X550/9/1/1711

WAR DIARY FOR NOVEMBER 1917 1 Nov 1917 - le Souich In billets at LE SOUICH. Training. Reinforcements 28 O.R. arrived all Expeditionary Force men. 2 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. 3 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Btahs at BOUQUEMAISON. Training for Inter Brigade Football, Lewis gun, Runners & Knock out Competitions 4 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Church parade (open air). Rev C.W. Platt's C.F. farewell service. 5 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Training. Weather wet 6 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Training. Weather wet 7 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Route march to BLAVINCOURT to TANKS demonstration. Very wet day. 8 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Route march to DENIER to TANKS and INFY demonstration. Dinners on route at ETREE-WAMIN [sic]. Very wet after mid-day. 9 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Training. 10 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Training. 11 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Training. 12 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Officer & NCOs practising skeleton attack (Brigade) at LIENCOURT 13 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. Battn marched at 1.50 am for Brigade practice attack for co-operation with tanks. Transport moved to ORVILLE area. Battn remaining at LE SOUICH. 14 Nov 1917 In billets at LE SOUICH. 15 Nov 1917 - Moislains Battn move by route march (less transport) to BOUQUEMAISON entrained here & proceeded to PERONNE, detrained and marched into camp at MOISLAINS at 10.45 pm. Fine day. 16 Nov 1917 - Bois Dessart In camp at MOISLAINS moved off at 7 pm by route march to BOIS DESSART. SECRET Copy No.8 Battalion Operation Orders No. 157 by Lieut. Colonel R. le Huguet Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 16th November 1917. Ref. Maps = MARCOING 57 c N.E.4. GONNELIEU 57 c S.E.9. 1. INTRODUCTION (a) The 16th Infantry Brigade is to participate in an attack at a date and at an hour (ZERO to be notified later). (b) The 16th Infantry Brigade with "B" Battalion Tnks co-operating will attack in 3 waves. 1st Wave - 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment on Right, and 8th Bedfordshire Regiment on Left. 2nd Wave consisting of one company 1/The Buffs on Right, and one company 1/K.S.L.I. on Left, will pass through the 1st Wave and capture the Blue Line The 3rd Wave - 1/The Buffs (less one company on Right) and 1/K.S.L.I. (less one company on Left) will capture the Brown Line. (c) The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will be in Front Line of attack. The 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment will be on the right, and the 71st Infantry Brigade on the Left. (d) The enemy at present on the front to be attacked belong to the 90th R.I.R. and 27th R.I.R., both of the 54th Division. 2. OBJECTIVES (a) The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment, with which No. 6 Company (9,11, and 12 Sections) "B" Battalion Tank Corps will co-operate, will attack and capture the Hindenburg Front Line System, including the enemy's Outpost Line, between the Battalion Right Boundary and the Brigade Left Boudary. (b) BATTALION BOUNDARY The Battalion Boundary will be as follows: - RIGHT BOUNDARY - R.7.d.26.80. - R.7.b.63.34 - R.1.d.60.80. - R.9.a.35.60 - L.38.c.60.30. LEFT BOUNDARY - R.7.c.30.78. - R.7.a.38.33. - R.1.c.70.70. - L.31.d.12.25. - L.31.d.88.63. 