X550/3/WD/1703

War Diary for March 1917 1 Mar 1917 - trenches at Agny Trenches AGNY. A quiet day - Casualties Nil. 2nd Lieut.A.W.JOYCE proceeded on leave. Lt.Colonel H.S.Poyntz, D.S.O., took over command of 89th Infantry Brigade during the absence on leave of Brigadier General F.C.Stanley, D.S.O. Captain H.A.W.Pearse proceeded to 89th Infantry Bde Headquarters for instruction in "Q" duties. Lieutenant H.de.Buriatte took over command of "A" Coy. 2 Mar 1917 - Arras Trenches AGNY. At 10 a.m. the 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment commenced to relieve the Battalion. Relief complete by 12.30 p.m. The Battalion then withdrew to billets in ARRAS and became Brigade Reserve. Sick Wastage for week ending 2/3/17 - 3 Other Ranks. 3 Mar 1917 Billets ARRAS. Whole of Battalion employed on work in AGNY. No.8051 Company Sergeant Major F.T.Matthews granted a commission and posted to 2nd Battalion. 4 Mar 1917 Billets ARRAS. Whole of Battalion employed on work in AGNY. A Draft of 10 Other Ranks joined from Base. 5 Mar 1917 Billets ARRAS. Whole of Battalion employed on work in AGNY. 6 Mar 1917 Billets ARRAS. Whole of Battalion employed on work in AGNY. 7 Mar 1917 Billets ARRAS Whole of Battalion employed on work in AGNY. 8 Mar 1917 - trenches at Agny Billets ARRAS. At 10 a.m. we commenced to relieve the 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment in the Trenches at AGNY - relief complete by 12.30 p.m. The Battalion held line as on 12th February with following dispositions, with 2nd Bn.Yorkshire Regiment, 21st Infantry Brigade on our LEFT and 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment, 89th Infantry Brigade, on our RIGHT. 9 Mar 1917 Trenches - AGNY. A quiet day - Casualties NIL. Sick Wastage for week ending 9th March, 1917, 7 O.R. No.9515 Sergeant T.G.Searle granted a commission and posted to 2nd Battalion. 10 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. A quiet day - Casualties NIL. Captain R.Hopkins admitted to Hospital Sick, 2nd Lieutenant A.P.Methuen took over command of "B" Company. 11 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. A quiet day - Casualties Nil. 12 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. At 7.30 a.m. the 143rd Brigade on our Right carried out a Raid. Casualties Nil. Lt.Colonel H.S.Poyntz rejoined from 89th Brigade, and resumed command of the Battalion. 13 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. Enemy's Artillery active on village during the afternoon. Casualties Nil. Lieutenant L.A.L.Fink, M.C., admitted to Hospital Sick. 14 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. At 8 a.m. the following reliefs took place. "A" Company took over from "C" Company LEFT Company. "B" Company took over from "D" Company RIGHT COMPANY. "C" Company took over AGNY DEFENCES AND GOAT POST. "D" Company took over SUPPORT LINE. Relief completed by 10.5 a.m. The 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment relieved the 2nd Bn.Wiltshire Regiment in G.2 Subsector on our Left and the 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment relieved 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment on our Right. Captain L.F.Beal., M.C., rejoined from Headquarters 30th Division and took over command of "D" Company. A quiet day - Casualties NIL. 15 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. At 10.30 p.m. the 18th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment (21st Inf.Brigade) carried out a raid on enemy trenches on our Left from M.16.a.05/35 to M.16.a.20/08 to M.16.a.46/27. Ref.Map Sheet 51.B. S.W. The silent raid of our Battalion which was to have taken place at same hour had to be cancelled, as our patrols which went out last night under 2nd Lieutenant A.STONE and 2nd Lieutenant C.SHEKURY reported that trenches where Gaps had been made were wired in and that Sap heads were not held and also wired in. The artillery, however, barraged the flanks of raid which was to have taken place and enemy Support Line. The enemy retaliated on our front and support line with 77 m.m. shells doing very little damage. We had no casualties. 2nd Lieutenant R.H.HOSE, 5th Bn.Bedfordshire Regt, joined the Battalion, also 6 Other Ranks from Base. 18 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. A quiet day - Casualties NIL. Sick wastage week ending 16/3/17 - 10 Other Ranks. 