A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 7 May 1917.

Belgium.

May 7^th 1917

My own darling,

Your letter of the 3^rd has just arrived by this evening’s mail and you do not seem to have received my letter which was intended for your birthday – you are a dear forgiving little girl to write me such a nice letter without scolding me; but weren’t you just a tiny bit (perhaps more) angry with me for being so wicked as to miss the day.

I do wish you had not to spend a solitary evening. How I do grudge all this lost time.  I don’t spend solitary evenings at all now.  For the past four nights we have spent most of the time in the cellar – the Colonel, 4 officers signallers etc.  The Boche has been making a horrible nuisance of himself and has occupied his nights and ours shelling our roads and billets.  The net result is that neither side get any rest and as my wires get badly cut by shell fire it usually means that the linesmen and myself are tramping the country side mending them.

The days have been glorious, but the weather has just turned and it has started to rain. It looks very bad tonight.

My days have been spent almost anywhere within a radius of 30 miles. The mare is getting rather weary.  I am afraid I am a bit of a brute.  She is a much more comfortable ride than any other horse on the Headquarters Staff and so she gets a lot of work – poor old thing.

You seem to be tremendously busy too. It is much better to have too much to do than too little as it makes the time go so quickly.

I was very amused to hear about Mr Paice but am very sorry to hear of the cold he got as a consequence of his adventure.

Darling if in ‘those’ days I thought you cared a ‘twopenny dam’ do you think I should have written snubby letters; though certainly I never dreamt that they were snubby at all – I was always frightened of saying too much or being too bold and so getting choked off.

What a nuisance it is that they are stopping corn for the horses. I did not know of it until you mentioned it in your letter.  You won’t get much more riding now I suppose.

We are on the move again and tomorrow will see us clear of this place I hope. Everything is very uncertain at present.  We are in the midst of packing again – we are getting quite expert at the game now.  You will soon be thinking of making a move and become a farm labourer.  I think it is very good of you to do it – but you must not get too tired, young lady.  How is Mrs Cross enjoying her holiday with Mrs Lowe?  She ought to have a good rest.

Finchley is the same as ever no doubt. Is there any tennis yet?  I suppose you have not had any.  I was asked to go and play with a French family who have a place behind the lines and a hard court but I could not go.  Imagine playing tennis within the sound of guns.

Well, darling, how does it feel like to be engaged? I suppose you feel horribly tied and bound.  It makes no difference to me because I was just as much in love with you before as I am now after – if you can understand what I mean.

You have never been on the continent have you? I wonder if I shall be able one day to take you off all on our own through west Europe – we might leave Germany & Austria out – say Paris & a few other places & Italy.  Wouldn’t it be glorious.  I must not think of such things or I shall go silly.

Please forgive this paper. I have run out of writing paper for the time being – until I can get into a town to buy some more.

In my last letter I returned your programme. I hope you received it alright.

I must close now or you will be getting tired of my scrawl.

With all my love darling

And heaps of kisses

Ever your

Archie.

May 7^th 17

Dear Father

I am writing to thank you for your very welcome letters, & parcel received this afternoon.

The cake, & biscuits are fine & I am very glad you sent some more of that chocolate I meant to ask you to do so; the other articles are all very useful including the smokes.  The calves foot jelly was very nice, but there is not very much taste with it I prefer what you have sent or jam.

I am glad Nell & Bill are well, also Ciss it must be looking very nice up the river now should just like to be there. The weather has been very hot here although it looks rather stormy to-night.

No doubt you received my letter asking you for some money; a ten shilling note would be very acceptable as I am stony until pay day it will come through alright if you register it. I am glad you sent the parcel on first, as they are always welcome especially now more so than money as we are still in camp with only a canteen to purchase anything at & they have a very small supply have not seen an inhabited village for weeks now but I believe we shall be going back into civilization very soon & the money will be useful then.

One gets on a variety of jobs in the army we have been on working parties since we have been here; one day in the trenches working on dug-outs & the rest of the time unloading railway trucks it’s a dirty job but I would rather do that than parades.

Well I think I must finish now as it is nearly time to turn in. 8.50 P.M.

Glad you are all well in the best of health pleased to say I am feeling very well.

With much love

From your devoted

Son

Report on Operations from 19-4-17 to 6-5-17

Ref Maps

62C NE

62B NW

Special Map

During the morning of 19-4-17 the 178 Light Trench Mortar Battery relieved the 177 Light Trench Mortar Battery with Headquarters in HESBECOURT and four guns behind the main line of resistance running through L.33, L.27, L.21, L.16 and L.10 (Sheet 62C N.E.)

These guns were situated at about:-

1. L.16.a.40.50
2. L.16.a.45.50
3. L.10.c.70.10
4. L.10.c.70.05

Two guns were held in reserve at Headquarters, the remaining two being at the School.

From 19-4-17 to 6-5-17 the above positions were improved by digging a communication trench between Nos 1 and 2 guns and the construction of dugouts and ammunition recesses. Two further emplacements were also constructed behind the main line of resistance at about L.16.C.30.24 and L.16.C.30.15.

On the night of 27/28 April after the attack on POLOGNE FARM and the QUARRY in L.5.d. at the request of the 2/6 Notts & Derby Regt a gun was placed in position al L.12.c.2.7. to protect the right flank of the above regiment and cover the valley in L.12.c. and the sunken road. This position was purely defensive and the gun was not fired.

During the night of 28/29 April one gun was placed in position at L.5.b.85.35. to support the bombing block which had been established at L.5.b.9.4. by the 2/8 Notts & Derby Regt on the night of 27/28 April. This gun was registered on the continuation of the old German front line trench in L.5.b. at a range of 150 yards with yellow cartridge.

