X550/3/WD/1503

War Diary for March 1915 1 Mar 1915 - in trenches 2 Mar 1915 - Estaires Relieved by 7th Regt. Canadians, 9 P.M., Marched to ESTAIRES, arrived 11 P.M. 3-7 Mar 1915 In ESTAIRES. 8 Mar 1915 - Laventie Bn. moved from ESTAIRES at 4 P.M., into Billets at LAVENTIE 9 Mar 1915 In Billets at LAVENTIE. Ref. Map BELGIUM Sheet 26, Scale 1/40000. 10 Mar 1915 - near Neuve-Chapelle 2.30 A.M., Marched off for position of assembly. 5 A.M., reached position of assembly and got into trenches, about Square M.21.b.N.E., During the operations the Bn. was in Bde. Reserve on the right and in rear of the 2nd Bn. Rl.Scots Fusiliers. 10.30 A.M., Left the position of assembly and advanced to second position lining road in M.28.d. Companies came under shell fire and there were some casualties. Remained in this position till 4.20 P.M. 4.30 P.M., Advanced through old British & German trenches in support of 2/R.S.F., on right flank. Subjected to shell and rifle fire. The Bn. reached a position about M.36.a.N.W. and M.29.d.S.E. and entrenched during the night. Lieut.H.O.D.Wilkins led a strong patrol to the high trees about road junction near M.36.a.N.W. and was severely wounded. 1 man was killed. It was reported that the enemy were not very strong but this was not confirmed. Line held by 2nd Battn Bedf. R. as handed over to 7th Rgt. Canadian Div: 2 March 1915. Lieut.W.B.Carslake and Lieut.R.S.St.G.Mayne, wounded, Other Ranks, 7 killed 41 wounded, 9 missing. 11 Mar 1915 The Battalion remained in this position all day. Some casualties occurred from high explosive shrapnel from S. also rifle fire from E., S. & W. No.9390 Pte A Hearne did very good work carrying messages back to Bde. H.Q., on several occasions. He was at last wounded near Bn. H.Q. trench, he had to pass through belts of shrapnel fire also heavy rifle fire. The Northamptons attempted to assault the houses to their front but were met with a very heavy rifle & machine gun fire & had to desist. It was this that kept the Bn. held to the ground. Lt.Ashmead-Bartlett wounded, 6 O.Ranks killed, 23 wounded, 2 missing. 12 Mar 1915 During the night 11/12, C & D Coys. dug trenches at right angles to the original ones i.e. facing S., D Coy. closed up. The salient opposite the high trees was occupied by a Company of the R.S.F., who had been brought from the right on the line being readjusted. The salient was rushed by the Germans early in the morning of 12th March. The morning till about noon was decidedly misty. 7 A.M. Major W.H.Denne prepared to make a counter attack on the captured trench with part of A.Coy. Major Denne was severely wounded. Captain C.B.Cumberlege & Captain J.H.G.Baird commenced a counter attack but the whole party was killed or wounded. Captain Baird and 4 men reached the trench one man was killed and the other 3 wounded. Report of this operation was received at Bn. H.Q., at 7.35 A.M. At about the same time it was notriced that the R.S.F., were suffering severely from our own shell fire. The Adjt. was sent to report this to Bde. H.Q. The Brigadier directed that the trench should be re-taken. Captain C.C.Foss D.S.O., with 8 men of Bedfordshire Grenade Section advanced along A.Coy. trench, behind the Northampton Trench, followed by a Platoon of H Coy. to make good the trench and attacked the Germans. These, after one or two grenades had been thrown, held up their hands and were captured, 1 Officer & 48 Germans surrendered of whom 14 were wounded. A.Coy. was sent forward to consolidate the position won. Part of a Platoon of B.Coy. escorted the prisoners back. Names of Grenade Section: - No.9078 Pte W.EADE. No.6215 Pte S.Scrivener (wounded later) No.9822 Sgt W.Peggs No.7270 Pte P.Cogan (Killed later) No.6477 Pte W.Smith No.9878 Pte G.Freshwater No.5803 Pte J.Lovett No.9797 Pte H.Barnett No.16441 Pte F.Brown. Two machine guns were put in position in captured salient after dark. Casualties: - Major W.H.Denne wounded Captain C.B.Cumberlege wounded Captain J.H.G.Baird wounded Lieut.C.A.S.Morris wounded Other ranks: - 15 killed, 66 wounded, 5 missing. 13 Mar 1915 the Battalion remained in position. 14 Mar 1915 C. & D. Coys returned at dawn to position of assembly, A & B remained in previous position. trench wire was put out in front of A.Coy. during night of 13/14 March. 15 Mar 1915 - la Flinque About 11 P.M. the remaining two coys. came away, A.Coy. being relieved by 150 men E.Lancs. R. The whole Bn., in Billets near LA FLINQUE & S. of this point. In LA FLINQUE Billets. Total casualties: - 8 Officers wounded, 2 Officers sick. Other Ranks, Killed 33, Wounded 144 Missing 21 198 Reinforcements which arrived during the fight on 11.3.15, Lieuts. A.E.Kuhn, C.A.S.Morris, R.H.B.Orlebar, Bedf.R., & 58 Other Ranks. Fighting Strength on March 15th, Officers 15, O ranks 759. 16 Mar 1915 - Estaires The Bn. moved into Billets in ESTAIRES. 500 men with officers were detailed for a working party and did not actually arrive in billets till 2.30 A.M. March 17th. 17 Mar 1915 In Billets. 18 Mar 1915 2/Lt. W.H.George and 2/Lt W.J.Stonier, Cadet Officers, ex Artists Rifles, arrived from St.Omer. 19 Mar 1915 Re-fitting. Attack Practices, Company Parades, Working Parties. 20 Mar 1915 Major J.Mackenzie V.C., and 101 men arrived. G.O.C. 7th Divn. paid unofficial visit to men in billets, 5 P.M. 21 Mar 1915 As for 19th. 22 Mar 1915 Brigadier General, 21 Inf. Bde. inspected last two drafts of reinforcements and expressed himself very pleased with their soldierlike & steady appearance. 