Category Archives: 1917

War Diary of 2/6th Sherwood Foresters for September 1917

WAR DIARY of 2/6th Sherwood Foresters for September 1917

 

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

  1. of WINNEZEELE 1.9.17 to 19.9.17 Fighting Strength

J.2.b.8.8.                                                                                  Officers  18.  O.R.s 816

(Sheet 27)                                                        Training in accordance with Fifth Army letter S.G. 840/7 dated 24.8.17.

FORGE                     20.9.17 to 22.9.17       Marched from J.2.b.8.8. to L.7.d.5.3. and arrived there at 12 Noon.  The Battn was L.7.d.6.3.  (Sheet 27)                                      billeted, and Coy Training was carried out.

VLAMETRINGHE   23.9.17 & 24.9.17       Marched to H.11.b.8.3 and arrived in a Temporary Camp for the night.

H.11.b.8.3.                                                      Practice attack which was carried out at 5.50 am Sep 26th.

(Sheet 28)                   24.9.17 10 am to 12 Noon      Battn marched to Trenches.   Fighting Strength 21 Officers 609 Other Ranks.   A training nucleus of 5 Offrs and 108 Other Ranks were left behind at the Q.M. Stores.  Relieved 2/5th South Staffs in front line running from

10 pm.             GRAVENSTAFEL ROAD (D.13.d.80.85.) to DOWNING TRENCH (D.14.c.35.40.)

25.9.17 6 pm. To 6.30 Artillery practiced barrage for operations on the 26th. Battn fairly heavily shelled.  2 O.R.s wounded.

Taped Kicking off positions

26.9.17 5.50 am.        After heavy Artillery Barrage Battn left its kicking off positions, with 2/7th S.F. on the left and the 177 Bde on the right.

The objective which was from D.14.d.3.6 inclusive to GRAFENSTAFEL ROAD (exclusive) was reached about 7.30 am.  A number of prisoners were taken.

The enemy shelled our positions during the day.

27.9.17 8 pm.             Shelled heavily during the day.

Relieved the 2/5th Bn S.F. in the front line who had held the 2nd objective.

29.7.17 9 pm.             Battn relieved by the Anzacs and took up position in the old British Front Line in the rear of WIELTJE.

Total Casualties 11 Officers  220 O.R.s

Major

Cdg. 2/6th Bn Sherwood Foresters.

 

War Diary of 9th Canadian Artillery Brigade September 1917

CONFIDENTIAL

 

WAR DIARY Of 9th CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE

 

From September 1st 1917 – To September 30th 1917

 

 

References  LOOS 1/10,000, LENS 1/10,000

FIELD M.4.c.00.30.

1.9.17       11 p.m.      The visibility today was fair.  Six enemy balloons were up in the early morning as well as a great many enemy planes, but all activity ceased after 9.00 a.m.  Several of the enemy were seen about a mile behind the front line and they were immediately fired on and dispersed.  Enemy artillery was fairly quiet during the 24 hours, but as usual he did some counter-battery work.

 

2.9.17                      The visibility today was fair.  No enemy balloons were observed today, but four enemy planes patrolled their own lines in the early morning, two of which crossed our lines and flew over our rear area for about half an hour, flying very high.  Enemy movement appeared to be below normal today, but a considerable number of trains were observed in the rear area between MEURCHIN and CARVIN.  Enemy artillery was below normal, except for some heavy counter-battery work which they carried out in the neighbourhood of the LOOS CRASSIER.

Operation Order Number 105 was issued today relating to the relief of the 9th Brigade C.F.A. by the 6th Divisional Artillery R.F.A. to take place on the night of the 4th/5th September.

 

3.9.17                       The visibility today was good.  Five enemy balloons were observed up during the day and several enemy planes were also seen, but they did not attempt to cross our lines.  Enemy movement was practically nil during the whole day.  Enemy artillery was very active during the night on our support trenches and in the vicinity of the Town of LOOS, shooting intermittently with bursts of fire.  During the night there was considerable artillery activity on both sides on the zones to our right and left, although our front remained normal.

 

4.9.17                       The visibility today was fair.  Five enemy balloons were again observed on our front and stayed up most of the day.  Enemy planes were not so active and were only seen in the morning during which time they remained well behind their own lines.  Movement of men in the enemy lines was almost nil, but considerable horse and motor movement was observed in the rear country.  During the night the enemy at different times put up a spectacular display of rockets, using green, red, orange and white lights.  They also bombarded the area between LOOS and MAROC with about 10,000 gas shells mixing in a large number of High Explosive shells.  The bombardment started at 12 p.m. and continued for about two hours and was the most intense concentration of hostile artillery ever experienced by this brigade.  The new German gas (mustard) was used and while we had no serious casualties, many men the next day found their eyes seriously affected and a small number developed bronchitis.

Operation Order Number 106 was issued today. This refers to the 31st and 36th Batteries leaving the LOOS Area and going into action under RALSTON’S BRIGADE in the VIMY area.  The Headquarters, 33rd and 45th Batteries with the 35th and 39th Batteries of RALSTON’S BRIGADE are to proceed to Rest Camp in the rear.

 

5.9.17                       From this date to the 22nd inst. the Headquarters and four batteries mentioned herewith were in rest at MAGNICOURT, a small village nestling among some rolling hills.  The men had a splendid rest during this time and many parties were sent for the day to ST POL.  In addition an Infantry band was engaged on three different occasions which was very much appreciated.  General sports for the men were held on two occasions and some Indian Cavalry billeted near here very kindly offered to assist in the days sports.  Their horsemanship and other feats were magnificent and filled our men with surprise and admiration.

 

22.9.17                     Operation Order No 107 was issued today under which this Brigade moved to new Wagon Lines near VILLERS au BOIS.  The Brigade remained at rest at this point until the end of the month most of the time being devoted to cleaning equipment and grooming horses.  On the afternoon of the 29th a half holiday was declared, the men attending the Corps Sports held at VILLERS au BOIS.  These were very much enjoyed by all ranks.

 

 

Major

A/C.O. 9th Carscallen’s Brigade C.F.A.

(9th Brigade C.F.A.)

