War Diary of 9th CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE June 1918

CONFIDENTIAL

 

WAR DIARY of 9th CANADIAN ARTILLERY BRIGADE

 

From June 1st 1918 – To June 30th 1918

 

 

AMETTES

1.6.18 to 16.6.18      Batteries carried on their usual training during this period.  On the 3rd June, the Brigade held Sports in a field near BAILLEUL-les-PERNES.  All events were keenly contested: the Headquarters winning the driving contest.  The 33rd Battery C.F.A. won the largest number of points in the total events.

On the 4th the Brigade moved to FLECHIN to carry on further manoeuvres in the BOMY AREA.  The Brigade remained in this area until the 11th instant.  A considerable number of successful manoeuvres were carried out in conjunction with the infantry.  Aeroplanes, cavalry and tanks co-operated with the Artillery and Infantry in these manoeuvres.

BOESGHEM

16.6.18 to 19.6.18    On the 16th instant the Brigade received orders from 5th D.A. (Imperials) under whose command we had been placed, to proceed to BOESEGHEM, which is just North of AIRE.  On the 17th instant the Brigade moved as per orders.  Brigade Headquarters and one section per Battery moved forward to the vicinity of LA MOTTE.  The Headquarters were located in a Chateau; the batteries occupying positions in the Forest of NIEPPE.

On the 18th the batteries registered and the remaining two sections of the batteries of the Brigade were ordered to remain at their wagon lines, the operation being postponed.  On the 19th the Brigade received orders to move to the Wagon Lines at BOESEGHEM.

On the morning of the 20th the Brigade moved, under orders of the 5th D.A. to QUIESTEDE, where it remained under G.H.Q. Reserve until the 25th instant.

 

QUIESTEDE

20.6.18 to 25.6.18   On the 25th the Brigade moved under orders, to their old wagon lines at BOESEGHEM.  Hdqrs and the guns of the brigade moved into action during the afternoon, in their old positions.

CHATEAU D.30.c.90.60

26.6.18         Orders were received today for the operation in which we are supporting the Infantry of the 5th Division, which is to take place on the 28th instant.  Batteries re-registered and completed the drawing of their ammunition.

 

27.6.18          Batteries completed their registration during the day.  On the evening of this day the enemy shelled the vicinity of the Chateau with H.E. and a new H.E. gas shell which caused respirators to be worn off and on until after midnight.

Lieut M.H. McKay, 31st Btty and Lieut A.D. Mason, 33rd Battery were detailed to act as F.O.O. and Liaison Officer, respectively to the K.O.S.Bs.

 

28.6.18          The barrage opened at 6.00A.M. and within a few minutes afterwards, our F.O.O. and L.O. began sending in information of great value.  This information continued throughout the operation and was practically the only source through which the rear formations obtained any idea as to how the operation was proceeding.  About 9.00 A.M. all objectives were reached on our front.  Many of the enemy were killed and several officers and over 100 prisoners were taken.  Our casualties were light.  From shortly after the final objective was gained until after midnight our F.O.O. and L.O. sent through three S.O.S. calls to which the Batteries of the Brigade responded, some minutes ahead of the batteries on the front.

 

29.6.18          Visibility continues fair.  Several German “whiz-bang” batteries were reported by our L.O. firing within 1000 yards of his front line.  Several enemy low-flying aeroplanes observed during the day.

 

  • This morning at 3.30 an S.O.S. went up on our front to which our batteries immediately responded. No hostile infantry action followed. At 2.45 A.M. the batteries of the Brigade carried out a counter-barrage lasting until the S.O.S. was sent up.  During the morning the area about 1000 yards N.E. of the CHATEAU was very heavily shelled with 5.9s.  During the after(noon) the C.F.A. called at Bde Hdqrs to bid farewell to the Brigade and to compliment them very highly on our part in the operation.

Operational Orders were issued by the 5th D.A. for the Brigade to move to the Wagon Lines at BOESEGHEM tonight at 8.00 P.M.  On the following day the Brigade will march south to join the 3rd Canadian Division.

 

 

During the above operation at PLATE BEQUE the brigade had the following casualties:-

One killed.  13 wounded.

 

 

The following decorations have been awarded during the month:

 

Major L.V.M. Cosgrave                      45th Battery                 M. in D.

Lieut. E. Philpott                                33rd Battery                 M. in D.

Lieut. D.L. Teed                                 36th Battery                 Military Cross

Cpl. B.L. Broughton                           36th Battery                 D.C.M.

Cpl. Donnelly. C.H.                           45th Battery                 M. in D.

War Diary of 20 Siege Battery for June 1918

 

WAR DIARY of 20 Siege Battery for June 1918

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

 

In the field

BETHUNE

JUNE

1st to 10th         Guns in same positions as at the end of May i.e. 3 guns at E.11.c.5.3 (Sheet 36B N.E.) & 3 guns at E.17.d.3.2 (36B N.E.).

Both sections almost entirely engaged on Counter Battery destructive shoots with aeroplane observation. 1200 rounds fired & 17 Ys obtained during ranging.

Battle casualties 1 OR.

 

R.G. Percival Lt.

For

O.C. 20 Siege Bty R.G.A.

 

20th                  LH.E.WELLS R.F.A. attd to Battery.

25th                  Lt. (A/CAPT) J.C. THOMPSON appointed to command & Lt. A. A. HANHART as second in command of Battery.

25th – 26th        ”CAMOU” Tactical Exercise by I Corps H.A.

27th                  Battery withdrawn to rest, handing over positions to 265 SB (9.2” Hows) 22 Bde R.G.A. & taking over their reserve positions near HOUCHIN.

Fairly *** month – C.B. destruction shoots & neutralisation in support of raids. Total rounds fired approx 4000, chiefly on Hostile Batteries in neighbourhood of LACOUTURE & VIELLE CHAPELLE, & on VIELLE CHAPELLE Bridge.

                               

 

War Diary of 2/6th Sherwood Foresters for June 1918

WAR DIARY of 2/6th Sherwood Foresters for June 1918

 

 

Place       Date    Hour                                                Summary of Events and Information

 

Fighting Strength Officers 10   O.R.s  43

BOUR     1/6/18 to 16/6/18               Training of Staff carried out.