During the night of 29/30 April one gun was moved from the main line of resistance and placed in position at L.5.b.85.55. It was registered on a new German trench (NEW TRENCH) in L.6.a. which was known to be held, at a range of 360 yards.  During the same night bursts were fired at the junction of NEW Trench with the continuation of the old German front line trench in L.6.c [ENFILADE TRENCH].

At 7.45 pm 1-5-17 twelve rounds were fired at NEW TRENCH and seven direct hits were obtained. Parties of men were observed to run away along the trench.

At 6 pm 2/5/17 another gun was moved from the main line of resistance and placed at L.5.b.7.4. in a shell hole deepened and improved to make an emplacement. This gun was registered on the UNNAMED FARM at the cross roads at L.6.a.10.

During the night of 2/3 May a bombing party covered by our mortars pushed forward and erected a permanent block at the point where the ENFILADE trench meets the sunken road at about L.6.a.15.45. A number of enemy bombs at the junction of ENFILADE trench and NEW trench were destroyed by our stokes fire at the same time.

During the same night the gun from L.12.c.2.7 was advanced and dug in on the lip of the QUARRY at L.5.d.8.4. to fire on COLOGNE FARM in support of the attack on the following night.  The men of the battery not in the line acted as a carrying party for ammunition for this gun.

An advanced ammunition dump was formed under the quarry bank at L.10.a.4.6.

On the night 3/4 May the 2/5 Notts & Derby Regt attacked COLOGNE FARM and MALAKOFF FARM 1and the officers of the 178 LTMB took command in the line as per attached copy of Operation Order No. 5.

During the attack all guns fired as per above order with good effect.

On the right where the attack failed to reach its objective the retirement from No mans land was covered by the guns under 2^nd Lieut. A.A. DICKSON the men of the Battery not in the line carried up a further supply of ammunition to this gun.

The attack on the left was successful and both objectives were taken. Heavy enemy casualties were observed in NEW trench next morning due to our stokes fire.

At 6 A.M. 4-5-17 2^nd Lieut H.P.GRIEVES was withdrawn from the left sector into rest billets leaving 2^nd Lieut. C.D.B. BOYS in command of the three guns.

Throughout the 4^th May NEW trench was kept under observation and several enemy working parties were shelled and dispersed.  At 10 am a sniper was located at L.6.b.15.95. and killed by our fire.

During the afternoon the farm at L.6.a.1.0. was shelled with 10 rounds and then occupied by a post from the 2/8 Notts & Derby Regt.

At 9 pm 4-5-17 the enemy put down a very heavy barrage of all varieties of shell from L.5.b.9.0 to F.29.d.9.0. and made a counter attack on the positions gained by us the previous night. The post at L.6.a10 was compelled to withdraw and our men EAST of MALAKOFF FARM driven in.

During the retirement an enemy machine gun was observed to be firing from the junction of NEW trench and ENFILADE trench. This was blown up by a stokes shell.

During the night of 5/6 an intermittent bombardment of the unnamed farm and NEW trench was kept up by our mortars.

At 12.30 pm 5-6-17 our machine gunners reported an enemy machine gun at L.6.c.5.2 firing at an aeroplane.

The gun under 2/Lt DICKSON was brought into action and direct hits obtained. The machine gun was observed to be completely destroyed.

During the night of the 5/6 May 2/Lt DICKSON moved his gun to a position at about L.5.d.9.1 and at 3.45 am 6-5-17 rapid fire was opened on the German trench at L.12.a.2.8. where new earth had been noticed. A working party was caught by our fire and several casualties inflicted.  In the morning the trench was observed to have been greatly damaged.

During the whole of the above operations approximately 325 stokes shells were fired.

The accuracy of the shooting was good.

Very few misfires occurred and as far as could be observed only 3 shells failed to explode during the whole time.

At 9 pm 6-5-17 the Battery was relieved by the 176 Light Trench Mortar Battery.

In the field

7-5-17

R.S. PRATT CAPT.

COMMDG 178 BDE. TRENCH MORTAR BATT.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 4 May 1917

Belgium.

May 4^th 1917

Dearest,

Another delightful long letter from you cheered me up tremendously this morning. Thank you so much for it.  I must try and answer it before I go out because I do not know when I shall be back again tonight.

Mrs Cross I suppose has left for her holiday with Mrs Lowe and you are alone at home during the day. Don’t I just wish I were there too.

So you got a letter from Reggie. I am glad he wrote soon.  I knew he would, because I know he likes you very much.

I hope the entertainment of our crowd went off alright on your birthday. It is very unkind of you to say that about not liking to play when I am there.  I shall make you play and sing a lot next time – instead of our usual occupation!

Last night was a perfect night. It made me quite homesick.  I wish I could have been with you.  It would have been delightful.  Instead of that we were called up in the middle of the night as the Boche was trying to do things he should not do from our point of view.

I am returning your programme. Thank you very much for it.  doesn’t “Joe” look awful in the photo.  The Colonel has suggested having the officers of the Brigade taken in a group.  I said not if it appeared in the Tatler as the Nth Brigade somewhere in France.

It is getting extraordinarily hot here. It is about time I started sleeping outside.  Unfortunately we can’t get any bathing alas!

I do hope you are keeping well and cheerful. You will be going away soon I suppose and living on the land.  Mind you take care of yourself – you belong to someone else now and you are answerable to him!

Have you had any more riding lately? I generally have to go somewhere everyday on horseback.  I don’t think the mare likes this hot weather.  Have congratulatory letters finished coming in yet?  I hope so.  It is so trying having to reply to them.  So you heard from Humphrey.  How amusing.  I suppose the poor boy’s pride is hurt.

But see what he has lost through me – poor fellow. I must get off now or I shall be late.

