X550/2/5/1809

War Diary for September 1918 1 Sep 1918 - Frmicourt Battalion moved up to Railway Line in vicinity of FREMICOURT & dug in. 2 Sep 1918 Battalion advanced to the attack (in reserve) at 5.15 a.m. in front of FREMICOURT. Casualties Lt. C.G.Hayes wounded etc. 94 Other Ranks Killed, wounded etc. 3 Sep 1918 - Lebucquiere Station B & D Coys went forward to the attack & found that the enemy had evacuated the position. These two Companies advanced about four miles until they came in contact with the enemy, they then dug in. relieved at night & marched back to LEBUCQUIERE Station & encamped. Casualties 9 Other Ranks wounded 4 Sep 1918 - Biefvillers-les-Bapaume Battalion withdrew to Camp near BIEFVILLERS 5 Sep 1918 In camp as above, employed in cleaning up and refitting 6 Sep 1918 In Camp as above Battalion Training Commenced. 7-11 Sep 1918 As above. Training carried on. Weather: - very wet, very rough winds. 12 Sep 1918 As above. The following Officers joined Battalion 2/Lt W.B.J.Brandreth. 2/Lt F.Whately-Knight 2/Lt S.G.Fisher 2/Lt K.W.J.Harvey 2/Lt E.W.P.Robinson 2/Lt G.W.Blackwell 2/Lt F.A.Clarke 2/Lt W.W.Humm 2/Lt L.G.Cale 13 Sep 1918 As above. Training carried on. 14 Sep 1918 In Camp as above. Received Warning Order to move up into Divisional Reserve 15 Sep 1918 - Villers-au-Flos Moved up to VILLA au FLOS [sic] in the morning & billeted in huts & dug-outs. Enemy aircraft very active bombing vicinity of village at night. 16 Sep 1916 In billets as above. Training carried on under Coy. arrangements. Enemy active with H.V. Guns. 17-19 Sep 1918 In Divisional Reserve as above, warned to be ready to move at 1/2 an hours notice. 20 Sep 1918 - Ytres Received Warning Order to move. Moved at night to YTRES via BARASTRE & BUS. Battalion relieved at VILLER au FLOS [sic] by 2 K.O.S.B.s & Relieved 1/D.C.L.I. at YTRES. Some shelling by H.V. Guns in vicinity of village. 21 Sep 1918 In Camp as above. Enemy H.V.Guns very active shelling village. 22 Sep 1918 In Camp as above. Church services for all denominations. H.V. Guns again active 2/Lt R.J.Cropley severely wounded & died later in the day. 23 Sep 1918 As above, frequent enemy shelling around Camp. 24 Sep 1918 As above. 25 Sep 1918 As above. Bde O.O. received for relief on following day. Battalion to remain in same camp. 26 Sep 1918 Battalion received orders to move up to assembly positions ready for forthcoming operations. 27 Sep 1918 - Beaucamps Battalion advanced over the top to the attack at 7.52 am & captured part of Beaucamp [sic] Village all objectives taken. During the afternoon German Bombing Party attacked which caused Battalion to draw back to Sunken Road & evacuate the village. Capt H.C.Loe, M.C. & 2/Lt. H.Hutchinson Killed. Capt. R.L.Shaw, Capt & Adjt.A.H.O.Riddell, Lt.F.H.Melvill & 2/Lts. W.T.Morris, J.T.Laughton, G.W.Blackwell Wounded. Other Ranks - 19 Killed, 96 Wounded, 1 Died of Wds. 19 Missing & 1 Wd. & Missing. 28 Sep 1918 Germans evacuated BEAUCAMP [sic]. Cheshires & Norfolks advanced with Bedfords & Warwicks in support. Lt.C.G.Watkins, Wd. at duty. O.R. - 1 Killed & 3 Wounded. 29 Sep 1918 Bedfords passed through 95th Bde & attacked beyond railway & consolidated. 2/Lt.W.B.J.Brandreth Wd. 2/Lt.F.Whately-Knight Wd. at duty. O.R. - 1 Killed, 2 Died of Wds, 3 Wounded, 1 Missing. 30 Sep 1918 - Dead Man's Corner Germans retiring, Battalion moved forward. Relieved in evening by 13 K.R.Rs. 37th Division & withdrew to Dead Mans Corner. 5 O.R. Wounded 2 Died of Wounds OPERATION ORDER No. 164 1st. Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment. Sept. 1st. 1918. 1. On Sept. 2nd. the advance will be resumed by the 15th. Infantry Brigade in conjunctions [sic] with Divisions on either flank. 2. The attack of the 15th. Infantry Brigade will be carried out on a two Battalion frontage as follows: - 1st. Norfolks - Right. 1st. Cheshires - Left. 16th. R.Warwicks - In support, (Left) 1st. Bedfords - In reserve, (Right) The attack will be preceded by an Artillery barrage which will open on the line I.21.c.3.0. to I.9.c.3.0. where it will remain for four minutes before creeping forward. 