XV Corps message 17 June 1916

Messages and Signals form

G.359 17th

Ref 21 Div O.O. 55 page three line seven. AAA. For X.22.c.65.71. read X.22.b.65.71.AAA

Added 34th Div DRAW, DASH, DIAL DEAL & Signals.

D.A.R.E.
10 p.m.
A.P. Lt. Col.

XV Corps Instruction 17 June 1916
SECRET
15 CA/10/42.

USE OF LACHRYMATORY AND GAS SHELLS
U to Z Days
***********
Reference 15/CA/10/23 and 10/32 of 12th and 14th instants.
———————————————————————–

1. Lachrymatory and Gas shells can be most usefully employed for counter-battery work, interrupting communications, especially blocking communication trenches, and against billets, woods, villages and hollows.
2. The effect of the shells is very local, and a large number are required in one place to be of any real use.

3. 4.5” Howitzers.
(a) The bulk of the rounds should be kept for Z day, but there is no objection to a small proportion being used for special objects on the other days.

(b) The 4.5” Howitzers belonging to Divisional Artilleries and the Battery attached to the Heavy Artillery can fire –

on U to Y days, 800 yards from our line in any wind:
300 yards if the wind is blowing from our lines.,

on Z day, the same as regards distances and wind, but not later than 30 minutes before Zero on ground short of the final objective.

(c) The battery attached to the Heavy Artillery should use these shells chiefly for counter-battery work and to a less extent for barraging distant points.

4. The French 77 mm should be used freely on all days:-

On U to Y days, under same conditions of wind as for 4.5” Howitzers.

On Z day, beyond the final objective. As the Infantry advance near to this, the distance beyond the final objective must be increased.

5. A third of these shells for the 4.5” Howitzers should be retained for further operations.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier General., R.A., XV Corps
17th June 1916.

R.A. forwarded AP

21 Divisional Artillery Instruction 17 June 1916
SECRET.
21 Div.
G.330

62nd Inf. Bde.
63rd : :
64th : :
Div. Art.
Div. Eng.
14 N.F. (Pioneers)
Signals
“Q”
A.D.M.S.
A.P.M.
C. Comdt.
D.A.D.O.S.
7th Div.
34th Div.
17th Div.
50th Bde.
—————–
Attached is forwarded for information.
5,000 Flares are being issued to the Division.

They will be allotted as under:-
62nd Inf. Bde. – 1,000
63rd : : – 2,000
64th : : – 2,000

A. T. Paley
Lieut-Colonel,
General Staff,
21st Division
17/6/16

APPENDIX N.

COMMUNICATION WITH CONTACT AEROPLANES.
————————————————————————-

1. On day Z flares will be lit by infantry as follows:-
(a). On reaching the first objective.
(b). On reaching the second objective.
(c). During the third phase on reaching the East edge of FRICOURT VILLAGE and ROSE TRENCH (F.4.c.35.60 – F.4.d.06.02)
(d) All along the line of the most forward infantry at the following hours:-
9 a.m.
1 p.m.
5 p.m.
9 p.m.

2. (a) 3 aeroplanes will be detailed for contact work – Type Morane parasol – Special markings – a broad black band under left hand plane. One contact aeroplane at a time will be in the air.
(b) Information obtained and messages received will be transmitted at once by the aeroplanes by wireless to Corps Headquarters.
(c) Contact aeroplanes will drop messages at Corps H.Q. shewing the situation as known to them:-
(i) At half time during their tour of duty.
(ii) On the return journey after completing their tour of duty.

