Secret                                                                                                  COPY NO.

Ref: Map

VIMY 1/10,000

9^TH CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE Operation Order No 64

By

Lieut. Col. H.G. Carscallen Comdg

22.4.17

INFORMATION       1. The 5^th Division on the left of the 3^rd Canadian Division will carry out an attack on the German line from T.2.c. to SOUCHEZ RIVER.

FIRST OBJECTIVE. Enemy’s trench from T.2.c.9.2. thence along the support line of THELUS-VIMY line to FOSSE 7 (T.1.b.1.5.)

SECOND OBJECTIVE. A line from houses in T.2.d.0.5. approximately parallel to the First Objective to Trench Junction in T.1.b.5.4. thence northerly along trench to houses in T.1.b.5.9., thence to road and embankment junction in N.31.c.9.8., thence to the SOUCHEZ RIVER, including Electric Generating Station.

The 8^th Canadian Infantry Brigade will co-operate by advancing its left flank from T.5.a.5.3. to protect the right of the 5^th Division at about T.2.d.0.5.

TASKS                       2.  In view of the above operation the following tasks will be carried out by the 4.5 Howitzer batteries of the GROUP.

• 36^th Battery and 43^rd Battery.

9.30 p.m. to 9.40 p.m. on the 22^nd instant.  AVION in N.32.c. – rate of fire normal.  The 36^th Battery will take the North one third of Square and the 43^rd Bty the South two thirds.

(b) The 36^th Battery and 43^rd Battery will each fire 75 rounds into Group of houses T.2.b.2.0 before 2.00 p.m. on the 22^nd instant.

(c) During assault the 36^th and 43^rd Batteries will engage houses on main LENS-ARRAS ROAD in T.2.b. and d. within safety limits of the assaulting infantry and will also engage the MERICOURT-AVION SWITCH and houses of AVION in N.33.c.

Details will be issued later.

3. The batteries not engaged in the operation will carry out a feint attack which will take the form of a creeping barrage of all available 18-pdrs firing at normal rate. Further details of this barrage will be issued later.

NOTE: The artillery of 1^st and 2^nd Canadian Divisions will carry out a similar feint attack of their respective fronts.

4. All the batteries may be called upon to fire on enemy trenches in T.2.b. and d. and T.3.c.

5. Ammunition dump at gun positions to be increased to at least 400 rounds per gun and how. by night of 22^nd/23^rd

6. Zero hour will probably be about dawn on the 23^rd
7. Watches will be synchronized with Group Headquarters.

H.G. Carscallen

Lieut. Col

Comdg CARSCALLEN’S GROUP

Issued at     p.m.

Copy 2 to 32^nd Battery, 4 to O.C. 39^th Battery

3 to 33^rd Battery, 5 to O.C. 45^th Battery

6 to 36^th Battery, 7 to O.C. 43^rd Battery

8, 9, 10 WAR DIARY

A.A. Laporte Payne letter 21 April 1917

B.E.F.

France.

April 21^st 1917

My own darling,

Now that it is all over it seems like a delicious dream that could not possibly be true, but if it were so I should be very miserable indeed.

It is perfectly horrid to be back here again – it is bad enough in the ordinary course of events but it is infinitely worse now. I miss you very much darling and the times when I could carry you off to town or elsewhere and be alone with you.

How are you keeping? I do hope your cold has not got worse and that you are rested after a very exciting nine days.  Have the blue lines under your eyes gone?

I want to thank you ever so much, dear, for being so kind during my leave, giving me so much of your time and all else I wanted. You have quite spoilt me you know and the Gods have been very kind too haven’t they?

Probably you thought I was very quiet and moody at times. You must forgive me.  It was so unexpected getting your peoples assent that it quite took my breath away and then latterly I had the thought of leaving you always in my mind which is very silly when one is enjoying oneself at the time as I did then.

However I have you to live for now and the time when I can see you next. What more can a man want than to make you happy if it is within his power.

