X550/2/5/1609

War Diary for September 1916 1 Sep 1916 - Silesia Trenches Battalion remained in SILESIA TRENCHES. Found 276 men for working parties during the day and night of 1st/2nd. These parties heavily shelled with gas and tear shells (losing 1 man). Work also carried on in Silesia TRENCHES. These last were in a very bad condition and insanitary. 8.0 pm 2 officers (2Lt Blake & 2Lt Williams 3rd Bn and 10th Bn Bedfordshire Regt respectively) and 30 other ranks joined as reinforcements. 11 pm Ground to our immediate front heavily shelled with tear and silent gas shells (poisonous) 2 Sep 1916 Remained in SILESIA TRENCHES. Our heavy artillery heavily bombarded enemy's trenches. Intermittent bursts of 18pr. rapid fire. Bn. found working parties in front line trenches, working on new assembly trenches, also providing carrying parties. Enemy dropped a few 5.9's on our trenches during the course of the day, one shell in the evening wounded 9 men ('B' coy). Bn. also worked on the improving of SILESIA TRENCHES. The shell which wounded the 9 men in the evening was of a peculiar type, it burst on the parapet and burst in reddish light, and formed no crater. 3-6 Sep 1916 Appendices attached 6 Sep 1916 - Billon Farm Bn. on relief arrived at BILLON FARM at 9.45 am. Spent rest of day resting and cleaning up. Capt.M.W.HALFORD 1/GLOUC. R took over A.Adjt. 7 Sep 1916 - Citadel Camps Remained at BILLON FARM till 4.30 pm when moved to CITADEL (A.13) Camps 8 Sep 1916 Major General Stevens commanding 5th Division congratulated Bde on recent operations. Copy of Brigadier General's message attached 9 Sep 1916 - Morlancourt Bn moved at 1.30 pm to billets at MORLANCOURT 10 Sep 1916 In billets at MORLANCOURT. Daily working party of 1 officer & 100 P.Rs at GROVETOWN Stn. Draft of 67 O.Rs arrived. Capt.M.W.HALFORD 1/GLOUC.R. took over 2nd in command. Lt.O.A.R.BEALE took over A/Adjt. 11 Sep 1916 In billets at MORLANCOURT. Draft of 37 O.Rs arrived. 12 Sep 1916 In billets at MORLANCOURT 13 Sep 1916 Working party of 1 officer & 50 O.Rs to Ammunition Dump at MEAULTE. 14 Sep 1916 Working party of 1 officer & 50 O.Rs to Ammunition Dump at MEAULTE. 15 Sep 1916 - Citadel Bn marched to CITADEL leaving MORLANCOURT 4.20 a.m. 16 Sep 1916 - Waterlot Farm Bde moved to WATERLOT FM. & came under orders of 20th Division, bad trenches & very little cover 17 Sep 1916 Spent day at WATERLOT FM - rained all day 18 Sep 1916 - between Guillemont and Wedge Wood Bn was relieved at WATERLOT FM by 14/R Warwickshire Regt at 8 p.m. & moved forward to old German line between GUILLEMONT & WEDGE Wd. Bde came under orders of 5th Div. 19 Sep 1916 Spent day in old German line 20 Sep 1916 - support trenches near Guillemont Spent day in old German line Relieved 1/Norfolks & 1/Cheshires in support trenches at T.14.b & c (Ref GUILLEMONT trench map) Working party 1 officer & 60 O.Rs digging assembly trenches in T.9.c&d. 21 Sep 1916 Remained in above trenches, working party of 1 officer & 60 O.Rs digging assembly trenches in T.9.c&d - weather fine & cold 22 Sep 1916 - Oxford Copse Relieved by 14/R.Warwickshire Regt (13th Bde) & handed over work (digging assembly trenches). Bn returned to bivouacs in OXFORD Copse arriving about 12 midnight. 23 Sep 1916 Bn rested at OXFORD COPSE. Men greatly benefited by this rest weather fine. 24 Sep 1916 - Assembly trenches near Arrowhead Copse Bn rested at OXFORD COPSE. Bn left OXFORD COPSE at 4.30 p.m. halted at CHIMPANZEE TRENCH T.5.d for tea & moved forward again at 6.30 pm via ARROW Hd COPSE to assembly trenches in T.9.c. Bn H.Qrs in Quarry T.9.d. 25 Sep 1916 C.O's report Appendices attached 26 Sep 1916 - Oxford Copse Bn was relieved at 8 p.m. by two companies of Sherwood Foresters 6th Division & returned to bivouacs in OXFORD COPSE arriving about 11.30 pm. 27 Sep 1916 - Citadel Moved to bivouacs in CITADEL arriving 7.30 pm 28 Sep 1916 Transport moved by road to LONGPRE 29 Sep 1916 - Longpre-les-Corps-Saints Entrained at MERICOURT 2 pm & arrived LONGPRE 6.10 pm 30 Sep 1916 Remained at LONGPRE 1st Bedfordshire Regt Operation Order No 19 2nd Sept 16 Reference Trench Map 1/10000 (1) (a) The attack will be carried out on Sept 3rd 1916 (b) Zero hour will be notified