H.34.b.9.7. (44B) 17/6/18  6.0 am     Battalion Training Cadre marched to FONTAINE-lez- BOULAN.

FONTAIN-lez-BOULAN

18/6/18 to 30/6/18             Part of Staff assisting 59 Div School in training, and remainder assisting 13th Bn (G) W.R. Regt.

F.29.d.8.8 (44C Eastern Half)

 

Fighting Strength Officers 10 O.R.s 43

 

July 1918

July 1918

The German Spring Offensive

The Battle of Le Hamel was fought on the 4th July 1918 and was a victory for the Allies. The Australian 4th Division was the main attack force with four companies of the United States Infantry as supporting troops and had the assistance of 60 Allied tanks and machine gun units. The aim for the attack was to straighten a German-held salient bulging into the Allied line. The carefully planned attack was a complete surprise to the Germans and the salient was won and closed up within approximately 90 minutes, with casualties on the Allied side of about 1,000. Almost 1,500 Germans surrendered.

……………………

The Second Battle of the Marne was fought from 15th July to 6th August 1918. It was intended as a diversionary attack either side of Reims to cross the river Marne and draw the Allied reserves away from Flanders, where the German High Command was planning to make another offensive to break through the Allied line once and for all. The battle consisted of a series of offensives, launched by Ferdinand Foch the Allied Supreme Commander, which eventually halted the German advance leading up to the Allied One Hundred Days Offensive. The Allies suffered 107,000 casualties while the Germans suffered 168,000 casualties.

The Champagne-Marne Offensive was fought from 15th to 18th July 1918 and was the last of the German five offensives of 1918 that had come close to breaking through the Allied lines. The earlier German advances had created a new salient in the French lines around the fortified city of Reims. The German High Command decided to launch a two pronged attack to the west and east of Reims. Three German Armies and fifty two Divisions were allocated to the Champagne-Marne Offensive. West of Reims was their Seventh Army. To the east were their b First and Third Armies and facing them were two French Armies, the Sixth to the west of Reims and the Forth Army to the east. The French were well aware the Germans were proposing to attack, and preparations were underway to launch a massive counter-attack on the Marne Salient. On the 18th July 1918 the Allied counter-attack, comprising French, British, American and Italian troops pushed the Germans back.

The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on the 18th July 1918, and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) under General John J. ”Black Jack” Pershing. Initially a German offensive was launched on the 15th July 1918 against the AEF, an expeditionary force of troops from both the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. On the morning of the 18th July 1918, the French and American forces between Fontenoy and Château-Thierry launched a counter-assault against the German positions. The allied forces managed to keep their plans secret and their 04.45 attack took the Germans completely by surprise when the assault troops attacked without a preparatory artillery bombardment. They followed closely behind a rolling barrage and the French and American troops were successful with their attack and captured the town. Although generally inexperienced, some individual American units exercised great initiative, despite the fact that the impact of the Americans had previously been hindered by Pershing not allowing his troops to be commanded by either French or British officers.

The Battle of Soissons was a battle waged from 18th to 22nd July 1918, between the French, with American and British assistance against the Germans. The offensive was launched on the 18th July 1918 using 24 French divisions, 2 British and 2 U.S. divisions under French command. They were supported by approximately 478 tanks which sought to eliminate the salient that was aimed at Paris. The battle ended on the 22nd July 1918 with the French recapturing most of the ground lost to the German Spring Offensive of May 1918. Adolf Hitler, the future Führer of Nazi Germany was awarded the Iron Cross First Class at Soissons on the 4th August 1918.

On the 18th July 1918, the French led counter-attack began after the defeats and retreats at the Second Battle of the Marne. The Germans retreated to the Hindenburg Line where they began their Spring Offensive in March 1918. The German Spring Offensive failed for several reasons. There were serious command errors. The German High Command squandered their chance at victory by missing British logistical targets, and lost a grip on the operations, and repeatedly reinforcing mere tactical successes. The German army’s material, manpower and mobility limitations called into question whether it was capable of defeating the British and French. These enemies were tough and eventually learned from the tactical mistakes which had contributed to their reverses after the Battle of Passchendaele. The German High Command was accused of squandering a chance of a negotiated peace with a military operation doomed to failure. Certainly, the offensives hastened the German defeat. The million U.S. soldiers who had arrived in France by July 1918 covered the Allied heavy losses. By contrast, the German army had no reserves to replace its nearly one million casualties and was stretched out on a front longer than in March 1918. Its fittest and best-trained troops had disproportionately perished in the failed operations. Officers and soldiers were exhausted and demoralised. From the 8th August 1918, the Allied forces began what is known as the ”Hundred Day Offensive” ended with the Armistice of November 1918.

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The Western Front

On the Western Front in July 1918, Britain lost two flying aces whilst flying over France. Both earned the Victoria Cross (VC) for their actions.

