Message from Army commander to 51 Div 19 May 1917
MESSAGE AND SIGNALS
To 51st Division
Day of month 19
Third Army wire of last night begins aaa Convey to 51st Division my congratulations on their great gallantry at ROEUX and CHEMICAL WORKS on 16th May aaa GENERAL ALLENBY aaa
17th Corps
May 19th 17
Dear Father
At last I am going to try to write a few lines; we have been in the trenches for nearly three weeks, & now in reserve expect to go out on Monday for a rest so have not had a chance before.
First of all I must thank you very much for your parcel received yesterday. I never had one come out at a better time we were short of food & no smokes so you can guess I soon reduced it in size; we finished the cigarettes, chocolate, cake, biscuits, & paste you could not have sent a nicer assortment. I will let you know how I like the jelly next time I bet it is jolly good. I only used the Harrisons once as we left for the line & I forgot to bring it with me so I am well supplied at present.
I have not had a shave for a week, & about a fortnight since I had a wash so you can bet we look bright articles but I hope to have a good scrub soon; that was very nice soap you sent in your previous parcel.
Well Dad I was very pleased to receive your letter & paper also one from Jess.
I am glad Albert Taylor is well I suppose he was home for a few days leave. What does he think of the war; fed up I expect.
I hope you will have a good time at Southend should just like to be coming along with you.
How did Ethel enjoy her holiday in Yorkshire I expect she is looking quite sun-burnt.
Well I think I must finish now just going out to do a bit of digging.
Glad you are all in the best of health.
Au revoir
With much love from
Your devoted Son
Message from Corps Commander 18 May 1917
GSO1
S.G. 259/189
Divisional H.Q.
18th May 1917
The Divisional Commander wishes to express his sincere appreciation of the resource and bravery shown by all which lead to the great defeat of the enemy on the 16th May.
He has great pleasure in communicating the following message from the Corps Commander.
G.O.C. 51st Division.
“Heartiest congratulations to you all on fine work on 15th and 16th and especially to General BURN and 152nd Infantry Brigade whose tenacity and pluck saved an awkward situation aaa The Division may well be proud of their latest achievement”
CORPS COMMANDER
Laurence Carr, Major G.S.
for Lieut Colonel,
General Staff
51st (Highland) Division.
FIELD SERVICE POST CARD
To T. Smith Esq., 24 Palmerston Rd., Bowes Park London N 22 England. Postmarked Field Post Office 68. 18 MY 17.
I am quite well
I have received your letter dated 9th May
Letter follows at first opportunity
Signature only. A. Smith
Date May 16th 17
A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 15 May 1917.
Belgium.
May 15th 1917
Lady mine,
My sins of omission are many and days have gone by and you have had no letter from me. You will forgive me won’t you dearest?
First of all thank you so much for your long letter of May 9th which has just arrived, and also for the two parcels which I have not yet opened as we have been moving in – but as I believe they contain something for tea I shall open them as soon as I have finished writing this letter. Thank you too for the post-card. It was not at all dull to get word from you & news of what you were doing. When are you off to work on the land? I hope the weather will be better than this. It has changed quite suddenly. To-day is dull and cold and threatening to rain; but before that we did have some lovely weather.
Well they have hauled us back to the line again after a very brief time in the training area. I enjoyed very much our time down there although it was so very busy. We marched up here and arrived late last night. It is an awful job moving. Leaving a place you have to see that it is clean and that nothing of the thousand and one things you ought to have are left behind by the empty headed men. Then there is all the watering & feeding of horses on the march and the rationing of the men. My little unit consisted of more than 60 men and half a hundred horses, and 10 vehicles – and I was all alone. On arrival the first thing is to find out where the bivouacing place is and then how to get your column in. Then the horse lines have to be put up – posts found and dug in and ropes put up – then the horses watered and fed and groomed. Places for the harness, cooks, telephonists, forage, food, stores, etc all have to be found. You see there is plenty to do. After all is finished you have time to get something to eat and then flop into bed. This has been the routine for the last few days.
Alas I am sorry to say one of my horses died last night – a good horse too – and they are so hard to get now. It was one of the signaller’s horses and got colic very badly. Poor old thing. I hate having horses bad.
I am writing this on a bully-beef box, and it is starting to rain so you must please forgive writing and blots. We have no furniture at present and we are living in tents. The cooking is done in holes in the ground. It is delightful – especially after our chateau and comfortable billets. My own gees are looking well. I have found them a shed of sorts.
Don’t alter the address from France to Belgium. It is all the same. Letters come out in just the same way.
