X550/8/1/1610

MAILLET WOOD 1-10-16 After being relieved from the Captured THIEPVAL Position the battalion rested in huts for the day in Mailly-Maillet Wood - G.O.C. 54th Bde. visited the battalion and Addressed them in very high terms of congratulation on their Moral, & Stubborn fighting. he said "The 7th Bn. Bedfordshires were one of the best fighting battalions it was possible to find & he was very proud to have such a battalion under his command" he particularly referred to the severe fighting & the daring manner they had snatched from the Bosch a position they boasted of being "impregnable & impossible for the English to take". 2-10-16 Battn. left the above place marched to ACHEUX Station & trevelled in trucks (40 in each) to CANDAS, from this Station the battalion moved into billets, A & B Coy. & Battn.H.Qts. at VACQUERIE C & D Coys. at GORGES reaching billets about 10 p.m. Bn. billeted VACQUERIE. Bn. GORGES 3-10-16 Time devoted to cleaning up, checking all kits & making up deficiencies lost in action. Bn.H.Q. VACQUERIE 4-10-16 Classes of officers & N.C.Os. formed for Special Instruction in bayonet fighting - Battn. exercised in Close order drill. 5-10-16 Classes of officers & N.C.Os. formed for Special Instruction in bayonet fighting - Battn. exercised in Close order drill. 6-10-16 Training in all its details commenced; Bombing, Sniping, Lewis Gun, Signalling Message Runners (going across Country) put into real going order. 7-10-16 The above training rapidly pushed forward. Corps Commander expected but he did not turn up. 8-10-16 Training programme continued. The following Officer [sic] joined as Reinforcements and were posted as under 2nd Lt.H.M.Woodyer A Co. 2/Lt.R.J.Clarke A Coy. 2 Lt.J.J.Murray A Coy. 2.Lt.A.H.Waddy D Coy. These were a good stamp of recruit officers. BILLETS AS ABOVE 9-10-16 Training programme Continued. 10-10-16 Training pushed forward rapidly, battalion to be ready by 16th to move forward for further fighting. 11-10-16 Training. Draft of 158 Other Ranks arrived from England all of which were well equipped, of good Physique, and a marked improvement on previous drafts (except they had no marching powers). C.I.C. Genl.Sir Douglas Haig visited the Billets, Saw the above draft chatted with many officers N.C.Os & men as he passed from one place to the other. No inspection was arranged as he wished to pay a visit to unit carrying on in the ordinary way. Lt.Col.G.D.Price who had taken Command of the 53rd Infantry Brigade on the 6th inst. till the 10th inst. took over Command of the 54th Infantry Brigade, Protem, on the 11st inst. the vacancy in both cases being caused by the Brigadier being granted Special Leave to England. Major G.P.Mills commanded the Battn. during the absence of Lt.Col.Price as above. 12-10-16 Training continued. The undermentioned officers arrived as reinforcements on the night of the 11/12 & were posted on the 12th to Coys as under. 2 Lt.T.H.Elderton B Co. 2 Lt.L.G.Angas A Co. 2 Lt.F.A.Walker A Co. fine stamp of young officers knowing something of what was required of them as a Platoon Leader. 13-10-16 Training. 14-10-16 Training. orders received from Brigade (54th Infantry) to the effect that the 18th Divn. had opened advance Divisional Hd.Quarters at Albert, the 53rd Brigade had moved up in readiness for attack on Regina Trench - The 54th Brigade would move to Beauville - All necessary arrangements made for the Bn to move (to-morrow morning) Advance billeting parties detailed to proceed ahead at 2 pm to-day - but, this wa scancelled just before time to march off. GORGES AND VACQUERIE. 15-10-16 Morning A & B Coy. Left VAcquerie C & D Coys. GORGES & marched to Beauval. BEAUVAL 16-10-16 Morning Continued the above march from BEAUVAL to VADENCOURT WOOD (Marched in Brigade). 17-10-16 Morning Continued the above march from VADENCOURT WOOD to BOUZINCOURT. 18-10-16 Morning Inspection of all personal kits, C.O. Adjt. & all Coy.Comdrs. proceeded by Bus to Visit Front Line 54th Bde Sector North of COURCELETTE. 19-10-16 Morning Battn Marched from BOUZINCOURT to ALBERT & billeted. 20-10-16 Morning Battn Training in ATTACK practice in fields near Albert. 21-10-16 Morning Battn Training in ATTACK practice in fields near Albert. 22-10-16 Voluntary Church Service. Afternoon ATTACK PRACTICE. 23-10-16 Holding front Line trenches - Regina. 