21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 22 June 1916

APPENDIX “A”
21 Div
G.530.
ASSEMBLY ORDERS

1. Infantry Brigades will assemble in the trenches prior to zero in accordance with attached table.

2. All movements of large formed bodies of troops will be done by night.

3. (a) Battalions of the 50th will march to VILLE under Brigade arrangements, leaving HEILLY at 9.45 p.m. on evening of W and X days.
(b). 63rd Brigade will move to VILLE under Brigade arrangements, but will not leave LA NEUVILLE till 9.30 p.m. on W and X days, and will be in VILLE before daylight on X and Y days.

4. The relief of the 62nd Inf Bde in the trenches by 50th, 63rd and 64th Bdes will be carried out under arrangements to be made between Brigadiers concerned.

5. The Northern and Western boundaries of the assembly area of the 50th Bde will be as follows:-
Eastern end of PURFLEET, F.3.a.05.80. – BUNKER (exclusive) – KING’S AVENUE and KING’S CROSS (exclusive) – SURREY ROAD (inclusive) – ROYAL AVENUE (inclusive).

6. The two battalions of 50th Bde on X/Y night, and the one battalion on Y/Z night, will follow 63rd Bde in march from VILLE to trenches, branching off at such places on the route as convenient to 50th Bde.
The above battalions of 50th Bde will receive their orders for the march to trenches direct from 63rd Bde.

7. Routes to the trenches have been selected and reconnoitered by Brigades concerned.

8. Brigades will make their own arrangements for marching to the trenches, 63rd Bde being particularly careful not to clash with 64th Bde in the vicinity E.12.c.S.W.
64th Bde will have the use of PIONEER AVENUE.

9. It is important that the movement of large bodies of Infantry towards the trenches on X and Y nights should not be observed. Brigades, therefore will not commence their march so early that heads of columns will be East of line running North and South through DERNACOURT Church before 9.30 p.m. Brigadiers will use their own discretion if they desire to send parties of Machine, Lewis and Stokes Gunners to the Trenches during the day.

10. In order to relieve the congestion of traffic along the Communication Trenches during the relief on X night, 62nd Bde may thin out the troops holding the trenches previous to the relief, if he sees fit.

11. 62nd Bde will issue any orders he sees fit as to the use of “Up” and “Down” communication trenches during the relief on X/Y night.

12. On arrival in the BECOURT VALLEY, 63rd Bde will ensure that its tail does not interfere with the head of the 50th Bde having a free entrance to ROYAL AVENUE.

13. 62nd Inf. Bde. will make very careful arrangements as regards provision of reliable guides etc to assist the 50th Bde in the relief. An Officer or good N.C.O. will be left in the front line trenches to accompany the first patrols sent out by the 50th Bde during the night X/Y (Appendix “Q”).

14. Brigades are reminded that there are several batteries in position along the Eastern edge of BECOURT WOOD, and also just South of the Cook-houses in ABERDEEN AVENUE. They should, therefore, avoid marching near the muzzles of the guns.
The Artillery are arranging to slacken their fire from these positions between the hours of 11 p.m. and 1 a.m on X/Y and Y/Z nights.
New arrangement must be made.
15. During the period while our guns are not shooting (para 14), Machine Guns and Lewis Guns will be particularly active along our front so as to prevent the enemy mending his wire.

Please acknowledge.

H.E. Franklyn Capt.
for Lieut-Colonel
General Staff,
21st Division
22/6/16

Distribution.
XV Corps 1
62 Inf. Bde. 5
63 : : 5
64 : : 5
Div. Art. 2
Div. Eng. 4
Pioneers 1
Signals 1
178 Tun Co. R.E. 1
“Q” 3
A.D.M.S. 1
A.P.M. 1
7th Div. 1
17th Div. 1
34th Div. 1
50th Bde 1
“F” Coy R.E. 1

7th Divisional Artillery Instruction 22 June 1916

SECRET
G744

ADDITIONS and AMENDMENTS
to
“Scheme for Preliminary Bombardment,
and
Operation Order No. 11 dated 18th June 1916.”
-*-
In Operation Order No. 11 dated 18th June, the following is substituted for 1st paragraph of Table “K”:-

Concentrated bombardments will take place at the following times. For description see below.

