War Diary of Headquarters 31^st Divisional Artillery from JUNE 1^st 1916 – To JUNE 30^th 1916

VOLUME VI

1^st June 1916                                                                           31^st Div Artillery                                                         Ref Map 57 D N.E.

H.Q. BUS LES ARTOIS                               G.O.C. R.A. Brig Gen E.P. Lambert C.B., R.A.                   Infantry

Bde Major Capt H.O. Hutchison R.A.                       Right Sector

Right Group                                        Right Group                            A/170 Q.13.b.10.60                            93^rd Inf Bde

H.Q. MAILLY-MAILLET                Lt. Col C.B. Simonds R.F.A. C/170  Q.2.c.50.25.                             Brig Gen Ingles

Cmdg 170^th Bde                     D/171(How) Q.7.b.30.80.                   (1 Battalion in the line)

H.Q. COLINCAMPS

Left Group                                          Left Group                                C/165     K.27.a.13.13.                     Centre & left sectors

H.Q. COLINCAMPS                         Lt. Col W.S.D. Craven R.F.A. C/171     K.27.c.05.95.                      93^rd Inf Bde

Cmdg 169^th Bde.                      B/169      K.32.a.90.35.                     (2 Battalions in line)

C/169       K.32.b.15.15                     94^th Bde less 1 Batt training

H/169       K.31.c.70.00.                    92^nd Bde less 1 Batt in Div reserve,

D/170 (How) Q.2.b.10.25                   1 Batt 92^nd & 1 Batt 93^rd in Bde reserve.

A/171             K.27.a.05.70.          Attached to 48^th Div.

D/169 (How) K.27.c.20.10.         Cover whole Div Front.  (Under tactical control of Col. Hon. H.W. Addington R.F.A. Cmdg 171^st Bde)

In Reserve:-

1^st June 1916

• 165 Bde R.F.A. (less C Battery) Lt ColG. Henderson R.F.A.
• 171 Bde Hdqtrs (and B/171 battery) Col Hon. H.W. Addington R.F.A.

Guns in Action   32 18pdrs, (4 18 pdrs lent to 48^th Div)

12, 4.5 Hows

”In Reserve”      14 18 pdrs

3, 4.5 Hows

In Shop (for repairs) 2 18 pdrs

1 4.5 How

On LEFT FLANK         =          48^th Division.

On Right FLANK         =          29^th Division

1^st June

Right Group Enemy was active with 5.9’s firing 90 rounds into Q.2.d. between 6 & 8 a.m.

Otherwise a quiet day.  A/170 fired at a battery in PENDANT COPSE with observation by Kite balloon.

Left Group   Enemy fired about 120 rounds into K.21.a. between 7.30 & 9 a.m.  He was also active with 77 mm.

2^nd June

Right Group Normal day.  Snipers post located at Q.5.a20.80., also probably T.M. emplacement at K.35.b.0.5.

Left Group     Normal day.  Enemy shelled COURCELLES – COLINCAMPS road

3^rd June

Right Group & Left Group Normal; enemy artillery quiet during the day, & up to 12 midnight, when the bombardment of the raid started.

Appendix I Raid scheme 48^th D.A. orders & raid map (with “Original” copy of Diary)

Orders etc re the raid attached.

The artillery bombardment in conjunction with the 2 Trench mortars was accurate & effective, & the timing was punctual throughout. It was interesting to note that the enemy did not start retaliation to our bombardment till 12.20, their heavies did not open till 12.35.  Even then our trenches opposite the point of entry did not suffer very much, as most of the German fire was directed on our trenches opposite T.S. of the QUADRLATERAL.

The infantry were delayed in getting to their places and there was some delay in getting their Bangalore Torpedo into position – One of our own guns was afterwards reported by the raiding party to have been falling short on their left & caused some casualties. After the Bangalore torpedo was exploded, there was still some wire left uncut near the German parapet.  While cutting this wire some casualties were incurred, but an entry was made into the first line and 3 Germans are known to have been killed.  By this time the Officer in charge of the raiding party considered it time to withdraw & ordered the return to our own lines.  No prisoners were taken.

It was never discovered which gun was shooting short & it is quite possible that it was German fire & not our own.

The German artillery fire in reply was directed chiefly on the right & left of the front of entry and the heaviest retaliation was opposite the Quadrilateral where our casualties were somewhat heavy owing to lack of sufficient cover.

June 4^th

Right Group  Hostile Artillery was much quieter than of late opposite both groups.  Transport was fairly active on PUISIEUX road between 5.30 & 7 p.m.

Left Group   Normal day.

June 5th

Right Group Normal day.

Left Group   Normal day.                     See Appendix V (with original Diary)

June 6^th

Right Group & Left Group Normal day.  Enemy artillery rather quieter.

June 7^th

Right Group Normal day.  Camouflage observed at Q.6.a.5.1. A 77 mm battery is suspected.  Work continues on K.35.a.40.00.

Left Group Snipers posts located at K.30.c.15.67, K.35.c.40.70, K.35.c.30.40.

June 8^th

Right Group  Enemy fired about 90 5.9 shell at C/170, having previously ranged on it some hours before.  One man was wounded, one gun damaged.

Hostile battery was located at R.1.d.7.9 & engaged by 60 pdrs.

Ranging for instruction of Infantry Officers continues. Batteries starting dumping ammunition at the guns today for the forthcoming offensive.

Left Group Train movements observed rather above normal.

June 9th

Right Group Enemy artillery slightly more active.  Machine gun was located at K.29.b.4.0.

Left Group  Normal day.

June 10^th

Right Group  Enemy artillery active with 77 mm & 4.2 cm.  Strong parties were working on the trenches in the QUADRILATERAL all night, probably repairing damage done by our 2” Trench mortars, who fired 20 rounds with good effect in the afternoon.  C/170, A/170, D/171 cooperated during this shoot with a large number of rounds.