3. ASSEMBLY POSITION (a) The assembly place for 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will be close in rear of PLOUICH SUPPORT. Ground will be marked out and allotted under Brigade arrangements, and the Battalion will be in position 2 hours before ZERO. (b) On night previous to attack, two platoons of "D" Company will be on outpost duty in No Man's Land to prevent hostile patrols discovering assembly. (c) The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will attack on a two company frontage. DISPOSITIONS "B" Company on the Right "C" Company on the Left "A" Company, less 1 platoon and 1 section, in Support (two platoons less 1 section in rear of "C" Company, one platoon in rear of "B" Company). B Company will folow No.12 Section Tanks. "D" Company, less 1 platoon, in Reserve. "C" Company will follow No.11 Section Tanks. No.9 Section Tanks, followed by 1 platoon of "A" Company and Subsection Trench Mortars, will move along the Battalion Left Boundary. On arrival in Hindenburg Line, this platoon will clean up and get into touch with "C" Company, and will then come under the command of O.C. "C" Company. One platoon of "D" Company will be detailed to keep touch with 71st Infatnry Brigade on our Left. Touch will be obtained with the 71st Infantry Brigade at the following points: - (1) R.7.a.40.38. (2) R.1.c.70.70 (3) L.31.d.10.27. (4) L.31.d.30.54. One Section of "A" Company under an officer will be detailed to keep touch with 8/York and Lancaster Regiment. "A" Company will follow "B" and "C" Companies at 200 yards distance. "D" Company will follow "A" Company at 250 yards distance. As soon as the Tanks pass through the German Outpost Line (PLUSH TRENCH), the two platoons of "D" Company on outpost will rush PLUSH TRENCH through the gaps made in the wire by the Tanks, and will clear up. They will then reform, and follow in rear of the Battalion under 2/Lieut. E.Kinkead. 4. INTER-COMPANY BOUNDARIES The Inter-Company Boundaries will be as follows: - R.7.b.18.70. - R.1.d.40.18. - R.1.b.70.63. - R.1.b.65.97 - L.31.d.90.30. 5. The primary duty of No. 10 Section of No. 6 Company Tanks will be to assist the 1/K.S.L.I. in establishing themselves in the Blue Line, but will assist the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment by fire as opportunity offers. 6. TIMES FOR ADVANCE The First Wave of Tanks will commence their advance 10 minutes before ZERO. 7. ARTILLERY The action of the Artillery will consist in placing a shrapnel and heavy howitzer barrage on each objective prior to its assault, in firing smoke screens and barrages on the front and flanks of the advance of the Tanks, neutralising hostile batteries, etc. The barrage will commence with a salvo of smoke on the first objective. Times and places of barrage will be as follows: - From ZERO to ZERO plus 3 - R.7.b.80.90. - R.1.c.70.70. From ZERO plus 3 to 15 - R.8.c.05.65. - R.1.a.90.40. From ZERO plus 15 to 24 - R.2.a.20.35. - R.1.a.90.90. From ZERO plus 24 to 30 - R.3.a.30.65. - L.31.d.10.35. From ZERO plus 30 to 45 - L.30.c.65.35. - L.31.d.45.75. From ZERO plus 45 to 70 - L.38.d.10.90. - L.31.b.65.15. 8. The Tanks and troops for assault on Second Objective (Brown Line) will not pass the Blue Line until 2 hours, 30 minutes after ZERO. 9. CONSOLIDATION The objective when gained will be immediately consolidated. The 1st Defensive Line will be the Hindeburg Line which will consist of consolidated Platoon Posts in depth. No post post must be nearer than 20 yards from any existing road, so as not to impede future traffic. In consolidation the following steps will be taken: - (1) Post Sentries. each sentry to have a periscope. (2) Make fire steps. Every man to have a position from whicg he can fire. (3) Lewis Guns to be placed in position. Rifles and Lewis Guns will then be cleaned; oil and flannelette must be carried for this purpose. (4) Company Commanders see that they have dumps of S.A.A. and bombs, and that men are acquainted eith position of same. (5) Every Company and Platoon Commander must have a chosen Head-quarters. (6) Rockets and stands for "S.O.S." will be kept ready. (7) Communication Trenches leading to enemy's lines must be blocked. 10. COMMUNICATION. Gaps in wire will be marked with the discs dropped by Tanks and will be improved. These discs are about 10 inches to a foot in diameter, painted white on one side and khaki on the other, fstened on a short stick. These will be stuck in the ground, white side towards our line. 11. REORGANISATION Company and Platoon Commanders will reorganise their units as soon as the objective is gained, and Company Commanders will keep one platoon to meet any hostile counter-attack on their particular front. 