We have got our work cut out here. Conditions are very similar to this time last year. I do hope it will be fine for the next few weeks.
How are you keeping, darling? Quite well? I am very glad you are quite contented and happy now. That is all I want.
Are you looking forward to my next leave? I am. I am living for it. The memory of your kisses and sitting on your lap is a very delightful one – only it makes the time of waiting worse. How do you like being engaged.
Your girl friend seems to like being married – but I don’t think I should like to be married to someone 20 years older than I am – would you? Both ought to be young together, don’t you think so? I am sure you can’t be foolish at 50.
You seem to be a very busy person now. Don’t overdo it. I should love to hear you read minutes. I used to for the Cambridge Philosophical Society to a lot of *** professors and dons – and I used to be frightfully nervous. I was so tied up once or twice in making minutes of some **** paper that I used to go and beg a précis from the man reading the paper and left out the discussion altogether.
Is Mrs Cross back yet? Then give her my love. I really must find time to write to her soon. I hope Mr Cross is better. Give him my kindest regards. Finchley is the same I suppose.
Mind you have your photo taken in your working garb. I must see what you look like. What ages it seems since I saw you. I remember you were delightful that evening we had together in town when we had dinner at the Savoy and afterwards went to High Jinks. I shall never forget that week. I hope you have as happy a memory as I have. How is the singing getting on? Next time I have got to cut out all the foolish things we did and sit properly and listen to you sing and play the violin. I wish I could be with you now to kiss you and hold you tight.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to make country excursions alone together now, and go on the river. I like punting on an easy stream – it is so comfortable to be in a punt.
I won’t be so serious next leave. I will be absolutely mad and silly. I wonder how you will like that. I must close now I think as I have got to go to ‘stables’, and then out to see about things in the line.
Please forgive this disjointed letter – the beastly telephone as usual has interrupted letter writing.
For the present goodbye, darling
All my love & kisses
Archie.
Dick-Cunyngham letter to wife dated 15 May 1917
Monday
My own darling one,
I fear I didn’t get back from the Railway Cutting last night in time to catch the mail. We went up to old Hd Qrs to take over the battle front, and after going forward to see Burr we got back for lunch and came back here at 5 p.m. It is quite nice to be in a hutment and camp & I slept in a tent last night. Fear it wasn’t much sleep as I didn’t go to bed till 11.30. Was fussing about some shelling on the front about 2.30 – and got up at 4 a.m. Walked round our new line with C.R.E. & Intelligence Officer. Since we have been in we have advanced our line in 2 places without opposition & consolidated. I had a wonderful view this morning of Bosche Land crawling round newly made trenches, and really enjoyed it got back about 9.30 a.m. ready for breakfast & a bath. It was very hot going round and luckily my thin ‘breecks’ & shirts arrived last night also the cigars. My darling one they look excellent & shall enjoy one after dinner tonight. The socks & other band came this morning – so I have been lucky in letters and parcels. How sad about the Colofinos – Darvel Bays or perhaps I will go back again to the old Cresus from Robertson – the Colonnade Cheltenham at 30/- a 100 – they were always good & I don’t know why I gave them up.
Uncle Harry has written a most hilarious letter – I think they are all glad the old Buffer passed away – a most merciful really. Darling one the two bands you have sent are going on to my great coats – the smaller letters will look much better, but I think when we have got them to the General’s liking – you had better have them done at some needlework shop & the order for some 2 dozen will be given.
Curious things these stylo pens are – Waterman now won’t write well & so this one has come up to the scratch and is now very nice.
I believe really I should also keep within my bread ration. 2 slices toast for breaky – 2 for lunch and 3 for dinner. How’s that? Within or over? This does not include biscuits or any cake I may have.
I think Thresher & Fleurt had better make me 2 more thin cotton khaki shirts & ½ dozen collars to match. I will send home my flannel ones & hope I may never see them again and not have to send for them this winter.
We are having heavy thunder showers which are nice and cooling, but my office hut leeks, must consult Whigham & have it put right at once.
My darling one I sincerely hope you didn’t face Aunt Monty. How could you manage it.
Darling one I must stop and attend to business, I swore I wouldn’t do any writing until I had written today. God bless you my darling & keep you safe and well.
Ever your own devoted Hubby
Jimmie
With envelope addressed to Mrs J. Dick Cunyngham, 28 Coleherne Court, South Kensington. London S.W. 5. Endorsed On Active Service. Signed Dick Cunyngham. Passed by Censor No 2014 cachet. Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE H.15 dated 15 MY 17
COPY.