3. The Battalion and Brigade Call letters for signalling to aeroplanes and No 3 Kite Balloon Section, are those issued with XV Corps N0. 88 G. dated 15th June 1916.
Signals to aeroplanes will be sent by Infantry Brigade and Battalion H.Q.
Signals to No 3 Section Kite Balloon will be sent normally by Infantry Brigade H.Q. only, but in case of emergency Battalion H.Q. and O.P. “C” in PERONNE AVENUE can also call up the Kite Balloon. In signalling to the Kite Balloon, helio will be used by day, and lamp by night.
The Corps Balloon (No 3 Kite Balloon Section) will, at all times, fly its distinguishing pennant, which is black with white vertical strips 3’ broad alternately, commencing with black.
When the balloon is called up by any unit, the observer, on seeing the call, will haul the pennant up to the basket and as soon as he is ready to read will lower it again.
The message will be sent “DD – DD” and repeated until it is acknowledged by the pennant being hauled up and down three times in succession. By night, the Balloon will answer “R D” (received) or “I.M.I.” (repeat)
In signalling to the Kite Balloon, the same code will be used as is used for signalling to the contact aeroplane, vide XV Corps 133. G dated 31/5/16.

4. The following are the distinctive marks of Balloons attached to XV Corps and the neighbouring Corps:-

BY DAY. BY NIGHT.
Pennant hung 30’
below basket,

XIII Corps. Plain red. Succession of dots, every 10 minutes.
XV Corps. Black & White Succession of dashes every 10 minutes.
vertical stripes
3’ broad.
III Corps. Plain White. Succession of dots and dashes every 10 minutes.

5. When back communication from Brigades and Battalions by wire is cut, and a contact aeroplane is noticed flying very low, Brigade and Battalion H.Q. must be on the look-out to pick up any message intended for them which may be dropped by the aeroplane.

6. In addition to No 3 Kite Balloon Section, No 4 Army Kite Balloon will be attached to XV Corps and will be located near MORLANCOURT. This balloon will not be available for either Artillery work or Liaison with Infantry, but will be used for observation purposes only.
It will work on the fronts of the XIII and XV Corps from the BRIQUETERIE at MONTAUBAN to CONTALMAISON (exclusive).
Reports from this balloon will be forwarded to Corps H.Q.

General answering Pennant of:-
No 3 K.B. Section R.F.C. – XV Corps Balloon.
Flown when willing to accept messages

See illustration

21st Divisional Artillery Instruction 17 June 1916

Copy of XV Corps 15/C.R. 10/41 dated 16th June 1916.

ARM BANDS FOR ARTILLERY OFFICERS.
————————————————————–

1. Green arm bands, to be worn on the right arm below the elbow, will be issued to the Divisional and Heavy Artilleries by “Q” XV Corps.
2. During operations they are to be worn by,
(a) All Battery Commanders.
(b) All Artillery Officers who are acting as F.O.O’s or who go forward to reconnoitre.
(c) All R.A. liaison officers with the Infantry.
3. The object of the above is to enable Artillery Officers to be easily recognised in case the advanced Infantry wish for assistance or information from the Artillery.
The meaning of the band should be made known to all ranks of the Infantry.
4. The issue will be made on the scale of.,
Brigade or Group Commanders – 2 Bands.
Battery – 2 Bands.

————————————————

SECRET
21 Div
G.335.

For information.

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

17.6.16.

DISTRIBUTION. copies
62 Inf. Bde. … 5
63 “ “ … 5
64 “ “ … 5
Div. Eng. … 4
Pioneers … 1
Bde. M.G. Coys. … 1
T.M. Batts. … 2
Div. Art. … 1

XV Corps memo to 21Div 17 June 1916

21st Div. Art.

Herewith 7 copies of Appendix I to my No 15 CA/10.23 dated 12.6.16. for distribution to Groups.
J.M.R.Harrison
Major
S.O. R.A. XV Corps
17.6.16

SECRET

Each Bde

Herewith a list of strong points etc. Batteries must pay special attention to such of these points as are included in the areas allotted for special tasks.

15 CA/10/23
Appendix 1
21st DIVISIONAL AREA.
2.
(a) Front Line System.

Front and Support Trenches F.9.b.02.75. – 3.c.69.36.
(WICKED CORNER – WING CORNER)
German TAMBOUR
Salient F.3.a.44
F.3.a.60.67.
X.27.b.66.
Salients X.26.d.78 and 98.
Trenches about X.27.c.39.
Salient X.26.b.82.
X.27.a.29.
Salient X.20.d.72, both faces.
X.21.c.32.
X.21.c.64.

(b) Second System.

