SECRET. Copy No 1
22nd September, 1917.
20TH (LIGHT) DIVISION ORDER NO. 211.

Reference Maps: BROEMBEEK 1/10,000 (Edition 2), and
LANGEMARCK 1/10,000 (Edition 2).
1. The minor operation ordered yesterday in Order No. 209 in conjunction with Tanks did not take place owing to the non-arrival of the Tanks.

2. The situation as regards our most advanced troops has not altered, and a detachment of the enemy are still in EAGLE Trench between U.23.b.70.10. and U.23.b.47.43.

3. The Tanks detailed for the attack are now in LANGEMARCK at U.23.c.15.25., and, unless these are disabled during the day by enemy shell fire, the attack will take place, under orders of B.G.C. 59th Inf. Bde. as ordered in Order No. 209 of yesterday except where otherwise stated.
ZERO hour will be 5.30 a.m., and at this hour the Tanks will arrive at the point where EAGLE Trench crosses the SCHREIBOOM – GOED TER VESTEN Road and SCHREIBOOM – RED HOUSE Road.

4. Should the Tanks not be able to operate tomorrow, a bombing attack will be made against EAGLE Trench from the South from about U.23.b.85.00. at 7.0 a.m., and an endeavour made to capture the enemy’s portion of EAGLE Trench in this manner.
The attack will be preceded at 6.57 a.m. by a hurricane bombardment by Stokes Mortars from the direction of a trench about U.23.d.17.98. Arrangements for this have already been made.

5. The B.G.C. 60th Inf. Bde. will place a detachment of not less than 50 at the disposal of B.G.C. 59th Inf. Bde.

6. The Artillery Programme will be similar for either of the above operations, and will be as follows:- Bursts of fire will be directed at intervals on KANGAROO Trench between U.24. central and U.17.d.85.00.
This bombardment will commence this evening at an hour to be notified later, and will continue till 7.30 a.m. tomorrow unless EAGLE Trench has been captured by the action of the Tanks prior to this hour. A smoke barrage will also be placed on a line just South of KANGAROO Trench between U.24.a.77.25. and U.23.b.83.90. at 7 a.m. in the event of failure by theTanks.

7. The B.G.C. 59th Inf. Bde. will detail an officer and 2 other ranks to be at the Road junc. U.23.c.65.69. from 4 a.m. onwards, in order to be in a position to notify the attacking troops prior to 5.30 a.m. whether the Tanks detailed for the attack are likely to arrive.

8. Watches will be synchronized by a Staff Officer of Div. H.Q. at STRAY FARM at 6.30 p.m. to-night.

The Officer Comdg. Tanks, now in LANGEMARCK, will synchronize his watch with that of O.C. 10th R.B. at Bn. H.Q. at U.23.c.70.75.

ACKNOWLEDGE.

J.McN Haskard,
Lieut. Colonel,
General Staff, 20th Division.
Issued to Signals at 4.50 p.m.

Distribution overleaf.

Copies to :-
No. 1. A.D.C. for G.O.C. 13. A.P.M.
2. G.S. 14. D.M.G.O.
3. A.A. & Q.M.G. 15. XIV Corps.
4. Div. R.A. 16. XIV Corps R.A.
5. Div. R.E. 17. XIV Corps H.A.
6. Div. Signals. 18. Guards Div.
7. 59th Inf. Bde. 19. 4th Div.
8. 60th Inf. Bde. 20. 29th Div.
9. 61st Inf. Bde. 21. 51st Div.
10. Div. Pioneers. 22. Right Bombardment Group.
11. Div. M.G. Coy. 23. No. 9 Sqdn. R.F.C.
12. A.D.M.S. 24. 1st Bde. Tanks.
25. War Diary.
26. File.

SECRET Copy No. 1

20TH (LIGHT) DIVISION ORDER No. 210.

22nd September 1917

Reference Maps:- BELGIUM, Sheets 20 S.W., and 28 N.W., 1/20,000.

1. (a). 61st Inf. Bde. will take over the Divisional Front
(i) in the right sub-sector from 60th Inf. Bde., and
(ii) in left sub-sector from 59th Inf. Bde., on night of 23rd/24th September.