Please give my kindest regards to Mrs Cross,

With all my love darling

And as many paper kisses as you can want, and many more in thought

Ever your

Archie.

A.A. Laporte Payne letter to Muriel 2 May 1917

Belgium.

May 2^nd 1917

Dearest mine,

The Boche is making a horrid noise, it is very hot, there is a lot to be done, everybody is out and things generally annoy me, so I am writing to you to soothe my weary nerves. Thank you so much for your letter and programme of your concert – and what a large one too! – what about the shortage of paper?!  I was glad to see it and I will return it in a day or so when I have had some time to read it.  Really I must treat you with more respect, lady mine, (if of course I do not treat you with enough already) – “The examination which all new applicants have to pass has been made sufficiently severe to ensure the admission of only competent players!!”

How are you feeling after rising to such dizzy heights and after your strenuous exertions on the concert platform. I have been spending a lot of time on platforms – gun-platforms – of a horribly rubbly nature, and made of broken bricks – and generally choosing and making battery positions.  I spent the whole morning at it – and the Boche saw our working parties and was rude enough to put over some shrapnel – happily no one was hurt and it was hot in the sun.  I had delirium and raved about rivers & punts & ices, & flannels – and girls in white & all that sort of thing – what a contrast, dust, railways, guns, oil, smell, shell-holes, khaki, etc and shady rivers etc and you!  Isn’t it enough to send any one silly let alone me.

I am so sorry you are being worried with all those congratulatory letters – never mind – you must find it very hard to pretend that you are to be congratulated – poor little girl – the word which looks like a blot is meant to be HARD. The only letters you don’t seem to get are ones from me.  I am sorry Mr Cross could say “I hope you have now heard from your traveller”.  Well in apportioning blame give the Boche some for bringing me to France.

You are quite right paper kisses are not so satisfying as real ones. However much I may like them you will have a rest now.

I hope the weather will keep like this. It is glorious and I manage to be out a good part of the day – and I try and rush the office work in order to do what I have to do out in the day light.

We are in a most interesting and famous part of the line and I am very glad we are here. I am getting quite burnt, and my appetite is enormous.  I have never felt so well.  The mare is looking fine and she sends you her love.  The Colonel is casting covetous eyes on her, and also on my groom.  I shall never forgive him if he asks for them for I can’t refuse.

We managed to get some salad made to day which was very good. There is an extra officer in the mess now – he is the camouflage officer – do you know what that means/  I suppose you do.

You can always be “my little devil” if you want to be. I think you are a little bit of a one – at least I hope so – I hate namby-pamby ones.

I trust you are being a good little girl though in my absence. I am being horribly good out here – partly of course because I can’t be anything else – of course I say naughty things at times but that must be forgiven me under the plea of extenuating circumstances.

I hope you are not unhappy now – you were the tiniest little bit when I was at home I know the cause but I hope the cause has now quite vanished.

I am a member of a Field General Court Martial tomorrow ten miles away, so my day will probably be fully occupied.

I hope you are all keeping well.

With all my love darling,

And many kisses.

Yours

Archie.

P.S. I hope you received my tardy birthday letter and the one I wrote on May 1

Message form to Muriel

To M. Cross Benchfield, Church End, Finchley London N 3.

Best wishes.

A.A. Laporte Payne Lieut R.F.A.

Censor cachet Passed Field Censor 4072.

LAPORTE-PAYNE

A.A. Laporte Payne

Lieut

R.F.A.

175 Brigade R & A HdQrs.

Letter to Muriel 1 May 1917

Belgium

May 1^st 1917

Dearest mine,

Thank you so very much for your lovely letter of April 27^th which has just arrived.  I am afraid mine of the 28^th will not have arrived to-day.  Please forgive.  The fault of the delay in the post is nor in England.  It is this end.  The army postmen and the Field Post Office send on letters when they think they will and not otherwise.  Knowing you would not hear from me to-day I tried to send a wire but there is some beastly new procedure and ‘Signals’ refused to take it.  I should have had to send it into the censor at a town some way away and then send it by the French civilian telegraphs – and now it is too late.  So please forgive darling.

We are in the line again and working hard. It is quite like the Somme again – firing all day & night.  I spent the morning going round battery positions and in the afternoon at the O.Ps.

Today has been glorious, the weather is just perfect – a fitting day for your birthday. I wish I could have been with you.  Just think of the delight of having you alone in a punt somewhere on the Thames.  That is something to look forward to isn’t it?

How did the concert go off? I shall want to hear all about it in your next letter.

I am so sorry to hear about Mrs Lowe’s burst boiler. She must get it mended soon so that Mrs Cross can visit her.  It will do Mrs Cross a lot of good to have a change and a rest.

Thank you so much for the cigarettes you sent me. Now please young lady you must not send me any more cigarettes.  They are getting much too expensive and it will do me a lot of good to go without.  You have been much too kind and however nice it may be for me to receive them I think you ought to stop, don’t you?

How are you keeping? Fit and well I hope and enjoying this beautiful weather.  It is a pity isn’t it that in such weather we have to be out here trying to murder one another.  It is quite a July day to day and I got horribly hot and tired tramping round this morning in a tin hat and a box respirator hanging round my neck and field glasses on the other side.

How is Mrs Cross? I suppose Mr. Cross is still away up north and having a quiet time.

Have you been riding lately? I have given my horse a rest the last 3 days as she was very tired after that midnight journey.

Our new headquarters are not bad and the wagon lines are quite close only about 15 minutes walk away.

I must close now, darling, but I will try and write a proper letter to you tomorrow.

With all my love darling

And many kisses

Yours

Archie.

WAR DIARY Of 2/6^th Sherwood Foresters from February 1917 – To April 1917

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

No 6 CAMP HURDCOTT

25/2/17               Bn marches out of Camp.

