EXTRACTED FROM WAR DIARY.
POPERINGHE.
28th July. Announced to be W day in connection with forthcoming operations. Bombs again dropped during night fairly near our camp.
Second Lieutenant W. Young and three Other Ranks to Field Ambulance sick.
29th July. X day in connection with forthcoming operations. Preparations made for moving into concentration area. At 9 p.m. the Battalion (less party of 100 Other Ranks and seven Officers who were being left out of the attack) marched off from camp by Platoons at 300 yards’ distance. There was comparatively little shelling, and the concentration area was reached (H 10 c) without casualties. It consisted of camouflaged trenches and bivouac sheets erected under hedges. Battalion Headquarters was established in a ruined farm with a siege battery of R.G.A. at 2 30 a.m. The Battalion was fitted out with rations for Y, Z, and Z plus 1 days, bombs, wirecutters, aeroplane flares, S.O.S. signals, sandbags, etc.
VLAMERTINGHE.
30th July. Y day. Strict orders had been issued with regard to restricting movement, so as to preclude the possibility of the concentration being made known to the enemy. As a matter of fact, it was a very dull day, and visibility was never even fair. During the late afternoon, the Brigadier and Divisional Commander visited the Battalion and wished us good luck. At 9 25 p.m., in drizzling rain, the first Platoon moved off towards the trenches, followed by the remaining Platoons at intervals of 200 yards. The mopping-up parties (three in number) provided for our Battalion by 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment moved with us into such positions as to arrive in their correct position of assembly.
30th July. The route taken was the main VLAMERTINGHE—YPRES road to the WATER TOWER I 7 c 85 95, thence by tramline to where it joined No. 5 track, running parallel and in between the YPRES—POTIJZE road and YPRES—ST. JEAN road, joining CONGREVE WALK, our assembly trench, at about I 4 a 45 90. On arrival here, Battalion Headquarters was established in the mined dugout at the VINERY I 4 a 65 80. CONGREVE WALK was reached without a casualty, not a shell being fired during the whole time the Battalion was on the roads and tracks. Our artillery was very active, raining gas shells on the enemy continuously for four hours from about 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. At one time—about 11 30 p.m.—the enemy sent a few mustard-gas shells, in the vicinity of CONGREVE WALK, causing momentary sneezing and a temporary cessation of the work of drawing tools. After tools had been drawn there was nothing further to do except have hot tea—two cookers being concealed near ST. JEAN with this end in view.
Two Other Ranks wounded.
31st July. Z day. At ZERO hour (3 50 a.m.) the 55th Division assaulted, taking part in a general attack of the 5th Army, part of the 2nd Army, and the 1st French Army.
At ZERO the 165th and 166th Infantry Brigades attacked and captured the Blue Line. The artillery barrage commenced at ZERO. It did not provoke any reply in the neighbourhood of CONGREVE WALK until about 4 15 a.m., when a few 4.2’s and 5.9’s fell in the trench and caused a few casualties. From 4 30 a.m. onwards, German prisoners came past in continuous streams, in many cases being utilised to carry down our wounded. From the Blue Line the 165th and 166th Brigades moved on to the Black Line; the artillery provided a protective barrage to cover consolidation. At ZERO plus 4 hours 40 minutes, the 164th Infantry Brigade moved off in artillery formation from CONGREVE WALK, 1/4th Loyal North Lancashires on the right, with 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment in support and 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers on the left with 1/8th (Irish) Liverpools in support.
Second Lieutenant Ashcroft (Signalling Officer) was killed by a nosecap as we started off, otherwise everything went off satisfactorily. The enemy were dropping shells, both high-explosive and shrapnel, promiscuously between CONGREVE WALK and our original front line, but there was no difficulty in eluding the areas to which attention was being paid. It was a dull misty morning, and so there were neither aeroplanes nor balloons in the air to detect the advancing troops. As we passed over NO MAN’S LAND, Companies were well shaken out into their various squares and the direction was being well kept. The enemy wire in front of his first line system was practically non-existent and provided no obstacle. The trenches appeared very badly smashed in and in places obliterated, though here and there appeared small concrete dugouts apparently still intact.
