SECRET. R.A. 24/35
12TH D.A.G. ARTILLERY PROGRAMME FOR WEEK ENDING 21ST JULY, 1917.

Ref. BOIRY NOTRE DAME.
1/10,000.

Date Time Nature of Operation Tasks Rate of fire Remarks
July 15th to 21st. – Calibration, Tests, Datum Points, etc. 18 prs. 83 rds. per B’ty per week.
4.5” 66 rds. per B’ty per week.
Daily Throughout 24 hours. Harassing fire on approaches, communications, etc. Within Brigade zones.
Special attention being paid to trenches in 0.4.c. and along STIRRUP LANE (vide Air Photos.) 18 prs. 60 rds per B’ty per day. 4.5” Hows 19 rds per B’ty per day.
¾ of allotment by night; ¼ by day.
50% T.S., 50% H.E.
July 15th 3 p.m. to 3.10 pm Concentrated bombardment of T.M. empl: at 09.a.6.6. &0.3.c.3.5. by 4.5” and 6” Hows. 18 prs searching shell holes in vicinity for 10 mins. 4.5” Hows.
62nd Bde. )
63rd Bde. ) T.M. at O.9.a.6.6.
48th Bde.)
23rd Bde.) T.M.at O.3.c.3.5.
18 prs.
62nd & 63rd Bdes. Search shell holes between LONG and POLE Trenches and Wedge of BOIS du VERT within Bde. zones.
48th & 23rd Bdes. Search shell holes from N. & S. Grid line between Squares O.2. and O.3. East to PUPPY Trench between INFANTRY and GREEN LANES.
23rd Bde. N. of an E. and W. line thro’ O.3.c.04; 48th Bde. S. of same line.
6in. Hows. At 0.9.a.6.6. and O.3.c.3.5.
2in T.M. T.M. at O.3.c.3.5. 18 prs. – 2 rounds P.G.P.M.

4.5” Hows. –
2 rounds P.G.P.M.
Total – 1440 rounds.

Total – 480 rounds.

200 rounds.
When ordered Three concentrated bombardments of M.G. or T.M empl: when reported active. Duration of each bombardment 5 minutes. 62nd, 63rd and 48th Brigades.
18 prs and 4.5” Hows will concentrate on a T.M. or M.G. emplacement when one is reported active to either Group by Liaison Officer. 18 prs.-
2 rounds P.G.P.M.
4.5” Hows. –
1 round P.G.P.M. Ammn., for each 5 min operation – 4.5” 60 rds. (12 Hows)
18 prs 400 rds. (40 guns.)
The Group Comdr when warned by his Liaison Officer that a particular M.G. or T.M. is active will call on the other two Bdes to prepare to bombard in half an hour’s time, at the same time informing D.A.H.Q. Fire will then be opened simultaneously by all B’tys at a time telephoned from D.A.H.Q. Meanwhile the hostile M.G. or T.M. will not be engaged by any battery.

First night when weather conditions are suitable. 2 a.m. to 2.15 am Gas Shell bombardment of BOIS du SART and roads, etc on N. and S sides of it. 4.5” How. B’tys.
62nd Bde. the area I.33.c.75.50. – I.33.d.05.50. I.33.c.75.00. – I.33.d.05.00.
63rd Bde. Western portion BOIS du SART in the area I.33.c.75.00 – I.33.d.05.00. – O.3.a.95.25. – O3.b.25.25.
48th Bde. The area O.3.a.95.25. – O.3.b.25.25. – O.3.c.95.65. – O.3.d.25.65.
18 pr batteries of all Bdes.
Search same objectives.
18 prs continuing fire till 2.30 a.m. to keep enemy down in shell holes. 4.5” Hows.-
3 rounds P.G.P.M.

18 prs in bursts of fire.
Total of 60 rds per battery.

Same arrangements and code system as were issued for the projected bombardment of GREEN WORK will hold good.

Copies to –
62nd, 63rd, & 48th Bdes., D.T.M.O.
12th Divn. (G); S. Capt., 12th D.A.
R.A. & H.A. XVII Corps.
4th and 50th D.A.
R.H. Walsh
Major,
for Brigade Major, 12th D.A.
13/7/17.

H.Q.
SECRET
4th DIV. ARTY ORDER NO. 78.

