1. On the fourth day the 18 pounders will engage any wire on these trenches left uncut by the trench mortars.

 

  1. Each 18-pounder battery will have a narrow strip of front allotted to it. These strips vary from 100 to 200 yards in breadth.

 

  1. Each battery will be responsible for cutting the wire within the strip allotted to it.
  2. To obviate batteries interfering with each other during the wire cutting, special hours will be allotted to batteries thus:-Example

6 a.m. to 9a.m. Batteries 1 and 2 for each Group

9 a.m. to 12 noon Batteries 2 and 4 for each Group

13 noon to 3 p.m. Batteries 5 for each Group.

  1. Each Battery at night will be responsible for prevention of repair of wire on its own portion of front, and will fire bursts of fire at irregular intervals in accordance with instructions to be issued by Group Commanders.
  2. During the bombardment to support the assault each battery will be responsible for the same strip of front, and will carry out the necessary lifts within the strip allotted to it. Consequently, all registrations obtained during wire cutting should be carefully noted by Battery Commanders, and will act as part of the registrations necessary for the bombardment to support the assault.
  3. It will be left to Group Commanders to make any necessary small adjustments in the distribution of wire to be cut within their groups. They will also be responsible that portions of the wire are not overlooked and that they communicate with the Infantry patrols which go out to examine Artillery results.
  4. In engaging any portion of wire each battery will, in the first place endeavour to cut a lane right through the wire, and will subsequently widen the gap made.
  5. The object of allotting strips of front to each battery may be taken as threefold:-

(a) To assist in the distribution of wire cutting tasks to batteries.

(b) To facilitate the destruction of trenches to be engaged by batteries during the assault.

(c) To allot fronts to batteries, such that at any time during or after the assault, an effective barrage may be established on any line of trenches.