The advance continued to go well, and the Platoon Commanders with the help of their compasses maintained their direction. The enemy were apparently pre-occupied finding out exactly where their own infantry were and also in moving back some of their guns. Consequently, we were very little troubled by shells, but machine gun fire caused us considerable annoyance. It was mostly coming apparently from our right flank, perhaps from some strong point which had not been sufficiently mopped-up. However, although bullets were flying everywhere, the range had not been correctly estimated, and so we suffered very few casualties in this way before reaching the Black Line.
At ZERO plus 6hrs. 20mins. (10 10 a.m.) the 164th Infantry Brigade formed up under the protective barrage, which stood about 200 yards on the enemy’s side of the Black Line, and moved forward to attack and consolidate the Green Line. Just before forming up under the barrage, we were caused a little trouble by some snipers who had apparently been swept over by the barrage and were lying out in shell holes. From now onwards the artillery barrage was rather thin, owing to the fact that it was out of range for some of the guns which had fired during the initial assault and because it was being provided by batteries who had moved forward since ZERO to positions in the vicinity of the original NO MAN’S LAND. When the 1/4th Loyal North Lancashires moved off from the Black Line, touch had been obtained with the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers on the left and the 6th Cameron Highlanders (45th Infantry Brigade, 15th Division) on the right. During the subsequent advance from the Black Line to the Green Line the casualties, which were particularly heavy amongst Officers, were again principally caused by machine gun fire. Reports were received from several Officers giving their location, and those machine guns immediately in our line of advance were effectively dealt with, but we were still troubled by guns firing from high ground beyond the Green Line and also by guns enfilading us from our right flank.
Several strong points had to be dealt with in the course of the advance, particular mention being made of SOMME FARM, GALLIPOLI, and KEIR FARM. SOMME FARM provided us with 60 prisoners; it consisted of several concrete dugouts, one being an aid post, and had evidently been used as a Battalion Headquarters. There were also concrete dugouts at KEIR FARM and GALLIPOLI, each of which provided us with prisoners.
The Green Line was reported captured at 11 40 a.m., and consolidation was at once put in hand. While this was in progress, hostile machine guns again proved troublesome, especially from NILE FARM. During the advance to the Green Line six batteries—77mm.—were encountered. The gunners continued to fire them until our advancing waves were within about 200-250 yards, and then withdrew. On arrival at the Green Line difficulty was experienced in husbanding the available resources of ammunition until a further supply could be brought up. Demands were received from all parts of the line, but they were unable to be met for some considerable time, owing to the fact that the pack animals, which were bringing up supplies, were experiencing difficulties owing to the unexpected quantity of uncut wire.
Meanwhile, while the GREEN LINE was being energetically consolidated, the third wave moved on to take the BLACK DOTTED or OUTPOST LINE. This was established along a line running about 200 yards in front of the GREEN LINE. Our own barrage appeared to fall a trifle short at this point, and consequently our line was held up slightly and could not be established on the intended line. Fifty prisoners were captured and sent back by the Platoons comprising the outpost line. A message timed 11 41 a.m. stated “enemy in full flight.”
At 12 10 p.m. our protective barrage ceased. Meanwhile the outpost line was being put into a state of defence by the construction of a series of strong points, though considerable difficulty was being experienced in maintaining touch on the left. On the right we appeared to be in touch, but it was obvious that the right flank Company of the 6th Camerons was not up to its alignment, and, consequently, their line was swung back.
The difficulties about ammunition continued to increase. Many Lewis guns were used until every round had been expended, but there was still none available for issue at Battalion Headquarters. Things went well until 2 30 p.m., when a report was received that the enemy were forming up for counter-attack in the vicinity of BOETLEER. At 2 35 p.m. a strong counter-attack developed on the right, and the 6th Camerons on our right were seen to be withdrawing. This attempt on the part of the enemy was immediately followed by an attack on our left. With the enemy advancing on both flanks and closing together in the centre, our outpost line, seriously weakened, particularly on the left, withdrew, and was absorbed into the GREEN LINE. This line in turn then had to withdraw as there was no touch on the right, and the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers had had to fall back well behind the GREEN LINE owing to the GREEN LINE not having been taken by the Divisions on their left.
The withdrawal was carried out in perfect order, the troops fighting as they moved back. By this time our supporting Battalion, the 1/4th Royal Lancaster Regiment, had merged itself into our line, and the combined forces of the two Battalions formed a line of resistance just in front of the BLACK LINE. Posts of Lewis and machine guns were thrown out as soon as it was dark, and our protective barrage and S.O.S. line was withdrawn to conform with our new line.