23 Mar 1915 As for 19th. 24 Mar 1915 Battalion Attack Practice. 25 Mar 1915 Bn. took up position in trenches near FAUQUISSART relieving 2nd Scots Guards and 6th Gordon Highlanders. 26 Mar 1915 - in trenches near Fauquissart In Trenches. The following Officers arrived: - 2/Lt E.S.S.Taylor, 4N.Stafford Regt. 2/Lt L.F.Beal Cadet Officer ex Artists Rifles. 2/Lt R.H.Boys Cadet Officer ex Artists Rifles. 2/Lt R.S.Lardner Cadet Officer ex Artists Rifles. 2/Lt W.Ramsey Cadet Officer ex Artists Rifles. 27 Mar 1915 - near Laventie Relieved in evening by 2/Yorkshire Regt. Into Billets about Road Junction Square M.6.d.sheet 36. (East of LAVENTIE). The following letter was forwarded from H.Q.21 Inf.Bde. No.293/G. d/27-3-15. The Divisional general has now received the reports on the action near NEUVE CHAPELLE on 10th to 14th March. He desires to express his appreciation of the steady conduct of the 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment, and particularly of the gallant action of Major Denne and his small party who made a devoted counter attack on the enemy in order to assist a neighbouring battalion. The Divisional general wishes also to record his admiration of the conduct of Captain C.C.Foss, D.S.O., and his few grenade throwers, who succeeded in an attack on the enemy, capturing 50 prisoners. The Divisional General much regrets the losses sustained by this Battalion. 27th. March 1915 (sd) J.Isaac, Captain, ADC 7 Divn. The Machine Guns of the Bn. remained in the trenches when the remainder of the Bn. was relieved. 28 Mar 1915 In Billets. Company Parades. 7 P.M., The Bn. paraded & practised assembling in the prepared trenches. Lieut. F.V.Parker 3/Bedf.R., and 16 Other Ranks joined. 29 Mar 1915 - in trenches Relieved 2/R.S.Fus. and 2/Wilts Regt. in the trenches 30 Mar 1915 In trenches. 31 Mar 1915 - la Gorgue Telieved by 2 Coys. 6/Gordon Hgrs. and 2/Scots Guards, Bn. marched back by Coys. to billets in LA GORGUE. Casualties from March 25-31: - O.Ranks Killed 4, Wounded 8 SECRET. Not to be taken into the Trenches. DRAFT. The Infantry attack will be carried out thus: - On the right - The 21st Brigade Column. On the left - The 22nd Brigade Column. Dividing line - General direction marked out by the ditch (blue) between (318) and H of "British", (Map 1/5,000 GSGS No. 2769). The above Brigade Columns will be previously assembled in the shelters immediately behind our front line parapet, and in shelters behind these. The 20th Brigade will occupy such portions of the 7th Division trenches, as are not required by the assaulting columns. Remaining Battalions of the 20th Brigade will form the Divisional Reserve, and will be assembled in previously prepared shelters behind the RUE TILLESLOY, one battalion in square M.12.b West of PICANTIN. The shelters behind the RUE TILLELOY will be connected with the shelters behind the front line parapet by means of communicating trenches. NOTE. (B) Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. (A) Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. (C) Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers. Right (21st Brigade) Column. 21st Inf. Bde. Co. R.E. Mortars. This Column will attack with one battalion (B) against the objective (308), on the general front (309) (318) (frontage about 200 yards). Its task will be to occupy the enemy's trenches each side of (308). Simultaneously, another battalion (a), will attack, left on (310) (309), the points (311) to (315). This battalion (A), will also send parties along the enemy's trenches as far as they can force their way, in the direction of (270) (273) (280). A third battalion, (C), will, wit has little delay as possible, attack and occupy (270) (273) (280), if these points have not been already captured by parties from (A) battalion; and they will occupy and hold these points if they have been already captured. This attack will be made from the direction of (312) and (314). the Indian Corps, attacking MIN DU PIETRE from the cross roads in Square M.23.d. may be expected to move a party in the direction of (270). The fourth battalion, (D), forms the Brigade Reserve. The 20th Infantry Brigade will be prepared to support this column with one battalion, if required. The battalion of the 20th Infantry Brigade, occupying "E" lines, will assist the advance of this column as well as the advance of the left of the Indian Corps, by fire. The artillery support for this column is as follows: - Up to 0-30 Artillery will bombard all the enemy's trenches and points in front of the column. A right barrage of fire will also be placed between points (311) (315), and between point (278) to midway between (274) (275). At 0-30. The bombardment in front of this column will cease on the forward trenches but will continue on the line (314) (308). At 0-40. the bombardment will lift to the points (280) (243) and places about RUE D'ENFER, and the right barrage will move to the right to cover the points (275) (277), (270) (246), or as far in that direction as the operations of the Indian Corps will permit. The Brigadier-General in command of this column has also 2 Mountain Guns and 3 Trench Mortars at his disposal for closely supporting his attacks. One 4.5" Howitzer battery will be specially detailed to assist this column, if required, and an Officer of this battery will be present at the Headquarters of the 21st Infantry Brigade until the column has accomplished the tasks allotted it. At 0-50. the Artillery bombardment will move in the direction of AUBERS, and the right barrage will cease. Left (22nd Nrigade) Column. 