On the 9th July 1918 at 1300 hours, James McCudden collected a SE5a fighter aircraft from Hounslow for delivery to France. Somehow he became disorientated and at 1800 hours he landed at a small airfield in France known as Auxi-le-Chateau and asked a member of the ground crew directions to his designated airfield. McCudden took off again and at a height of about 70 feet his engine cut out, and he crashed heavily into a wooded area at the side of the airfield. He sustained very serious injuries including a fractured skull. He was immediately taken to No. 21 Casualty Clearing Station where he died three hours later. He was buried the following day with full military honours in the small Waverns Military Cemetery. He was only 23 years of age and had just been promoted to Major. McCudden was born in Gillingham, Kent in March 1895 and on the 26th April 1910 aged 14 years he enlisted in the Royal Engineers as a Boy Bugler. After basic training he was sent to Gibraltar. After returning to the U.K. he was transferred to the newly formed Royal Flying Corps (RFC) as Air Mechanic 2nd Class and was posted to Farnborough. On the 1st April 1916 he was promoted Air Mechanic 1st Class. At the outbreak of the war McCudden was sent to France and his squadron was involved in the retreat from Mons and Le Cateau. In the spring of 1915 he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and about this time he started to fly as an air gunner. In December 1915 McCudden was recommended for pilot training after having had experience as an air navigator. He was promoted Second Class Flyer in May 1916 and by June 1916, McCudden had been posted to No. 20 Squadron in France as an operational fighter pilot. He received steady promotions up to Captain from September 1916 and at the time of his death he had accumulated 57 victories. During his flying career McCudden had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and bar, Military Cross (MC) and bar, Military Medal (MM) and on the 2nd April 1918 he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On the 26th July 1918, Edward ”Mick” Mannock died whilst leading the inexperienced Lt. Donald Inglis into a storm of small gun fire whilst over the German trenches in France. As they zig-zagged away from the scene, Inglis noticed a small bluish flame on his major’s engine cowling. Then the left wing of Mannock’s aircraft fell away and he plunged into a death spin. Exactly what happened to Mannock remains a mystery. He was buried in an unmarked grave by a German soldier, who returned his identity discs, notebooks and personal effects to his family through the Red Cross. The pristine state of his identity discs suggest that Mannock had been throw clear of his aircraft before it was consumed by fire. It may be that he fulfilled his pledge to shoot himself at the first sign of fire. The truth will never be known. “Mick” Mannock was the highest-scoring and most highly decorated British fighter pilot of the Great War and was eventually credited with 73 combat victories or ”kills”. Furthermore, he transformed himself from someone who initially came across as arrogant and brash into one of the greatest legends in RAF history. Mannock was born in Brighton on the 24th May 1887 but when he was 13 years old his wayward Irish father abandoned the family, leaving them desperately short of money. Mannock was forced to leave St. Thomas School in Canterbury and take a series of menial jobs before eventually joining his brother, Patrick, who worked for the National Telephone Company. When Mannock was 27 he moved to Turkey as leader of a telephone cable-laying gang when the Great War broke out. When Turkey entered the war on Germany’s side, he and other British workers were imprisoned. When he tried to escape, he was recaptured and put into solitary confinement but his health deteriorated and an American consulate secured his release. Back in Britain, Mannock was listed as “unfit for military duties”. In July 1915, he re-joined as a sergeant in the Territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) in which he had served before going to Turkey. On the 1st April 1916, Mannock was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. Then in August 1916 he was transferred to the Number One School of Military Aeronautics at Reading, and after further training qualifying as a pilot in November 1916. He was posted to France in April 1917, and on the 7th May 1917 he claimed his first success when he and five others shot down a gas filled balloon five miles behind German lines. He did not have to wait long for his first enemy “kill” for in early June 1917 he shot down a German Albatross D.III. By mid-October 1917, Mannock had been awarded the Military Cross (MC) and a bar and by January 1918 he recorded his 21st official “kill”. After returning home for a rest he was back in France on the 3rd March 1918. His Comrades noticed a new bloodlust, but he never let it cloud his judgement in the air and his number of kills rapidly escalated. However, amid all the success he remained a realist, never taking off without his revolver, resolving to shoot himself at the first sign of any flames. In May 1918. Mannock learnt he had been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and he was promoted to major and chosen to command 85 Squadron. Nearly a year after his death the London Gazette announced he had been awarded the Victoria Cross. This was brought about by considerable lobbying from those who served with and under him. He was also awarded posthumously his second and third DSO to go with his original award.  His astonishing medal group of VC, three DSOs and two MCs, all awarded for bravery over 15 months, makes Mannock the most highly decorated man in the newly formed Royal Air Force of the Great War.

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Other Theatres

The Battle of Abu Tellul was fought on the 14th July 1918 during the Sinai and Palestine Campaign after German and Turkish Empire forces attacked the British Empire in the Jordan Valley. The valley had been occupied by the Egyptian Expeditionary Force (EEF) from February 1918 when Jericho was captured. Bad feelings arose between the two allies after the Turks violated the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and aggressively expanded the Turkish presence in Georgia. A German and Turkish force attacked the Australian Light Horse units defending the heights at Mussallabeh and Abu Tellul on the edge of the Jordan Hills, while a German force attacked those defending the Wadi Mellaha midway between Abu Tellul and the Jordan River. While these attacks were taking place on the western bank of the river, on the eastern side the Turkish Caucasus Cavalry Brigade deployed two Turkish regiments, to attack the bridgeheads at the fords of El Hinu and Makhadet Hijla. However, the Turkish formation was overwhelmed by a combined force of British and Indian troops before it could launch its attack, and the outcome was a victory for the British Empire. These were the last attacks against the British in this campaign. The defeat was a severe blow to German prestige, German prisoners captured at Abu Tellul claimed they had been betrayed by their Turkish allies who should have supported their flanks.

In Russia, the Bolsheviks executed Tsar Nicholas II on the 17th July 1918. Following the abdication of Nicholas on the 15th March 1917, Alexander Kerensky’s Provisional Government evacuated the Romanovs (Nicholas and his family) to Tobolsk in the Urals, to protect them from the rising tide of revolution during the Red Terror. In early March 1918, the Provisional Government placed Nicholas and his family under house arrest in the Alexander Palace at Tsarkoe Selo, 24 km (15 miles) south of Petrograd. After the Bolsheviks came to power in October 1917, the conditions of their imprisonment grew stricter and talk of putting Nicholas on trial increased. The Romanovs were moved during April and May 1918 to Yekaterinburg, a militant Bolshevik stronghold, as the White counter revolutionary movement gathered force, which was to lead to a full-scale civil war by the summer of 1918, During the early morning of the 17th July 1918, Nicholas, his wife Alexandra, their children, their physician and several servants were taken into the basement and shot. Although there is a lack of hard evidence it is believed the order came directly from Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov (known as Lenin) in Moscow. The execution may have been carried out on the initiative of local Bolshevik officials, or it may have been an option pre-approved in Moscow should White troops approach Yekaterinburg. It is also believed that Lenin’s bodyguard personally delivered the telegram ordering the execution and that the evidence was to be destroyed. The execution brought about the end of the Russian Romanov Dynasty.