In the evening, about 10 p.m., a warning order was received to the effect that the Brigade would be relieved by units of the 165th Brigade.
Further general observations will be made under date August 1st.
Casualties during operations on the 31st July.:—
Officers:—Killed—Captain A. L. Harris (commanding A Company), Second Lieutenant G. Ashcroft (Signals), Second Lieutenant B. H. Williams (Intelligence Officer), Second Lieutenant V. Mather, Second Lieutenant F. Fullerton, and Second Lieutenant J. H. Ogden (Commanding B Company).
Died of Wounds—Captain R. W. Shegog, R.A.M.C.
Wounded and Missing—Lieutenant D. H. Ostrehan (Commanding D Company), and Second Lieutenant C. Rigby.
Missing—Second Lieutenant D. H. MCSweeney and Second Lieutenant H. S. Holden.
Wounded—Second Lieutenant H. Tyldesley, Second Lieutenant H. C. Vincent, Second Lieutenant F. C. Jenkinson, Second Lieutenant E. M. Easterby, Captain R. Ord, Captain W. L. B. Caley, Second Lieutenant L. Howarth (with 164th T.M.B.), and Second Lieutenant J. E. Ordish.
Other Ranks:—Killed 44, Wounded 179, Missing 77.
Total Casualties:—Officers 19, Other Ranks 300.
1st August, 1917. Following message has been received:—
“Well done, one-six-four. I am very proud of what you did to-day. It was a fine performance, and no fault of yours you could not stay.”
GENERAL JEUDWINE.
“I congratulate all units on having earned this praise, which I know to be well deserved.”
C. I. STOCKWELL,
Brigadier-General,
Commanding 164th Infantry Brigade.
The above account may now be amplified and illuminated by a short summary of the adventures of each Company and Platoon—taken from the original narratives of the Battalion, which, written in most cases from the account of surviving private soldiers, are now in the custody of Colonel C. F. Coop, D.S.O., at Liverpool.
A Company lost its Commander, Captain Harris, soon after passing the Black Line—he was shot by a sniper; C.S.M. Dudley was later on wounded and taken prisoner; No. 1 Platoon had its Commander (Sergeant Entwistle) and the Lewis Gun Corporal wounded when leaving CONGREVE WALK. It came under machine gun fire just before reaching the BLACK LINE, and by the time it reached KANSAS CROSS only eleven were left.
“About 12 45 p.m. a heavy machine gun barrage started on our line, and about 2 p.m. the enemy were seen counter-attacking over ridge on our right, and I saw the Highlanders withdrawing. This was immediately followed by an attack on our left. We held on for fully half an hour, when the order came down from the right, ‘Go back, one by one.’ Only six of our Platoon were left. We withdrew to shell holes 50 yards back, though the people on our left and right had fallen farther back. The enemy were then very close to us, and I think he captured one or two prisoners.
“At this point we lost touch on both flanks, because we were in advance of the rest of the line; we therefore withdrew as well as we could, fighting and firing as we went. We managed to rejoin our own line just before dusk, and found a few more of our Platoon who had become separated.”
No. 2 was held up in front of SOMME FARM, a machine gun playing on it from there; a tank came up and reported to Second Lieutenant McSweeny and moved to attack.
No. 2 rushed the machine gun and took 60 prisoners. The position consisted of about six very strong concrete dugouts, one of which was a Regimental Aid Post and contained several wounded enemy.
At the GREEN LINE they came under heavy shell fire. The enemy could be seen in full flight, and our Lewis gunners fired on them. There were 15 or 16 of the Platoon left, and they began to dig in; they were in touch on both flanks.
Later they saw the enemy advancing to counter-attack over the ridge in front, in several waves, extending to about one and a half yards between each man, and Second Lieutenant McSweeny was taken prisoner.
Second Lieutenant Tyldsley, commanding No. 3, was wounded just after passing the BLACK LINE, when it came under very heavy machine gun fire but advanced to the GREEN LINE without ever being held up.
No. 4 Platoon had ten killed and three wounded by one shell before leaving Congreve Walk, and Second Lieutenant Ordish was wounded during the advance.
They were held up by SOMME and by a further line of strong points 150 yards beyond, from which they got about 20 prisoners.
Lieutenant Ogden, Commanding B Company, was killed.
No. 5 went through SOMME, and most of the garrison gave themselves up. A few tried to run away, and were fired on.