October 1917

October 1917

Passchendaele

 

The Battle of Broodseinde began on the 4th October 1917, using the “bite and hold” tactics of September 1917, which General Sir Herbert Plumer utilised with the successful attacks on the Menin Ridge and Polygon Wood. The battle was the last assault launched by Plumer in good weather. The operation’s aim was to complete the capture of Gheluvelt Plateau and occupy Broodseinde Ridge. The British attacked along a 14,000 yards front and by coincidence, Australian troops met attacking troops from the German Reserve Division in no man’s land. The Germans were attempting to re-capture their defensive line when the assaults commenced simultaneously. The Germans had reinforced their front line in an effort to delay the British capturing their forward positions, until reserve divisions could intervene. The German reinforcements were in the most vulnerable area to British artillery who inflicted devastating casualties on the Germans opposite. The capture of  Zonnebecke and Broodseinde was another advance that had been made into the German positions, which seemed at long last, to be on the verge of collapse. Plumer had achieved remarkable success. Inflicting three major defeats in two weeks and creating enormous damage to the German Army. The Germans began to plan for a slow withdrawal from the Ypres salient, even at the risk of uncovering German positions further north and the Belgian coast.

At the Battle of Poelcappelle on the 9th October 1917, the French First Army and British Second & Fifth armies attacked on a 13,500 yards front, from south of Broodseinde to St. Jansbeek. They advanced halfway from Broodseinde Ridge to Passchendaele, on the main front. Both sides suffered many casualties. Advances in the north of the front were retained by the British and French troops but most of the ground taken in front of Passchendaele and on the Becelaere and Gheluvelt spur was lost to the German counter-attacks. The return of the heavy rain and resulting mud was the main cause of the failure to hold captured ground. The fighting strained German fighting power to the limit but the German forces managed to prevent a breakthrough although it was becoming far harder to replace their losses.

The First Battle for Passchendaele, starting on the 12th October 1917, was another Allied attempt to gain ground around Passchendaele. Heavy rain and mud again made movement difficult and little artillery could be brought closer to the front. Allied troops were exhausted and morale was beginning to falter. After a modest British advance, German counter-attacks recovered most of the ground opposite Passchendaele. There were 13,000 Allied casualties, including 2,735 New Zealanders, 845 of whom had been killed, wounded or missing. This was the worst day for losses in New Zealand history. At a conference on the 13th October 1917, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig and the army commanders agreed attacks should stop until the weather improved and roads could be extended. On the 22nd October 1917, the 18th Division of XVIII Corps attacked the east end of Passchendaele, while the XIV Corps alongside the 34th & 35th Division attacked northwards into Houthulst Forest. The attack was supported by a regiment of the French 1st Division on the left flank of the 35th Division. The intention was to block a possible German counter-attack on the left flank of the Canadian Corps as they attacked Passchendaele and the ridge. The artillery of the Second and Fifth armies conducted a deception bombardment to simulate a general attack. Poelcappelle was captured but the attack at the junction the 34th & 35th divisions was repulsed. German counter-attacks pushed back the 35th Division in the centre. The French attack captured all its objectives. Attacking on ground soaked by rain and cut up by bombardments, the British had struggled to advance in places and lost the ability to move quickly to outflank German pillboxes. The 35th Division infantry reached the fringes of Houthulst Forest but were pushed back in places after being outflanked. German counter-attacks made after the 22nd October 1917 were at an equal disadvantage and were also costly failures. The German 4th Army was prevented from transferring troops from the Fifth Army and from concentrating its artillery fire on the Canadians as they prepared for the next   Battle for Passchendaele.

Four divisions of the Canadian Corps had been transferred from Lens to the Ypres salient in preparation for the Second Battle for Passchendaele. The Canadians relieved the Australian II Anzac Corps on the 18th October 1917, and the operation was scheduled to be three limited stages. On the 26th October 1917, the Third Canadian Division captured its first stage objective at Wolf Copse, then swung back its northern flank to link with the adjacent division of the Fifth army. The Fourth Canadian Division captured its objectives but was forced to retire from Decline Copse. The German counter-attack and the failure of the communication between Canadian and Australian units was the cause of the Canadian retirement. The second stage began on the 30th October 1917, to complete the previous stage and gain a foothold for the final assault on Passchendaele. The attackers on the southern flank quickly captured Crest Farm and sent patrols beyond the final objective into Passchendaele. The attack on the northern flank met with exceptional German resistance. The Third Canadian Division captured the two farms, Vapour and Furst, together with the crossroads at Meetcheele but remained short of its objective, which was the devastated village of Passchendaele. The Battle continued into November 1917.

—————————————–

Western Front

On the 17th October 1917, the Battle of La Malmaison began. The Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig had requested numerous times that the head of the French Army General Philippe Pétain should begin the long-delayed French attack on the Chemin des Dames. The French artillery preparation started on the 17th October 1917 and on the 23rd October 1917, their Sixth Army commanded by General Paul Maistre began the attack.  The German defenders were swiftly defeated. The French advanced 3.7 miles (6.0 km) capturing the village and fort of La Malmaison, gaining control of the Chemin des Dames Ridge. As the French paused to prepare their second attack, the Germans thinking they had the French beaten launched a counter-attack. They ran headlong into the second French barrage and were forced back. The Germans withdrew to the north of the Ailette Valley early in November 1917. On the 25th October 1917, Pétain called a halt to his operation as he believed he had achieved all that was requested of him. Haig was pleased with the French success but regretted the delay as it had kept Allied forces at Passchendaele maintaining support for the French at La Malmaison.

On the 21st October 1917, the first American soldiers entered combat when units of the U.S. Army 1st Division were assigned to Allied trenches in the Luneville sector near Nancy in France. The American Expeditionary Force (AEF) had started to arrive in June 1917 and they were sent to training camps as the troops were untrained, ill-equipped and far from ready for fighting on the Western Front. Commander-in-Chief of the AEF General John Pershing established bases in France to train his new arrivals with their new British and French supplied equipment. Each American unit was attached to a corresponding French unit. On the 23rd October 1917, Corporal Robert Bralet of the 6th Artillery was the first U.S. soldier to fire a shot in anger when he discharged a French 75mm gun into a German trench. On the 2nd November 1917, Corp. James Gresham and Privates Thomas Enwright and Merle Hay of the 16th Infantry became the first American soldiers to die when the Germans raided their trenches near Bathelemont, France.

