X550/6/8/1705

War Diary for May 1917 1 May 1917 - Sheikh Abbas Bivouack routine & work on dugouts during the morning and afternoon 1800 our coys began to relieve the 4 coys of the 1/11th LONDON Regt in the right sector 162 Brigade line. the Batt relief was complete by 1950. the line from right to left was held by D, A, B & C Coys. 8 L.G.s resited & dugouts begun 2 May 1917 0300 Coy patrols pushed out to line of Wadi W.14 & 21 2230 Quiet day. At 2230 officer's patrol left W.20.A went N to W.8.C where enemy picquet was found. Nothing more was ascertained 3 May 1917 2200 Quiet day, Officer's patrols with 4 ARMENIAN (deserters) left our line at W.20.B & went N to W.8.B. They located an enemy working party driving in stakes (covered by a covering party). Armenians failed to get in touch with Turks. 4 May 1917 0005 Officer's patrol left line at 2nd H of SHEIKH & proceeded NE, crossed SNIPER'S RIDGE left Wadi in W.21 on their left & reached slope before NORFOLK TRENCHES. No enemy seen but heard at work. Returned about 0200 1645 Quiet day anticipatory orders received for change of sectors 2000 Patrol to NORTHAMPTON RIDGE. Brought in identification particulars of 1 officer & 12 O.Rs not previously known. The day passed very quietly with nothing to report 5 May 1917 At 1930 a small salvage party went out to a point abouy 100 NE of Road in W.23 & recovered among other things 6 boxes SAA, 71 sets equipment, 5 L.E. Rifles & 3 identity discs from bodies. An officer patrol left our line at the same time & went to road in W.15.C & found the Turks at work under cover of 2 picquets. Meanwhile a salvage party working under cover of this patrol on NORTHAMPTON Mound collected from bodies the identity disic of 2 officers & 30 O.Rs belinging to various units 2000 An officer's patrol proceeded to a point 1300 yds N.N.E from our line & found the enemy working between ROCKY CREST & BROWN PATCH 2135 An officer's patrol went to a point 800 yds N. of our lines, where they were held up by enemy fire it then being bright moonlight. They returned at 2415 6 May 1917 Nothing to report during the day, except a few shrapnel shells fired at our new communicating trenches as though TURK was registering 2000 4th ESSEX relieved C coy in the line 2100 5th ESSEX relieved A B & D coys. The battalion moved by coys to a position in support of the left of the 162 Bde new sector thus relieving part of the 156 Bde. 7 May 1917 - Mansura Ridge 0010 Last convoy of stores arrived from old bivouacks. For a large part of this night digging was proceeded with as the new bivouacks had a reputation for being heavily shelled. Latrines were dug as a temporary measure till the camels arrived with the buckets & seats. During the day & for 4 hours of the night digging continued 8 May 1917 Digging continued. The work on the bivouack terraces & dugouts during the day. At night 240 men (60 per coy) started to dig 230 yds of communication trench from 1900-2100 9 May 1917 Routine as yesterday. A & B coys attended a gas demonstration near DOREST HOUSE & all passed through the gas in a satisfactory way 10 May 1917 Routine as yesterday, C & D attended gas demonstration. Digging 7 hours during day 11 May 1917 Routine as yesterday, details attended gas demonstration 12 May 1917 Routine as yesterday, but orders having been received to relieve 1/11th LONDON coy commanders met LONDON coy commanders & orders as Appendix A were issued 1815 Coys filed into trenches in order from Right to left A B C & C & took over from day group of 1/11th LONDONS who withdrew into support bivouacks. Relief was reported complete at 1950. Each coy front consists of 27 firebays each capable of holding about 10 men if full. In the battalion line 4 MGs 8 LGs (of ours) & 4 Stokes guns. 13 May 1917 0450 The night passed quietly - the front was reported all clear at dawn by coy commanders patrols, day passed without incident though groups opf camels were observed on the GAZA - BEERSHEBA Rd. C battery 265 Bde of Howitzers took on one convoy at a range of 6500 yds but was observed to be 200 yds short by our forward O.P. During morning a signaller, who was mending a line outside a communication trench behind front line was sniped from about 1400 yds & killed. The C.O. made a personal reconnaissance of the ground across our front for about 800yds out & decided that only one observation post was necessary to watch Batt front. 