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

SECRET. Sa/43.

O.C. All Batteries.

(1) The RAID on DEVILS TRENCH will take place to-night 26th inst. Zero hour 10.45 p.m.

(2) Barrages will be those laid down in Sa/37 as amended by Sa/39 only.

(3) The Howitzers will shoot as laid down but will take 1 gun off their barrage for the following special task.
M.G. at I.26.c.93.14.
Rate of fire for this Howr
Zero to Zero +6 ………… 3 rounds per min.
Zero +6 to Zero +16……. 1 “ “ “
Zero +16 to Zero +30…….2 “ “ “
Ammunition BX with a few LACHRAMATORY mixed in if favourable.

(4) Watches will be set by phone at about 8 p.m.

(5) ACKNOWLEDGE.

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

SECRET.
Amendment No. 4 to RIGHT GROUP ORDER No. 1. dated 21/7/17

(1) Reference RIGHT GROUP O.O. No. 1 dated 21/7/17, the Raid will now be postponed 24 hours owing to the feared loss of 3 prisoners last night.

(2) A Dummy Raid will take place at 10.30 p.m. to-night on the same portion of DEVILS Trench.

(3) The portion of the Bombardment from ZERO to ZERO plus 5 will be carried out but all guns detailed for Barrage A will be put down at ZERO on Barrage B.
RATE OF FIRE 3 rounds per gun and 2rounds per Howitzer per minute.

(4) 86th Battery. The special gun mentioned in Table Y will not fire.
(5) Watches will be synchronised by telephone at 7 p.m.

(6) ACKNOWLEDGE.
J.E. Lucket
2ND Lt. R.F.A. for
Lieut Colonel.
Commanding RIGHT GROUP.
Right Group.
4th Div. Arty.
12th Div. Arty.
11th Inf. Brigade.
1st Btn. Hants. Regt.
23rd. Brigade, R.F.A.
29th Brigade, R.F.A.
4th Div. “G”

32nd Brigade No….N/5

Amendment to RIGHT GROUP ORDER No. 1. dated
21/7/17.
——————————————————————-
TABLE Y.
Add under special Guns
Opposite D/23 1 Howitzer on M.G. emplacement I.26.c.93.14.
Opposite 128th Battery. 1 Howitzer on M.G. emplacement I.26.c.72.15.

Both above Howitzers will fire 3 rounds per Howitzer per minute from ZERO to ZERO plus 6.
1 round per Howitzer per minute from ZERO plus 6 to ZERO plus 16.
2 rounds per Howitzer per minute from ZERO plus 16 to ZERO plus 30.
A few lachrymatory shell will be used by these Howitzers if wind is favourable.
ZERO HOUR will be 10.45 p.m.
ACKNOWLEDGE.

J.E. Lucket
2ND Lt. R.F.A. for
Lieut Colonel.
Commanding RIGHT GROUP.
Right Group.
11th Inf. Brigade.
1st Btn. Hants. Regt.
29th Brigade, R.F.A.
23rd. Brigade, R.F.A.
48th Brigade R.F.A.
4th Div. “G”.
4th Div. Arty.

32nd Brigade No. ..N/1
48th Brigade R.F.A.
23rd Brigade R.F.A.
29th Brigade R.F.A.
27th Battery R.F.A.
134th Battery R.F.A.
86th Battery R.F.A.

RIGHT. GROUP.
(1) The raid will not take place tonight.
(2) The raid will take place on the night of the 26/27th inst.
(3) ACKNOWLEDGE.
(4) J.E. Lucket
2ND Lt. R.F.A. for
For Officer Commanding RIGHT GROUP. R.F.A.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
TO USE
Senders Number Day of Month In reply to Number
S/1 22
Reference amendment no 2 to Right Group order no 1AAA for I.15. read I.26.
From: SHED
Place:
Time:
Signature of Addressee

Headquarters 23rd A Brigade R.F.A. stamp.

SECRET. Sa/37

O.C. Battery.

(1) A raid will be carried out by the 1st Battn Hampshire Regt. on the night July 24th/25th.
Limits of raid I.32.a.15.05. – I.32.a.00.30. & the M.G. emplacement at I.32.a.16.25.

(2) Reference hour will be 10.30 pm.

(3) Zero time will be given later in minutes minus or plus Reference Hour. Watches will be set from this office at 7.30 pm.
(4) The Battery Commander of the Battery doing LIAISON on that night will be at Battn H.Q. during the operation.

(5) Tasks as follows.
18 prs.
Barrage A. Zero to Zero +2 mins.
108 Battery 6 guns) I.32.c.00.90. – I.31.b.90.15.
C/23 1 gun )
(The gun of C/23 will be on the left of this Zone)
Barrage B. Zero to Zero +4 mins.
107……….…all guns ) I.32.a.15.00. – I.32.a.00.30.
C/23..remaining guns)
(107 on right half, C/23 on left half of this Zone)
At Zero +2 mins Barrage A double back Barrage B and conforms with it subsequently.
Zero +4 to Zero +30. creep forward at rate of 100x every minute until Barrage is formed on
I.32.a.50.30. – I.32.a.35.60.
Zero +30 Stop!