3. The objective allotted to the 15th. Infantry Brigade are as follows: - 1st. Objective. 1.28.a.1.1. round Eastern edge of BEUGNY - I.16.a.8.5. 2nd. Objective. I.34.b.8.8. - I.29. central. - I.17.d.5.7. - (Factory) The dividing line between Battalions will be the normal guage [sic] railway through I.21. - I.22.c. - I.28.b. - and I.29.a. The 1st. Norfolks and 1st. Cheshires will be responsible for the capture of both objectives. 4. The general rate of advance to the 1st. objective will be 100 yards in 4 minutes. A halt of one hour will be made on the line of the 1st. objective. The signal for the advance to the 2nd. objective to commence will be the opening of the Artillery barrage, which will only take place if the 62nd. Division (on left) have captured MORCHIES. If the 62nd. Division fail to capture MORCHIES, the barrage for the advance to the 2nd. objective will not open, and no further advance will be made. 5. (a) MACHINE GUNS. 1 section of "C" Coy. M.G.Battn. will advance with Battalion. (b) TANKS. 2 tanks (Mark IV) will assist in mopping up BEUGNY and will advance to the high ground in I.27. and I.28. 6. ASSEMBLY. The Battalion will be ready to move off at 8.30 p.m. to-night in the following order: - "C", "D", "B", and "A" Coy's. H.Qrs. 7. ROUTE. By Infantry Track through H.10. central then through H.17.a. to track in [H.]17.d.4.5. then by track to railway at H.21.b.6.8. to positions in I.13. central. "C" Coy. on the right front. "D" Coy. on the left. "B" behind "C". "A" behind "D". 8. GUIDES. One Offcier and one N.C.O. per Company have been shewn the position and the route, by 2/Lieut. L.J.Hobson this afternoon. 9. At zero hour the Battalion will move forward in Artillery formation to about I.21.a.central astride the road, where Companies will dig in if no cover is available, in the same order as in assembly positions. Zero hour will be notified later, but will be about 5 a.m. The signal for the Infantry to advance will be the opening of the barrage. 10. Lewis Guns will be carried on Limbers the whole way. OPERATION ORDER No. 164. 1st. Battalion the Bedfordshire Regiment. Ref. - France 57.B. Scale 1/40,000. Sept. 4th. 1918. 1. The Battalion will march to-day to the area H.19. and 20. 2. Order of march - H.Q., "A", "B", "C" and "D" Coy's. Transport. H.Q. to start off at 3.15 p.m. 100 yards interval to be maintained between Companies. 3. ROUTE. I.29.b. along road to FREMICOURT, by track to H.24.b.5.8., along track to FAVREUIL, thence to monument at H.15.c.4.6. where guides will meet the Battalion. 4. Officers Valises, Mess Boxes etc., will be ready at 2 p.m. 5. Great Coats will be rolled and carried on haversacks. 6. Steel Helmets will be worn. OPERATION ORDER No. 165. 1st. Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment. Ref. Map: - Sheet 57.C. Scale 1/40,000. 1. The Battalion will move into Divisional Reserve at VILLERS-au-FLOS, to-morrow the 15th. inst. 2. Battalion will form up on ground at back of Battalion Headquarters, ready to move off at 10 a.m. 3. DRESS - Full marching order. Caps to be worn. March discipline and the usual 200 yards interval between Companies will be maintained. 4. ORDER OF MARCH. Headquarters, Drums, "A", "B", "C" and "D" Companies. Battalion will be clear of the Brigade Starting point (Fork roads at H.34.c.2.8.) by 11.30 a.m. 5. ROUTE - BAPAUME - RIENCOURT - VILLERS-au-FLOS. 6. Transport will march in rear of Battalion. 7. Officers Kits, Mess Boxes, etc., will be stacked at Battalion H.Q., ready for loading by 9 a.m. Sgt. Faulder will superintend the loading of L.G. Limbers at 7 a.m. 8. DUMPED Personnel will parade under Capt. J.C.A.Birch at Battalion H.Q. half an hour after departure of Battalion, when they will proceed to ACHIET le GRAND, and report to O.C., Divisional Reception Camp. Dumped Officers Kits will be ready for collection by Lorry on road opposite Transport Lines by 9 a.m. OPERATION ORDER No. 166. Ist. Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment. Sept. 20th. 1918. 