1930 Officers patrol left fire at R.17.C.5.8 on bearing of 37 degrees (true) to Little CACTUS GARDEN & returned 2300. Three groups were seen & fire from a fourth drawn. 14 May 1917 0705 Night was quiet, 0705 20 enemy seen filing from left to right of CACTUS HEDGE B/272 informed & several rounds of shrapnel fired which caused them to disappear. 0800, 0950, 1000 Convoys, out of range, seen on GAZA - BEERSHEBA Rd during day the dead ground from 400yds to 700 yds in front of our line was registered by the 3 supporting batteries with a view to night firing 2200 Officer's patrol left for ground to NE of CACTUS Hedge, but owing to intense darkness could find out nothing & returned about 0200 15 May 1917 0630 A new enemy battery (about 4.2" calibre) began to register & fired 5 rounds within a radius of 50yds of the Batt HQ. No shelling near our trenches. One shell pithced onto the bank of earth heaped in front of one of the "Terraces" of B coy's bivouack on which 12 men were having breakfast at the time. The only casualty was a slight scalp wound caused by a piece of earth. The system this unit has found satisfactory of getting protection from shell fire on a slope is roughly shown below [diagram] The slope is cut perpendicular (AB) to a depth of 10ft BC is flat & earth heaped up at C as shown in Fig 2. An "undercut" dugout is made at B (Fig 2). The dugouts BE did not need to be supported in most cases as the ground was very hard, if the roof was wel larched as in fig.3. The shell in question pitched about D & buried itself in the earth before exploding the men were sitting on the terrace BC. 1900 Officer's patrol to 500yds NE of Cactus hedge found 3 of our bodies. 16 May 1917 0640, 0852, 1415 Camel convoys on the GAZA-Beersheba Rd all came under fire of our guns. 2100 Officer's patrol under Bde orers left line at W.19.d & proceeded to CACTUS GARDEN. They selected a site considered suitable for the starting point for an attack by 2 coys on the GARDEN, about 550yds SE of garden & 300yds E of Road. The approach to this was a double wire laid back to the MENDUR Rd and returned 0239 on 17th 17 May 1917 0200 Patrol of 1 officer & 20 O.Rs proceeced to a point 800 SE of CACTUS Hedge & remained out all day. As opportunity offered they changed their position from time to time, bein gsniped at every now & then. At dusk many snipers got out of the grass & went for the garden, as though they rested there during the night. 0530 An enemy working party of about 200 was observed about 600yds N.W. of CACTUS GARDEN. B/272 opened fire & got 4 shots of 7 into the party which scattered. The rest of the day passed without incident. 18 May 1917 The day passed without incident & except for the usual convoys in the distance little was seen. About 1800 several small parties of enemy came out from ALI MUNTAR & disappeared in trenches about 500yds N of CACTUS GARDEN. During day the supporting Batteries C/2659 B/272 were engaged in gapping the wire on Outpost Hill & registering the gaps. 2000 The Battalion was relieved by 25th R.W.F. [this unit did not serve in the Near East - should be 1/5 RWF?] and moved into bivouack area previously occupied by 7th R.W.F. Note on daily routine. During the whole period that the Battalion was in support to the 11th LONDON working parties were found of a strength to employ. The whole Battalion less necessary specialists worked at communication trenches for 3 to 4 hours each night, cutting a considerable length of new trench & opening up to allow stretchers to pass, another long length. The whole battalion was employed for about 4 hours a day - generally between 0700 & 1100 - on erecting terraces & dug outs of the pattern alluded to & also in building splintered roof verandahs on the terraces. as in Fig 3. made of 2 strips of corrugated iron supported by upright timber beam XY & horizontal beams XW. On the roof was 2 sandbags round edge with earth & tufts of grass in the centre. During the period that the Battalion was in the front line trenches 6 hours work a day was performed usually from 0700-0900 & from 1900-2300. This work consisted chiefly in reconstructing fire bays, levelling parapets & heaped up traverses, widening & deepening the communication ways behind the firestep & constructing deep dugouts & coy H.Q.s. As will be seen there has been a considerable amount of sickness & a very large proportion of this id due to slight abrasions got while digging and at other times becoming septic. It was found useful for each coy HQ to keep a bottle of iodine & some cotton wool & orders were issued that any man who grazed himself, however slightly, was at once to be iodized. 