“W” day 9.0 a.m. – 10.20 a.m. No 2 bombardment.
“X” day 4.30 a.m. – 5.50 a.m. No 3 bombardment.
“Y” day 6.0 a.m. – 7.20 a.m. No 1 bombardment.

(Description of bombardments – as already laid down in Table “K”)

Gas will be discharged on the first night that the wind is favourable.

240 m.m Trench Mortars may be used as required from “W” day onwards.

2” Trench Mortars for wire-cutting on “U” and “V” days and as required afterwards.

60-prs for wire-cutting and registration on “V” day and as required afterwards.

3” Stokes Mortars as required on “W” day and onwards.

On “V” day all heavy guns and howitzers will register all day.

Table “A” of “Scheme for Preliminary Bombardment” will be used on “X” day instead of “V” and “X” days.

On “V” day 4.5” howitzers will register where required. They will also destroy selected strong points, O.P’s etc in their zones.

As there are only three days preliminary bombardment and three concentrated bombardments, the amount of ammunition allotted to tasks of 4.5” howitzers can be increased on “W”, “X” and “Y” days, but care must still be exercised not to exceed the limit of work that can reasonably be expected from detachments.

S.A. Boddam-Whetham
Captain R.A.
Brigade Major R.A. 7th Division
Headquarters R.A.
7th Division.
22nd June 1916.

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 22 June 1916

Day/Night Unit From To Remarks
W/X

X/Y

Y/Z 64 Inf Bde.
2 Bns 50th Bde
2 Bns 63rd :

2 Bns 50th Bde.
2 Bns 63rd :
2 Bns 64th :
2 Bns 62nd :

1 Bn 50th Bde
63rd Bde (less 2 Bns)

1 Bn 50th Bde

63rd Bde (less 2 Bns)

64th Bde.) less 2 Bns.)

62nd Bde. VILLE
HEILLY
LA NEUVILLE

VILLE
VILLE
BUIRE
Trenches

HEILLY
LA NEUVILLE

VILLE

VILLE

BUIRE BUIRE
VILLE
VILLE

Trenches
Trenches
Trenches
Position selected by Brigade.

VILLE
VILLE

Trenches

Trenches

Trenches

To assembly positions.

or wherever desired by 50th Bde.

T.M. Batteries and M.G. Companies will move to trenches under orders to be issued by Brigadiers.

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 22 June 1916

15/CA 10/72
SECRET

7th Divisional Artillery
21st Divisional Artillery
17th Divisional do (for information)
XV Corps Heavy Artillery

With reference to the final bombardment and barrages on Z day, all Artillery Officers must be careful not to fire on their objective after Zero, or the various times given in the lifts.

They must remember the time of flight of their shells and arrange to stop so that the last shells will arrive at Zero, not the last gun be fired at that time. This is necessary in order that the Infantry may know exactly when to move forward.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier General. R.A. XVth Corps
22nd June 1916

Am sending 1copy per battery.

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 22 June 1916

APPENDIX S.
21 Div.
G.535.
XV Corps 1. “Q” 3.
62 Inf. Bde. 5. A.D.M.S. 1.
63 “ “ 5. A.P.M. 1.
64 “ “ 5. C. Comdt 1.
Div. Art. 2. D.A.D.O.S. 1.
Div. Eng. 4. 7th Div . 1.
Pioneers 1. 17th Div. 1.
Signals 1. 34th Div 1.
178 Tun. Co. 1. 50th Bde. 1.
————————————————

Reference 21 Div O.O. No. 55 dated 17.6.16
——————————————————

DISTINCTIVE BADGES.