Left Group Fired over 200 rounds in retaliation for hostile shelling, which was active on our front line in the morning in K.29.b.

June 11^th

Right Group  Enemy artillery very quiet

Left Group

June 12^th

Right Group & Left Group  Enemy artillery again below normal.  Weather, rainy & bad for observation.

June 13^th

Right Group & Left Group  Slight enemy artillery activity confined to 77mm.  Large working party observed in afternoon at K.31.c.7.4.  Weather wet & misty.

June 14^th

Both Groups  – Normal day – transports observed by Left Group slightly above normal.

June 15^th

Both Groups – report Camouflage in Munich Trench at K36.a.71.82., this has been moved along the trench day by day; it is thought it may be a forward position.

June 16^th       On night of 15/16 June 2 guns 134^th Battery 4^th Div relieved 2 guns C/170.  On night 16/17 remaining guns 134^th battery relieved remaining guns C/170.  When this relief was completed C/170 were in their new positions at K.27.c.64.40 & A/170 also withdrew & moved into their new position at K.27.c.64.07.

At 6 p.m. on 16^th the Left Group covered the front from North point of JOHN COPSE to K.35.a.4.7., covering both battalions in the line.  The left group was reinforced by D/171.

The batteries, therefore, till the 24^th June, were grouped as follows.

Left Group. Lt. Col. W.S.D. Craven.                                                   H.Q. K.25c.23.28.

Cmdg 169 Bde R.F.A.

C/165              K.27.a.16.14.

C/171              K.27.c.05.95.

B/169              K.32.a.91.35.

C/169              K.32.b.20.15.

A/169             K.31.c.71.00.

D/170              Q2.b.10.25.

D/171              Q.7.b.30.80.

16^th – 23^rd June                                 Reinforcing batteries.

B/165              K.15.d.09.17.                                      During this week these batteries were

A/165              K.21.a.00.80.                                      gradually moved into their new positions

A/171              K.27.a.07.48.                                      by night.  They registered with a few rounds,

D/169              K.27.c.20.10.                                      but did not take part in the defence of the

A/170              K.27.c.64.07.                                      line, as it was not considered desirable to

B/170              K.27.c.22.68.                                      disclose their positions more than was

C/170              K.27.c.64.40.                                      absolutely necessary.

D/165              K.32.d.40.70.

B/171              K.32.c.83.73.

16^th June

Right Group  Handed over tactical control to 4^th Div Art & O.C. Left Group, 6.30 p.m. this evening.  A trench mortar at Q.5.a.35.45was silenced by our Artillery fire.

Left Group Transport heard during the night seemed much greater than usual.

The IV Division are now on our Right with the 29^th Division on their right.

June 17^th

Left Group B/169 was shelled with 5.9’s between 6.30 & 7 p.m., causing 7 casualties, 4 killed & 3wounded.  No damage to emplacements.  Enemy aeroplanes were active over our lines.

How. Group. (D171) Normal day.

June 18^th

Both Groups  Enemy artillery very quiet.  Hostile aeroplanes again active.

June 19^th

Both Groups  Hostile artillery shewed greater activity today, especially with 4.2’s & 5.9’s.  Left Group fired over 200 rounds in group retaliations.

June 20^th

Both Groups Normal day.  Preliminary bombardment (wire cutting) to general attack, which should have started at 6 a.m. this morning, was postponed to the 24^th.

June 21^st

Both Groups  Hostile Artillery slightly more active.  Left Group fired over 150 rounds in retaliation.

June 22^nd 23^rd

Both Groups  Nothing of interest to report.

June 24^th       For the grouping of the Divisional Artillery during the bombardment & attack see attached Appendix.    Appendix III

For reports from 24^th June onwards see attached appendix IV.  (pp 24&25).                                                                                                              Appendix IV

Appendix V

Two inch Trench Mortars

T.M.O. Cap^t Horner 18^th W. Yorks

Batteries

X31     Lieut Binns                                                     S31 was formed from the Div Arty by officers & men who Y31           Capt Kirk                                                        had one week’s course.  2^nd Lt Axten was given command Z31            Lieut Alexander                                     of this battery.

V 31 Heavy T.M. Battery (Cap^t Haney R.F.A.) arrived from the Trench Mortar School on June 4^th without guns.  Two mortar positions & ammunition dumps were built, pending the arrival of their guns which, however, were not eventually forthcoming.

Z 23 (Lieut George) with mortars complete was attached to 31 Div Arty from 23^rd Div Arty & arrived on June 18^th.

Capt Horner T.M.O. was relieved by 2^nd Lieut Bates R.F.A. on June 8^th.  2^nd Lt Bates was given the local rank of captain while employed as T.M.O.   Captain Kirk, on going sick, was relieved in his command by 2^nd Lieut Dann R.F.A. on the 2^nd June.

Throughout June the personnel of the Trench Mortars assisted by 53 Pioneers (later increased to 100) prepared 18 T.M. positions & ammunition dumps to hold 6000 rounds of ammunition in the trenches.

Dumps of 1000 rounds each were situated in SACKVILLE St., OBSERVATION WOOD & MATTHEW COPSE.  Component parts for dump in OBSERVATION WOOD were stacked in a specially made dug-out off EXCEMA & behind HITTITE.  The remainder of the ammunition was stored in deep dug-outs between each pair of mortar positions.

The transport of 2” T.M. ammunition to the trenches was a heavy task. Lorries carried them to COLINCAMPS & thence by G.S. wagons to EUSTON DUMP – thence by hand to the various positions in the trenches.

The weather was wet & the trenches muddy & very heavy to walk through, & it was almost impossible to get the men carrying bombs to do more than one journey by night.