22nd Inf.Bde. Co R.E. Trench Mortars. The 22nd Brigade Column will attack thus: - The right battalion, (E), will attack on the front between the dividing line between the 2 Brigades and point (328) approximately, frontage to begin with about 200 yards and widening to the left as the objective is reached &c, &c. General Instructions. 1. The Infantry will commence issuing from their trenches at 0-27. 2. The R.H.A. front barrage will search the ground South of the line of attack. 3. All lines or positions captured, are to be at once prepared for defence. Not necessarily throughout their length, in the first instance, but at certain points, so as to ensure their being capable of being held in case of necessity. Special working parties must be previously detailed for this. These must know their business and exactly what they have to so beforehand. 4. Infantry, after reaching their objective, must get out patrols, or outposts, into covered places in all directions, so as to make good their front and flanks. Bombing and sandbagging parties must be sent some way up all trenches leading to direction of enemy. Most careful arrangements must be made for the protection of flanks, and guarding against enfilade fire. Touch must be established with our own troops on right and left. Troops on outer flanks must take special precautions to make such outer flanks good. 5. Infantry must remember that success and safety both lie in pushing on to their ultimate objective. Hesitation gives the enemy the chance of recovering from the artillery bombardment, and time to get up machine guns, man his fortified localities, and even organize counter-attacks. A bold and well sustained advance on the other hand, confuses him and upsets his plans. Everything is to be gained, therefore, by pushing on to the ultimate objective; care being taken that special parties make good every important line or point captured. There is not much harm done, if the allotted task is exceeded, while failure may result if it is not fully carried out. 6. It is very difficult for orders to reach the front line, if fire is severe. The greatest reliance is therefore placed on the bold and intelligent leading of junior officers and of N.C.O's in the front line. If orders cannot reach, and any one is in doubt what to do, he cannot go very wrong if he does his utmost to close upon and defeat the enemy he finds in front of him. 7. Brigadier-Generals Commanding Brigades and Officers Commanding Battalions will remember that the value of artillery ammunition is great, and they will therefore be careful not to make unnecessary demands on the artillery. It must also be impressed on all ranks that every round fired by the artillery, is fired with the intention of getting the infantry on. If the infantry find, therefore, that they cannot get on, and the artillery come to their assistance by bombarding the enemy's position, the infantry must endeavour to get as close as possible up to the enemy during the bombardment. As soon as the artillery fire ceases, the infantry must dash in and capture the enemy's position. 8. In order to assist the co-operation between artillery and infantry, it will be arranged that all bombardments not specifically provided for in a time schedule previously issued will last for 10 minutes; the last 3 minutes of which will be intensive. the Infantry will know that the artillery is going to shoot for 10 minutes, and they will know, from the intensive bombardment, that the end of the artillery preparation is approaching. The close of the intensive bombardment is the signal for the infantry to dash in; but to be able to do this, before the enemy has recovered from the artillery bombardment, the infantry must have worked as close as possible up to the objective during the bombardment, taking care of course not to get within the area of our own fire. Officer Commanding. Bedf. Regt. Reference the enclosed Orders and Instructions, will you please prepare detailed instructions for your Battalion and submit them to Brigade Headquarters by 8 p.m. tomorrow night 28th instant. Your orders should be so framed that every individual taking part in the operations will know the exact task assigned to him. E.R.WYATT. Captain. Brigade major 21st Infantry Brigade. 27th March 1915. SECRET 21st BRIGADE OPERATION ORDERS No. Reference Map FAUQUISSART 1/5,000 27.3.15. INFORMATION. 