SECRET. Copy No…..

OPERATION ORDER NO: 2
by
BRIGADIER-GENERAL W. DOUGLAS-SMITH.
COMMANDING 9INF. BDE.

Reference Special Map 1/10,000. 14th June, 1915.

1. The 3rd Division will attack the BELLEWADE FM Ridge on the 16th instant. The task of the Division is to seize and hold the line – S.W. corner of BELLEWADE LAKE (I.12.d.3.2.) – Y.18 – Y.7.
This task will be carried out by the 9th Inf Bde, supported by the 7th Bde, and if necessary the 8th Bde.

2. March Table for 9th Bde to places of assembly has already been issued. Two Sections Cheshire Fd Co R.E. will march immediately in front of behind Liverpool Scottish will occupy a position in assembly trenches just behind between Liverpool Scottish and Lincolns.

3. The attack will be divided into three phases as follows:-

FIRST PHASE. Objective – to seize the east edge of Wood (Y.16 – Y.15) and the front line of trenches as far as the N.E. corner of RAILWAY WOOD.
The artillery will bombard the front to be attacked from 2-50 am. to 4-15 am. with 3 pauses at 3-10 am., 3-40 & 4 am.
At 4-15 am. exactly the 4th Royal Fusiliers, 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers and 5th Fusiliers will assault the front from the south corner of the Wood Y.16 to the north edge of the RAILWAY WOOD.
The right of the R.F. will be on the stream running west from the south corner of Wood Y16, the left of the R.S.F. on the hedge running east and west from I.11.d.4.8. to I.11.d.8.8. The division of front between these two battalions has already been fixed on the ground.
The right of the 5th Fusiliers will be on above hedge and left on north edge of RAILWAY WOOD.
This attack will be supported:-
(a) On the right, one battalion 7th Bde (WILTS) from the MENIN Road about I.18.a.2.6. who will seize the west end of the trench running from Y.16 to Y.20, and also by covering rifle and Machine Gun fire from the MENIN Road and south of it.
(b) On the left by covering fire of the 6th Division and by rifle and Machine Gun fire from the Railway.

As soon as the front line is gained, the Royal Fusiliers will push strong bombing parties down the trench from Y.16 to Y.17, the R.S.F. in conjunction with 5th Fusiliers will seize the hostile trench from I.12.c.1.5. to I.12.a.2.1., lying between Y.13 – Y.15. and the second objective, and the 5th Fusiliers will work out towards Y.7 with bombing parties.

Second Phase. Objective – to gain and secure the line of the road from the house 100 yards south of Y.17 through Y.17 to BELLEWADE FM and thence through Y.14 and Y.11 to Y.7.
The artillery will, as soon as the infantry have secured the line mentioned in first phase, bombard the second objective.
The Lincolns and Liverpool Scottish, who during the first phase will move up to the front line of the trenches vacated by the three leading battalions, will, as soon as it seen that the first objective has been gained, advance and assault on front House 100 yards south of Y.17 to Y.11. The dividing line between these two battalions will be the hedge running east and west from I.11.d.4.8. to I.11.d.8.8. and thence the track leading to BELLEWADE FM. Having gained this line they will consolidate it, assisted by two sections Cheshire Fd Co R.E., one of which will follow each of these battalions.
The flanks of this attack will be secured on the right by the battalion of the 7th Bde, which will work up towards Y.20 and the trench leading from that point towards the bridge at I.12.c.9.4., and on the left by the 5th Fusiliers, who will work towards Y.7 and Y.8 with bombing parties.
The R.F. and R.S.F. will during this phase re-organise and be prepared to support the attack of the Lincolns and Liverpool Scottish, if necessary, and to push on to the third objective when the second has been made good.

Third Phase. Objective – S.W. Corner of BELLEWADE LAKE (I.12.d.3.2.) – Y.18 – Y.12 – Y.7.
This objective will be bombarded by the artillery as soon as the second objective is secured.
This line will be assaulted by the R.F., R.S.F., and the 5th Fusiliers, who will attack as soon as it is seen that the second line has been secured.
The R.F. will attack from S.W. corner of LAKE to corner of hedge I.12.d.0.8., R.S.F. from this point to road junction I.12.a.7.4. (inclusive), 5th Fusiliers from road junction to Y8.

