APPENDIX 14.

SPECIAL REPORT ON 3RD C.D.A., O.O.143 BY LIEUT A.B. MANNING – BRIGADE F.O.O.

October 25^TH 1917

As far as could be observed in poor light, the opening barrage was good. There were occasional high bursts apparently caused by poor ammunition.  At Zero plus one minute enemy barrage opened in response to golden spray rockets.  This barrage was placed along the low ground in D.9.b. and D.10.a. and in the vicinity of WATERLOO.  It was thin at first but gradually increased in intensity with an occasional burst along routes of approaches.

At zero plus ten minutes enemy shortened his range and when light made observation possible our troops could be seen consolidating along crest line in line with Pill-boxes in D.4.d. central. The enemy shortly opened a heavy fire with 5.9s along this line.

Judging by enemy flares our troops appeared to be held up in the vicinity of SNIPE HALL, but our men could not be distinguished through smoke.

Situation remained stationary for some time with the enemy directing a fairly heavy scattered fire on D.9.b., D.10.a., D.4.c. and d., being heaviest along line of pill-boxes in D.4.d. central.

On the resumption of the barrage the smoke screen hid everything. Screen was very good, although an improvement could have been made by regulating the fire so that all shells would not burst simultaneously as was the case with this one.  As a result the smoke screen occasionally became thin, though not thin enough to permit observation.

At 8.30 am our infantry could be observed retiring from crest of BELLEVUE RIDGE apparently without any pressure of enemy in front.

At 9.30 a.m. enemy fire slackened very considerably and at 10.00 AM was only just desultory.

Some small scattered parties of our men could still be seen along high ground in D.4.d. central.

Enemy contact planes flew over at 6.45AM and our first plane was over at 7.10AM.

At 12 noon our Infantry could be observed advancing towards the ridge they had left about D.4.d.0.5., d.0.8.

(sgd) A.B. MANNING

Lieutenant

Brigade F.O.O.

October 26^th 1917

APPENDIX 15 or 16
9TH CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE
INTELLIGENCE REPORT
October 26th 1917

Visibility – Very poor in the morning. Fair at times in the afternoon.

5.40AM The 3rd C.D.A. Operation Order No 143 opened promptly on time and so far as could be noticed was regular and well placed.
At one minute after Zero Hour the enemy barrage opened up on our front line in response to golden spray rockets. Rain started to fall about 5.50 AM obscuring vision.
5.50AM The enemy barrage became very heavy at this time on our front line.
5.55AM The enemy barrage was dropped to his old front line and they also heavily shelled D.4.d. central
6.10AM Our Infantry were observed apparently making satisfactory progress.
6.20AM The enemy started to shell pill-boxes held by us and his fire became more scattered.
5.9s and 4.1s were mainly being used by the enemy.
6.25AM Small groups of prisoners were observed coming towards our old front line.
Our Infantry could be seen around the pill-boxes at BELLEVUE and so far our casualties appear to have been light.
6.40AM Our Infantry had passed over the first crest and apparently considerable machine gun fire was encountered.
6.45AM One single Hun plane patrolled our front line.
6.50AM Our smoke barrage was observed. It is raining very heavy now obscuring all observation.
7.20AM Three double white flares were sent up from about D.5.c.20.00.
A few more prisoners also seen coming through our lines.
7.35AM One of our contact planes flew over our own lines.
The rain is very heavy now and the enemy shelling is becoming more scattered.
8.00AM Our observers report very heavy casualties in the left Brigade.
5 single white lights were sent up from about SNIPE POST.
8.05AM Our smoke screen reported very effective, although a strong wind is blowing at this time.
The enemy is now bombarding our old front line very heavily.
8.20AM The supporting infantry moving up on our right have apparently [en]countered very heavy machine gun fire and are being held up by same.
8.25AM Considerable enemy movement observed about D.5. central.
8.30AM It is reported that the brigade on the right are falling back slightly and the 9th Brigade are conforming to this movement.
8.40AM It is reported that strong point at N.5.c.05.25 is holding up the infantry advance, and many casualties have been observed here.
8.50AM The infantry attack seems to have stopped.
9.05AM The enemy are placing a very heavy 5.9 barrage across D.4.d.
9.10AM Many Very Lights have been sent up from around BELLEVUE and the enemy is heavily barraging this point.
9.20AM A considerable number of the enemy was noticed coming from D.6.c. into D.5.b. & d.
Our infantry can now be seen working around several strong points.
10.20AM It is reported that the 38th Battalion has withdrawn and are establishing a line about D.10.b.9.2., D.10.b.3.7.
12.40PM Hostile shelling has now slackened down very much and our Infantry are again advancing over BELLEVUE SPUR.
The enemy are reported holding a line about D.5.c.50.80. – D.5.c.90.40. and our infantry holding a line about D.5.c.10.25. to D.11.a.90.80.
Continuous sniping is being done by the enemy from about D.5.d.20.20., inflicting many casualties on our infantry.
Many of the enemy can be seen coming from PASSCHENDAELE along the road in D.6.a.
2.00PM Huns reported to have evacuated D.5.c. and our infantry have inflicted many casualties on them.
3.40PM About 50 prisoners have been captured in a HUN pill-box.
4.10PM A considerable number of the enemy was seen collecting on the PASSCHENDAELE in D.12.a. and were taken on by our batteries and dispersed.
4.15PM to 5.00PM Many double, red and green rockets are being sent up by the enemy.

