“A” Coy

5^th Leicester Reg^t

Bishops Stortford

21/11/14

Rev^d T.W. Walters

Rev^d Sir,

            Having a few moments to spare I thought I would send you a few lines, because I know you will be interested with our movements.

            Last week was a rather busy week on Saturday I was on guard at the “General’s” office from 4 pm to Sunday 6 pm.  We were granted a special day’s pass on Monday, and as I left for home on Sunday evening.  We reached Leicester at 8.30 & were told by the railway people that they had received a telegram to say we were to return at once, so home was then out of the question.  We were only on the station 10 minutes before we left again for Luton.  When we got there we were told to pack everything up & it was 2 o’clock before we got too bed.

Were up again at 4 & fell in at 6.45 to march to Ware.  We were posted rearguard to the Division & so had the opportunity of seeing the whole procession, it took 2½ hours to pass by.

We had a tiring journey behind the Transport wagons because the horses required resting every few miles, in fact at 8 o’clock at night we had too leave about 30 wagons on the roadside.

We reached Ware just about 11.0 pm, & only went 27 miles, so we were 16¼ hours with our complete pack on, never having it off a minute & all we had to eat was a bit of bread & cheese which was supposed to be for lunch.

I stood it fairly well, but many we absolutely worn out & fell in the street like logs when we halted.

We had a rest all the next day & on Wednesday marched to Bishops Stortford, 11 miles which we did very easily.

We do not know how long we shall be here or where our destination will be.

I have got a very nice billet here with a retired farmer.

I hope you & family are keeping in good health altho I suppose the wintry weather will try you a little.

            Must now close with very kind regards to yourself & Mrs Walters & also please remember me to all our members

            Yrs obediently

AW Hanson

                        Lc/Cpl

                        No 2346

In envelope addressed to Rev^d T.W. Walters, The Vicarage, Whitwick, Nr Leicester.

Letter postmarked BISHOPS STORTFORD 21 NO 14.

c/o Mr O’Shea

33 Dale Road

Luton

2/11/14

Rev^d T.W. Walters.

Rev^d Sir,

            Having a few minutes to spare I thought I would send you a few lines.

            My journey back to Luton last Sunday week was not very gay for on top of leaving home & friends I got well wet in the rain.

We had some very stiff days last week & on the Monday evening we had night operations, we left our quarters at 5 o’clock & when we arrived at our destination we had to dig out trenches, which are 2 feet wide & 4.6 feet deep.  At 6.50 I was sent into a turnip field as an enemy-drawer, which means that as soon as the enemy approaches I had to commence rapid firing to make them believe that there were a large number of us together & so get them to come towards us & leave the main part of the company in the trenches unattacked.  I lay on by stomach till 5.15 & was so cold that I could only just manage to get up.  Unfortunately the enemy did not get anywhere near us.

You will no doubt be pleased to hear I have received my first promotion to Lancs Corporal on Wednesday which carries with it extra pay.

On Friday last we had a Sham Fight which I don’t think was quite a success, somehow or other the main army reserves got in the fight first.

When we leave England we shall not be allowed to take anything but what we stand up in, the total weight we shall carry will be 59 lbs 6¾ ozs.

This week I am orderly corporal & have to remain at home all week to take charge of the barracks.

I must now close with kindest regards to Mrs Walters & yourself

Yrs obediently

Albert Will Hanson Lc Cpl

A Coy 5^th Batt Leicester Regt

P.S.  I enclose a photo of myself.  Just heard we shall probably be on the move next week.

There is no envelope with this letter.

B/5583

2^nd Bn. THE BORDER REGT.

SOME NOTES ON THE OPERATIONS OF THE ORIGINAL 7^TH DIVISION.

Nov. 1^st.         On November 1^st, the enemy again renewed his attacks and by mid-

day the whole of the line was heavily engaged, some ground had to be given but the front remained intact on the general line VELDOEK Cross roads – Farm 1 mile East of KLEIN ZILLEBEKE.

“  2^nd.  An intercepted wireless massage this day announced the arrival of the Kaiser

on this front and as was expected, at about noon on November 2^nd another desperate effort to break through was made by the enemy from the direction of GHELUVELT against the 1^st Division and against the right of the 20^th Infantry Brigade.

The attack succeeded in driving back the 1^st Division and all its available reserves were used up without result.  The last reserves of the 7^th Division were then sent forward to try and preserve the flank of the 20^th Infantry Brigade.  The fighting this day was particularly fierce – the finest troops of the German Army, under the eyes of the Kaiser, hurled themselves in vain against the battered line of the 7^th Division.