4. 7th Bde will support 9th Bde closely, moving forward as the 9th Bde does. They will detail two battalions to occupy and consolidate the line from south corner of Wood Y.16 to Y.7 as soon as units of 9th Bde move forward from this line or any part of it. Parties from these two battalions will be detailed to join up above line with our original front line, immediately this line had been gained.
As soon as third objective is reached, 7th Bde will be prepared to push forward troops to consolidate the line gained.

5. No: 3 Motor Machine Gun Battery will assist the attack by fire from positions south of MENIN Road according to separate instructions issued.

6. R.F., R.S.F., and 5th Fusiliers will establish advanced Medical Aid posts in or near present front line of trenches. Liverpool Scottish and Lincolns will establish similar posts in houses on MENIN Road in I.9.d.
Divisional Collecting Station will be at ECOLE east of YPRES. Advanced Dressing Station will be at ASYLUM I.12.d.

7. Separate instructions regarding communications during the attack have been issued.
8. Brigade Headquarters will be in I.10.d.6.4.

Captain,
Bde Major, 9th Infantry Brigade.

Copies to:-
Units 9th Bde.
7th Bde.
8th Bde.
18th Bde.
50th Div.
Cheshire Fd Co R.E.
No: 3 Motor Machine Gun Bty.
3rd Div.
C.R.A. 3rd Div.
6th Div.

XV Corps Instruction 13 June 1916

SECRET
1/12 GX
7th Division
17th Division
21st Division
……………..

SUPPORTING POINTS
and
CONSOLIDATING OF TRENCHES
—————————————————

1. The attached diagram No 1 shews a pattern of STRONG POINTS suitable for occupation by one Platoon and 2 Machine Guns. It develops a large volume of fire in any direction without affording as marked a target for artillery fire and aerial observation as does a closed work. This work can be very rapidly laid out and constructed.
2. The second diagram shews how a series of such works afford each other mutual support; and how communication trenches up to and in advance of them should be traced, so as not to ‘blanket’ the fire of the works.
3. If the Supporting Works are constructed in the course of entrenching a captured position, they should lie in rear of the chain of small “posts” which mark the commencement of the new front line.
4. These “posts” are constructed at first to hold a few men and one or more machine guns rapidly dug in. They form ultimately, the pivots of a Continuous Trench Line as shewn in diagram No. 2. the same system applies to the consolidation of a Captured Trench Line, i.e. short lengths of enemy trench should be reversed for occupation by Machine Guns and a few rifles as “posts” joined up as opportunity offers.

Louis Vaughan
Brigadier-General,
General Staff.
H.Q. XV Corps
13-6-1916.

For information

Please pass last named to return to this office
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Copy No
Secret.
Operation Order No 1 by Brigd. Genl W. Douglas-Smith,
Commdg 9th Infy. Bde.
———————————————————
13.6.15.
1. 9th Bde supported by 7th Bde, will attack the BELLEWADE SPUR at early morning on the 16th inst.
The objectives and positions allotted to battalions have already been explained to C.Os in the instructions issued for reconnaissance on 12th inst.
Detailed Operation Orders and instructions for the attack will be issued tomorrow 14th.

2. Units will march on evening of 15th to places of assembly for attack in 2 Columns as detailed in attached march table.

Brigade Major
9th Bde.

March Table, 9th Brigade (to accompany Operation Order No 1)

