_The "Red" Division--in the line at Authuille--Colonel Morton
wounded on March 21st--a raid postponed--carried out on
22nd--success of Lieut. Begg's party--congratulatory messages
and awards._
On 17th February, 1916, the 97th Brigade was relieved by the 96th
Brigade, and consequently the Battalion moved back for an expected
rest of some weeks. The 15th Lancashire Fusiliers took over the
Battalion Sector, and the 17th went into billets at Millencourt. Many
fatigues were carried out round about Albert, the principal work being
the laying of cables and the improving of roads. On the 24th, quarters
were changed to Henencourt and from billets into huts in the
wood--most unpleasant, firstly on account of snow and frost, and then,
following a thaw, on account of knee-deep mud. But a further change on
the 29th to Dernancourt brought back billets good and comfortable.
The attack on Verdun had upset the plans which had been made to give
the Brigade the rest which it had been anticipating, and this last
move to Dernancourt brought them into the line once more, just south
of Albert.
The 32nd Division, by now, with good cause, had been named by the
Germans as the "Red" Division because the Hun was given no rest by the
Divisional Artillery and constant raids, and on account of the red
distinguishing marks worn by all ranks of the Division on their tunic
sleeves. The 32nd took over from the 18th Division, and on the 1st of
March, 1916, the Brigade was in Divisional Reserve. On the 3rd of
March, the 97th Brigade relieved the 14th Brigade, the 11th Border
Regiment and 2nd K.O.Y.L.I. taking over. On March 10th the 17th H.L.I.
relieved the 11th Border Regiment, and so once more they were in
immediate face of the enemy. This sector was in front of Becourt
Chateau, between Fricourt and La Boiselle.
A considerable amount of wiring was done, but life here was
comparatively pleasant and the return of spring much appreciated.
But, unfortunately, on the 21st of March, Col. Morton was wounded at
Albert, Major Paul taking over command of the Battalion.
Working parties were heavy, and on one occasion the Bosche blew a
camouflet while work was in progress. During this period great
preparations were made for a raid, and there was keen competition for
a place in the selected party. The night selected for the raid, 2nd
April, however, was unfortunately bright, and this combined with the
fact that the enemy, by means of listening apparatus, seemed fully
aware of what was on, led to a postponement when actually in "no man's
land." The hazardous work of laying the guide tape preparatory to the
abandoned raid was carried out by 2nd Lieut. H. MacRobert and Corpl.
J. Chapman.
This Sector was left on the 4th of April, and the Battalion, being
relieved by the 2nd Scottish Rifles, of the 23rd Brigade, 8th
Division, moved to Bouzincourt and went into huts vacated by the 2nd
Inniskillens.
After a week's rest at Bouzincourt the Battalion returned to the line
at Authuille, on 12th April, 1916, the 97th Brigade holding the line
between that village and north to Thiepval, with the two other
Brigades behind, in support and in reserve. Alternately in the line,
in support, and in reserve, the 17th remained in this Sector until the
opening of the Somme Battle on 1st July, 1916. But the period was not
without stirring incident. By the 15th of April final arrangements
were being made to carry out what was to prove a highly successful
raid on the enemy, which operation was accomplished on 22nd April.
"23rd April, 1916,--Last night we made a successful raid against the
enemy's trenches, south-west of Thiepval. Thirteen prisoners were
captured, and in addition, a number of casualties were caused to the
enemy by our men bombing their dug-outs. Our casualties were very
slight."
This bald official statement of the 17th H.L.I.'s first raid is to the
lay mind singularly unimpressive, but behind it there is an interest
and a measure of glory of which the 17th is happy to be proud. Let it
be remembered that it was their first "stunt," their first real hand
to hand brush with the enemy, and that to the 17th fell the honour of
getting the first "jab in" for the 32nd Division.
[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL, ALBERT--BEFORE THE WAR.]
[Illustration: THE CATHEDRAL, ALBERT--AFTER BOMBARDMENT.