23rd A.F.A. Bde.
29th Bde. R.F.A.
32nd Bde R.F.A.
17th Corps H.A.
4th Div “G”. )
XVII Corps R.A. )
12th Div. Arty. ) For information.
17th Div. Arty. )

Reference PELVES TRENCH MAP corrected to 28/6/1917:-

The following Programme of Artillery Activity on 4th Division Front will be carried out for Week Ending July 21st 1917.

(1) Night 15th/16th July. To cover a patrol enterprise.
From Zero – 2 mins to Zero +2 mins.
29th Bde 4 18 pdrs 2 4.5 How’s will fire on line I.26.a.40.70. – I.26.a.20.40.
32nd Bde 12 “ “ 5 “ “ “ “ “ “ I.26.a.20.40. I.25.d.75.60.
Rate of fire 18 pdrs 3 rds per gun per minute 50% H.E. & Shrapnel
“ “ “ 4.5 How’s 2 “ “ “ “ “

(2) Night 16th/17th July.
Bursts of fire for 1 minute on following areas at 11-8 pm 11-15pm 11-20pm 11-40pm 11-50pm & 11-5pm 12.5am.
23rd Bde. 6 18 pdrs 2 4.5 Hows Paths at sides of Canal from I.20.d.95.70. to I.21.c.95.50.
29th Bde. 12 “ “ 6 “ “ Area I.21.b.70.40. – I.15.d.70.00. –
I.15.d.00.00. – I.21.b.00.40.
79th Bde. 12 “ “ 4 “ “ Area I.21.b.00.20 – I.21.b.00.60. –
I.21.a.60.60. – I.21.a.60.20.
32nd Bde 10 “ “ 3 “ “ Road from I.20.d.90.00. to I.21.b.45.45.
Rates of fire & ) 18 pdrs 4 rds per gun per minute Shrapnel
Ammunition ) 4.5 Hows 3 “ “ “ “ “ H.E 106 Fuze.

(3) July 19th 7 am – 7-13 am
LETHAL GAS SHELL BOMBARDMENT.
D/23 5 guns)
D/48 4 “ ) HOUSES
128th 6 “ ) & enclosures in area I.27.a.75.55. – I.21.c.40.15. –
86th 5 “ ) I.21.c.00.15. – I.26.a.85.90. – I.27.a.45.25.
D/79 4 “ )
Rate of fire 3 rds per gun per minute.

18 pdrs.
29th Bde 4 guns will fire Shrapnel on East side of exits of PELVES.
32nd “ 12 “ “ “ “ “ the area bombarded.
23rd “ 4 “ “ “ “ “ Southern exits of PELVES.
23rd “ 6 “ “ “ “ “ Portion of PELVES not bombarded.
Rate of fire 3 rds per gun per minute.

(4) July 20th 1917. DUMMY RAID.
This will be as in 4th Div Arty Operation Order No. 74 d/- 5/7/1917 paras 3 to 5 inclusive.
Zero hour 12-30 am.
(a) 18 pdr barrages will be as follows:-
(1)
Barrage Letter UNIT No. of Guns LINE
(
A. (
B.
C.
D.
E.
F. 23rd A.F.A. Bde
32nd Bde. R.F.A.
23rd A.F.A. Bde.
29th Bde. R.F.A.
23rd A.F.A. Bde
29th Bde. R.F.A.
48th Bde. R.F.A. 12
12
2
2
2
2
12 I.31.b.90.70 to I.25.d.85.00.
I.25.d.85.00. to I.25.d.75.30.
I.32.a.00.50. to I.31.b.90.70.
I.25.d.75.30. to I.25.d.75.50.
I.32.a.00.50. to I.32.a.40.50.
I.25.d.75.50. to I.26.c.15.15.
I.32.a.40.50. to I.26.c.00.50.
(2) At Zero all guns will open fire as in 1.
“Z + 1 min A,B, & C will lift 200 yards East.
“Z + 3 “ A,B,C & F “ “ 200 “ West.
“Z + 5 “ -do – “ “ 200 “ East.
“Z + 6 “ Fire will cease.
(3) Rate of fire, Z to Z +1 min 4 rds per gun per minute.
Z+1 to Z +3 “ 2 “ “ “ “ “
Z+ 3 to Z +6 “ 4 “ “ “ “ “
E & D Barrages will fire 3 rds per gun per minute throughout.
(4) Ammunition. All except E & D Barrages 50% H.E. & Shrapnel
E & D Barrages Shrapnel.