1. An attack is to be made on the enemy's position as follows: - (a) An attack from the direction of the MOULIN de PIETRE. (b) An attack from the front FAUQUISSART road to the point of the salient at the E in LIN-E square 13.b. This attack has for its objective the line of trenches 308-329 and thence to include point 280 and the line points 301-344. When this line has been gained a second attack by fresh troops will pass through against AUBERS. The 20th Brigade is holding the line from FAUQUISSART westwards and the 22nd Brigade (Queens Regt.) on the right will attack simultaneously on our left. INTENTION 2. The 21st Brigade will attack from a front FAUQUISSART road exclusive to a line of poplars along a dyke near the H in BRITISH, frontage 355 yards. The object to be gained is the line of German trench marked 308; TRIVELET FARM points 311, 312, 313 and 314; the trench westwards in front of the 20th Brigade (as far as possible or until the Indian Brigade on our right is met) and the Brickfields at point 280. ARTILLERY SUPPORT 3. The Artillery support for the Brigade is as follows: - Up to 0-30 the artillery will bombard all the enemy's trenches and points in front of the Brigade. A right barrage of fire will also be placed between points 311, 315 and point 278 to midway between 274, 275. At 0-30 the bombardment in front of the Brigade will cease on the forward trenches but will continue on the line 314, 308. At 0-40 the bombardment will lift to points 280, 243 and places about the RUE D'ENFER and the right barrage will move to the right to cover points 275, 277, 270, 246 or as far in that direction as the operations of the Indian Corps will permit. At 0-50 the bombardment will move in the direction of AUBERS and the right barrage will cease. ORGANISATION 4. LEFT COLUMN. Commander Lieut. Colonel Alexander Troops. 2nd Bn. Yorkshire Regt. 4 Machine Guns. 3 Sections Bombers. 2 Mortars, will attack on a front of 240 yards. The left is on the dyke lined with large willows near the H in BRITISH and will connect with the Queens (22nd Brigade); the right will be marked with a board inside the parapet. Objective trench 308 and trench each side. RIGHT COLUMN. Commander Major Onslow. Troops 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. 4 Machine Guns, 3 Sections Bombers. 1 Mortar, will attack on a front from the right of Yorks to the FAUQUISSART road. Objective, on the left passing through points 310, 309, trench 308; on right points 311, 312, 313, 314 and thence work down the German trenches towards points 270, 273, 278, 280. 3rd COLUMN. Commander Major Pollard. Troops 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers, 4 Machine Guns, 3 Sections Bombers, will follow the right column when it has captured the TRIVELET Wood and from the directionof points 312, 314 attack and occupy points 270, 273, 280 if not already captured by parties of the right column; and will occupy and hold these points if already captured. NOTE. Parties from the Indian Corps attacking from the direction of MOULIN du PIETRE may be expected to move in the direction of 270. RESERVE. 2nd Bn. Wiltshire Regiment. 4 Machine Guns, 3 Sections Bombers, 2nd Highland Coy. R.E. will move up into the main line of trenches when vacated by the Royal Scots Fusiliers. TIME. 5. The date and time of attack will be communicated later. the attack will commence at 0-27 i.e. 3 minutes before the bombardment is timed to cease. AMMUNITION. 6. All Ammunition Carts and animals will be brigaded under the Command of Lieut CHAUNCY 2nd Bn. Yorks. Regt. and be parked in the field just N. of the present H.Q. of the 20th Brigade. TRANSPORT. 7. All Transport will remain in its present positions. transport Officers will report to Lieut CHAUNCY at the above mentioned place. MEDICAL. 8. The position of the forward dressing station and any Special Medical arrangements will be communicated later. REPORTS. 9. Brigade Headquarters will be established in the cellar of the house in the bend of the road Square 18.c. A forward observation post will be established in a dug out close to the parapet of the British breastwork about 50 yards on the E of the FAUQUISSART road. E.R.WYATT. Captain. Brigade Major 21st Infantry Brigade. SECRET SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS. CAPTURED POSITIONS. 1. All lines or positions captured are to be at once prepared for defence. Not necessarily throughout their length in the first instance, but at certain points so as to ensure their being capable of being held in case of necessity. Special working parties must be previously detailed for this. These must know their business and exactly what they have to do beforehand. PATROLS, ETC. 2. After reaching their objective, Battalions must get out patrols or outposts into places in all directions so as to make good their front and flanks. Bombing and sandbagging parties must be sent some way up all trenches leading in the direction of the enemy. Most careful arrangements must be made for the protection of the flanks and guarding against enfilade fire. Touch must be established with our own troops on the right and left. Troops on the outer flank must take special precautions to make such outer flanks good. VIGOROUS OFFENSIVE. 3. Infantry must remember that success and safety both lie in pushing on to their ultimate objective. Hesitation gives the enemy the chance of recovering from the Artillery bombardment, time to get up Machine Guns, man his fortified localities and even organise counter attacks. A bold and well sustained advance, on the other hand, confuses him and upsets his plans. Everything is to be gained, therefore, by pushing on to the ultimate objective, care being taken that special parties make good every important line or position captured. There is not much harm done if the allotted task is esceeded while failure may result if it is not fully carried out. ORDERS. 4.It is very difficult for orders to reach the front line if fire is severe. The greatest reliance is, therefore, placed on the bold and intelligent leading of junior Officers and N.C.O's in the front line. If orders cannot reach and any one is in doubt what to do, he cannot go far wrong if he does his utmost to close upon and defeat the enemy he finds in front of him. ARTILLERY SUPPORT. 