By the evening of          all the mortars were in position & the ammunition at the various dumps.  The Pioneers had to work day & night shifts during the last 10 days & the ammunition required actually 9000 men to carry it from first to last, including the replenishment of gun pits during the bombardment.

Monthly Return of Casualties to Personnel – Headquarters ****

————————————————————————————

Month ending 31^st July 1916

Nature of Casualty                  Officers                                               Other Ranks                            Remarks

Admitted

to Hospital.                             –                                                                       1                                            

Killed.                                     –                                                                       –

Wounded.                               –                                                                       –

Injured.                                   –                                                                       –

Missing.                                   –                                                                       –

Absentees.                               –                                                                       –

Monthly Return of Casualties to Personnel – 45^th Brigade R.F.A.  Month ending 31^st July 1916

Nature of Casualty                  Officers                                               Other Ranks                            Remarks

Admitted

to Hospital.                             1                                                                      12^{x                                         x} Does not include 5^o wounded

Killed.                                     –                                                                       3

Injured.                                   –                                                                       –

Wounded.                               1                                                                      5^{o                                 o} Includes 2 wounded “at duty”

Missing.                                   –                                                                       3

Absentees.                               –                                                                       –

Monthly Return of Casualties to Personnel – 33^rd Brigade R.F.A.  Month ending 31^st July 1916

Nature of Casualty                  Officers                                               Other Ranks                            Remarks

Admitted

to Hospital.                             –                                                                       21                                           3 since rejoined unit

Killed.                                     1                                                                      9

Wounded.                               3^x                                                                     47                                ^x 1 whilst detached from unit.

Missing.                                   –                                                                       –

Injured.                                   –                                                                       7^{x                                 x} 1 since rejoined unit.

Absentees.                               –                                                                       –

Died of wounds                      –                                                                       2

Monthly Return of Casualties to Personnel – 8^th Divnl Ammn Column.  Month ending 31^st July 1916

Nature of Casualty                  Officers                                               Other Ranks                            Remarks

Admitted

to Hospital.                             1                                                                      15                                          

Killed.                                     –                                                                       –

Injured.                                   –                                                                       1                                 at Bomb Depot

Wounded.                               1                                                                      5^{x                                 x} wounded while on fatigues with Batteries

Missing.                                   –                                                                       –

Absentees.                               –                                                                       –

Monthly Return of Casualties to Personnel – 5^th Brigade R.H.A. Month ending 31^st July 1916

Nature of Casualty                  Officers                                               Other Ranks                            Remarks

Admitted

to Hospital.                             –                                                                       5                                             2 since rejoined

Killed.                                     1                                                                     3

Injured.                                   –                                                                       3

Wounded.                               2                                                                      13                                1 Officer at  “duty”

Missing.                                   –                                                                       –

Absentees.                               –                                                                       –

WAR DIARY Of 30^th Divisional Artillery from 1^st July 1916 – To 31^st July 1916

RANGEE des nuits     1^st July                       Lovely day.  Bombardment and attack as per programme – Events as per attached hourly

ARBRES                                                        report. – Many S.O.S. during the night mostly nothing – Aeroplane reports enemy massing at S.18.b.6.9 – Turned heavies onto them. – Heavy expenditure of Amⁿ during the night.

2^nd July                        Dull but fine.  A/151 in action in forward position OXFORD COPSE – all left Group

3.15 am           have to replenish Amⁿ.

3.55 am           S.O.S. Mountauban – All guns got amⁿ.  Apparently enemy attacked BRIQUIETERIE and got *** *** – ditto N.W. of MONTAUBAN – 18^th D.A. cooperated – Too many S.O.S. sent result “wolf” – Proper attack at 5 am driven off by our fire.

8.35am            Arranged for heavies to shell Bernafay Wood so that our patrols can enter & clean up situation – Bernafay Wood found practically empty – Took 16 prisoners & found a lot of German dead – Intermittent shelling all day.

3^rd July                         Fine – Looked for forward posⁿ for batteries near Machine Gun Wood and the late “no mans ground” found 7 German trenches most awfully knocked about.

4^th July                         Dull – Thundery – Quiet day on our front – French took ESTREES & BELLOI

15^th Corps are taking S end of Mametz Wood Trench & QUADRANGLE Trench tonight at 12.45 am (They took all but S of Mametz Wood.

ETINEHEM               5^th July                        Came out from Rangee D’ Arbres dugouts & handed over to 9^th Div Arty – new scheme for attack on MALTZ HURN Farm – TRONES Wood for day after tomorrow 7^th sprung on us at 1 pm.  Went tonight group & 9^th D.A. & French 39^th D.A. to try and arrange matters.  Find French leaving a gap between us – nothing yet settled by Corps.  Ordered 149^th Bde complete to advanced positions S.W. of MACHINE GUN WOOD also B/157 to N. of Peronne Road to take ** above scheme – Batteries to move tonight. Scheme postponed 24 hours.

6^th July                         Wet visited MONTAUBAN & BERNAFAY WOOD. Wonderful O.P. up a tree.  Slight alterations in lines 7.55 am as shell *** 8. am zero – 8.55 am Heavy Artillery lift off.                                

Fine Arranged scheme with Right Group & Sackville West.  Scheme postponed 24 hours.

7^th July                         Wet visited MONTAUBAN & BERNAFAY WOOD.  Wonderful O.P. up a tree in Bernafay Wood.  Timings for tomorrows show 7.55 am gas shells stop – 8. am zero – 8.55 am Heavy Artillery lift off. S.30.a.5.4 & neighbourhood of Trones Wood – 9.35 lift off N & S part of MALTZ Horn trench 9.40 off NE & SW part of ditto.  9.55 am off Maltz Horn Farm.  9.35 am 2^nd phase of attack commences  9.45 am Maltz Horn trenches to be occupied  10 am take Maltz Horn Farm.  Later take all TRONES WOOD – The French  will make a barrage E of TRONES WOOD if necessary.