26/2/17 FOVANT                  Bn entrains and proceeds to FOLKESTONE.

Crosses from FOLKESTONE to BOULOGNE.  Spends night in ST MARTIN Camp.

28/2/17 BOULOGNE            Entrain at BOULOGNE & proceeds to SALEUX (pres d’AMIENS) detraining there & marching to PONT DE METZ.  Night spent in Billets.

1/3/17 PONT DE METZ        Bn marches via AMIENS to GLISY.  Night spent in billets.

9.30 p.m    Bn marches via AMIENS to GLISY.  Night in billets.

2/3/17 GLISY                         Bn marches via VILLERS-BRETENNEAUX to WARFUSEE-ABNACOURT.  In billets.

8.30 am     Bn marches via VILLIERS-BRETONNEAUX to WARFUSEE-ABNACOURT.

3/3/17 WARFUSEE-ABNACOURT.           In Billets.

2.3.17 to 9.3.17                       In billets.

9.3.17                 12.30 pm     Bn marches to FOUCAUCORT.

FOUCAUCOURT

9.3.17 to 15.3.17             Bn in billets.

16.3.17         7.15 pm.     Bn marches to BERNY. N.32.d.8.2 (Map Sheet 62C S.W.) and is attached to 176^th Infy Bde, and takes up position in reserve line.

BERNY   16.3.17 to 19.3.17 In reserve line at BERNY.

19.3.17 9.0 am.      Bn marches to CIZANCOURT via MAZANCOURT and MISERY.

19.3.17 3.0 pm.     Two Companies cross river SOMME and take up positions in Notre Dame Trench (Map Sheet 62C S.W.) U.16.c.4.9. to U.16.a.3.9 and Sauterville Alley U.15.d.2.3 to U.16.c.4.9.

CIZANCOURT 20.3.17 6.0 pm.        One Company moves to Outpost position in FOURQUES as support to Cavalry.

22.3.17 9.0 am.  Outpost Company withdrawn.  Bn marches via VILLIERS-CARBONEL to P.C. NANGY on ESTREES-VILLIERS-CARBONEL Road.

P.C. NANGY 26.3.17 1.0 pm.           Bn marches to BRIE and occupies Bridgehead defences.  Bn. H.Q. at O.28.c.9.5.2.5 (Map Sheet 62C S.W.)

BRIE   27.3.17  2.0 pm.         Bn marches to VRAIGNES.  Bn. H.Q. at Q.19.b.7.3.5.

VRAIGNES 28.3.17 7.0 pm. Two Companies take up outpost position and dig in on line covering Q.4.a.6.1., K.33.d.5.1., Q.22.b.6.9.

29.3.17 7.0 pm. Two Companies out digging support trenches on line to posts at P22.b.9.9 and Q.17.c.4.5.

VRAIGNES 31.3.17 2.30 am.          Battn left for BERNES and occupied Quarry at Q.4.a.4.2.

BERNES         1/4/17 2.0 pm.            Battn launched attack from ridge Q.4 central and attacked in waves, came under heavy hostile shell fire but carried village of VENDLELES successfully.  Line pushed forward, and captured TEANCOURT.  10 Prisoners captured Battn then took up position from R.1.c.8.5. to R.1.d.2.5.

VENDELLES 1.4.17 11.30 pm.        Two Coys with Battn H.Q. were relieved and returned to BERNES.  Remaining two Coys went in support to 2/8^th Bn. Sherwood Foresters in trenches R.1.d.2.5 to R.1.d.9.1, but rejoined Battn at BERNES at 1.0 noon 2.4.17.

BERNES         3.4.17 7.30 am.           A and B Coys went in support of 2/5^th Sherwood Foresters to VENDELLES returning at 11.0 pm from same date.

BERNES         4.4.17 8.0 pm C and D Coys went to VENDELLES and dug posts along line from L.27.c.2.2. to L.33.b.2.1. returning at 1.0 am 5.5.17.

BERNES         6.4.17 9.0 pm Battalion marched to R.9.b.4.5. in support of 2/8^th Sherwood Foresters who attacked enemy positions S.E. of LE VERCUIER.

HANCOURT  7.4.17 3.30 pm          Battn withdrawn to HANCOURT into billets.

HANCOURT 16.4.17 12.30 pm       Inspection of Battn by Major General C.F. Romer C.B. C.M.G. Comdg 59^th Division.

HANCOURT   17.4.17 12.30 pm      Brig Gen F.W. Stansfield Comdg 178^th Infantry Brigade presented Meritorious Service Cards to  Sgt W. Smith, Pte A. King and Pte Rillyald.

HANCOURT   19.4.17 2.0 pm         Battn marched to L.3.c.7.8. and took over the front line from 2/5^th Lincolnshire Regt.

ROISEL          22.4.17          Battn was relieved by 2/7^th Sherwood Foresters and marched to ROISEL in reserve.

ROISEL             27.4.17 1.0 am         Battn marched to HARGICOURT ROAD from L.11.b.0.5 to L.11.b.5.0. to deploy for an attack on QUARRIES and COLOGNE FARM (L.6.c.4.6.)

The attack was launched at 3.55 am and the QUARRIES were eventually captured and a line consolidated EAST of the QUARRIES from L.5.d.9.5. to L.11.b.9.9. Seven prisoners and 1 Machine Gun were captured.

CONFIDENTIAL

WAR DIARY

Of

9^th CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE for the month of APRIL, 1917

NOTE: O.O.61 is not attached as this number was skipped in numbering O.Os.

Location

F.4.b.4.5.

FRANCE Sh 51c N.E.