This was really the last big attack the enemy made – for although he continued to bombard and attack our line, it was only in a half-hearted manner.

Some idea of the severity of the fighting the Division had taken part in may be formed by examining the fighting strength of Brigades at this time.  The 20^th Infantry Brigade was reduced to 18 Officers 900 other ranks; the 21^st Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 910 other ranks; the 22^nd Infantry Brigade 13 Officers 586 other ranks.

“ 5^th.    On November 5^th, the Division was relieved with the exception of the 22^nd

Infantry Brigade which remained as a reserve for the

“ 6^th.    1^st Corps, and on November 6^th this Brigade made a very successful counter-

attack at a critical period.  This Brigade was now so reduced in strength that one Battalion was formed out of the remnants of the Brigade, the 4 Battalions of the Brigade becoming Companies and the whole Battalion being known as No. 1 Battalion, 22^nd Infantry Brigade.

“ 8^th.    On November 8^th the 22^nd Infantry Brigade was finally relieved.

What the outside world thought of the doings of the 7^th Division at this period

can be gathered from the following extract taken from one of the British papers at the time:- “There is no finer passage in the annals of the British Army that the world has known, than that which has been written concerning the deeds of the 7^th Division and the 3^rd Cavalry Division in Flanders.

30,000 strong, these two Divisions undertook the defence of YPRES, the key to CALAIS, until reinforcements should arrive.  Against them was arrayed the flower of the German Army, in the proportion of 8 to 1, and day after day this overwhelming force was hurled against our gallant band in vain.

When relief at last came, and the shattered remnants of the two Divisions were enabled to withdraw, there remained of 400 Officers of the 7^th Division but 44, and of the 12,000 men but 2,336.  Those figures are more eloquent of the splendid courage of our men than any words.  Reduced to less than one fifth of their original numbers they still held out, YPRES remained, and still remains, uncaptured, and the losses of the enemy were vastly greater than our own.

Perhaps the most remarkable testimony to the vigour and accuracy of the British fire is conveyed in the words of a German Officer who tells us that the enemy believed that 4 British Army Corps were holding the positions actually maintained by less than one”.  

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Royal Flying Corps       Indian Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q./21/1                                           21

Please carry out following reconnaissance on AVRO LILLE SECLIN DOUAI LENS AAA

Send report to R.F.C. H.Q. AAA  Cancel Capt Jackson’s message concerning Capt Cholomondeley.

From:

Place: Commanding No. 3. Squadron.

Time:  

(Sd) W. Salmond, Major. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

===========================

18A

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO G.H.Q.

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.194.                                                21

Enemy biplane containing two German officers landed at Le Touret this afternoon owing to engine trouble and were captured AAA All quiet on front of Indian Corps.

Org C.G.S.

Copy I.

R.F.C

From: Indian Corps

Place:

Time:  5.4 0p.m.

18B

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

TO Indian Corps

Senders Number                  Day of Month                                    In reply to Number

G.Q.21/11                                          21

Please preserve German aeroplane intact AAA  Expert will inspect machine tomorrow AAA

From: R.F.C., H.Q.

Place:

Time:  7.45 p.m.

(Sd) W. Salmond. Maj. G.S.

Signature of Addressee

H.Q. R.F.C.

G/112/40.

INFORMATION

==========

2^nd Corps.

            The following notes on defensive measures taken during the recent fighting in front of YPRES may be of assistance to other troops.

The section of defence held by the Division was in wooded country.  The tracks through the woods became almost impassable owing to mud, the whole area was under constant shell fire and wires were constantly cut.  Communication was therefore slow and difficult.  It was found that when the enemy made a breach in the line it was a slow and costly business to turn him out, if he was given time to establish himself.  On the other hand, immediate counter attack was almost always successful.

Local reserves were therefore placed close up with orders to counter attack with the bayonet whenever the enemy penetrated the line.  Small supporting points were established close behind the line, prepared for all round defence, wired in all round, and, as far as possible, concealed from observation.  These posts had garrisons of from 20 to 40 men.  They should be under an officer or selected N.C.O.  It was found that they broke up the attack and checked it sufficiently to enable a successful counter attack to be organized.

The general experience of the fighting was that a field of fire was of far less importance to infantry than freedom from exposure to artillery fire.  The portion of the line held by the West Kents and K.O.S. Borderers had a field of fire of from 30 to 40 yards.  It was well wired in and never seriously troubled because the enemy could not bring his guns to bear on it.  All the enemy’s attempts to attack were repulsed with heavy loss.