8^th July                         Dull – The attack on Trones Wood reached the Wood at 8 a.m. but failed owing to Machine Gun fire in the Wood.  Our bombardment ordered for 12-30 p.m. which was well carried out, very heavy barrage being put up by us on the East side of BOIS des TRONES.  The attack reached the BOIS des TRONES at the same time as a strong counter attack came down from the direction of GUILLEMONT which came into our barrage and was unable to get through it.  At 1-20 p.m. we held South Eastern end of TRONES WOOD and captured 130 prisoners.  Touch was gained with the French on MALTZ HORN RIDGE and Infantry were waiting for our barrage to lift so as to take the whole of TRONES WOOD.  Positions of batteries 148^th Bde as for attack on 1^st July covering 9^th Div front – 149^th Bde moved to MACHINE Gun Wood area – A/151 Oxford Copse B/151 S.E. of Germans Wood – Ground was too heavy to move it up further as desired C/151 as before – A/150N of Peronne Road next to B/153 as for night 1 / 2 July, B/150 as before C/150 Chateau Keep Maricourt where it moved on 1^st July 10 a.m. D/150 alongside C/150 D.A.C. SAILLY LAURETTE miles too far back have asked for them to be sent further up – *** ***** to Bois D Athilles (5***)

9^th July                         Fine – Visited Groups and looked for positions on BRIQUIETERIE ridge for 149^th & 150^th Brigades.  Heavy counter attacks on TRONES WOOD twice beaten off.  Third attack got thro; counter attack by us got back South end & S.E. strong point & our infantry working N (10.30 p.m.) – Left Group lent to 9^th D.A.

B/150 Position         10^th July                         Fine.  Moved to B/150 old position between B & C Copses – Enemy got back TRONES

A21C6.6                                                         WOOD some time during the night cannot find out details.  Bombardment by heavies & us & barrage to be put up; infantry to enter wood at 3.27 a.m. 10/11

11^th July                          Fine – Infantry entered wood at 3.27 a.m. as per programme & reported they had consolidated – one under officer among prisoners found with an order to attack again that night signal to be one light – Quiet afternoon – about 11 p.m. F.O.O. reports O.K. later **& goes up – we put up barrage – S.O.S. sent later barrage again put up.  French Art report attack on their front – cannot get information as to situation from any one – Infantry apparently pushed out sometime in the evening but counter attacked at once and got south end of the wood – Heavies asked to shell the wood from 6 a.m. all day we are also shelling it with 18 prs & 4.5 Hows – Whole situation unsatisfactory as cannot make out how or when infantry pushed out of the wood – our artillery been firing most of the night & badly want a rest having been now at it practically day & night since 1^st July or rather 25^th June.

Moved to               12^th July                           Fine & dull – Continued shelling of wood – S.O.S. sent by aeroplane at 8.30 p.m. put up COPSE VALLEY                                      barrage but found it was nothing (aeroplane had seen some Very Lights sent up &               near                                                     thought attack was coming)  – later 9.30 p.m. S.O.S. from infantry, rifle & Machine gun

BILLON WOOD                                           fire, put up barrage immediately – attack stopped.

13^th July                          Fine 18^th Div take over from 30^th Div but 30^th D.A. stay in – attack on Trones Wood by 55^th Brigade – fails to get all wood at 7 p.m. re-bombardment at 8.45 p.m. – enemy still there – fighting still continue at 10 p.m.  Issued orders for tomorrows defensive flank attack to be at 3.25 a.m.  11.30 p.m. Infantry failed to take any more of the wood – fresh attack ordered to start at 3.25 a.m.  Same time as grand attack.  Only one 6” How Battery allowed to help.  Arranged to barrage across wood from just north of our line and advanced by 50^x every 2 minutes.  The infantry following behind 6” Hows on Strong Point S30a4.5 & then 3 exits.

14^th July                          7 a.m. Dull our infantry reached railway, but cannot get any more information, wires all cut.  The Big attack going strong Longueval to Bazentin le Grand taken & cavalry seen as far up as Mountauban – 9.30 a.m.   All Trones Wood reported taken except strong point at S30a4.5.  Patrols being sent out to inspect the line towards Guillemont.  Have issued orders to 150 Bde to be prepared to move up to positions on BRIQUETBRIE Ridge to assist attack on GUILLEMONT if necessary.  10 a.m. raining hard ground becoming impossible to move artillery over.  12 noon rain stopped – at 4.30 p.m. 150^th Bde ordered up to BRIQUETERIE ridge to take a second line – 6.30 p.m. 148^th Bde less D/148 ordered up to rally south of BERNAFAY wood (A5 central) to cut wire between Waterlot Farm & Guillemont – 6.55 a.m. 14/15 all batteries in action – 148^th Bde returns to us from 9^th Divⁿ.

15^th July                          Fine 9 a.m.  Ordered to cooperate in attack on Guillemont – made out orders – 12 noon postponed until 9^th Div take WATERLOT & GINCHY Big attack going strong Delville Wood, Flers & High Wood reported taken.

16^th July                          Fine but wet in afternoon – Visited 148^th & 150^th – Room for 3 more batteries alongside 148^th in MALTZ HORN Valley – Possibilities of relief by 18^th D.A. after taking of Guillemont & Ginchy in morning of 18^th – 3 brigade attack – 12 midnight orders to cut wire from FALFEMONT FARM to GUILLEMONT – 85^th Bde to help from 18^th D.A. also French 75 mm & Heavies – ordered 85^th to go to MALTZ Horn Valley with 148^th – Guides to meet them for 4 a.m.