19 May 1917 The day was spent in settling into new bivouacks which consisted of about 200yds of gully with 4 small branches about 40yds long off it & the flat ground between these arms. During the day & the next few days, much sanitary work including the erection of incinerators, latrines, washing baths & areas & the dugouts were sprayed with fly solution. The Battalion with the 1/11th LONDON Regt & 1st HEREFORD REgt & 6th R.W.F. were all in the same area & were placed under the orders of GOC 53rd Div in general reserve - organised for tactical purposes as a composite Bde under command of the Batt C.O. - Lt.Col E.W.BRIGHTEN C.M.G. 20 May 1917 0730 CHURCH PARADE with 1/11th LONDON Regt. HOLY COMMUNION 10.30. Working parties had been ordered by 53rd Div. but these were cancelled in view of a KHAMSENE or hot dusty wind which made the weather too hot for work. 21 May 1917 Working parties were found under orders of 162 Bde to construct Bde HQ for 162 Bde which expects to come into residence in its new area on the night of 25th/26th. 22 May 1917 Working parties were found under 53rd Div orders for work on making the new wire road to C14 crossing & near PICCADILLY CIRCUS. Work continued at Bde H.Q. no of man hours worked in day 2245 23 May 1917 Working parties under 53rd Div & 162 Bde orders were provided on similar tasks to those performed yesterday. "Man hours" worked 1500. In nearly all instances the work was a considerable distance away & the parties took from 50 mins to 1 1/2 hours in marching to & from work. 24 May 1917 Working parties continued as yesterday. man hours 1740. During the day work continued in bivouack on making baths of sandbags, covered with W.P. sheets for the men. 1 gallon of water was allotted to 3 men who were enabled by washing themselves first & their straining off the soapsuds in a straw "trap" to wash their clothes also. 25 May 1917 Camp routine & working parties at new bde HQ. 1900 162 Bde HQ moved to the area & the Batt passed under its orders from those of the COMPOSITE Bde of 53rd Div. Lt Col E.W.BRIGHTEN CMG - in the absence of the GOC in hospital assumed command of the 162 Bde, handing over command of this unit to Capt C.R.JAMES 26 May 1917 Camp routine & work at Bde HQ. 27 May 1917 WHITSUNDAY. HOLY COMMUNION 0615. Church parade 0730. Voluntary service 1800. A & B coys marched to sea at mouth of WADI GHUZZE & spent the day bathing & resting 28 May 1917 Working party under 495 Coy RE;s of 376 all ranks. One coy was being inoculated for T.A.B. otherwise this was the digging strength of the battalion. Pow-wow for C.Os at Bde HQ at 1000. Train echelon kit brought up to unit from DEIR-EL-BELAH 29 May 1917 1000 C.O. adj & 4 OC coys reconnoitred the approaches to SHEIKH ABBAS salient from bivouack with a view to reinforcing it if ordered to do so by Reserve Commander. Training in signalling bombing & Lewis guns. 30 May 1917 Classes of bombing, signalling, sanitation, stretcher bearers were started under coy & batt. arrangements. Some 75 men who needed it went to the 54th Div San Section & were disinfected. T.A.B.1 inoculation which started 2 days previously was continued. 31 May 1917 Specialist training continued. Battalion being on Bde duty found guards & fatigues as ordered. Inoculation continued. This completes 3/4 of the battalion's annual TAB inoculation first dose Appendix A 1/5th Bedfordshire Regiment TRENCH ORDERS No.4 INTERPRETATION 1. These orders cancel and are in substitution for all previous numbers which will be returned to Batt. H.Q. for destruction at once. DISTRIBUTION 2. The Batt will hold the Left Sector of 162nd Infy. Bde. Subsection with 1/11th London Rgt and change places every 6 days. The Left Sector is from GAZA-MENDUR track exclusive to point R.17.c.10.5 3. The front line will be held by one Batt, 2 Sections M.G.Coy and 4 Stokes Guns, the whole for tactical purposes under the orders of the O.C.Batt. holding the front line. The support line will be held by 1 Battalion (less 1 Coy which will hold Redoubts 1, 2 & 4). The Stokes Gun Battery (less 4 guns) will be distributed in the Redoubt line. 4. 