later. It will probably be at or about 12.55 pm (c) The 13th Infantry Brigade Operation against FALFEMONT FARM and trenches to SOUTH will take place, as already arranged, about 9.0 pm on Sept 3rd. In connection with this attack Heavy Artillery will not fire SOUTH of a point 60 yards N.W. of Point 48 (B2d4/8) (2) The following change will be made in the action of the Artillery: - the bombardment, which will commence at 8.0 AM, on 2nd Sept will be deliberate. At intervals throughout the bombardment the ground will be searched by bursts of 18 pounder fire. There will be no increase in the intensity of this bombardment either by Heavy of Field Artillery up to Zero (3) (a) In order to obtain a good jumping off place for future operations, the final objectives of the XIV Corps on sept 3rd have been extended to the Line: - SOUTH WESTERN edge of LEUZE Wood - NORTH WESTWARDS through T.20 central. (b) GINCHY TELEGRAPH (T.14 central) will be taken by the XV Corps (4) The 5th Division will capture the SOUTH WESTERN edge of LEUZE WOOD and will gain touch on the right with the French about SAVERNAKE WOOD (5) (a) The dividing line between the 5th and 20th Divisions will be: - T26a1/8 - S.W.Corner of LEUZE WOOD (T.26.b.80/85) inclusive to 5th Division (b) The dividing line between the 5th Div. and the 1st French Div will be the Light Railway running through B3a and b. (6) (a) The Operations referred to in para 4 will be carried out by the 13th Infy Bde. The advance on the wood will be made up the spur from the neighbourhood of FALFEMONT FARM - The valley on the left being avoided as far as possible. The right Flank of this advance will be covered by patrols, who will push forward at the same time as the assaulting troops and establish posts across the SOUTHERN slopes of the spur (approx. through T27C and b3a) so as to connect with the French. These posts must be joined up as soon as possible. 13th Infy Bde Boundaries On the Right Light Railway running along NORTHERN edge of SAVERNAKE wood On the Left NORTHERN Corner of WEDGE WOOD - Corner of LEUZE WOOD (T26b80/85) (b) To enable this attack to be made the Artillery barrage will again become intense at ZERO plus 165 minutes. The creeping barrage will lift gardually at this hour at the rate of 50 yards per minute until it has passed 200 yds beyond the edge of LEUZE WOOD (c) The assaulting Infantry will advance at ZERO plus 165 minutes keeping as close under the barrage as possible (7) The 95th Infy. Bde is allotted the following additional tasks (a) Clearing up the situation in the valley N.E. of WEDGE WOOD with a view to covering the left flank of the 13th Infy Bde during their advance on LEUZE WOOD (b) Assisting the 20th Division (should their advance to the WEDGE WOOD - GINCHY road be checked) by movement NORTHWARD towards Cross Roads T 20 c 2/4 (c) Forming a defensive flank from corner of LEUZE WOOD (T 26 b 80/85) at quarry (T 20 d 3/1) thence westwards in the event of the 20th Divisional attack on GUILLEMONT or the WEDGE WOOD - GINCHY Road be held up (8) It is possible in the event of the Reserve Battalions of the 13th Infy Bde having been previously engaged that the task of carrying out the operations referred to in para 4 and 6 will be allotted to the 15th Infy Bde. This Brigade will, therefore, be prepared to move forward, if required to the FALFEMONT FARM Line and will consider plans beforehand for carrying out the attack (9) The CRE will consider plans with B.G.C13th Infy Bde for opening up communication with the FALFEMONT FARM Line and LEUZE WOOD (10) Watches will be synchronized at hours to be stated later (11) 16th Division will be in Corps reserve. One Infy Brigade Group of this decision will be in a position S.W. of BILLON FARM ready to move at one hours notice (12) In other respects the orders as laid down in 15th Infy Bde Operations orders No55 and 55 (A) will hold good NOTES ON RECENT OPERATIONS Reference your No.G.1463 the following points were noted during the operations of 3rd to 6th September. 