Category Archives: 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

SECRET
15/CA 10/32/1.

LINES OF BARRAGE
********************

Reference to Appendix 1 of 15/CA 10/32 dated 14th June 1916. Table G.
————————————————————————————

On Z day, no fire will be brought to bear on QUADRANGLE TRENCH, North of point X.22.ab.65.40 after 1.25 hours (85 minutes) after Zero. Up to this hour a heavier fire must be kept up on the portion of QUADRANGLE TRENCH, between X.22.ab.65.40. and X.22.ab.6.8., by batteries told off to deal with this trench.

There is no change in the orders with regard to that portion of the trench which lies SOUTH of X.22.ab.65.40EAB.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier General., R.A., XV Corps.
23rd June 1916

Copies to:- 7th Division
21st Division
21st Division Art’y
XV Corps (3 copies)
XV Corps Heavy Art’y
FILE. (2 copies)

Copy of XV Corps 15/CA/10/32/1 dated 23rd June
For information. This causes no alteration in tasks, but batteries should be warned not to fire onto the forbidden ground after the hour named.

Copy for 95 & 97 & 96

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

SECRET
21 Div.
G.561
Ack BM 5
62 Inf Bde
63 “ “
64 “ “
Div Art
Div Eng
50 Inf Bde.
F. Coy R.E.
“Q”
Pioneers
——————–

Orders have been received for the Division to be prepared to carry out the gas attack on the night U/V (24/25th June).

You will be informed by wire (Message “A”) shortly after 5 p.m. 24th June (and on each subsequent day as necessary) whether all preparations are to be made for the attack.

If preparations are ordered to proceed, definite orders will be received at a later hour from Div. H.Q. (Message “B”) as to whether gas is or is not to be discharged. This order (message “B”) will reach you in time to give very nearly two hours notice of the hour fixed as Zero for the gas attack.

The following order is issued for guidance:-
“It must be distinctly understood that when orders have been issued from Corps H.Q. for the gas attack to proceed, the officers of F. Coy. R.E. are responsible for deciding on the spot, from which emplacements it is not safe to discharge gas, and for suspending or delaying the discharge of gas in any part of the line where danger to our own men might result therefrom.”

Attention is drawn to Appendix “F”. Stokes Mortars will not take part.

It is impossible to say at what hour the warning telegram will be sent.

Messages from Division to Units concerned will be sent “Priority.”

62 Inf Bde must take steps to warn parties of other Brigades who may be working or carrying in the trenches.

Careful arrangements for the use of Vermoral Sprayers (if necessary) must be made.

Message “A” will consist of the words “ROGER” AAA Acknowledge.

Message “”B” will consist of “ROGER” 11 p.m. (or whatever time is ordered) AAA Acknowledge.

11 p.m. (or whatever time is ordered) in Message “B” will be the Zero time for the first discharge.

Acknowledge.

A.T. Paley
Lieut. Colonel.
General Staff
21st Division
23.6.16

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

SECRET
21 Div
G.546.

XV Corps 1
62 Inf. Bde. 5
63 : : 5
64 : : 5
Div. Art. 2
Div. Eng. 4
Pioneers 1
Signals 1
“Q” 3
A.D.M.S. 1
7th Div. 1
17th Div. 1
34th Div. 1
50th Bde 1

Reference 21 Div O.O. 55, Para 2 (b) (c).

A new German Trench has been dug as follows:-
QUADRANGLE Trench X.23.c.45.65. – Northern edge of BOTTOM WOOD X.29.a.1.8. – Southern edge BOTTOM WOOD X.28.b.91.27,, to RAILWAY ALLEY X.28.d.80.50.

In consequence the main second Objective of the 21st Division as given in above order is cancelled and the following substituted:-

Second Objective, 63rd Bde. X.29.b.5.6. (to connect with 7th Division) – thence along Northern edge of BOTTOM WOOD by Works 16/13 to new trench X.29.a.1.8. – along new trench to QUADRANGLE Trench X.23.c.4.5. (exclusive).

Second Objective, 64th Bde. Junction of new trench and QUADRANGLE Trench X.23.c.4.5. (inclusive) – along QUADRANGLE Trench to original Northern limit. Responsible for blocking QUADRANGLE Trench to the East.

The following advanced line will be occupied at once, and consolidated as soon as main Objective has been consolidated viz:-
63rd Bde.
X.29.b.5.6. – Work 17 QUADRANGLE WOOD to Work 18. X.23.d.05.48. (inclusive).
64th Bde.
Work 18, X.23.d.05.48 (exclusive) – QUADRANGLE Support Trench to connect with 34th Division at ACID DROP COPSE.

NOTE. This new main Objective has the following advantages:-
(a). New Trench and N. edge of BOTTOM WOOD for definite boundaries
(b). Work on the line can be carried out under cover afforded by the trench and Wood.
(c). The main line to be held is much more distinct from the advanced line than was formerly the case.
(d). The line does not form such a salient and hence is much stronger to hold.
(e). The task of 63rd Bde will be considerably simplified.

PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE.

A.T.Paley
Lieut: Colonel
General Staff
21st Division
23.6.1916.

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

SECRET
15/CA 10/80
7th Divisional Artillery
21st do do
XV Corps Heavy Artillery
…………………………..
7th Division )
17th do ) for information.
21st do )
XV Corps )
——————-

Attention is drawn to attached copy of Instructions from FOURTH ARMY.

The principal parts of Paras 1 and 3 have been attended to already, but possibly have not been communicated to all the Officers concerned; this should be done now if necessary.