17^th July                          Wet – 85^th Bde B/85into action 8.30 a.m. other two batteries go later – as far as can be found out go together bunched up – a few unlucky shells came & get two commanding officers + 2 subalterns also 21 men & about 10 horses – withdraw batteries for short time – batteries go up again + get into action 6.30 p.m. all correct.

10 p.m. S.O.S. Trones Wood – (not Trones Wood but S.O.S. from Longueval which shows 5 red rockets *** Trones Wood).  All quiet.

18^th July                          Wet.  C.R.A. 35^th D.A. came round battery positions with a view to relieving 30^th D.A.

Heavy attack on Longueval & Delville Wood – enemy taken Delville Wood – S.O.S. Trones wood at same time.  Put up heavy barrage from Delville Wood S of Waterlot Farm to near Maltz Horn.  A few Boshes got thro’ to E *** of Trones but were killed there.  Kept up barrage north of the railway till situation cleared – All quiet about 7.35 p.m. – Enemy still hold Delville Wood.  Very unpleasant for our guns in MALTZ HORN valley should TRONES WOOD go.

19^th July                          Fine – 35^th Div take over from 18^th Div at 10 a.m. General Staveley arranges to take over our line by exchanging personnel probably by noon 20^th.  We are handing over all our arrangements for attack on Guillemont.  First exchange carried out without hitch – Attack on Trench at MALTZ HORN arranged for 4.55 a.m. 20^th – 3 S.O.S. none sent by infantry this is owing to signal being 5 white **** result when any Very lights go up in any numbers it looks like S.O.S. signal.

20^th July                          Fine – Attack on MALTZ HORN at 4.55 a.m. failed owing to a machine gun behind the trench which had not been located before – French obtained all their objectives on the right up to MAUREPAS station + 800 prisoners.  Rebombardment at 8.30 also failed.  Fresh bombardment ordered for 11.5 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.  Infantry attack at 11.35 a.m.  Infantry got into trench but could not stay.  Half exchange of personnel carried out with 35^th D.A.  11 p.m. complete exchange completed.

CITADEL               21^st July                           Fine – absolute rest – 148^th complete at B autilles 149^th in action 150^th less D/150 at B Autilles 151^st in action – Batteries in action under 35^th D.A.  Had to wear goggles because of gas shells.

22^nd July                         Fine – Visited Brigades resting at BOIS Autilles – 21^st attack on Guillemont at night.  21^st attack failure hung up by machine guns & wire also Yorkshire Reg^t lost direction & did not attack Guillemont at all otherwise attack might have succeeded.  Two companies reached church in Guillemont but had to retire.

23^rd July                          Fine.  Attack on Guillemont in early hours as above.

24^th July                          Fine – New attack arranged on Guillemont with French also attacking much more likely to come off as French attack S of FALFEMONT Farm whilst we attacked from just N of Guillemont to FALFEMONT Farm inclusive 4.50 p.m. Operations postponed for at least 48 hours.

25^th July                          Fine – Very noisy night last night – Quiet day & night.

26^th July                          Fine – Visited batteries in the line – They can’t get any time out of 35^th D.A.  Have asked for Col Dixon to be relieved as he isn’t fit – Col Dixon relieved.  Attack on Longueval & Delville Wood by 5^th & 3^rd Divⁿ early tomorrow morning.

27^th July                          Fine – Sent up more guns to replace those damaged in 35^th D.A.  13^th Corps R.A. now order no more guns to be sent up to replace unless they are in 30^th D.A.

28^th July 1916                 Fine – Visited Divⁿ Quiet day.

29^th July 1916                 Fine – Quiet day.

30^th July 1916                 Fine – Our battery ordered to hold itself in readiness at short notice to go to a position in A24 east of “Y” wood to shoot into valley East of MALTZ HORN FARM.

31^st July 1916                 Fine – Very hot – Relief orders 149^th & 151^st brigades to come out on relief by 55^th D.A. & go to Bois Athilles first sections night 31/1 & 2^nd Sections night 1 / 2 August.  Am still short of small stores for the guns but hope to have them made up by 35^th who took all ours.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

A short summary of casualties & amount of ammunition is attached.

Casualties roughly for 1^st July to 31^st July 20 Officers & 108 men.

Ammunition expenditure July 1^st to July 4^th A 37,275 AY 10,848 B 3 BX 7,314 Thermit.

July 10^th to 16^th     A 31,098 AY 13,084 B 7 BX 8,293  100

July 16^th to 20^th     A 22,039 AY  6,777 B 86BX 4,613

O.W. **** Maj.

B.M. 30^th DIV Artillery

WAR DIARY Of 18^th Div Arty from 1^st July 1916 – To 31^st July 1916

BRAY   July 1^st         “Z” day.  Zero hour settled for 7.30 A.M.

Bombardment carried out in accordance with Programme in Operation Order No 1 (Appendix No 1 June)

Bombardment was satisfactory and final objectives of the infantry was attained by the evening.

Appendix I “July” gives messages received and issued. Appendix II July gives pieces of telephone conversations and orders given or received verbally.

BRAY   July 2^nd         Day was spent in consolidating positions gained, S.O.S. MONTAUBAN received, and balance of Right Group put up to assist 3 Div at dawn in repelling enemy attack.

Batteries were moved forward in the night according to Programme.

Appendix III list of messages received and issued; Appendix IV tabulated list of telephone conversations.

BRAY   July 3^rd         18^th Div Art assisted XV Corps in attack on BOTTOM WOOD and SHELTER WOOD by engaging reinforcements between MAMETZ WOOD & BAZENTIN-le-PETIT wood.  Effect of fire reported as satisfactory by F.O.Os:-

D/82 moved forward to position near CARNOY.

Appendix V list of messages received & issued. Appendix VI tabulated list of telephone conversations.