_To face page 34._]
[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL D.S. MORTON, V.D., C.M.G.
_To face page 35._]
It was on the 28th of March, 1916, that volunteers were called for to
raid the enemy's trenches, and out of the hundred who answered, a
party of 45 was selected, under Lieut. A.J. Begg, and Lieut. J.N.
Carpenter. This party went down to Dernancourt, behind Albert, to
complete the training for the raid, and the intention was to rush the
enemy on the night of 2nd April. That night, however, as already
explained, proved unfavourable on account of a bright moon, and the
party, after crawling stealthily towards the enemy's wire were
observed near his trenches and were forced to withdraw. Training was
resumed at Bouzincourt, and it was decided then to have the assistance
of a preliminary artillery bombardment. A point in the enemy's salient
south-west of Thiepval was selected, the wire there was cut in advance
by the artillery, and close observation was maintained on the spot
from day to day. Meanwhile the enemy's fortifications were duplicated
on the ground behind Bouzincourt, and there, night after night, the
raiding party practised the assault. The most careful preparations
were entailed, with much planning and understanding of detail. Every
man had to know thoroughly his part. There had to be no hitch
anywhere. Lieut. Begg saw to it that the training was complete, and
given any luck, success was fully assured.
On the night of the 22nd of April, the party, with blackened hands and
faces, and equipped with an assortment of weapons worthy of Mexican
outlaws, presented themselves at the head of Thiepval Avenue, and
filed up to the "starting point" to await the report of the Patrol
under Lieut. MacRobert, who also had charge of the tape-laying party
which included Corporal Chapman. At 9.30 p.m. our artillery suddenly
opened on the enemy's salient, and poured down on it such a tornado of
steel as the Germans had never experienced before. For twenty minutes
our shells flayed the German front line, and under this arch of
shrieking explosives the battle party crawled right up to the rim of
the bombardment. What wire remained uncut was blown to fragments by a
torpedo, and when the barrage lifted and came down behind, the raiders
jumped into the enemy's trench and set to work. For twenty minutes
they bombed and destroyed, cleared dug-outs, pulled down machine guns,
barricaded communication trenches, and handed prisoners back to
escorts. Then on a signal they as quickly withdrew, and still under
cover of artillery fire made their own trench again. Thirteen
affrighted Germans, of two different units, accompanied the party;
and, finest of all, every man of the party returned. Eleven of them
were wounded, but only one seriously. Among those slightly wounded was
Lieut. Begg, who was the spirit of the assault.
As a result of this success many congratulatory messages were received
and several decorations awarded. Among the list of telegrams were the
following:--
From the G.O.C. 10th CORPS:--"Corps Commander congratulates the
17th H.L.I. on their successful enterprise, which reflects
great credit on all concerned."
From the G.O.C. 32nd DIVISION:--"I congratulate you. I was
confident that the 17th H.L.I. would do the trick. Convey this
message to them."
From Sir HENRY RAWLINSON, G.O.C. 4th ARMY:--"Please convey to 32nd
Division, and particularly to the 97th Brigade and 17th
Battalion Highland Light Infantry, my heartiest
congratulations on their successful raid last night. The
preparations were well and carefully thought out, the
Artillery support was good, and the whole conduct of the
operations reflects credit on all concerned."
From the G.O.C. 97th INFANTRY BRIGADE:--"Commander-in-Chief has
awarded the following decorations:--Lieut. Begg, and 2nd Lieut
Carpenter, Military Cross; 15507 Sergt.-Major Reith, D.C.M.;
15458 Sergeant Taylor, 2797 Private Leiper and 15720 Private
M'Intosh, Military Medal. All 17th H.L.I. Major-General
Rycroft offers his heartiest congratulations to above
officers, N.C.O.s and men on their decorations. Letter with
authority following."
The Battalion had three men killed and four wounded during enemy
retaliation, but any serious effort by the enemy was checked, and on
the 24th the unit went into reserve billets at Bouzincourt.