Units Starting point Hour of passing Starting point Route to Divnl Starting point Halting Place Divnl Starting point and hour of passing Route to places of Assembly Destination
Right Column
(in order of march)
Commander Major Hely-Hutchinson. 4th R.F.
4th Royal Fuslrs
1st Lincolns Road junction H.13 central 5 pm Road through H.13 H.14 H.15 H.16 H.17 H.23 to KRUISSTRAAT, across No 13 bridge, thence along railway to LILLE GATE Along road near chateau in H.23.b. LILLE GATE 8.30 p.m. ROULERS RAILWAY to I.10.d.0.2. thence by MENIN ROAD (Route B, marked GREEN on sketch to be issued R.F. to assembly trenches I.11.d.7.5. Lines to Cambridge Road Trench (South end)
Left Column
In order of March.
Commander Lieut Col. C. Yatman 5th Fuslrs
1st Royal Scots Fuslrs.
5th Fuslrs
Liverpool Scottish Cross-roads H.7.c.3.5. 5 pm Road joining POPERINGHE – YPRES road in H.8.A, thence by main road through YPRES to MENIN GATE Along YPRES road about H.11.central MENIN GATE 8.30 p.m. Road junction I.9.D.7.4. – Road I.10.Central – I.11.A – I.11.B.3.5. (Route A marked RED on sketch to be issued) R.S.F. to assembly trenches on left of R.F. and up to I.11.D.7.8. 5th Fuslrs Railway Wood, and trenches as far South as I.11.D.7.8. Liverpool Scottish Cambridge Road North End.

Notes.
1. Times given above must be strictly adhered to, and Columns kept closed up, as 7th Bde has to follow, and time for reaching places of assembly under cover of darkness is limited.
2. Machine Guns of right column must accompany left column as far as road junction I.9.D.8.4. whence they will proceed to ARRET and join their own Units on Route B. it is essential that returning m.g. limbers should not block the advance of troops of 7th Bde on Route A.
3. Units must be careful at halting places to conceal themselves from Aeroplane Observation as far as possible.
4. Guides to trenches from 8th Bde at a rate of 1 Officer and 4 men to each battalion will meet Units at Divisional Starting points.

SECRET. Copy No 9
INSTRUCTIONS TO Os. C. UNITS, 9th BDE.
1. Maps. Special Maps (1/10,000) with German trenches marked and numbered will be issued on a scale of one per officer.

2. Grenades. 5th Fusiliers, R.F., and R.S.F., will each draw from Bde Workshop on morning of 14th 400 and LINCOLNS and Liverpool Scottish each 160 MILS Pattern Grenades. Receptacles for carrying these will be issued at the same time.
Other grenades will be issued if they become available and there will be a reserve on east side of WITTE POORT FM of 700 No: 6 and 7 pattern Grenades and 300 MILLS Pattern.

3. Screens. Screens (Red and Yellow on one side) will be drawn on 14th at rate of 6 per company. These screens are to mark positions gained, the red and yellow side being turned away from the enemy. It is most important that full use be made of them for information of artillery and observers in rear.

4. Wire cutters. 5th Fusiliers, R.F., R.S.F., will draw on 13th, 50 wire cutters each and Lincolns and Liverpool Scottish 25 each.
Lanyards will be issued with these.

5. Equipment. Packs and greatcoats will be stored at present bivouacs under regimental arrangements. Waterproof sheets should be carried on backs.
Every man will carry:-
2 bandoliers.
1 day’s ration in addition to Iron Ration.
2 sandbags fastened through the belt at back.
chin straps will be worn down.

6. Tools. In each battalion one platoon will carry shovels securely slung on back. These tools will be drawn from Bde workshop on afternoon of 13th.

7. Flags. Units will draw on afternoon of 13th, 10 small flags each for use by grenadier parties to mark position gained in enemy communication trench.

8. S.A.A & R.E. Two S.A.A. Depots of 50 boxes each will be established
Stores reserve. one on each east side of WITTE POORT FM the other at the road barricade I.11.b.4.4. Depots of R.E. stores will be established, one where Cambridge Road joins MENIN Road the other at I.11.b.4.4.
Above will be made known to all concerned.
9. Communication. Special instructions are being issued to battalions by brigade signalling officer. Bde Headquarters will be at the dug-outs at I.10.d.5.5. and it is important that battalion orderlies know its exact position and routes to it.
A.P. Wavell
Captain,
Brigade Major 9th Inf Bde
13th June, 1915.

Signature in pencil is not facsimile.

XV Corps Instruction 12 June 1916

SECRET
1/5 G.X.
7th Division.
17th Division.
21st Division.

Embodied in orders.

1. From Z day inclusive each division will detail three teams of horses and three limbers for the purpose of bringing into our own lines any hostile guns which may be captured.
2. The teams so detailed will be earmarked for this special work and will be located where they can readily be sent to the front when asked for.