I am simply longing for your first letter, and considering what you will say – your first letter after our engagement. I found your letter awaiting me here.  It was a delightful one.  Thank you so much for it.  The cake arrived safely but was used by the mess as is the rule – so alas! I came in for none of it – but I got what was not to be compared with it didn’t I?

I arrived safely this evening after two long days on the way. Everything is as usual here.  We are still in the old place.  The horses are looking very nice but the Boche has dropped some shells very near the stables – the brutes.

The Colonel professed himself pleased to see me back. He is in fairly good form except for a cold.  It was not at all to my liking to have you on Thursday evening.  I was really miserable for once.  When I left you I went for my bag and coat and took the tram to Golders Green & then tube to Victoria.  I stayed the night at the Grosvenor Hotel and was up at 6 a.m.  After breakfast I went to the station early thinking to get a nice corner seat – forgetting all my usual precautions – I must be badly in love – I had hardly got into the station when a major in a brass hat stopped me and said “Leave or Duty” and like a fool I said “Leave” – so he said “I want you” & gave me a paper.  I knew what that meant.  The paper informed me I was in charge of 200 – 300 men for the journey across.  You can imagine my annoyance.  My party was detailed to go by the second train leaving about ¾ hour after the first.  I travelled in a Pulman alone (!) with another officer cursing my fate for I had visions of marching to a rest camp outside Boulogne.  At Folkestone we arrived just in time to see the leave boat going out with the first train load, & that meant a day in Folkestone.  I marched the men to the Rest Camp, which was a tin enclosure, happily close to the pier and left them there until 5.15 p.m.  I went & called on a friend – a parson – Offer by name and had lunch with him.  Then called on General Marsh & family, whom I had not seen for a long time.  I found one daughter just married, another ill and one a widow quite recently.  Leaving them I went to tea with Mrs. Sherbrook, a dear old lady – the mother of several officers – one of them a colonel of 29 years.  She was entertaining some wounded to tea.  One young fellow was wounded near us on the Somme, and had lost a leg & was only just recovering from blindness, the result of shock.

The boat left about 6.30 p.m. We had dinner on board, and I read “The Morals of Marcus Odeyne” by Locke.  At 8.45 p.m. we arrived at Boulogne and I stayed at the Metropole Hotel with another fellow I knew.  Luckily I was able to hand over the men on the pier at Boulogne so I was free.  We started next morning at 9.45, a.m. and travelled via Calais, where we had 2 hours for lunch, St. Omer, Hazebrouck etc to within 10 miles of my destination and then rode up to Headquarters arriving here at 8 p.m. this evening just in time for dinner.

Yesterday was a glorious day. I thought it would be fine as soon as I came away – but I don’t mind because I could not possibly have had a better time.

How did the Canteen go off? I hope you were not very weary.  Let me know all about your concert.  I suppose Mr. Cross leaves on Monday for a short holiday.  I hope his cold is better.  What a lot I have to thank him for this leave.

This letter can’t go until tomorrow so I don’t know when you will get it. I am sorry it is so long before you will hear, but I was unable to get a censor stamp on the way up and so could not send anything but a Field Post Card which I did not wish to send.

I must close now as I want to get a bit straight before I go to bed. I am rather tired as you can imagine.

You are thinking of me sometimes, I know, dearest and that cheers me up a lot. I shall always remember you as I last saw you, looking down the steps as I said goodbye with the light in the hall shining behind you.

Please give my love to Mrs. Cross – kindest regards to Mrs. Lowe – I hope the lady is well – (I forgot for the moment that she is leaving on Monday)

With all my love to you darling & many kisses & thank you very much for making my leave so happy.

Good night

Ever your own

Archie.

