X550/8/1/1509

1-9-15 Conference for all mounted officers at 10.30am HQ 54th Brigade. Parades under Coy arrangements. Weather variable 2-9-15 A & B Coys digging E of LAVIEVILLE, cancelled owing to rain. O.C.Companies proceed to trenches to take over 3-9-15 Batt relieves 8th East Surreys in accordance with scheme attached [not attached] BECORDEL 5-9-15 10pm 3 men of A Coy while returning from patrol were wounded. Trenches. Two evacuated to FA one returned to duty otherwise bight passed quietly except for usual sniping 6-9-15 Day passed quietly at 4.45 our guns shelled working party in BOIS FRANCAIS at 5.40 Germans exploded a mine on left of us in MIDDLESEX line at 6.30 this was followed by bush fire on both sides from rifles and machine guns 8.30pm Our guns also firing some rounds. remainder of night peaceful 7-9-15 10.50am Germans fired two rounds of HE which fell to the S of BONTE REDOUBT. Our guns replied with three rounds of shell. Weather fine and warm. Casualties 3 wounded 10pm Royal Fusiliers blew up a mine. This was followed by rapid fire and machine gun fire. R.Fusiliers occupied lip of crater. Our casualties one killed one wounded 8-9-15 8am Work with every available man on SOUTH AVENUE communicating trench 4.15am 4pm-7pm our guns fired two shells on BOIS FRANCAIS. Germans replied with about 40 shells which caused no visible damage. Wire reported weak in front 91 & 92 steps are being taken to repair this; our patrols reported enemy's snipers in trench 486. these caused some trouble until our guns fired 5 rds which silenced sniping from this direction. 9-9-15 11pm Organised machine gun fire; at 8.30 our guns shelled crater in Fusiliers' lines. Parapet blown down & 10 casualties reported. At 11pm Germans exploded mine opposite R.Fusiliers 4.30pm Intermittent shelling all day. Enemy searched for our M.Guns behind trenches 93 & 94. 10-9-15 4.15am Heavy transport heard on MAMETZ-FRICOURT road. This shelled by our M.Guns. RONDALL AVENUE and ground in rear of trenches 93-94 shelled by enemy. German spy reported to be in trenches masquerading as an Artillery Officer. Train heard in direction of Fricourt. German flares are not now igniting. Red & green flares from behind FRICOURT are being used for enemy artillery guidance. 10am 22 Mortar Batty shells fired at trenches 87-88. One man of c Coy wounded 10.45 Trench mortar fire ceases. 4.30pm Sounds of work heard in No.3 listening post right of sector D2. Mining Expert sent to confirm this. M.Guns detected in long white house extreme edge of FRICOURT. Working party reported in German first line trench just S of FRICOURT. Trench Mortar fired 22 shots into centre section one man killed. Mortar believed to be situated due N 9 in 493 as ground is freshly broken here and a flash was seen at the same spot last night. Intermittent shelling 11-9-15 4am Morning Tactical Report. Intermittent shelling by Artillery between 5pm and 7pm. Working party reported at pt.491 not heard after 1am. A Dud shell fired by our guns at 10pm. Enemy observed in long grass opposite 93 trench. Fired at. Line reported held more strongly owing to considerable number more rifle flashes. Enemy's M.Guns located at corner of sq. trench due E of 3 in 493. Tunnel reported being dug from left to right of Aeroplane Trench not yet confirmed No.2 & 3 listening report sounds of mining at 2am. Train heard crossing a viaduct at 7.55 it then stopped. Trench 87 reports sound of dull thumps at regular intervals. German casualty whistle heard at 2.25 and 2.50am. Our officer Commdg D Coy reports great coolness of signallers who mended their wire in three places while under shell fire 12-9-15 4.15am Morning Tactical Report Sound of heavy transport on CONTALMAISON-FRICOURT Road at 9.45. Our guns were informed. Sound of train heard as usual at 9.45pm behind FRICOURT. Patrols sent out in front of trenches and on our right & left; return having nothing to report. Wire mended in front of trenches 91-92 & 93. Patrol at 6.45 reports new posts of enemy in junction of roads in front of trench 90. This was successfully bombed with rifle grenades much to the annoyance of the enemy who opened a hot fire without doing any damage. On our right enemy considerably quieter. This change suggests new regiment. Large explosion heard some distance on our right front between 3 & 3.30pm. Several rounds by big guns fired in same direction. 4.15pm Evening Tactical Report New German communication trench observed N of church at FRICOURT. Aeroplane activity considerable. Intermittent Artillery firing. Time fuzes used by Mortar Battery the day before yesterday are being forwarded for your inspection. Situation unchanged. 13-9-15 4am Morning Tactical Report Mine exploded on right of Northants. Rapid fire opened on both sides. This was followed by Artillery fire from the enemy which was as usual preceded by green lights. Situation now quiet. One Coy of King's Own in trenches for instruction by platoons. Casualties 2 wounded. 