5. It must also be impressed on all ranks that every round fired by the artillery, is fired with the intention of getting the infantry on. If the infantry find, therefore, that they cannot get on, and the artillery come to their assistance by bombarding the enemy's position, the infantry must endeavour to get as close as possible up to the enemy during the bombardment. As soon as the artillery fire ceases, the infantry must dash in and capture the enemy's position. In order to assist the cooperation between Artillery and Infantry it will be arranged that all bombardments not specifically provided for in a time schedule previously issued, will last for 10 minutes; the last 3 minutes of which will be intensive. the Infantry will know that the artillery is going to shoot for 10 minutes, and they will know, from the intensive bombardment, that the end of the artillery preparation is approaching. The close of the intensive bombardment is the signal for the infantry to dash in; but to be able to do this, before the enemy has recovered from the artillery bombardment, the infantry must have worked as close as possible up to the objective during the bombardment, taking care of course not to get within the area of our own fire. DRESS. 6. No packs or greatcoats will be carried. These will all be stored under special arrangements, which will be notified later, and sent up, as circumstances permit. Every man will carry: - 220 rounds S.A.A., the unexpended portion of the days ration and the Iron Ration. SHOVELS ENTRENCHING TOOLS, SANDBAGS WIRE CUTTERS. 7. (a) Every 3rd man will carry a shovel. these men will not carry either entrenching tools or sand bags. (b) Every man not carrying a shovel will carry his entrenching tool and 3 sandbags. (c) All wire cutters will be distributed among the front companies of the attack with the exception of 2 per platoon. All men are to be warned that sandbags and shovels are on no account to be thrown away or abandoned. RESERVES OF AMMUNITION ETC. 8. (a) AMMUNITION AND BOMBS. A forward reserve store has been established in the fort about 100 yards behind the British line just W of the FAUQUISSART road. Whenever ammunition or bombs are required by Battalions a demand will be made for a definite number of boxes of ammunition or bags of bombs. (b) WATER. A reserve supply of water has been stored in tins, buckets, etc, behind the wall of the outhouse at the main Brigade Headquarters. Whenever men are sent to the rear for any purpose, the opportunity should be seized of sending back all the empty waterbottles they can carry. These will be filled and returned whenever opportunity occurs. Bottles can be placed in sandbags for easy handling. (c) RATIONS. A reserve has been formed in a farm at the cross roads Square M.17. GUIDES. 9. Whenever a message is sent for ammunition, rations, packs etc., to be sent up to a unit in the front line, 2 guides should be sent who know the exact position of the unit and the best way there to lead the carrying party. Whenever a unit is relieved by another, 8 guides (2 per Company) under an officer must be sent to show the position of each company. ORDERLIES. 10. before the commencement of operations each unit will detail 3 intelligent orderlies to remain at Brigade Headquarters. Whenever a commander moves his unit headquarters he will detail another 3 men to go back to Brigade Headquarters from the new position. This will ensure men being at Brigade Headquarters who know where each unit Headquarters is at all times. FATIGUES. 11. Each until [sic] will detail a party of 10 men, selected from those least fit for duty, to remain at the farm South of the Cross roads M.17. These men will be available to assist in carrying water, rations and filling the waterbottles brought back from the front line. CLEARING THE BATTLEFIELD. 12. Officers Commanding Units are reminded that arrangements should be made, whenever possible. to collect the equipment of our own casualties and all captured arms, etc into heaps in any convenient position from whence they can be conveyed when opportunity occurs. The positions of these heaps should be indicated to Brigade Headquarters. POSITION OF ASSEMBLY. 13. Prior to the commencement of the attack, Battalions will be drawn up behind the trenches as shown on the attached diagram [not attached]. E.R.WYATT Captain. Brigade Major 21st Infantry Brigade. Officer Commanding Bedfords The Bedfordshire Regiment will relieve the Wiltshire Regt. and Royal Scots Fus. in the trenches tomorrow night. The relief will take place at 7 p.m. Officers Commanding Units will arrange the necessary details as regards guides etc, amongst themselves. Company Officers of the Bedfordshire Regiment will go down to the trenches tomorrow morning to make themselves acquainted with the parts they have to take over. Quartermasters will meet the Staff Captain after the "Q" meeting tomorrow morning and will be shown the billets their units will take over. For the night of 29th the localities F.3 and F.4 will each be garrisoned by 1 N.C.O. and 12 men of the Wiltshire Regt. These will be relieved by similar numbers of the R.S. Fus. at 7 p.m. on the 30th. E.R.WYATT Captain Brigade Major 21st Infantry Brigade. 