1:20,000

MAP REFERENCES

VIMY 36c S.W. 1/10,000

ROCLINCOURT 51b N.W. 1/10,000

FRANCE 51c N.E. 1/20,000

April 1^st 1917 11 p.m. Although visibility is very low our batteries carried on with their wire cutting tasks.  Considerable wire was blown up but destruction on the whole was below normal.

The 4.5” Howitzers did a great deal of damage to SWISCHEN STELLUNG – both to the trench itself and the wire defences in front of it.

Our F.O.Os report enemy trenches in bad condition.

April 2^nd 1917             We continued throughout the day with wire cutting.  Enemy shelling has been extremely light.

At 7.00 a.m. we put on a trial or practice barrage.  Intelligence Officer 3^rd C.D.A. reported it very good,- bursts low and barrage well placed and uniform.

O.O. 57 issued today orders a systematic and periodical bombardment of VIMY, PETIT VIMY and LE CHAUDIERE.  Only two of our 18-pdrs and one 4.5” Howitzer Battery are to take part in this operation.

April 3^rd1917               The enemy is apparently adopting a policy of “WATCHFUL WAITING” as outside of aerial activity his visible activities have been nil of late.  His shelling has dropped considerably below normal.  Meanwhile we are expending every effort in the speedy      destruction of his wire while the Heavy Artillery is constantly pounding his roads and defences.  The once well constructed and well defined SWISCHEN STELLUNG trench has been reduced to an irregular mass of shell craters and piled earth.

April 4^th 1917              In spite of the severe handicap poor visibility affords to successful wire cutting operations, our batteries succeeded in doing a great deal of this today.  On our section of FLAPPER and SWISCHEN STELLUNG Trenches the Infantry report that the wire still remaining would not impede them in the event of an advance.

The raid carried out by 52^nd Battalion on our front at 4.a.m. this morning was quite successful.  The Infantry remained in the enemy trenches for ten minutes and withdrew without casualties.  The Raiding Party succeeded in capturing one prisoner.  Our support was reported as excellent.  A letter of thanks from Lieut. Col. W.B. EVANS, Comdg. 52^nd Canadian Battalion has been received and is attached hereto.

O.O. 59 issued today gives the following information:-

On Z day the Canadian Corps will attack and Capture VIMY RIDGE.  The details of the Artillery Support are to be issued later.  In the meantime we are to devote ourselves to thoroughly cutting the enemy wire

defences by day and by night we are to keep under fire points engaged by the Heavy Artillery during the day in order to prevent repairs.

O.O. No 60 was issued tonight.  The 43^rd Canadian Battalion is to carry out three simultaneous raids on the enemy’s trenches tomorrow.  Our Group is to co-operate with Groups on our Left in giving Artillery Support.

April 5^th 1917              At 2.00 p.m. today the 43^rd Battalion carried out three simultaneous raids.  Two of these were quite successful but the Left Flank party were badly cut up.  Our support for the right flank was reported as very satisfactory.

April 6^th 1917              Another rehearsal of our barrage for the VIMY RIDGE attack was put on this afternoon.  All necessary adjustment between flanks of both groups and battery barrages have now been made and the barrage is well placed and should be very successful.

The enemy slightly retaliated while our Barrage was in progress but ceased as soon as our barrage was over.

April 7^th 1917              Enemy aeroplanes very active throughout the day; one of them brought down one of our observation balloons but occupants escaped by means of parachutes.

The enemy put a large number of Lethal and lachamatory shells in the neighbourhood of our Headquarters tonight.

April 8^th 1917              Enemy artillery unusually active today. NEUVILLE ST. VAAST was heavily shelled with all calibres.

One of our Scout machines was brought down today behind the German lines.

April 9^th 1917              THE ATTACK AND CAPTURE OF VIMY RIDGE

5.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (Detailed report attached as Appendix “A”)

5.30 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Situation is now quite normal.  Our heavies are pounding VIMY, PETIT VIMY and FLOWER TRENCHS.

Note: Attached hereto is a report on the attack from Lieut. J.R. Jamieson who was Group Forward Observation Officer – Appendix ”B”.  Also map of the barrage – Appendix ”C”.

April 10^th 1917            A bombardment was carried out at 6.45 a.m. today on enemy trenches from S.29.b.4.8. to S.23.d.9.2.  This is a new partly dug trench which the enemy were holding with a garrison of fifty men.  Our shoot had the desired effect as the Infantry sent out a patrol shortly afterwards and found the trench deserted.

NOTE: Attached hereto are letters regarding our part in this affair – APPENDIX”D”.

At 10.20 a.m. in the neighbourhood of two hundred of the enemy were seen advancing in open order in T.14.c. and T.20.a. When they reached the vicinity of VIMY STATION they were badly cut up by the  Heavy Artillery.

Throughout the day our Observation Officers reported Infantry massing in various places. Those within range were effectively dealt with by out 18-pdrs and 4.5 how. Batteries: those further back were engaged, at our request by Heavy Artillery and heavy casualties inflicted.

Addenda The 45^th Bty moved tonight to a forward position in A.2.a.

April 11^th 1917            The enemy artillery has at last apparently recovered from his hasty retirement and is in action again.  For the first time since our capture of the RIDGE, he has shown aggressiveness.  For two hours this afternoon our front line in S.29.b. S.23.c. and S.23.d. was heavily shelled with 77mm 4.1 and 5.9s.  For this shelling we vigorously retaliated on BLOATER and FLOWER TRENCHES.

A number of hostile batteries were located by our F.O.Os today and promptly reported to the Counter Battery Group who took them on and in two instances obtained direct hits.

Addenda The 32^nd & 33^rd Btys moved to advanced positions in A.2.c tonight.

April 12^th 1917            The enemy are now holding the line FLIT and FLICKER FLOWER TRENCHES – PETIT VIMY, thence along  FILLIP and eastern side of BOIS DE LA FOLIE.