BRAY   July 4^th         C.R.A. carried out reconnaissance of forward positions for wire cutting.  2^nd line shelled throughout the night and day to prevent work being carried out. –

Appendix VII list of messages received & issued. Appendix VIII tabulated list of telephone conversations.

BRAY   July 5^th         Observation and shelling of German 2^nd line continued – Three abandoned German guns were brought in at night.  C.R.A. 3^rd Div Art conferred with C.R.A. as regards positions for 3^rd Div Art batteries for wire cutting.

Appendix IX list of messages received and issued.

BRAY   July 6^th         2^nd line engaged night and days as on previous days. – Three German 77 mm guns were brought in during the night from captured positions in the front line.

Appendix X list of messages received and issued. Operation Order No 3 issued Appendix XI.

BRAY   July 7^th         18 Div Art cooperated with XV Corps in attack on MAMETZ wood by shelling German 2^nd line in accordance with Operation Order No 3.

Appendix XII messages received and issued.

BRAY   July 8^th         3^rd Div relieved 18^th Div. – 82^nd, 83^rd & 84^th Bd R.F.A. remain under tactical order of 3^rd Div Art – 85^th Bd R.F.A. was withdrawn to wagon lines in BOIS DE STAILLES with all guns requiring overhauling by I.O.M.

BRAY   July 9^th         C.R.A. carried out reconnaissance of front – One worn minenwerfer and German field gun brought in

BRAY   July 10^th       C.R.A. carried out reconnaissance of front.

BRAY   July 11^th       C.R.A. carried out inspection of all wagon lines, and of 85^th Bd R.F.A.

BRAY   July 12^th       18^th Div Operation Order No 23 received, with instructions for 18^th Div to take over from 30^th Div. – 18^th Div Art to remain under order of G.O.C. 3^rd Div for the present – One captured German 4.2 How was brought in by Capt CRUMPLIN (V/18 Heavy T.M. Battery) during the night.

BRAY     July 13^th      C.R.A. proceeded to CORBIE to interview I.O.M. on subject of Buffer Spring troubles –

C.R.A. 35^th Div came up to see front.

BRAY     July 14^th      18^th Div Art (under Orders of 3^rd Div Art) cooperated in the attack on BAZENTIN LE GRAND and German 2^nd line between this village and LONGUEVAL. – Lt Col BLOIS commanding 84^th Bd R.F.A. was seriously wounded.

BRAY     July 15^th      83 &84 Bde moved forward and occupied positions in the valley just north of MONTAUBAN – B/82 & D/82 Batteries also moved forward to same locality.

C.R.A. inspected forward battery positions.

BRAY     July 16^th      Orders received from XIII Corps R.A. for 85^th Bde to be moved up to come under Orders 30^th Div Art, with a view to wire cutting on German 2^nd line between GUILLEMONT and FALFEMONT FARM (12 midnight).

BRAY     July 17^th        A/82, C/82 & D/82 batteries were withdrawn out of action under orders of 3^rd Div Art. – Order issued at 12.15 A.M. to 85^th Bd to complete deficiencies in guns from guns of 82^nd Bde R.F.A. and to occupy positions in vicinity of MALTZ HORN FARM as soon as possible.

These batteries occupied positions about A.5.a. & c. but were unfortunately caught in German barrage whilst unlimbering suffering some casualties amongst others the battery commanders of A/85 & C/85.

The 83^rd & 84^th Bde R.F.A. were transferred for tactical purposes at 12 noon from 3^rd Div Art to 9^th Div Art

BRAY     July 18^th      Orders received for relief of 18^th Div by 35^th Div. – 18^th Div Art to remain in the line for the present.

Lt. Col Seagram wounded and evacuated.

82^nd Bde completely withdrawn out of action.

BRAY     July 19^th      Instructions received that 18^th Div would be withdrawn to Reserve area. – 85^th Bde R.F.A. to be relieved on the 20^th by Bde of 35^th Div Art. – 83^rd & 84^th Bdes to be relieved as soon as situation will admit probably on night of 20^th /21^st.

Orders issued to 82^nd Bde, 85^th Bde and Trench Mortar Batteries with a view to collecting Div Art in preparation of move to reserve area.

BRAY   July 20^th       82^nd Bde withdrawn to BOIS DES TAILLES. – 85^th Bde withdrawn to wagon lines. – Trench Mortar Batteries assembled in suitable sites for further withdrawal.

BRAY   July 21^st       82^nd Bde ordered to march to POULAINVILLE to rejoin 18^th Div. -83^rd & 85^th Bdes withdrawn to BOIS DES TAILLES.

BRAY   July 22^nd       83^rd & 85^th Bdes ordered to march to BUSSY – 82^nd Bde marched to ALERY – 84^th Bde withdrawn to BOIS DES TAILLES.

HALLENCOURT July 23^rd   83^rd Bde marched to FONTAINE – 85^th Bde to ALERY – 84^th Bde & D.A.C. to ARGOEUVES.  Trench Mortar batteries drived to ERONDELLE by lorry.  Div Art report centre closed at BRAY and reopened at HALLENCOURT.

HALLENCOURT July 24^th   84^th Bde marched to DUNCQUE – D.A.C. to BAILLEUL & BELLIFONTAINE-

C.R.A. inspected horses of 82^nd & 85^th Bdes.

HALLENCOURT July 25^th   C.R.A. inspected 84^th Bde & D.A.C. horses – Orders for entrainment of Div Art on 26^th & 27^th issued.

HALLENCOURT July 26^th   Final instructions issued for entrainment of 18^th Div Art – Entrainment commenced in accordance with 18^th Div Art Order No 5 (Appendix XIII).