—————————————–

Other Theatres

On the morning of 15th October 1917, Mata Hari was taken from her prison cell in Paris to an army barracks for her execution. Dutch born Margarethe Zelle had married a Dutch army officer but the marriage failed.  She took on the name of Mata Hari in the role of an Indian Temple dancer and moved to Paris. By 1914 her exotic dances had allowed her to become a successful courtesan to many high ranking military officers and politicians. With Holland being a neutral country she was able to cross European borders freely. The French secret police induced her to travel to Spain to develop relationships with German naval and army attachés and report back to Paris any intelligence she received. The French secret police suspected her of being a double agent and on her return to Paris in February 1917 she was arrested, and charged with being a German spy. At her trial in July 1917 she was found guilty of being a spy, convicted and sentenced to death. She was executed by firing squad on the 15th October 1917.

……………………

In the East African Campaign, the Battle of Mahiwa was fought from the 15th to 18th October 1917, between German and British Imperial forces. The battle began when the South African and Nigerian troops engaged a column of German forces at Mahiwa in German East Africa, which is present day Tanzania. With German Major-General Kurt Wahle’s force at Nyangao separated from Commander General Paul Emil von Lettow-Vorbeck’s main body, the British hatched a plan to cut-off and surround Wahle’s column by flanking it with their Nigerian force. They would then commit a large body of troops on a frontal attack and encircle the force. Three battalions of Nigerians, of Lieutenant General Jacob van Deventer’s South African army, were sent against Wahle’s troops at Nyangao and engaged him there on the 15th October 1917. Von Lettow-Vorbeck brought up re-enforcements to support Wahle. The Nigerians were soon threatened with encirclement and suffered severe casualties. A larger force had been sent by the British to attack the Germans from the opposite side. This was met with stubborn resistance while the Germans withdrew from Nyangao on the 16th October 1917 and dug in at Mahiwa 2 miles (3.2 km) from the their previous position. Despite attacks from the newly arrived British force, the Germans were able to hold their ground and counter-attacked on the 17th and 18th October 1917. The British Imperial forces were defeated taking over 2,700 casualties, out of 4,900 men involved, and were forced to withdraw. Although von Lettow-Vorbeck had inflicted the greater number of casualties on the Allies, the battle did not go as he had hoped. The German army suffered between 500 and 600 casualties, which was over thirty per cent of the force engaged. German supplies were extremely limited and four days of fighting had expended nearly all of their supply of smokeless cartridges. Without sufficient ammunition for their modern weapons the Germans were reduced to using rifles which fired black powder cartridges. Low on supplies and fearing another attack, von Lettow-Vorbeck decided to withdraw from German East Africa and continue his guerrilla war by invading Portuguese East Africa where he hoped to regain strength by capturing supplies from the ill-prepared Portuguese Army.

……………………

The Battle of Caporetto, also known as the 12th Battle of the Isonzo, began on the 24th October 1917 along the Austro/Italian front near the town of Kobarid (now in NW Slovenia). All previous battles of the Isonzo were Italian offensives along the Austrian border. In a bid to keep Austro/Hungary in the war Germany had to help defeat the Italian army. A new 14th Army was formed using Austrian and German divisions, commanded by German Otto von Below. The battle was a demonstration of the effectiveness of the use of Stormtroopers and infiltration tactics. The use of poison gas by the Germans also played a key role in the collapse of the Italian Second Army. In September 1917, three experts from the German Imperial General staff went to the Isonzo front to find a suitable site for a gas attack. They proposed attacking the quiet Caporetto sector, where a good road ran west through a mountain valley to the Venetian plain. Foul weather delayed the attack for two days but on the 24th October 1917 there was no wind and the front was misted over. At 02.00 am, 894 metal tubes dug into the reverse slope were triggered electrically to simultaneously fire canisters of chlorine-arsenic agent and diphosgene, smothering the Italian trenches in the valley in a dense cloud of poison gas. Knowing their gas masks could protect them only for less than two hours, the defenders fled for their lives, creating a gap in the line, though 500-600 were still killed. At 6.41 am, 2,200 guns opened fire, targeting Italian reserves who were advancing to plug the gap. At 08.00 am two large mines were detonated under Italian strong points on the heights bordering the valley and the Austro/German infantry attacked. Soon they penetrated the almost undefended Italian fortifications in the valley, breaching the defensive line of the Italian Second Army. Forces had to be moved along the Italian front in an attempt to stem von Below’s breakout, but this only weakened other points along the line and invited further attacks. At this point the entire Italian front was threatened. The attackers in the Valley marched almost unopposed along the road toward Italy. Either side of this road, the Italians were able to force back the attacking troops, but the Italian Second Army commander Luigi Capello realized that his forces were ill-prepared for this attack and were being routed. Capello then requested permission to withdraw back to the Tagliamento. He was overruled by Chief of Staff General Luigi Cardorna who believed that the Italian force could regroup and hold out. Finally, on the 30th October 1917, Cardorna ordered the majority of the Italian force to retreat to the other side of the Tagliamento.

On the 30th October 1917, Paolo Boselli resigned as Prime Minister of Italy. Following Italy’s entry into the Great War against Austro-Hungary in 1915 Boselli made an important speech in support of giving full powers to Premier Antonio Salandra. After the Austrian offensive of May -July 1916, Salandra’s government fell and 78 year old Boselli became premier. He formed a coalition government and after recovering territory lost in the Austrian offensive, Italy had declared war on Germany in August 1915. Following Italy’s disastrous defeat at Caporetto, Boselli’s government fell. Boselli resigned and on the 30th October 1917, Vittorio Emmanuelle Orlando became Prime Minister, and continued in that role through the rest of the war.

—————————————–

Middle East

The Battle of Wadi Musa was fought on the 23rd October 1917, when Ottoman soldiers were sent to deal with the Arab Sharifan Army, the military force behind the Lawrence of Arabia led Arab Revolt. The  Sharifan Army was camped at Wadi Musa in Jordan. The Ottoman Army was based at Ha’an in Jordon and was sent to deal with the North Arab Army. Turkish General Djemal Pasha ordered his forces to secure the Hejaz Railway by “any and all means”. Before the Ottoman forces reached Wadi Musa they were intercepted and ambushed by 700 Arab troops under the command of Maulood Mukhlis. 400 Ottoman troops were killed and another 300 were captured. The remaining Ottoman forces retreated leaving the railway intact and uncaptured.