SPECIAL REPORT upon silent raid carried out on NED TRENCH on the 13/14 May, 1917
—————————————————-
At 10-30 p.m. the COVERING PARTY left our trenches at N.5.c.05.05. and 10 minutes later the ASSAULT and BLOCKING PARTIES followed.
After the parties had got clear of our wire, O.C. Raid detailed two men to enlarge the gap in our wire to facilitate the return of the parties.
At 10-40 p.m. 2 Very Lights were sent up by the enemy from N.11.a.1.4. and N.11.a.9.9. approximately.
The Covering Party took up its allotted position at and about N.11.a.15.67.
The Assaulting and Blocking Parties passed through the Covering Party, and through the gap in the enemy’s wire, the last man laying a white tape through the gap to aid the withdrawal. The parties entered the enemy blind trench at N.11.a.17.58., worked in an Easterly direction, and reached the E.F.L. at N.11.a.32.55. At this point the Assault Party got into the enemy trench, and the Blocking Party took up its position behind the enemy parapet.
To guard against the possibility of meeting an enemy trench patrol, the bay of entry (provided with an island traverse) had been noted as a favourable place for attack, and provisional dispositions had been made previously in the event of such a contingency arising.
The Assault Party had not moved out of the bay of entry, when a trench patrol was heard approaching from the East and the Party was immediately reorganised in accordance with the prearranged plans and took up their respective positions to await the patrol. (See attached plan).
The trench patrol consisted of 3 men. Nos 1 & 2 were allowed to pass point “Z” and Sergt WRIGLEY of “A” Party pounced upon No. 3. No. 1 did not give Sergt J. SLATER of “B” Party an opportunity of scuppering him, but bolted across country in the direction of the enemy Support Line. No. 2 turned about and fired his revolver at point blank range at Sergt. WRIGLEY. Sergt. WRIGLEY was not hit, and in the anxiety to get away with the prisoner, No. 2 was lost sight of.
The Assault Party and prisoner immediately withdrew from the enemy trench and returned to our lines, followed by the Blocking Party, the Covering Party bringing up the rear as arranged.
The whole of the Raiding Party regained our trenches at 1-0 a.m. without suffering any casualties.
During the whole of the operations the 170th Machine Gun Company co-operated with indirect fire of short bursts at intervals at points behind the enemy front and support lines, and their fire was carried out most effectively and without any possibility of raising the enemy’s suspicions.
The Raiding Party had withdrawn about half way across NO MAN’S LAND before the enemy sent up a Very Light, and then only from N.11.a.9.9. (approx) and the enemy did not open fire either with rifle or Machine Guns.
The following conclusions have been drawn:-
CONFIDENTIAL.
SUMMARY OF INTELIGENCE.
……………………………….
No. 86.
NOTE: – Not to be taken into Front Line Trenches.
UNIT: – 170th Infantry Brigade.
SECTOR: – CORDONNERIE – BOUTILLERIE.
PERIOD: – 6 a.m. 13/5/17 to 6 a.m. 14/5.17.
……………………………….
“A” OUR OPERATIONS.
Station. Time. Time taken Total. Station. Time. Time taken Total.
to get call to get call.
Secs secs secs secs.
H.S. 29. 9.40 a.m. 10 30 H.P. 25. 2.6 p.m. 5 30
H.T.14. 5.12 p.m. 4 17 H.T. 8. 10.0 p.m. 15 35
H.T.8. 3.6. p.m. 35 65 H.T. 8. 11.5 p.m. 4 28
H.P.23. 12.35 a.m. 7 50 H.T. 14. 9.25 p.m. 5 25
H.P.23. 3.4 a.m. 7 23 H.T. 14. 2.40 a.m. 4 16
H.P.25. 11.0 p.m. 5 20 H.S.29. 9.30 p.m. 5 10
H.P.25. 2.30 a.m. 7 27 H.S.29 2.23 a.m. 4 13
Our Heavies firing on enemy back areas; our artillery fired on NEBULA SUPPORTS
at 1.15 p.m.
Heavy artillery fired on and completely destroyed house at N.16.c.10.15. where
enemy M.G. was observed firing on one of our aeroplanes on 11/5/17. Quiet during
the night.
BOUTILLERIE SECTOR – See Special report on Raid.
“B” – ENEMY OPERATIONS.
Back areas. Much quieter than usual on this sector.
2.30 p.m. 1 man seen on road at N.12.a.75.50. in what appeared to be a khaki uniform, and 2 others at 8.15 a.m. in same kind of uniform in front line at N.6.b.91.53.
Very little activity observed during the day in and around FROMELLES.