ROSE COTTAGE.
S.W. edge FRICOURT WOOD
F.3.b.53.41
RED COTTAGE and trenches round.
Trench F.3.a.68 – b.18.
FRICOURT FARM
FRICOURT WOOD: re-entrant on N side and E end.
Trenches due E of POODLES
LOZENGE WOOD
Trenches X.27. central
SHELTER WOOD (including dug-outs on E and NE edge).
BIRCH TREE WOOD
ROUND WOOD
THE DINGLE
ROUND WOOD ALLEY.

(c) Points and trenches further back.

Trenches and Wood round X.29 central.
Corner of valley X.29.b.56
BOTTOM WOOD
QUADRANGLE SUPPORT
X.23.d.47.

16th June 1916.

15 CA/10/23 Appendix 1.

MACHINE GUN EMPLACEMENTS

21st DIVISION AREA

F.4.c.03.98
F.3.c.70.35.
93
91
X.27.c.40.15.
X.27.b.06.73.
X.26.b.85
72
X.21.d.43

16th June 1916.

15 CA 10/23
Appendix 1

OBSERVATION POSTS REPORTED (from May 8th 1916).
*************************************************

15-6-16 X.15.b.80.00.
26-5-16 X.8.c.03.82. Telescope seen being used.
26-5-16 X.8.c.35.85.
10-5-16 X.14.c.50.75 & 75.60. Photo. 3.c9 shows dug-outs
12-6-16 X.14.d.85.98. Slot in bank, either M.G. or O.P.
9-6-16 X.16.b.85.20. (CONTALMAISON CHATEAU) is used as an O.P., and has two apertures in tower, one above the other.
20-5-16. X.21.c.6.3. Suspected
10-6-16. X.21.c.1.4.
8-5-16 X.21.d.5.6. In daily use.
(12-5-16 82.62 Loophole (suspected O.P) Now screened
(22-5-16 83.58 with bushes & brushwood.
12-6-16 7.6.
26-5-16 X.27.a.35.90. Periscope seen.
(23-5-16 X.27.a.47.75. Telescope in use W. of WILLOW PATCH.
(10-6-16 “ -“-
(12-6-16 X.27.a.40.80. -“-
6-6-16 X.27.b.25. Smoke seen.
8-5-16 X.27.b.45.95.
17.54. In Daily use (smoke seen issuing on 6-6- 16)
3.8 Screened with bushes & brushwood.
17-5-16 F.3.c.52.72.
30-5-16. F.3.d.02.68. House in FRICOURT. Telescope seen in hole in the roof.
2-6-16 F.5.d.8.8. Suspected O.P.
8-6-16 F.6.c.90.05.
10-6-16 35.40
17-5-16 F.9.b.8.6. Officer seen observing.
88.82.
12-5-16 F.9.b.92.48. Observer seen with periscope.
25-5-16 60.30.
6-6-16 5.4. (SUNKEN ROAD TRENCH) Artillery Officer seen observing.
14-6-16 F.11.a.1.4. Sniper’s post or O.P. There is a slot 18” long and the place appears to be very strong.
8-5-16 F.3.d.9.7. O.P. suspected in FRICORT 2O left of Church. House with good roof; hole under roof.
18-5-16 S.14.d.6.5.
26-5-16 S.19.b.45.12. Men seen in tree, apparently observing with periscope.
4-6-16 S.25.b.5.3.
7-6-16 S.27.c.90.35. Telescopes used in roof of house in MONTAUBAN.
26-5-16 R.32.c.95.20.
12-6-16 A.1.d.05.50.
17-5-16 BAZENTIN LE PETIT CH Again in use.
19-5-16 FRICOURT CH TOWER
20-5-16 House immediately S of POZIERES Church.
25-5-16 CONTALMAISON Inside roof, close to Chimney
VILLA stack in S.W. end of House.

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

16th June 1916.

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

17 June 1918. Baby boy born 3.45

From this date till 12 July On embarkation leave. Received orders for France 10th July. Left Maz 12th at Station 6.37 train to LIVL ST. Stayed night at Alexandra YM.C.A. Hotel Victoria.