They went through to the outpost line and began to dig in. Second Lieutenant Mather was siting the trench when he was killed by a sniper’s bullet, and Sergeant Nabb took over the Platoon.
No. 6, after A Company had dealt with SOMME, moved on to a line of posts about 500 or 600 yards farther on, which they passed on the flank and moved on to the outpost line.
No. 7 Platoon, except Lewis gunners, were detached to carry trench mortar ammunition for the 164th Trench Mortar Battery. Eighteen men were detached for this purpose. Ten became casualties before leaving CONGREVE WALK, one shell hitting the lot. The remaining eight carried up their loads, but quickly became casualties; only two arrived at the GREEN LINE, carrying four rounds each.
Sergeant Ward was killed.
No. 8 Platoon was detached to mop up Kansas Cross, and was formed up in rear of No. 4 Platoon, A Company. It suffered ten casualties from shell fire before leaving CONGREVE WALK, all the bombers being knocked out, and had a few more casualties before reaching the BLACK LINE, and when it got to KANSAS Cross it was only about eight or nine strong. “There were a few concrete dugouts and a trench just on our side of KANSAS CROSS, also a few ruined buildings. We captured 50 prisoners here, all of whom gave themselves up without a fight—slightly wounded men taking them back. After completing the mopping-up, we moved on to assist in consolidation. Here Second Lieutenant Rigby was wounded.”
No. 9 Platoon suffered many casualties from machine gun traversing fire, but went on to the OUTPOST LINE. Second Lieutenant Jenkinson was badly wounded just before getting to the GREEN LINE, and four Germans, who gave themselves up, carried him down. Prisoners were coming in in 20’s and 30’s.
No. 10, under Second Lieutenant Higson, mopped up KEIR FARM, where two concrete dugouts were found and a number of prisoners taken, also documents, some of which were taken from an enemy Liaison Officer. They advanced to the GREEN LINE, and commenced to consolidate. “No British contact ’planes flew over; we only saw three enemy ’planes, who flew so low that they fired at us; also an observation balloon ascended from ABRAHAM HEIGHTS.
“About two hours after reaching the GREEN LINE the enemy were observed to be forming up on the heights in front of us, and eventually counter-attacked on our right against the 15th Division, who commenced to retire. We formed a defensive flank on our right to get enfilade fire on the enemy and so cover the retreat of the 15th Division, but they retired behind us and could give us no assistance when we were compelled to retire. By this time the enemy had got a machine gun barrage on our front, also enfilading us on our left, and caused a number of casualties; we fought a rearguard action along with the rest of the Battalion until we reached the BLACK LINE.
“S.O.S. signals were sent up from the GREEN LINE, but they all failed to burst.”
No. 11, under Lieutenant Lonsdale, got held up by the belt of wire running down the left of Hill 35. This wire had hardly been touched, but they cut a way through after some time and managed to catch up the barrage.
“From SOMME FARM came a lot of machine gun fire, so we hung back a bit and waited for our left flank to come up; we trained our Lewis gun on to the farm to assist the people on our left. When they approached fairly close about a dozen of the enemy attempted to make off, but were either caught by our fire or gave themselves up. From the trenches running through D 13 central, the enemy began to retire. We opened fire on them and caused some casualties; some got away and seemed to have left their equipment and rifles. GALLIPOLI held out for some time, but we engaged it with the Lewis gun while the remainder worked round it. The garrison surrendered—about 25 in number. Men went in the rear side and reported strong machine gun emplacements. From KEIR FARM I saw about six men run without tunics, but a lot held out until we got round them; about 20 men gave themselves up from here. The point D 14 c 1 2 was searched and found to be a battery position—as far as I could make out, three guns. A Corporal and two men were told off to search for papers, documents, etc. I pressed on with the Platoon, and at a line in front and to the left of MARTHA HOUSE we came under point-blank artillery fire from near KANSAS CROSS, but did not stop our advance; it only seemed to be from one or two guns. At D 14 c 38 we found a battery position, two guns untouched but several damaged, and an Officer gave himself up with several men. We then pushed on to the GREEN LINE and got in touch with the people on our right and sent out patrols to the left, but could not get in touch. Some of the King’s Own then came up and were sent on to the left. Having pushed Lewis guns forward with patrols, we commenced to consolidate, and put in a good two and a half hours. At 2 30 p.m. the patrols reported a counter-attack on the right and left. We stood to and opened a heavy rifle and Lewis gun fire on them, sending up two S.O.S.’s, but neither of them worked.