Louis Vaughan
Brigadier-General
General Staff.
H.Q. XV Corps,
12-6-16.

Appendix II to XV Corps H.A. Instructions 12 June 1916.
SECRET
APPENDIX II

Day U V W X Y Remarks
Wire Cutting. All day. All day. All day. All day. All day.
General bombardment. All day. All day. All day. All day. All day. Heavy howitzers stop on W, X and Y days for a fixed period.
Concentrated bombardments. – 4. p.m. to 5.20 p.m. 9 a.m. to 10.20 a.m. 4.30 a.m. to 5.50 a.m. & 6.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 6 a.m. to 7.20 a.m. & 4 p.m. to 5.20 p.m.
Counter-Battery. All day. All day. All day. All day. All day. Very active
Gas and Smoke Barrages. – At night 2 hours. At night 2 hours. At night 2 hours. 7.20 a.m. to 7.50 a.m. Gas one night only, first time wind permits. Smoke if wind permits.
Night firing. All night. All night. All night. All night. All night.

XV Corps Instructions 12 June 1916
15/CA 10/23

SECRET
Copy No 7

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A PRELIMINARY BOMBARDMENT BY THE XVth CORPS.
———————————————-

1. The preliminary bombardment will be carried out on “U”, “V”, “W” “X” & “Y” days. Wire will be cut during all 5 days.
On “V”, “W”, “X” & “Y” days and during the nights “U”/”V” to “Y”/”Z” inclusive a continuous bombardment will be carried out.
On “V” & “W” days there will be one, and on “X” & “Y” days two concentrated bombardments.
Gas will be discharged on the first night that the wind is favourable, and smoke on the morning of “X” day if the direction of the wind permits.
240 mm Trench Mortars may be used as required from “V” day onwards.
2” Trench Mortars for wire-cutting on “U” day and as required afterwards.
3” Stokes Mortars as required on “V” day and onwards.
Amended

2. A. The principal tasks to be carried out are:-
Heavy and Siege Artillery.
1. Destruction of enemy’s front systems of defences.
2. Destruction of trenches and strong points further back.
3. Distant wire cutting.
4. Bombardment of villages, woods, railways and stations.
5. Interrupting communications which are beyond the reach of Field Artillery by night.
6. Bombarding distant billets by day and night.
7. Counter-battery work. This to include the destruction of distant O.P’s.
8. Preventing enemy repairing damage.
9. Dealing with balloons.
10. Destruction of water pipe lines.

B. Divisional Artilleries.
(i)18 pr Batteries
1. Wire-cutting.
2. Searching trenches, villages, woods, O.P’s and hollows by day and night.
3. Destruction of machine gun emplacements, O.P’s and dugouts within the power of the gun.
4. Interruption of communications especially by night.
5. Preventing enemy repairing damage.
(ii) 4.5” Howitzer Batteries:-
1. Assisting in destruction of fire trenches.
2. Destruction of all communication trenches.
3. Assisting in bombardment of villages and woods.
4. Complete destruction of machine gun emplacements, O.P’s and dug-outs not entirely destroyed by the Siege and Heavy Artillery.
5. Interruption of communications especially by night.
6. Preventing enemy repairing damage.

C. Trench Mortars (under Divisional G.O’s C. R.A.)
(i) Heavy and Medium:-
1. Destruction of enemy’s defences and bombardment of villages within range.
(ii) Medium:-
1. Wire cutting
2. Preventing enemy repairing work by night.
3. Night firing on front system.

3. A list of important points will be issued later, (Appendix 1), and each Battery Commander is to be given a list of those which are in the areas he is to bombard. In bombarding villages and woods particular attention should be paid to the defences on the outskirts but strong points road junctions communications and likely billets inside the area should also be dealt with. Woods and hollows where there are no known defences should have a few rounds fired into them at intervals during the day.

