SPECIAL ORDER

After an enforced absence of some 4 months, I find myself again with the Division which I have already had the honour of commanding for over a year.

At the present time I consider myself particularly fortunate to be once more with the troops I know and trust so well.

There is no doubt in my mind that the hard work which all ranks have put in during the past 3 weeks – more often than not under heavy fire – will be crowned in a few days with as memorable a success as we achieved at GUILLEMONT last Autumn. No praise can be too great for what the Artillery, Engineers, Machine-Gun Corps, and Pioneers have accomplished since the Division came to Belgium; and the same applies to the work of the Signal, Supply and Medical Services.

The gallant forcing of the STEENBEEK by the 59th Infantry Brigade today, in the teeth of severe opposition, has paved the way for the forthcoming attack by the 60th and 61st Infantry Brigades.

The spirit and determination that has been shown by everyone will, I am sure, in a very short time be rewarded, and the fame of the Division still further enhanced, by the capture of LANGEMARCK.

I feel I am amongst old friends once more.

W. Douglas Smith Major General,
Commanding 20th Division
14th August 1917

Secret. 4th D.A./B/451/51

List of amendments No. 2 to 4th D.A. Order No. 81 dated 6/8/17.

(i) Programme of Artillery Bombardment, Serial No. 1 –

For “7 a.m.” read “6.15 a.m.”
For “Register” read “Bombard”

Add under ‘Rate of Fire’ Column:-
“4.5” Hows. ½ round per gun per min.

C.C.S. **** Major
Brigade Major 4th Divisional Artillery
7/8/17

Copies to all recipients of 4th D.A. Order No. 81.

SECRET. 4th D.A./B/451/51

List of amendments No. 1 to 4th D.A. Order No. 81 dated 6/8/17.

1. Programme of Artillery Bombardment, page 2, Serial No. 7 – Objective for 17th Div. Arty. should be in column for 4.5” Hows. Instead of 18 pdrs.

C.C.S. **** Major
Brigade Major 4th Div. Artillery
6/8/17

Copies to all recipients of 4th D.A. Order No. 81.

SECRET.

4th Divisional Artillery.  Order No. 81.

Reference Trench Map corrected to 28/7/17.

23rd Bde. .R.F.A.
29th Bde. R.F.A.
32nd Bde. R.F.A.
17th Div. Arty.
4th Div G. )
12th Div. Arty. )
R.A. XVII Corps ) For information.
H.A. XVII Corps )

O——-O——–O

1. On august 8th a continuous bombardment of trenches is taking place on the front of the 12th Division and part of the 4th Division front.
Throughout the day vigorous counter-battery work will be carried out. At Zero hour strong patrols will be sent out to obtain identifications, and capture or kill any survivors from the bombardment.

2. The operation will be divided into 3 phases:-
PHASE I:-Bombardment of front system with 6” Hows, 4.5” Hows and Trench Mortars.
PHASE II:- Lifting and replacement of 6” Hows by lighter guns to enable our Infantry to reach their forming up positions.
PHASE III – Period during which our patrols will enter the enemy trenches under a creeping Barrage and will remain under a protective Barrage.
12th Inf. Brig will send patrols into DEVILS Trench 150 yards North and South of BIT Lane from Zero hour until Zero plus 45 mins.

3. Programme of artillery bombardment attached.

4. O.P’s will be engaged as follows:-
I.27.d.10.40 125 Bty 1 gun ½ round per min. 50% H.E. & Shrapnel
throughout the operation.
I.32.d.95.05. 127Bty 1 gun ) ½ round per gun per min.
)50% H.E. & Shrapnel throughout the operation to Zero hour.
O.3.a.20.72. 127 Bty 1gun ) At Zero hour these guns will join in the Barrage
but will pay particular attention to the O.P’s during the protective Barrage.
5. During PHASE III 1/3 18 pdrs. 23rd and 32nd Brigs will be so disposed that they can be taken out of the Barrage for counter-attacks or fleeting opportunities without leaving a gap.