“In the meantime three enemy aeroplanes flew over our lines, dropping flares and opening machine gun fire on us. The machine gun fire from the left began to account for a lot of our men. The enemy appeared in strength, being in open order. I counted six lines, and yet there were more following. The sections on our right began to retire across our rear, and the enemy was beginning to get well behind us. The left were also pressing, so we decided to retire from the left, covering the retirement with rifle and Lewis gun fire. We then took up a line running from Approx. D 20 a 89 to D 14 c 72 in shell holes. We formed a defensive flank of three Lewis guns along a small ridge to our right. The enemy pressed on, although we were accounting for a large number with our rifle fire and the enfilade Lewis gun fire on the right. The Lewis guns ran short of S.A.A. After we had made a stand for about an hour, the S.A.A. for the rifles ran short; we collected as much as we could from the dead and wounded, but it was only about ten rounds per man. The enemy again succeeded in working round our right, so we had to retire, fighting a rearguard action on to the old FREZENBERG LINE.”
No. 12 ran into two strong points, and in each case the garrison gave themselves up. Fifty prisoners came out of one. Both consisted of concrete dugouts, with trenches in front, and behind one of them there was a concrete gun emplacement. Sergeant Whiteside, the Platoon Commander, was wounded. “When the enemy counter-attacked on our right the Scots retired, and Lieutenant Hore sent some of our party to form a defensive line on the right flank. We held on for about three-quarters of an hour, and then we withdrew, dropping in shell holes and firing as we went back. They fired machine guns on us as we withdrew. A good number of our wounded were captured, but no unwounded prisoners, as far as I know.”
No. 13 got to the GREEN LINE and consolidated this, but got mixed up with other Platoons. “None of us know what happened to Sergeant Yates. We saw him just before the withdrawal, and he was then unwounded. Nobody saw him again.”
Second Lieutenant Easterby, Commanding No. 14, was wounded twice, the second time being just beyond the BLACK LINE. “Two snipers who caused trouble near GALLIPOLI were captured. The Platoon consolidated the GREEN LINE until 2 30 p.m., when the enemy counter-attacked on the right. The Scots on the right were seen to withdraw, and Second Lieutenant Fullerton, who had taken over command of the whole line, shouted to us to hang on. He himself established a defensive flank on our right, but was shortly afterwards killed.”
No. 15, after going 500 or 600 yards, ran into a strong point. “The barrage had knocked out a machine gun which had been playing on us, but rifle fire continued to come from this place. We went straight on, and when we neared the place they gave themselves up. There were about three dugouts—connected—and about 20 prisoners were taken.”
“On reaching our objective we dug in under machine gun fire from our left. About 1 15 p.m. we saw the smoke of an engine on the other side of the ridge. About half an hour after this the enemy appeared over the ridge, and advanced towards us. We opened on him with Lewis guns. He was covering his advance with machine guns on the left. The 6th CAMERONS were seen retiring, and took up a position in a strong point about 150 yards behind our trench. We hung on to our trench for 20 minutes or half an hour. Second Lieutenant Fullerton acted with great gallantry during this trying period. He persuaded the whole of our line to hang on—he was the only Officer left in the GREEN LINE—and it was a great loss when he was killed, just before we withdrew.”
Only seven of this Platoon survived.
No. 16 was first held up at GALLIPOLI, but continued the advance, and 150 yards further on found another strong point, consisting of a trench and a few dugouts. The garrison of the post—about 25 in all—gave themselves up immediately. They then moved on to the GREEN LINE, and commenced to dig in. They had been digging for over an hour when the enemy counter-attacked on the right. “Twenty minutes previous we had seen the smoke of a train. For a time he was disorganised by our machine guns and Lewis gun fire; then he advanced on the front of the Battalion on our right, which withdrew immediately, and the enemy followed. Second Lieutenant Fullerton ordered us to line the hedge on our right, and we held on there for half an hour. Meanwhile the enemy tried to get round behind us, and to a certain extent succeeded.
“Our position was then so bad and our ammunition supply so small that we had to withdraw, moving back step by step in small parties. Gradually we worked back to the BLACK LINE, though some of our men—including Lieutenant Holden—were captured.”