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Timetable July 1918

Timetable July 1918

Spring Offensive

4th July                              Battle of Le Hamel

15th July/6th August         Second Battle of the Marne

15th – 18th July                  Champagne-Marne Offensive

18th July                          Battle of Chateau-Thierry

18th -22nd July                 Battle of Soissons

18th July                          French counter-attack at the Second Battle of the Marne

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The Western Front

9th July                              James McCudden VC died in a flying accident over France

26th July                           Edward Mannock VC killed in action over France

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Other Theatres

14th July                          Battle of Abu Tellul

17th July                          The Tsar and his family executed by the Bolsheviks

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Private Diary of J.K. Dick Cunyngham Br Gen June 1918

Private Diary of J.K. Dick Cunyngham Br Gen

PoW

Mainz Blankenburg Mark

Germany

June 1918

 

June 1st Saturday.  Cool day.  Worked shorthand in morning.  Got Finch to see new orderlies to explain scheme & give them a talking to.  More parcels issued from 3-4.30 p.m.  I got a Y.M.C.A. parcel same as Drummond’s, B.F. got his first bread parcel from Copenhagen dated May 18th, which looks quite good.  In consequence we had good supper, fried our potatoes in the cheese butter & had rice & jam.  Mainzprings performed at 4 & 7 p.m. quite a good show, hope to be able to keep them together but hear they are sometimes difficult to manage.  Milton Hayes for instance was too ill to perform but Canteen revived him.  Am sleeping ever so much better now.

 

Sunday June 2nd.  Early Service 7.45a.m. About 35-40 present.  Bousfield says books Dr. Diesendorf brought are really good value 300 books for 240 Marks – We have now nearly 1200 books in the Library.  Dinner late as usual on Sunday not till 12.30 p.m.  Addressed all officers in theatre 1.30 p.m.  Subjects behaviour to orderlies illegal means of obtaining extra food.  Papers, young officers drinking, payment of orderlies.  Bousfield spoke on Library, Birch on Red Cross.

Sat out afternoon 3.30 to 6 p.m. reading Heart of Midlothian. Walked from 5.30 to 6 p.m.  Had more rice for supper, a little good food makes all the difference.  Walked with Clements & Eagar for ½ hour before 9.30 p.m. Roll Call.

 

Monday June 3rd. Usual interview with German General, am told tone of my letter points to the fact that I wish to control the Camp!  These interviews are quite useless & don’t propose to continue them.  Hot Bath at 11 a.m.  Some indignation in Camp at letter written by officer (Robertson) who certainly made some offensive remarks.  Bousfield approached me about making him apologise but as I have repeatedly warned officers they must take the consequences if they exceed them.  Ogilvy & Finch came in during the afternoon – O – to try & make me make his Education Scheme compulsory!  F with one of his usual wild schemes.  They are both very energetic & one cannot help admiring them, but fear they don’t always consider how their schemes can be carried out.  A little quiet thought beforehand would be an advantage.

Walked 2 miles before, and 1 mile after supper. Still cold & cloudy.

 

Tuesday June 4.  Walk 8 a.m. went Westwards into country to village of Hechtsheim, celebrated for small cheeses peacetime price 75 pfs but sold at Homburg during season as Fromage de Luxe at 1 mk 75 pfs so Bembe says.  Crops quite high & rye in some places 6 ft high.

There appears to be plenty fruit in the district – got back 9.45 a.m. having done nearly 7 miles & for a change I felt all the better for it, & not very tired.

Drummond got 2nd bread parcel from Copenhagen, but as usual mouldy.  Over 300 loaves of free bread issued to those who have had no bread parcels so far – Schroeder has inevitably told Bembe about our store & we are to get it all right.

Shorthand class 4-5 p.m. as the only Pitman book has gone away with orderly instructions rather at a loss how to carry on, but we are going over back work & there is plenty to carry on with. Still quite a cold N.E. wind with bright sun.

 

Wednesday June 5th.  Fear stove from Blk III is no good, & we have decided to buy one & to include Bollam.  Paid out at 3.30 p.m.  Received 46 Mks for June. Worthington warned to go away tomorrow.  Dieseldorf came about letter re Kitchen & distribution food for Kommandanteur.  Wrote Post Card DD.  Not feeling up to much walking today & Finch thinks I don’t look so well!  Suppose one has “ups” & “downs”.

 

Thursday June 6.  Air raid warning at 9 a.m. hooters sounding all along river, smoke shells fired over town.  4 police of bicycles dashed up there.  Not a soul seen in streets – men issuing parcels left work & ran away.  Appears there was some bombing further North.  Birch said he saw planes (5).  Walk No 2 Blk put off in consequence.

Self & Drummond received Bread parcels. Loaves quite black & mouldy all through but have saved sufficient out of my 2 loaves to make a pudding for tonight.  D says it will steam & bake and come out all right.  35 orderlies left at noon.  New orderly is an Irishman ‘Harris’ R.M. Fus.  Wonder how he will turn out; when he reported he had just arrived after an all-night journey in the train.  D managed to persuade canteen to get us a new stove at once and it actually appeared at 3.45 p.m. with men to fit it up.  Result we had an excellent hot supper in the sitting room where the stove is, & have managed to save some “Semolina” porridge & fruit for breakfast.  The Black bread after steaming & baking in oven has been devoured!  Hope with no evil results.  Harris appears to be thorough & genteel & very Irish.  Usual Shorthand class at 4 p.m. & general meeting at 5 p.m.  Nothing of importance to enact.

Telegram from Rotterdam says we can draw emergency parcels from there provided we send list of officers, so D & Birch have been busy making out the list of 600 officers.

Short walk after supper. A warmer day, wind more West.

 

Friday June 7th.  Had a hot breakfast for first time since April 11th consisting of Semolina porridge, fruit, tea & bread & butter.  Hope to save something for breakfast daily now.  Harris knocked at the door about 7 a.m., left the coffee in the sitting room and disappeared, but I got him in the end to come & attend to my wants, clean boots, brush cloths etc.  Perhaps when he knows what to do he will be all right.  Another bread parcel for me from Copenhagen dated May 11th, very mouldy as usual.

