SECRET. Copy No. 13

XXII CORPS OPERATION ORDER NO. 6.
————————–

19July, 1918

1. In accordance with orders received from Fifth French Army (a copy of which has been given to Divisions concerned), the XXII Corps will attack to-morrow (20th July) on both banks of the River ADRE.

2. The attached map shows assembly position, objectives and Corps and Divisional boundaries.

3. The 62nd Division will be on the right and the 51st Division will be on the left. The River ADRE will form the dividing line between Divisions.

4. The attack will start at Zero hour, which will be notified later communicated separately

5. The attack will be covered by a creeping barrage provided by the artillery now in the line.
The Divisional Artilleries of the 51st and 62nd Divisions will support the attack beyond the limits of range of the artillery finding the barrage.

6. The rate of barrage will be 100 metres in 4 minutes. It will halt for 20 minutes 150 metres in front of the line marked in GREEN on the attached map.

7. The Corps Mounted Troops will be in Corps Reserve and each Division will hold one Battalion in reserve which will not be used without reference to Corps H.Q.

8. A joint Divisional Headquarters will be established at ST IMOGES.

9. Advanced Corps Headquarters will be established at HAUTVILLERS from 12 midnight to-night 19th July.

10. ACKNOWLEDGE by wire.
C.W. Gwynn
B.G., G.S.
XXII Corps
Issued at 3 p.m. to:-
Copy No 1 War Diary 7 C.E. 13 82nd Squad R.A.F.
2 G.S. File 8 G.H.Q. (South) 14 Brit Mission 5th Fr Army
3 A.D.C. 9 Brit Mission G.A.C. 15 A.D. Sigs
4 G.O.C., R.A. 10 51st Division 16 D.D.M.S.
5 ‘Q’ 11 62nd Division 17Ig.
6 ‘A’ 12 XXII Corps Mtd Tps. 18 A.P.M.

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

SECRET. Sa/37

O.C. Battery.

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

(2) Reference hour will be 10.30 pm.

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

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

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

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

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

AMMUNITION BX.

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

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

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

O.C. Battery.

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

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

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

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

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

(6) ACKNOWLEDGE.

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

23rd A.P.D Bde.
SECRET.

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

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

Copy No …..6
SECRET. XXII Corps
18th July 1918.

XXII CORPS WARNING ORDER NO. 2.
———————————————

1. The relief of the II Italian Corps by the XXII Corps is cancelled.

2. The XXII Corps will be prepared to concentrate during the night 19th/20th July in forward positions immediately behind the line now held by the II Italian Corps with a view to an advance on the morning of the 21st July.

3. The 51st Division on the left, and the 62nd Division on right will move into forward concentration areas on the night of 19th/20th July. Concealed positions of assembly will be reconnoitred to-morrow. Guides for the night march will be provided on application by the 120th and 14th French Divisions. Routes selected should be marked in addition as far as possible.

4. The general line of demarcation between Divisions will be NANTHEUIL – ST IMOGES – LA NEUVILLE all inclusive to the 51st Division.

5. The MESNIL Brigade, 51st Division, and rear units of the 62nd Division will be closed up to the line of the MARNE to-morrow morning (19th inst.) moving in small columns with a view to shortening the night march.

6. Pontoons of both Divs will be pooled and will be concentrated in the area of the PIEERY Brigade Group of the 51st Division to-morrow with a view to their being placed at the disposal of the French, if required. All pontoons to be placed under the Command of one Field Company of the 51st Division.

7. ACKNOWLEDGE.
Signature unreadable.
B.G., G.S.
XXII Corps.
Issued at 11.20 p.m. to:-
Copy No. 1 51st Division
2 62nd Division.
3 C.E.
4 G.O.C. R.A.
5 Q
6 82nd Squad R.A.F.

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

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

SECRET. Copy No. 9.

12th Divisional Artillery Order No. 54.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22nd Corps ‘G’
——————–

1. It would appear that the Corps may shortly be engaged in operations of the nature of open warfare.
2. The following scheme is submitted for approval for more efficient aerial co-operation than has formerly been possible.
3. The system does not entail the use of any apparatus beyond the Popham panneau and ground strips already provided.
4. It is anticipated that should the scheme be adopted and the units on the ground be able to carry out their part. The Squadron would have no difficulty whatever in (a) keeping Corps informed of exact positions of units down to Brigades, and dropping messages to these formations; (b) in receiving messages from formations for transmission to Corps (thence to Divisions if required).
5. The scheme is easily capable of elaboration to include units down to Battalions, but it is considered that owing to the very short notice which it will be possible to give, it would probably be inadvisable to attempt to deal with smaller formations than Brigades.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

1. Corps dropping station indicated in any suitable ****** – say “XII”
2. Divisional H.Q. to be indicated by Popham panneau with one of the letters W X Y or Z placed at 9 o’clock to the panneau. Divisional calls would thus simply W X Y or Z.
3. Brigade H.Q. will be indicated by popham panneau together with a call letter placed opposite one of the four corners “W X Y or Z” position. Calls of Brigades of W Division to be WW WX WY WZ and for ‘X’ Division XW XX XY XZ and so on.

PROCEDURE.
1. A unit seeing a contact ‘plane in its neighbourhood and wishing to report its position, will merely expose its popham panneau and call letter in an approximate position. Machine will acknowledge, for example “XWRT”. If the unit wishes to communicate with a machine, it will open popham panneau in the normal manner and procedure will be as usual.
2. Corps wishing to communicate with a unit will forward message to Squadron giving as far as possible approximate location. The ‘plane will fly in direction of unit required sounding call letter on klaxon. Unit will expose panneau and call letters and machine will drop message.
3. In the event of a unit losing its popham panneau, or the situation preventing its being exposed, the call letter in ground strips will be sufficient indication.
4. In extreme cases when neither panneau nor strips can be exposed, it is suggested that units should fire four Very’s lights in rapid succession as a signal that it is the unit to which the plane is calling.

ADVANTAGES OF SYSTEM.

1. The procedure above outlined presents no difficulty whatever from the air point of view at least and will enable higher command (a) to locate its units at any time; (b) to communicate with the unit; (c) to receive messages from the unit.
2. Code calls are reduced to one or two letters only which are all made with straight ground strips.
3. The scheme is systematic in that units belonging to the same formation have the same initial letter in their call.
4. In the event of a particular unit being undiscoverable there should be little difficulty in locating a neighbouring unit and communicating with it instead.
5. Owing to the message having no “addressed to” but only a call letter address, little information is given to the enemy should they fall into wrong hands.
Note:
“Addressed to” will not be required. Normally all messages received from the ground will be dropped at Corps. “Addressed from” not required; call letters give sufficient indication.

J.M. S***
Major,
Commanding, No 82 Squadron,
Royal Air Force.
In the Field.
17th July 1918.

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

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

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

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

From: Such
Place:
Time:
Signature of Addressee

SECRET.

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

16th July, 1917.

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

2. ACKNOWLEDGE PLEASE.

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

By Special D.R.

23rd Bde. R.F.A.

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

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