12. DUMP A Forward Dump is being established in VILLERS PLUICH [sic] at R.13.a.7.3. 13. Men to carry on them the scale of fighting equipment issued to Companies on separate sheet. 14. Regimental Aid Post will be established at about R.13.a.60.60. 15. Battalion Headquarters will be established at R.7.d.10.65. and will be in this position until after capture of 1st Objective, when it will move forward to about L.31.d.45.05. 16. Water Point will be at R.13.a.9.9. 17. Compass bearing to objective from present front line trench is 19 degree bearing. (magnetic variation 12 degrees therefore compass bearing without error of compass would read 31 degrees) 18. ACKNOWLEDGE. 17 Nov 1917 - Fifteen Ravine near Gouzeaucourt Under canvas in BOIS DESSART moved off at 5.30 pm into Brigade Support at FIFTEEN RAVINE (NE of GOUZEAUCOURT) TANKS also in the wood 18 Nov 1917 In FIFTEEN RAVINE much work done issuing stores and equipment for coming attack, dull day and very quiet. Guns at intervals of 50 yds along the trench 19 Nov 1917 - trenches N of Villers-Plouich In FIFTEEN RAVINE dauu day, enemy quiet, except for slight shelling of GOUZEAUCOURT with heavies. Moved from FIFTEEN RAVINE 5.30 pm and reached first position of assembly for the attack on the 20th at 7.30 pm. Assembly position just NORTH of VILLERS PLOUICH. Tanks arrived into position and the Batt was reported in final position behind tanks ready for the attack at 4.52 am 20th Nov 1917. SECRET Copy No.8 Addenda to Battalion Operation Orders No.157 by Lieut. Colonel R. le Huquet Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 19th November 1917. 1. CONSOLIDATION & REORGANISATION. Objective when gained will be immediately consolidated. Posts of a Lewis Gun and 3 men will be pushed forward. "A" Company will garrison new front line, "B" Company in close support on right, "C" Company in close support on Left. "D" Company will be withdrawn and will establish itself on a line about R.1.b.80.65. and dig in. This will be held as Battalion Reserve. Bridges or steps must be constructed over captured trenches to assist the advance of other troops moving through. Companies occupying captured trenches will detail parties to improve existing gaps and make fresh ones where necessary through the wire to allow passage of pack animals. All loose wire must be cleared an a clear gap left. These gaps must not be on roads, as all roads will be required for other troops, and only cross-country tracks for infantry will be available. 2. "A" Company, which is in Support, will be responsible for clearing up any area between lines of trenches containing hostile machine guns or posts in isolated positions. 3. Souvenir hunting is strictly forbidden. 4. In case any Tank breaks down, the filled Lewis Gun drums and any other ammunition should be removed from the Tank and regarded as an extra reserve. 5. Each Tank will carry 1 box S.A.A. which will be dumped on gaining the objective. 6. TIME OF ADVANCE No. 6 Company Tanks, followed by their infantry at the prescribed distances, will move off from the assembly position at 10 minutes before ZERO. 7. SIGNALLERS Communication with Battalion Headquarters will be opened by Company Signallers by Visual (Lucas Lamp or discs) as soon as possible, until wires can be laid forward. 8. Runner Posts are being established by Brigade Headquarters on HIGHLAND ROAD. 9. A contact aeroplane will fly daring operations. Flares will be lit when called for - if no flares are available, attention will be attributed by any means available. 10. Prisoners will be sent to Battalion Headquarters. Escorts not to exceed 10% of total number of prisoners, and they should be chosn as far as possible frrom slightly wounded men. 11. Outpost platoons of "D" Company covering the whole Battalion front will be in position by 2.30 p.m. Information to be sent to Battalion Headquarters when in position. 