1. On the evening of the 20th. inst. the 1st. Battalion Bedfordshire Regt. will move into Support and take over ffrom the 1st. D.C.L.I. in YTRES. 2. The Battalion will move in the following order: - H.Q., "B", "C", "D" and "A" Coy's. Transport. 200 yards between Companies. Head of H.Q. to pass Church at VILLERS au FLOS at 5 p.m. 3. ROUTE - BARASTRE - BUS - YTRES. 4. DRESS - Full Marching order, with Steel Helmets on packs. 5. Billetting parties will take over details of working parties etc., from 1st. D.C.L.I. 6. Officers Kits, Mess Boxes, etc., to be outside Coy. H.Q. at 3 p.m. Transport Officer will; arrange to collect these. 7. Lewis Guns will be carried on Limbers in rear of each Coy. 8. Sgt. Washington will arrange for teas at 3.30 p.m. 9. Coy. Commanders to report to Battalion Headquarters when all their Coy is in Billets. OPERATION ORDER No. 167 1st. Battalion The Bedfordshire Regiment. Map Ref. - Sheet 57.C. S.E. Scale 1/20,000. Sept. 25th. 1918. 1. On a date to be notified later the offensive will be resumed by the 3rd. Army. The IV Corps will attack with the 5th. Divn. on the right and the 42nd. Divn. on the left. The 17th. Divn. (V Corps) will attack on the right of the 5th. Division. 2. The 5th. Division will attack un a two Brigade front, with the 13th. Infy. Bde. on the right and the 15th. Infy. Bde. on the left. The 1st. Bedfordshire Regt. will capture the RED objective, from R.13.a.0.8. (junction of trench and sunken road) to Q.18.a.9.1. The 16th. R.Warwicks will follow behind 1st. Bedfords, and go through to the BROWN dotted line, after the RED objective has been captured. The 1st. Cheshires will be in support, with one Coy. linking up left of 1st. Bedfords with the right of the 42nd. Divn. afterwards helping to mop up BEAUCAMP [sic] VALLEY. 1st. Norfolks will be in reserve. The objective of the 13th. Bde. will be the RED line within their Bde. boundaries. The final objective if the 42nd. Divn. will be the BLUE Line as shewn on special map issued to Companies. 3. PLAN OF ATTACK. "A" and "C" Coy's. will attack in the front line, "A" on the right and "C" on the left, each having two platoons in the front wave, and two in immediate support. 15 yards between lines and 50 yards between waves. "D" Coy. will be in support, 100 yards distance in the same formation, two platoons supporting "A" Coy. and two supporting "C". "B" Coy. in reserve at 200 yards distance, in Artillery formation, with sections echeloned. As soon as the barrage lifts to the RED objective, "B" Coy. will proceed to mop up the Western portion of BEAUCAMP [sic]. They will be assisted by one Tank. One section of Tanks will operate on the Brigade front, each Tank will be accompanied by three men, who form a smoke screen for them. After the RED objective is taken, one tank will rally South of BEAUCAMP [sic], and two North of the village. It must be impressed on Infantry that they are not to follow the Tanks, but keep their direction assisting the Tanks on the[ir?] asking for help in mopping up. Signals are as follows: - Tanks to Infantry: - White and Green Flag...Come to me. Red and Yellow Flag....Am out of action. Go on without me. Red, Blue & White Flag...Am withdrawing. Don't shoot. Infantry to Tanks: - Helmet waved on rifle...Come to me. 4. The directing point, if not observed by mist and smoke, is the high tree South and East of BEAUCAMP [sic] VILLAGE, the true bearing of which is 35 degrees from Q.23.a.90.15. The true bearing of the line of advance of each Battalion will be taken. Every Officer must carefully set his compass, in case of fog or smoke obscuring the directing point. 5. CONSOLIDATION. The 1st. Bedfords will consolidate in depth, with "A" and "C" Coy's. in the front line, from Q.18.a.9.1. to R.13.a.0.8. "B" Coy, after mopping up Village, will move into support at Q.18.a.6.6. to Q.12.d.4.2. "D" Coy. will withdraw to the neighbourhood of the sunken Road about Q.17.b.6.0. to Q.18.a.2.6. with Battalion Headquarters in the sunken Road about Q.17.b.6.2. No dug-outs or shelters are to be entered in capturing trenches, until they have been visited by the Tunnelling section. Use should be made of prisoners to find out whether the trenches are mined. 