5.10 p.m. 2 men seen wearing dark blue uniforms and peaked caps carrying rifles with fixed bayonets on road near CHATEAU RICHE. No enemy working parties heard during the night.
at CELLAR FARM 9”.
Casualties (From 12 noon 12/5/17 to 12 noon 13/5/17) – 1 O.R. wounded.
REPORT ON SUCCESSFUL RAID CARRIED OUT BE “D” BATTALION
on NED TRENCH, Night 13th/14th May 1917.
…………………………………………………
Composition of Raiding Party.
O.C. RAID – Lieut T. Hollis; 3 Offrs, and 30 O.Rs.
Assault Party. – Lieut Hein and 8 O.R., Blocking Party 2nd Lieut Ciceri and 6 O.R. Covering Party 2nd Lieut Green and 10 O.R., O.C. Raid with 2 signallers and 4 O.Rs.
Objective. To scupper or capture sentry group previously located in E.F.L. at LN.11.a.45.63.
At Zero hour 10.30 p.m., raiding party left our trench at N.11.a.32.55. and proceeded across N.M.L. without incident.
The Covering Party took up its allotted position, the Assault and Blocking partied proceeded to the E.F.L. The blocking party lay up on the E.F.L. at N.1.a.32.55; the Assault party entered the enemy’s trenches at this point, and before leaving the bay which they had entered heard an enemy patrol approaching. The O.C. Assault quickly made his dispositions and placed his men at either end of island traverse of the bay. The enemy trench patrol of 3 men passed along the travel trench. Nos 1 and 2 were allowed to pass and No 3 was pounced upon and held by Sergt Wrigley. No 1 rushed off across country towards his support line before reaching the second opening in the bay, where the other half of the Assault party were waiting, the intention being to surround these 3 men while between the two openings of the bay. No 2 turned round and fired his rifle point blank at Sergt Wrigley (who had secured No. 3) but missed, and escaped in the darkness towards enemy’s supports.
A prisoner having been secured, the Raiding Party returned to our lines at 1 a.m. without having suffered any casualties.
The raid was most successful throughout and accomplished without the slightest hitch.
N.B. Hamilton Lieut.
for Captain,
Brigade Major,
for Brig General Commdg. 170th Inf. Bde.
IDENTIFICATION. – Preliminary report on prisoner captured by “D” Battalion on night 13th/14th May 1917.
Name: – ERICH SETTGAST.
The prisoner belongs to the Landwehr Regiment, No. 85., 2nd Battalion, 5th Company, 38th Division.
He was enlisted in STETTIN, and arrived from the ARGONNE on the night of 12th May 1917, and was last on the enemy front in August 1916 – RUSSIA.
The name of the Regiment on his right is the 78th and on the left 236th; he does not know where the 262nd Regiment is.
The 85th Regiment is a HOLSTEIN Regiment.
He was born in TEMPLIN in UKERMARCK, BRANDENBURG, and is 18 years of age.
Until August 1916 the prisoner was in the Reserve Field Artillery, Regiment No.3, BRANDENBURG, and since that time he has been an Infantry man.
This was his first night in the line, and he was one of a patrol of 3 men, consisting of another private and a Feldwebel, whose duties were to visit 4 posts in the front line; he does not know the position of the posts.
His Regiment before moving into the line was stationed at LIGNY, where they arrived on the night of the 12th instant. The Officer Commanding the 2nd Battalion is HAUPTMANN STROHMEYER.
He was aware of the fact that AMERICA had entered the War and is going to send over an army to FRANCE.
He states that the men are well fed and are not dis-spirited.
Copy No………..
4/5th Bn LOYAL N. LANCASHIRE REGIMENT OPERATION
NO 1.
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Reference Trench Map
RADINGHEM 1/10,000
36 .S.W. 2. (Edition 6D)
12th May 1917.
OPERATIONS. On Z day a raiding party will raid the enemy trenches with the object of obtaining an identification.
OBJECTIVE. Enemy’s Front Line Trench at N.11.a.45.63.
RAIDING PARTY. The composition of the Raiding Party will be:-
O.C. Raid (Lieut. T. Hollis)
3 Officers & 30 Other Ranks,
who will be disposed of as follows:-
ASSAULT PARTY
1 Officer & 8 Other Ranks.
BLOCKING PARTY
1 Officer & 6 Other Ranks.
COVERING PARTY
1 Officer & 10 Other Ranks.
O.C. RAID
with 2 Signallers & 4 Other Ranks.