Shall be glad when they send biscuits instead. Rumour that Medical Officers are going away tomorrow.  Hot day not feeling up to much walking so tried working at Shorthand instead.  Time I got another letter, fear they take a long time in the censor’s office, of which there are 2, one in Camp & one in the Town.

Instructions how to act in case of air-raids read out on parade, viz evacuate square – if out for walk gain shelter of trees, if in open lie down. Bed at 10.15 p.m. in view of early walk in morning.

 

Saturday June 8th.  Called at 7 a.m. had breakfast 7.45 a.m.  Rice & fruit saved from supper.  Walk at 8 a.m. to Hechtsheim & back, with Berner: got back at 10.15 a.m.  9 Medical Officers left about 8 a.m. for camp near Dutch Frontier, lucky fellows to get back again.  Letter from DD dated May 11th.  Consignment of food from Red Cross arrived, gave an issue of biscuits, meat, dripping, milk, cheese, tea or cocoa to each room.  D as usual was lucky & drew an extra tin of mutton.  The stove is a great blessing & our evening meals are getting quite palatable & served hot on hot plates.  Tonight we had soup & fried potatoes & a bread & jam pudding made of mouldy Copenhagen bread.  After steaming, baking & then boiling into a pudding it is surprising how the green & black bread turns out & doesn’t seem to give one any internal trouble, but don’t think it will do for long.  Ogilvy came in after Roll Call to talk about his Education Scheme: the confidential census is going on well, & by getting classes made up in farming, mining, & a hundred other occupations, we hope to help those who must start life anew when they get home again.  Generally speaking most are keen on it, some have no regard for future or how they can support themselves after the war.  What we want is a good reference library & a committee is now sitting to select one but there will always be difficulty in getting the books.  Bed 10.30 p.m.

 

Sunday June 9th.  Very hot day.  Church Communion Service with Sermon 10 a.m. C of E again.  Kept Presbyterians waiting till 11.15 a.m.  Must get Sermon limited to 15 minutes.  Letter from Gina midday, posted London May 12th. Dinner ½ hour late as usual.  General Committee Meeting 5 p.m. sanctioned expenditure up to 30£ on Education books & Reference Library books.  Question of a Camp Paper brought up, have decided to ask German Comdt if we can start one, to be printed monthly.  Price of wine in canteen also brought up.  Wrote letter DD.

 

Monday June 10th.  Got up 7 a.m. for walk but it commenced to rain hard about 7.30, so had breakfast & went to bed again – Feeling sick, fear tummy is wrong.  Had Bath at 10 a.m. spent remainder of day on sofa.  Think I have either a slight chill on liver or something is annoying my inside.  Not at all inclined for food.  D got 2 good loaves today left Copenhagen May 25th.  Postcard from Fortnum & Mason saying they had despatched a parcel.  Dull day but not much rain since 10 a.m.

 

Tuesday June 11th.  Spent a poor night with bad diarrhoea.  Got some medicine for it after breakfast, which has stopped it so far.  Worked at Shorthand & had class in afternoon.  Fine day with cool breezes.  Feeling more inclined for food again.  Hope I have settled my tummy – there is a good deal of stomach trouble in Camp.  I still think it is the mouldy bread, & shall be careful of it in future.

 

Wednesday June 12th.  Slept very well last night, did not wake till 6 a.m., a record Russian Barber has sprained his ankle so English orderly, or rather a red-haired Irishman came & shaved me after breakfast.  B.F. & self both got bread parcels dated 25 May.  Quite good, it was addressed to Mainz, so hope they will now come through quite regularly.  Keating gave most interesting lecture on “The Canned Meat Industry of S. America”.  Dieseldorf attended!  German authorities have asked for help of 2 orderlies with parcels tomorrow.  Appears there are about 600 parcels mostly from home & they haven’t sufficient Staff to deal with them.  ‘Inside’ stronger today.  Still struggling with Shorthand Grammalogues & Phraseogramms take some learning.

 

Thursday June 13th.  B.F’s 26th Birthday.  Called at  7, breakfast 7.40 a.m.  Red haired Barber came again in place of Russian who is in Hospital.  Walk into country past Hospital.  Roman Aqueduct & back by Bingen Rd. about 6 miles – rather hot on way back, but I managed it all right.  Long list of parcels.  B.F. & I both got 1st Capture food parcels, excellent selection including, beef, sausages, ham, bacon, cheese, lard, jam, biscuits, cigarettes (Woodbines) & soap & ginger.  General Committee Meeting at 5 p.m. accounts passed.  Question of wine, Reference Library etc brought up.  Had excellent supper, fried sausages & potatoes, green peas, asparagus, bread & cheese & jam & some cocoa.  Very hot evening looks like thunder.  Schroeder says I have lost a stone! & look very thin.  One day’s illness pulls one down a lot & it takes time to recover on slops, but now I think we ought to be certain of more substantial food from our parcels.  Wrote Post Card to DD.

 

Friday June 14th.  Very hot day.  Bembe asked Comdt about our Camp Paper, we can start one through the Canteen! So long as paper is available & manuscript.   Copy is sent first for Censoring.  A few invalids went for a walk at 9 a.m.  Gosling says he was quite done after it.  Worked at Shorthand during morning.  Class at 4 p.m.

Received bread parcel from Copenhagen posted June 1st, in excellent condition.  Two issues of parcels today, a lot are coming in now, & everyone seems happier.

 

Saturday June 15th.  Cloudy day & cooler.  Washed vest, socks, collars tie in the morning.  ‘Mainzprings’ performed at 4 & 7 p.m., powder, paint & make up in use.  There was more part singing than usual, & finished up with ‘a Sketch’.  We are told in future letters & postcards are to be written in ink, my last attempt to write postcard in ink was a failure as ink ran.

 

Sunday June 16th.  Early service 7.45 a.m.  Walked after roll call for ½ hour.