It was found in places where the line was exposed to artillery fire that the two lines of trenches, connected by zig-zag communications were of value.  On several occasions our men were shelled out of one line but by moving back to the other avoided loss and were able to prevent the enemy’s infantry from occupying the abandoned trenches.  The forward line was usually re-occupied without difficulty when the shelling ceased and was invariably occupied at night.

Loopholed iron plates were found very useful for snipers when the enemy had established himself close to our line.

With reference to G.H.Q. No. O.A.401 some rabbit netting was put up over the trenches round YPRES but when our left had not undergone an actual test by “Minenwerfere”.  Both the infantry and cavalry in the trenches objected to it on the ground that it prevented them using their bayonets, in which objection I entirely concur, and consider it an inseparable one.  I think it should not be used either in fire or support trenches, except over machine gun emplacements and with outposts where it might be useful.  It might also be used over reserve trenches and would there also form a good support for some form of protection against the weather.

I do not think any form of protection against “Minenwerfere” can be designed for the fire trenches which will not have the same objection to its use.  As it appears almost impossible to spot them so that they can be dealt with by artillery, the only method of dealing with them would seem to be to make a sortie in the neighbourhood they are supposed to be in.

(Sd) W. Salmond

Major, G.S.

H.Q. R.F.C.

1-30 p.m.

            29/11/14.

            Programme of Work done by No. 6 Squadron with 11nd Corps.

———————————————–

19-11-14:       No work possible owing to severe snowstorm.

20-11-14:       B.E. 493 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        Other machine started, but forced to return owing to carburettor

                        trouble.

21-11-14:       B.E. 493 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        Other machines started for Artillery observation and tactical

                        reconnaissance, but returned owing to carburettor trouble

Wireless Flight arrived.

22-11-14:       B.E. 241 & B.E. 468 – Artillery observation with Vth Division.

                        B.E. 493 & B.E. 646 – Artillery observation with 3^rd Division.

                        B.E. 636 – Tactical Reconnaissance

                                                            (Report attached).

23-11-14                                                                                (Sd): J.H.W. Becke, Maj.

Cdg. NO. 6 Sqdn. R.F.C.

——————————————-

35A

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ENEMY 23/11/14.

————————————-

(Enclosed with original).

G.H.Q. 1.,                                                                                      (Sd) G.M.W. Macdonogh,

23/11/14                                                                                            Brigadier General,

General staff.

or

INTELLIGENCE SUMMARY

26C

Report of INTERVIEW with 4 OFFICERS of the GERMAN

FLYING CORPS.

***********************************

An Intelligence Officer from G.H.Q. had already had 5 hours conversation with the prisoners, and had elicited a good deal of information.  I only endeavoured to make enquiries on matters not touched upon in the previous interview.

=======================

All 4 officers maintained that their machines fly faster and climb better then the B.E’S.  as, however, one of them said that he never reached 2,000 metres under 30 minutes, their climbing power is clearly inferior to that of the B.E.s.  All the machines can carry from 5 to 6 hours’ petrol, but at present they rarely carry more that 3 hours’ petrol.

The Aviatik and Albatross are considered the best machines; the Fokker is also good, but not so easy to land.  All other types are old machines and out of date.  A new machine is said to have gone through its trials and to be ready for delivery.  It carries pilot and observer, and will fly at 140 kilometres per hour.

Bombing: is only regarded of value from the moral effect it may produce.  Pilots who make a habit of dropping Bombs have a sighting-apparatus fitted.  One of them remarked that he would never drop a Bomb without a sighting-apparatus.  The pilot always drops the Bomb.

Armour-proof Plating:  Machines are fitted with Armour-proof seats for pilot and observer.  Some machines are going to be fitted or are already fitted with Armour-proof Plating along the floor from pilot’s seat to the engine; the underpart of the engine is also to be protected.

Machine Guns:  One of the officers volunteered that some machines are fitted with machine guns.  but they showed so much surprise at finding that L. Strange’s Avro was armed with a machine-gun, that I came to the conclusion that machines have not yet been flown at any rate beyond German lines with Machine Guns.

Questioned as to the sheds at GHISTELLES near OSTENDE, said that they knew nothing about them.

I was interested to learn that it has been given out that Captain Grey, recently captured, was, in fact Colonel Grey, the Commanding Officer of the British Royal Flying Corps.

They also told me that two British Naval Officers were brought down and killed near DIXMUDE about three weeks ago.  The machine was flying low, the pilot having apparently missed his way.  It was thought that the machine must have been hit by a chance shot from a heavy gun; the aeroplane collapsed suddenly in the air and burst into flames.  This must have been Lt. Beever and his passenger.