EECKE July 27^th       18^th Div Art H.Q. proceeded by rail from LONGPRE to BAILLEUL – C.R.A. & Bde Major proceeded by motor.  Div Art detrained at BAILLEUL during 27^th and night of 27^th /28^th , proceeding to billets in the vicinity of EECKE.

EECKE July 28^th       C.R.A. visited V Corps H.Q. and Second Army H.Q.

EECKE     July 29^th    C.R.A. visited Major General R.A. Second Army – G.O.C. R.A. II ANZEC CORPS and H.Q. 4^th Australian Division.

EECKE July 30^th       C.R.A. inspected Batteries and lunched with Army Commander.

EECKE July 31^st        C.R.A. inspected battery positions on new Div front.

N.B. Appendix XIV forwarded herewith. Part taken by 18^th Div Art in operations from July 1^st to July23rd and deductions to be drawn therefrom.

August 1916

Verdun

The Moroccan Colonial forces captured the village of Fleury on the 17^th August 1916, after making careful preparations for the assault on the 10^th August 1916. German counter-attacks were repulsed by the Zouave troops, and Fleury remained in French hands for the remainder of the war. The village of Fleury had changed hands sixteen times from the 23^rd June until the 17^th August 1916.

On the 29^th August 1916, Chief of the Imperial German Staff Erich von Falkenhayn is dismissed by Kaiser Wilhelm II. Falkenhayn had been discredited by the disappointing progress of the Verdun offensive. The entry of Romania into the war on the side of the allies, together with the Brusilov Offensive results in Germany having to divert troops away from Verdun. The German army is required to reinforce the nearly collapsed Austro/Hungarian army. Paul von Hindenburg succeeds Falkenhayn as Chief of the General Staff, although real power is exercised by his deputy Erich Ludendorff. The Kaiser is effectively reduced to a figurehead after Hindenburg becomes Commander-in-Chief of the German armed forces. From 1916 onwards, Germany is an unofficial military dictatorship often called the “Silent Dictatorship”.

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The Somme

On the 9^th/10^th August 1916, Noel Chavasse while serving as Medical Officer of the 10^th Battalion of the Kings Liverpool Regiment (Liverpool Scottish), stationed at Guilemont, was awarded the Victoria Cross for tending the wounded in no-man’s land. He was then a 32 year old qualified doctor.

Under heavy fire he tended the wounded all day in full view of the enemy. He continued during the night in his search and treatment of wounded troops in front of the enemy’s lines. The following day he and a stretcher bearer carried a seriously injured soldier 500 yards to safety. He proceeded, with some volunteers, to rescue 3 wounded men just yards from the enemy’s trenches. He also buried two dead officers and collected many identity discs. During those two days and nights he saved the lives of 20 wounded men. For this action he was awarded the VC. Previously in 1915 he had been awarded the Military Cross for similar deeds rescuing the wounded in no-man’s land. His VC was the first of the two Noel Chavasse was awarded.

The Village of Guillemont was on top of a gentle ridge, from which the German defenders enjoyed an uninterrupted view of the approaches from the wooded areas. The British attacked on the 18^th August 1916, not knowing the Germans had installed various obstacles to bar their way. Rusty barbed wire was installed across open ground, thorny thickets filled shell holes, massed machine guns and hidden snipers were deployed by the Germans. When the British infantry attacked after the artillery bombardment, they were slaughtered and forced to retreat. The attack was a complete failure and Guilemont was not captured until the 3^rd September 1916.

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The Balkans

The Allied forces in Salonika were reinforced on the 1^st August 1916 by 5000 Russian troops. After Italy’s declaration of war against Germany, Italian troops were sent to bolster the Allied forces in Salonika on the 12^th August 1916.

On the 17^th August 1916, Romania reached an agreement with the Allies over their proposed level of military involvement. At stake was the Romanian expectation of territory gains. The Romanian declaration of war was not transmitted to the Germans until 27^th August 1916 when Romania entered the war on the side of the Allies. Romania had a successful offensive against Austria-Hungary through the Carpathian Mountains, advancing 50 miles into Transylvania. Although Germany had been worried the Romanians would enter the war on the side of the Allies, they were taken by surprise at the Rumanian declaration of war. Germany’s immediate response was to declare war on Romania the following day, the 28^th August 1916.

On the 17^th August 1916, the Battle of Florina was an offensive operation by the Bulgarian army against the Serbian army, in which the Bulgarians captured the city of Florina, located in present-day Greece. German assistance to the Bulgarian offensive began on the 17^th August 1916. The Serbians were constantly being supplied with re-enforcements in the form of new weapons, munitions and fresh troops, while the Bulgarians soon depleted their ammunition stocks. The Bulgarian high command were forced to call a halt to the offensive on the 27^th August 1916 and ordered the troops to dig in at their occupied positions

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On the 28^th August 1916, Germany declared war on Romania, followed on the 30^th August 1916 by Turkey’s declaration of war against Romania

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In mid-August 1916, the 2^nd Regiment of the Serbian army left Salonika on their way back in the fight for Serbia. They were going home to join the Allies. Sergeant Flora Sandes, an English lady who had enlisted in the Serbian army, marched alongside the ranks of the Serbian soldiers. Although officially she was leader of her section, she had Serbian Sergeant Milidin as her deputy, who provided the experience. Flora was aware of the esteem the 2^nd Regiment had for her and how worried they were she might be taken prisoner by the Bulgarian forces. The Bulgarians were not particularly merciful to Serbian prisoners. Milidin assured her she would not be taken prisoner while he was still alive, leaving her to wonder whether he would shoot her himself rather than let her be captured.

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The Caucasus and Middle East Campaign

The Battle of Romani was fought between the 3^rd and 5^th August 1916 near the Egyptian town of Romani, east of the Suez Canal. The Ottoman infantry, under German leadership, launched an attack against the Australian mounted brigade and was forced back to their starting point at Katia. Deep sand, hunger and thirst, together with additional Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzac) forces caused the Ottoman attackers to retreat to El Arish and the Allied pursuit ended on the 12^th August 1916. The battle was the last attack of the Central Powers on the Suez Canal at the beginning of the Sinai and Palestinian Campaign.