1. Orders were not always issued in sufficient time; thus the Order to attack FALFEMONT FARM at 6.30 p.m. on 3rd, was only received at 6 p.m. 2. Communication between Brigade Headquarters and Battalion was bad. An Operation Order to make an immediate attack on FALFEMONT FARM, issued at 12.30 a.m. on the 5th only reached Battalion at 8.0 a.m., though the distance was under a mile. It was taken by a relay runner who lost his way. Where relay runners are used they should be stationed at telephone test stations, so that the line can be followed. This is especially the case by night. If the shelling is very severe these test stations should be closer together and cover provided. An advanced "exchange" should be made where reports as to progress made, etc., can be duplicated and sent out to neighbouring units. Patrols can very rarely obtain this information. 3. When an important success has been gained, fresh troops should be available to take advantage of it before the enemy has time to re-organise, but where this is not so even tired troops can push on provided their flanks remain secure. Some sort of signal, such as rockets or flares, visible from an O.P. should be pre-arranged. Both field and heavy guns should lift 800 yards or more according to the nature of the signal, and thus enable the advance of our Infantry to continue. 4. One or two Field Guns pushed well forward may be of great assistance in dealing with a counter attack. 5. The "P" Bomb for dug-outs and the arrangement of carrying 2 grenades per man proved invaluable. 6. A machine gun pushed into the front line safeguarded the left flank Lewis guns were pushed up close behind the line of bombers (the ground was convex) and did excellent work at close range. 7. Military police stationed on main avenues of approach and close to the front line could send back into action cases of pseudo "shell shock" and also men not carrying back their full load. A report to Brigade being rendered later. REPORT ON OPERATIONS ON 3rd - 6th SEPTEMBER BY 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT (Appendix I). Orders were received to move to SLIT TRENCHES from SILESIAN TRENCH at 1-55 p.m. on 3rd September. The leading platoon marched off within 10 minutes and reached MALTZ HORN TRENCHES 2-25 p.m. At 3 p.m. the Battalion was ordered to move to NEW TRENCHES South of ANGLE WOOD. (Appendix II). the 16th Bn.Royal Warwickshire Regiment had been ordered to move by communication trenches. We started after then and going across the open got in the East End as they got in at the West The two Battalions had to pass one another in a narrow trench during a heavy shelling. Since there was not room for two Battalions in the trench a second line had to be dug behind the first. By food fortune there only [sic] ten casualties. (Appendix III). 6 p.m. orders came from Brigade that Artillery would bombard FALFEMONT FARM. That Bedfords would assault from FALFEMONT FARM exclusive to WEDGE WOOD inclusive at this hour in conjunction with the Cheshires on our right passing through the troops holding the first line. Orders were issued to Companies by 6-10 p.m. and the leading platoon of "D" Company moved off by 6-15 p.m. As they had 1000 yards of open ground to their objective the BARRAGE had lifted long before they could get anywhere near. Moving steadily forward under Artillery and Machine Gun Fire they bore a little too much to the left and passing through the leading companies of the Warwicks and the 95th Brigade they occupied the line from WEDGE WOOD to sunken road at T.26.C.1/9 thus obtaining a portion of the third objective of the 95th Bde. (Appendix IV). Some 30 Warwicks were found in WEDGE WOOD. They had orders to retire at dusk. They were relieved and the line was extended to join the 1st Cheshires due West of FALFEMONT FARM about B.2.A.0/5. We now held a front of 12 hundred yards with the Battalion Headquarters in a trench just South of WEDGE WOOD. To enable the Battalion to continue its attack on trenches East of WEDGE WOOD and to get my Companies out of the 95th Brigade area I requested O.C. "A" Company to move South of WEDGE WOOD, but so as to avoid any accident I instructed him to report this intention first to the nearest Battalion Commander. he was informed that the D.C.L.I. and Gloucesters were unable to take over our front and that the D.C.L.I. were expecting a counter