No 27521
Pte. A.A. Smith
10th Essex Regt.
‘C’ Company
No 10 Platoon
B.E.F. France

April 20th 17

Dear Father

Many thanks for the two Pictorials; sorry I have not written before, but time goes so quickly; we left our old camp yesterday gone to live *** up & I missed the post to-day so that makes two days delay.
Glad to say the weather is much better now, I hope it will keep so. The band is playing at present it makes one think that the war is over but I don’t think it is far off now.
Have just received a letter from Ciss you have to pay a tidy price for beer now you ought to come over here 1 d a glass but you would not get drunk on it; am glad you spent Easter with them it made a nice change.
In one of my previous letters I asked you to send on Albert Taylor’s address if you knew it perhaps you did not receive it have you heard from of him lately.
Cannot think of any more news so must finish now.
Hoping you are all in the best of health pleased to say I am tres bien.
With much love from
Your devoted
Son

P.S. Don’t forget the Harrisons Pomade when you send another parcel.

9^th Canadian Artillery Brigade Operation Order 63 15 April 1917

SECRET                                                                                 COPY NO.

REF: Map VIMY 1/10,000

ROUVROY 1/10,000

9^TH CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE

Operation Order No 63

By

Lieut. Col. H.G. Carscallen Comdg

15.4.17

INFORMATION       1.  The enemy is holding the OPPY-MERICOURT-VENDIN line and ARLEUX LOOP.

The 3^rd Canadian Division with the 9^th C.I.B. in the line and the 7^th and 8^th C.I.B. in reserve are consolidating a line running from T.15.b.3.8. – T.8. central – T.1.b.0.0.

The 9^th Canadian Infantry Brigade are at present disposed as follows:-.

1 Battalion in above line.

1 Battalion on line VIMY Station (Exclusive).

T.13.d.central – S.18.central (LA CHAUDIERE)

1 Battalion on VIMY RIDGE.

1 Battalion in old British front line.

The 3^rd Canadian Divisional boundaries areas under:-

RIGHT

T.30.Central, VIMY Station (exclusive)

T.15 central –T.4.d.central – MERICOURT (exclusive)

LEFT

BOIS DE CHAMP POURRI – T.18 central thence along LENS-ARRAS Road (inclusive) to S.12.d.6.4. thence along track (inclusive) running through T.1.b.0.0. to AVION inclusive.

ARTILLERY             2. The 63^rd D.A. been withdrawn from the 3^rd Canadian Division.

The 93^rd and 242^nd Army F.A. Brigades have been attached and will now come under the orders of 3^rd C.D.A.

FORWARD MOVES

3. Batteries of CARSCALLEN’S GROUP will move forward as soon as possible to positions in the vicinity of VIMY Station – LE CHAUDIERE to support further advance of the Infantry.

The 45^th Battery will move forward tonight, 15/16^th inst.

ZONE BOUNDARIES

4. RIGHT: T.19.central – T.14.central – N.34.d.0.0.

LEFT: S.24.d.7.9. – T.8.central – T.3.b.4.0.

This zone is divided as follows:-

Right Third to 32^nd Battery

Centre third to 33^rd Battery

Left Third to 45^th Battery

The 36^th Battery will cover the whole zone.

LIAISON                   5. The 36^th Battery will detail a Liaison Officer to report tonight to Headquarters 58^th Battalion at Railway Embankment S.18.d.8.3.

AMMUNITION         6. Dumps of about 250 rounds per gun should be accumulated and maintained at the new position.

REGISTRATION      7. Will be completed as quickly as possible.

REPORTS                  8. To Headquarters on completion of the move and registration.

H.G. Carscallen

Lieut. Col

Letter of recommendation 12 April 1917

COPY

4^th C.M.R. Battalion.

G.232

Dear Colonel Carscallen,

I have great pleasure in calling to your attention the gallant work done by Lieut. Heney of your Group, in carrying forward a line to the Crest of the Hill.  This Officer established an O.P. on the Crest of the Hill, shortly after we reached our objective, and was in touch with the Liaison Officer, Lieut. Webster at my Battalion Headquarters.

I was able to speak to Lieut. Heney myself, and obtained from him confirmation that we were established on the Crest, also much valuable information as to the movement of the enemy.