24-10-16 Holding front Line trenches - Regina. 25-10-16 Holding front Line trenches - Regina. 26-10-16 Relieved from above trenches to Billets in ALBERT. 27-10-16 Held up by weather from carrying out prepared attack, Copy of orders attached - battn Billet in Albert & its vicinity 28-10-16 Held up by weather from carrying out prepared attack, Copy of orders attached - battn Billet in Albert & its vicinity 29-10-16 Held up by weather from carrying out prepared attack, Copy of orders attached - battn Billet in Albert & its vicinity 30-10-16 Held up by weather from carrying out prepared attack, Copy of orders attached - battn Billet in Albert & its vicinity OPERATION ORDERS by LIEUTENANT COLONEL G.P.MILLS COMMANDING 7th (S) BN. BEDFORDSHIRE REGT. Map reference LE SARS 57D S.E.2 & 57c S.W.1 (parts of) 1/10,000. 30/10/16 1. INTENTION The Battalion in conjunction with units on its right and left is to capture the village of PETIT MIRAUMONT and the bridge over the ANCRE. 2. INSTRUCTIONS The Battalion will be formed up for the attack as follows: N "C" Coy. on the right in REGINA TRENCH "D" Coy. on the left in REGINA TRENCH "B" Coy. on the right in HESSIAN & VANCOUVER "A" Coy. on the left in HESSIAN & VANCOUVER "C & D" Companies will have their first two waves in shell holes in front of REGINA TRENCH before Zero hour. 3. ROLE OF THE BATTALION The Battalion will form the right attack and fight its way through to PETIT MIRAUMONT. It will seize the bridges at R 56.25, R 5a 46 and the railway bridge at R 5a 55. Strong points with Vickers and Lewis Guns will be made covering these bridges. A party will be sent forward to destroy the telephone exchange at R 5d 28. The Battalion will also form a defensive flank from the left of the 11th Canadian Brigade to the bridge at R.5a 55, these points are marked on special map. On obtaining its final objective the Battalion will by means of Active patrolling be responsible for cutting off the retreat of any Germans retiring from South West Corner of MIRAUMONT towards IRLES. 4. 12TH BATTALION MIDDLESEX REGIMENT The 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment will furnish one company for dugout clearing, with the 7th Bedfords. 2 sections will follow each of the first four ways [sic] on either flank. The 4 Sections with the first wave will be responsible for clearing Courcelette trench on the right and west MIRAUMONT ROAD on the left up to trench in 17 central and also any dugouts in 17 central trench. The 4 sections with the second wave will be responsible for clearing Courcelette trench from 17 central trench to GRANDCOURT trench, gun pits about R 12c 2.0. and ravine in E.MIRAUMONT ROAD in R 12 up to junction with GRANDCOURT trench also W MIRAUMONT ROAd and short trench starting at R 11d 20.15. The 8 sections with the 3rd and 4th waves will support the elading sections up to GRANDCOURT trench and then clear any dugouts in it, clearing up new trench on R 17B on the way. The Company is to reform in GRANDCOURT trench, consolidate and hang on to it. 5. LEWIS GUNS During the advance Lewis Guns must take every opportunity of covering the advance on defended positions. They are to be used boldly. A Lewis Gun must be detailed for each dtrong point before the attack. 6. 54TH MACHINE GUN COMPANY One Section will be attached to the 7th Bedfords. One gun to railway bridge at R 5a.5.5. and one gun to strong point at R 5d 0.8. 7. TRENCH MORTAR BATTERY One Mortar will be attached to the Battalion to proceed down COURCELETTE TRENCH and assist if necessary at any point where attack is held up, eventually proceeding to railway embankment at R 5a 55. prepared to cover attack on bridge. 8. STRONG POINTS In addition to the strong points referred to in para.3 the Battalion will establish strongpoints along the E.MIRAUMONT ROAD at R.5d.6.3. R.5.d.08. R.5.a.8.0. R.5.d.6.7. and R.5.a.6.4. All strong points to be wired with concertina wire. 9. ARTILLERY BARRAGE a. Commencing from Zero hour there will be fixed barrages on the following lines. 1. The new trench from R.18.a.0.1. to R.16.c.0.6. 2. GRANDCOURT TRENCH. 3. MIRAUMONT TRENCH. 