attack on the left. (Appendix V-VI). In consequence the 2 1/2 companies were allowed to remain in the 95th Brigade area holding the first line. A company of the West Kents was called for to hold a portion of our line while a bombing attack was made, but this was cancelled on receipt of 15th Brigade Operation Order No.58 of 4th September directing a general attack on the 4th. Strong patrols were pushed forward from Captain Barnett's Company. They entrenched that night within about 30 yards of the German first line in a very creditable manner. The other Companies also pushed out patrols. Captain Norrish's Company capturing 3 and Lieut.Howard's Company 1 prisoner without any loss - due to good patrol leading. In accordance with 15th Brigade Operation Order of 4th September orders were issued for an attack on Northern portion of CIRCULAR TRENCH East of WEDGE WOOD. (Appendix VII). "D" Company was due to advance from the points they had dug on the night 3/4th instant. "A", "C" and "B" Companies from in front of the 95th Brigade were to "sideslip" and in succession to occupy the pushing off place of "D" Company, to reinforce rapidly. During the morning our guns persistently shelled the line we were holding, and in spite of several reports, matters remained the same. Finally two of the forward trenches had to be evacuated as the men were all being buried. In doing so the enemy opened with machine guns on them and there were several casualties. Quite apart from its moral effect some 30 men were killed or wounded by our own guns. A bombing party, consisting of the Battalion and "D" Company's Bombers, and provided with both "P" and the "Mills" Bombs followed the first platoon; in addition every man in the ranks carried two bombs. As the whole ground was a series of craters these bombs proved invaluable. The rifle men shot down the enemy as he ran back. Lewis guns also did great execution. Reinforcements came up on both sides and matters began to look serious. All the Battalion reserves were used up, Headquarters were asked for reinforcements from another Battalion, but the last push just succeeded, and our supply of bombs outlasted their's The "P" bomb proved the greatest value in bringing them out of dug-outs. In one instance a bomb set fire to a German bomb store. A whole Company was sheltering in a dug-out with 3 entrances, according to the statements of two survivors: not many escaped. The position was held by a German Battalion with M.G. detachment. Three officers (1 wounded) 128 other ranks and 4 machine guns in good condition were captured and sent back by the Bedfords; others were taken back without passing through Battalion Headquarters. In all I estimate the number of prisoners taken by the Battalion during the three days as 160. Some were also taken by a party of about 30 Cheshires who came up on our right. Another party of about 50 who came later on out left also relieved the situation. Apart from this nothing could be seen of any progress on our right; on the left the 95th Bde was not to advance till 6.30 p.m. We consolidated on a line from the Northern corner of FALFEMONT FARM for 300 yards in a N.W. direction across the Plateau. All opposition had ceased by 5.50 p.m., two Companies of West Kents had joined, in response to my request for reinforcements at 4 p.m. and were pushed forward towards LEUZE WOOD, but were recalled to comply with 15th Brigade wire not to draw on them unless absolutely necessary. A strong patrol was sent out on the right through the Farm to try and gain touch with the Norfolks. (They gained touch with the 16th Warwicks East of FALFEMONT FARM). the Cheshires dug in about 300 yards S.W. of the W. corner of LEUZE WOOD where they gained touch later on with the 95th Brigade. Eight other German stragglers were taken by the Bedfords on the 5th, and seven wounded Germans were left in a dug-out. (Appendix X). Throughout the 5th things remained quiet except for some shelling by our guns and a very heavy bombardment by German heavy guns. We buried all our dead and were relieved on the morning of the 6th September The Battalion went into action with 20 Officers and 610 other ranks, and came out having lost 17 Officers