Lieut
Adjt. 9th Canadian Artillery Brigade.

56153 Pte F.W. Springett

A Company 3^rd Platoon

284^th Infantry Battn

Margate

Kent

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines in answer to let you know that I have arrived at Margate.  We are billeted in empty houses and they are fairly decent ones too, only of course some of the windows are out.

There are four of us in one room, and we have just got a nice fire together, and its jolly fine too, after the cold canvas life. Its raining jolly hard tonight.

Well, Sid I hope you are keeping fit, as I am very well at present.

I received your letters the morning as I left Canterbury and no doubt you have received the one I wrote last Sunday.

Well Dear Sid, I haven’t got much time tonight, so I will draw to a close. I will write a longer letter next time.

So Goodbye

I remain

Your Affec Brother

Frank William

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent

Postmarked Margate 9.45 PM 24 OCT 17

Oct 20th 17

Dear Father

I will now write you a few lines although it will have to be short, but no doubt you are beginning to wonder why you have not heard from me before only whis-bangs in other words field cards.
Well I must start off by thanking you very much for the 10/- note received safely it is very good of you to send it as there is plenty one can buy such as fried eggs & chips &c which are tres bon for little mary. The good old Pictorial arrived yesterday.
We have been on the move lately & at the present time are sitting at a railway siding waiting for another cattle truck ride not a joy ride that will come later when we cross the Channel; but I expect we shall settle down somewhere & I will then write you a longer letter.
It is getting very wintry now there has been a lot of rain but to-day has been quite hot & bright again.
I had a letter from Ciss am glad you have been there to stay for a time it makes a nice change I heard from Albert & he said he will be moving shortly have you seen the alterations they have been making there.
Well I think I must finish now glad to say I am A1. Hoping you are all in the best of health.
With much love from
Your devoted
Son

P.T.O.
Oct 23rd

Dear Father,
As you see by the above I have not been able to post this letter before.
I am now in a rest camp came here this afternoon as I am feeling rather run down nothing much the matter; but it is no use to write as I only expect to be here for a few days I will let you have another letter soon.

Au revoir for the present.
Alf

FOR GOD, FOR KING & FOR COUNTRY

Y.M.C.A.

H.M. FORCES ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Oct 1917

Sunday afternoon

My Dear Brother Sid,

Just a few lines to let you know that we are moving to Margate on Tuesday, so do not write again until you hear from me again.