6. 4 – 18 pdrs and 2 – 4.5” Hows per 23rd and 32nd Brigs will be selected to respond to NF, LL or Zone Calls. 10 rounds shrapnel per 18 pdr and 5 rounds per 4.5” How (with 106 Fuze) will be fired on all calls within range.
Dividing Line of responsibility for GF and Zone Calls:-
Field Artillery West of the Central Grid Line joining the centres of squares O.16, O.10., O.4. and thence the existing boundary (grid line dividing squares I.33. – I.34) Northwards.

7. Tasks have been made out for the full number of guns and Hows available, except where specially mentioned.
Brigade Commanders will make their own arrangements for resting guns and detachments without diminishing the fire.

8. Registration will be as inconspicuous as possible.

9. Liaison Officers will be detailed as follows from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. 8th August:-
(a) An Officer not below the rank of Major from 32nd Brig for 12th Inf. Brig H.Q.
(b) An Officer not below the rank of Captain from 23rd Brig will be at H.Q. Right Battalion 12th Inf. Brig.

10. All Batteries will return to their normal tasks at 9 p.m.

11. Watches will be synchronized to this H.Q. at 9 p.m. Aug. 7th. 9.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. August 8th.

12. Zero hour 7.45 p.m.

13. Acknowledge.

CCS**** Major
Brigade Major 4th Divisional Artillery
6/August/1917.

T.M.

O.2.b.94.68.
O.3.a.00.62.
I.33.c.10.20.
Sack wood.
18 prs ease fire 10” before Zero.

Serial No Time Brigade Objective Rates of Fire

7 PHASE II
23rd

32nd

17 D.A. 18 pounders 4.5” Hows.
18 pdrs) ½ rd per gun
4.5” Hows) per min.

18 pdrs – 50% Shrapnel and H.E.
6.15 p.m. 7.40 p.m. Continue as in Serial No. 2.

6 guns gradually take up fire from 4.5” Hows on DEVILS Trench from BIT Lane (exclusive) to I.32.a.15.05.

Search DEVILS and ANGEL Trenches I.32.a.05.20. to I.25.d.80.05. Continue as in Serial No. 2.
Gradually take up fire from 6” Hows on DEVILS Trench from I.32.d.05.05. to BIT Lane (inclusive).
8 7.40 p.m. 7.45 p.m. 23rd
32nd All natures of ordnance gradually work into their places for PHASE III.
PHASE III

23rd
29th
32nd
17 D.A.
As per Barrage Map attached.
23rd Bde (Southern Zone) between blue lines.
29th (4 guns) between blue and yellow lines.
(Will commence at 7.47 p.m.)
32nd Bde between yellow line and Northern Boundary of Div. Zone.
As per Barrage Map attached.
Will search and sweep to cover areas shown in green.
18 pdr. 4.5” Hows
7.45-7.50 4 2)rds.
p.m. p.m. ) per
7.50-7.55 3 2) gun
7.55 – 8 2 1) per
8 – 9 1 ½ ) min.

18 pdrs will fire shrapnel.
7.45 p.m. 9 p.m.

Programme of Artillery Bombardment for 8th August, 1917.

Serial No Time Brigade Objective Rate of fire
From To 18 pounders 4.5” Hows.
PHASE I
1 7 a.m. 8.15 am 23rd

32nd Register DEVILS Trench O.2.b.35.40. to I.32.d.05.05.
Register DEVILS Trench I.32.c.25.50. to I.32.a.2010.00.10. and ARROW Trench North of BIT Lane
2 8.15 a.m. 11 a.m. 23rd
32nd Stand by for opportunity targets. Bombard trenches as in Serial No. 1. 4.5” Hows. ½ round per gun per min.
3 11 a.m. 11.5 a.m. 23rd
32nd
29th (18 pdrs only) Rehearse first 4 mins of PHASE III. The last min will be fired on first Barrage. Rehearse first 5 mins of PHASE III.
4 11.5 a.m. 2 p.m. 23rd
32nd Continue tasks as in Serial No. 2.
5 2 p.m. 2.5 p.m. 23rd
32nd
29th
Repeat Serial No. 3.
6 2.5 p.m. 6.15 p.m. 23rd
32nd Continue tasks as in Serial No. 2.