and 289 other ranks. They fully succeeded in gaining their objective and facilitated the advance on either flank. The Battalion started with full water bottles on the afternoon of the 3rd and were only able to obtain water again on the morning of the 5th, during this time they made an attack across the open and the following afternoon made another successful attack. This lack of water was to a certain extent eked out by soda water, of which the German dug-outs were found to be well supplied when captured. Sgt.Bush, the Battalion Signalling Sergeant, kept up communication between Brigade and Battalion Headquarters by telephone throughout the operations, except for short intervals. There were two intermediate stations for repair of line. Orderlies were able to follow the line to carry important messages. This was not done by a Brigade Orderly carrying 15th Brigade O.O. No.59 of 5th September, ordering an attack at once by night on FALFEMONT FARM. It was sent out at 12.30 a.m., and only received at 8.0 a.m, too late to be acted upon (Appendix VIII). By night a telephone line or even string will enable orderlies to find their way however intricate the country may be I would also like to draw attention to the necessity of giving Battalion Commanders more time to communicate their orders to subordinates. Not many Battalions could have moved off from a long line of trenches to assault a strong position 1000 yards distant within a quarter of an hour of receipt. Temp.Captain Barnett led the leading Company and directed those following in a masterly manner, after passing through the trenches of our front line, some 500 yards from where we started, they finished up, each Company, a formed unit on their objective. A previous attack that morning had failed and the temptation must have been great for men to drop into the front line trench and start firing. Temp.Captain Barnett's Company also led the attack on the 4th against German position N.W. of FALFEMONT FARM, under peculiarly difficult circumstances. His Company had been under our own barrage fire from daylight till 3.10 p.m., the last portion of which was intense. Many men had been killed and many buried. It was only by constant digging in that any survived, yet the assault was carried out with the utmost vigour. The capture gained the whole ridge and by drawing off German troops from the quarry near T.26 a 6/2 enabled the 95th Brigade to reach LEUZE WOOD practically unopposed that evening. It also indirectly facilitated the advance of the French troops. Under the circumstances I should like to recommend Temp.Capt.Barnett for immediate reward, and also Temp.Capt.West, who did equally good work. All Appendices are with the original War Diary 15th Infy Bde. G 1451 The Brigadier General Commanding feels he cannot too warmly express his admiration of the fine soldierly qualities again displayed by all ranks during the recent operations. The taking of FALFEMONT FARM, a most important and strongly defended post, was a magnificent performance and is one of the greatest successes accomplished during the war. This was made possible entirely by the good handling of their Battalions by Commanding Officers and the devoted conduct of all ranks. Heavy working parties were required when the Brigade was not in the Line and these did excellent work. The Brigadier-General thanks all ranks for their support and co-operation and trusts the Brigade will shortly enjoy a well earned rest 8th September 1916 Undated [presumably the text of the Colonel's address to the men] I have come here this morning to read to you a message that we have received from the Commander-in-Chief. He says, with reference to the late operations, "The rapid advance on LEUZE WOOD, following on the capturing of FALFEMONT FARM, showed great judgement and determination, and has been of considerable assistance to the French Army on our right. I very warmly congratulate you and the Commanders and Staffs and the Troops under you on the results you have already achieved and on the energy and determination with which they were followed up. Well, now, your'e the people who took FALFEMONT FARM, and I am very glad to be able to tell you that