Early in the morning of the 31st October 1917, Allied forces under the command of General Sir Edmund Allenby launched an attack on Turkish positions at Beersheba, in Palestine, beginning the Third Battle of Gaza. With Allenby’s appointment to command the Egyptian Expeditionary  Force (EEF) in the wake of two failed attacks at Gaza in March and April 1917, he was tasked by British Prime Minister David Lloyd George with the capture of Jerusalem by Christmas 1917. In order to ensure the fall of Jerusalem however, Allenby needed first to break the Turkish line at Gaza-Beersheba overseen by the recently arrived Erich von Falkenhayn, the former German Army Chief of Staff. The previous two attacks at Gaza had to some extent foundered on account of water shortages. Allenby understood that establishing command of water supplies would be a key factor in his wider plan of capturing Jerusalem. Reinforcements were called in, including Italian and French troops, to support a renewed offensive against the Gaza-Beersheba line, which stood formidably between the Allies and the all-important city of Jerusalem. For nearly a week before the attack, three artillery divisions with over 200 guns bombarded the Turkish troops in order to trick the latter into believing that a full frontal attack would follow, similar to the previous offensives. The bombardment was the heaviest artillery attack of the war outside of Europe. Instead of a frontal attack, Allenby’s men launched a surprise attack at dawn of the 31st October 1917. Allenby sent 40,000 troops, which included the Light Horse Brigade of Australian Desert Mounted Corps, against the damaged Turkish lines. At 4.50 pm on the 31st October 1917, the Light Horse Brigade was in position and assembled behind rising ground 6 km south-east of Beersheba. The Australian Light Horse was used purely as cavalry for the first time, and though they were not equipped with cavalry sabres their long bayonets were equally effective. The Light Horse moved off at a trot, and almost at immediately quickened into a gallop. As they came over the ridge and onto the long open slope to Beersheba, they were seen by the Turkish gunners, who opened fire with shrapnel. After 3km Turkish machine-guns opened fire from the flank, but they were detected and silenced by British artillery. The rifle fire from the Turkish trenches was wild and high as the Light Horse approached. The front trench and the main trench were jumped and some men dismounted and attacked the Turkish defenders with rifle and bayonet from the rear. Some galloped ahead to seize the rear trenches, while other squadrons galloped straight into Beersheba. Beersheba and its crucially important water supply were captured that same day, before the Turks could execute a plan to contaminate it. Falkenhayn was forced to pull his Turkish troops back into the hills north of Jerusalem. The capture of Beersheba meant that the Gaza-Beersheba line was now occupied by the Allies. The casualties for the Light Horse were thirty-one killed and thirty-six wounded, and they captured over 700 Turkish defenders. Gaza fell a week later.

—————————————–

 

 

 

THE GREAT WAR – OCTOBER 1917

 

 

THE GREAT WAR – OCTOBER 1917

Passchendaele

4th Oct                              Battle of Broodseinde

9th Oct                              Battle of Poelcappelle

12th Oct                             First battle of Passchendaele

26th Oct to 19th Nov       Second Battle of Passchendaele

 

—————————————–

Western Front

21st Oct                             The first American troops entered trenches at Nancy

23rd Oct to 10th Nov          Battle of La Malmaison

—————————————–

Other Theatres

 

15th Oct                             Execution of Mata Hari

15th to 18th Oct                Battle of Mahiwa

24th Oct                              Battle of Caporetto

30th Oct                             Italian PM Boselli succeeded by Orlando

—————————————–

Middle East

23rd Oct                           Battle of Wadi Musa

31st Oct                               Third Battle of Gaza- Beersheba

—————————————–

 

 

Passchendaele

4th Oct                              Battle of Broodseinde

9th Oct                              Battle of Poelcappelle

12th Oct                             First battle of Passchendaele

26th Oct to 19th Nov       Second Battle of Passchendaele

 

—————————————–

Western Front

21st Oct                             The first American troops entered trenches at Nancy

23rd Oct to 10th Nov          Battle of La Malmaison

—————————————–

Other Theatres

 

15th Oct                             Execution of Mata Hari

15th to 18th Oct                Battle of Mahiwa

24th Oct                              Battle of Caporetto

30th Oct                             Italian PM Boselli succeeded by Orlando

—————————————–

Middle East

23rd Oct                           Battle of Wadi Musa

31st Oct                               Third Battle of Gaza- Beersheba

—————————————–

 

 

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne September 1917

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

 

EXTRACTED FROM.

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda

Correspondence

—————–

 

September 1917

 

September 1917.

Hove Sussex.

 

After a quick but slumbersome journey I arrived with the rain at Brighton, and found M. and F. here.  I surprised them with the amount of luggage, but I was determined to enjoy mufti for a few days, though I had to travel down in uniform.

 

It was strange to be subject to the unwelcome attentions of the Boche as night visitors to London.  On my way back home I fell in with Mr. Special Constable Jordan, who ran me in for riding without a light.  It would have been amusing if he had reported me to the Superintendent, whose house I had just left.  However the offer of a cigarette appeased the official anger at such wanton flouting of the laws of our country, and I gained my own bed in my own home and not the local lock-up.

 

Brighton bores me, but I am right glad to be with my people once again.

 

I leave here Monday morning, and arrive in town to entertain the Colonel to dinner, if possible graced by female society, if not, well! He must go without.

 

Then I desire to go to some sea-side place as unlike this London by the sea as possible.  It is more populated by the nomadic Eastern tribe than ever.

 

September 9, 1917.

Tomorrow being Monday M. and F. go to Worthing, and I propose travelling to town by the 9.40 a.m. train, arriving at Victoria at 11.10.  Then to dine in town in the evening.

 

I am better and more presentable than I was, and I hope you will not mind being seen with me.

 

R.P. September 12, 1917.

Hydro Hotel

Eastbourne.

 

R.P. September 27, 1917.

Same old place.

I have arrived safely and am in charge of the battery at the gunline as the Major is away sick at ****.  I am now living on the memory of a delightful holiday at home.

 

September 27, 1917.

Same old place, and leave all over! It is the best leave I ever had.

 

At present I am up to my eyes in work. The Major is away, and I am in charge of the battery in the gun-line.  There have been a lot of changes.

 

September 29, 1917.

My three weeks leave has faded into a happy memory of a glorious time with many fine days, and without the strain of responsibility. Returning was not pleasant.  The fine weather we are now having makes me long to be back at Eastbourne, spending long days by the sea, or at Pevensey or Herstmontseaux with nothing to do and nothing to worry about.  It was, perhaps by reason of contrast, the happiest time I have ever spent.

 

At the moment I am writing letters in my target book with the map board on my knees for a desk. I am sitting on a stretcher in the signalling dug-out, a shanty made of tin.