Addressed all Officers at 2 p.m. read out Statement accounts to 15 June. Have arranged times for drawing parcels for orderlies & Field Officers, also special issue of Library books to F.Os & ‘Priority Cards’ for instructors & others engaged in Camp Work for cues -.  Still a good few officers who have not had accounts settled.

 

Monday June 17th.  Light Rain all morning.  Hot bath 10.45.  Got DD’s first parcel from A & N.  Walked for 40 minutes with de Pass, he seems a nice boy.  More rain in the afternoon.  Worked hard at Shorthand, find some difficulty with writing still.

 

Tuesday June 18th.  Got up early lit fire at 6.40 a.m. & got breakfast ready.  Walk at 8 a.m. along Rhine to N end of Town then up steep hill & back by Bingen road.  Reached Citadel 10.20 a.m. about 7 miles, & felt quite strong after it.  Clothing parcel arrived from DD.  Shaving kit underclothes etc but only 1 shoe & top of pyjamas.  Perhaps the other halves are coming in the next parcel.  About 11.20 a.m. Bembe came up & told me I am to be transferred to another camp tomorrow & be ready to move at 12.30 p.m.  Says order comes from War Ministry &doesn’t know which Camp or the reason for it.  In consequence had to buy bag in Canteen (70 Mks) for my kit such as it is.  Furnell as Senior Lt. Col will take my place as Senior British Officer in Camp, & I have handed him over the correspondence book & told him everything.

Heavy rain & thunderstorm about 7 p.m.

 

Wednesday June 19th.  Busy packing early & lucky to get a first food parcel from Red Cross which I took with me.  Sad goodbye to everyone in morning, all very sympathetic & express sorrow that I am leaving.

Had midday meal 11.40 a.m. my escort came at 12.20 p.m., just met B.F., & D coming up to say goodbye. Left Mainz Sud at 1.35 p.m.  Bembe came to see me off.  Slow train all the way.  Arrived Frankfurt 1.40 p.m. left again 3.25 p.m.  Arrived Bebra 8.25, had my emergency ration for dinner.  Left at 10.15 p.m. in a through carriage.

 

Thursday June 20th.  To Berlin – via Halle & Erfurt, arrived Berlin (Anhalt Stn) 11.20 a.m.  Drove across to Stettin Stn left 12.15 p.m. arrived Blankenburg 12.30 p.m. & walked up to Camp about ½ mile.  Have got room to myself & Flying Corps Officers mess gave me excellent lunch & have asked me to join their mess.  So have handed over all my stores.  They feed in their own room, entirely on parcels & seem to have a good reserve.  They draw money in lieu of rations & buy what they want from Canteen.  There are nice grounds here, gardens, two tennis courts, a small golf course in park where one can walk on parole.  This is a great difference from Mainz & I am very lucky to get here.  It seems quiet & peaceful, no trains to keep me awake at night.  About 24 British officers here – I am again the Senior.  Some Russian, French & Belgian officers, a good few of latter saying goodbye as they leave for Switzerland tomorrow.  My room is well furnished, a good hanging cupboard, chest of drawers 2 small tables & 4 chairs with linoleum on floor.  Must try & get a wash hand basin etc & with a few wants from Canteen shall be very comfortable.  Room is lit with incandescent light, warmed with Central heating, cooking done on gas jets.  All messes cook for themselves & mess in their own rooms.  A Russian officer is our Mess President, a charming fellow, & speaks excellent English, has been a prisoner since Aug 1st 1914.  There is a Library, Billiard Room & Canteen here.  It appears Willie Gordon was very comfortable here & made friends with the Commandant, who was away when I arrived.  My room looks out into the country & has a balcony.  Am told this house was a Maternity Hospital for Berlin, a good sized building on outskirts of Village & holds about 120 officers.  A nice looking sailor who was captured with Naval Brigade at Antwerp 1914 has turned up as my orderly.  His name is Cunningham!  Dinner at 7 p.m., lights out at 10 p.m.

 

Friday June 21st.  Scarcely slept a wink last night & mosquitoes were buzzing about.  French & Belgian officers going off to Switzerland were up early.  Raining hard most of the day.  Roll call in passage.  Hibbert as S.B.O. came & handed me over file of papers at 11 a.m.  Luckily there appears to be very little to do & there is only one Committee of 3 officers.  Things appear to go very smoothly here & everyone is settled down.  Our meal hours are Breakfast at 9 a.m., lunch 1 p.m., tea 4 p.m., & Dinner at 7 p.m.  I can get a real hot bath 3 times a week, & cold shower baths are available daily.  Called with Siprani on Russian General, Prince Marakoff, must do likewise on other allied Generals & senior officers.

 

Saturday June 22nd.  Slept quite well last night.  Got money handed in from Mainz at Canteen in morning & make few purchases, writing paper etc: sports commenced at 2 p.m. cold & showery.  Only heats run off.  Looks as if French will win 100 yds & ¼ mile.  They won the Long Jump & we won the high jump.  Walked for ½ hour round garden with Siprani before dinner.  Excellent hot bath this morning which I have use of with other Generals, 3 times a week.  It has turned quite cold & wet.

 

Sunday June 23rd.  Very cold & raining.  Posted letter to DD & cards to Copenhagen & Frankfurt.  Took my first walks in the Park this morning & saw the little golf course which consists of 6 small ‘mashie shot’ holes & mud greens, quite enough to give one some amusement, must get Mashie or Jigger & a Putter from Berlin.  Raining all afternoon & unable to get out.  Dined with Hibbert, quite a good dinner 5 courses!  Got leave to have my light burning after 10 p.m. so was able to read later.

 

Monday June 24th.  Still cold windy & showery.  Played 18 holes on the little 6’ hole golf course with Hatfield in morning & beat him 4 & 3 – Think it can be improved & requires to be looked after more.  Commandant announced on parade the death of one of the Feldwebels in Hospital.  We are sending one wreath from all allied officers in Camp.  After lunch Belgian & French S.O.s came to see me about representatives going to funeral.  It appears this was done when one of Guard of Camp died here, so we settled to send each one junior ranks to the funeral tomorrow afternoon.  Played another 18 holes against Hatfield & Lipiani after lunch & was beaten 3 & 2.  Have ordered 2 golf clubs from Berlin.  Must also order tennis racquet & write for 6 balls from P of W Committee Thurloe Place.  Hear they send 6 per month on payment.  This is a very different life from Mainz & I certainly shan’t apply to go back there as Bembe suggested – Must take first opportunity to sound commandant regarding chance of getting B.F & D here, they would be astounded at the change.