17 Mar 1917 Trenches AGNY. Much Aerial Activity. Casualties NIL. OPERATIONS FROM 18th to 21st March 1917 1st PHASE During the night of March 17th and early morning of March 18th, a number of fires were observed behind the German Lines and also loud explosions were heard. At 7.30 a.m. on March 18th we received information that the Brigade on our Right (No.175th Inf.Bde under Brig.Gen H.C.Jackson, D.S.O.) had advanced and occupied the German Trenches. At about 8 a.m. we received orders from Brigade to send over patrols to ascertain if the Germans in front of us had gone. One Platoon of "A" Company under 2nd Liuet.T.G.SEARLE and one Platoon of "B" Company under 2nd Lieut F.T.MATTHEWS entered the German Lines and found them unoccupied. At about 9.30 a.m. "A" and "B" Companies under Lieut.H.de Buriatte and 2nd Lieut.A.P.Methuen respectively advanced and occupied the German Front and Support Line. "B" Company with its RIGHT on LAUENBERG LANE on the West of the Railway; "A" Company with its LEFT about M.15.c.10/40. "D" Company under Captain L.F.Beal, M.C., in Support in the German Front Line. "C" Company under Captain R.E.Oakley in our original Front Line. The 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment were on our RIGHT with their LEFT on LAUENBERG LANE, the 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt on our LEFT. Battalion Headquarters moved to Sap G.13.A. During this occupation of the German Lines we were subject to a little Artillery Fire, chiefly 77 m.m. and some 4.8 howitzers. Quite a number of traps were encountered, 2nd Lieutenant R.H.HOSE and No.21111 Private T.PEARSON being both killed by Bomb Traps. The advance was continued both sides of the Railway, patrols preceding the Advance. MANSFIELD TRENCH - LE CHAT MAIGRE - SWITCH - LAUENBERG REDOUBT, were each occupied by our Troops. About 1 p.m. Patrols were next pushed on to MADELEINE REDOUBT - MADRAGUE REDOUBT - MALPLAQUET TRENCH. These were also unoccupied. Battalion Headquarters moved into the German Support Trench about M.15.c.50/20. At 7 p.m. we received orders to take over that part of the line occupied by the 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment, and at dusk the positions were as shown on attached map. At 5.45 p.m. one Platoon of "D" Company under 2nd Lieut.A.W.JOYCE was ordered to reconnoitre towards MERCATEL and ascertain if it was occupied. At about 7 p.m. the patrol found the village occupied and withdrew a short way. Patrols were again pushed into the Village about 9 p.m. and found that the enemy patrols had withdrawn and that the enemy were now shelling the village. About 2.30 a.m. on morning of 19th 2nd Lieut.A.F.ALDRIDGE with a platoon of "C" Company joined 2nd Lieut.A.W.JOYCE and they both pushed forward, 2nd Lieut.JOYCE with his Platoon to the Eastern Edge of the Village and 2nd Lieut.ALDRIDGE to the High Ground about contour 95 (M.35.c.and d). About 7 a.m. on 19th March a German Cavalry Patrol of six men was fired on by 2nd Lieut.ALDRIDGE's party, but no casualties were seen. 2nd PHASE. The night of 18th March passed off quietly. Orders were received for an advance on MERCATEL at 7.30 a.m., March 19th, in conjunction with 2/10th LONDON Regiment on our RIGHT and the 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment on our LEFT. At 7.30 a.m. the Battalion was formed up ready for the attack, "C" and "D" Companies forming the attacking waves, "A" Company in SUPPORT, and "B" Company in Reserve in MALPLAQUET TRENCH. Headquarters moved to the Railway about M.27.a.60/70 at 7 a.m. The Advance did not take place until 10.30 a.m., as the 2/10th London Regiment did not come up until then. MERCATEL was reached without opposition and a little shelling chiefly 77 m.m. About 12 noon the leading Companies got as far as the track running through M.35.b. and d. and dug in here, as the 2/10th London Regiment had not come up on our RIGHT. The objective was as shown on the Map in Blue pencil. At 3.30 p.m. Orders were given for "C" and "D" Companies to push on and dig in along their objective on the BEAURAINS - BOYELLE Road which they did under considerable shell fire, as they were digging