Y.M.C.A

POSTCARD

To T. Smith Esq.,

C/O Mrs. Mason,

The Alma Inn,

Heath End,

Farnham.

Nr Aldershot.

Postmarked 10.45 AM Harwich

June 30^th 16

Dear Father

Just a few lines to tell you we have not left Dovercourt yet. We are all ready to go the latest report is Sunday night but I don’t know whether it is right.  Have not time to write more now; but will let you know as soon as we go.  Will you please thank Jess for her welcome letter I will write to her soon.  With best wishes to all.  Hope you will enjoy the green peas you see I know what you are going to have.  Alf

Stamped

To,                                                                                                       A.B. No 240/50

Officers Commanding

as under.

Herewith copy of map of alternative route across our trenches prepared for use in the event of an advance.

Please pass quickly and the last named to return to this office.

A.F. Brooke

Captain R.A.

Brigade Major R.A., 18/Div.

H.Q. R.A. 18/Div.

28^th June 1916

To, O.C. Right Group

Initialled 28/6/16     84/84

O.C. Left Group.

Initialled A.T. 29/6/16   D1/111

O.C. Centre Group.

Signed G. ***** R.F.A. F 682

29/6/16

Return to,

H.Q. R.A. 18/Div

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

SECRET

G.O.C. H.A. XIII Corps

C.R.A 18^th and 30^th Divns

CA46                   28^th June

Following is extract of instructions from 4^th Army:-

1. “Zero” will be postponed 48 hours 29^th will become “Y1” day 30^th will become “Y2” day 1^st July will become Z day
2. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
3. Special attention must be paid to the following:-       As regards Artillery

1. To prevent all hostile movements and work both day and night. The night bombardment must be fully maintained.
2. To complete wire cutting
3. To take advantage of all favourable weather to destroy hostile batteries.

1. To d*** the enemy by *** to carry out concentrated bombardments and night raids. These concentrated bombardments will take place:- “Y1” day – 4.0 – 5.20 pm. “Y2” Day – 8.0 – 9.20 AM. Subject to the above heavy howitzers and heavy gun ammunition must be economised.
2. Programme for “Z” day will be as originally arranged.ACKNOWLEDGE by wire.                        131 Corps ArtyW. R. R***** ** R.A.
3. 5.40 pm

A.B. 253

Right )

Centre) Group

Left   )

1. “Zero” will be postponed by 48 hours 29^th will thus become “Y1”day 30^th will thus become “Y2” day 1^st July will thus become “Z” day.
2. Special attention must be paid to the following:-

1. To prevent all hostile movements and work both day and night. The night bombardment must be fully maintained.
2. To complete wire cutting.
3. To deceive the enemy by continuing to carry out concentrated bombardments and night raids, the latter to be arranged between Inf Brigade and Group Commanders and to be assisted by Artillery fire. The concentrated bombardments will take place:- Y1 day 4.0 to 5.20 p.m. Y2 day 8.0 to 9.20 a.m. and will be carried out by XIII Corps H.A. Should Smoke be discharged at the conclusion of the Concentrated Bombardments the instructions laid down in Operation Order No 1 Appendix A para 14 will be carried out.

1. Programme for ”Z” day will be as originally arranged.

Metcalfe

Brig Gen

28^th June 16                                                                                        C.R.A. 18^th Div

SECRET                                                                                             A.B. No 240/49

Right Group

Centre Group

Left Group

• The attached copy of “Action of Artillery during the first and second phases” as laid down by XIII Corps is forwarded for your information.

• In the attached letter the First Phase refers to Operations leading up to 18^th Division “Final Objective” as at present laid down, and the green line referred to runs along the line of our present “Final Objective”. The Second Phase will consist of a movement of the XV Corps from West to East across the front of 18^th Division “Final Objective” up to the Brown Line (N.B. The latter line runs roughly from Eastern corner of MONTAUBAN to Eastern corner of BAZENTIN le GRAND).

• Reference para 1, this does not preclude the batteries referred to from registering previously to 15 minutes before Zero time, provided this can be done without disclosing the positions of these batteries.

• Reference para 2. In carrying out the forward movement of batteries indicated, the primary consideration must be to ensure the defence of the new line gained at all costs by an effective shrapnel barrage available at any moment.  The second consideration will consist in placing batteries in such positions that whilst able to support the front at closer range they will be so sited as to be available to assist the forward move of XV Corps by bringing fire to bear on the German second line and on the ground between it and the CATERPILLAR WOOD Stream.

• In order not to weaken the forward barrage unnecessarily the forward move will in all probability be carried out by one battery per group at a time, the remaining batteries of the group distributing their fire to cover the fronts left bare by batteries moving forward.

• Every possible preparation should be made to ensure batteries sent forward being able to resume their duties in defence of the line with the least possible delay. With this object in view the positions, lines of fire, zones to be covered, and means of communication between Group and batteries in forward position, should be sufficiently prepared beforehand to admit of these batteries being available for the defence of the line with the least possible delay.

• The Left Group H.Q., owing to situation of forward exchange in CARNOY, can be moved forward when required with sanction from Div. Art, H.Q. The remaining two groups’ H.Q. should not move forward until all their batteries are in forward positions, and communications established to new sites selected.  In every case of a move notification should be sent previously to this office.

• It might possibly be necessary to move forward a third battery from each group to positions slightly in advance of the forward positions selected in CARNOY Valley, at a later stage in the operations. Group Commanders should consequently consider the possibilities of sending batteries forward up, to, or over the front German line should the necessity arise.