28th March 1915. Officer Commanding 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. Your guards on ammunition and ration stores in M.17.d. and the patrols along RUE TILLELOY will be relieved by similar guards from the Wiltshire Regt. tonight at 7 p.m. E.R. WYATT Captain Brigade Major 21st Infantry Brigade. 29th March 1915. OPERATION ORDER NO. by MAJOR C. C. ONSLOW. COMMANDING 2nd Bn. BEDFORDSHIRE REGT. 29th March 1915. Reference Map FAUQUISSART 1/5,000. INFORMATION. 1. An attack is to be made on the enemy's position as follows: - (a) An attack from the direction of the MOULIN de PIETRE from S.W. of CHAPIGNY. (b) An attack from the front FAUQUISSART road to the point of the salient at the E in LIN-E square 13.b. This attack has for its objective the line of trenches 308-329 and thence to include point 280 and the line points 301-344. When this line has been gained a second attack by fresh troops will pass through against AUBERS. The 20th Brigade is holding the line from FAUQUISSART westwards. The 22nd Infantry Brigade will attack simultaneously on the left of the 21st Infantry Brigade.. INTENTION 2. The 21st Brigade will attack from a front FAUQUISSART road exclusive to a line of poplars along a dyke near the H in BRITISH, frontage 355 yards. The object to be gained is the line of German trench marked 308; TRIVELET FARM points 311, 312, 313 and 314; the trench westwards in front of the 20th Brigade (as far as possible or until the Indian Brigade on our right is met) and the Brickfields at point 280. ARTILLERY SUPPORT 3. The Artillery support for the Brigade is as follows: - Up to 0-30 the artillery will bombard all the enemy's trenches and points in front of the Brigade. A right barrage of fire will also be placed between points 311, 315 and point 278 to midway between 274, 275. At 0-30 the bombardment in front of the Brigade will cease on the forward trenches but will continue on the line 314, 308. At 0-40 the bombardment will lift to points 280, 243 and places about the RUE D'ENFER. ORGANISATION 4. The Brigade will attack in two columns, a third column to support the right column and a Reserve. the left column will be composed of the 2nd Bn. Yorkshire Regiment; the right column will be composed as follows: - Commander Major Onslow. Troops 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. 4 Machine Guns, 4 Sections Bombers. 1 Mortar. It will attack on a front from the right of Yorks to the FAUQUISSART road about 115 yards. Objective, on the left passing through points 310, 309, trench 308. On right points 311, 312, 313, 314 and thence work down the German trenches towards points 270, 273, 278, 280. TIME. 5. The date and time of attack will be communicated later. the attack will commence at 0-27 i.e. 3 minutes before the bombardment is timed to cease. TASKS AND ORGANIZATION. 6. ORGANIZATION. "C" Company, and one section Grenade Throwers Task. Advancing with left on ditch from British trench to 310, through 309 to trench 308, which it will make good, assisting in the attack on 314. ORGANIZATION. "D" Company, one section Grenade Throwers and No. 1 and 2 machine Guns. Task. Points 311, 312, 313 all of which will be placed in state of defence. Officer Commanding Company will tell off definite parties for each part of the task. 1 Platoon will also be detailed: - 2 Sections one for 270 and one for 274. 1 Section for new communication trench midway between 313 and 275. 1 Section in support if these are required. Each section will have some Grenade Throwers. ORGANIZATION. "B" Company, 2 Sections Grenade Throwers and No. 3 and 4 Machine Guns. Task. to take 314 and 315. One Platoon to be detailed: - 1 Section to 276. 1 Section up new trench to 277 and then to 273. 1 Section up new trench to 277. 1 Section in Reserve or through 315 to 278 if there is a trench there. Alternative Task. To help "C" Company if necessary. ORGANIZATION. "A" Company. Reserve. Company in trench 309 ready to move in any direction Company in trench 310 ready to move in any direction It will be organized and detailed in exactly the same way as "B" Company so that if "B" Company has to assist "C" Company to fulfil its task it can take on "B" Company's task without confusion. Instructions for Mortar later. AMMUNITION. 7. All Ammunition Carts and animals will be brigaded under the Command of Lieut CHAUNCY 2nd Bn. Yorks. Regt. and be parked in the field just N. of the present H.Q. of the 20th Brigade. TRANSPORT. 8. All Transport will remain in its present positions. transport Officers will report to Lieut CHAUNCY at the above mentioned place. MEDICAL. 9. The position of the forward dressing station and any Special Medical arrangements will be communicated later. REPORTS. 10. The Commanding Officer will be with "A" Company in trench 310 there about 312. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS. 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment. CAPTURED POSITIONS. 1. All lines or positions captured are to be at once prepared for defence. Not necessarily throughout their length in the first instance, but at certain points so as to ensure their being capable of being held in case of necessity. Special working parties must be previously detailed for this. These must know their business and exactly what they have to do beforehand. PATROLS, ETC. 2. After reaching their objective, Battalions must get out patrols or outposts into places in all directions so as to make good their front and flanks. Bombing and sandbagging parties must be sent some way up all trenches leading in the direction of the enemy. Most careful arrangements must be made for the protection of the flanks and guarding against enfilade fire. Touch must be established with our own troops on the right and left. Troops on the outer flank must take special precautions to make such outer flanks good. VIGOROUS OFFENSIVE. 