(b) 4.5 Hows.
(1) From Zero to Z+6 mins.
86th Bty. DEVILS TRENCH I.32.a.00.50. to I.32.a.10.20. and short
trench about I.32.a.20.30.
D/48 Bty. GUN TRENCHI.32.a.40.50. to BIT LANE (inclusive).
D/23 Bty. FUZE TRENCH and shell holes about I.26.c.60.30.
128th Bty. SUNKEN ROAD I.26.c.00.50. – I.25.d.70.95. –
I.26.a.10.10. –Shell holes about I.26.a.15.25.
4.5 Hows will search and sweep to cover as much of the objectives shown as possible.
(2) Rate of fire:- 3 rds per gun per minute.
(3) Ammunition:- H.E., 106 Fuze.
(c) 6” Hows.
As many 6” Hows as are available will fire from Zero to Z + 6 as rapidly as possible with 106 Fuzes on GRENADE TRENCH & BIT LANE from GUN TRENCH to PELVES.
(5) Harassing fire will be carried out daily as before, except that no Chemical Shell will be fired. ¾ Ammunition to be fired by night.

(6) Ammunition allotment exclusive of operations in para 1, 2, 3 & 4.

HARASSING FIRE. CALIBRATION ETC.
* 18 pdrs. 4.5 Hows. * 18 pdrs. 4.5 Hows.
23rd Bde. 1400 100 250 75
29th Bde. 1200 150 250 50
32nd Bde. 1200 150 250 75

* 50% H.E. and Shrapnel.
A special allotment of 300 rounds 18-pdr and 200 rounds 4.5” How. Is made to 29th and 32nd Bdes for neutralizing trench mortar fire if required.
(7) ACKNOWLEDGE.

C.C.S. Blower MAJOR R.A.
BRIGADE MAJOR, 4th DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY.
15th July, 1917.

Stamp H.Q. 4th Div. Artillery.
451/20
R.A. 213/3
SECRET.

12th Divisional Preliminary Instructions for
Artillery co-operation in re-taking LONG.TRENCH.
——————————————————————-

Ref.- MONCHY Trench Map
1/10,000

1. The Infantry’s objective is LONG TRENCH, linking up the North end of it at 0.2.d.70.30. to HOOK TRENCH at its junction with INFANTRY LANE.

2. The 37th Infantry Brigade will attack on the Right.
The 35th Infantry Brigade will attack on the Left.

3. The attack will be preceded by a 3 minutes hurricane bombardment by Stokes’ Mortars, 4.5 inch howitzers and 18 prs on the objective.
At Zero plus 3 minutes this barrage will lift and form a box barrage as per Task Table attached.

4. The 4th and 50th Divisional Artilleries, VII and XVII Corps Heavy Artillery will be co-operating, firing on the tasks shewn in Task Table attached.

5. The operation will take place early on the morning of 15th July.

6. Rates of fire –
Zero to Zero plus 10 mins. 18 prs 4 rounds P.G.P.M.
4.5” Hows 3 .. ..
Zero plus 10 mins to Zero 18 prs 3 .. ..
plus 20 mins. 4.5” Hows 2 .. ..
Zero plus 20 mins to Zero 18prs 2 .. ..
plus 30 mins 4.5” Hows 1 .. ..
Zero plus 30 minutes onwards under Group control.

C.A. Cloves, Major,
Brigade Major, 12th D.A.
14th July, 1917.
Copies to –
62nd Bde. R.F.A.
63rd Bde. R.F.A.
48th Bde. A.F.A. Bde.
D.T.M.O.
12th Divn (G).
R.A., XVII Corps.
H.A., XVII Corps.
4th D.A. H.A., VII Corps.
50th D.A. War Diary & File.

SECRET. Copy No. 21.

12th Divisional Artillery Order No. 52.
———————————————————–

Ref. – MONCHY Trench Map,
1/10,000
14th July, 1917.

In continuance of Preliminary Instructions (R.A. 213/3) issued to-day –

1. The attack on LONG TRENCH will take place on the morning of July 15th. ZERO HOUR will be 5 a.m.

2. Artillery and Trench Mortar Barrages will be as laid down in R.A. 213/3, with the exception of the following amendments –
(a) In Task Table, Sheet 3 (Stokes’ Mortars), Column “Task Zero plus 3 minutes onwards”. Line 2,
For “No change”, substitute “O.2.b.5.0. to O.2.d.8.8.”

(b) In Task Table, Sheet 1, 18 pr batteries 48th Brigade,
Tasks of the third 18 pr battery should read –
“Zero to Zero plus 3 mins.”
“MOUND (O.2.d.95.55.) to O.2.d.8.9. (3 guns)
Trench O.2.d.70.52. to O.3.c.00.44. (3 guns)
“Zero plus 3mins onwards –
“MOUND (O.2.d.95.55.) to O.2.d.8.9.