• The movement forward of these batteries as stated in para 2 will probably begin after green line has been captured, and at least during the following night.

• The role of the 50^th Brigade R.F.A. will consist in the first place in maintaining the necessary forward barrage during the movement of other batteries. In the later stages the 50^th Brigade R.F.A. will hold itself in readiness to move forward either to reinforce batteries of 18^th Art. In their forward positions or for any other special task that may be assigned to it.

• The zones allotted to Groups in advance of the forward barrage (line H) will correspond roughly to the respective fronts of Groups on this line.

• Reference para 3. the gun sited at F.12.c.7.3. will be the first gun to be moved forward, and all possible preliminary preparation should be made for this move.

It is hoped that a party of R.E. or Pioneers will be detailed to assist in bridging trenches.

A position would probably be available in the vicinity of POMMIERS trench.

A party should be sent on in advance as early as circumstances will admit to reconnoitre route and position, the gun being subsequently moved forward as soon as possible after capture of the final objective.

• The forward move of the second gun at F.17.b.2.2. will be regulated by circumstances. This gun being moved up to reinforce the first gun should circumstances prove favourable.

• The role of these guns should be made clear to the officers in command, it should be clearly be understood by them that these guns are not to open fire except in case of actual attack or at an exceptionally favourable target. The gun being so sited as to enfilade the N.W. face of MONTAUBAN.

• The primary advantage aimed at in the forward move of these guns is to shorten the communications between the Observation Post and gun. These forward guns should be provided with sufficient telephone equipment to allow of such communication being established.

• The personnel of V/18 and W/18 Trench Mortar Batteries will be reserved for providing fatigue parties or reinforcements as occasions may arise.

One section of V/18 is being detailed to hold itself in readiness to assist the forward movement of the single guns.

Fatigue parties from W/18 will be provided to Groups to assist batteries in occupying forward positions in CARNOY Valley.

• In order to facilitate control, the two single guns at F.17.b.2.2. and F.12.c.7.3. will come under tactical control of Left Group from 0 hour on Z day.

Capt., R.A.

Brigade Major, 18^th Div. Artillery.

28/6/16

Copies to 50^th & 51^st Bdes. For information.

C.R.A. 18 Division

Returned herewith – please see G.O.C.s remarks.

unreadable signature

18 Division

27^th June 1916

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

H.Q. 18^th Div

TB 206 26-6-16

The attached diagrams are forwarded for your information.

They indicate the results of the two Tests of forwarding barrage on line “H” carried out with aeroplane observation.

The 15 barrage batteries fired salvoes of 4 rounds each in succession from the right at 4 minutes intervals.

The attached diagrams were in possession of the aeroplane observer, who marked four dots for the four rounds of each battery and enclosed them in a circle.

On completion of the observation the Pilot flew over Div H.Q. & dropped message containing diagram. The latter was received within 10 minutes of last round being fired, and a tracing forwarded to each Group. – The barrage appears satisfactory.

Could you please return attached diagrams.

18 Div Art.

A.F. Brooke

for B.G. R.A. 18 Div

“A” Form

MESSAGES AND SIGNALS

SECRET

Left Group

Centre Group

Right Group

28-6-16

Dear Colonel,

We have just received information that the operations for Z day have been postponed for 48 hours.

No Programme of Bombardment or official orders have been received yet, until such orders are received the General wishes Wire cutting to be continued where required taking advantage of the extra two days to profit by good light – Ammunition should not be expended unnecessarily but where wire remains it should be engaged – He also wants 18 prs to continue preventing the repair of wire.

As soon as possible a programme for the extra two days will be sent out.

Yours Sincerely A.F. Brooke

SECRET

32^nd Division No. S.G.142/91

Stamped Headquarters 14^th Infantry Brigade 25 JUN 1916

Additions to para 8. Appendix ’C’

32^nd Division Operation Order No. 24.

Dated 18-6-16

1. By day the lamp cannot be read but the helio can be read.

The panel might also be read if placed against a steep bank.

1. By night the lamp can be easily read.

1. Communication will be from Battalion and Brigade Headquarters.

1. The distinctive pennant referred to is 18’ x 3’ and will be 30’ below the basket.

The following table gives the method of distinguishing balloons:-

By day.                                   By night.

VIII Corps.     Black & White chequered      Light exposed for 10 secs. At intervals of                                                                  10 minutes.

X Corps           Half Red and Half White       Succession of dots every 10 minutes.

III Corps.        Plain White                             Succession of dots and dashes every 10                                                                     minutes.

XV Corps        Black & White vertical           Succession of dashes every 10

strips 3’ broad                         minutes.

XIII Corps      Plain Red                                Succession of dots every 10 minutes.

1. All messages will be “DD-DD” and balloon will only answer:-

1. With lamp as already stated
2. With pennant, when the unit calls up with its code calls, the pennant will be hauled up to the basket.As soon as the observer is ready to read, the pennant will be lowered again. When the message has been received the pennant will be hauled up and down 3 times in succession.

K2/11

18^th Div Art

Lt. Col Brooke R.F.A. of 50^th Bde R.F.A. has consented to watch this group front on Z day from our group O.P. near  A.14.d.6.2.  He will be connected by a direct wire to Group H.Q. and will send any information he can obtain as to the situation.

25/6/16

***** Lt. Col

Cmdg R^t Group

SECRET