The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 2 of 3

by Frederick Ponsonby

The British offensive operations still continued with great success, and considerable progress was made on the famous Vimy Ridge. An advance on a 50-miles front was undertaken in the direction of Cambrai, and 19,343 prisoners were taken, in addition to 257 guns and 227 trench mortars. The Germans made fierce counter-attacks, but were not sufficiently strong to check the advance, and even the Hindenburg switch line was broken through. A further offensive from Ypres to Armentières was commenced, and there was some very stiff fighting on the Messines-Wytschaete ridge. The French were equally successful, and having gained positions between Soissons and Craonne they pushed forward on a 100-miles front, taking 20,000 prisoners. In May they succeeded in capturing Craonne, and the important position on the Chemin des Dames. During the Allied offensive 52,000 Germans were taken prisoner, and 446 guns and 1000 machine-guns fell into our hands.

The Italians made good progress on the slopes

of Monte Santo and on the heights of Gorizia, and there was some fierce fighting on Monte Vodia. Later San Giovanni was taken and the Timavo crossed, when there was more fighting on the Corso Plateau. In Russia the war was at a standstill, although a certain amount of fighting still continued in isolated places. In Greece the situation was still so unsatisfactory that the Allies agreed to let France undertake the whole Greek question. M. Jonnart was accordingly sent to Athens, where he at once demanded the abdication of King Constantine. Two days later King Constantine abdicated in favour of his second son Alexander, who was proclaimed King.

In Mesopotamia General Sir Stanley Maude gained two victories over the retreating Turks near Deltawa and Istabulat.

The following nations severed relations with Germany and joined the Allies: Cuba, Brazil, Bolivia, Liberia, and Honduras.

The 1st Battalion

1st Batt. April.

The officers of the 1st Battalion on April 1, 1917, were:

Lieut.-Colonel M. E. Makgill-Crichton-Maitland, D.S.O.	Commanding Officer.
Major E.N.E.M. Vaughan D.S.O.	Second in Command.
Capt. P. J. S. Pearson-Gregory	Adjutant.
Lieut. W. J. Dashwood	Signalling Officer.
Lieut. R. P. le P. Trench, M.C.	Bombing Officer.
Lieut. T. P. M. Bevan	Lewis Gun Officer.
Lieut. D. H. S. Riddiford	Transport Officer.
Lieut. and Quartermaster J. Teece	Quartermaster.
Capt. L. G. Fisher-Rowe	King’s Company.
Lieut. C. Wilkinson	”   ”
Lieut. R. F. W. Echlin	”   ”
2nd Lieut. F. T. Maurice	”   ”
2nd Lieut. R. H. Rolfe	”   ”
Capt. C. D. Baker	No. 2 Company.
2nd Lieut. S. Y. P. Gardner	”   ”
Capt. P. M. Spence	No. 3 Company.
Lieut. P. G. Simmons	”   ”
2nd Lieut. J. F. Eastwood	”   ”
2nd Lieut. H. Bird	”   ”
2nd Lieut. O. F. Stein	”   ”
Capt. R. D. Lawford	No. 4 Company.
Lieut. N. G. Chamberlain	”   ”
2nd Lieut. W. H. Lovell	”   ”
Capt. J. C. B. Grant, R.A.M.C.	Medical Officer.

The whole of April was spent by the 1st Battalion in working on the railway and in training. Second Lieutenant A. S. Chambers joined on the 11th; Lieutenant E. G. L. King, Second Lieutenant H. G. Johnson, and Second Lieutenant J. W. Chapple on the 30th. On the 26th Captain C. V. Fisher-Rowe arrived to take up the duties of Second in Command, but did not remain long, as he was appointed a week later Brigade-Major to the 51st Infantry Brigade.