O.C. Raid
Capt Hollis
APPENDIX I (a)
…………………………
ARTILLERY PROGRAMME
(1). The following number of guns are now available to support the enterprise:-
18-pdrs……………17
4.5-hows………….. 4
with heavy guns in addition.
(2). There will be two artillery zones of fire, i.e.
(a) Right Zone. covering “T”, “U”, “V”, “W” parties.
(b) Left Zone. covering “X”, “Y”, “Z” parties.
Fire will be directed on all known M.G., T.M. emplacements, and trench junctions as under,
(3). Right Zone.
Battery. Rate of fire. Guns. Objective.
B/285th First 5 mins. 4 rds per 1 N.11.a.05.05.
gun per min. Subsequently 1 N.11.c.35.27.
3 rds. per gun per min. 1 N.11.a.23.22.
1 N.11.b.38.51.
1 N.11.d.51.74.
A/285th – do – 1 N.11.b.60.75.
D/285th First 5 mins. 4 rds. per gun 1 N.11.a.80.28.
guns per min. Subsequently
2 rds. per gun pre min.
Left Zone.
A/285th First 5 mins. 4 rds. per gun 1 N.12.a.17.68.
per min. Subsequently 3 rds. 1 N.12.a.55.88.
per gun per min. 1 N.12.a.83.53.
376th Bty – do – 1 N.6.d.1.4.
- 6.d.48.77.
- 6.d.48.91.
- 6.b.78.01.
- 6.b.96.43.
- 7.a.39.50.
D/285th As for “Right” Barrage Zone. 1 N.12.a.38.05.
NOTE:- 18-pdrs. will fire 50% A and 50% A.X.
(4). (a) The request for artillery support lies in the hands of the O.C. Raid (Captain Hollis).
(b). Either “Right Zone”, “Left Zone” or “both zones” may be asked for at any time after Zero hour.
(c). Artillery will not open fire unless requested to do so by the O.C. Raid.
(5). The following method of obtaining artillery support will be adopted if the telephone wires are cut or if artillery support is urgently required. Otherwise the telephone only will be used.
(a) Right Zone. The O.C. Raid will fire two RED Rockets from Raid H.Q. in our front line trench when “Right Zone” is required; this request will be confirmed by telephone. “Right Zone” batteries will open as soon as possible after the second RED Rocket is fired.
(b) Left Zone. The O.C. Raid will fire two GREEN rockets from the Raid H.Q. when “Left Zone” is required; this request will be confirmed by telephone. “Left Zone” batteries will open as soon as possible after second GREEN rocket is fired.
(c) Both Zones. The O.C. Raid will fire a RED rocket followed by a GREEN rocket. This request will be confirmed by telephone. All batteries will open fire as soon as possible after these rockets have been fired.
(6). (a) Sufficient ammunition is available for a sixty minute barrage.
(b) The O.C. Raid may stop the artillery whenever he wishes to do so by telephone, or if the telephone wires are cut or the matter is urgent by employing the following rockets –
Right Zone – RED rocket followed by a WHITE rocket.
Left Zone – GREEN rocket followed by a WHITE rocket.
Both Zones – RED rocket, GREEN rocket, followed by a WHITE rocket.
The above will be confirmed by telephone.
(c) The artillery will immediately cease fire as soon as the rockets affecting their zone are fired, or if the rockets are not fired they will cease fire as soon as the message comes through on the telephone ordering them to do so.
(7). If the O.C. Raid wishes the artillery to re-open fire again later on, the same method of obtaining artillery support will be adopted.
(8). Batteries will “stand by” from Zero hour minus 30 mins. Until notified that the operation is over.
(9) 2nd Lieut. Overton (D/285th) will act as liaison Offr. and will report to the O.C. Raid at a time and place to be notified later.
P.H. Hausey
Captain.
Brigade Major,
170th Infantry Brigade
12/7/17