3. Infantry must remember that success and safety both lie in pushing on to their ultimate objective. Hesitation gives the enemy the chance of recovering from the Artillery bombardment, time to get up Machine Guns, man his fortified localities and even organise counter attacks. A bold and well sustained advance, on the other hand, confuses him and upsets his plans. Everything is to be gained, therefore, by pushing on to the ultimate objective, care being taken that special parties make good every important line or position captured. There is not much harm done if the allotted task is esceeded while failure may result if it is not fully carried out. ORDERS. 4.It is very difficult for orders to reach the front line if fire is severe. The greatest reliance is, therefore, placed on the bold and intelligent leading of junior Officers and N.C.O's in the front line. If orders cannot reach and any one is in doubt what to do, he cannot go far wrong if he does his utmost to close upon and defeat the enemy he finds in front of him. ARTILLERY SUPPORT. 5. It must also be impressed on all ranks that every round fired by the artillery, is fired with the intention of getting the infantry on. If we find, therefore, that we cannot get on, and the artillery come to our assistance by bombarding the enemy's position, we must endeavour to get as close as possible up to the enemy during the bombardment. As soon as the artillery fire ceases, the infantry must dash in and capture the enemy's position. In order to assist the cooperation between Artillery and Infantry it will be arranged that all bombardments not specifically provided for in a time schedule previously issued, will last for 10 minutes; the last 3 minutes of which will be intensive. the Infantry will know that the artillery is going to shoot for 10 minutes, and they will know, from the intensive bombardment, that the end of the artillery preparation is approaching. The close of the intensive bombardment is the signal for us to dash in; and to be able to do this, we must have worked as close as possible up to the objective during the bombardment, taking care of course not to get within the area of our own fire. DRESS. 6. No packs or greatcoats will be carried. These will all be stored under special arrangements, which will be notified later, and sent up, as circumstances permit. Every man will carry: - 220 rounds S.A.A., the unexpended portion of the days ration and the Iron Ration. SHOVELS ENTRENCHING TOOLS, SANDBAGS, WIRE CUTTERS. 7. (a) Every 3rd man will carry a shovel. These men will not carry sandbags or entrenching tool. (b) Every man not carrying a shovel will carry his entrenching tool and 3 sandbags. (c) All wire cutters will be distributed among "C" and "D" Companies except 2 per platoon to "A" and "B" Companies. All men are to be warned that sandbags and shovels are on no account to be thrown away or abandoned. RESERVES OF AMMUNITION ETC. 8. (a) AMMUNITION AND BOMBS. A forward reserve store has been established in the fort about 100 yards behind the British line just W of the FAUQUISSART-TRIVELET Road. If ammunition or bombs are required, a demand for a definite number of boxes of ammunition or bags of bombs, must be made. (b) WATER. A reserve supply of water has been stored in tins, buckets, etc, behind the wall of the outhouse at the main Brigade Headquarters. Whenever men are sent to the rear for any purpose, the opportunity should be seized of sending back all the empty waterbottles they can carry. These will be filled and returned whenever opportunity occurs. Bottles can be placed in sandbags for easy handling. (c) RATIONS. A reserve has been formed in a farm at the cross roads Square M.17. GUIDES. 9. Whe a message is sent for ammunition, rations, packs etc., to be sent up to a unit in the front line, 2 guides should be sent who know the exact position of the unit and the best way there to lead the carrying party. FATIGUES. 10. 10 men, selected from those least fit for duty, to remain at the farm South of the Cross roads M.17. These men will be available to assist in carrying water, rations and filling the waterbottles brought back from the front line. CLEARING THE BATTLEFIELD. 11. Officers Commanding Companies are reminded that ammunition should be collected from our casualties. Rifle and Equipment of our own casualties and all captured arms should be collected into heaps. The position of these heaps should be notified to Battalion Headquarters. POSITION OF ASSEMBLY. 12. Prior to the commencement of the attack, Battalion will be formed up as practised on night of 28th March 1915. METHOD OF ADVANCE. 13. At 0-27 (i.e. 3 minutes before the bombardment is timed to cease) the "C" and "D" Companies will advance as follows Company of "C" Company extended 1 Platoon "D" Company extended distance 25 yards. 1 platoon "D" Company extended distance 25 yards. Company "C" Company extended distance 50 yards. Thus: - Company "C". 