 

I left home on Monday evening with more luggage than was convenient. I arrived at Victoria and found the Grosvenor Hotel full.  It was then after midnight.  The Y.M.C.A. Hostel for officers was also crowded out, so I went to the Queen Mary’s Officers’ Club and secured a room.  The accommodation afforded is quite good: single bedroom to oneself, bath with hot and cold water and shower, for breakfast, porridge, fish, bacon and eggs, toast and marmalade at any hour of the morning, and carriage of luggage to the station – all this for five shillings!  I was up at 6 a.m. and caught the first train to Folkestone.  There I met two fellows returning to our Brigade, so I had a journey with pleasant company.

 

It was a glorious day, and a perfect crossing, but it was hellish having to leave England on such a day.  The country looked lovely in the morning sunlight.

 

We had two hours in Folkestone. John Amour, Roberts and I went to the Grand Hotel, but could get nothing to drink to drown our sorrows.  We listened to the band for a short time, and I met one or two people I knew.  We brought some pears and chocolate, and then went on board.  I read the “Morning Post” and O Henry’s “Gentle Grafter”, which rather bored me.

 

We had lunch on board, and arrived at Boulogne without further incident.  In the afternoon we went for a drive to W. and at night had dinner at the Louvre, oysters, soup, fish, poulet, sweets and cheese.  We stayed the night at the Officers’ Club, a horrid place. Boulogne swarms with W.A.A.C.S.

 

The next day we did not go by train as we expected. I met a sapper, whom I knew, with a car.  He was going to the same place as we and was good enough to give us a lift.  We left about 5.30 p.m. and had a most exciting journey.  We had on board with us a keg of gunpowder (100 lbs.) with the lid missing also cans of petrol, all in the back of the car.  The driver drove furiously.  On the way we had four punctures, once a rifle cartridge lying in the road, went right through the tyre.  Three times we had to mend punctures.  We arrived at our destination at about 11 p.m.

 

I found our battery in the same position. The Major was at the wagon-line and we stayed up talking until 2.30 a.m.  The following morning I rode up to the gun-line and took charge.  The guns had been moved to another place a short distance away for good and sufficient reason.

 

That night I was ordered to push a single gun further forward into a cemetery across the canal, so I was up all night. The next day I spent with the lone gun supervising the work of preparing a gun platform and laying telephone lines to the O.P.

 

Today I went to the O.P. and registered the gun from its new position. On my arrival back at the battery afterwards, or rather when I was some little way away.  I found the officers and gun detachments sitting disconsolately in a ditch away in the fields, and gazing at the position, which was being heavily shelled.  There we sat for the rest of the house of daylight, and now it is late but comparatively quite.

 

So my reception here like my departure was quite warm. An air raid in London, also in Boulogne, shelled at the wagon line on arrival, shelled at Headquarters, where I reported on my way up, shelled at the forward gun position, shelled at the Observation Position, and now shelled at the battery gun line.  Delightful is it not?  And the weather as it was at Eastbourne.

 

At Headquarters I found the Colonel in a very bad temper, and looking unwell.  On the morning of the day I arrived he asked the adjutant whether I had turned up.  When he heard that I had not he was angry and said, “I told you so, he will never come back.”  But he was wrong.  It was quite time I came back, for I feel that if I had delayed any longer I should never have come back at all.  I should have funked it altogether.  Such a delightful time as I have had on leave is not good for me.  I was getting much too soft and lazy.

 

At present I have my bedroom in a deserted and broken down gun pit. It certainly has a concrete floor, but it is generally flooded with dirty water.  One end is open, that towards the rear, the other is blocked to some extent with a few sodden and decaying sand-bags.

 

I found my kit safe and sound, much to my relief. But my wretched servant never got away as I had arranged, poor devil.  Leave was suddenly stopped, so I only got away just in time.

 

The adjutant is leaving us, so the Colonel wants me to take the job on, and I do not want to. I really don’t know what to do about it.  I should like to get a battery one day, and if I go to Headquarters I shall get stuck there.  But I do not look like getting a battery at present.

 

I do not see any papers now except the Continental Daily Mail, so I should like to know when I am gazetted Captain. We are at present very short of subalterns.

 

R.P. September 30, 1917.

 

The moon is bright tonight, and I can almost see to write by its light alone.

 

As you can imagine it was not at all enjoyable to return after such a delightful leave. It has given me once more to realise more completely that home and all it means is worth fighting for.  I did enjoy the few days with you, more especially because they came close upon a rather uncomfortable time out here.

 

Returning I arrived safely in town and went to the Queen Mary’s Officers’ Club in Eaton Square.  It is an excellent place run by the Y.M.C.A.   I got a clean bedroom, hot bath and cold shower, boots cleaned, breakfast of porridge, fish, eggs and bacon, rolls and marmalade, and my luggage carried to the station, all for the inclusive sum of five shillings.

 

I met two fellows returning to the Brigade, so we cheered one another up. It was a lovely day at Folkestone, much too good for leaving England.  There we had two hours to spare, so I called on Offer, but he was away on holiday.  The crossing was perfect.  We had lunch on board and then eat chocolates and pears.  We stopped the night at the Officers’ Club in Boulogne and left the next day in a car of a Sapper Officer, who was going to the same place as we.  Leaving about 5 p.m. we arrived at 11 p.m.  The man drove like mad, and we had on board a cask of gunpowder (100 lbs.) and full petrol tins. On the way we had four punctures, three of which we had to mend.

 

On arrival at the wagon line, same old place, I met the Major and we stayed up talking until about 2 a.m. After breakfast I went up to the gun line and took charge there, where I still am.

 

That night I was ordered to move a gun forward. This kept me up all night, and the following day I registered it from its new position.  The next day was very busy.  The Boche paid us unwelcome attentions, so we had a lot to do.  And we are two subalterns short.

 

The Colonel apparently was getting rather anxious about me, and expressed his belief that I was going to get an extension of leave or never coming back at all. Evidently he does not trust me.

 

At present I am living in a broken down old gun pit, with only two sides, and it is half under water. But it is the best place I can find at present.  It will harden me off for the winter after the luxury of leave.

 

The sunset this evening was beautiful. I do not think I have ever seen it so red.  Of course we spoiled it with a straffe, and the guns are going like mad.  Now the Boche are retaliating.

 

Leave has just been stopped again, so I was lucky to get mine in first.

 

We are still in summertime here, but it does not make much difference to us as we are always up at dawn. Tomorrow I have to go out with the Colonel at 5 a.m.  I wish he would not choose these unearthly hours, but he thinks things are quieter then when the Boche has hardly rubbed his eyes.