4. The two Divisions in the line and the Heavy Artillery will have the following extra batteries allotted to them for the bombardment:-
7th Division – 2 Brigades ) 24 guns – 18 prs.
) 4 howitzers – 4.5”
2” T.M. )
3 batteries) 12 guns.
240 mm Mortars)
1 battery ) 4 guns.
21st Division – 2 Brigades less ) 24 guns – 18 prs.
1 Howitzer Battery ) 4 howitzers – 4.5”
2”T.M. – 2 Batteries – 8 guns.
Heavy Artillery – 1 Battery – 4 Howitzers – 4.5”

5. G.O’s C.R.A. of Divisions will allot the tasks for their own batteries. In addition they will arrange (a), for the necessary guns to join in the concentrated bombardments ordered (b) to carry out the special tasks allotted to the 4.5” howitzers on tracings A B C and D, (c) for the gas and smoke discharges to be accompanied by a heavy shrapnel barrage on the front line trenches, searching communication trenches, and heavy bombardment of reserve billets and communications.

6. The tasks for Heavy Artillery are shewn on attached tracings.
They consist of:-
Bombardment “V” & “X” days – Tracing A.
“ “W” & “Y” days – “ B.
Concentrated bombardment “V” & “W” days)
“ “ mornings of ) Tracing C
“X” &”Y” days)
Concentrated bombardment afternoons )
“X” &”Y” days) Tracing D.
Cancelled
The whole of the fire trenches are to be thoroughly bombarded and special attention paid to places from which flanking fire can be brought to bear, machine gun emplacements, O.P’s and trench junctions.
Heavy howitzers must cease firing for a certain period on W.X and Y days to permit of photography, verification of fire and examination of equipment.
The times will be fixed later but they will not be prior to the morning concentrated bombardments.
In addition to the above tasks the G.O.C., H.A. will arrange:-
(a) to bring a heavy fire from all available guns and howitzers twice by day and once by night, and to fire a few rounds at irregular intervals on LONGUEVAL and BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND. He will also arrange to fire a few rounds on FLEURS.
(b) to bombard the railways between –
(i) TRONES WOOD and GUILLEMONT STATION;
(ii) FRICOURT and MARTINPUICH.
(c) to carry on Counter-battery work very actively beginning on “U” day.
Special batteries will be told off for this work, and if necessary heavy howitzers.
(d) to bombard heavily distant billets, villages and communications during the discharge of gas and smoke.

7. Night Firing.
For night firing areas will be allotted as follows:-
Right Division.

BLACK HEDGE(inclusive)
Valley S.25.b.59
X.29.b.04.96.
X.29. central
X.29.c.52
WILLOW AVENUE (exclusive) to Front Line.

Left Division.
WILLOW AVENUE (inclusive) from Front Line to X.29.c.52
N.E. corner of BOTTOM WOOD
Road junction X.22.a.04.
Thence to Front Line.
Heavy Artillery.
Beyond the Divisional areas.
G.O’s C.R.A. of Divisions and G.O.C. Heavy Artillery will allot the tasks for night firing.
They must endeavour –
1. to interrupt all communications by road, rail or trench.
2. to prevent any movement in enemy’s trenches or repair of defences.
3. to give the enemy no rest in trenches or billets. For this purpose the villages must be fired on at intervals with howitzers as well as field guns.

Medium Trench Mortars can be used for the above purposes, but Heavy Trench Mortars only if well concealed.
Care should be taken to allot the tasks so that the detachments get as much rest as possible.

8. Ammunition.
G.O’s C.R.A. of Divisions and G.O.C. Heavy Artillery will allot the amount of ammunition they consider necessary for each task.

9. Times.
The hours for carrying out the different tasks are shewn in Appendix II.

10. G.O’s C.R.A. of Divisions and G.O.C. Heavy Artillery will send in their schemes to Corps Artillery for approval by 10 a.m. 17th Instant noon 15th Instant.

E.W. Alexander
Brigadier General R.A., XV Corps.
Copy No 1 to XV Corps
“ “ 2 to XV Corps Heavy Artillery
“ “ 3 & 4 to 7th Divn.
“ “ 5 & 6 to 17th Divn.
“ “ 7 & 8 to 21st Divn.
“ “ 9 to 4th Army Artillery.
“ “ 10 to file.
“ “ 11 & 12 spare.

June 12th 1916

Gerald Benham’s notes from diaries

12 June 1918. Played tennis for S. Offrs School v Sandhurst.