The following distinctive badges will be worn:-

(1.) Wire cutters – a white band 2” wide on the right forearm.
(2.) Carriers – a red badge 2” deep on the right shoulder strap.
(3.) Bombers (who are not on the badged establishment) – a white grenade 2 ½” in length on the right sleeve, just below the shoulder.
(4.) Medium & Heavy T.M. personnel – Yellow brassard 1” wide round each upper arm.
(5.) Infantry Runners – a yellow badge 2” square on each forearm.
(6.) Signal personnel – Blue and white brassard.
(7.) Div Cavalry and Cyclist Orderlies – Red arm band with “RUNNER” in white letters.
(8.) Artillery F.O.O’s – Green brassard on right arm.

Those mentioned in (5), (6), (7) and (8), as well as all Staff Officers, will be allowed to use “Up” and “Down” trenches in either direction.

Orders will be issued to the N.C.O’s in charge of picquets, detailed to regulate traffic in communication trenches, to the above effect.

H.E. Franklyn Captain
for Lieut Colonel
General Staff
21st Division
22.6.16

Included in 21 D.A. Instructions No 5

Appendix to 21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 21 June 1916

APPENDIX II

Day U. V. W. X. Y. REMARKS
Wire Cutting All day All day All day All day All day
Registration – As required As required As required As required On V day heavy guns and howitzers must register.
General Bombardment – – All day All day All day Heavy Howitzers stop on W, X and Y days for a fixed period.
Concentrated Bombardments – – 9 a.m. to 10.20 a.m. 4.30 a.m. to 5.50 a.m. 6 a.m. to 7.20 a.m. In each case smoke will be used for the last 5 to 10 mins of those concentrated bombardments
Counter-Battery All day All day All day All day All day Very Active.
Gas – At night 2 hours. At night 2 hours. At night 2 hours. At night 2 hours. Gas one night only, first time wind permits.
Night firing All night All night All night All night All night

Appendix to XV Corps Heavy Artillery Instruction 21 June 1916

V. W. X. Y. & Z DAYS
SPECIAL SCHEDULE

Battery Guns Position Rounds Allotted Objectives No of Hours No of Rds. Remarks
French Group 77 mm Guns F.13.c

High Explosive

High Explosive V DAY
Registration

W, X &Y DAYS
On Hostile battery positions, Nos 7, 90, 93, 79, 80, 42, 16, 26, 74, 100, 97, 37, 102, 101.
10, 106, 35, 75, 78, 108, 27, 92, 87, 36, 30, 34, 33, 88, 84, 111, 82, 72, 75, 104, 98, 11, 77, 21, 91, 93, 22, 105.

V, W, X & Y NIGHTS
Heavy bursts of fire at intervals on MAMETZ and FRICOURT, and occasionally on the battery positions in BOTTOM WOOD and MAMETZ WOOD, and searching FRICOURT WOOD, but avoiding the front trenches.

3.30 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.

8.30 p.m. to 3.30 a.m.

Continuous steady fire

As per map

Not on the front trenches as parties go out for observation.

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 21 June 1916

V. W. X. & Y DAYS
SPECIAL SCHEDULE
Battery Guns Position Rounds Allotted Objective No of hours No of Rds Remarks
D/78 R.F.A

do

do

do

do 4.5” Hows

do

do

do

do W.25.b.33

do

do

do

do 250 rds per gun per day

75 rds per gun. Special Shell

75 rds per Gun. Special Shell
100 rds per Gun. Special Shell
85 rds per Gun H.E. Hostile battery positions
7.90.93.16.97.100.26.10.35.76.102.29.36.V30.