not only the Commander-in-Chief, but the Army Commander and the Corps Commander all realise what a great and glorious fight it was. It makes it all the better that you did it after there had been a failure; that always makes it more difficult. Nothing in the world could have been finer than the show you fellows put up by that Farm and the line up to WEDGE WOOD on the left of it. It was magnificent. I want to thank you all for what you have done and tell you that everybody thoroughly understands what a good show it was. 1st Bedforshire Regt Operation Order No20 9th September 1916 Reference Map ALBERT combined sheet 1/40,000 I The 15th Infantry Brigade will move to MORLANCOURT to-day. II The Battalion will parade ready to move off at 1.30 pm. Order of march Hdqrs. A, B. C. D. II [sic] Company commanders are held responsible that their lines are left clean Issued at 12.45 pm SECRET 1st Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. Operation Order No.21 15th Sept. 1916 Map reference ALBERT (combined Sheet) 1/100,000 1. the Battalion will move to CITADEL today. 2. Order of march: - "A" Company 'B' Company 'C' Company D Company Lewis Guns and Lewis Guns teams with the exception of 1 reserve team per company will march rear of the Battalion. 3. Head of Column will pass the church (opposite H.Q. Norfolk Regt) at 4.20 a.m. 4. Coy. Commanders will report to the Adjt that their billets and huts are left clean and free from Bombs and S.A.A. 5. Officers kits will be put on baggage wagon at once. 6. All regimental marks on doors and buildings will be obliterated. 7. The following will be carried on the man: - Packs and greats Unexpended portion of current days rations Following day's ration 120 rounds of S.A.A. 8. No bombs will be carried on the man 9. Bn. will pass Brigade Starting point K.3.d.4/9 at 4-35 a.m. Secret 1/Bedfordshire Regt 16.9.16 Operation Order No.22 Ref.ALBERT Combined Sheet 1/100000 1. the Bde will move to WATERLOT Farm at once. 2. The Battalion will relieve a Bn of Rifles 60th Bde. in WATERLOT Farm 3. Parade ready to move off 6.40 pm Order of march. H.Q. A, B, C, D. Coys, Lewis Gun teams & Handcarts 4. The following transport wil laccompany the Battalion marching in rear of Battalion: Cookers, watercarts, mess cart & Tool limber issued at 6.20 p.m. Fancy Secret Operation Order No.4 Amendment to No.4 24.9.16 Map Ref 57C., S.W. 1. The attack will be on Sept 25th 2 FALLOW H.Q. will be at T.20.b.2.8. FANCY H.Q. will be at T.9.d.2.2 3. Medical Advanced collecting posts: 9a) E of GUILLEMONT near where Rly. crosses GINCHY-MAUREPAS Rd T.4.a.1.1. (b) MALTZ HORN Fm. A.6.central 5. Advanced Dressing Station Dublin post A.4.d.4.5. 6.Infantry will reach main road running N.N.W. from church in MORVAL at ZERO plus 2 hours 14 minutes (3rd. objective) They will reach Eastern outskirts of village at 2 hours and 16 mins. i.e. 16 minutes after leaving the sunken road. 7. The assaulting troops will leave their trenches at the following hours precisely Norfolks for 1st objective Zero Bedfords for 2nd objective Zero + 1 hour Cheshires for 3rd objective Zero + 2 hrs. 8. Barrage (Cancel Para 17 O.O. No.4 dated 22nd) In all cases the creeping Barrage wil [sic] be at rate of 50 yards per one minute 9 (1) At zero a creeping barrage will open in front of the 1st. objective & about 200 yds in advance of our departure trenches simultaneously with a standing Barrage on the objective itself. At Zero + 3 minutes the creeping Barrage will begin moving forward at rate of 50 yds a minute when it reaches the objective it will move on to a line 200 yds beyond it, the standing Barrage same time lifting on to 2nd objective where it will remain (2) At Zero + 1 hour the creeping Barrage will again become intense, and at zero + 1 hour & 2 minutes will begin moving forward on to 2nd objective. On reaching 2nd objective it together with standing Barrage, will move on to a line 200 yds. beyond (3) At zero + 2 hrs the creeping Barrage will again become intense 200 yds in front of 2nd. objective, and at zero + 2 hrs & 2 minutes will begin moving forward as follows: (a) At zero+ 2 hrs stationary Barrage w[sic] open on new trench running appro [sic] N & S through