(b). Details of relief will be settled direct between Brigadiers concerned.

(c). B.G.C. 61st Inf. Bde will assume Command of the whole Divisional Front at 10.0 a.m. 24th September.

2. (a). 61st Inf. Bde. will hold the front with two Battalions in line; right Battalion H.Q. U.23.d.7.0., left Battalion H.Q. U.23.c.7.7.
One Battalion in Support, H.Q. AU BON GITE.
One Battalion in Reserve (on IRON CROSS line) H.Q. ADELPHI.

(b) Brigade H.Q. will be at STRAY FARM.

3. On completion of relief –
(a). 60th Inf. Bde. will be in Support;
”A” Battalion CANAL BANK.
“B” Battalion HULL’S FARM.
“C” Battalion SARAGOSSA CAMP.
“D” Battalion WOLFE CAMP.

(b) 59th Inf. Bde. will be in Reserve;
”A” Battalion SOULT CAMP.
“B” Battalion LEIPSIG CAMP.
“C” Battalion REDAN CAMP.
“D” Battalion ROUSSEL FARM.

4. Field Coys R.E., and Pioneers, will remain in their present positions, and continue to work under orders of C.R.E.

5. Machine Gun moves and reliefs will take place on night 23rd/24th September as follows, under arrangements to be made direct between Brigadiers and Unit Commanders concerned.

Detailed instructions as regards these reliefs, showing approximate front line Machine Gun positions, have been issued direct to Machine Gun Coys., through Brigades.

(a). 59th M.G. Coy.
(i) Two sections from line (left sub-sector) to Reserve at Coy. H.Q. (VULCAN CROSSING, U.27.c.45.55.)
(ii) Two sections from close Support, and Reserve at Coy H.Q., to Barrage positions E. of STEENBEEK, N.W. of the LANGEMARK – AU BON GITE Road.

(b). 60th M.G. Coy.
(i). Two sections from line (right sub-sector) to Reserve at Coy. H.Q. (GEORGE HOUSE, U.27.d.00.45.).
(ii) Two sections from Reserve at Coy H.Q. to Barrage positions E. of the STEENBEEK, S.E. of the LANGEMARK – AU BON GITE Road. (during afternoon, 23rd September).

(c). 61st M.G. Coy.
From Barrage positions, to “H” Camp, A.9.b.9.1.

(d). 217th M.G. Coy.
(i). One section from Barrage positions, to Reserve at Coy. H.Q. (C.4.a.75.75).
(ii). Three sections from Barrage positions, to the front line, relieving sections of 59th and 60th M.G. Coys.
(iii). On completion of reliefs the Coy will come under orders of B.G.C. 61st Inf. Bde.

ACKNOWLEDGE

Signature unreadable
Major G.S.
for Lieut. Colonel,
Issued to Signals at 4.30 p.m. General Staff, 20th Division.

Copies to:-

No. 1. A.D.C. for G.O.C. 14. D.A.D.V.S.
2. G.S. 15. D.M.G.O.
3. “Q” 16. A.P.M.
4. Divl. R.A. 17. XIVth Corps.
5. Divl. R.E. 18. XIVth Corps R.A.
6. Divl. Signal Coy. 19. XIVth Corps H.A.
7. 59th Inf. Bde. 20. 4th Div.
8. 60th Inf. Bde. 21. Guards Div.
9. 61st Inf. Bde. 22. 29th Div.
10. Divl Pioneers. 23. 51st Div.
11. Divl. M.G. Coy. 24. 9th Sqdn. R.F.C.
12. Divl. Train. 25. War Diary.
13. A.D.M.S. 26. File.

Amendments and Addenda to 29th Divisional Artillery
Instructions No. 18.
——————————–
21st September 1917.

1. In para 3 (b) against 15th Brigade R.H.A. for “B.5.c.31.32” read “ GOUVY FARM”.

2. In para 3 b. – In detail of 15th Brigade R.H.A. positions, line 1 for “A/74” read “B/74”.

3. In para 3 b. In detail of 17th Brigade R.F.A. positions for “C.1.c.55.75. (92nd Bty R.F.A.)” read “C.7.c.92.98.” (92nd Bty R.F.A.)