O.O. 62 issued today orders us to take part in the artillery support for the attack and capture of the above line.

Visibility has been extremely poor today, and observation of movement in back areas has been impossible. On the whole today has been most quiet.

April 13^th 1917            Enemy has withdrawn from VIMY.  By 11 o’clock this morning our Infantry were holding it and by afternoon our men were seen in the vicinity of VIMY STATION.  At present everyone is engaged in the pleasant pastime of “FIND THE HUN”.  Reports have been coming in all day that he has been seen in large numbers in various places, but usually ten minutes later another report comes in stating that our patrols are at those points.  There is however, no doubt but that the enemy is now well back towards AVION.

Our line tonight would appear to be roughly LE CHAUDIERE – VIMY RAILWAY STATION and thence southerly along the railway.

April 14^th 1917            The enemy today shelled his old stronghold VIMY.

All Battery Commanders go forward today reconnoitring forward positions in VIMY and its environs.

The 33^rd Battery has been ordered to move into its forward position tonight.  The remaining batteries will probably go forward tomorrow night.

Our Zone on our own trenches is now T.8. central, to T.1.d.0.0.  As this outranges our guns we are laid on a “Resistance Line” which runs from VIMY STATION thence along VIMY DEFENCES and thence to LA CHAUDIERE.

April 15^th 1917            The Enemy Heavy Artillery has been most active.  Particular attention was paid to VIMY RIDGE.  There was however, a marked absence of shelling by the smaller calibre.

O.O. 63 issued today gives the new zone boundaries as follows.

RIGHT T.19. central – T.14. Central – N.34.d.0.0.

LEFT    S.24.d.7.9. – T.8. central – T.3.b.4.0.

The 32^nd Battery did not get its last gun into position until noon today.  The roads were knee deep in mud and jammed with traffic; often there were no roads at all but a series of shell craters.  At times the horses belly deep in mud were unable to make any progress except with the aid of several detachments manning wheels and drag ropes.  On several stretches of the shell-torn road the guns travelled on their sides as often as they did on their wheels, but nevertheless the battery arrived in position with no casualties either to personnel or equipment.

The 45^th Battery moves forward tonight to their advanced positions.

April 16^th 1917            The enemy artillery devoted itself throughout the day to barraging LENS – ARRAS ROAD.

Numerous fires were reported in enemy’s villages throughout the day.  Two large fires were observed in LA COULLETE and AVION.

The 4^th Battery moved into its advanced position today.  Although they left their old battery position late last night it was impossible to get the guns up any sooner owing to encountering the same conditions as did the 32^nd Battery.

April 17^th 1917            Brigade Headquarters moved forward today and we are now occupying an evacuated enemy dugout.

PETIT VIMY             So hasty was his retreat that postcards were left on the walls and a full set of cooking utensils was left behind.

The 43^rd and 36^th Howitzer Batteries moved into their advanced positions today.

April 18^th 1917            Visibility was extremely poor today and our F.O.Os were unable to make any observations of interest.

The 33^rd Battery has been ordered to come into position on night of 18/19^th.  The 39^th Battery which is now attached to this Group has received similar orders.

April 19^th 1917            The 33^rd and 39^th Batteries have now moved into position and our Group is now complete.  Batteries are carrying on with registration.

April 20^th 1917            Enemy artillery was markedly active today.  Throughout forenoon and greater part of afternoon he systematically bombarded VIMY and PETIT VIMY.  Our batteries are all now registered on important points and have been busily engaged all day in re-checking registration and registering new points.

April 21^st 1917            During last night numerous fires were reported burning in LENS.  Enemy artillery again active, paying particular attention to our main roads.

April 22^nd 1917           O.O. 64 issued today gives the following information:

1. The 5^th British Division which is on our Left will carry out an attack on the German line from T.2.c.. to SOUCHEZ RIVER.
2. The 36^th and 43^rd Howitzer Batteries will aid this attack by bombarding houses in rear of enemy lines.
3. Our 18-pdr batteries will carry out a feint attack which will take the form of a creeping barrage.

Both our own and enemy’s artillery very active throughout the day.

April 23rd1917           Enemy early this morning shelled VIMY and the vicinity with a large number of gas shells.  An enemy plane shot down two of our balloons this morning.

April 24^th 1917            The enemy again today intermittently shelled VIMY and the vicinity with Gas.  Our batteries have been active all day with registration and firing at targets of opportunity.

April 25^th 1917            O.O. 65 issued today gives information as follows:-

1. The Canadian Corps has been ordered to capture and consolidate the enemy position ARLEUX-EN-GOHELLE and FRESNOY to ACHEVILLE all inclusive.

The XIII Corps on our right will be attacking GREVELLE and OPPY in conjunction with the above operation

2. The Canadian Corps attack will be carried out by the 1^st and 2^nd
3. We will co-operate by barrage on our front which will more or less in the nature of a Feint.
4. Trial barrages will be put on by the batteries on the 26^th and 27^th On the former date the hour will be 5 a.m. and on the latter 12 noon.

Enemy artillery fire today has been below normal. His aerial activity has also been much less than usual.

26.4.17                        Our practice barrage was carried out successfully this morning and enemy retaliation very weak.  VIMY, PETIT VIMY and LE CHAUDIERE were fired on as usual by the enemy and he is making a nightly practice of shelling the vicinity of our battery positions with gas.

27.4.17                        The second of our practice barrages was carried out today and the enemy retaliated by shelling the vicinity of LE CHAUDIERE.

Enemy planes were very active today and succeeded in bringing down several of ours.

O.O. 66 issued today.  The operation ordered in O.O. 65 will now be carried out in two stages instead of one concentrated attack.  At Zero hour this Group will establish a barrage in support of a simulated attack Zero hour will be 4.25 a.m. April 28^th.