270th Brigade R.F.A. with C265 Battery R.F.A. is allotted to this Subsection and will occupy places whence the whole of the Subsection front can be covered by day or night. DEFENCE 5. All positions will be held to the last. Should any portion of the line be forced, the nearest Officer (or failing him a N.C.O. or man) on each side wil lat once oaganise a counter-attack. On no account because one portion of the line goes back is another portion to do so. This is to be clearly understood by all ranks. MANNING 6. By night. Front line trenches will be fully manned, and everyone in the place he will occupy in case of attack. A double sentry will be posted, with relief close at hand, at every second occupied fire bay. machine , Lewis and Stokes Guns will be in position with one sentry beside each of them close alongside. Rifles will be loaded, magazines charged and bayonets fixed. Troops will have their equipment on. Whilst working parties are busy in, or in front of, front line trenches, O.C.Coys will make such temporary moidifications of the arrangements for security as the occasion requires. Elsewhere than in front line trenches troops may undress and rifles will not be loaded but arrangements must be made for waking everyone and turning out at the shortest possible notice. By day. In the front line trenches a garrison of 10% of the full garrison (excluding Machine and Stokes Gunners) plus 3 men per Machine or Stokes gun and 2 men per Lewis Gun will be maintained, and one double sentry be posted per company. These except the sentries and reliefs mat take off their equipment, but not their boots and must not move far from their posts. machine and Lewis Guns will be in dug-outs. All will have magazines charged, but rifles not loaded, bayonets unfixed. The remainder of the front line garrison may withdraw to Support Dug-outs, but must not go more than 500yds from their bivouac. Their rifles will not be loaded they may take off their equipment and 50% of them at a time may take off their clothes and boots. For the remainder of the troops (viz. the Batt. holding the Support Line) the orders will apply as at night. 7. Where occupying the trenches in the evening, or withdrawing from them in the morning, the greatest care must be exercised not to let the enemy see the strength of the garrison. This point requires particular attention in the case of troops who have to cross the open. DUTIES 8. One officer (so long as there are 3 Officers per Coy) and one N.C.O. not below the rank of Sergeant will be on duty in each Coy, in the front line always, constantly moving up and down the trench held by their Coy. In addition by day, one officer not below the rank of Captain (so long as there are 3 Captains in the Batt) will always be in the front line trenches. This must be arranged between Coys. The Trench Sergeant wil lrelieve and post all sentries, but this does not relieve the N.C.O. in command of the Trench Section of any other responsibilities. STAND TO 9. When occupying front line trenches the whole Batt will "Stand to" at 0400 for one hour. "Stand to" will not be dismissed until: - (a) Daylight (b) morning patrols have reported "All clear" (c) Day Observation Posts mounted (d) There is no fog or any other atmospheric conditions to obscure the view. The Batt. wil lalso "Stand to" at 1830, for half an hour until all Night Posts are mounted and it is properly dark. Detachments of M.G. Coy. who occupy trenches the whole of the time, will not be required to "Stand to" as a whole in the morning, but, man capable of firing the gun must "Stand to" every morning, and the remainder of the team be handy if required. During the evening "Stand to" every man will be seen by his Platoon Commander in his fire position, care being taken to see that it is of suitable height. Actual time of stand to will be varied according to time of year, the alteration will be notified periodically from Batt. H.Q. BOMBS 10. One bombing squad will be formed in each Coy and be located in some central position 50yds or so behind the trenches. Their duty will be to counter attack immediately with bombs should the enemy penetrate our trenches. They wil ldo this on the initiative of their Commander without waiting for any order. 11. Bombs are not to be used for repelling an attack. The rifle is the weapon. 