56 Division Instruction re Tanks 2 April 1917

SECRET                                                                                            56^TH Divn. No G.A. 125

56 DIVISION INSTRUCTIONS

TANKS.

1. Sixteen Tanks of “D” Battalion, 1^st Brigade, Heavy Branch M.G. Corps will work with VII Corps. Headquarters “D” Battalion will be in ARRAS about G.21.a. (CONVENT de NOTRE DAME).
2. Headquarters 1^st Brigade, Heavy Branch M.G. Corps will be at MONTENESCOURT.
3. 1 Section (4 Tanks) will be allotted to the 56^th Division.
4. Each half Section (2 Tanks) will be accompanied by 1 Section of Infantry to assist them in their advance where required. These Sections will be furnished by 169^th Infantry Brigade.
5. These two Sections of Infantry will no longer be required once the BLUE LINE has been reached.
6. The 2 Section Commanders will meet Lieut. BELL (O.C. Section of Tanks working with the Division) at Divisional Headquarters at 10.45 a.m. on April 4^th.
7. The two Infantry Sections will undergo a preliminary training with the Heavy Branch Machine Gun Company.
8. Details re attachment will be notified later.
9. The C.R.E. will detail an Officer to meet Lieut. BELL at 11 a.m. on 4^th April at Divisional Headquarters, and will be prepared to attach this Officer and 3 R.E. N.C.O.s to “D” Battalion, should their services be required.
10. A Map is attached shewing approximately the Tank objectives and direction of routes to them.Dotted GREEN lines show lines of advance to 2^nd objective.
11. Continuous GREEN Lines show lines of advance to 1^st objective.
12. After the capture of the BLUE LINE the Tanks will act in accordance with the orders issued to them direct by VII Corps.
13. If Zero is at dawn, Tanks will be able to move up during Z – 1/Z night to points as close up to our Front Line as is consistent with the safety of the Infantry.
14. Tanks will move on to the BLUE LINE following up the leading infantry and will not proceed any great distance in front of them, otherwise the Infantry will not be in a position to take advantage of the opportunities that the Tanks may create.
15. ACKNOWLEDGE.

1. Pakenham

Lieut-Colonel, General Staff.

Head Qrs. 56^th Divn. 2^nd April 1917.    P.T.O.

Copies to –

167^th Infantry  Brigade.                                                       56^th Div Train

168^th Infantry Brigade.                                                        Div. M.G. Officer.

169^th Infantry Brigade.                                                        Div. Gas Officer

VII Corps                                                                                D.A.D.O.S.

“   ”    Artillery.                                                                     4^th Aust. Div. Supply Column.

“   ”   Heavy Artillery                                                          No. 2 Ammn. Sub Park.

“   ”   M.G. Officer                                                              G.O.C.

14^th Division                                                                          A.D.C.

30^th Division.                                                                         A.D.M.S.

C.R.A.                                                                                                “Q”

C.R.E.                                                                                                War Diary.

1/5^th Cheshire Regt.                                                                        File

A.P.M.

193^rd Div. M.G. Coy.

56^th Div. Signals.

1^st Bde. H.B. M.G. Corps.

“D” Battalion

Lieut. BELL c/o “D” Battalion.

SECRET

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42^nd Inf. Bde.

S 6/105 B.M.

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PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE OFFENSIVE NO. 7.

