WAR DIARY OF 2/Lt. Alfred Benjamin STREET

48 SIEGE BATTERY RGA

1^st May Monday.  Lovely weather except for a Heavy thunderstorm in the late afternoon.  Travelling all day, slept very well at night.  Hot tea and rum was provided three times a day at prearranged places.  Passed through Lyon in the early m’ning.

2^nd May Tuesday.  Travelling all night slept well, woken by Ry. officials at Paris for instructions, had breakfast about 8.0 and arrived at Longueau 11.15 a.m.  Hill and a Lieut. White of the A.S.C. came along soon with lorries, started unloading Amm. but had to wait till 3.30 to use the Ramps until the French had finished off loading a train.  At 5.0 went off to La Houssoye (Lahoussoye) with Lt. White to fetch coupling pins from lorries then found the day before that they had been taken out of lorries at gun position the day before, had to hunt round for spare pins off various caterpillars and arrived back at Longueau 6.50.  Coupled up and got away at 7.30.  Were stopped twice on the road by Coupling pins between Caterpillars and gun working out, once by Belt breaking and once to tighten up new belt.  Also ½ hr. delay by Aeroplane scare.

3^rd May.  Wed.  Parked at La Houssoye (Lahoussoye) by side of road at 3.30 a.m.  Just daylight.  Got the Caterpillars parked and men dismissed at 4.0.  Put my Valise down in White’s hut after having some grub and got to bed at 5.0 a.m.  Got up at noon, saw the Major who had come over and left La Houssoye (Lahoussoye) with three lorries full of stores at 4.0 p.m. for gun position, arrived there at 5.0 dropped stores, saw White and Lane who were digging with the Battery and then proceeded to Dernacourt to our Billets.  I got fixed up with an Infantry Officer quite comfortably.  Found Harvey in bed with a bad knee and Hart was on the sick list also, Melville and the Major quite fit.  The A.S.C. had been removed to the Siege Park at La Houssoye (Lahoussoye).  Got a huge pile of letters.

4^th May Thursday.  Lovely fine day.  Orderly Officer in Billets all day. Battery went out to dig 2.0 p.m. till 8.0 p.m.

5^th May Friday.  Fine but dull.  Batty digging dug outs 8.30 to 6.0 p.m.  With signallers in Dernacourt all the m’ning.  Hill came over.  After lunch went out to dug outs.  The roof of a splinter proof fell in owing to the rafters giving way.  Got it roofed again by 6.0 p.m.

6^th May Saturday.  Fine but mostly cloudy a little rain in the m’ning.  Had good day’s digging at the Dugouts, covered another splinter proof and finished excavating one Dug Out.  Went with Church, the Col’s Ord. Off. to 83’s position to see an phone exchange.

7^th May Sunday.  Dull day heavy shower in afternoon.  Working at Dug Outs and cartridge recesses all day 8.30 – 6.0 p.m.  Hindered by lack of timber.  Signallers digging cable trench between Dug Outs and batty.

8^th May Monday.  Cold day very showery.  Ord. Off.  With Signallers all the m’ning.  Batty came in from digging after dinner.  Hack 2^nd Lt. KOYLI with whom I shared a billet moved out in the evening.

9^th May Tuesday.  Dull & rainy.  Drawing Stores from R.E. m’ning and afternoon in Albert.

10^th May Wed.  Dull early but turned out bright and sunny day, chilly wind.  Out digging Dugouts 8.30-6.0p.m. Harvey got up in the evening.

11^th May Thursday.  Dull all day but cleared up in the evening.  Out digging from 8.30-6.0p.m.

12^th May Friday.  Fine warm day, fairly sunny.  Ord. Off. and had a slack day.  Got through a lot of letters.  Capt. Hart went on leave.

13^th May Sat.  Very wet day.  Drew Stores in the m’ning.  Lt. Half went to Baths in Albert.  Went on motor bike up round Sand Pit in afternoon.  White left for course.

