The attack, which was a complete success, was carried out on the 31st October; Lieut. Sebastian with two platoons of D Company taking over Kopriva bridgehead trenches, whilst A Company and the other half of D were in reserve in camp; B and C Companies had proceeded to Ormanli the previous day to act as carrying parties for the 83rd Brigade. It commenced at 7.15 in the morning with an artillery bombardment which lengthened its range at 7.45, at which hour the infantry advanced. B and C Companies of the Buffs followed immediately behind the firing line carrying barbed wire, stakes, etc., and for the remainder of the day these two companies continued to carry up stores into the front line. C Company had one man killed and two wounded. B also had had two men wounded during the previous night. At 8 p.m. the battalion collected at Ormanli and reported to the 84th Brigade, and as there were no special orders the men proceeded to find billets for the night. On the 1st November the Buffs moved over the river again, and the next day an interesting official summary of the operations against Barakli Dzuma was issued, by which it appeared that the success was scored with comparatively little loss. In fact, the casualty list, when compared with those in France and Flanders, was a very short one. In the whole force 5 officers and 50 men had been wounded and only 15 killed outright. About 300 prisoners had been taken. This summary put on record that the work parties supplied by the 85th Brigade worked and carried splendidly.
For the winter months a new defensive line was now arranged. This was on the left or further bank of the Struma and stretching from Lake Tahinos to the Struma beyond the bend where the Butkova joins it; it included in its course the villages of Jenikoj, Nevoljen and Barakli Dzuma.
On the 3rd November the 85th Brigade took over the defences of Barakli Dzuma, the Buffs being in the front-line trenches, D Company supporting the other three. A certain amount of the usual reconnaissance work incidental to all trench warfare formed the only excitement the battalion had during the first half of November, but on the 16th the enemy demonstrated against our part of the line with considerable shell and rifle fire, and at one time it seemed as if he were about to attack in earnest.
Some of our reconnoitring parties had, early in the month, discovered the existence of a small enemy’s trench on the western side of a nullah known as “Sandy Brook,” and about one thousand five hundred yards from our line. One or two unsuccessful attempts by small parties had been made to capture this, but without success, and the place became famous in its way under the name of “Little Ferdy” trench. On the 17th November A Company was told off to attack “Little Ferdy” in earnest: two platoons went out in front line and two in close support; there were also two platoons of C Company in reserve. On being attacked, however, the Bulgars withdrew to another trench about three hundred yards back, leaving six dead behind them. Patrols went on to examine this new position, which was found to be too strong to be assaulted with the men available, and as the objective had been gained no further advance was made; the Buffs’ losses were one killed and three wounded.
On the 19th November news arrived of the capture of Monastir. The battalion remained at Barakli Dzuma till the end of the year 1916 and passed Christmas there. The time was spent mainly in making and perfecting the line of defence, digging communication trenches and placing barbed wire. The only event which is worthy of record occurred on the 16th December: an extensive and carefully planned-out raid was organized on “Little Ferdy” trench. B Company was selected to form the main raiding party and was supported by flank guards and, of course, by artillery, as well as by the usual supports in rear. The 3rd Middlesex operated on the Buffs’ right and the 2nd East Surrey on the left. At 2 a.m. the front line advanced, lay down and opened fire, while the flanking party went to cut wire and attack the enemy right flank. This detachment, however, met with considerable opposition from a strong bombing post, and the result was a quarter of an hour’s bombing competition which ended in our favour; for the enemy withdrew, leaving twenty to thirty dead; but Captain Lancaster, who commanded the main attack, was all the while expecting a signal from 2nd Lieut. Keasley of the flank guard that he was through, and not getting it, he reported the fact to Battalion Headquarters. The commanding officer (Lt.-Colonel H. A. Thewles) accordingly gave orders to Lancaster to advance, which was done, and the barbed wire in front proving to be only a single fence of no great proportions, both “Little Ferdy” and what was known as “Dry” trench were taken. As ordered, the company proceeded another fifty yards and lay down while the supporting platoon broke up the barbed wire and damaged the trenches as much as possible. Captain Lancaster then withdrew his men, and the flank guards were also brought in. The work done by the other flank guard under Lieut. Williams had been most useful and, of course, the assistance of the good gunners, the 75th Battery, invaluable. Lieut. Sebastian, Sgt. Spiller and L.-Corpl. Geohegan did very excellent service, and were awarded the D.S.O., M.M. and D.C.M. respectively. Our casualties were five men killed, and 2nd Lieut. Airey, C.S.M. Standford and eight other ranks wounded.
VALLEY OF THE STRUMA
CHAPTER VIII
WITH MAUDE IN MESOPOTAMIA
I. The Position in 1916
The summer of the year 1916 was more or less an uneventful one for the Mesopotamia Force. The situation is very plainly set forth in the despatches of Sir Percy Lake, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief. He says: “No operations on a large scale have been undertaken since the fall of Kut. On the Tigris line the troops immediately facing the enemy were, with the exception of those actually on duty in the trenches, resting and recuperating and, at the same time, consolidating their position. Fatigues were very heavy, the heat of the summer came on rapidly and a good deal of sickness prevailed.”