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The Eastern Front

On the 10^th August 1916, the Battle for Kowell ground to a halt as both Russian and the Central Power troops were exhausted by the battle. The battle commenced on the 28^th July 1916 as part of the Brusilov Offensive. Russian morale was low, German and Austro-Hungarian troops were forced to bring in additional re-enforcements from Verdun and the Italian front. Having brought the re-enforcements from the Western Front, Germany achieved control over the Austro-Hungarian armies at both operational and administrative levels. In effect Germany dictated Austro-Hungarian activities except on the Italian front.

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Other Fronts

As one of the leaders of the failed Irish Easter Rebellion in Dublin, Sir Roger Casement was executed for high treason on the 3^rd August 1916. Casement had been knighted in 1911 for his report on the atrocities in Putumayo Bay in Peru, whilst with the British Consulate in Brazil. Upon returning to Britain he became more interested in Irish politics and joined the Irish rebels, then finally became one of their leaders. At the outbreak of the Great War, Casement travelled to Berlin in an attempt to form an Irish brigade of Irish prisoners of war to fight for Ireland and Germany. He did not have any success, nor did he receive much success when he put forward the suggestion in Ireland. He negotiated for a consignment of arms with the Germans and was provided with a German U-Boat to take him to the west coast of Ireland where he was to meet up with a boat carrying the weapons for the rebels. British intelligence had information about Casement’s movements and he was arrested on the 23^rd April 1916. He had failed to rendezvous with the ship carrying the consignments of weapons. He was sent for trial, and on the 29^th June 1916 he was found guilty of high treason and sentenced to death. He was stripped of his knighthood and executed at Pentonville Prison.

The Sixth Battle of Isonzo on the 6^th to 17^th August 1916, the Italians were finally able to establish control of Gorizia. On the 8^th August 1916, the Austria/Hungarian army lacked reserves of troops and were forced to evacuate the bridgehead over the lsonzo River. The Austria/Hungarian army established a new defensive line east of Gorizia. This engagement proved to be the turning point of the battle, and for the Italians would be the most successful of the series of 12 battles. Over the next year, Chief of Staff Luigi Cordorna tried without much success to extend his armies gains.

Following the invitation of the British Government for Portugal to participate in the war, the Portuguese Parliament accepted the proposals on the 7^th August 1916. The war effort would consist of 55,000 infantry soldiers plus 1,000 artillerymen to be sent to France. This was to be at the rate 4,000 soldiers per month to man 12 km of battlefront. Portugal also fielded forces in its African colonies in Mozambique defending against German forces. Military forces were also sent south to Angola to subdue native unrest instigated by the Germans.

On the 19^th August 1916, following the Battle of Jutland, the German fleet carried out various raids against the Royal navy in the North Sea. These raids were designed mainly to keep up German morale. British Intelligence had information of the raids and the British fleet were in search of the German warships when the light cruiser HMS Nottingham was sunk by three torpedoes fired by the German Submarine U-52. A second cruiser HMS Falmouth was hit by two torpedoes fired by Submarine U-63. Whilst being towed to the Humber River, HMS Falmouth sank the following day after being struck by two more torpedoes, again fired by Submarine U-23.  The German fleet had used submarines to assist in the attacks on surface vessels, but on the 6^th October 1916 a decision was made in Germany to resume attacks against merchant shipping. Following this engagement the German fleet, not having the assistance of submarines, did not venture out so far west into the North Sea for the remainder of the war.

Italy had been at war with Austria/Hungary for 15 months. On the 28^th August 1916, after the success of the Sixth Battle of Isonzo, Italy declared war on Germany.

On the 29^th August 1916, Paul von Hindenburg succeeded Erich von Falkenhayn as Chief of the General Staff. (See Verdun 29^th August 1916). Following Hindenburg and Ludendorff’s up-graded positions, Germany’s entire war economy was placed under the Hindenberg Plan. This plan allowed the military to exercise dictatorial style powers over the control of the labour force, munitions production, food distribution and most aspects of daily life.

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THE GREAT WAR – AUGUST 1916

Verdun

17^th Aug                           French capture Fleury

29^th Aug                           Falkenhayn dismissed by the Kaiser

29^th Aug                          Hindenburg succeeded Falkenhayn

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The Somme

9^th/10^th Aug                   Noel Chavasse won his first Victoria Cross

18^th Aug                         British attack Guilemont

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The Balkans

1^st Aug                           Allied forces in Salonika re-enforced by Russian troops

12^th Aug                         Italians assist the Allied forces in Salonika

17^th Aug                         Romania agreed to join the war alongside the Allies

17^th to 28^th Aug           The Battle of Florina

27^th Aug                         Romania declared and entered the war against Germany

28^th Aug                          Germany immediately declared war on Romania

30^th Aug                         Turkey declared war on Romania

Mid Aug                         Flora Sandes’ Regiment left Salonika for the fight to Serbia

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The Caucasus and Middle East Campaign

3^rd to 5^th Aug                  The Battle of Romani

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The Eastern Front

10^th Aug                         End of the Battle of Kowell

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Other Fronts

3^rd Aug                             Sir Roger Casement executed for treason

6^th to 17^th Aug               Sixth Battle of Isonzo

7^th Aug                           Britain’s oldest ally, Portugal supports the Allies with military forces

19^th Aug                          Royal Navy loses two cruisers in the North Sea

28^th Aug                          Italy declared war on Germany

29^th Aug                          Germany became an un-official dictatorship

29^th Aug                           Germany organised war economy

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