T.10.d.central (b) As soon as the Creeping Barrage referred to in para 3 reaches the stationary Barrage the latter wil [sic] lift on to the main road runnin [sic] N.N.W. from MORVAL church and to former will continue creeping on (c) As soon as the Creeping Barrage again comes up to the Stationary Barrage on main road the letter will lift to a line 200 yds E. of villag [sic] where it will remain, until a repor [sic] has been received that the village has been taken and that our troops are on the Eastern edge of it. the Barrage will then lift so as to allow patrols to push forward along the spur T.11.a. 10. The general compas [sic] bearing for the advance of the Battalion on to their objective (T.10.c.8/3. to T.10.c.8/9. sunken road) is 105 degrees (magnetic) approx. All ranks must be very careful not to lose direction when passing over the Norfolks objective Further orders will be issued when received the Battalion must be prepared to move at short notice SECRET FANCY OPERATION ORDER No.4 b. 24th September, 1916 Map reference 57c S.W. 1. The Battalion will move to assembly trenches N. of the Quarry T.9.d.via CHIMPANZEE TRENCH tonight where the men will have tea.Parade 4-30 p.m. 2. Order of march: - H.Q. "C" Coy. "D" Coy. "A" Coy. "B" Coy. The H.Q.bombers will march and be under the orders of O.C."C" Coy. Distance between Companies 200 yards. 3. Two days rations plus the emergency ration will be carried on the man. Great-coats and Haversacks will be dumped here.Men will carry 100 rounds extra S.A.A.and two bombs. Companies and Lewis Gunners will draw tools, Flares, Rockets, V.P.A.and Lewis Gun Magazines etc.which they dumped and handed over to the 14th Warwicks, on their way up to Quarry. 4. Company Commanders will leave one duty sergeant and one duty corporal behind with Transport. 5. BARRAGE Programme for 95th Infantry Brigade. (a). At zero,plus two hours,a stationary Barrage will open intensely on an approximate line T.16.d.68/00 - T.10.d.60/25. (b). As soon as the creeping Barrage reaches this stationary Barrage it will remain there for 30 minutes to allow time for the troops to establish themselves on the line gained. After 30 minutes this Barrage will move on to a line T.17.a.15/00 - T.11.d.0/4,where it will again wait 30 minutes before creeping on to the main road running S.S.E. from the church. It will remain another 30 minutes on this road and will then move on to a line 200 yards EAST of the village. (c). A stationary Barrage will also be maintained on each of the three lines mentioned above which will lift in each case after the creeping barrage reaches it. From the above it will be seen that the 15th Infantry Brigade will reach their final objective (Eastern Edge of Village) in one bound whereas the 95th Infantry Brigade will reach the same line in four bounds. Secret FANCY O.O. No.5 25.9.16 In continuation of O.O.No.4 Map Ref.57c SW 1. Zero hour 12.35 pm 2. When the Norfolks leave their assembly trenches at Zero C Coy will at once file into the front assembly trench vacated by the Norfolks. D Coy will follow by same route into same trench as C Coy. 'A' Coy will at once file into second assembly trench (vacated by Norfolks) closely followed by B Coy Thus: - The jumping off positions will be: - L D Coy 'C' Coy R L 'B' Coy, 'A' Coy R 3. The attack will be made on a 4 platoon front i.e. 2 platoons from Right Coys & 2 platoons from left coys. 4. The intervals between waves will be 150 yds. Thus there will be 4 waves of 4 platoons in line 5 A & B coys will jump off from Norfolk second line assembly trench. They will not file into the front assembly trench. 6. Reference para 1. A & B Coy will file into their new assembly trenches precisely at Zero before C & D Coy move because These trenches will be vacated by Norfolks when their second line takes place of their first line. 7. No documents are to be taken off prisoners. Unwounded prisoners are to be sent to QUARRY to carry stretchers. 8. C & D Coys are the assaulting Coys. the first wave need not take tools. 