4. railway Embankment. The Field Artillery shrapnel barrage will be supplemented by 60 pounder shrapnel on the lines 2, 3 & 4 above. there will also be a rolling barrage which, up to the first objective will move at the rate of 50 yards a minute, and from the first objective onwards at 25 yards a minute. The fixed barrage will be joined by the rolling barrages and the two will then lift simultaneously. b. The rolling barrage will open on the line approximately 200 yards north of REGINA TRENCH and remain steady till plus 4. It will then roll forward at the rate of 50 yards in one minute on to the first objective - GRANDCOURT TRENCH. It will lift from GRANDCOURT TRENCH to form a defensive barrage approximately 200 yards to the North, and to let the Infantry into that trench at plus 28. At plus one hour 28 minutes the advance to the second objective will commence. the defensive barrage will intensify its fire at plus one hour 28 minutes on its defensive lines and remain steady till plus one hour 32 minutes to enable theInfantry to leave GRANDCOURT TRENCH and to get up under the barrage perparatory to following it. At plus one hour 52 minutes the barrage will lift from MIRAUMONT TRENCH and roll on towards the second objective. From the moment the Infantry enter MIRAUMONT TRENCH and continuing during their advance to the second objective, a defensive barrage will be established on the right flank of the 54th Infantry Brigade. This barrage will be approximately on a line through L.35.d. - R.6.a. in the neighbourhood of which it will be joined by the Canadian defensive barrage. This right flank defensive barrage will remain on and join the defensive box barrage which will be finally placed round MIRAUMONT after the capture of the third objective. At plus 2 hours 8 minutes, the barrage will commence to lift off the second objective by rolling up from the West end (the embankment at R.4.d.05.05) to R.5.a.4.6, which it is timed to reach at plus 2 hours 24 minutes, when it will lift off the whole of the remainder of the objectives to form a defensive barrage along the whole front of the Division approximately 200 yards north of the railway embankment. At plus 3 hours 24 minutes, the defensive barrage will intensify its fire on its defensive lines and remain steady till 3 plus28 minutes to enable the Infantry to leave the second objective and to get up under the barrage perparatory to following it. The barrage will then roll on and finally establish a box barrage round the village of MIRAUMONT. In order that the time for the first advance from the first and second objectives after the hours halt may be quite clear to the Infantry, there will be a complete cessation of 18 pounder fire for the five minutes immediately previous to the moment at which the further advance is to take place. The reopening of the heavy shrapnel barrage at the end of this five minutes will be the signal for the advance. FROM THE ABOVE IT WILL BE SEEN THAT IT BEHOVES THE INFANTRY TO FOCUS THEIR ATTENTION ON THAT PORTION OF THE BARRAGE IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THEM AND CONFORM TO ITS MOVEMENTS. A STEADY AND ORDERLY ADVANCE MUST BE MAINTAINED THE OPENING OF THE BARRAGE AT ZERO AND ITS INTENSIVE REOPENING AFTER EACH HOUR HALT ON THE FIRST AND SECOND OBJECTIVES WILL BE THE SIGNAL TO ADVANCE. IT MUST BE IMPRESSED ON ALL COMMANDERS DOWN TO THOSE OF SECTIONS THAT THE ORGANIZATION FOR THE NEXT ADVANCE MUST BE COMPLETED WELL BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THE HOURS HALT AND THAT TROOPS MUST GET AS CLOSE TO THE BARRAGE AS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT COMMENCES TO MOVE FORWARD. IF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MOVEMENT [?] FOR THE FORWARD MOVEMENT IS MISSED IT WILL BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS OF THE UNDERTAKING. c. In addition to the shrapnel barrage the Divisional howitzers and Corps heavy Artillery will, from zero onwards, keep under fire all points and localities forward of the rolling barrage, in which the presence of the enemy is suspected. 10. TOOLS 50% of the 3rd and 4th platoons of each company will carry large tools, one pick to three shovels. 11. GRENADES & BOMBS ETC. Every man will carry 150 rds S.A.A. (Specialist 50 rds) and two grenades, these grenades to be kept as a Company reserve and are not intended to be thrown by the men carrying them. Grenade Sections will carry ten grenades per man and in addition each man will carry one and the section Commander ten No.23 Rifle grenades. 