14^th May Sunday.  Fine day but dull, rain in the late evening.  Went with Corp. Sandwell to the O.P. in Trench 15 above Sand Pit.  Wasted a lot of time through lack of Directions.  Went to reconnoitre possibilities of Visual Signalling between O.P. and battery: returned to billets at 1.30.  At 2.30 went with Major & Corp. Sandwell in car to gun position and at 4.30 went on to O.P. site in Kinfauns Ar taking Kipling as mining expert.  Returned to Billets at 6.30.

15^th May Monday.  Very wet until11. a.m.  In billets all day.  Drew Cash and paid Batty in afternoon. Harvey with 4 Sigs went out to man O.P. for 26 S Btty. From 9.0 a.m.

16^th May Tuesday.  Lovely fine sunny day.  Went with Corp. Sandwell and 3 other signallers to O.P. above Sand Pit and got into communication with party near Dug Outs.  Returned to billets at 1.40.  Sent Corp. Sandwell up to O.P. with Lamp to Stand towards Batty between 8.0 and 9.0 p.m.  I went with 3 others to pick up the light at Batty end, very successful.  Batty did not parade during the day but at 8.0 p.m. – 2.0 a.m.  Met Twinch in the m’ning up by O.P., he is in 25^th S. now, he also gave me news of Yale in 46 and told me where he was at Beaussart N of our position.

17^th May Wed.  Lovely sunny day.  In Billets all m’ning. Went with Corp. Sandwell to locate a position for Visual Signalling from O.P. near Osha Redout to battery: not very successful as position was rather far from O.P. started at 2.0p.m. ret 5.45.  Btty digging by night.  Wore Steel Helmet for first time,

18^th May  Thursday.  Weather same.  Paraded at 7.30 with Party of 3 Sigs and one O.R. for O.P.  Had a long and very hot march there arr 9.30.  The O.P. belongs to 26^th S. LX, Arthur Lemmit’s old btty, but has been appropriated by 7 H.A.G.  Mair came up in the morning, Riley their new Sub. in afternoon and Capt. Duke in the evening.  Fairly quiet day, some Hun shelling afternoon and at dusk, quiet night, lay down from 10.30-2.30. am.

19^th .   Was relieved very punctually by 60^th S at 9.0 and marched back to Billets.  After lunch went out with the Major to our position for an O.P. near Trois Meules.  Lay down after tea until the Major woke me up to go out to Btty position and lay out the Line of Fire for each gun.  He took 2 hrs over it and then his result was of little use as Lane had to do it again next day when laying down the beams.  Lane and two gun Detachments went to live in the Battery Dug Outs.

20^th May Saturday.  Weather same.  With signallers for half the m’ning and then biked out to the Btty position and in again for lunch.  Rested in the afternoon.  Paraded with Signallers at 8.0 p.m. went and dug cable trench to dugouts, returned at 12.0 m’dn’ght.

21^st May Sunday.  Weather same.  Paraded at 8.0 a.m.  Went out to the Btty position, met Church out there and discussed various points re Signalling, returned to lunch.  Corp. Collins to Hosp. with measles and 22 of the Batty isolated.  Rested in the afternoon.  Paraded 8-12 m’dn’ght.  Signallers digging cable trench and remainder working on Gun pits.  Capt Hart ret from leave.

22^nd May Monday.  Fine sunny day, shower in the evening.  Btty paraded 4 p.m.- 12.0.  In afternoon attended to message re moving out of our Mess billet.  After dinner went on bike to La Houssoye (Lahoussoye) to accompany No 1 & 2 guns to position near gun position, left La Houssoye (Lahoussoye) at 8.0 p.m. arr soon after 12.0 and got guns parked by 1.0 a.m.

23^rd May Tuesday.  Dullish day, fine.  In the m’ning fatigue party pitched a Tarpaulin as a mess tent for when we move out of our Mess Billet.  Left Dernacourt for La Houssoye (Lahoussoye)  at 7.0 p.m., inner tube of back tyre burst at 7.20, got going again at 8.0 p.m. and met Caterpillars with Nos. 3 & 4 guns just outside La Houssoye (Lahoussoye).  They arrived near the gun position at 11.30 and were parked by 12.30.  Btty paraded at 8.0 p.m. to put in Nos. 1 & 2 guns, they went in fairly well but the pins on the aft part of the cradle were the cause of delay as usual owing to their getting bent in transit.  Got finished finally at 3.0 a.m. and returned to Billets.