3. A General Staff Officer from Divisional Headquarters will be at H.Q. 37th Infantry Brigade (N.10.d.5.7.) at 6 p.m. on July 14th to synchronise watches.
An officer from each R.F.A. Brigade and Trench Mortar Battery of the 12th D.A. will attend at that hour to take the time.
Watches will be synchronised from 12th D.A., H.Q. with VII and XVII Corps H.A., and with 4th and 50th D.A. at 7.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. July 14th.

4. Liaison Officers with Infantry Brigades will be provided as follows –
(a) With Right (37th) Inf. Bde. Right Group Arty.
(b) With Left (35th)Inf. Bde. Left Group Arty.

5. A flight of our Battle planes will fly over our lines prior to the operation to prevent hostile aeroplanes carrying out observation.

6. RED flares will be lit in the most forward positions captured at 6 a.m. on ZERO Day, at which hour a contact patrol will be in the air.

7. PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE.
C.A. Clowes, Major,
Brigade Major, 12th D.A.
Copies to –
62nd Bde. R.F.A. (5)
63rd Bde. R.F.A. (5)
48th Bde R.F.A. (5)
D.T.M.O. R.A., XVII Corps.
12th Divn. (G) (4) H.A., VII Corps.
4th D.A. (2) H.A., XVII Corps.
50th D.A. (2) War Diary & File.

23rd A.A.A. Bde.
Please acknowledge to this H.Q. by wire.
C.C.S. Owen Major R.A.
B.M. 4th D.A.
14/7/17

“A” Form
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

To 23rd A.F.A. Bde

Senders Number Day of Month In reply to Number AAA
BM 103 14

Ref attached please arrange to support 12th Div as shown.

From 4th Div Arty
Place
Time 10.30 am

C.C.S. C*** Major
B.M. 4th Div.

“A” Form
MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

To Use

Senders Number Day of Month In reply to Number AAA
BM 106 14th

4th Div Arty No 439/7 dated today is postponed until further orders.

From
Place Such
Time

Stamp Headquarters 12th Divisional Artillery R.A. 213/2

62nd Brigade R.F.A.
63rd Brigade R.F.A.
48th A.F.A. Brigade
12th Division (G) )
4th Divl. Arty. ) For information
50th Divl. Arty. )

Reference paragraph 5 of R.A. 213/1 dated 12th July, 1917.

In addition to the fire of the Heavy Artillery in case of threatened attack on HOOK TRENCH, the following supporting fire has been arranged with flank Divisional Artilleries –

On receipt of Code Call – “ASSIST MARBLE” from 12th D.A. H.Q.

4th D.A. Will barrage from the East edge of BOIS des AUBEPINES to the West corner of BOIS du SART.

50th D.A. Will barrage STIRRUP LANE from O.8.d.7.4. to O.9 central.

C.A. Clowes
Major,
Brigade Major R.A., 12th Division. 13th July, 1917.

(2)
23rd A.F.A. Bde.

Will you please arrange for task shown for 4th D.A. to be carried out when called for if the situation on your *** front permits

C.C.S. Owen Major R.A.
B.M. 4th D.A.
14/7/17
*** to be altered:-

Stamp Headquarters 12th Divisional Artillery R.A. 213/2

62nd Brigade R.F.A.
63rd Brigade R.F.A.
48th A.F.A. Brigade
12th Division (G) )
4th Divl. Arty. ) For information
50th Divl. Arty. )

Reference paragraph 5 of R.A. 213/1 dated 12th July, 1917.

In addition to the fire of the Heavy Artillery in case of threatened attack on HOOK TRENCH, the following supporting fire has been arranged with flank Divisional Artilleries –

On receipt of Code Call – “ASSIST MARBLE” from 12th D.A. H.Q.

4th D.A. Will barrage from the East edge of BOIS des AUBEPINES to the West corner of BOIS du SART.

50th D.A. Will barrage STIRRUP LANE from O.8.d.7.4. to O.9 central.

C.A. Clowes
Major,
Brigade Major R.A., 12th Division.
13th July, 1917.

(2)
23rd A.A.A. Bde.