Stamp H.Q. 23rd ARMY BRIGADE R.F.A.

SECRET. Sa/51

O.C. Battery

(1) Ref 4th D.A. B/451/46 para 6, suspected HQ at I.32.b.15.60. will be bombarded tonight.

(2) D/23 will fire 50 rounds B.C.B.R. at 10. p.m.
and 50 rounds B.C.B.R. at 1.15 a.m.

(3) C/23 Battery will fire a burst of 36 rounds at 10 p.m. & 1.15 a.m. – Shrapnel –
On area (I.32.b.0.5. – I.32.b.1.7.
(I.32.b.2.5. – I.32.b.2.7.

(4) In addition to the above, at 10.50 p.m. & 2.10 a.m. there will be bursts of fire as follows.
107 Battery I.32.d.4.7. – I.32.b.25.15.)
108 Battery I.32.b.25.15. – I.32.b.2.5.) Searching 300x EAST.
C/23 Battery I.32.b.2.5. – I.32.b.2.8.)
D/23 Battery I.32.b.20.35. – I.32.b.60.25. SKYE TRENCH.

(5) 18 prs 3 rounds per gun on each occasion (A & AX)
4.5 Hows 2 rounds per How BX on each occasion.

(6) ACKNOWLEDGE.

V.C. Ritchie, Lt. R.F.A.
ADJUTANT 23rd A. Bde. R.F.A.

5.8.17

Copies to all Batteries
File.

APPENDIX A. (PHASE III).

TIME TABLE and TASKS.

Hour Gun 251st Brigade 62nd Brigade 63rd Brigade. 48th Brigade Rates of fire Trench Mortars.
7.45 to 9 pm.
18 pr.
As per barrage map attached. 18 prs.
7.45 to 7.50 pm.
4 R.P.G.P.M.
7.50 to 7.55. pm.
3 R.P.G.P.M.
7.55 to 8 pm.
2 R.P.G.P.M.
8 to 9 p.m.
1 R.P.G.P.M.
4.5”Hows.
7.45 to 7.55 pm
2 R.P.G.P.M.
7.55. to 8 pm.
1 R.P.G.P.M.
8 to 9 pm.
½ R.P.G.P.M. 2” T.M. 2 Mortars THE MOUND cease fire at 7.47.
7.45 to 9 p.m. 2 Mortars BOLT Tr. O.14.b.30.95. – 55.75.
7.45 to 9 p.m. 9.45” T.M. shell holes at O.8.d.9.1.to O.14.b.9.9. 18 15 rounds – total.

7.45 to 7.47 pm

7.47 to 9 pm. 4.5 How Shell holes from O.8.d.70.50. O.9.c.00.80.

STIRRUP Tr. from O.9.c.65.30 to STIRRUP LANE. BUCKLE Tr. O.8.b.85.00. to O.9.a.10.30.

Line O.9.c.90.90. to O.9.a.75.35. Shell holes O.9.a.25.50. to O.3.c.30.10.

BOIS du VERT line O.9.a.75.35. to O.3.c.75.00.
DOG Trench O.3.c.30.50. to O.3.a.25.00.

W. edge BOIS du SART O.3.b.05.30 to O.3.a.55.70.

Each Brigade will form its 18 pr. creeping barrage by 2 batteries, the third battery (detailed to answer ‘GF’ and ‘LL’ calls) interposed on whole Brigade zone, and ready to be taken off the barrage to deal with counter-attacks or fleeting opportunities. This Battery will search for 500 yards East of the protective barrage line from 7.50 pm onwards.