25 yds. 1 platoon "D" Coy. 50 yds. Company "C" 25 yds. 1 platoon "D" Coy. 25 yds. 1 platoon "D" Coy. ORDERS CORRESPONDENCE. 14. All operation orders to be destroyed and correspondence to be destroyed or left behind. 15. Prisoners captured to be disarmed and sent to the rear with smallest possible escort; which will be detailed. men to be reminded that if they fall into enemy's hands they must only give Regimental Number and Their Name. On no account are they to give enemy any information about troops, casualties, guns or proposed operations. 16. All sections detailed for clearing trenches should be clearly detailed and every man will have his mission clearly explained by Officer Commanding Company, so that no confusion arises in case the commander becomes a casualty. These sections will carry flags to mark their position. SECRET. Officer Commanding 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. Officers Commanding Units and Company Commanders of the leading companies in the coming operations will carefully reconnoitre the methods of clearing our own parapets and our own trenches in front of it and will report by the evening of 1st proximo that they are adequate and will not be a source of delay to the advance. They will state if anything more is required. E.R. WYATT Captain, Brigade Major 21st Infantry Bde. 31st March 1915. Circular memorandum No. 15. T.C.131. Secret. 1. It is most important for our General Plans, and for the Security of our Artillery Observing Stations and forward batteries, that the ground behind our lines at RUE TILLELOY, as far back as the RUE BACQUEROT should resume the quiet atmosphere which prevailed there before the action at NEUVE CHAPELLE. 2. To stop Promiscuous and unnecessary traffic, the following regulations have been made. (a) No motors or Horses, or Horse drawn vehicles are to proceed by daylight beyond (i.e. in the direction of the enemy) the line of control posts established at or near the RUE DU BACQUEROT. (b) Transport wagons, and wagons containing Material, are not to proceed South of the Railway between the hours of 6 A.M. - 6 P.M. (c) Working parties, or bodies of troops sent to the Trenches are to go both in and out under cover of night. (e) [sic] parties of Officers visiting the Trenches must have passes, emanating from Divisional or Brigade H.Q. Brigadier General Comd'g R.A., 7 Division, officers Comd'g Brigades of Artillery, or the C.R.E. Similarly, parties of men who have, of necessity to move between RUE DE BACQUEROT and the Trench line by day, must have Passes from one of the above Authorities also. In the case of Officers or others who have to go continually into the above mentioned area, the Pass can be a [blank] (f) parties, whether of Officers or otherwise, proceeding South of the RUE DU BACQUEROT must keep as much as possible under cover from view, and must avoid using the road leading towards the RUE TILLELOY, South of the Stream running from M.18.c. to N.7.b.; or the roads leading from the RUE TILLELOY into the trenches. 3. Naturally, these regulations are not intended to apply to Actual tactical emergency. 4. The Divisional general desires that Officers of all Arms will assist him in securing a greater atmosphere of quiet in the portion of our area designated above: and is sure that all Officers will see the importance of obtaining this object, and will help to produce it. (Sd.) F. GATHORNE HARDY Lt.Col. General Staff 7 Division. Div.H.Q. 31.3.15.

1-30 Mar 1915

From: 1915 To: 1915

item

Wilkins, H.O.D.,
Carslake, W.B.,
Mayne, R.S.St.G.,
Hearne, A.,
Ashmead-Bartlett, Francis George Coningsby,
Denne, William Henry,
Cumberlege, C B,
Baird, J H G,
Fowler, F.,
Morris, Charles Alan Smith,
Onslow, Cranley Charlton,
Foss, Charles Calverley,
Eade, William,
Scrivener, Stanley,
Peggs, William George,
Cogan, Phillip George,
Smith, W.,
Freshwater, George,
Lovett, J.,
Barnett, H.,
Brown, F.,
Kuhn, Alfred Edgar,
Orlebar, Rouse Astry Bourne,
George, W.H.,
Stonier, William John,
Mackenzie, John,
Capper, Thompson,
Taylor, E.S.S.,
Beal, Leonard Frank,
Boys, Richard Harvey,
Lardner, R.S.,
Ramsay, W,
Isaac, J,
Parker, F V,
Wyatt, Ernest Robert,
Alexander,
Pollard, James Hawkins Whitshed,
Chauncy,
Gathorne-Hardy, John Francis

2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 7th (1st British Columbia) Canadian Battalion, maps, 2nd Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, Manchester Regiment, East Lancashire Regiment, land weaponry, Canadian Division, Northamptonshire Regiment, 1st/28th Battalion (Artists Rifles) London Regiment, 7th Division, 21st Infantry Brigade, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, 1st/6th Battalion Gordon Highlanders, 4th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, 3rd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 22nd Infantry Brigade, 20th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, Indian Corps, Royal Horse Artillery, 2nd Battalion Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment, Germans, 2nd Highland Field Company Royal Engineers, water provision, town & local roads, clothing, railways, Estaires, Laventie, la Flinque, St-Omer, Fauquissart, Neuve-Chapelle, la Gorgue, le Picantin, Laventie Rue de Tilleloy, Moulin du Pietre [Laventie], Laventie Rue d'Enfer, Aubers, Trivelet Farm [Fauquissart], Trivelet Wood [Fauquissart], Chapigny, Laventie Rue Bacquerot