Will you please arrange for task shown for 4th D.A. to be carried out when called for if the situation on your *** front permits

C.C.S. Owen Major R.A.
B.M. 4th D.A.
14/7/17
*** to be altered:-

Stamp H.Q. 4th Div. Artillery
4th Div. G.S. 24/11

10th Brigade.
11th Brigade.
12th Brigade.
C.R.A. 4th Div.
(1)

With a view to testing S.O.S. communication by Light Signal, 10th, 11th, and 12th Inf. Brigs. will please arrange to fire one GREEN Rocket or Very Light at following times on evening 14th instant:-
10th Inf. Brig. front – 10 p.m.
(Left Battalion) 11th Inf. Brig. battn – 10.30 p.m.
12th Inf. Brig. front – 10.45 p.m.

W. Kirker
Colonel
General Staff, 4th Division. 13th July, 1917.

Copy to 4th Div. Q.

(2)
23rd Bde. R.F.A.
29th Bde. R.F.A.
32nd Bde. R.F.A.
————————

1. Ref. Min. 1. Each Brigade will fire 1 round per Battery on S.O.S. Lines when the signal goes up on the Battalion Front covered by that Brigade.
2. Watches will be synchronised at 7.30 pm to-day.
3. Times lights are observed and firing of guns will be carefully noted and reported to this H.Q.

C.S. ****, Major R.A.
Bde. Major 4th Divisional Arty.
14.7.17.
.

George Ryan’s letter to Charlie Soper dated 13 July 1916.

On headed notepaper with regimental crest 9th Middlesex Regt.
1945
9th Middlesex
Khanspur.
Punjab.
India.
13 July 1916

Dear Charlie,

Many thanks for your letter of June 5. I was much surprised to hear you had gone to France. I heard from home that you had moved there, two or three weeks ago. It’s a pity you had to be split up like you were, & I’m very sorry to hear you have had to revert to Rifleman. Glad to see you had such a comfortable journey on the Transport. You were lucky but I think you all deserved it after your experiences of the last few months.

Well as you see we are still in the hills. The weather now is much warmer than the first few weeks up here, but the monsoons are commencing so we are getting it rather wet. Our long-expected Draft has at last arrived & are living under canvas as the barracks are full. They are a mixed lot; a good many of them are “wash-outs” absolutely, but I suppose they were thought good enough to send out here. They’re spoilt the Battalion & if there was to be any serious trouble on the Frontier I’m afraid very few of them would be any use. It’s enough to make you weep to see some of them on guard.

We’ve just finished our Annual Firing Course & I had rotten hard luck in not getting a Marksman. I was going strong but was right off form the last day & missed it by six. Three or four others in our Platoon had the same hard luck but we shall start drawing First Class Proficiency pay in Sept & that’s all that really matters. It’s a very peculiar range up here, situated in a valley, the butts one side of it & the Firing Points wherever a convenient place could be found, the other side. The khuds (slopes) up here are very steep so we had great deal of climbing to do & as the range is three miles away we were not at all sorry when we had finished. I am on Police Duties now, temporarily, while another chap does his firing. It’s a dull & lazy job & I shall not be sorry when I’m relieved of it.

We expect to be up here until Sept or Oct & then rumour has it we move to Quetta, another Frontier Station, in Baluchistan. One of our officers has expressed his opinion that we shall very likely go home to England at the end of the year, provided there’s no serious trouble on the Frontier in the meantime, for three months special training with a new rifle. I think this quite probable.

I had a letter from Bert this week – the first for a long time – & he says he has heard you are in the same district & hopes to run across you before long. I can quite understand you not having heard from May for such a long time as I hear from her none too frequently. I’m afraid most of her spare time is occupied writing to Bert so if you should run across him, just ask how she is getting on. I’m writing to her this week so I will call her “over the coals” about it for you, (as I’ve done a few times before.)

Well I hope you will soon get your leave & have a good time; or a better way of putting it, considering you wrote on June 5, would be – hope you’ve had your leave & that you had a good time. (Lucky chap.) Let’s know all about it.

Remember me to your mother.
Best of Luck,
Your sincere pal.
George W.R.

In cover addressed to Rfn C.E. Soper, 2939.
12, Platoon C Coy,
16th London Regt (Q’ns Westrs)
Brit Exp F.
France.

Postmark unreadable with Indian stamp 1 Anna. On back Postmarked FIELD POST OFFICE 148 dated13 AU 16. Also DLO BOMBAY 23 DEC 16 and DLO LAHORE 2 JAN 17. On front oval cachet T.F. RECORD OFFICE LONDON NO TRACE and R.E. (S.R.) A.P.S.