XV Corps Artillery Instruction 16 June 1916

SECRET
15/CR 10/41
7th Divisional Artillery.,
21st Divisional Artillery.,
17th Divisional Artillery.,
Heavy Artillery XV Corps.,
XV Corps.
…………………………………

ARM BANDS FOR ARTILLERY OFFICERS.
****************************************

1. Green arm bands, to be worn on the right arm below the elbow, will be issued to the Divisional and Heavy Artilleries by “Q” XV Corps.
2. During operations they are to be worn by,
(a) All Battery Commanders.
(b) All Artillery Officers who are acting as F.O.O’s or who go forward to reconnoitre.
(c) All R.A. liaison Officers with the Infantry.
3. The object of the above is to enable Artillery Officers to be easily recognised in case the advanced Infantry wish for assistance or information from the Artillery.
The meaning of the band should be made known to all ranks of the Infantry.
4. The issue will be made on the scale of.,
Brigade or Group Headquarters,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,2 Bands. Battery,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,2 Bands.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier General., R.A. XV Corps
16th June 1916

21st Divisional Artillery message 15 June 1916

Message and Signals form

SECRET

XV CORPS R.A.

BM 104 15th CA 46

No 18 pounders can assist XIII Corps AAA Three (3) batteries 4.5 Howitzers can cover ground in rear of front line at extreme range. AAA With reference to III Corps area. AAA
(a) 12 (twelve) batteries can shoot on front line up to and including point X.21.c.07. AAA. 5 (five) batteries up to and including point X.20.b.52. AAA 2 (two) batteries up to and including point X.20.b.14. and 1½ (6 guns) up to and including X.20.a.36. AAA 10 (ten) batteries can cover Contalmaison Village. AAA 4 (four) batteries can cover Contalmaison Villa. AAA 3 (three) batteries can cover Pozieres. AAA
(b) The howitzer batteries can cover area in rear of front line east of the line Contalmaison – Contalmaison Villa.

21 Div Art.
J. Wellesley
**for BM

XV Corps H.A. Instruction 14 June 1916

Copy No 5 15/CA 10/32
SECRET

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A CONCENTRATED BOMBARDMENT, BARRAGES
AND FURTHER SPECIAL OPERATION BY THE XVTH CORPS
———————————————————————————-

1. On “Z” day:-
(a) A concentrated bombardment will be carried out starting 65 min before zero.
Zero will be the hour at which the assault commences.
(b) This will be followed by further bombardments on objectives to be taken successively until the furthest is reached.
(c) After this last has been reached there will be a bombardment on the FIRCOURT Area. The bombardment will commence at 30 min before zero, which hour will be fixed during the course of operations.
Lines for artillery barrages and times of lifts are shewn in Appendix I.
The different phases of the special bombardment and times are shewn in Appendix II.

2. The general principles to be followed in arranging the barrages are:-
(a) To bring a very heavy fire to bear on the part to be attacked immediately.
(b) To bring a lighter, but fairly heavy fire on the next objective.
(c) To keep the remaining objectives under a still lighter fire.
(d) To prevent the enemy bringing up reinforcements from the rear or attacking our exposed flanks.
(e) To keep down the fire of hostile batteries.
(f) To keep the ground not immediately to be attacked under fire, i.e. the FRICOURT Area.
The whole of the guns and howitzers of the Corps and Divisional Artilleries (including trench mortars) will be employed for the above purposes.

3. The fire will be as heavy as the amount of ammunition and consideration for the detachments allows.
Care must be taken to ensure that a sufficient amount remains in hand for further operations during the day.
The G.Os.C. R.A. of Divisions and G.O.C. H.A. will fix the amount required for each task.

4. When lifting, 18 prs. should search back by increasing their range, but Howitzers and Heavy Guns must lift directly on to their next objectives.

5. When barraging open ground fire should be in bursts, searching back as far as necessary, and not a continuous rate.
Wood and hollows beyond the actual line laid down for the barrage should be searched periodically.