4.15pm Evening Tactical Report Enemy trench mortar located in Willow Bed at 6 of 486 from listening post in trench 88 digging was heard surmised that they are continuing towards trench 487. Aeroplane reconnaissance by our aircraft. Situation otherwise unchanged. 14-9-15 4.15pm A shell exploded in rear of trench 88 this evening. A strong smell of pepper and snuff was experienced for about 25 mins. A German working party was shelled by our guns at 9.15pm. Three white flags have been observed in German second line between BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT & BAZENTIN-LE-GRAND. No apparent reason for these bombs thrown from Willow Bed at 6 of 486 after pointing out shot personally to Artillery C.O. C Coy reported no further action from the shot. German Gun reported in trees W. of 2nd line trenches FRICOURT 3.25pm Situation calm. Intermittent Artillery Fire at 6.10am. A man was observed at pt 495 in the open passing between two German trenches. He appeared to be dressed in civilian clothes, without rifle or equipment/ An N.C.O. firing front 92 trench hit a sniper at pt 486. casualty whistle blown and commotion caused. A man was observed firing near a cart 50 metres N of 486. Looked like a boy of 16 dressed in khaki. 15-9-15 3.20am Morning Tactical Report Trenches 87, 87, 93 & 94 heavily shelled by aerial torpedoes at 7.30pm 40 yds of communication trench & 30 yds of fire trench levelled by bombardment. Our patrol from 93 trench got right up to enemy's trip wire. Voices heard. Patrol reported rifles fired at regular intervals, are of an opinion that all rifles are fixed at regular intervals down the trench and are fixed [fired?] by anyone passing. Trenches & parapet repaired during the night. Other patrols sent out during the night passed along enemy's front at about 60 yds away & report nothing heard. They are of opinion that line is very lightly held. they bear out opinion of first patrol re rotation & measure of enemy's rifle fire. Two shells fired during the bombardment gave out a very pungent smoke like phosphorus but had no evil effect as men passed through the fumes. 3.50pm Evening Tactical Report Artillery exchanged shots at 12.30 noon some grenades were fired at 6th Northants at about 12.30 noon. Situation otherwise unchanged. 4.30pm Ref D701 E.T.Report. Supplementary information herewith. During the last half hour a noise like the beat of an engine heard very plainly by numbers of men. The engine has half second beats & can be heard quite plainly even back at C Coy's Hd.Qrs. believe opposite to trench 89 & 88. 16-9-15 3.55am Morning Tactical Report Enemy fired two shells into BONT REDOUBT at 7.30pm. These shells were amalgamated with phosphorous & a sample was forwarded to you last night. A Red rocket was sent up from FRICOURT at 9.15 pm a cart was seen over FRICOURT at 9.30pm to be ablaze in front of trench 92 this was probably due to a flare. At 7.30pm enemy shelled our fire trenches with Whiz Bangs. No damage was done. At 10.45pm a 2nd Red light was seen over FRICOURT. At 10.30pm a mine was exploded, this was followed by a little rapid fire from the enemy. Our guns replied to the above with a salvo of shrapnel & H.Explosive a patrol returned at 1.30 reported they had got right up to the German lines & heard voices & sound of rifles being loaded. Are of opinion trench in front of FRICOURT strongly held. Saw no enemy trip wire or patrols. Report German M.Gun in trench 92. Patrol reports flares are sent up from trenches behind a front trench. My right Coy report unusual quietness of enemy & report line very held [very lightly held?]. No sniping from this part of line & only occasional M.G. Fire. Patrols still out further information will be obtained later. 3pm Evening Tactical Report Situation very quiet. Desultory artillery fire on both sides 3 out of 5 of our H.Explosive shells fired at 12 noon to-day were "DUDS". Patrol which went out early this morning got within 30 yards of Aeroplane Sap but heard nothing. 17-9-15 3.15am A Coy King's Own left trenches at about 10.30pm. My O.C. right sector reports enemy shelled communication trenches in rear of D1 at 6.45. He is of an opinion that enemy heard relief taking place. Our artillery replied with shrapnel 3 of which failed to explode. Red lights were seen at 7.17pm & 7.25pm. Apparently one Red light means clear the fire trench & a double Red light a signal for artillery to commence fire. Patrols from 86 trench got within 30 yds of German trench report very little sound from enemy's trench. Further reported that they thought that sap opposite trench 84 & 85 was unoccupied and had not been increased 3pm Evening Tactical Report Situation very quiet. Sniper located by Observer in white house in FRICOURT. 