Z DAY

Search BOTTOM WOOD.
Search the VALLEY from X.29.b.56 to X.30.a.38
STRIP of MAMETZ Wood in Squares X.23.b and down the valley to X.29.a.34.96.
MAMETZ WOOD in Squares X.18.c. X.24.a. X.24.c.
CATERPILLAR WOOD

MAMEZT WOOD in Squares X.18.c. X.24.a. X.24.c.
BAZENTIN LE GRAND Wood

MAMETZ Wood in Squares X.18.c. X.24.a. X.24c.
CATERPILLAR WOOD
do do & BAZENTIN LE GRAND WOOD To be kept under fire throughout each day.

-65 mins to -30 mins

-30 mins to 00

00 to 1.30

1.30 to 2.25

2.55 on

150
75

75

150

150

300

100

170

170
At a slow rate until further orders

Appendix to XV Corps Heavy Artillery Instruction 21 June 1916

Z DAY
SPECIAL SCHEDULE

Battery Guns Position Rounds Allotted Objectives No of Hours No of Rds. Remarks
French Group 77 mm Guns F.13.c Gas Shell

do

do

Gas or H.E.
QUADRANGLE TRENCH in Square X.23.c., WOOD TRENCH, STRIP TRENCH, BOTTOM WOOD, RAILWAY ALLEY in Square X.29.c. and the Valley running N & S in Square X23.b. & d. and X.29.b.

MAMETZ WOOD SX.18.c., X.24.a. & c.

MAMETZ WOOD in Square S.13.d. and 19.b., BAZENTIN LE GRAND WOOD, SABOT COPSE, FLAT IRON COPSE, & MARLBORO WOOD.

-65 mins to
-35 mins

-30 mins to 00. 00 to 2.55

2.55 on
Rapid rate of fire

do

Quick rate of fire.

Slow rate of fire.

All fire must be lifted beyond the green line at -30 mins. Of zero.

XV Corps Artillery Instruction 21 June 1916

SECRET
15 CA 10/23/1
Copy No 7

With reference to instructions for a preliminary bombardment by the XV CORPS 15/CA 10/23 dated 12-6-16; the following amendments will be made:-
Delete Paragraph 1 and substitute:-
1. The preliminary bombardment will be carried out on U, V, W, X and Y days. Wire will be cut on all 5 days.
On V day all heavy guns and howitzers will register all day.
On W, X, and Y days and during the nights U/V to Y/Z inclusive a continuous bombardment will be carried out.
On W, X, and Y days there will be one concentrated bombardment. During the last 5 or 10 minutes of these concentrated bombardments smoke will be discharged.
Gas will be discharged on the first night that the wind is favourable.
240 mm Trench Mortars may be used as required from W day onwards.
2” Trench Mortars for wire-cutting on U and V days and as required afterwards.
60 prs for wire-cutting and registration on V day and as required afterwards. 3” Stokes Mortars as required on W day and onwards.

2. Paragraph 6 delete –
lines 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 and substitute –
Bombardment W and Y days – Tracing B.
“ X day – “ A.
Concentrated bombardments W and Y days – Tracing C.
“ X day – “ D.

3. Paragraph 9 – Attached new Appendix II to be substituted for Appendix II in line 3.

4. Add following new paragraphs (11& 12):-

11. On V day all heavy howitzers and guns will register the zones they are to fire on very thoroughly.
All guns of batteries should register in each zone.
As a rule registration should not be considered complete until a direct hit has been made on the target engaged.
The Divisional Artilleries can register as they require.
12. As there are only 3 days preliminary bombardment and 3 concentrated bombardments, the amount of ammunition can be increased on W, X and Y days, but care must still be exercised not to exceed the limit of work that can reasonably be expected from detachments.

J.M.R. Harrison Major
for Brigadier General R.A., XV Corps
21-6-16.

Copy No 1 to XV Corps
“ 2 to XV Corps H.A.
“ 3 to 7th Division.
“ 4 to 7th Divisional Artillery.
“ 5 to 17th Division.
“ 6 to 21st Division
“ 7 to 21st Divisional Artillery.
“ 8 to Fourth Army.
“ 9 to War Diary.
“ 10 to File
“ 11 to 14 Spare.