4. The completion of all reliefs will be notified by wire to this office.

Signature unreadable
Captain R.A.
Brigade Major 29th Divisional Arty.

AMENDMENT No 2 TO 29th D.A. ORDER No. 18. –
dated 21st September 1917.
——————————————-

In para. 7 a., delete first two lines “By night 11th Brigade R.F.A. will keep a liaison officer with Headquarters Left Battalion in the line at U.22.c.07.14.” and substitute:-
“By night 11th Brigade R.F.A. will keep a liaison officer with Headquarters Right Battalion in the line at U.22.c.07.14. and 15th Brigade R.H.A. will keep a liaison officer with Headquarters Left Battalion in the line at WIJDENDRIFT.

Signature unreadable.
Captain R.A.
Brigade Major, 29th Divnl Artillery.
21st Sept. 1917.

Copies to all recipients of 29th D.A. Order No. 18.

SECRET. Copy No. 1

20TH (LIGHT) DIVISION ORDER NO. 209.

21st September 1917.
Reference Maps: BROEMBEEK 1/10,000 (Edition 2)
LANGEMARCK 1/10,000 (Edition 2).

1. The 60th Inf. Bde. last night advanced its line to U.24.d.30.50.-U.24.c.75.75. – U.24.a.55.05. – 35.15. – 25.25. EAGLE Trench, as far North as U.23.b.65.15., is also held by the 60th Inf. Bde. The situation in EAGLE Trench between U.23.b.60.30. and U.23.b.30.60. is still uncertain and aeroplane reports that a detachment of 40 of the enemy are still in EAGLE Trench between U.23.b.47.43. and U.23.b.30.60.
Northwards from the latter point advanced troops of the 59th Inf. Bde. are in the same position as yesterday.

2. Two Tanks will, tomorrow, advance against the enemy still in EAGLE Trench. The line of approach will be through LANGEMARCK Village, U.23. central.
At the road junction U.23.b.42.30. the Tanks will separate, and one will take the road towards GOED TER VESTEN FM. and the other the road towards RED HO.
The Tanks will endeavour to enfilade the trenches entered by the enemy and make them surrender.

3. Zero hour will be 5.30 a.m., and at this hour the Tanks will arrive at the points where EAGLE Trench crosses the SCHREIBOOM – GOED TER VESTEN Road and SCHREIBOOM – RED HOUSE Road.
If the Tanks do not arrive at Zero hour, the operation will be considered cancelled for the day.
The B.G.C. 59th Inf. Bde. will arrange for an infantry detachment consisting of not less than 50 to be formed up in such a position opposite EAGLE TRENCH, between U.23.b.60.25. and U.23.b.30.60. that they may be able to rush the trench and capture the garrison as soon as the Tank dealing with the above trench exhibits a blue and white signalling flag.
This signal will indicate that the enemy wish to surrender of are retiring.
The B.G.C. 60th Inf. Bde. will arrange for a similar detachment to be placed under the orders of B.G.C. 59th Inf. Bde., who will conduct the operations, to deal with any of the enemy who may be in that portion of EAGLE TRENCH between U.23.b.65.15. and U.23.b.50.40.

4. There will be no special Artillery programme.

5. The B.G.C. 59th Inf. Bde. will arrange for three guides, one of whom must be an Officer, to meet the Tanks at AU BON GITE Bridge, U.28.c.84.80. at 4.0 a.m. tomorrow to guide the Tanks through LANGEMARCK Village via U.28.b.85.60. – U.23.c.10.15. – U.23.c.80.77.
Should the Tanks not arrive at the above Bridge by 5.0 a.m., the guides will dismiss.
ACKNOWLEDGE

J. McD Haskard
Lieut. Colonel,
General Staff, 20th Division.
Issued to Signals at 5.20 p.m.
Distribution overleaf.
Copies to –
No 1. A.D.C. for G.O.C.
2. G.S.
3. A. A. & Q.M.G.
4. Div. R.A.
5. Div. R.E..
6. Div. Signals.
7. 59th Inf. Bde.
8. 60th Inf. Bde.
9. 61st Inf. Bde.
10. Div. Pioneers.
11. Div. M.G. Coy.
12. A.D.M.S.
13. A.P.M.
14. D.M.G.O.
15. XIV Corps
16. XIV Corps R.A.
17. XIV Corps. H.A.
18. Guards Div.
19. 4th Div.
20. 51st Div.
21. Right Bombardment Group.
22. No 9 Squadron R.F.C.
23. 1st Brigade “Tanks”.
24. War Diary
25/28. Retained.

PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING COMMUNICATIONS

29TH DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY.

1. D.A. TO GROUPS.
Two phone lines to each Group and one sounder circuit to each Group are working at present. No change will be made.

2. GROUPS TO BATTERIES. (Ref. Attached diagram.)
(a) Right Group with H.Q. at MARIE JEAN FARM, will establish a forward exchange at B.12.c.5.3. (present H.Q. 5th Army Field Bde.).
Three Trunk lines, of which two will be ringing and one buzzer call, will be connected from Group H.Q. to this forward Exchange. These lines will be in the buried system as far as B.12.d.80.85.
Lines to Batteries will be laid overground from the Forward Exchange. Most of these lines already exist, and the general scheme should be similar to that shown on the diagram.

(b) Left Group with H.Q. at MARGUERITE FARM will establish a forward exchange at B.6.c.3.3. (present H.Q. of 75th Bde R.F.A.).
Three trunk lines (two ringing and one buzzer call) will be connected from Group H.Q. to this forward exchange. These lines will be in the buried system as far as L.H. test point B.12.a.2.6.
Lines to Batteries will be laid overground on the principle shown on attached diagram. Some of these lines already exist.

(c) In each case, the buzzer line from Group to Forward Exchange will be used for transmission of messages by Fullerphone.
Any message containing information which might be useful to the enemy will be sent on from Forward Exchange to Batteries by runner.

Communication between Group H.Q. and any battery in the group may be established, but orders applying to several, or all the batteries in the group should be sent to the Officer i/c Forward Exchange for transmission. This applies to S.O.S. originating at Group H.Q.

3. PERSONNEL AND MAINTENANCE.
All connections in the buried system and maintenance between Group H.Q. and their Forward Exchanges will be taken charge of by D.A. Signals.
Each group must arrange to provide telephonists for the Group H.Q. Exchange and their Forward Exchange. A sufficient number of linesmen must be posted at the Forward Exchange to maintain lines to batteries.

4. SEALED PACKETS.
A regular system of cyclist orderlies working between Group H.Q. and Forward Exchanges must be arranged. Between the forward exchanges and batteries, sealed packets will be carried by runner. A sufficient number of orderlies for this purpose will be required at each Forward Exchange.
For Motor Cyclist Despatch Rider runs, see attached list, which is subject to revision.
5. COMMUNICATION WITH INFANTRY.
Each Group will have a direct line to the Infantry Exchange C.B. (B.12.d.80.85) through which direct communication with SAULES FARM Infantry Bde H.Q. can be obtained.

6. COMMUNICATION WITH FLANK ARTILLERY.
Right Group Artillery will have a direct ringing phone line to Left Group. Right Divnl Artillery Communication will be arranged between the Left Group and the French Artillery on their flank.

7. LIAISON WITH INFANTRY BRIGADE.
Liaison between Artillery and Infantry will be carried out by the Brigade Commander stationed at LAPIN FARM. The Infantry Brigade at SAULES FARM will lay a direct line to LAPIN FARM, but the artillery signallers will assist in the maintenance.

Hugh O. Holmes
Major R.A.
For Brigade Major, 29th Divisional Arty.
20th Sept. 1917.

—————————————————————–

MOTOR CYCLIST DESPATCH RIDER RUNS

Leaves D.A. Arrives Group H.Q. Arrives Fwd. Exch. Arrives D.A.

9 a.m. 9-30 a.m. 10 a.m. 10-45 a.m.
1 p.m. 1-30 p.m. 2 p.m. 2-45 p.m.
6 p.m. 6-30 p.m. 7 p.m. 7-45 p.m.

For special runs at other times than those stated above, the Motor Cyclist will deliver to Group H.Q. only and Groups will be responsible for sending forward by Cyclist Orderly or Runner.