I also want to thank you for the courtesy and valuable work done by Lieut Webster as Liaison Officer.  He was most untiring in his efforts to assist us.

Lieut. Haskell, Lieut. Weldon, who were up in front and Lieut. Jamieson who volunteered to stay with me as Liaison Officer on the night of 9/10^th Lieut. Manning who helped to arrange shoot, morning of 11^th: Lieut. Anderson who directed the 4.5s during the shoot; all did their work in a praiseworthy manner.

I also want to thank you for the good work done by the batteries under your command, all through the action and subsequently when we asked for retaliation, and especially for the great assistance you rendered on the morning of the 11^th, when you drove the enemy out of the new trench on slope of Hill, so saving us the necessity of sending men over the top, which would undoubtedly have resulted in severe casualties.

My officers join with me in thanking you.  The work of the artillery throughout, leaving nothing to be desired.

Sgd/ W. Gordon, Lieut. Col.

O.C. 4^th C.M.R. Battalion.

9^th Canadian Artillery Brigade Operation Order 62 12 April 1917.

SECRET                                                                                 COPY NO.

Ref Map VIMY 1:10,000

ROCLINCOURT 1:10,000

9^TH CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE

Operation Order No 62

By

Lieut. Col. H.G. Carscallen Comdg

12.4.17

INFORMATION       1.  The enemy are holding the line FLIT and FLICKER FLOWER-PETIT VIMY thence along FILLIP, and eastern sides of BOIS DE LA FOLIE.

The Left flank post of the 2^nd Canadian Division on our right is at S.30.b.6.0.

The right of the 3^rd Canadian Division is at S.30 central.

In accordance with orders from the 3^rd Canadian Division the 9^th Canadian Infantry Brigade will attack and consolidate the line FLICKER, FLUNG, FLOWER, PETIT VIMY, FILLIP and trenches along Eastern side of BOIS DE LA FOLIE in S.23.d.c. and a.

BARRAGES.             2.  CASCALLEN’S GROUP will assist in accordance with Barrage Table attached.

During the night 12^th/13^th April, each 18-pdr. Battery taking part in the rolling barrage, will fire one round every 30 minutes on its first barrage line in order to give the Infantry who will be creeping forward before zero towards their objective, an idea as to the line of the opening barrage.

ZERO.                        3.  Zero hour, which will probably be about dawn on the 13^th instant, will be notified later.

Watches will be synchronised with this Headquarters at midnight 12^th/13^th April.

REPORTS                  4.  Reports will be made to Group Headquarters.

H.G. Carscallen

Lieut. Col

Comdg CARSCALLEN’S GROUP

Issued at         p.m.

Copy No 2 to O.C. 32^nd Battery

3 to O.C. 33^rd Battery

4 to O.C. 45^th Battery

5 to O.C. 36^th Battery

6 to O.C. 43^rd Battery

6,7,8   WAR DIARY

Alf Smith letter 11 April 1917

No 27521

Pte. A.A. Smith

10^th Essex Regt.

‘C’ Company

No 10 Platoon

B.E.F. France

April 11^th 17

Dear Father

Just a few lines to thank you for parcel, also for letter from Jess, they are all very nice just a treat.

I was extra pleased to receive it, as it was the first news I had for nearly a month.  Did you get many letters from me I wrote several.

How did you enjoy your Easter I suppose you spent it quietly.  I was surprised to hear Ethel had left school, time passes so quickly I will write to her & Winnie the first opportunity.

A FEW CIGARETTES & Harrisons Pomade would be useful when you are sending another parcel but I am not in a hurry though I would mention it now.

Have you heard from Albert Taylor lately I would like to write to him if you know his address.

Glad to say I am quite well the weather is very cold & wet.

I have not heard from Southend for sometime have you had any news lately?

Well I think I must finish now.

Glad you are all in the best of health.

Au revoir

With much love

From your devoted Son

Reports on Vimy Attack 10 April 1917.