TRENCH GARRISON. {The Officers and Other Ranks detailed will be {disposed of according to normal trench dispositions. Delete {The front line opposite the raid will be cleared of {troops with the exception of those concerned in the {enterprise.
The garrison will be on the alert and will be prepared to cover the withdrawal of the raiders, and to assist the return of the wounded and prisoners.
DISTINGUISHING MARKS. Officers’ will wear men’s equipment with one stars sewn on to each shoulder strap.
IDENTIFICATION. All means of identification will be removed from the members of the Raiding Party. Faces of all the party will be blackened.
HEADQUARTERS. The Headquarters of the O.C. Raid will be at the old Signal Station at N.5.c.05.05.
SIGNAL COMMUNICATION. The O.C. Brigade Signals will arrange to lay a special wire from the Right Company Front Line Signal Station to the Headquarters of the O.C. Raid.
O.C. Raid will then be in telephonic communication as follows:-
(a) with Artillery Battery Headquarters at H.K.23. in the event of requiting co-operation.
(b) With Battalion Headquarters in the event of requiring Artillery Support for counter Battery work.
SIGNAL FOR RECALL. Several short blasts on a whistle given by O.C. Blocking Party for recall if and when considered necessary.
ARTILLERY. All available Artillery will be “standing to” from 10 p.m. until the operation is completed.
In the event of the O.C. Raid requiring Artillery co-operation to cover the withdrawal of the Raiding Party, one Battery of Artillery will open fire with shrapnel on points:-
(a) N11.a.9.9. to N.5.d.30.15.
(b) N.10.b.70.35. to N.10.b.9.4.
for the purpose of keeping down enemy Machine Gun fire.
In the event of an enemy Artillery Barrage, the remainder of the available Artillery will be utilized for counter Battery work.
MACHINE GUNS. The 170th Machine Gun Company will support the raid by bringing short bursts of indirect fire to bear at intervals in the rear of the enemy Front and Support Lines, and thus assist in covering the approach of the Raiding Party.
LEWIS GUNS. 3 Lewis Guns between N.10.b.85.97. and N.5.d.0.6. will also co-operate if required by sweeping the Enemy Lines on either flank of NED TRENCH. This co-operation will be secured by means of a message by runner to the Lewis Gun Team 20x to right of Raid Headquarters; this gun opening fire being the signal for the guns on the left to co-operate.
CODE WORDS. For Artillery Co-operation – SHRAPNEL.
For Artillery Counter Battery Work – GO.
Raid Successful – BOLTON.
Raid Unsuccessful – DISAPOINTED.
Raid Postponed – HOPE.
Casualties -NONE – THANKFUL.
Casualties – 1 to 5 – SORRY.
Casualties – 6 to 10 – GRIEF.
SIGNALS. In the event of telephonic communication breaking down Signal Lights will be used as follows:-
Artillery Co-operation (1 Battery)
Artillery Counter Battery Work.
MEDICAL. Four Stretcher Bearers will be in the Front Line at N.5.c.05.05. and four at N.5.c.08.23.
The Medical Officer will be in attendance at CONVENT AVENUE Aid Post.
The route from the Front Line to the Aid Post will be via FLAG ALLEY & Support Line.
REPORT. The O.C. Raid and other Officers will report to Battalion Headquarters on completion of the raid.
APPENDIXES. Further details are appended herewith, A, B & C, for information of all.
S.O.S. SIGNALS. The S.O.S. Signal will be made inoperative in the following trench sectors N.10.5, N.4.1, N.5.1 during the period of the raid.
Watches to be synchronised at 9 p.m. by units concerned.
Captain,
Acting Adjutant.
4/5th Bn. Loyal North Lancashire Regt.
Issued at………………1917 to:-
Copy No. 1. H.Q. 170th Infantry Brigade.
APPENDIX ‘A’
Details of the troops to be employed will be as follows:-
PARTY. COMPOSITION TASK
Officers Other Ranks.
The several parties will leave our trenches at N.5.c.05.05., and will proceed across NO MAN’S LAND by the route shown on the sketch attached – Appendix in the following order Covering Party, Assault Party, Block Party.
APPENDIX ‘B’
The following equipment will be worn by each man:-
ASSAULT PARTY.
No 1. Rifle and bayonet, 3 Mills Bombs, 20 rounds spare ammunition.
‘B’ BLOCKING PARTY.
No 1. O.C. Party – Revolver, 6 Mills Bombs and Whistle.
‘C’ COVERING PARTY.
No.1. Rifle and bayonet, 2 Mills Bombs, 30 rounds spare ammunition.
Appendix ‘C’ is Map.
The Bay Museum & Research Facility 