The interview was interrupted at this point, as the prisoners had to be removed from ST. OMER.

(Signed): G.S. Shephard, Capt.,

Royal Flying Corps.

—————————-

24/11/14

            They were anxious to learn what effect anti-aircraft guns had on English machines and pilots.  They realised that no machines had been brought down, but thought that several had been hit.

            They were informed that the effect of their anti-aircraft guns, whether moral or otherwise, had, as they must have seen for themselves, been insignificant.

H.Q. R.F.C.                                                                                       Major, G.S.

 8-0 p.m.

            29/11/14.

Reconnaissance No: 781A                                                               24^th November 1914.

Aeroplane: RE. 5 – 380.                                                                       

Squadron No.  2.                                                                                                      

Pilot:  Lieut. Broder;

Observer: Capt Lumsden;                                                        Ref Map:  France 1/80,000

Hour commenced: 8-30 a.m.

Hour concluded:    10-20 a.m.

================================================================

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

—————————————————————————————————————-

9-0 a.m.          CAPINGHEM.                       All open spaces in vicinity taken up with

                                                                        bivouacs.  Considerable activity along roads

                                                                        in neighbourhood.

                                                                        Three short lines of earthworks being

                                                                        constructed between CAPINGHEM &

                                                                        PERENCHIES, facing N.W. & W.

                        ENGLOS.                              Disconnected line of earthworks between

                                                                        ENNELLERES and HALLENNES, facing W.

                                                                        & S.W. – digging proceeding.  Activity.

                        SANTE.                                  New semi-circular defence works facing S.

                                                                        and W. 500 yards S.W. of SANTE.

                                                                        Short line of what appears to be gun

                                                                        emplacements 200 yards S.W. of SANTE.

9-50                BOIS DE BIEZ.                     3 lines of gun pits occupied N.E. of wood.

1 – 4 guns – 200 yards N.E. of N.E. corner

of Woods.

1 – 6 guns – 300 W. of village AUBERS.

1 – approx. 8 parked and close to road just

N of NEUVECHAPELLE.

ARMENTIERES.                  Trenches S.E. of CHAPELLE

                                                d’ARMENTIERES being accurately shelled.  

                                                Snow yellow.

(Signed): H.T. Lumsden, Capt.

            Observer.                  

Reconnaissance No 781                                                       24^th November 1914.

Aeroplane B.E.  635.                                                                             

Squadron No  4                                                                                                        

Pilot  Lieut. Roche

Observer        –                                                           Reference Map:  1/100,000

Hour commenced: 1-50 p.m.

   “     concluded:    4-30 p.m.

================================================================

Time                                       Place                          OBSERVATION

—————————————————————————————————————-

2-30 p.m.       PERVYSE                 No fighting seen on the line PERVYSE –

                                                            NIEUPORT.  The line PERVYSE –

                                                            DIXMUDE under cloud.

2-50 p.m.       NIEUPORT.                          No activity in town

3-0 p.m.          MIDDELKERKE       (a) About 20 M.T. vehicles in streets.

(b) Nothing seen in area NIEUPORT –

WESTENDE – OSTEND – SNAESKERKE.

3-7 p.m.          OSTEND                   (a) Rolling stock for about 14 trains in railway

                                                            station.  2 engines with steam up.  1 train arriving

                                                            from THOUROUT.  Sidings S.E. of town full of

rolling stock where there was one engine with steam up.

Town appeared quiet.

(b) No sign of activity in inner or outer harbour

between piers.

3-25 p.m.       BRUGES                   (a) Not many people in streets of town.

(b) About 170 transport vehicles in town, About

130 of these M.T. lorries.

(c) Rolling stock for about 8 trains in railway

station.  Smoke from railway works W. of Fort

Lanin and rolling stock for 3 trains on the siding

near these works.  1 train arriving from S.E. or

S.W. (this train was seen from some distance).

GHISTELLES clouds.

3-35 p.m.       COUCKELAERE     (a) 40 M.T. in streets of town.

(b) Column of M.T. halted on N. side of the

THOUROUT – BEERST road, one end at 5 the

other at 7 kilo. Stone.

3-40 p.m.       ZAREN                      18 store tents.

3-42p.m.         STADEN                    (a) Rolling stock for 1 train.  1 engine with steam

                                                            up.

(b) 14 store tents and six small tents E. of town.

STADENBERG        40 transport vehicles parked.

3-45 p.m.       FORET D’HOUTHULST.    Clouds.

On return journey from BRUGES only places mentioned above were visible.                    

(Sd) H. Roche, Lieut.

                                                            Observer.