6. G.Os.C. R.A. of Divisions will allot the tasks for their own batteries, but they will arrange to carry out the special bombardments laid down for the 4.5” Howitzers in the tracings.
They must arrange to keep sufficient guns ready to join in the special operation (attack on FRICOURT).

7. The G.O.C. H.A. will arrange to carry out the tasks for the Heavy Artillery which are shewn on attached tracings.
They consist of:-
Concentrated bombardment:- Tracing E.
Barrages:- Tracings M to Q.
Special Operation:- Tracings R to T.

8. When and after the final barrage is established the G.O.C. H.A. will arrange for some of his batteries to search more distant routes, billets and likely places of hostile concentration for a counter-attack.

9. Arrangements must be made for a night barrage and by the use of frequent bursts of fire on known positions to prevent the enemy removing his guns.
The G.O.C. H.A. will arrange to deal with the more distant points.

10. If a re-bombardment of any point is ordered, a time for starting will be fixed and the bombardment will always last for half an hour from that time.
The last five minutes should be intense so that the Infantry may have warning.
This would also apply to small places beyond the present objective which it might be considered advisable to take.
If a battery should receive its orders too late to fire for the full 30 min it should commence as soon as possible but it must only fire for the shortened period ending 30 minutes after zero.
Fire during last five minutes to be intensive.

11. Watches must be carefully set to Signal time and the times laid down for the lifts strictly adhered to.

12. One Siege Artillery Group and one Heavy Artillery Group H.Qs will be in direct telephonic communication with the 7th and 21st Divisional Artillery H.Qs.
This is to enable Divisions to obtain the assistance of H.A. quickly if necessity arises and to prevent the necessity of applying to the B.G.H.A. when the fire of one or two batteries only is required.

13. The pre-arranged table of lifts must however be strictly adhered to up to the hour fixed for reaching the second objective (first day’s operations), without reference to Corps H.Q. During this period (0.00 to 3 hr 05) the Heavy Artillery must not be diverted from the targets allotted to them. Batteries which are not firing can, however, be utilised for special purposes during this period if required so to do.

14. The Scheme for the Divisional Artilleries and Heavy Artillery will be sent in by 9 a.m. on the 19th instant.

15. In order that fire may be continued without interruption in case of a break down in the Signal communications, a programme and time table of the tasks allotted to each battery will be kept at the battery and in each O.P. allotted to the battery.
The programmes and time tables will not be taken forward beyond the O.P’s.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier-General, R.A.,
XV Corps H.Q.
14/6/1916

Distribution:-
7th Division 2
17th Division 1
21st Division 2 Copies 4 & 5.
Corps H.A. 1
“G” XV Corps 1
War Diary 1
File 4

XV Corps Instruction 13 June 1916

SECRET
1/12 GX
7th Division
17th Division
21st Division
……………..

SUPPORTING POINTS
and
CONSOLIDATING OF TRENCHES
—————————————————

1. The attached diagram No 1 shews a pattern of STRONG POINTS suitable for occupation by one Platoon and 2 Machine Guns. It develops a large volume of fire in any direction without affording as marked a target for artillery fire and aerial observation as does a closed work. This work can be very rapidly laid out and constructed.
2. The second diagram shews how a series of such works afford each other mutual support; and how communication trenches up to and in advance of them should be traced, so as not to ‘blanket’ the fire of the works.
3. If the Supporting Works are constructed in the course of entrenching a captured position, they should lie in rear of the chain of small “posts” which mark the commencement of the new front line.
4. These “posts” are constructed at first to hold a few men and one or more machine guns rapidly dug in. They form ultimately, the pivots of a Continuous Trench Line as shewn in diagram No. 2. the same system applies to the consolidation of a Captured Trench Line, i.e. short lengths of enemy trench should be reversed for occupation by Machine Guns and a few rifles as “posts” joined up as opportunity offers.

Louis Vaughan
Brigadier-General,
General Staff.
H.Q. XV Corps
13-6-1916.

For information

Please pass last named to return to this office
*** Capt
B.M. 21 DA
95 Passed *********
96 Passed 21.6.16 *****
97Returned **** Lt Col