1st Bedfordshire Regiment.
26/7/16. The Battalion left its Bivouacs at Pommiers Redoubt and marched to
11.15. p.m. Brigade advanced H.Q.; there, owing to very heavy barrage of poison
gas shells in the valley, the Battalion halted for two hours. The barrage was still intense but a fresh wind made advance possible, and only two cases of gas poisoning have been reported. Shell fire was moderately severe in the valley and increased as the old German Second Line Trenches were approached.
27/7/16. (Capt. Parker, wounded)
3.50 a.m. Battalion arrived in position of assembly in German Second Line
Trenches and improved cover.
5.50 a.m. Operation Orders received and communicated to Company
Commanders.
7.0 a.m. A, and B, Companies in accordance with orders, left to take up their
position in Reserve trenches at LONGUEVAL.
7.40. a.m. Report received from O.C., 1st Norfolks, that, owing to heavy shell fire
he required assistance.
8.20 a.m. O.C. 1st Bedfordshire Regt., arrived at Headquarters 1st Norfolk Regt.,
in Longueval – having arranged for A and B Companies to assault the second line in conjunction with Norfolks and for C and D Companies to pass through and take third line. O.C. 16th Royal Warwickshire Regt., was requested to occupy front line trenches when these were vacated by C and D Companies. A and B Coys., had at 7.30 a.m., occupied first line at E, and reserve trenchers at B.
8.40 a.m. C Coy arrived at E)
D Coy arrived at B) and A Coy., pushed across towards German Redoubt at F., where the two leading Norfolk Coys., were being held up. (100 prisoners surrendered here)
Lieut Fyson with his platoon attacked house at G., and took 32 prisoners.
9.5 a.m. “C” Coy., advanced across Princes Street but were held up by Machine
Gun fire from house at Cross Roads (1). This house was taken by a party of Norfolk bombers. At the same time, two platoons of A Coy., reached position marked H and K, near Flers Road, where they were in touch with the Royal Fusiliers on their right. A German counter-attack was met with Lewis Gun and Rifle fire, the estimated enemy casualties being 50. Several small posts were observed on the ridge, apparently protected by wire.
9.30 a.m. C Coy., crossed Princes Street and took up a position parallel with
North Street, joining up the two leading Norfolk Companies. They were unable to progress further owing to heavy machine gun fire from Duke Street. They consolidated their positions.
1 Officer and 30 men went forward from B Coy., at C., to reinforce a Coy., of Norfolks at A. This Company was held up by machine gun fire from direction of Duke Street, and was unable to advance. Stokes Mortar Battery was asked to co-operate but did not come into action. Later heavy artillery was asked to bombard this post. While awaiting this, and the opportunity to advance, B and D Coys., endeavoured to improve their cover under a hurricane bombardment. Casualties in these two Coys. –
“B” Coy. – 2 Officers & 54 Other Ranks out of 5 Officers & 166 Other Ranks.
“D” Coy. – 2 Officers & 106 Other Ranks out of 5 Officers & 176 Other Ranks.
6.30 p.m. Royal Fusiliers on right, owing to heavy shell fire, retired, and our line
at K & H, was slightly withdrawn to cover exposed flank.
7.0 p.m. “B” Coy., received orders to retire to German Second Line trenches,
leaving one platoon to hold line at A. A similar order was sent to “D” Coy., but did not reach there and
8.0 p.m. a second order was sent at 8.0 p.m.
9.0 p.m. “C” Coy., tried to establish itself on East side of North St., but had to
withdraw. They consolidated in touch with Norfolks and the South Staffords of 2nd Division.
28/7/16.
6. a.m. 1/D.C.L.I., and 1/E. Surreys arrived and took over the line and the
Battalion withdrew to Pommiers Redoubt.
The total casualties were 9 Officers & 303 Other Ranks out of 23 Officers and 807 Other Ranks.
Remained in Pommiers Redoubt all day, reorganizing Battalion.
29/7/16. As above.
30/7/16.
6.45 p.m. Orders received to reinforce in Longueval. 2/K.O.S.Bs., holding line.
1/R.W. Kents in support. Leading platoon moved off at 6.53 p.m., and reached Longueval at 7.45 p.m., relieving 1/R.W. Kents.
10.12 p.m. O.C. 2/K.O.S.Bs., reported that his men were retiring from line
S.11.d.9/5 to S.11.c.5/8. “A” & “C” Coys., were directed to proceed with guides of K.O.S.Bs., to hold and consolidate this line. “B” & “D” Coys., were directed to hold line S.11.d.9/5., to S.17.b.0/9. It was proposed to withdraw K.O.S.Bs., into reserve at dawn.
11.45 p.m. Message received by O.C., K.O.S.Bs., that Gordons, 5th Division, were
in Sunken Road and that .K.O.S.Bs., were to bomb towards them.
31/7/16.
12.10 a.m. Enemy started intense bombardment.
12.45 a.m. Orderly returned from “A” & “C” Coys., and reported K.O.S.B., guides
could not show them the way up to front line. O’s. C. “A” & “C” Coys., were instructed to establish themselves on the line B.C.D.E. (S.11.d.4/8 to S.11.c.5/5) and to send out patrols to ascertain if any K.O.S.Bs., were holding forward line.
2.30 a.m. All Coys., reported heavy casualties (2 Officers killed and several
wounded). “B” & “D” Coys., reported themselves to be in position as ordered from S.11.d.5/5., to S.17.b.0/9.
Two wounded prisoners were taken by “A” Coy. Reinforcements had been asked for at 10.54 a.m. O.C. “D” Coy., reported that he had been able to get in touch with the Division on his right.
O.C. “C” Coy., reported that owing to mist, darkness and shell fire it was impossible to recognise the line B.C.D.E., and that he was in touch with K.O.S.s., and would establish himself in the forward position at dawn. Telephone communication established between Bn., H.Q., and front line.
6.25 a.m. Orders received from Bde., to relieve K.O.S.Bs., who were to move into
reserve. O.C. “C” Coy., reported by telephone that his patrols were unable to get forward – two machine guns enfilading North Street and heavy sniping from his front.
Companies were now as follows:- “D” Coy., from Piccadilly to North Street on Duke Street, “B” Coy., continuing this line into Delville Wood. “A” Coy., cross roads North St./Flers Rd., to Orchard. “C” Coy., in support of “A” Coy., with refused flank about S.11.d.8/3., and two platoons North of Flers Rd., about S.11.d.4/4. “C” Coy., were still endeavouring to gain touch with 2nd Division. The positions taken up could be seen from the opposite ridge and any movement attracted heavy shell fire. There was also considerable sniping from the direction of Flers Rd.
6.0. p.m. 1/Norfolk Regt., arrived and relieved 2/K.O.S.Bs., and the forward
Bedford Coys., who were moved back to reserve position E. of Church.
10.30. p.m. 1/Cheshire Regt., arrived and relief of 1/Bedfs: R., was completed by
midnight. 1/Bedfs: R., returned to Pommiers Redoubt.
11. p.m. A patrol from “C” Coy., trying to get into touch with 2nd Division
approached the German line in North of Delville Wood and attracted a big burst of fire.
Casualties 10 Officers and 188 Other Ranks.
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