in full view of the enemy who were in NEUVILLE VITASSE and the ridge S.E. of it. On seeing our men advancing the 2/10th London Regt advanced shortly after and joined up on our RIGHT along the Road. Touch was also at once gained with the 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment along the Road on our LEFT. This formed the main position and small posts were pushed out about 150 yards in front of it, forming an Outpost Line. By dusk the men were well dug in. Dispositions of Companies as on M.51.B.S.W. enclosed. The night of March 19/20th passed off quietly, desultory shelling throughout the night. Heavy rain continued all night. The 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regiment relieved the 2/10th London Regiment on our RIGHT in the early hours of 20th. A Patrol under 2nd Lieut.G.LENTON went our to HENIN SUR COJEUL at 4.30 a.m., but found it occupied. At about 10 a.m. March 20th, Battalion Headquarters moved up to SWITCH LANE about M.28.c.80/50. Our main position was shelled by 77 m.m. and a few 4.2. and 5.9 guns at intervals throughout the day and night but no casualties occurred. The Village was also shelled but we had entirely avoided it. At 12 midnight March 20/21st, the 17th Bn.Manchester Regiment commenced to relieve us, the relief was complete by 6 a.m., 21st. the Battalion then returned to our old front Line Trenches in G.Sector, AGNY, arriving about 7.30 a.m. A very noticeable point about these 3 days operations was the systematic way the enemy had destroyed everything which would be of any use to us. All dug-outs had been blown in, trees cut down, trenches wired in, and all stores removed. There is no doubt they had been preparing for this retirement for some months. Our casualties during above operations were: - 2nd Lieutenant R.H.HOSE, KILLED. No.21111 Pte.T.PEARSON, KILLED. One Other Rank Wounded. One Other Rank Wounded accidentally. A Draft of 8 Other Ranks joined from base on 20th. 22 Mar 1917 - Bretencourt At 6 a.m. Battalion left Trenches at AGNY for Billets in BRETENCOURT arriving at 8.30 a.m. (Reference Map 51.c.S.E. R.26.d.1/20,000). Captain P.C.CAVAN took over command of "A" Company from Lieutenant H.de.BURIATTE. Captain R.HOPKINS rejoined from Hospital and took over command of "B" Company from 2nd Lieutenant A.P.METHUEN. Lieutenant L.A.L.FINK, M.C. rejoined from Hospital. 23 Mar 1917 Billets BRETENCOURT. 2nd Lieut.F.T.MATTHEWS proceeded on leave. Sick wastage week ending 23rd - 14 Other Ranks. 24 Mar 1917 Billets BRETENCOURT 25 Mar 1917 Billets BRETENCOURT. 26 Mar 1917 Billets BRETENCOURT. 2nd Lieutenant T.G.SEARLE proceeded on Leave. Captain H.A.W.PEARSE admitted to Hospital sick. 27 Mar 1917 Billets BRETENCOURT 28 Mar 1917 - Bailleulmont At 9 a.m. Battalion left for Billets in BAILLEULMONT arriving at 11 a.m. Reference Map 51.c.W.2.c. and d. 29 Mar 1917 Billets BAILLEULMONT 30 Mar 1917 Billets BAILLEULMONT. Sick wastage week ending 30th - 8 ).R. 2nd Lieutenant A.STONE and 2nd Lieutenant C.SHEKURY awarded the MILITARY CROSS. 31 Mar 1917 Billets BAILLEULMONT Operation Order by Major E.S.M.Poyntz, Commanding 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt, 5th March 1917 In view of the possibility of the Germans withdrawing from the front now held by this Brigade it is possible that the Battalion (if in the Line) may be ordered to advance at extremely short notice. PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS 1. Boundary on LEFT The Boundary between 21st Infantry Brigade and 89th Infantry Brigade will be a line drawn from Sap G.16.A through M.15.A.80/42, M.15.C.92/75, M.15.D.05/50, M.21.B.30/85, M.21.B.75/05. 2. Boundary between BATTALIONS. The dividing line between Battalions will be a line drawn from the Top of GOAT STREET (inclusive to the LEFT BATTALION), M.14.D.98/75, through the Base of SAP X.11 (inclusive to the RIGHT BATTALION), to the point where it cuts the ARRAS - BUCQUOY ROAD, at M.21.C.48/35. 3. BOUNDARY on RIGHT. the Boundary between the 89th Infantry Brigade and 175th Infantry Brigade will be notified later. 4. It is probable that four gaps will be cut on our Front, viz: - One between Y.4 and Y.6. One between Y.8 and Y.12. One on each side of railway between Y.13 and Y.20. It is possible however that these gaps will not be ready by the time the Advance is ordered and Companies must be prepared to cut through by hand. As many wire cutters as possible will be provided. 