25^th July 1916

Operation Orders for Gas Attack of –

1. Section Commanders will ensure that sections are organised into the necessary emplacement crews and orderlies.
2. Sections will parade at 5.45 p.m., ready for transport to trench head.
3. Parade in fighting order.
4. Sections will be inspected and watches synchronised.
5. Spanners and connection accessories will be carried by sections in labelled sandbags.
6. Brassards will be carried, but may not be worn until the front trench is reached.
7. On reaching front line, stores well be distributed, cylinders tested, connections made (finger tight only).
8. Officers will identify their approximate signal dug-out and report their arrival by sending wind message to O.C. COY.
9. Zero will be fixed before proceeding to the line, and discharge will take place without further warning unless wind conditions prove unfavourable.  If no postponement message is received, section commanders will carry on at their own discretion, discharging or not doing so at given zero.
10. As soon after zero as possible a message will be sent to O.C. Coy.

Discharge —-

No discharge —-

• Should no postponement occur, all connections should be made spanner tight at least ½ hour before zero.
• After discharge, or receipt of postponement message, pipes will be disconnected as soon as it is safe to do so (sprayers to be used if discharge has occurred), and will be returned to the dug-out, remaining there under guard detailed by the section commander.
• Wind messages should be forwarded to O.C. Coy., at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and half hourly afterwards.

All wind messages, and other essential messages should be marked

PRIORITY.

1. The following codes will be used:

Wind Direction:

N  N.N.E. NE  E.N.E  E

0      1       2       3       4

E.S.E  S.E.  S.S.E.  S.

5           6        7       8

S.S.W.  SW  W.S.W.  W

    9       10       11       12

WNW   NW   NNW

   13      14     15

Velocity:  0 – 2 m.p.h A.

     2 – 6 m.p.h. B.

     6 plus          C.

1. Section commanders are entirely responsible for the final order for discharge, which is left entirely to their own discretion.
2. Arrangements for connections, accessories and all material are attached.

• Material –

Connections and parapet pipes –

The amount at the disposal of each section is shown, tabulated.

The whole will be carried in by infantry carrying parties.

Two reliable men (1 cpl.) and two pioneers from each section must parade outside workshops at 12 A.M. to check section material and place it in groups ready for loading .  They must parade again at 1.15 p.m. for loading and will proceed on lorries to trench head and guide infantry parties carrying connections, to their respective sectors.

They will be instructed whether to deposit their stores in a given dug-out or at emplacements.

Spanners and small accessories –

These, at the rate shown tabulated below, will be placed in labelled sandbags and carried up with sections.

Vermorel Sprayers –

These are provided, at the rate of 1 per bay, by Infantry Brigades 188 (&189).  One infantry man will be attached to each bay to work sprayers. 

He must be instructed in his duties.

Other stores, such as double male ends or adjustable wrenches can be drawn against receipt in the workshop.

Return of Spanners etc

being used in the trenches

25.7.16

Section	Universe	Box	Y.S.	L.S.	Clamps	Staples	Extra Staples
43	22	22	11	11	22	77	33
44	32	22	1	11	22	77	33
46	32	22	1	11	22	77	33
47	28	22	5	11	19	77	33
48	32	22	1	11	11	77	33
29	29	22	4	11	11	77	33
Total	175	132	23	66	107	462	198

Bottom of page torn off.