12. PATROLS. Special patrols to push well out will be organised under Battn. arrangements, not less than 3 times during its tour of duty. In addition to the above each Coy. will have patrols out before dawn to ascertain that the enemy has not massed at any possible point of assault wit ha view to an attack at dawn. It is to be impressed on all patrols that if an enemy is encountered, unless in markedly superior force, he is to beattacked with the Bayonet at once. Nowhere is offensive action combined with surprise of greater value than in night fighting. Also by keeping "No Man's land" free of the enemy, whi if attacked on every occasion, will quickly learn to keep clear or run away, the whole force gets much more rest than it otherwise would. Evety effort should be made by constantly changing the men employed on patrol to train a considerable number to this work. INTELLIGENCE 13. Every effort must be made to locate the following points and special attention is to be paid to these points when rendering reports. These points are systematically dealt with afterwards and are very valuable for drawing up the Artillery programme. All ranks are to be instructed what to look for and the importance impressed upon them: - (a) weak spots in ene,y line, (b) Gun positions (c) M.G. Emplacements (d) O.P's (e) Areas of assembly (f) Ammunition and Supply dumps (g) Communication Trenches (h) Passage of enemy conviys (i) Working parties (j) Routine movements, etc. STORES IN TRENCHES 14. The following will be maintained in trenches: - Ammunition. One ton will be kept in the back of the trench behind the traverse between each two fire bays in use. 10,000 rounds will be kept beside each Lewis Gun. 15,000 rounds will be kept beside each Maxim Machine Gun. Remainder of ammunition on Battalion charge will be deposited in dumps at central spots behind the trenches, position of nearest dump to his right and left being known to everyone. Bombs. Will be kept with the Bombing Section of each Company. Very Pistols and Lights. 1 pistol will be kept at each Coy. H.Q. and 2 in the front trenches held by each Coy. Also 2 at Batt.H.Q. 24 illuminating and 12 each red and green signal cartridges at each Coy.H.Q. also 12 each red and green at Batt.H.Q. The different colours are to be kept in separate boxes so that they may be readily available and no mistake made in the dark. AMMUNITION 15. All loading will be from the pouch. Ammunition must never be allowed to lie about. All empties will be put in the proper place provided on each fire bay RANGE CARDS 16. Range cards will be kept in each fire bay and M.G. and L.G. emplacement. Where necessary, range markers must be put out. LATRINES 17. As buckets become available the pail system of latrines will be installed, excreta being collected from trench latrines a [sic] least 4 times daily and buried behind Support dug-outs. Gonophones [?] may be used being improvised out of biscuit tins. The necessity for the most rigid cleanliness in every way in their own interests and as a means of keeping down flies is to be impressed on all ranks and very strictly enforced. Tranch latrines are only to be used in cases of real urgency or when a man cannot be spared for the necessary period from the trench REFUSE 18. All refuse, tins etc. will be buried behind Support Dug outs in properly constructed refuse pits GAS 19. In the trenches a shell case will be hung up in each sentry post together with a beater, for use only in case of an alarm of gas. Shells will also be hung up near each group of dug-outs and outside each signal office and men told off to beat them in case of gas alarm. In each Coy. and all details a regular system of waking men, should the gas alarm occur at night, will be worked out. Should gas be used word will at once be sent by the senior officer or N.C.O. on the spot where the alarm is raised to the nearest signal office and the fact be immediately telephoned through to every office with which that office is in communication. Gas Helmets will be inspected daily and always be carried except between 0900 & 1600. This order is to be read with Orders for Hostile Gas Alarm issued on 1. May.17 DIGGING ETC. 20 Men not on duty will work for 4 hours by night and 2 hours per day in the trenches. Should the work provoke hostile shelling it will be temporarily suspended unless ordered otherwise MACHINE GUNS 21. Maxim Machine Guns will not be used for any purpose except repelling