APPENDIX A. (PHASE II)

TIME TABLE and TASKS.

Hour Gun 62nd Brigade. 63rd Brigade. 48th Brigade Trench Mortars Rates of fire.
6.15 pm to 7.30 pm 4.5 Hows

18 prs At 6.30 switch to LONG Tr. O.2.d.95.00. to O.8.b.75.45.

As per Phase I. From 6.15 to 6.30 work over to LONG Tr. O.2.d.70.55. – 95.10. and to MOUND & trench O.2.d.80.45. – O.3.c.10.30.
As per Phase I. At 6.30, 4 Hows remain on Phase I target; 2 Hows on MAY Tr. O.2.b.45.20. – 75.35.

As per Phase I. 6.15 p.m. to 7.45 p.m. As for Phase I, except –
2” T.M. T.M. on ARROW Trench lifts to DEVIL’S Tr. I.32.c.20.60. to 25.30.
Cease firing on SPOON Tr. N. of O.8.b.75.80.
9.45” T.M. Ceases fire on STRAP Trench.
STOKES bombard LONG, SPOON and STRAP Trenches O.2.b.45.15. to O.8.d.35.45.

At 7.45 p.m. 2” & 9.45” T.Ms. and Stokes cease fire, with the exception of 2” T.M. on MOUND, which will continue till 7.47 p.m. (see Phase III.) 4.5” Hows.
6.15 to 6.30, gradually increase rate of fire from 90 to 180 rounds per B’ty per hour.
18 prs.
From 6.15 p.m. gradually increase to 160 rounds per B’ty per hour.

2” T.Ms.
From 6.15 to 6.30 p.m. gradually increase to 45 rounds per Mortar per hour.
7.30 pm to 7.45 pm. 4.5 Hows.

18 prs. Work back to Phase III targets

Work back to task at Zero, Phase III. Work back to Phase III targets

Work back to task at Zero, Phase III. Work back to Phase III targets

Work back to task at Zero, Phase III.

APPENDIX A. (PHASE I.)

TIME TABLE and TASKS.

Hour Gun 62nd Brigade 63rd Brigade 48th Brigade Trench Mortars Rates of fire
8.15 am to 6.15 pm 4.5” How STRAP Trench O.2.d.95.15. to O.8.b.80.35. LONG Trench O.2.d.80.30.to O.8.b.70.45. DEVILS Trench O.2.b.30.60. to 45.15. 2” T.M. ARROW Trench I.32.c.20.25. to I.32.c.35.05.
M.G. at I.32.c.30.35.
DEVIL and LONG Trenches O.2.b.30.45. to O.2.d.75.30 and O.8.b.95.95 to 70.45.
SPOON Tr. O.2.d.75.00. to O.8.b.70.45.
STRAP Tr. O.8.b.70.30. to O.8.d.35.20.
9.45” T.M. BUCKLE Trench O.9.a.20.45. to O.8.d.70.90.
STRAP Tr. O.8.d.4.5.
Trench O.8.d.85.10. 4.5” Howitzers.
90 rds per B’ty per hour.
18 prs.
80 rds per B’ty per hour.
2” T.M.
10 rds per Mortar per hour.
9.45” T.M.
60 rounds – total.
18 pr. Bursts of searching fire in own zones and on likely hostile O.Ps., including those at –

O.9.c.20.98. O.3.c.58.80. I.32.d.95.05.
O.9.d.61.36. O.3.a.20.72.
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Practice barrage as per Appendix A., III, with the following exceptions –
18 prs will carry out two lifts only, i.e. to line “plus 3 to plus 4” and then return to first barrage for one minute.
4.5” Howitzers will return to their normal tasks after 5 minutes.

4.5” Howitzers and Trench Mortars will register their targets between 7 a.m. and 8.15 a.m.

Between 8.15 a.m. and 9.15 a.m. Trench Mortars will cease fire. 4.5” Howitzers will slacken fire in order not to interfere with 6” Hows registration.