I will write as soon as I arrive. Hope you are still A1, as I am very well at present.

Well Sid in a awful hurry to see the girl “Ha Ha”.

Goodbye

I remain

Your Affec Brother

Frank William

With cover to Mr S.K. Springett, 29 Bath Road Dartford Kent

Postmarked Canterbury OCT 21 10-PM 1917

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 20 October 1917

Brigade Headquarters.

20.X.17.

My own darling,

Tonight I really must get a line off to you. What a lot I have to thank you for.  Letters – lovely letters and a box of the most delicious walnuts.  Thank you ever so much, dear.

I have been atrociously busy. I am in the unenviable position of having to try and act as Battery Commander and Adjutant.  Both the Major and the Adjutant are away on leave and I only I am left a remnant in Israel! Or rather the land of bondage.

Since I last wrote I have been up at the Gun line and then running like a frightened hare between Battery and Brigade Headquarters – oh!  I have had a lovely time – even shelling can’t distract me now!

No, dearest, I had not realised that we had been engaged six months. It seems much longer owing to this continued and damnable war – only the leaves have gone quickly.  You will soon realise that I have no head at all for dates and periods.  I can never remember a number.  I am full of shortcomings, as no doubt you are beginning to realise.

Please forgive spelling mistakes – I can’t spell tonight. If Hilly gets much ‘higher’ he will begin to – smell – won’t he?  No I don’t think His Lordship of Willesden at all interesting.

I have looked through your correspondence and I can’t find a letter of Sept 25^th.  did it contain anything special you wanted to know?

You do seem to be having a good time. I wish I could be with you too.

At the moment the Boche is shelling us – the moan of the shells is really like what I imagine lost souls would make and the burst like the splash and shake of their arrival in – a splash similar to the one the Kaiser would make – and the buzz of the bits like the annoyance expressed by the occupants at being disturbed by a greater fiend than they. How imaginative I am tonight.

Don’t dream again like that one you described in your letter of Oct 14^th or rather I should say don’t get so much that disagrees with you.  You ought to become a Mrs H.G. Wells!

I am so sorry ‘Idols’ disagreed with Mrs Cross. I hope she is better now in every way.

Yes! I do remember the night at Eastbourne when you had your own way – the only occasion indeed!  There are heaps of other ways of getting what you want.  I thought you very spiteful at the time – there now!

You may chuckle. I never do anything so vulgar!!

Has Mrs Cross got over her presentiments yet? And who was the man?  I am so sorry you were disappointed.

Thank Mr Paice and the Jacksons for me for their tender enquiries and say how I reciprocate them (is that right, oh! paragon of etiquette?) Let me P’s initials & address

Your book by sapper I read and enjoyed and it was stolen by the major and taken by him on leave – the wretch. I am very angry – oh by the bye did I thank you for it.  I have so much to thank you for that I forget half of them.

I have a book by Augustine Birrell, called “Self Selected Essays” which I want to read sometime. I remember meeting his cousin O. Locker Lampson at Salisbury once.  I don’t care for the author much – he is a Haldane type.

How is England?  Are you all provided with tin hats and dug-outs yet?  I wish we had some of the latter here.

The beastly telephone has been going all the time I have been writing – hence the jumble. There is a bit of movement tonight in transport and I have been afraid of my chickens getting damaged – however they are alright now.  “All is safely gathered in”

– only one officer made his way across country in the dark with no light and fell into an enormous shell hole full of water.

I must close now and send a line to mother – or she will be getting annoyed with her naughty boy.

With love to you all

(By the bye you did not enclose “the note – such a “nice one” which I presume was from Mrs Cross – I am very angry with you. It is what I have been wanting!)

& with all my best love to you

& many kisses

Ever your

Arch.

The Col has just come in in his pyjamas & asked me what I was doing – I said writing private letters – & he smiled a smile and went out.