6. ASSEMBLY. Battalion will move to assembly positions which have been allotted to Companies on Y/Z night. ROUTE of assembly will be WINCHESTER VALLEY TRACK - QUIVERING Support and QUOTIENT Trenches to BANK POST, thence along communication trench to TRIG POST. Order of march - "C", "A", "D" and "B" Coy's. H.Q. 150 yards interval between platoons. Rear of H.Q. to pass Cemetery (P.23.c.5.4.) by 9 p.m. Time of start will be notified later. Battalion Headquarters will be at Q.23.a.8.4. 7. ARTILLERY. The attack will be carried out under a barrage which creeps at the rate of 100 yards in 4 minutes, with the following halts: - (a) On the line - Q.11.d.8.6. - Road at Q.11.d.9.3. - Road at Q.18.a.0.6. - Trench at Q.18.a.4.4. - along line of trench to junction of Q.18.a.8.1. - LINCOLN RES. at Q.18.d.0.6. (b) On the RED Line. Actual duration of halts will be notified later. 8. MACHINE GUN BARRAGE. One Coy. M.G. Battalion will fire a direct and indirect machine gun barrage. The guns firing direct will cover the gap (200 yards) between 1st. Bedfords left and 1st. Cheshires right, and the gap (250 yards) between left of 1st. Cheshires and 42nd. Divn. This fire will be on a wide arc at first, and gradually narrow down. All ranks are to be informed that it is direct fire, and that they can be seen by the firers. It will not take place in case of fog. Machine Gun barrage (One Coy) is of the usual nature, - 500 yards in front of advancing Infantry. 9. MEDIUM TRENCH MORTARS. Medium Trench Mortars operating on the 15th. Infantry Bde. front of attack are grouped as follows: - 6 to enfilade trenches in Q.17.b. 6 to bombard BEAUCAMP [sic]. 12 to enfilade trenches on BEAUCAMP [sic] RIDGE or bombard trenches in Q.23.d. 10. SIGNALS. (a) On the capture of the RED Line, two white lights will be sent up by the 1st. Bedfords. (b) Red flares will be dropped by Counter attack patrol machine to denote that enemy are massing for counter attack. (c) White ground flares will be lighted when called for by Contact Planes. Tin Discs will also be used to show our positions to Contact Aeroplanes. 11. ZERO HOUR. "Z" Day and Zero hour will be notified later. Watches will be synchronised on Y/Z night under arrangements of the Intelligence Officer. 12. STORES. Stores to be carried will be issued to Companies on "Y" Day. Hot tea will be issued at midnight on Y/Z night, and breakfast provided on Z Day. Companies will report to Battalion Headquarters by name of Coy. Commander when Companies are in assembly positions.

1-30 Sep 1918

From: 1918 To: 1918

item

Hayes, C.G.,
Brandreth, W.B.J.,
Whately-Knight, F.,
Fisher, S.G.,
Harvey, K.W.J.,
Robinson, E.W.P.,
Blackwell, G.W.,
Clarke, F.A.,
Humm, W W,
Cale, L.G.,
Cropley, Reginald John,
Loe, Harold Charles,
Hutchinson, Herbert,
Shaw, R.L.,
Riddell, A.H.O.,
Melvill, F.H.,
Morris, W.T.,
Laughton, Joseph Thornton,
Watkins, C G,
Hobson, L.J.,
Birch, J.C.A.,
Washington

1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, railways, Lebucquiere Station, 5th Division, military aircraft, aerial action overseas, 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, church services, 15th Infantry Brigade, deaths, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, 95th Infantry Brigade, Germans, 13th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps, 37th Division, 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, 5th Battalion Machine Gun Corps, land weaponry, motor vehicles, 3rd Army, IV Corps, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, 17th (Northern) Division, V Corps, 13th Infantry Brigade, cemeteries, weather, 15th Trench Mortar Battery, Fremicourt, Lebucquiere, Biefvillers-les-Bapaume, Villers-au-Flos, Ytres, Barastre, Bus, Beaucamps, Dead Man's Corner [Cambrai], Beugny, Morchies, Favreuil, Riencourt, Achiet-le-Grand, Winchester Valley Track [Somme], Quivering Support Trench [Somme], Quotient Trench [Somme], Bank Post [Somme], Trig Post [Somme], Lincoln Reserve Trench [Somme]