Para 2 should be carefully adhered to.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier General., R.A. XV Corps.
23rd June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

2/380.X.
4/AA/307/4.
SECRET.
XVth Corps.
…………….

In connection with the impending operation, the Army Commander desires that special attention be paid to the following:-
1. The Command of the Artillery, of its groups and sub-groups together with their respective tasks and spheres of action must be clearly defined at all periods of the operations.
Changes in command and redistribution of Units sometimes lead to confusion, changes should not be made therefore without due forethought.

2. The number of guns and howitzers on each Corps Front avoids the necessity for prolonged intensive fire and allows of brief pauses for the equipment to cool.
The bombardment should be characterised by steady and well directed fire. Whilst such ammunition as circumstances demand is to be expended the importance of obtaining the best value for every round fired and the wisdom of economy in expenditure is to be impressed on all ranks.

3. An early advance not only of the Divisional but also of the Heavy Artillery is to be anticipated.
Such Heavy Artillery as is required will be moved forward with a view to effective country-battery work and to the early commencement of the second and third phases of the operations.
The proposed moves of both Divisional and Heavy Artillery should be worked out in as much detail as possible, and any instructions issued on the subject forwarded to Fourth Army.

(sd) G.L. Budworth
Major General
for M.G., G.S., Fourth Army
23/6/16

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

APPENDIX F/3.
21 Div
G.571.

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
50th Bde 1
F. Coy. R.E. 1

Reference 21 Div O.O. 55 dated 17/6/16.
On the night when the gas attack is ordered to proceed:-

1. Our front line trenches will be held as lightly as the circumstances permit.
2. All men in the front line trenches will wear their gas helmets.
3. All speaking and movement will be restricted to the necessary minimum, especially in the case of a cylinder bursting or gas coming into our trenches from any other cause. Shouting and running about must be avoided.
4. men wearing gas helmets must be careful not to show their heads over the parapets prior to the discharge of gas.
5. the TAMBOUR will be evacuated half an hour before discharge of gas, and will not be re-occupied until reported free from gas by an Officer of F Coy. R.E.

Please acknowledge.

A. Hollingworth Capt.
For Lieut-Colonel
General Staff,
21st Division
23/6/16

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 23 June 1916

SECRET
15/CA 6/31.
2/33 GX.

7th Divn’l Artillery
21st do do
XV Corps Heavy Art’y
…………………………..
7th Division )
17th do ) for information.
21st do )
XV Corps )
——————————————————

Estimate of Ammunition required for Operations.
U to Z days, both inclusive.
———————————————————–

18-pdr. 6 days at 200 rounds per gun per day. 1200.

4.5” Hows 2 days at 60 ————–do————)
4 days at 180 ————–do————) 840

4.7” gun 2 days at 90 ————–do————)
60-pdr. 4 days at 150. ————–do————) 820

6” How 2 days at 60 ————–do————)
–do– 4 days at 170 ————–do————) 800

8” How) 2 days at 40 ————–do————)
9.2” do) 4 days at 120 ————–do————) 560

6” gun 2 days at 20 ————–do————)
— do– 4 days at 120 ————–do————) 520

12” How 2 days at 20 ————–do————)
–do– 4 days at 70 ————–do————) 320

15” How. 2 days at 15 ————–do————)
–do– 4 days at 50 ————–do————) 230

Attention is called to the above estimate of Ammunition Expenditure which has been received from the FOURTH ARMY.

Efforts should be made not to exceed the averages given, though it may be necessary to fire more from some guns and less from others of the same nature.

J.M.R. Harrison Major
for Brigadier General., R.A., XV Corps
23rd June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery Operation Order No 1. 22 June 1916

15 CA 10/71
Copy No 7

XV CORPS ARTILLERY OPERATION ORDER NO 1
**********************************************

June 22nd 1916
——————

1. Reference Instructions for a Preliminary Bombardment forwarded under my No 15/CA 10/23 dated 12th June 1916 and Amendments thereto under my No 15/CA 10/23/1 dated 21st June 1916, the preliminary bombardment will commence on the morning of the 24th instant and will be carried out daily, in accordance with the above quoted instructions.

J.M.R. Harrison Major.
Staff Officer to B.G.R.A., XV Corps

Copy No 1 to XV Corps.
do 2 to XV Corps H.A.
do 3 to 7th Division.
do 4 to 7th Divisional Artillery.
do 5 to 17th Division.
do 6 to 21st Division.
do 7 to 21st Divisional Artillery.
do 8 to FOURTH ARMY
do 9 to WAR DIARY
do 10 to File
do 11to 14. Spare

Nothing new.

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 22 June 1916

15 CA 10/66
SECRET
7th Divisional Artillery.
21st Divisional Artillery.
17th Divisional Artillery. (for information).
XV Corps Heavy Artillery.
8th Anti-Aircraft Battery.
——————————–

Please send in to this Office by 6 p.m. each evening, from “U” day inclusive, a short report on the telephone, giving:-
(a). General Situation.
(b). Results of Shooting.
(c). Casualties to Officers, or particularly heavy casualties in any Unit.
(d). Behaviour of ammunition.
(e). Casualties to Equipment, etc.

In addition, please telephone from time to time, as opportunity offers, any items of interest or information.

J.M.R. Harrison
Staff Officer to B.G.R.A.,
XV Corps.
22nd June 1916.

1. Return of ammunition expended during periods 8 p.m. to 12 noon and 12 noon to 8 p.m. daily to be wired as soon as possible after 12 noon & 8 p.m. daily from “U” day inclusive.
2. Casualty return for 24 hours ending 4 p.m. daily from “U” day inclusive – The cause of the casualty need not be stated but the names of officers must be given.