24^th May Wed.  Fine m’ning but dull, started to rain at midday.  At 11.30 I biked into Albert to Home Counties R.E. to see about getting some boxes made for using Elec. Sig. Lamps by day.  Rained all the afternoon.  Capt. Langford came over at tea time and left afterwards.  The Major put off putting the other two guns in owing to the wet weather making the ground so bad.  It stopped raining about 7.30. Harvey acting Adj for 7^th H.A.G. while Anderson is on leave.

25^th May Thursday.  Fine but dull.  Paraded 8.0 a.m. -12.0.  Proceeded with getting the gun pits of Nos. 3 & 4 ready for putting the guns in.  Paraded at 7.30 to put No 3 & 4 guns in.  It started to rain at 8.0 and continued pretty well all night.  Got No 4 gun in successfully by 1.0 a.m. but No. 3 could not finish getting the Howitzer in owing to the slope up to the pit and the state of the ground.  Had a hard job shifting the wheels away, the ground being very heavy and few men available.  Returned to billets at 4.0 a.m.

26^th May Friday.  Fine day fairly sunny cool evening.  Btty paraded at 4.0 p.m. and Melville took them out to Btty position to finish putting in No. 3 gun.

27^th May Sat.  Fine hot day.  Btty paraded at 8.0 a.m. and I took them out to Btty position to work till 12.0 and again 8. p.m. to midnight.  White returned from Officers’ Course.  The Staff Capt asked me whether I should care for the job of Ord. Off. to the General IIIrd Corps H.A. and whether I would care for him to apply for me, I replied I should.

28^th May Sunday.  Dull early.  Warm and sunny later.  Melville went away on leave at 8.0 a.m. owing to his Father being very ill.  Leave for the men started.  In billets all day.  Did some extracting of notes for the Major.  Btty working 8.0 a.m. -12 and 8.0 p.m. – 12.

29^th May Monday.  Fine warm sunny day, clouded over in the evening and rained after 9.30 p.m.  Reported to the Staff Capt. In the morning.  Saw Gen. Perkins who told me have me as Ord: Off; temporarily if my Major agreed.  Member of a Court Martial at 10.0 a.m.  Saw the Major at lunch who agreed to my going to the General, reported to him at 2.0 p.m. and started work straight away.

30^th May Tuesday.  Dull morning cleared up in the afternoon.  In the office all day.  Went for a walk with Capt. Young before dinner.

31^st May Wed.  Fine sunny day.  The General had Col. Hamilton, Capt. Hardy (D) & Capt. Bagnall to dinner, very pleasant evening.

A.G. Richardson’s Diary May 1916

Pernois.

Monday 1^st May 1916:            Signalling with the Officers – on guard at wagon park.

Tuesday 2^nd May 1916:           On guard all day at wagon park.

Wednesday 3^rd May 1916:      Signalling with the officers one hour.

Thursday 4^th May 1916:          Colonel returns from leave.  Signalling with Officers in morning.

Friday 5^th May 1916:              Interview with the Adjt.  Signalling with the Officers.

Saturday 6^th May 1916;          Signalling with the Officers & 1^st Sect aft.

Sunday 7^th May 1916:             Church Parade at 10 am.  Lovely ramble.

Monday 8^th May 1916:           Signalling with the Officers.  Fishing with S.M. Spencer.

Tuesday 9^th May 1916:           Signalling with the Officers.  1^st Sect in aft.

Wednesday 10^th May 1916:    Signalling with the Officers.  1^st Sect in aft.

Thursday 11^th May 1916:        Signalling in morning with the Officers.  1^st Sect in aft.

Friday 12^th May 1916:                        Signalling with the Officers in morning.

Saturday 13^th May 1916:        Signalling with the Officers.  Fishing with Shaw.

Sunday 14^th May 1916:           Church Parade at 10 am.  Lovely walk with Cecil & Tommy.

Monday 15^th May 1916:         x Received my stripe back & exonerated from all blame. Only the Adjt to be thanked.