Groups must not detain the Motor Cyclist Despatch Rider and must have their packets for delivery to Forward Exchange ready upon his arrival.

SECRET. Copy No. 1
20th Sept 1917

20TH (LIGHT) DIVISION ORDER NO. 280.(208)

Reference Maps: BROEMBEEK 1/10,000 (Edition 2)
LANGEMARCK 1/10,000 (Edition 2).

1. Our line runs approximately as follows:- U.24.c.68.15 – 60.17. – U.23.d.85.70. – U.23.b.40.10. – 34.37. – 80.80. -65.97. – U.17.d.45.15. – 00.15.
51st Div. on our right have reached the line ROSE HOUSE – U.24.d.20.20.

2. The attack will recommence at an hour to be notified later, when the situation has been definitely cleared. The Artillery programme will include a barrage which will open 150 yards in front of the present position of the most advanced infantry, including EAGLE TRENCH between U.23.d.85.70.and U.23.b.59.34. The above barrage will keep 150 yards N.W. of the boundary between the 20th and 51st Divs.
The lifts and pauses will be 50yards in three minutes, except the 1st lift which will be 100x in 6mins and the barrage will remain on its first line for 15 minutes. Apart from these variations the artillery programme will be a repetition of the one carried out this morning.
Smoke shells will be fired into EAGLE TRENCH, just West of the Cemetery.
The 51st Div. have been asked to place a smoke barrage from U.24.d.47.70. to U.24.d.10.10. in the initial stages of the advance. The tail of this barrage will lift as the infantry go forward.

3. The attack will be carried out by the 60th and 59th Inf. Bdes., the final objective being the GREEN Line noted RED Line.

The Inter-brigade Boundary remains the same.

B.Gs.C. 60th and 59th Inf. Bdes. Have arranged to carry out the attack with their Support Bns., their place being taken by the Bns. In Bde. Reserve.
Every endeavour will be made by the 60th Inf. Bde. to obtain touch with the left flank of the 51st Div.

4. The B.G.C. 60th Inf. Bde. will arrange to push out a proportion of his machine-guns towards U.24.d.00.30. to fire towards RED HOUSE and KANGAROO TRENCH. These guns are covered by the presence of the 51st Div. at RED House and just West of it.

5. The machine-guns allotted for barrages will open fire at Zero under orders of the D.M.G.O. and fire for 1 hour 30 minutes on the same barrage lines as this morning.

ACKNOWLEDGE

J. McD Haskard
Lieut. Colonel,
General Staff, 20th Division.
Issued to Signals at 1.30 p.m.
Distribution overleaf.
Copies to –
No 1. A.D.C. for G.O.C.
2. G.S.
3. A. A. & Q.M.G.
4. Div. R.A.
5. Div.R.E..
6. Div. Signals.
7. 59th Inf. Bde.
8. 60th Inf. Bde.
9. 61st Inf. Bde.
10. Div. Pioneers.
11. Div. M.G. Coy.
12. A.D.M.S.
13. A.P.M.
14. D.M.G.O.
15. XIV Corps
16. XIV Corps R.A.
17. XIV Corps. H.A.
18. Guards Div.
19. 4th Div.
20. 51st Div.
21. Right Bombardment Group.
22. No 9 Squadron R.F.C.
23. “Z” Special Coy. R.E.
24. War Diary
25/28. Retained.

Field Service Post Card to Dick-Cunyngham’s wife dated 20 Sept 1914

I am quite well

I have been admitted to hospital sick wounded and am going on well.

I am being sent down to the base.

I have received your 10 letters dated telegram 2 parcels

Letter follows at first opportunity.

I have received no letter from you lately for a long time.

Signature only: J.K. Dick Cunyngham

Date Sep 20th.

Addressed to Mrs Dick Cunyngham, Mount View, Crownhill S.O., S. Devon. England. Postmarked ARMY POST OFFICE 42 dated SP 20 14

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

19 September 1918 Arrived early at hospital HAVRE stayed night –here diary
ends.

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

18 September 1918 Left Peronne by ambulance train & travelled all afternoon
& night.