5. METHOD OF ADVANCE The advance will be carried out on the following system: - (a) the Battalion will advance on a Front of Two Companies. (b) Each Company will push forward a strong patrol of one Platoon and a Lewis Gun whose duty will be to keep in touch with the retiring enemy, these Strong Points must push forward as vigorously as possible, and their Commanders must realize that every time they are delayed by a small post it gives the enemy more time to effect a withdrawal and lessens our chance of causing him casualties. (c) As soon as these patrols have occupied a position Company Commanders should immediately warn Battalion Headquarters who will give the order to push up their men and consolidate their position while the Patrols will continue to push forward. The Battalion IN SUPPORT will be used to occupy and continue the consolidation of captured positions, when the leading Battalion advances further. (d) the 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment dispositions will be: - See attached Sketch. (e) Two Signallers will move forward with the Scouts and keep in constant communication with the Fighting Patrol who will relay to Company Headquarters. (f) The greatest attention should be given to nettoyage the men selected for this must be instructed not to leave any dugout unsearched or on any account whatsoever overlook any likely place of concealment for the Sniper or Machine Gun. (g) After the front line of enemy trenches has been occupied Company Commanders may find it advisable to push out Stronger Patrols. It is of paramount importance that Patrols should keep in touch with their flanks. the importance of this cannot possibly be exaggerated. 6. COMMUNICATION It should be impressed on all Officers, N.C.O's and men, that what appear to be small matters to them may be of vital importance to the higher authorities, so they should be warned to report anything of consequence. 7. LEWIS GUNS One Lewis Gun will proceed with each Fighting Patrol and one with each Leading Platoon. The Support and Reserve Companies will each have three Lewis Guns with them. This will leave four Guns in reserve at Battalion Headquarters (providing we are issued with the extra two guns to make us up to 16). 8. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS. Brigade Headquarters will move up to the Chemin Creux as soon as the order to advance is given. NOTE: - This Operation Order is liable to amendment according to the Front we occupy and any fresh instructions issued by Brigade. Sd. G.A.Anstee, 2/Lieutenant Acting Adjutant, 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment.

1-31 Mar 1917

From: 1917 To: 1917

item

Shekury, Cecil,
Pearson, Thomas,
Hose, Robert Henry,
Joyce, A.W.,
Poyntz, Hugh Stainton,
Stanley, Ferdinand Charles,
Pearse, H.A.W.,
de Buriatte, H.,
Matthews, Frederick Thomas,
Searle, Thomas George,
Methuen, A.P.,
Fink, Lawrence Alexander Lewis,
Beal, Leonard Frank,
Stone, A.,
Jackson, Henry Cholmondeley,
Oakley, R.E.,
Aldridge, A.F.,
Lenton, Gerald,
Hopkins, R.,
Anstee, G.A.,
Cavan, P.C.

deaths, 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 21st Infantry Brigade, 89th Infantry Brigade, town & local roads, land weaponry, maps, 20th Battalion (4th City) King's (Liverpool) Regiment, general railways, weather, 17th Battalion (2nd City) Manchester Regiment, 2nd/10th Battalion London Regiment, 175th Infantry Brigade, 19th Battalion (3rd City) King's (Liverpool) Regiment, 2nd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, 18th Battalion (2nd City) King's (Liverpool) Regiment, 1st/5th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, aerial action overseas, 2nd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment, Agny, Arras, Goat Post [Arras], Lauenberg Lane [Arras], Mansfield Trench [Arras], La Chat Maigre [Arras], Switch Trench [Arras], Lauenberg Redoubt [Arras], Madeleine Redoubt [Arras], Madrague Trench [Arras], Malplaquet Trench [Arras], Mercatel, Neuville-Vitasse, Henin-sur-Cojeul, Switch Lane [Arras], Bretencourt, Bailleulmont, Goat Street [Arras], Chemin Creux [Arras]