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1. PRELIMINARY MOVES. As far as is known at the present the following will be the locations and movements of Units on “W to Z Days”.                                                ) In the Trenches) behind the Old Support Line G.35.d.10.95.5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I.              ) In DUNEDIN CAVE.5^th Shrops L.I.                       ) DAINVILLE. Ditto Y Day 42^nd T.M. Battery                   ) and partly in ARRAS.‘Y’ Day                                                ) In the Trenches.                                                ) the Old Support Line G.35..10.95.                                                ) Battalion H.Q. in HOP ALLEY.                                                ) Three Companies in Old Reserve Line in                                                 )                                          ( dugouts at M.5.b.65.60.                                                )                                          ( 9^th K.R.R.C. Battn H.Q. 42^nd T.M. Battery                   ) and partly in ARRAS.Night of ‘Y/Z’) In Assembly Position in Advance of Old5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I.  ) Battalion H.Q. in the Old German Front Line                                    9^th K.R.Rif.C.             ) German Front Line System.) Line System M.5.b.83.95.                                    ) In Old German Front Line System.                                    )System at G.35.d.50.05                                    ) In our Old Firing & Support Lines. And Reserve Lines.                                    ) 2 Companies in Old Reserve Line.                                    ) the Old Support Line G.35.d.10.95.                                    ) In their Assembly Position in the Old German42^nd M.G. Coy           )Reserve Guns and Teams in Dugouts in Old German                                    )H.Q. Company in dugout in the Old German Front                                     ) West of HALIFAX                                    ) Factory G.34.b.95.70.                                    ) In the Factory G.34.b.95.70. on W. X. Y and ZBrigade H.Q.             ) A Staff Officer will be in the Command Post in                                    ) Y and Z Days.
3.                                     ) Old German Second Line about M.5.b.55.90. on
4.                                     ) Days
6. 42^nd T.M. Bty             ) H.Q. of Battery at Advanced Brigade H.Q. in the
7.                                     ) In dugouts in our Old Reserve Line immediately
8.                                     )Line System to be allotted later.
9.                                     ) Front Line.
10.                                     )Front Line System.
12.                                     )Battalion H.Q. in HUNTER STREET behind
13. 9^th Rif Brig                 ) 2 Companies in Firing & Support Line.
15. 5^th Shrops L.I.          ) Battalion H.Q. in Old German Front Line
17.                                     ) Battalion H.Q. in the Old German Front
18.                                     ) In Assembly Position in Advance of Old
19.                                     ) System M.5.b.65.60.
20.                                     ) German Front Line System.
23. 42^nd M.G. Company             ) Partly in the Trenches
24. 9^th K.R.Rif.C.                         )                                        ( in dugouts at M.5.b.63.95.
25.                                                 ) In DUNEDIN CAVE.     (
26. 5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I.              )                                          ( 5^th O.L.I Battn H.Q.
27.                                            ) dugouts between HOOGE and HUNTER STREET.
28. 5^th Shrops L.I.                       ) One Company in dugouts in Old Support Line.
30. 9^th Rif Bde                             ) Battalion H.Q. in HUNTER STREET behind
33. 42^nd M.G. Company             ) Partly in the Trenches
34. 9^th K.R.Rif.C.                         ) DUNEDIN CAVE
37. 9^th Rif Brig.                            ) Battalion H.Q. in HUNTER STREET
38. W and X Days.
39. DISTINGUISHING BADGES.The following distinguishing badges will be worn by all Battalions and will be put on forthwith.Necessary material has been issued from Brigade H.Q.RUNNERS……………………..RED.MOPPERS UP…………………WHITE.
40. CARRIERS…………………….YELLOW.
41. Regtl & Coy SIGNALLERS …..BLUE.
42. SCOUTS……………..………….GREEN.
43. They will be sewn on round the sleeve of the left arm between the elbow and the shoulder.
45. WATER.

1. Water in Tanks will be stored in the Trenches as follows, to enable every man to have a full water bottle at ZERO. In reckoning the amount required, the allowance of ONE gallon for FOUR men has been made.

1. TWO EIGHTY FIVE gallon tanks in the Old German Front Line one on either side of the ARRAS WAY, about G.35.d.50.05. and G.35.d.65.15.
2. The 42^nd Trench Mortar Battery and the 42^nd Machine Gun Company will fill water Bottles from these on Y/Z night. The remainder will form a reserve for use in case other tanks get knocked out.
3. TWO SIXTY gallon tanks one on either side of the ARRAS WAY in Patrol Trench about G.35.d.15.45. and TWO SIXTY gallon tanks one on either side of the ARRAS WAY in Support Line about G.35.c.88.72. and G.35.d.20.55.
4. These are reserved for the sole use of the 5^th Shrops L.I. who will fill water bottles from them on Y/Z night.
5. ONE EIGHTY FIVE gallon tank in the A.D.S. in the shaft off HUNTER STREET about G.35.d.05.85.
6. These are reserved for the wounded.
7. FOUR SIXTY gallon tanks in the Reserve Line, two on either side of the ARRAS WAY about G.35.a.50.25. and G.35.a.60.30.
8. These are reserved for the sole use of the 9^th Rif Brig. who will fill water bottles from them on Y/Z night.
9. ONE FOUR HUNDRED gallon tank at Advanced Brigade H.Q. in the Factory at G.34.b.95.70.Water will not be drawn from here without sanction from Brigade H.Q.
10. This is a reserve for use as required.
11. The 5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I. and the 9^th K.R.Rif.C. will fill their water bottles from the water supply in DUNEDIN CAVE, before leaving the CAVES on Y/Z night to occupy their positions of Assembly and the men should not be allowed to drink from their water Bottles again till after ZERO.
12. These two Battalions may make use of the reserve supply of water (a) above in case of emergency, but only on the authority of the O.C. Battalion who will inform Brigade H.Q. without delay, stating approximately amount drawn from (a) for his Battalion.

1. In addition to the water supply in Tanks there will be 350 500 petrol tins each holding 2 gallons, distributed as follows:-

1. 100 150 tins at the Advance Brigade Dump in the ARRAS WAY about M.6.a.00.35.
2. These will be issued to Units on the personal or written demand of the O.C. any Unit, only by the N.C.O. in charge of this Dump after the Assault, and in a fair proportion to each Unit.
3. 100 tins at Advanced Brigade H.Q. in the Factory at G.34.b.95.70.
4. 250 tins at the Transport Camp in the CITADEL to be sent up on pack ponies, if required.These will be filled at a tank which is being filled up over at the spring at that place.
5. N.B. It is important that all empty petrol tins should be returned either to the Advanced Brigade Dump (a) above, for return to Advanced Brigade H.Q. or by pack ponies to the Transport Camp, so that they may be re-filled ready for re-issue.
6. Petrol tins for carrying up water by pack animals will be stacked on the Moat of the CITADEL at G.26.d.4.3.