1st BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT REPORT ON OPERATIONS FROM THE 24th to 25th SEPTEMBER 1916 The Battalion moved to Quarry in T.9.d.2/2 and were in assembly trenches by 9.30 p.m. The back trench required deepening. A communication trench from this to the forward trench and thence to the back Norfolk trench was dug during the night. This enabled the men to file under cover into the Norfolk trenches at zero hour. This was done. 1.35 p.m. the Battalion advanced in four waves at 150 yards distance one from another, passing over the trench taken by the 1st Norfolks. The first line reached their objective, the sunken road, by 1.40 p.m. Lewis guns were immediately placed in position on the top of the bank and deveral drums fired at the retiring enemy. A trench opposite the 95th Bde.was enfiladed. The Battalion dug in along the line of the road and also on the top of the bank. Touch was gained with the 16th Bde. at 1.50 p.m. and with the 95th Bde. about 2.0 p.m. Battalion Headquarters were established in the sunken road at 1.45 p.m. Considerable casualties were sustained from our own field guns, both during the advance and while holding the sunken road. It is suggested that a simple system of signals either by smoke or coloured Very lights direct from the Battalion to the Field Batteries forming the Barrage immediately in front should be instituted and that the heavy artillery barrage should lift a considerable distance back at zero. The artillery liason officer reported his wire cut very early in the operations and there appears to be no other means of getting direct touch with the guns. It would also be better if the creeping barrage were to advance 100 yards a minute instead of 50, that pace can be easily maintained by the Infantry and less time is given for hostile Machine Guns to be placed in position and also the troops are exposed for a shorter time to hostile artillery. Secret FANCY O O No 6 26.9.16 Map Ref 57c SW 1. At 7 pm.A & B Coys & HQ Lewis Guns will move to OXFORD Copse 2. C & D Coys & HQs will wait until relieved by the Sherwood Foresters when they will proceed to OXFORD Copse independently. 3. C & D Coys will each keep two Lewis Guns & teams with them Secret 1/Bedfordshire Regt. O.O. N.7 27.9.16 1. The Bde will move to the CITADEL this evening as follows 1/Norfolk.R. will leave bivouacs 5.30 pm 1/Bedf.R. will leave bivouacs 5.35 pm 1/Cheshire R will leave bivouacs 5.40 pm 16th R.Warw R. will leave bivouacs 5.45 pm 2. Bn will parade at 5.30 pm. Order of march Drummers H.Qs A.B.C.D. Lewis Guns & Transport in rear of Bn. 3. Head of Column will cross MARICOURT - CARNOY road at 5.35 pm 4. Coy Commanders will report to Adjutant that Bivouacs are left clean & free of S.A.A. & Bombs

1-30 Sep 1916

From: 1916 To: 1916

item

Williams,
Blake, Christopher,
Halford, M.W.,
Stephens, Reginald Byng,
Beale, O.A.R.,
Barnett, W.H.L.,
Norrish, S.,
Howard, Addison James,
Bush, James,
West,
Turner, Martin Newman,
Haig, Douglas [1st Earl]

1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, land weaponry, 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 10th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, 20th (Light) Division, 14th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 5th Division, 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment, weather, maps, 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters, 13th Infantry Brigade, 95th Infantry Brigade, 15th Infantry Brigade, police, shell shock, telegraph, telephone, XIV Corps, railways, 1st French Division, 16th (Irish) Division, French, 16th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 1st Battalion Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, 1st Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment, prisoners of war, Germans, water provision, 60th Infantry Brigade, town & local roads, Silesia Trench [Somme], Billon Farm (Somme), Citadel [Somme], Morlancourt, Grovetown Camp (Somme), Meaulte, Waterlot Farm [Somme], Guillemont, Wedge Wood [Somme], Oxford Copse [Somme], Arrowhead Copse [Somme], Chimpanzee Trench [Somme], Longpre-les-Corps-Saints, Mericourt-l'Abbe, Maltz Horn Trench [Somme], Falfemont Farm [Somme], New Trench (Somme), Leuze Wood [Somme], Ginchy, Savernake Wood [Somme], Angle Wood [Somme], Circular Trench [Somme], Maltz Horn Farm [Somme], Morval, Dublin Post [Somme]