 

I am sitting in the telephone dug-out. It is a tin shanty cupola shape, stuck on a wooden floor over a ditch at the side of a field.  My desk is a map board on my knees as I sit on a stretcher supported by ammunition boxes.  Someone is trying to mend the door with a sledge hammer, and combined with the noise of the guns firing, it is difficult to concentrate.

Report of Attack on Eagle Trench September 1917

Eagle Trench

 

On the 6th August the 20th Division took over the right Divisional Sector of the 14th Corps from the 38th Division.

 

The task before the division was to capture LANGEMARCK village and a portion of the enemy’s GHELUVELT – LANGEMARCK line beyond the village. Before proceeding with the attack on Langemarck it was necessary to obtain the mastery of the STEENBEEK which was held by the enemy.  This stream was liable to sudden floods and its steep banks presented a considerable obstacle.  In addition to this there were many concrete blockhouses at intervals along the eastern bank of the river, the largest one constructed in the ruins of a house called AU BON GITE formed more or less the key of the position, and commanded all the approaches to the river from one side.  The 59th Bde. which was holding the line, with the 60th and 61st Brigades in support and reserve was to carry out this operation, but the two latter Brigades took no active part in the fighting.  The first attempt was made on the 11th August and was unsuccessful, the enemy having discovered the concentration and opened a heavy fire on our troops as they were assembling.  The second attempt on the 14th August, made be the 10th and 11th Rifle Brigades was more successful and a line was established 200 yards east of the stream, but the Au Bon Gite still held out.  At one period, it was captured and a number of the enemy were killed, but our men were again driven out after heavy fighting by a counter attack from a N.E. direction.  The crossings of the Steenbeek had however been made good and it was now possible to arrange for the main concentration to take place east of the stream.  The two Battalions engaged in the above operation carried out the attack with great gallantry; The attack was made over boggy ground across a stream which was too wide to jump and bridges had to be carried and put into position; all this was done under fire and it is safe to say that had the crossings not been sieged the main attack in Langemarck would have been a far more dangerous undertaking and in all probability would have failed.

 

The 59th Brigade had suffered heavily and on the night of the 14/15 it was relieved by the 60th and 61st Brigades in order from the right.  On the night of the 15/16 these two Brigades were deployed into their battle positions east of the Steenbeek.  It was a pitch dark night, the ground over which the troops had to move was very boggy and the concentration had to take place close under Au Bon Gite whose Garrison at any moment might give the alarm and so prevent the deployment taking place.  So silently was this carried out and without a vestige of confusion that the enemy heard or saw nothing to arouse their suspicion, but they kept up Machine Gun fire from Au Bon Gite most of the night, making the assembly still more difficult.  This was one of the most difficult operations the two Brigades had ever been asked to carry out and it reflects the greater credit on all ranks.  The attack commenced at 4.45 a.m., Au Bon Gite being rushed by two companies of the 11th Rifle Brigade, under Captain Slade who displayed great courage and coolness, which had been left in position the previous night.  Covered by a heavy artillery barrage the attacking waves moved forward, the chief centres of resistance being REITRES FARM on the left of the 61st Brigade and LANGEMARCK itself with the houses to the east of the village, all of which concealed many machine guns.

 

The Chateau grounds had been reduced to a swamp by the recent rains and the advance of the infantry on the left was greatly impeded. The whole country east of the Steenbeek for a great distance was a swampy crater field.

 

Banbury’s 61st Brigade which had never been known to fail to take its objection [objective], captured the village and established a line beyond it.  The 12th King’s Liverpool & 7th Somerset, D.C.L.I. and K.O.Y.L.I. were the heroes of this exploit and in spite of bog and bullets fought gloriously.  On the right the attack of the 60th Brigade went through without a hitch, in spite of considerable resistance, the 12/King’s Royal Rifles being on the left in touch with the King’s Liverpool while the 6th Shropshire, L.I. were on their right, and the 6th Oxford and Bucks cleared up numerous pill boxes near to Steenbeek.

 

The German Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battn. 261 R.I.R. was captured in Langemarck; other prisoners captured during the day numbered about 20 Officers and 400 other ranks; captured trophies included a section of 4.2” Howitzers, one 7.7. M.M. gun and 20 or 30 machine guns; many more machine guns – trench mortars were buried in the debris.  The number of enemy killed and wounded is difficult to estimate, but it was known that two Battalions were almost annihilated in addition to others which suffered heavily.  From captured documents it would appear that during the 16th August the enemy’s forces on the 20th Division Front were greatly disorganised; prisoners were captured from no less than five divisions on the front where normally there would only have been two divisions.  On the night of the 17/18th the 38th Division relieved the 20th Division, and the latter was withdrawn to refit and reorganise.

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………..

 

CAPTURE OF EAGLE TRENCH.

 

On the 11th September the 20th Division took over the right Divisional Sector of the XIV Corps front from the 38th Division.  The 51st Division (XVII Corps) was on the right and the Guards Division on the left.  The next task of the 20th Division was to capture EAGLE and KANGAROO and BEAR trenches and included ’T GOED TER VESTEN FARM; the guards Division had for their objective a line between the SCHEIRBOOM – KORTEBEER road and the LANGEMARCK – STADEN railway.  The attack of the 20th Division was carried out by the 60th Brigade on the right and 59th Brigade on the left.  The 61st Brigade was in Divisional reserve on the canal.  Prepatory to the infantry attack the artillery kept up a hurricane bombardment of the enemy’s positions for 24 hours.

 

It was known that EAGLE trench was strongly held; it was full of concrete machine gun emplacements and dugouts and was well sited for field of fire. Although it had been shelled by heavy calibre guns some days before, many of the dugouts were not injured and it was felt that it would be a tough fight before it could be captured.  Arrangements were made to discharge 300 oil drums from projectors on to the portion of Eagle trench near the cemetery shortly before the assault.  The assaulting waves attacked at 5.40 a.m. on the 20th September.  Reports shewed that the advance had not been everywhere successful; the right of the 59th Brigade and the left of the 60th Brigade had been held up by the enemy in Eagle Trench; the right had been advanced a little, but the enemy in Eagle house and Louis farm were holding them up.  On the left, Bear trench had been reached.  An order was issued to renew the attack at 6.30 p.m.  In the meantime the attackers in front of Eagle trench had to find what little cover they could and were being exposed to heavy fire from hostile artillery the whole day.  The 60th Brigade at 8.0 p.m. gained the trenches round Eagle House and captured about 70 prisoners.  By 9.0 p.m. our whole line had been advanced and a portion of Eagle trench had been captured.  By midnight the 59th Brigade had got their objective with their right flank refused.  Early on the 21st September a contact aeroplane reported Germans holding the northern portion of Eagle trench.  A third attack was ordered to take place at 5.30 a.m. on the 22nd September.  The men all this time had been under heavy artillery and machine gun fire and were unable to move out of the muddy holes in which they were trying to get shelter, but they were as eager as ever to come to close grips with the enemy.