12. Battalion Headquarters will open at R.7.d.10.85. at 6.0 p.m. 13. STRETCHER BEARERS Six will be attached to each Company, and two per Company will be attached to Battalion Headquarters. 14. The Battalion of the 71st Infantry Brigade on our Left will be the 9th Suffolks. 20 Nov 1917 - Highland Ridge N of Villers-Plouich Batt. and tanks ready for the attack 4.52 am. At 6.10am the Tanks commenced the advance, at ZERO hour 6.20 am our artillery barrage opened with a deafening roar and in blaze of fire. At 6.29 am the first tamks passed over the German outpost line, and the enemy artillery opened a feeble reply, putting a very thin barrage in NO MANS LAND 6 35am First wave of Infy passed over enemy outpost line, the Batt going over well, men lighting pipes and cigarettes on their way. 5.45 am Advanced tanks followed by infantry approaching HINDENBURG MAIN LINE on the left. 7.5 am Reported that the Batt appeared to have taken the first offensive the MAIN HINDENBURG LINE, including both front and support lines (ref 57 e NE 1/20000) L31d L32a a frontage of 650 yds running E from the VILLERS PLOUICH - RIBECOURT road. 7.20 German officer and 6 men for prisoners arrived at Batt Hdqrs enemy shelling more heavily but very erratic 7.55 Report received from B. Coy that objective captured OC Coy CAPT. NCF NIXON. 8.10 Liason platoon on left under 2/Lt HAWKES report having gained objectiv and in touch with 9th SUFFOLKS on left 23 prisoners sent down. Section on left under 2/LT. HUGHES in touch with 2Y&Lancasters. 8.13 Batt Hdqrs moved forward to HINDENBURG MAIN FRONTLINE at L.31.d.45.0 The whole of our objective completely captured. Prisoners coming in fast, Infantry & tanks continuing and all going well the enemy on the run 9.5 Batt Hdqrs established in HINDENBURG FRONT LINE just S of RIBECOURT and WEST of COUILLET WOOD Total Prisoners sent down 5 officers 200 O.R including Batt Commander, Medical Officer and a Staff Lieutenant. Consolidating trenches gained 1.30pm Pack animal convoy arrived with water and ammunition Our casualties 2/LT H.F.R.AMESBURY killed. 2/LT E.G.D.NORTHCROFT slightly wounded/ 2/LT T DUNN wounded 10 other ranks killed, 38 other ranks wounded and missing. 2/LT HNF FORGE killed (attached to 6th Divl. SNIPING COY.) Weather fine but turned to rain in the afternoon. Companies commanded by - A Coy Capt A.W.ELLIOTT. B Coy. CAPT N.C.F. NIXON C.Coy LT. H.W.WRIGHT D.Coy 2/LT H.F.R.AMESBURY. A very succssful day and all ranks in high spirits quite ready for further action. TANKS did very good work. 2pm Remaind [sic] of day spent in cleaning up an [sic] consolidating. 21 Nov 1917 - Hindenburg Main Line N. of Villers-Plouich 8 am Moved forward to Front line of the SUPPORT SYSTEM of trenches to the HINDENBURG LINE South of the GRAND RAVINE canal and N.E. of RIBECOURT (Ref Sheet 57a NW) L27a. Pack convoy brought up water. 3 pm Moved forward to front line halted just W of MARCOING and waited for guides, moved forward again over the PREMY RIDGE to Quarry L.16.c. under shell fire and relieved the GUERNSEY L.I. Batt (86th Brigade) holding line in front of NINE WOOD WEST OF NOYELLES towards CANTAING. No trenches but posts partly dug in. Relief complete at 5.50pm. 4th Gordons on our left. Situation fairly quiet. Batt Hdqrs in Quarry in NINE WOOD. Casualties nil. Weather wet. 22 Nov 1917 - Nine Wood W. of Noyelles-sur-Escaut Considerable aeroplane activity weather fine CAPT ELLIOTT slighted [sic] wounded by bomb dropped from enemy aeroplane. Royal Scots on our left tofay. Batt consolidating positions enemy frequently shelled our position and searched NINE WOOD. 1pm Enemy reported attacking on our left at FONTAINE (51st Div on our left) 4pm Few of the enemy appeared to be approaching our line from small wood N. of NOYELLES driven off by Lewis gun fire. Transport at RIBECOURT and rations were brought up by limber to S. end of NINE WOOD. Quiet night casualties CAPT ELLIOTT slightly wounded 1 O.R. wounded. 23 Nov 1917 9.30 Counter attack expected but not delivered. Enemy shelling fairly heavily 10.30am 19 men going on leave reported to Batt Hdqrs. Attack in progress on our left NINE WOOD again shelled. Batt Hdqrs splintered. 