1. CARRYING PARTIES.
2.  

1. The party of One Officer and 80 men of this Brigade at present attached to ‘C’ Coy. 11^th King’s Regt (Pioneers) will be employed under Brigade arrangements to :-

1. Carry between Advanced Brigade H.Q., in the Factory at G.34.b.95.70. and the Advanced Brigade Dump in the ARRAS WAY about M.6.a.00.35.
2. Work the trucks on the Tramway up HALIFAX.
3. Furnish guards over the water tanks.
4. Furnish personnel for Brigade Dumps.

1. Battalions will arrange to provide carrying parties between the Advanced Brigade Dump and their captured objective, assisted, if the tactical situation permits, by carrying parties from the Battalion in Brigade Reserve.
2. The Officer or N.C.O. in charge of each carrying party will be furnished with a chit showing –

1. Articles and amount of each to be carried by his party.
2. Destination of carrying party after loading up.

1. DUMPS.

1. Stores to equip Battalions as laid down in Tables A.B. & C. issued to Units under this Office S 5/135 B.M., dated 19/2/17 will be dumped as follows:-i.In DUNEDIN CAVE to be drawn before marching off for their Assembly Positions on Y/Z night.   Meat and biscuit rations to be carried on the man. Water.           Sandbags      Tools.Bombs.     Rifle Grenades.        Ground Flares.5^th Shrops L.I.9^th Rif Brig.N.B. There will be a separate and clearly marked Dump for each Company of the 5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I. and 9^th K.R.Rif.C. both in the CAVES and at Advanced Brigade H.Q. Detailed orders regarding times for drawing stores at Advanced Brigade H.Q. will be issued later.
2.      In Reserve Line near The ARRAS WAY.
3.      In dugout in Old German Front Line near Battalion H.Q.
4. Very Cartridges both coloured and white.
5. ii. At Advanced Brigade H.Q. in the Factory at G.34.b.95.70. to be drawn on route from the CAVES to Assembly Positions:-
6. 5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I., and 9^th K.R.Rif.C.
7. The Stores shown in Table D issued to Units under this Office S 5/135  For Two Battalions.For Two Battalions.N.B. After ZERO all Battalions will draw stores from the Advanced Brigade Dump, which will be replenished under Brigade arrangements form the Dump at Advanced Brigade H.Q.
9. At Advanced Brigade H.Q. in Factory at G.34.b.95.70.
10. In the Advanced Brigade Dump in Dugouts in the ARRAS WAY about M.6.a.00.35.
11. B.M. dated 19/2/17 will be dumped as follows:-
13. S.A.A. for 42^nd Machine Gun Company and Stokes bombs for the 42^nd Trench Mortar Battery will be stored at Advanced Brigade Dump and replenished from the Dump at Advanced Brigade H.Q..
15. A Dump for R.E. Stores will be formed by the 61^st Field Company R.E. at the junction of ARRAS WAY and Old German Front Line G.35.d.55.10.
16. All Units will draw R.E. Stores from here.

1. TRAMWAY.O.C. 61^st Field Company R.E. will be responsible for the maintenance and control of the Tramway.No one is allowed to use HALIFAX except men pushing trucks, and the maintenance gang. Capt, Bde Major,2^nd April 1917.
2. 42^nd Inf Bde.
3. J.B. Paget
4. The Tramway will be used exclusively for moving stores forward from Advanced Brigade H.Q. and for evacuation of the wounded from the A.D.S. at G.35.d.05.85.
5. All trucks proceeding EAST to have the Right of way over trucks proceeding WEST.
6. The Tramway runs from the R.E. Dump on the RUE du COMMANDANT DUMETZ (G.28.d.60.15.) to Advanced Brigade H.Q. in the Factory G.34.b.95.70., thence up HALIFAX to the RUINED FARM at G.35.c.90.80., thence along ARRAS WAY to the Old German Front Line at G.35.d.55.05. Personnel to work the trucks and traffic controls will be provided under Brigade Arrangements.

SECRET.

42^nd Inf Bde.

S 6/105 B.M.

5^th Oxf & Bucks L.I.

5^th Shrops L.I.

9^th K.R.Rif.C.

9^th Rif Brig.

42^nd Machine Gun Company.

42^nd Trench Mortar Battery.

8^th Inf Bde.

9^th Inf Bde.

41^st Inf Bde.

43^rd Inf Bde.

14^th Division

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Herewith No. 7 of “Preliminary Instructions for the Offensive”.

Please acknowledge receipt.

On account of the very secret nature of these Documents. The G.O.C. directs that none of the information contained in them should be circulated in writing to Companies and that they be kept under lock and key.

J Paget

Capt,

For Bde Major,

42^nd Inf Bde.

2^nd April 1917