Tanks were to co-operate with this attack, but owing to the terrible state of the roads they were unable to reach this rendezvous, and the attack had to be postponed. During the 22nd the situation remained the same and a fresh attack was ordered for the 23rd.  It was felt that unless we could take Eagle Trench at once, the Germans would bring up fresh troops for counter attack which if successful would necessitate the whole operation being carried out again with great loss of life.

At 7.0 a.m. on the 23rd September the attack was to be tried again and Eagle trench to be assaulted from the west and south; this was to be preceded by a heavy bombardment with Stokes mortars.  At 6.25 a.m. on the 23rd the enemy attacked our Posts near Louis farm and the cemetery; they were driven back by machine gun fire and 23 prisoners captured.  Soon after this our attack began; it was carried out by detachments of the 12 K.R.R. and 10 R Bde.  The Stokes bombardment was most effective and under a rifle grenade barrage our assaulting infantry rushed in from the south.  While the enemy in Eagle trench were fighting the rifle men, the 10th R. Bde. came in from the west and captured the rest of this trench; we captured about 100 prisoners and many machine guns.  Most of the prisoners belonged to picked troops of the 208 Division, who said that they had been ordered to attack that morning, assisted by detachments of the 185 Infantry Regiment; our attack on the 23rd September forestalled it and thanks to this success the German counter attack failed completely.  Both the 185 Infantry Regiment and the Storm troops of the 208 Division had suffered heavily and the 3rd Battalion of the latter was almost wiped out.

 

The 20th Division was relieved on the 28th September by the 4th Division.

 

The capture of Eagle Trench was a splendid performance; the men were exposed to heavy firing for the best part of 4 days; the ground was wet and muddy and there was very little cover. In spite of this the 59th Brigade (Hyslop) and 60th Brigade (Butter [Butler]) managed to bring to a successful issue the task which was set them, in the face of determined resistance by picked enemy troops.  The 20th Division received the Congratulations of the Army and Corps Commanders.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 29 September 1917

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 29 September 1917

 

B.E.F.

Belgium

Sept 29th 1917

 

My own dearest,

 

If the Boche will leave us alone perhaps I may be able to write and send off a proper letter to you. I have started badly again haven’t I?

 

My three weeks leave is fading into a happy memory of a glorious time – spent with very few worries and many fine days with you. Thank you so very much, darling, for giving me such a good time and putting up with me for so long.  I must have been very trying at times.  The annoying part about it all was arriving such an object, and the most annoying part giving you the same complaint as myself.  I do hope you are quite better now – you have got rid of the cause so you ought to be.  Please let me know how you are.  I am very anxious to know.

 

You can imagine my feelings at having to return after such a time. I could not say much when I left but you know how I felt.  That is the worst of having such a good time.  I have never wanted to return less.  This fine weather we are now having makes me long to be back with you again at Eastbourne.  If I want cheering up now I think of the days at the sea – the day we went to Pevensey and Herstmontseaux – or the day we went out for a row.

 

I enjoyed it all the more because we took things easily – you can’t imagine what a relief it is to slack like that – with nothing to have to do and nothing to worry you. I am afraid I was very dull but you will forgive me won’t you – but you have the satisfaction of knowing that you gave me the most delightful time I have ever had – so how can I thank you in mere words!  Do you think Mrs Cross really enjoyed her holiday?  I am afraid it was very dull for her.  How is she?  I hope quite well and more reconciled to Finchley for the winter – please give her my love.  I will write as soon as I possibly can.

 

I am writing this in my target book on the map board which is on my knees in the signalling dug-out or rather tin shanty which is all we have to sit in and my seat is a stretcher.

 

When I left you on Monday evening I went home and packed. I had a much larger amount to take than I liked but it had to be done – I got to Victoria alright but found the Grosvenor Hotel full – it was then after 12 midnight – also the Y.M.C.A. officers place – so I went to the Queen Mary’s Officers’ Club and there I got a room.  It is a very nice place – bedroom to oneself bath (hot & cold shower) for breakfast, porridge, fish, bacon & eggs, toast & marmalade at any hour of the morning, and carriage of luggage – all this for 5/-: cheap wasn’t it?  I was up at 6 a.m. and caught the first train to Folkestone.  I met two fellows returning to this Brigade so as they were good fellows we had a fairly pleasant journey.

 

It was a glorious day, and a perfect crossing, but it was hellish having to leave on such a day. The place looked lovely in the morning sun – England and all she means to me with those I love there – are certainly worth fighting for.  The realisation of this has helped me a lot in a return to the ‘delightful’ conditions.

 

We had two hours in Folkestone. John Amour, Roberts and I went to the Grand but could get nothing to drink to drown our sorrows.  I sent your book off from Folkestone P.O.  I hope you got it alright.  We listened to the band for a short time and I met one or two people I knew.  The padre I know was away for a holiday.  We brought some pears and chocolate, and then went on board.  I read the Morning Post and O Henry’s “Gentle Grafter”, which latter rather bored me.  Lunch we had on board and arrived at B afterwards.  In the afternoon we went for a drive and at night had dinner at the Louvre – oysters, soup, fish, chicken, etc and stayed the night at the Officers’ Club.  B swarms with the W.A.A.C.S. – I wish they would import a decent looking lot.

 

We did not go by the train next day as we intended as I met a sapper with a car who was going to the same place as we were – so he took us. We left about 5.30 p.m., and had a most exciting journey.  He was taking up with him a keg of gunpowder (100 lbs.) which we had in the back – with a top missing – also cans of petrol.  The driver went like mad.  On the way we had four punctures – once a rifle cartridge lying in the road went right through the tyre – 3 times we had to mend the puncture.  We arrived about 11 p.m and I found them all in the same place.  The Major was at the Wagon-Line and we stayed up talking until 2.30 a.m.  The next morning I rode up here to the gun-line and took charge.  The guns had been moved to another place for a good reason.  That night I had to push a gun forward so I was up all night and the next day I spent visiting it.