 

Tuesday June 25th.  Wet & cold all day, only able to get out between 6 & 7 p.m.  3 letters handed to me on parade, 2 from DD, one from Betty – they have at last got my postcard & letter first written at Karlsruhe.  Norton represented British officers funeral of Feldwebel, left at 2 p.m. & got back at 5 p.m.  Am now ‘trying’ to read Speeches by Lord Macaulay but one can’t digest them for any length of time.  Excellent tinned chocolate pudding for dinner, must order some.  We also had fresh fried plaice for lunch, which can be ordered in the Canteen.

 

Wednesday June 26th.  Letter from Uncle Herbert handed me on parade.  Finer morning & warmer.  Walked with Hatfield & Sipi to next village to buy flowers and 6 pots of roses at 2 marks a pot, rather a lovely colour salmon pink tea rose – they will fill up my window nicely.  So nice to be able to walk out just the 3 of us & a guard of 1 N.C.O.  Shall always try and do this.  Rain commenced again after lunch & went on till after tea but managed to get half an hours exercise before & after dinner.

 

Thursday June 27th.  Finer & warmer.  Walked for 1¼ hours in the Park in the morning.  Played golf in the afternoon.  Worked at French for 1½ hours.  Sipi has lent me some good illustrated books on early English furniture, French Architecture & modern American houses.  6 books in all.  My tea roses are coming out nicely.  2 in full bloom already.  New Russian officer arrived today.  Canteen have produced an iron by Auchtulone, St. Andrews for 12 marks.  No mashies or putters available.  Had my hot bath before breakfast today which was better than undressing again in the middle of the day.

 

Friday June 28th.  Twentieth anniversary of the day I joined 92nd at Aldershot.  Drew advance of 100 marks on my 10£ cheque which produced222/50 marks.  Never got more than 200/- at Mainz irrespective of rate of exchange.  Hatfield tells me he once got 330/ marks for 10£.  Tennis started again this afternoon after a week’s wet weather, hope to get a game shortly but at present difficulty about kit.  Got a Library Book ‘Scotland’ by Professor Mackintosh of Aberdeen.  It appears to be a short history.  Spencer, the officer awaiting trial for breaking parole was removed today.  Must find out from Comdt about the case.

 

Saturday June 29th.  Still some light rain.  Had a talk to Kommandant von Luckow about Spencer’s case, it appears he will have opportunity for employing Lawyer in his Defence through the Dutch Consul.  There is nothing for me as S.B.O. to do.  Approached von Luckow about getting D & B.F. here & have sent in a letter asking for them.  Sports continued in afternoon until rain stopped them about 3.15 p.m.  Fine evening but more rain again at 11 p.m.

 

Sunday June 30th.  Fine & warmer.  Wrote postcard to Betty & had walk in park with Daniels & Farmer.  Sports  2.30 p.m. Was asked to judge events.  English representative won ¼ mile – Flag Race, Wrestling on Horseback & Tug-of-war.  French won Obstacle Race.  Summary of Finals for the 3 days.

British 8 wins, French – 4, Belgian 0.

Tea & prize giving in Library, an excellent tea, plenty of French toasted biscuits, butter & jam, & Hibbart made 2 Blanc Manges!

Played golf with Sipi against Hatfield & won 6 & 5. Calculate my round 1st 6holes 20, 2nd 6 holes 21 – not so good 3 round am getting into my ***.  Nice warm evening with sun for change.

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne June 1918

War Diary of AA Laporte Payne June 1918

 

EXTRACTED FROM.

 

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda

Correspondence

—————–

R.P.   June 1st 1918

Base Hospital,

France.

 

No doubt you will have had a wire from the War Office, and my Post Card will also have told you that I have been wounded. But do not get alarmed.  It is only very slight – mere scratches, and I hope to be alright in a day or two and back again with the Brigade.

 

It is most annoying, as I was in command of C Battery at the time, and was in for my majority again – a certainty this time – and then along comes a beastly old shell and sends me off to hospital. Well!  I suppose I must be very thankful that I have lasted so long.

 

We have just arrived here after a day in an ambulance train, which was very wearisome.

 

June the first, 1918.

Base Hospital

France.

 

Forgive my delay in writing. I have just arrived at a Base hospital after a wearisome journey of a day in an ambulance train and long days at a C.C.S.  It is better here.  I was wounded but slightly, and I hope to be back with the Brigade again in a day or two.  My luck had been dead out, perhaps it may improve someday.  But I suppose I should not grumble as I have got what the troops call a “Blighty one”, or so I am given to understand it may prove to be such.  But I am sorry to leave the Brigade just now, even for a short time.

 

Forgive this scrawl. I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather.

 

R.P.

1, June 1918

War Office

O.H.M.S.                                12.59 p.m.                   2.23 p.m.

 

To Rev. Laporte Payne

Christchurch Vicarage,

North Finchley, N.

 

Capt. A.A. Laporte Payne, R.F.A., 175 Bde admitted No 6 Stationary Hospital France. Shell wound, face and left hand, slight.

 

Secretary, War Office.

 

-.-.-.-.-.-.

 

O.H.M.S.                                                        4 June 1918

2.5, p.m.             3.38 p.m.

 

To Rev. Laporte Payne

Christchurch Vicarage,

  1. Finchley, N.

 

Capt. A.A. Laporte Payne, R.F.A., 175 Bde., transferred to No 8 General Hospital, Rouen.  Diagnosis now reported gun shot wounds, hips and concussion, slight.

 

Secretary War Office.

 

June 5 1918

Lady Carnarvon’s Hospital for Officers

48, Bryanston Square,

  1. 1.