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

To T. Smith, 24 Palmerston Rd, Bowes Park, The Anchor, 1 Bankside Southwark London.  Postmarked Field Post Office 20.  21 OC 17 also Wood Green *.45 PM 24 OCT 17.

I am quite well

I have received your letter dates Oct 11^th Regd.

Letter follows at first opportunity.

Signature only. A. Smith  Date  Oct 19^th 17

Green envelope letter. To Mr. A.E. Smith, 152, High Street, Southend on Sea. Essex. England. Postmarked Field Post Office 20. 21 OC 17.
Oct 19th 17
My Dear Albert,
I expect you are wondering when you are going to hear from me but this is the first opportunity for sometime. I was glad to receive your interesting letter.
We have been on the move lately, & spent two days in the line it was like hell itself but thank God I got through safely we are now out for a few days & have got to go up again you can bet I am not looking forward to it but the sooner we go & get it over the better.
Well now to answer some of the news in your letter. For a start I hope you have not had any more air raids they have been very busy lately. How is Affie & Joy I suppose they are still away & I hope quite well I will write to her again the first opportunity but have got so many letters to answer at present so please give them my best love when you write.
Well old boy how are all the alterations going I can guess what a lot of inconvenience it must make for you & a moving job as well but I should think a house will be much better for you when you get settled; I only wish I was at home to help you. Your description of the house &c sounds fine I only wish I could come home at once I don’t like the thoughts of a winter out here it is very rough already with so much wet.
There is a regd letter from Father probably a ten shilling note but have not got it yet as we have to apply to the post sgt. For it. It is very good of you to mention about sending some more goodies but do not trouble while you have so much to do as I know what a rushing time you have old chap I am hoping to have done our bit & be out for a rest again in a week or a bit longer & I shall be able to enjoy them then.
You will have a jolly fine garden it will be nice for Joyse couldn’t we make it look fine with fish ponds &c we must do some more fishing next summer.
What do you think about this D—war as you say it seems as though it will never end.
How is Ansell & all other friends whom I know give them my best wishes.
Please excuse more news now as there is several more letters I want to answer & it is parades nearly every five minutes of the day.
Glad to say I am quite well but rather fed up with everything at present. I trust you are all in the best of health & not overworking yourself.
With much love from
Your devoted
Brother

Report on Raid of September October 14^th 1917

Composition of Raiding Party

No 5 Party       (Right Flank)

No 6 Party

No 7 Party

No 8 Party       (Left Flank)

Party Sectors as per attached Sketch Map.

The Raiders began to form up in our Front Line at ZERO minus 45 minutes and all were in assembly positions by ZERO minus 10 minutes. During this period the German artillery was practically silent.  Our barrage started promptly at ZERO.  German barrage started to come down at ZERO plus 3 minutes, but was only light at first, all raiders were clear of our front line by that time.  The attack was carried out as during practice, both waves went over in distinct and maintained formation.  Communication was established on both flanks immediately.  O.C. Raid (Captain L.C.R. Smith) took over a wire with him which was established in the German Front Line.  One message was received from him, despatched at ZERO plus 7 minutes, saying “All objectives carried, prisoners coming in.”  This wire was out about ZERO plus 10 minutes.

No 5 Party.  (2^nd Lieut. H.G.B. Slade) reports, Germans put up a slight resistance to us entering their front line, using a light Machine Gun covered by Bombers.  They were engaged by snipers and rushed.  A large number (about 40) of Germans ran back, followed closely by our leading wave which stopped at the German support line.  They were engaged with rifle fire and suffered heavy casualties from this and our protective barrage.  The German trenches and wire were almost obliterated.  Traces of BAKER TRENCH were found and a patrol pushed down it about 150 yards.  No Trench Mortar emplacements or dugouts could be traced in this trench.  Two dugouts were demolished about O.8.d.55.60 (German support line) and O.8.d.45.80. (German front line).  A Machine Gun emplacement was demolished about O.8 d.45.95.  Germans appeared thoroughly demoralised and many dead were seen.  The body of a man of the 163^rd I.R. was found near junction of BADGER TRENCH and German front line.  This party sent back 10 prisoners including an officer.