an attack. Exceot when in use they will be mounted by night only. On no account will they fire on Aircraft or be used for Sniping. Emplacements will be closely concealed. Lewis Guns in general will be bound by same rules as M.G's but they may be used to snipe by the order of an officer, if a proper target presents itself. The target will be reported to batt. H.Q. either prior to opening fire or immediately afterwards and the officer giving to [sic] order to fire is held responsible that the target is a proper one. AEROPLANES 22. Fire will only be opened on aeroplanes by order of an officer. REST 23. All ranks not on duty must rest between 1300 and 1500 daily, and take off their boots (so far as allowed by para. 6 of these orders) During this period there is to be absolute quiet. This order is to be most rigidly enforced and any offender severely dealt with. Every effort is to be made to construct shady, airy and comfortable dug-outs so that the men may be able to take full advantage of this rest period. CLEANLINESS 24. Immediately after "Stand to" all trenches and support lines will be thoroughly cleaned and swept out, the sweeping being removed to the proper refuse pit. Coy. Comdrs. will personally hold a daily inspection of the whole of their trenches and lines to ensure that this has been properly done. In addition to this daily clean, all places in trenches occupied by day, and where meals are taken in Support, will be swept up after every meal. Proper Recepticles for rubbish will be placed in the trenches and Support dug-outs, to be cleared at regular times by Coy. Sanitary Squads. All food will be covered as far as possible. All tins are to be collected and properly disposed of. The breach of any of these rules, or the throwing about of tins or refuse is to be a C.O's offence. Equipment is to be hung up and trenches and dug-outs made as a barrack room. PRISONERS OF WAR 25. A report is to accompany all Prisoners of War, showing where taken, under what circumstances and whether deserters or otherwise COMMUNICATIONS 26. All officers are expected to know their way all over the Subsection area and to the chief Headquarters and places of importance i nadjoining Subsections. UNDERCUTTING TRENCHES AND UNPLANNED WORK 27. It is an offence to under-cut any part of a trench, or to perform any work other than cleaning up or repairs, that has not been laid out by an officer, himself working on a proper plan. REPORTS 28. Reports will be submitted to Batt. H.Q. by following hours: - 0445 "All clear" or otherwise, By this hour the Signal Officer will test all communications and report if correct or not. 0600 Reports from Night Patrols and anything important during previous night. 1800. 24 hours report, including work completed during previous 24 hours. At any time. Anything of particular importance Appendix B: Average daily sick for 1st week 75 all ranks Average daily sick for 2nd week 110 all ranks Average daily sick for 3rd week 105 all ranks Average daily sick for 4th week 122 all ranks Average daily sick MONTH 102 all ranks Max number of sick on 20th 208 all ranks Minimum number of sick on 2nd 56 all ranks

From: 1917 To: 1917

item

Brighten, Edgar William,
James, C.R.,
Mudge

1st/11th (Finsbury Rifles) Battalion London Regiment, 1st/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, Armenians, Turks, 1st/4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment, 1st/4th Battalion Essex Regiment, 1st/5th Battalion Essex Regiment, 162nd Infantry Brigade, 156th Infantry Brigade, general prevention, inoculation, toilets, deaths, 1st/7th (Merioneth & Montgomery) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 1st/5th (Flintshire) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, land weaponry, 1st/1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment, 1st/6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 53rd (Welsh) Division, church services, baths, 495th Field Company Royal Engineers, Royal Field Artillery 270th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery 265th Battery, prisoners of war, military aircraft, Sheikh Abbas, Sniper's Ridge [Gaza], Northampton Ridge [Gaza], Northampton Mound [Gaza], Rocky Crest [Gaza], Brown Patch [Gaza], Dorset House [Gaza], Gaza, Beersheba, Cactus Garden [Gaza], Cactus Hedge [Gaza], Mendur, Ali Muntar, Piccadilly Circus [Gaza], Wadi Ghuzze, Deir-el-Belah