Tuesday 16^th May 1916:         Signalling with the Officers.

Wednesday 17^th May 1916:    Signalling with the Officers.

Thursday 18^th May 1916:        Went a long walk with Eagle & then played billiards Friday 19^th May 1916:                       Sent to 1^st Sect (near D.A.C.) to Capt Emsley with recommend from the Adjt & paid Bombr.  Also Cecil & Tommy.

Saturday 20^th May 1916:        Placed into E Sub-Sect.  In stables all day.  Out in village at night.

Sunday 21^st May 1916:           Reveille 6.  Stables 6.30.  Went to VIGNACOURT with 920 hand grenades to 146^th Inf Bde.  Half Holiday.  Fine day.

Monday 22^nd May 1916:         Reveille 6 am – Stables 6.30.  Grooming & cleaning harness all day.  Cecil & Tommy leave & go to 4^th Sect.

Tuesday 23^rd May 1916:         Stables 6.30 am.  Lieut P.H. Walker exchanges 18 old 4^th Sect men but leaves me at 1^st Sect.  “Ca ne fait rien”.  Harness cleaning.

Wednesday 24^th May 1916:    Empire Day.  No special celebration.  Reveille 6 am.  Took 29 Reinforcements to M.O. for medical inspections.  Cleaning Harness.

Thursday 25^th May 1916:        Received my old job back – Went for rations to Havernas at 10 am with Gnr Briggs.  Returned at 2 pm.  Drew stores at H.Q. with Q.M.S.

Friday 26^th May 1916:                        Reveille 6 am.  Went to Havernas for rations 10 – 2 pm.  Saw Forster & Trench Mortars.  On H.Q. guard.

Saturday 27^th May 1916:        Went to Havernas for rations with Briggs.  At Berteaucourt at night.

Sunday 28^th May 1916:           Went to Havernas with Briggs for rations.  Out in the village at night with Cecil & Tommy.

Monday 29^th May 1916:         Went to Havernas for rations.  Briggs goes on leave.

Tuesday 30^th May 1916:         Went to Havernas for rations.  On piquet at night.

Wednesday 31^st May 1916:    Went to Havernas for rations on bicycle.  At Berteaucourt at night.

18^th Division No G.502.

C.R.A.

54^th Infantry Brigade.

Herewith 2 copies of enlargement of POMMIERES REDOUBT, for your information.

Captain,

for Lieut-Colonel,

Senior General Staff Officer, 18^th Division.

31/5/16

VISIBILITY TABLE BETWEEN DAWN AND SUNRISE

Hour                Time before Sunrise                Objects discerned

Hrs.   Mins.

1-30 a.m.                     2         15         Break of dawn.

2-20 a.m.                     1         25         Read watch.

2-30 a.m.                     1         15         See chalk trenches at 600 yards.

2-45 a.m.                     1          0         See earth trenches at 600 yards.

3-5 a.m.                       0         40         Distinguish trenches a mile off.

3-10 a.m.                     0         35         See aeroplane easily flying at 3000’

(Looks black cannot see colours.)

3.15 a.m.                     0         30         Distinguish men’s heads above trenches at 100 yards.

3-25 a.m.                     0         20        See foresight of rifle and men at 300 yards    sufficiently easy for accurate firing.

3-35 a.m.                     0         10         Perfect light to see any objects.

Sunrise at 3-45 a.m.

The morning was an average summer morning, clear sky with thin banks of clouds in the East.

29/5/16

M.P. 6

18 Div Arty

I enclose plan showing routes of F.O.O lines as arranged.

Each red line represents a pair.

All lines except from battalion at A 7/3 to CARNOY exchange are under floor of trenches.

Will you please return this tracing when done with.

M.T. Porter Captain

O/C Sigs 18^th Div

29/5/16

18^th Div Art

I forward herewith tracing shewing German wire, correct to date so far as I can see.

I have not shewn front line wire as there has been no change in that. Gaps at KASINO POINT and BRICK POINT have been repaired.

1. Thorpe Lt. Col R.A.

Comd. 82^nd Bde R.F.A.

28.5.16

APPENDIX 3

SCHEME FOR ARTILLERY SUPPORT.