Rates of fire.
Zero to Zero +4…………… ….4 rounds per gun per minute.
Zero +4 to Zero +8…………..…3 “ “ “ “ “
Zero +8 to Zero +25……………2 “ “ “ “ “
Zero +25 to Zero +30……..……1 “ “ “ “ “

AMMUNITION Shrapnel.
4.5 Hows.
Zero to Z +5 mins.
I.32.a.65.15. – I.32.a.45.35.
Zero +5 to Zero +30.
I.32a.65.15 – I.32.a.70.40. – I.32.a.56.52.

RATES of FIRE.
Zero to Zero +5………….3 rounds per How per minute.
Zero +5 to Zero +10 2 “ “ “ “ “
Zero +10 to Zero +25……1 “ “ “ “ “
Zero +25 to Zero+30…… ½ “ “ “ “ “

AMMUNITION BX.

ACKNOWLEDGE
V.C. Ritchie Lt. R.F.A.
ADJUTANT 23rd Bde. R.F.A.
18.7.17.

In manuscript on the front of the first page “8 Huns captured. Our casualties 3 O.R.

Headquarters 23rd A Brigade R.F.A. stamp.
SECRET. Sa/35

O.C. Battery.

(1) At 3 pm on 19th inst 12th Division are improving and extending their gains of last night, about LONG TRENCH.

(2) The Artillery Barrage will not open until Z+ 10 secs.

(3) The 23rd Army Brigade will co-operate as follows: –
At Zero +10 secs Batteries will put down a Barrage over the whole of the area allotted to them as follows.
107…. O.3.a.1.1. – O.3.a.5.3. – O.3.a.2.5. – O.2.b.8.3.
108…..O.2.b.8.3. – O.3.a.2.5. – O.2.b.9.7. – O.2.b.6.5.
C/23….O.2.b.6.5. – O.2.b.9.7. – O.2.b.7.9. – O.2.b.4.6.
D/23….S.E. edge of BOIS des AUBEPINES O.2.b.35.65. – O.2.b.4.6.

(4) RATES OF FIRE. Rounds per gun per min
18 prs 4.5 Hows
Zero + 10 secs to Zero +5 mins. 4 2
Zero + 5 mins to Zero +20 mins 3 2
Zero +20 mins to Zero +30 mins 2 1
Zero + 30 mins Stop!

(5) Ammunition 50% Shrapnel & H.E.

(6) ACKNOWLEDGE.

V.C. Ritchie Lt. R.F.A.
ADJUTANT 23rd A. Bde. R.F.A.
18.7.17.

23rd A.P.D Bde.
SECRET.

Addendum No. 1 to 12th Divisional Artillery Order No. 55. 18th July, 1917.

(1) All Artillery fire will die down to normal by 10 a.m. on 19th July.
In order to emphasise the salvo which will be fired by a battery of the 63rd Brigade as a signal for the Infantry to assault, there will be no Artillery fire on the 12th Division front between 2.45 p.m. and 3 p.m. on 19th July.
(2) In para. 3, line 1, after ‘as follows’
Insert “All Field Artillery batteries from Zero plus 10 secs onwards”.
(3) ACKNOWLEDGE.
C.A. Clowes Major,
Brigade Major R.A. 12th Divn.
Copies to all recipients of
12th D.A. Order No. 55.

Covering note to 23rd Bde R.F.A. Please comply with attached Order

C.C.S. **** B.M. 4DA 17/7.17.

SECRET. Copy No. 9.

12th Divisional Artillery Order No. 54.

Ref. – BOIRY NOTRE DAME,
Map, 1/10,000 17th July 1917.

1. The 37th Infantry Brigade is attacking the German block in S.E. corner of LONG Trench this evening. The 35th Infantry Bde. is pushing posts out N. of GREEN LANE; which with the posts already established by the 37th Brigade, will act as a covering party, whilst the new trench 100 yards West of LONG Trench is consolidated and wired.

2. Zero hour will be 9.45 p.m., when the infantry will move East and South from posts already held along LONG Trench.

3. At 9.55 p.m. a protective barrage will be formed, principally to keep down M.G. fire and prevent hostile reinforcements moving up.