5 pm C Coy moved up to front line and took over half the front held by B Coy. Quiet night Grenadier Guards on our left tonight. Casualties 1 O.R. killed 4 OR wounded. 24 Nov 1917 Fine and clear. Quiet on our front but continuous activity on our left at FONTAINE and BOURLON WOOD. Occasional search by enemy artillery of NINE WOOD Hdqrs trench destroyed. Casualties 1 O.R. wounded. 25 Nov 1917 Clear and windy NINE WOOD frequently shelled for short durations otherwise quiet. Short hail storm in the afternoon. 26 Nov 1917 - Hindenburg Support Line NE of Ribecourt-la-Tour Bright day, enemy quiet except for usual shelling. Batt. relieved by 9th Norfolks (71st IB) relief complete 7.35pm Batt moved into Divl Reserve in HINDENBURG SUPPORT LINE, N.E. of RIBECOURT. 27 Nov 1917 - old British front line in front of Villers-Plouich Resting as above, at 5.30pm moved to HINDENBURG MAIN LINE but found it already occupied, after a few hours orders received to move back to Old British front line in front of VILLERS PLOUICH, night spent in bivouac there. 28 Nov 1917 - Hindenburg Main Line S of Ribecourt-la-Tour 9am Moved forward to HINDENBURG MAIN LINE occupying that part captured by the Batt on the 20th just S of RIBECOURT. Batt resting. 29 Nov 1917 Battn in captured German Trenches S of RIBECOURT. Working party of 350 for work on MARDEN ROAD (i.e. VILLERS PLOUICH - RIBECOURT ROAD). 30 Nov 1917 - Beaucamp - Villers-Plouich Road 10AM Battn received message that enemy were putting in a strong attack on the right of 29th DIVISIOn and that the Battn would proceed to vicinity of DEAD MAN'S CORNER. Q.23.c.7.2. 11.30am The battn moved from HINDENBURG MAIN LINE in Artillery formation and were shelled lightly at this period. About 12 noon the Bn. was ordered by DIVISION to hold a line from Q18 central to R.13.D covering the line BEAUCAMP - VILLERS PLOUICH. Order of companies holding this line were 'B' Coy Right Front 'D' Coy Left Front with 'C' Coy Right support and 'A' Coy left support. 2pm Companies reported that they had taken up the positions alloted to them word was then sent to 16th I.B.H.Q. These positions held by the battn. until orders were received at 2 A.M 1-12-17 to move to DEAD MAN'S CORNER.

1-30 Nov 1917

From: 1917 To: 1917

item

Kinkead, E.,
Platt, C.W.,
le Huquet, R.,
Nixon, Noel Charles Frederick,
Hawkes,
Hughes, William,
Amesbury, Hugh Frederick Raleigh,
Northcroft, E.G.D.,
Dunn, T.,
Forge, Henry Noel Francis,
Elliott, A.W.,
Wright, H.W.

8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 8th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment, 2nd Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment, 1st Battalion Buffs, deaths, 1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 16th Infantry Brigade, 71st Infantry Brigade, land weaponry, weather, baths, football, clergy names index, church services, Royal Tank Corps, maps, 27th Reserve Infantry Regiment, 90th Reserve Infantry Regiment, 54th German Infantry Division, prisoners of war, 9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment, town & local roads, 6th Division, 1st Battalion Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, 86th Infantry Brigade, 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, aerial action overseas, Royal Scots, 51st (Highland) Division, Grenadier Guards, 9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, town & local roads, 29th Division, le Souich, Bouquemaison, Blavincourt, Denier, Estree-Wamin, Liencourt, Orville, Bois Dessart, Peronne, Moislains, Hindenburg Line, Plush Trench [Cambrai], Villers-Plouich, Plouich Support Trench [Cambrai], Gouzeaucourt, Gouzeaucourt Fifteen Ravine, Highland Road [Cambrai], Highland Ridge [Cambrai], Ribecourt-la-Tour, Couillet Wood [Cambrai], Grand Ravine [Cambrai], Marcoing, Premy Ridge [Cambrai], Nine Wood [Cambrai], Noyelles-sur-Escaut, Cantaing-sur-Escaut, Fontaine-sur-Somme, Bourlon Wood [Cambrai], Dead Man's Corner [Cambrai]