_Enemy hurricane bombardment--enemy attempt frustrated--attack
abandoned--visit to H.L.I.--sports--visit of Dr. Kelman--patrol
work by Corpl. Wilson--listening post raided--departure for
Adinkerke._
The Battalion continued to carry out its duties on the Belgian Coast
until relieved from that Sector on October 5th, 1917. In the previous
chapter some idea of the general conditions has been given. And the
period which followed was of somewhat like nature with intermittent
outstanding excursions and alarms and with memorable pleasant episodes
to intermix with those more combative, and in this chapter the
outstanding features will be recorded without following the movements
of the Battalion to the various points in this sand-dune sector.
The comparatively routine behaviour of the daily aerial and artillery
"strafe" broke into a brisk and heavy bombardment on the Division to
the left on the night of July 9th, but on the 10th about five o'clock
in the morning this heavy fire switched on to the trenches from the
border of the sea to Nieuport. The bombardment crashed on to all
lines, firing, reserve, and rear. It got heavier and heavier and soon
reached an unprecedented violence and extended to the flanking
Divisions as well. The British guns replied, but could not force the
hostile fire to slacken, and in the evening the enemy came on in
attack. They carried the trenches of the units on the left and
patrols were put out and the flank strengthened. This was the
severest bombardment the Battalion had ever been in. It was a
hurricane onslaught. The 17th knew that sort. They had been through
it. Positions were taken and held, where no trench afforded cover, and
where breastworks were blown away.
The 17th were ordered to send three Companies in support of the Border
Regiment who were being hard pressed east of the Yser. "A," "B" and
"C" Companies were despatched on this mission. These Companies
experienced very stiff fighting throughout the night of the 10-11th,
until relieved early in the morning of the 11th by the Northumberland
Fusiliers.
On the following day the bombardment slackened a little, though during
the night hurricane fire broke out, and over the period of this attack
the Hun used a very large number of tear gas shells--which at that
time was a new horror introduced to the sufferings of the British
armies. Who will forget the Redans, Le Grand and Le Petit, the Bridges
Putney and Pelican? The last named was renewed or rebuilt on the
average three times every twenty-four hours. No words can describe
what took place between the 10th and 13th of that awful month. The
Germans, expecting an attack, made one. After these terrible three
days, the Battalion, whose luck it was on this occasion to be spared
the brunt of the action, after being relieved by the Borderers,
struggled back through a mixed barrage of shells of all calibres,
sprinkled with those of gas. There was a fog of gas and dust for miles
behind the lines.
The enemy attempt had broken down; the Battalion returned to Ghyvelde
of pleasant recollection, and on the 13th the Division was
congratulated on its successful efforts.
On July 20th Major J. Inglis joined the Battalion and took over
command at Bray Dunes Plage. On the 23rd the Brigade was inspected by
the Divisional General, Major-General Shute. After his inspection he
gave an address congratulating the Brigade on its part against the
enemy attack on the 10th inst. at Nieuport, and on the same day the
Corps Commander also inspected the Brigade, complimenting the men on
their clean and smart appearance, and paying a high tribute to their
fighting qualities.
August opened with the prospect of making an attack on the enemy and
exercises were practised accordingly. On 6th August a Battalion
reconnaissance was made which included reporting on all tracks to the
front line, arranging an assembling position in "no man's land," and
learning the condition of the existing wire in front of both our own
and the enemy's line. The weather for some little time had been very
wet, the night selected for the reconnaissance was very bright and
none too suitable, and the condition of the ground was extremely
muddy, making movement slow and difficult. After examining the whole
situation it was recognised that any possibility of successfully
attacking upon this position was out of the question. Indeed, the bad
weather throughout August delayed whatever action had been
contemplated by either side.
The 9th H.L.I. (The Glasgow Highlanders) were lying at Ghyvelde, and
on 11th August, the 17th paid them a visit, while the Battalion
football teams played a match. Another convivial day was spent on the
24th when the Battalion sports were held. The day cleared up to one of
bright sunshine, and a large number of spectators enjoyed the sport.
The events were continued on the following day when even a larger
number of guests and spectators attended, including many Colonial
soldiers, and the various events were keenly contested, both by the
men of the home Battalion and those from others in the area. A good
turn out of British and Belgian nurses from La Panne Hospital
brightened the gathering, and at the conclusion of the sports the
prizes were presented by two of the lady guests. On the Saturday
following Brigade Sports were held under ideal conditions, the
Battalion representatives winning numerous prizes.
At Church Parade on the 26th, the Presbyterian Service was conducted
in camp by the Rev. Dr. Kelman, of Free St. George's, Edinburgh, who
delivered a very impressive address which was listened to with the
closest attention by the men. Dr. Kelman then left to preach to
another Battalion and the 17th prepared to go back to the line.
The Battalion kept up its old record of keen patrolling, and during
their front line spell at the beginning of September some
reconnaissance work was well carried out under conditions unusually
difficult. On the night of 3rd September, 1917, 2nd Lieut. Forbes and
Corpl. J. Wilson of "C" Company waded across a swamped portion which
lay between the Battalion positions and a point known as Roode Poorte
Farm. Coming to a point where the water was too deep for wading,
Corpl. Wilson swam across and on reaching ground crawled in the
direction of the enemy lines. Finding this line of approach of no use
for operations, he swam back to the point where the patrol was
covering his movements, and selecting another point, swam across the
canal which lay to the east, opposite the farm buildings, and carried
out his reconnaissance.
On the 8th, while at Wulpen, a gas attack was successfully carried
through on to the enemy's lines, and on the 13th, the third
anniversary of the forming of the Battalion was spent in the trenches.
A telegram congratulating the Battalion on its anniversary was
received from the Brigadier, and a reply sent reciprocating the
General's good wishes.
The enemy perpetrated a novel surprise raid, which had some of the
elements of picture-house humour in it, on one of the Battalion
advanced Listening Posts, and by their new device gained temporary
footing in it. A strong stream of water, apparently from a hose was
directed suddenly upon the men in the Listening Post from the enemy
position. While the men were baffled and blinded by the rush of water,
the post was bombed and the two listeners retired on the main post for
support. Immediately a counter-attack was organised and led by Company
Sergeant-Major Miller of "A" Company, and the post was re-established.
Orders were received on October 5th, 1917, for the relief of the 97th
Infantry Brigade by the 125th Infantry Brigade. The Battalion
accordingly withdrew to Coxyde that night, and on the following
morning left for Adinkerke on the way to fresh fields and battles
new.