 

Today I went down to the O.P. and registered it and on arrival at the Battery – or rather some way away I found the officers & men sitting in the ditches away in the fields disconsolately looking at the position – you can imagine why.  There we sat for the rest of the day, and now it is late but comparatively quiet.

 

My reception like my departure was quite warm. Air raid in London, also in B shelled at the wagon line – also at H.Q. when I reported – now a G.L. also at O.P. and forward position.  Delightful isn’t it – and the weather like it was at Eastbourne.

 

I read your Hankey book on the way up here. I like it very much indeed.

 

I found the Col in a very bad time, and looking unwell.  He had asked the adjutant the morning of the day I arrived if I had turned up and when he heard that I had not he was very angry and said, “I told you so, he will get another extension and never come back.”  But he was wrong.  It was quite time I came back.  I felt if I had delayed any longer I should never get back at all – I should have funked it altogether – such a delightful existence as I had on leave is not good for me I am sure.  I was getting much too soft.  You would not laugh at my luggage now or my comfortable abode.  I am living in a deserted & broken down gun pit with a concrete floor covered with water – one end is open and the other blocked up with a few sandbags.

 

My kit I found alright my wretched servant never got away at all – poor devil. Leave has been stopped so I was only just in time.

 

The adjutant is leaving us so the Colonel wants me to take it on – I don’t know what to do. What shall I do? I want a battery but it does not look like getting one just at present.  I do not see any papers now except the Daily Mail (Continental) so you might let me know if you see me gazetted as Temp Captain it will help me to decide whether to accept the adj’s job or no.

 

We are short of subalterns so it makes us very busy as you can imagine.

 

I must stop this ramble now or you will never get to the end even if you can read my scribble.

 

Please give my love to Mrs Cross, Mr Cross – and the Jacksons.

 

With all my best love for you darling

& many kisses

Also many grateful thanks for making my leave as perfect as it could possibly be.  Ever your

Arch.

F. Hammond letter 29 September 1917

29.9.17

BEF

Dear F & M

Just a line to say I am jogging along merry & bright.  Glad to receive Gladys letters & to hear you are all jogging along nicely.  I have been rather busy just lately but taking things easy at present.  I suppose you saw our lot mentioned in the papers a few days ago.  We did very well and have hopes of greater things before long if the weather keeps like it is at present.  I accidentally met Stan Burrows about a fortnight ago in an estaminet and had a few French beers & a chat with him.  He’s been having rather an exciting time of it lately & considers himself lucky up to now.  I intended seeing him again but a course we are like birds of passage moving here and there.  Still it was nice to meet one of my old golfing pals.  I also spent a day with Jimmy Milne the fellow from the Orkney Island who used to send the short bread.  He’s going on all merry & bright.  I also spent a day with Tommy Earlam he’s still in the same old place.  Allcock was some distance away but think he’s gone up again now.  So you see I have met a good many lately.  Some of my old Brigade Section boys are near & paid me a visit last night.  It was quite like old times to be amongst them.  I have been looking out for Geo as I believe he isn’t very far away but not seen him up to now.  Its two years since I was round this part & it’s altered somewhat from the last time I was here.  Still it’s nice to meet so many old friends.

Hope Par isn’t trying to run his section all on his own if he is I hope he’s not letting it worry him.  Also I hope Mar is keeping her pecker up.  Have you put many pickles in the jars.  Think I may get Leave between Nov & New Year with a bit of luck.  Had a letter from Uncle Ian chastising me for not writing but you know there’s very little to talk about really.  So Bowly is OK for a little longer.  Remember me to all the fair sexes who are mixed up in the family now a days.  I suppose I should feel out of it when the War is over.  Still you know what will keep 2 will keep one much better.  Well I think this is all this time.  Hoping my tyke doesn’t starting biting anyone otherwise he’s going to cost me something.

Cheerho Gus de Grabit

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 27 September 1917

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 27 September 1917

 

Same old place.

 

Sept 27th 1917

 

My own darling

 

Thank you so much for your dear note which awaited my arrival. It was most thoughtful of you, and was just what I wanted to cheer me up a bit.

 

I am living now on the memory of my delightful leave – the best I have ever had – thanks to you chiefly – and others.

 

I will write more tomorrow. At present I am up to my eyes in work – I am in charge of the battery in the line and there have been a lot of changes.  I have been out all day and now have several things to see to.  I will send a proper letter tomorrow.  Please forgive this.  Surroundings are more uncongenial than ever.

 

How are you now

Fondest love dearest & many kisses

Ever your

Arch.

Message from XVIII Corps Commander 25 Sep 1917.

Message from XVIII Corps Commander 25 Sep 1917.

 

XVIII Corps A1923

51st Division,

 

Before the 51st (Highland) Division quits the XVIII Army Corps I desire to express to its Commander and to all ranks in the Division how highly I have appreciated their services throughout three months of strenuous fighting.

 

What has struck me most is the thoroughness of the organization within the Division and the fact that all usual war-problems have been thought out beforehand, discussed in detail and are embodied in simple doctrines well known to all ranks. The result is the Division always fights with gallantry and can be depended upon to carry out any reasonable task which may be allotted to it in any battle.  For this reason I venture to place it amongst the best three fighting Divisions I have met in France during the past three years.

 

Its record in this Corps comprised:-

  • On 31st July 1917, a shattering assault on High Command Redoubt, the capture in their entirety of three separate systems of German defence lines, an advance of two miles in depth into hostile territory and the consolidation and retention of the Line of the River STEENBEEK and all the objectives allotted to the Division.
  • On the 20th Sept, 1917, an assault on a Sector of the LANGEMARCK – GHELUVELT line which had resisted capture for more than a month, an incursion into hostile territory and the consolidation of important hills south west of POELCAPPELLE and at BAVAROISE HOUSE. The same afternoon these two hills were repeatedly attacked by five Prussian battalions, all of whom were defeated with sanguinary losses.

 

In conclusion I wish good luck to all ranks and hope to serve with them again in this War.

 

Ivor Maxse

Lieut General,

Commanding XVIII Corps.

G.H.Q.

/9/17

 

Distribution list attached shows:-

Ab       Q,        G.SO 1,          C.R.A.             C.R.E.             C. Comdt.

Sigs.    A.P.M. A.D.M.S.        D.A.D.V.S.     D.A.D.O.S.     D.C.O.

 

Lt-Colonel

A.A. & Q.M.G.

Date 27/9/17

 

Personal copy.