28.4.17                        Upon our barrage opening this morning enemy threw up many red and green rockets and in response to these his artillery immediately counter-barraged.

A large fire was observed this morning in MERICOURT.

29.4.17                        The enemy heavily shelled VIMY today and systematically searched for battery positions.  In the evening he put on a concentrated gas shell attack.  Practically the entire of VIMY was affected.

O.O. 67 issued tonight orders a barrage tomorrow morning at 4.15 a.m. on similar lines to that carried out yesterday morning.

30.4.17                        The barrage ordered by O.O. 67 was carried out this morning despite the handicap of a long period of gas shelling which took place from 4 hours previous to the operation until practically zero hour.

Enemy heavy artillery has been unusually quiet today.

Even VIMY which he usually fires upon every day was left untouched.

O.O. 68 issued tonight orders a similar barrage to that carried out this morning.

H.G. Carscallen

Lieut Col.

Comdg. 9^th Brigade C.F.A.

May 1917

Western Front

Over Douai in France on 7^th May 1917, English fighter pilot ace Captain Albert Ball VC was killed in action. In poor weather conditions he had been involved in a dogfight against Lothar von Richthofen, brother of the German Red Baron. Ball had pursued von Richthofen apparently puncturing his fuel tank and forced him to land. It would appear Ball had become disorientated during combat and he crashed his aircraft and was killed. For some time he was listed as missing but at the end of May 1917 the Germans dropped a message over the British lines to say they had buried Albert Ball with full military honours at   Annoeullin Communal Cemetery in France. Ball was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross on the 21^st July 1917 which was presented to his family. Albert Ball had gained his pilot’s wings in January 1916 and in 17 months he had amassed 44 confirmed “kills” with another 25 unconfirmed. During that period he was awarded three Distinguished Service Orders (DSO) and the Military Cross. He was also awarded the Légion d’honneur by France together with the Order of St. George (4^th Class) by Russia. But perhaps the greatest tribute of all to the 21 year Albert Ball came from his greatest opponent Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, who simply described him as “by far the best English flying man”.

Following the failure of the Nivelle Offensive to break through the German defences the French army began to refuse to follow orders for any further attacks on the 3^rd May 1917. Unbeknown to the Germans morale in the French Army had received a body blow after the failed offensive. Coupled with news about the Russian Revolution and that it would take time for the Americans to start arriving, the French army began to mutiny. The French 2^nd Division was the first to begin the mutiny when the troops arrived at the battlefield drunk and without weapons. The mutiny soon spread through the army. The men were mostly veterans who were demanding an end to the offensive. They believed the attacks they were being ordered to make were futile because the military authorities were inattentive to the slaughter and the realities of modern warfare. The offensive was suspended on the 9^th May 1917. General Robert Nivelle was replaced as commander, on the 15^th May 1917, by General Phillipe Pétain. Nivelle then disappeared from the world stage. History has not judged him very kindly. During the month of May 1917 over half the Divisions of the French Army were involved in the mutiny and a record number of 27,000 French soldiers deserted. Pétain restored morale by talking to the men, promising no more suicidal attacks, rest for exhausted units, home leave and moderate discipline. Fortunately the mutinies were kept secret from the Germans. From here on the French were not the driving force and the British took over the main offensive. On 15^th May 1917, when Pétain took over from Nivelle as commander-in-chief, Ferdinand Foch became the Allied Supreme Commander. He remained in the position of chief of all staff until the end of the war.

The Third Battle of the Scarpe was an offensive by the British army along a 14 mile frontage from Bullecourt in the south to Fresnoy in the north. This action was part of the Battle of Arras and was fought on the 3^{rd –} 4^th May 1917. The decision to launch the attack at 3.45 am. In the darkness was contentious. There were two waves of attacking troops behind a creeping barrage of artillery fire. German artillery and machine gun fire caused heavy casualties to the first wave and few reached the German trenches at the Hindenburg Line. The second wave advanced in daylight and they faced machine guns sooner than the first wave. The attacking forces were compelled to withdraw on the 4^th May 1917 owing to the dominance of the German artillery and machine gun fire. This disastrous day marked the beginning of the end of the Battle of Arras.

The Second Battle of Bullecourt was launched on the 3^rd May 1917 after the French army had called for a renewed British offensive. The French assault on the Chemin des Dames ridge during the Nivelle Offensive had been a complete failure. Eight successive waves of infantry by the Australians of the 1^st Anzacs began their attack at 3.45 am, alongside the British 62^nd Brigade, supported by artillery fire. The Australians broke through the partially destroyed German barked wire, passing fallen comrades still lying dead in the mud from the previous month’s attack. Before they actually reached the German barbed wire, the 62^nd Brigade was cut to pieces by machine gun fire and was forced to withdraw. By withdrawing they halted the advance of the following waves of infantry and by the day’s end no further gain had been attained. In the following days the Australians had strengthened their positions and gained a hold around Bullecourt by the 7^th May 1917. In the following days, British and Australian forces were bombarded by continual artillery shells and in some cases, flamethrowers. Over the next few days sporadic fighting broke out until all action ceased on the 15^th May 1917. The tragic events at the two Battles of Bullecourt contributed to the awakening of the Australian nation.

The Arras offensive was called off on the 16^th May 1917. The British and French high command agreed there should be a series of limited offensives over the following months. In view of the French weaknesses with mutinies in their army, British commander-in-chief General Sir Douglas Haig sought an offensive in Flanders. Having received support from the military authorities Haig gave the order to proceed with the long–planned attack on Messines Ridge at the southern end of the Ypres salient.