1. The Artillery available will consist of the Divisional Artillery (12 4 gun 18 pdr Batteries and 3 4 gun 4.5” Howr Batteries) possibly reinforced by several 18 pdr and 4.5” Howrs. Batteries.

1. The Artillery will be arranged in 3 groups, and each affiliated to one Infantry Brigade as follows:-

Right Group – 84^th Bde. R.F.A. and one 4.5” How Batt 55^th Inf Bde.

Centre Group – 83^rd Bde R.F.A. and one 4.5” How Batt 53^rd Inf Bde.

Left Group – 82^nd Bde R.F.A. and one 4.5” How Batt 54^th Inf Bde.

The Headquarters of the Artillery Groups will be with the Headquarters of the Infantry Brigade.

1. The positions of the various batteries is given in Appendix ”A”.

1. In addition to the list given in Appendix ”A”, the following list of positions have been reconnoitered and will be prepared for the accommodation of any additional batteries that may become available. Some of these positions may have to be occupied by the Divisional Artillery.

1 Section 18 pdr at A.15.d.7/9

1 Section 18-pdr at A.15.c.35/80

1 4-gun 4.5” How Battery at A.14.a.6/4

1 Single 18 pdr at A.14.b.8/5.

1 Single 18 pdr at F.17.b.30/35

1. The zones allotted to each Artillery Group are shewn in attached tracing marked ”B”.

1. The Artillery support, including Trench Mortars, will be divided into the following phases.

Phase I   Bombardment of hostile front and support trenches as shewn    in Tracing ”C”

Phase II Bombardment of Support trenches as shewn in tracing ”D”

Phase III Bombardment of Support trenches as shewn in tracing ”E”

Phase IV Bombardment of POMMIER and trenches in vicinity by left Group as shewn in tracing ”E”.

Right and Centre Group establish protection barrage for consolidation of position.

Phase V Consolidation of position gained, protection barrage.

1. There will be no cessation of fire between the various phases, the artillery will lift each barrage by increments in range corresponding to the distance apart of the opposing trenches.

1. Owing to the German defences being situated on rising ground, where the rear support trenches overlook those in front, it will be necessary for 60 pdr and 4.7” guns firing shrapnel in enfilade to barrage the rear support trenches shewn in ”brown” on tracings of phases.

1. The 4.5” Howrs will be employed to enfilade communication trenches special attention being paid to prominent trench junctions.

DIVISIONAL COMMANDER’S CONFERENCE, May 26^th 1916

AGENDA

1. In practice attacks there occur gaps between leading and supporting troops. At POULAINVILLE 25 minutes interval before 3^rd Battalion arrived.

**** slow *** instruction. Visit the dummy trenches.

1. When Brigades are practicing the attack all four battalions are to be present and an enemy and umpires arranged for.

1. Construction of strong points. To be practiced during training.

1. Attack formations. See diagrams. Role of each Battalion and Company. Every Battalion and Company to be trained to carry out any role.       Forming up trenches essential.       Drill in them more essential.

Forming up trenches in rear for training. 4^th Company in column not in lorries & no note assigned to its leading platoon men 4 yds apart

1. Miniature trenches for training of N.C.Os keep model and miniature trenches up to date from latest aeroplane photographs.

Get our trench maps in line with Divⁿ H.Q.

1. Notes for Company Conferences:-

1. N.C.Os must take detail off Officers hands.
2. Every N.C.O. must be ready at any time to take command of his platoon.
3. Every Officer must be ready at any moment to take command of his Company.N.C.Os responsible – cleanliness, huts, ***, billets etc.
5. At least 2 N.C.Os of *** to be able to take the place of Sectⁿ Cmd^s.

1. STOKES Mortar 100-rounds demonstration on tactical schemes.

1. The principal object of a commander is to try and keep command. Therefore he should get platoons or sections together in folds of the ground or wherever possible. He keeps command by handling his reserves. To do so they must be capable of manoeuvre.