 

You will be surprised to see the above address. I have just arrived after three days on the journey.  I am quite alright really, and hope to be up soon.  It seems strange to be back in London again after all these months and long wanderings, and under these stupid conditions too.

 

June 9 1918.

 

No verdict yet.

 

R.P. June 7, 1918

Lady Carnarvon’s Hospital for Officers

48, Bryanston Square,

  1. 1.

 

So sorry to keep you so long without news. I am much better, and hope to get up tomorrow, but I shall not be allowed to leave here yet.

 

My injuries are really very slight and nothing to worry about.

 

R.P.

The Mount,

Red Cross Aux. Hospital,

Parkstone,

Dorset.

June 21, 1918

I arrived here this evening after a good journey.

 

June 21 1918.

The Mount,

Red Cross Aux. Hospital,

Parkstone, Dorset.

 

I arrived this evening. There is a lovely view from the front of the house over Poole Harbour.

 

There are many restrictions. We are treated like school children.  Temporary gentlemen must be under strict supervision, and regulations and made accordingly.  It is strange after the responsibility of the front and the freedom of a battery commander to be under petticoat government.  We are allowed to wear mufti, but not in Bournemouth.  We must be recognised for what we are.  So we are less likely to contaminate the civilians.  I should have spelled the word with a capital “C”.  Dinner is just ready, and I must not be late or I shall be fined.

 

June 23 1918

The Mount, Parkstone.

 

I have not been out yet, as the doctor will not let me. He says a lot of silly things about being in bed and keeping quiet, so perforce I have to obey orders.  When I am up I have to spend the whole time lying on a couch in the conservatory.  It is rather boring, but it might be worse.  As I am not allowed about I can enjoy the view and my books.

 

R.P.                                                                                                                 The Mount

June 25 1918

 

I am having a very quiet time here doing absolutely nothing. I have to lie about all day, so I have not been out yet.  The doctor sees me every day.  I am glad to say that my headache which has been continuous is better and I am feeling much stronger.

 

There are about twenty wounded officers here, and the staff consists of a matron, four V.A.Ds and the usual staff of servants. There is a good view over Poole harbour from the front of the house.

 

June 26 1918

The Mount

 

We have a new matron. She is quite a delightful person, and is most good to us.  She arrived yesterday, and is quite a different person to the last, but she has spent most of her time in France, and it makes all the difference.

 

I am feeling much better, and my silly old head is really nearly alright now. It seems ages since I left France.  The time has gone so slowly.  Some of the fellows here are most amusing, but I do not care for the V.A.Ds, they are so different from the Hospital sisters in France.

 

Sunday June 30 1918

 

Yesterday I went to a Fete in Poole Park in aid of the Soldiers’ Comfort Fund.  I was only allowed to go in a car.  It would be amusing if it were not so annoying to be so rigidly restrained from doing what I want to do.  I am only allowed out occasionally in a car.  We have F.E. Smith’s nephew here.  He is in the Guards, and has been ragged considerably because his photo appeared in the Mirror this week.  When it was seen a large number of copies were bought and hung up all over the place, much to his annoyance.

Letter to sister 26 June 1918

On Active Service

With the British

Expeditionary Force

Y.M.C.A.

 

Wednesday June 26/18

 

Dear Mabel,

 

Was very pleased to get your letter last week & to hear you were enjoying yourself at B. Hope you will make a good long stay & have a thorough rest.  I heard from mother last week said she & Kate & Freda had been staying at Kenton but I expect that was before you left.  Haven’t heard any more news about father so conclude that no news is good news.  Hope the weather has been nice so that you’ve been able to spend most of the time outdoors.

 

How did you like the Hippo entertainment, you must make the most of your opportunity of going to the theatre etc. We are still here at the Workshops much to our surprise, but of course we might go off any-day at a moments notice.  The War News has been quite cheering the last few days hasn’t it, let’s hope it will continue so.  We went to the Baths again this afternoon and as we all go on two lorries, being too far away to walk, it makes quite a decent outing, apart from the advantage of having a comfortable bath.  Love to Edith shall be probably writing her tomorrow, & love for yourself, hoping you are both A1.  from your loving brother Harvey.

Letter from Alf to Nell 25 June 1918

Woking M.H.

June 25 1918

 

My Dear Nell,

Thanks for letter & photos which arrived this morning.  Not a bad photos of you at all.  Have had a day out to-day for the first time.  Getting on A.1 now.  & we shan’t be long.

Come down any day you like now only let me know as I might be sent to Eastbourne convalescence any day now.  You see we have had some more cases in & the place is full now so I might be marked out for con. Camp any day.  Still don’t put your visit off.  Could you manage the week end.  Would be fine if you could.  Wouldn’t matter if you brought the girls like you did before, only we shouldn’t go looking for frogs.

Don’t think much of the place round here.  Southborough was bad enough but this place takes the cake.  Just about the last place made & not finished.  As for the hospital – roll on Eastbourne or leave.

Well Dear must close now or shall be having “windows” after me.  Best respects to Mother & Father.  With Fondest Love & Kisses

I remain

Your loving

Alf

Xxxxxx

xxxxxx

 

Without Envelope.

Letter from Fred Hammond 25 June 1918

25.6.18

BEF

Dear F & M

Just a line to say I am gogging along just nicely at present.  I received Par’s letter OK and am again on a good financial footing.  It’s surprising how the dough disappears nowadays.  Had a letter from Jacko the other day he seems to be going on A1 at present.  Hope it lasts for some time to come.  The War news is becoming quite pleasant to read just lately.  The Italians I see have given the Austrians something to go on with.  Let’s hope Austria will soon pack up and then the war will soon be over.  The countryside is very extra just now.  They produce excellent crops round here.  Suppose the allotment is going on A1 by now.  Suppose Gladys feels like a bloated capitalist at present.  Sorry she missed such a good chance still it’s better to be at home.  What does it feel like Gladys to have a watchful eye over you.  Suppose Par will be trotting in one of these days with a silver bowl as winner of the bowling H-cap.  Ah well my deries I think this is all at present.

Cheerho

Fred

 

Spr. Hammond

RE 62210