4. Tasks will be as follows –
62nd Brigade. 18 prs. One B’ty. STRAP Tr. from O.8.d.55.85. to
O.8.b.62.20.
Two B’tys Line from O.8.b.85.15. to O.9.a.20.35., to
O.9.a.30.60.
4.5” Hows B’ty O.9.a.4.0. to 45.60.
63rd Brigade. 18 prs. Three B’tys O.9.a.30.60. – O.3.c.30.00. – O.3.c.30.25. –
to MOUND (O.2.d.95.55.)
4.5” How. B’ty O.9.a.45.60. to O.3.c.45.00.
48th Brigade. 18 prs. Three B’tys MOUND (O.2.d.95.55.) – O.2.d.80.90. –
O.2.b.50.15. – O.2.b.20.50.
4.5” How B’ty. O.3.c.45.00. to O.3.c.35.30.
2 inch T.Ms. East face of MOUND.

5. The 4th and 50th D.A. will be engaging the same targets as this morning.
The Heavy Artillery XVIII Corps, will be co-operating as follows –
2 – 6” and 1 – 8” How. B’tys. On BOIS du VERT.
1 – 6” How. B’ty STIRRUP Trench.
1 – 6” How. B’ty. DOG Trench from O.3.c.3.9. to PUPPY Tr.
60 pounders. Search 0.3.c. East of DOG and PUPPY Trenches,
and O.9.c.
6. Rates of fire – 18 prs. 4.5” Hows.
9.55 to 10.15 pm 3 rds P.G.P.M. 2 rds P.G.P.M.
10.15 to 10.30 pm. 2 rds 2 1 rd “
10.30 onwards. Bursts of fire under Group control according to situation.

7. Watches will be synchronised at 8.30 p.m. from 12th D.A. H.Q.
8. ACKNOWLEDGE.

C.A. Clowes Major,
Brigade Major, 12th D.A.
Copies to –
62nd, 63rd and 48th Brigades; D.T.M.O., 12th Divn. (G); 4th D.A., 50th D.A., R.A. & H.A., XVII Corps.

SECRET. Sa/33
O.C. Battery.
1. The attack on LONG TRENCH in which the 23rd ARMY BRIGADE is co-operating will take place at 4.45 am on 17th inst & not 5 a.m.
2. The TEST S.O.S. as laid down in my Sa/28 will take place to-night. The signal will be 1 GREEN LIGHT, & not the S.O.S. signal.
Officers at Brigade O.P. & Liaison will report to this office on seeing the light which will be sent up from INF BRIGADE H.Q. (H.23.b.3.2.)
On completion of test each battery will report time of seeing the light & firing the round.
ACKNOWLEDGE

V.C. Ritchie Lt. R.F.A.

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS
Received
From Such
By AB
16/7/17
Received 12.17 m
TO USE
Senders Number Day of Month In reply to Number
BM 116 16

Ref 4th div arty 439/7 dated 14/7/17 the operation therein mentioned will take place tonight at time shown.

From: Such
Place:
Time:
Signature of Addressee

SECRET.

Amendment No. 1 to 12th Divisional Artillery Order No. 52.

16th July, 1917.

1. (a) Paragraph 1. For “July 15th”, read “July 17th”.
For “5 a.m.”, read “4.45 a.m.”
(b) Paragraph 3. For “July 14th”, read “July 16th”.
(c) Paragraph 6. For “6 a.m.” read “5.30 a.m.”

2. ACKNOWLEDGE PLEASE.

C.A. Clowes Major,
Brigade Major, 12th Divl. Artillery.
To all recipients of 12th D.A. Order No. 52.

By Special D.R.

23rd Bde. R.F.A.

Forwarded. Please acknowledge by wire to this H.Q.

C.P.S. ***** Major.
B.M. 4th
16/7/17

SECRET Sa/32
O.C. Battery
Re para (2) Bursts of fire will be carried out at times stated as follows: –
107 2 guns I.20.d.95.70. – I.21.c.25.55.
108 2 guns I.21c..25.55. – I.21.c.65.50.
C/23 2 guns I.21.c.65.50. – I.21.c.95.45.
D/23 2 guns will take 18 pdr Battery Zones **** ammunition & rate of fire as ordered.
Re para (3) D/23 will fire as follows
1 gun I.27.a.30.50.
1 gun I.27.a.35.45.
1 gun I.27.a.35.30.
1 gun I.27.a.51.55.
1 gun I.27.a.56.60.
Rate of fire as ordered.
18 pdrs.
108 Battery 4 guns – I.26.b.83.26. – I.27.a.5.2.
Re para (4) 18 pds.
(107 4 guns I.31.b.90.70. – I.31.b.90.85.
BARRAGE A (108 4 guns I.31.b.90.85. – I.25.d.85.00.
(C/23 4 guns I.31.b.90.70. – I.25.d.85.00.
D/23 FLUZE TRENCH I.26.c.7.7. to I.26.central.
BARRAGE B 1 gun of 108 Battery
“ D 1 gun of C/23 Battery
Lifts, rates of fire & ammunition as ordered.
Re para (5) &(6)
Allotments. 18prs 450 rounds per battery, harassing fire.
85 “ “ “ calibration
Hows as shown.
ACKNOWLEDGE.
V.C. Ritchie Lt. R.F.A.