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Various Campaigns

America declared war on Germany, however, she was no better prepared for war than Britain was in 1914, as she only had a regular army of 145,000 men. The U.S. navy was slightly more prepared and on the 2^nd May 1917 a flotilla of 6 destroyers arrived at Queenstown, (Cobh), Ireland, helping to patrol the waters around Britain. Within weeks a further 12 destroyers were dispatched for patrol, proving to be an effective strategy against German submarines.

The American General John Pershing was appointed to command the American Expeditionary Force on the 10^th May 1917. He was the natural choice of the American military authorities and was given command because of his service in Cuba, the Philippines and Mexico. He was determined that the fresh U.S. forces were not to be used as re-enforcements for the war-weary British and French armies, but would remain an independent fighting force. By the end of May Pershing had left New York for France with only a small force, very few guns and ammunition and would be very dependent on the Allies for supplies. But America had committed herself to the war in Europe.

On the 18^th May 1917, the USA passed the “Selective Service Act”. When the USA declared war on Germany there was an initial flood of volunteers to join the military. There were insufficient numbers who volunteered and it became apparent to the military authorities that conscription would be necessary. A “selective draft” policy was brought in and eventually 11 million men were registered but of these only 4 million were called for service.

On the 5^th May 1917, Australian Prime Minister William (Billy) Hughes won an enlarged majority in the Australian general election. Hughes was an Englishman who immigrated, aged 22 years, to Australia in 1884. He became involved in politics and succeeded Prime Minister Andrew Fisher on the 27^th October 1915. Committing himself to a vigorous “win-the-was” policy he proved to be a tireless wartime Prime Minister. He travelled to London in early 1916 to represent Australia in the U.K. war cabinet meetings, and gave assurances he would boost military recruitment in Australia. Upon returning to Australia his attempt to increase recruitment was met with opposition. He resigned as the Labour Party Prime Minister on the 14^th November 1916. The Governor-General R.C. Munro-Ferguson recommissioned him to form a minority government. The new National Labour Party, with the support of the former Liberal opposition. The two parties merged to form The National Party and won the general election of 5^th May 1917.

On the Italian Front the Tenth Battle of Isonzo was launched on the 12^th May 1917 along the Italian/Austria-Hungarian border. The Italians had mixed fortunes by securing most of mountains barring the way to the Bainsizza Plateau. They did lose some of their gains to the Austria-Hungary counter-attack in the area around Konstanjevic on the Carso on 6^th June 1917. During the winter of 1916-1917 the Allies agreed to synchronize their offenses in the spring. The Italian offensive was to be launched at the same time as the Arras and Nivelle offensives on the Western Front. However, the lateness of the spring made it impossible for the Italians to meet the schedule. Italy was the first of the Allies to feel the after-effects of the Russian February Revolution. Austria-Hungarian troops had been transferred from the Eastern Front, thereby convincing the Italian high command to maintain the initiative for the remainder of 1917.

On the 25^th May 1917, the Germans carried out a massed air raid on targets in Southern England deploying 23 Gotha heavy bomber aircraft. The raid caused even more concern to the civilian population than did the earlier airship raids. This was because the only two bombers that reached their targets did more damage than any of the Zeppelin raids that proceeded it. A total of 95 people were killed and 192 wounded including soldiers and civilians. The German High Command had lost faith in the costly Zeppelin campaign, which overall had wreaked only limited structural damage on Great Britain. Accordingly, the Zeppelin air ships operations were almost entirely superseded by bomber aircraft.

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The Eastern Front

Alexander Fyodorvich Kerensky was a 36 year old Russian lawyer and politician who became the Russian Minster of War on the 16^th May 1917. He was a dominant figure in the newly formed socialist-liberal coalition government. He was appointed after the conservative member of the Provisional Government, Alexander Guchov, was forced to resign as Minister of War. It was the Bolsheviks who forced the resignation and they also forced Pavel Milyukov to resign as Foreign minister on the 5^th May 1917. Kerensky toured the Eastern Front where he made a series of speeches appealing to the troops to keep fighting. Also during May 1917, Kerensky was persuaded by Maria Bochkareva, known as Yashka, to form a “Women’s Battalion of Death”. Yashka had joined the 25^th Reserve Battalion of the Russian army during 1914, and gained the respect of the regiment with her bravery. Kerensky agreed to the Women’s Battalion especially to shame the menfolk to continue the fight. He argued that: “There is no Russian Front. There is only one united Allied Front”. In the meantime Kerensky announced there would be a new offensive. He had appointed General Alexei Brusilov as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian army to prepare for the forthcoming offensive. However, there were demonstrations against Kerensky in Petrograd, which were encouraged by the Bolsheviks who favoured peace negotiations.

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The Balkans

The Allied Spring Offensive on the Macedonian Front was designed to break the deadlock of the Bulgarian defences. The attack on Crna Bend was set for the 5^th May 1917 with the allied forces up against well-fortified Bulgarian and German units. The allied artillery bombardment began and lasted all day with mixed results. The Bulgarians were defending the plains and shelter for the infantry was not adequate, whereas the Germans had occupied the rugged terrain in the hills providing excellent shelter for the infantry. The day for the main allied attack was scheduled for the 9^th May 1917 but the 4 day bombardment did not cause severe damage to the defence system. At 6.30 am the Italian, French and Russian infantry climbed out of their trenches and advanced against the Bulgarian and German positions along an 11-kilmetre long line. The Italians managed to capture a Bulgarian trench that had been evacuated. With a rapid counter-attack the Bulgarians recaptured the trench. The French did not fare any better than the Italians as they too were forced into retreat. After some success the Russian infantry were forced back and the Central Powers of Bulgaria and Germany had regained their defensive line at Crna Bend and achieved a decisive victory. The Allied forces were not able to defeat the Central Powers who held on to the Crna Bend until the end of the war in 1918.

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