12. COMMUNICATIONS All communication possible will be maintained by the Signal Section in accordance with instructions issued direct to O.C. Signals by Brigade signalling Officer. Communication between Companies and battalion headquarters will be kept up by runners. The Bde. runners will wear a red armband. 13. ROLE OF COMPANIES "C" Company will be on the right, its objective being the GRANDCOURT TRENCH, its right flank to keep in touch with the 11th Canadian Brigade, moving along the E.MIRAUMONT ROAD it will reform in the GRANDCOURT TRENCH and act as support to "B" Company in the attack on PETIT MIRAUMONT, halting in South MIRAUMONT TRENCH and consolidating there. A party to be detailed to destroy the telephone exchange at R.5d.2.8. The Signalling Officer will detail two Signallers to accompany this party it will also form strong points at R.5d.63. and R.5d.67 "D" Company will be on the left of "C" Company its right in touch with the left of "C" Company and its left in touch with the 11th Royal Fusiliers. The W.Miraumont Road (inclusive) being the left flank, its objective being the GRANDCOURT TRENCH. It will rform in GRANDCOURT TRENCH and act as a support to "A" Company in the attack on PETIT MIRAUMONT it will take up a position in support of "A" Company about R.5d.68. "B" Company will follow "C" Company halting at a convenient distance from the GRANDCOURT TRENCH until Barrage time when it will pass through "C" Company, over GRANDCOURT TRENCH and continue the attack on PETIT MIRAUMONT. It will tell off dug out clearing parties to clear any dugouts encountered. After taking SOUTH MIRAUMONT TRENCH it will take up a defensive flank from R.5d.63. exclusive to R.5a.8.P. forming strong points at R.5a.8.0 R.5b.25.10 and at R.5d.0.9. These points must be held at all costs. In the attack the right flank will move by the E.MIRAUMONT ROAD and keepctouch with the 11th Canadian Bde. "A" Company will follow up "D" Company in Support halting at a convenient distance from the GRANDCOURT TRENCH until barrage time, when it will pass through "D" Company over GRANDCOURT TRENCH and continue the attack on PETIT MIRAUMONT. It will tell off Dug Out clearing parties to clear any Dugouts encountered and will press resolutely on through PETIT MIRAUMONT and take up defensive line from R.5a.8.0. (exclusive) along the PETIT MIRAUMONT ROAD to the River Ancre and endeavour to secure the RIVER BRIDGE at R.5a.4.6. forming strong points at R.5a.46 R.5.a.55 and R.5.a.6.4. It will keep in touch with "B" Company on its right and the 11th Royal Fusiliers on its left. the W.MIRAUMONT ROAD (inclusive) being its left flank. 14. FORMATION All Companies will move in four waves at the usual distances. 15. In order to keep our attacking troops clear of hostile artillery fire directed from the map and at the same time to adapt new defences to the lie of the ground, troops will, when consolidating positions gained, avoid, so far as possible, old trenches. 16. FLARES Every man, of all four Companies will carry one aeroplane flare. the leading line of Infantry will light Red flares at the following times: - Zero plus one hour. Zero plus three hours. Zero plus five hours. and at any other time on demand being made by contact aeroplanes sounding Klaxon horns or dropping white VERY lights. (sgd) G.P.Mills, Lt.Col. Commanding. 31-10-16 Held up by weather from carrying out prepared attack, Copy of orders attached - battn Billet in Albert & its vicinity

Oct 1916

From: 1916 To: 1916

item

Mills, George Pilkington,
Price, George Dominic,
Haig, Douglas [1st Earl],
Woodyer, H.M.,
Clarke, R.J.,
Murray, J.J.,
Waddy, Alexander Harry,
Elderton, T H,
Walker, F.A.,
Angas, Lionel George

54th Infantry Brigade, 54th Trench Mortar Battery, 54th Machine Gun Company, 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, 11th Canadian Brigade, out county railways, Candas station, Acheux station, 53rd Infantry Brigade, Ancre, Maillet Wood (Somme), Thiepval, Mailly-Maillet, Acheux-en-Amienois, Candas, Vacquerie-le-Boucq, Gorges, Albert, Regina Trench (Somme), Beauval, Vadencourt Wood (Somme), Bouzincourt, Courcelette, Petit Miraumont, Hessian Trench (Somme), Vancouver Trench (Somme), Irles, Miraumont Road (Somme), West Miraumont Road (Somme), East Miraumont Road (Somme), Grandcourt Trench (Somme), Courcelette Trench (Somme), Miraumont Trench (Somme), South Miraumont Trench (Somme)