1. Bombers must be in hand ready for use.

1. Searching of dug-outs. Special parties to be told off for this. Query form No 3 Company.

1. When the ultimate objective is reached Company Commanders must immediately arrange for the following:-

1. re-organise.
2. Consolidate
3. Scout.
4. Flanks
5. Lewis Guns
6. Strong Points
7. Bombers
8. Common-sense
9. Reports

1. Collecting prisoners in German trenches and dug-outs.       Arrangements for sending them to rear and safe-guarding them till handed over to Divisional Staff about BRONFAY or BILLON.

1. Parties for repair of communication trenches between Brigade Battle posts and front.

1. The GREEN Line. Time it will take to get there. Programme – Duration of Bombardment. Accessories – Clearing of our trenches and villages during bombardment – Hour of Assault.

1. Guns in good dug outs.

1. Success now depends almost entirely on training in back area.

1. The danger of our being engaged prematurely seems to have passed and we shall get at least 3 weeks notice before the date is finally fixed.

1. The bombardment will be a deliberate undertaking with every engine of war utilised. It will be the fault of Brigade and Battalion Commanders if special points are not dealt with. They are apt to leave much to their artillery. This artillery requires guidance.

Brigd^rs to send  list of points  such as M.Gs,  wire, s** they want dealt with.

1. Whether at the start or after an advance our artillery must endeavour to fire in enfilade. This is specially required as between the gunners of the 7^th and 18^th Divisions. Company Commanders must observe independently whether German wire to their front has or has not been cut. They must patrol freely at night for this.

See Genl about this.

1. After our Infantry have reached their furthest objective our Artillery must place a barrage in front of them to repel next days counter attack. Success depends upon rapidity of our Artillery moving forward. (Guns and Observers).

Single guns well forward possibly in trenches.

1. Gas shells for counter-battery, but don’t put them into villages we may want to occupy.

1. Physical exhaustion of gunners. 20 additional personnel per battery will be added.

Two or more reliefs.

1. Some 18 pounders to be pushed forward close up to front trenches, concealed there, unregistered, for use in later phases.

Single guns well forward possibly in trenches.

1. Company Commanders are apt to barge ahead according to orders without looking about them. If a leading Company cannot get through the front German trench, companies must deviate betimes or stop. Every reserve unit must try to help people on its flanks.       Are Platoon Observers made use of?

Rapid decisions.

1. Water supply from CARNOY to front requires thought. Men must be trained not to use their water bottles. No water on our objective.

1. Use of 4” STOKES Mortars for flank barrages of smoke. Where are they required? Report.

Decide on places where required.

1. (a) VICKERS GUNS. Direct overhead fire against enemy communication trenches by Reserve Machine guns.

1. LEWIS GUNS. Not to be carried on men’s shoulders or by a few isolated men. Must go up in midst of a line. Ammunition also. Arming of LEWIS Gunners.
2.  

1. What is to be done with troops for whom there is no room at the ultimate objective? Suppose the leading troops get on to their objective with small loss? Suppose they lose 50% casualties?

Have Brigadiers rec^d the position of the 2” mortars?

1 platoon of pioneers & 1 section R.E. to each Brigade.

Appendix “A”

GROUP     Position of Headquarters                        Map co-ordinates of Battery Positions.

RIGHT            COPSE B.                               A.21.c.80/85

A.27.a.20/35

A.20.d.8/2

A.26.b.2/6

A.21.d.3.8

CENTRE        BILLON VALLEY               A.20.c.45/25

A.20.c.3/3

A.19.d.2/3

F.23.c.8/5

A.26.d.5/8

LEFT               West of BILLON FARM       F.22.d.8/5

F.23.c.0/4

F.28.b.8/7

F.23.d.37/34

F.28.b.3/1

APPENDIX 4

HEAVY TRENCH MORTARS

(9.45”)

POSITION                                                     REMARKS

F.12.c.55/46                To fire from point 2845 along BITTE TRENCH and Trench junctions in BLACK ALLEY.

A.7.d.9/1                     Fires at CASINO POINT and German re-entrant.

A.8.c.3/0                     Alternative.

A.8.c.55/15.                Zone CASINO Point to CRATERS.

A.8.d.2/0                     Alternative.

A.8.c.8/4                     Fires on CRATERS and East of them.

A.13.b.8/9.                  Alternative.