3 men observed working in new German trench N of FRICOURT. Patrols report only one or two men in German line in front of 9-291 trenches 18-9-15 2.55am Morning Tactical Report Explosion of German Mine at 9pm opposite TAMBOUR. More activity than usual from German trenches. Very few flares. Pumping heard from direction of FRICOURT at 5.15pm. Our guns fired on FRICOURT. A man was seen to run into a house. Transport heard behind German lines at 10.0pm. A sniper was located about 100yds from German lines shortly afterwards a shout was heard followed by a whistle probably casualty whistle. More firing from enemy trenches than usual. Reports from patrols will follow when they return. 3.0pm Evening Tactical Report Considerable aeroplane activity. Intermittent artillery fire from both sides. German working party seen in 2nd line opposite trench 88. Dispersed by our fire. Situation unchanged. 19-9-15 2.50am Morning Tactical Report Usual desultory artillery fire from 5.45pm. Rapid fire opened on TAMBOUR at 6.45pm at about same time enemy fired four small rifle grenades from trench in front of FRICOURT o to trench 91. Damage nil we replied by rifle fire. Enemy work in two reliefs one of which snipe more & are more active than the other. Bomb officer reports great visibility of Brock lighter situation otherwise unchanged. A Red flash away on the left at 12.15am. Cause not known 2.40pm Evening Tactical Report Enemy exploded a small mine opposite 91 trench at 3.45am. No sequel. Enemy searched for our Machine Guns with artillery & although dropping a shell right on to one emplacement did no damage as the gun had been previously changed to another. we continue to harass them with this gun in WILLOW AVENUE. Aeroplane trench shelled by our Artillery this morning. Situation otherwise quiet. 20-9-15 3.30am Morning Tactical Report German seen in trench N of point 486 young about 19 wearing grey forage cap & uniform at 6.45 enemy fired 4 bombs at 91 trench. Our guns replied. 8pm sound of transport heard on our left. Also humming noise like a Zeppelin. enemy bombed our trenches with rifle grenades at 10.25pm. We replied with bombs from catapult. Situation unchanged. Mr.Hine wounded slightly while out on patrol duty. Probably only be away two or three days 3.0pm Evening Tactical Report Allied aeroplane shelled by enemy over FRICOURT at 8.0am this morning. Four rifle grenades were fired into a house behind 87 trench. Situation otherwise quiet. 21-9-15 3am Night quiet on the whole. Successful bombardment of AEROPLANE trench yesterday evening by our guns. Germans replied with 8 whiz bangs which did no damage. A German in a white coat was seen moving about in FRICOURT. Careful watch has been kept on point where railway cutting joins road passing through 87/88 trenches. At 8pm flames were seen at this point. Fire was opened & a M.Gun replied. Rapid [fire] was then given by us & this spot has been searched also by mine bombs. No further flashes have been seen from this point but a large bomb exploded about 50 yards from the centre of trench 88. Patrol from 93 trench report firing only from two places on a front of 200 yards. Patrol reached enemy trip wire. Firing reported to be done from holes level with ground and not from over the parapet or through loopholes. A direct hit was scored on enemy's trench by our mortar from 91 trench at 6pm. Alertness & co-operation of our Artillery specially mentioned by firing line. The M.Gun which is thought to fire when the enemy is standing to is now considered to be someone hitting on a box, but this is still uncertain Maulte 21-9-15 6.34pm Regt relieved by Middlesex & returns to MEAULTE and is billeted there total casualties up to date OR 10 killed, 7 wounded, 1 Officer wounded. Regt congratulated by G.O.C. 54th Bde whose A.P.8 remarks are attached [not included].1 Coy (B) at BCORDEL. 1 Coy. (C) at Pt.107. 22-9-15 Day spent in cleaning up of billets. 23-9-15 Attack Practice in the evening towards MORLANCOURT. 24-9-15 C Coy returned from Pt.107. Weather wet, advanced guard scheme in the evening towards Morlancourt. 25-9-15 A Coy relieved N.Hants at 107. Field manoeuvres in the evening. Weather wet. 26-9-15 10am Church parade 12pm Conference at noon for all officers 27-9-15 Weather very wet 28-9-15 Weather very wet, route march & parade under Company Arrangements. 29-9-15 Whole Battn marched by Coys to VILLE SUR ANCRE for hot baths. 30-9-15 Manoeuvre parade on Morlancourt Rd, attack scheme. Weather cold[?] and indifferent

Sep 1915

From: 1915 To: 1915

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4th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment, 8th Battalion East Surrey Regiment, 6th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, 12th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, Germans, military aircraft, deaths, military airships, weather, Lavieville, Becordel, Bois Francais (Somme), Bonte Redoubt (Somme), South Avenue (Somme), Rondall Avenue (Somme), Fricourt, Mametz, Aeroplane Trench (Somme), Contalmaison, Willow Bed (Somme), Aeroplane Sap (Somme), Tambour, Willow Avenue (Somme), Meaulte, Morlancourt, Ville-sur-Ancre