APPENDIX “D”

April 10^th 1917

REPORT ON BOMBARDMENT OF TRENCH FROM S.29.b.4.8 TO S.23.d.7.2 from 6.15 to 6.45 a.m. April 10^th

Bombardment was arranged for at the request of O.C 4^th C.M.R. his scouts having encountered a party of about 45 of the enemy partly dug in in this area.

The bombardment had the desired effect, as a patrol was sent out over the ground half an hour later and found no trace of the enemy. The O.C. 4^th C.M.R. was very pleased with the shoot.

Attached is report by Battalion Scout Officer.

(Sgd) A.L. Anderson Lieut.

36^th Battery C.F.A.

REPORT OF BATTALION SCOUT OFFICER

11.4.17

Patrol pushed forward, at first crawling and then walking. Patrol went two thirds of way through wood and reported wood to be full of the enemy.

Patrol was not shot at from VIMY.

Artillery fire was very good. Shell holes were found all around the position.

G.O.C.

R.A.

3^rd Canadian Division

This is very satisfactory

(sgd) L.J. Lipsett, Maj-Gen.

3^rd Canadian Division.

12.4.17

Intelligence Report 10 April 1917.

APPENDIX “B”

INTELLIGENCE REPORT RE OPERATION ORDER NO 59

5.30 a.m.         The Barrage opened up simultaneously all along the whole line and was the most perfect I have ever seen.  It was quite light and the visibility was good.  The Infantry encountered slight opposition from the German front line and craters and moved along steadily with our barrage, till they came to the BLACK LINE.  From here to the final objective there was very little opposition as the enemy defences had been absolutely blown out of existence.

The Infantry (all ranks) were immensely pleased with the Artillery Support.

6.45 a.m.         At this hour I left the Tunnel Head with the Battalion Signalling officer, having clearly ascertained that the enemy retaliation was very light and on our front consisted only of two 5.9 guns, one battery’ four guns 4.1s and one battery of whizz bangs.  From here I went on by stages to the front line, keeping in touch with our Brigade Hdqrs all the time by telephone and never being out of touch with the Company and Battalion Commanders all day.

From 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. much movement of Infantry in small parties were observed coming down BOBBY and BODKIN Trenches to BLOATER TRENCH and also some movement in FLOWER Trench. The enemy were immediately engaged by our 18-pounders and the movement stopped.

From 2 to 3 p.m. four parties of Germans (about ten in each party) were observed going overland to the rear from LA CHAUDIERE through S.13.a. and c.

About 3.30 p.m. two gun limbers with four horses each came along about S.24.c.5.6. They were immediately engaged by machine gunners and at once disappeared from view about S.24.b.5.8.

From 3.30 to 5 p.m. over 1000 of the enemy were observed coming overland towards PETIT VIMY from the SUNKEN ROAD in S.15.c. They were spread out in parties of about twenty to thirty men, moving quickly to the Railway line in S.19.b. where they disappeared.  None of these parties went further north than the tramline at S.24.c.1.8. to 4.8.  They were engaged by our 18-pounders which eventually stopped all movement through square S.24.d.

The Howitzer Batteries engaged the enemy in squares 14 and 15 but nearly all their shots fell in squares 20 and 21 and were ineffective.

From 5 p.m. (9^th) to 9 a.m. (10^th) the night was quiet the enemy throwing up flares all over the back area and showing signs of nervousness.

From aa a.m. to 7. p.m. 9^th the enemy fired about 500 rounds of 5.9s into LA FOLIE WOOD close to LA FOLLIE FARM and on the SWISCHEN STELLUNG TRENCH.

SGD/ J.R. JAMIESON Lieut.

GROUP F.O.O.

10.4.17

Alf Smith’s Field Service Postcard 9 April 1917.

FIELD SERVICE

POST CARD

To J. Smith, 24, Palmerston Rd. Bowes Park London N 22 England. Postmarked Field Post Office 68.  12 AP 17.

I am quite well

I have received your letter and parcel dated April 5^th.

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signature only. A. Smith

Date April 9^th 17