No 6 Party.  (2^nd Lieut. R.E. Davy, wounded) reports, a Machine Gun was firing whilst forming up in No Man’s Land from the direction of BOIS DU VERT.  firing high, no casualties from it.  No resistance encountered in either objective.  A dugout was found about O.8.b.50.15. (German front line) many Germans inside refused to come out – it was demolished.  About 20 Germans were seen to run back from the German front line and were caught by our barrage.  A patrol of 1 N.C.O. and 3 man was pushed out about a hundred yards East of the German support line, no live Germans were encountered but several dead were seen in shell holes.  This patrol observed a considerable number of Germans coming out of BOIRY.  German trenches and wire were flattened.  This party sent back 12 prisoners.

No 7 Party.  (2^nd Lieut. J. Parminter, slightly wounded) reports, German front line entered without resistance.  Exact position of German support line could not be located as it was obliterated.  About where support line was situated some 20 Germans occupying shell holes and a portion of BAT TRENCH put up a fight, inflicting several casualties on us.  6 were sent back as prisoners the remainder killed.  Patrols report many German dead lying about.  A light Machine Gun was captured.

No 8 Party.  (2^nd Lieut. W.J. Elliott) reports, The wire was not entirely cut on this party’s front, about 25 yards of German wire and trench appeared to have escaped out artillery.  The party, however, split in two, going to right and left.  Germans (about 15) were occupying this portion of trench and gave some resistance, they were engaged in front by bombs and outflanked.  The majority then ran back but were mostly knocked down by rifle fire.  The German support line was obliterated and several German dead found.  A dugout was blown up just outside our left flank by our Sappers at about 0.8.b.8.4., after 11 prisoners had been extracted.

It would appear that between 40 and 50 prisoners were started back to our front line, but of these only between 20 and 25 can be accounted for. Receipts are actually held for 31 prisoners but I think some of these may have been duplicated in error as I do not believe as many came through as the raiders actually claim.  Captain Smith, however, reports having seen many dead and wounded Germans in No Man’s Land as he came back, evidently knocked out by their own barrage.  Some dead Germans were also left in our trenches and about 8 wounded.

Our artillery preparation was perfect and our barrage could not have been better. Our casualties are, 2 Officers, 47 Other Ranks (Killed 4, Missing 23, Wounded 20).  A large number of these casualties were inflicted by German artillery as we withdrew.  The evacuation was carried out in perfect order commencing at ZERO plus 30 minutes in the following order

1. Patrols
2. Men from German support line
3. Men from German front line

In all, 2 German light Machine Guns were captured and were sent back. These have not appeared and were apparently lost on the way back, but I have absolute proof that they were started on their way back.  Both were apparently British Lewis Guns converted.

A German aeroplane was flying very low over the portion of German Trench raided by us, firing a machine gun and dropping some bombs. He was previously flying dangerously low while we were forming up but fortunately did not appear to observe our movements.  Our aeroplanes did not seem to be sufficiently far forward or low enough to deal with this.

Note.  With reference to our casualties it is thought that several of the missing will eventually be accounted for as having gone through the dressing stations wounded.

W.R.A. Dawson

Lieut Colonel

Cmdg. 6^th Bn. The Queen’s Own

(Royal West Kent Regiment)

15/10/17

FIELD SERVICE POST CARD

To T. Smith, 24 Palmerston Rd, Bowes Park, London N22 England. Postmarked Field Post Office 20.  14 OC 17.

I am quite well

Letter follows at first opportunity

Signature only. A. Smith  Date  Undated.  Postmark FPO ? 14 Oc 17