extension to the north of the earlier attacks. “Meanwhile, between
7 and 8 a.m. on the morning of March 28th, fighting of the utmost
intensity had broken out north of the Somme from Puisieux to
north-east of Arras. Finding himself checked on the northern flank
of his attack the enemy on this day made a determined effort to
obtain greater freedom for the development of his offensive, and
struck in great force along the valley of the Scarpe at Arras.”...
“After a bombardment of great violence, three fresh German divisions
advanced to the assault along the north bank of the Scarpe river
against the positions held by the 4th and 56th British Divisions
under the command respectively of Major-General T. G. Matheson and
Major-General F. A. Dudgeon, and were supported in their attack
by the two German divisions already in line.”... “His troops were
everywhere stopped and thrown back with the heaviest loss before our
battle positions.” “A second attack late in the afternoon north of
the Scarpe, after a further period of bombardment, was also repulsed
at all points. At the end of the day our battle positions astride
the Scarpe were intact on the whole front of the attack, and in the
evening successful counter-attacks enabled us to push out a new
outpost line in front of them. Meanwhile the surviving garrisons of
our original outpost line, whose most gallant resistance had played
so large a part in breaking up the enemy’s attack, had fought their
way back through the enemy.”
His defeat on the 28th weakened the enemy’s offensive and it
eventually closed a few days later. The stand made by the Division,
on the flank of the attack, where it was strongly pressed, was not
excelled by the performance of any other unit during the March
battle, and greatly contributed to the cessation of the German
effort. The fighting on 28th March is now the “First Battle of Arras,
1918.” The Division was at that time in the XIII. Corps, First Army
(see paragraph 45 of the despatch). It was the only division of the
First Army engaged on the 28th.
In his telegraphic despatch of 13th September, 1918, as to the
good work of various divisions in the early days of the last
British offensive, under the heading 56th Division, Sir Douglas
Haig said: “The 56th Division, which on March 28th assisted in
the repulse of the German attack north of the Scarpe, on August
23rd attacked successfully, with the 52nd Division, at Boyelles
and Hénin-sur-Cojeul. These two divisions met with very vigorous
resistance about Croisilles and the important feature known as
Hénin Hill to the north of it, but captured both places. On August
29th by a daring operation the 56th Division and the 57th Division
captured Bullecourt and Hendicourt-lez-Cagnicourt. The possession
of both villages was fiercely disputed, but on September 1st
the 52nd and 57th Divisions secured firm hold of them and took
Riencourt-lez-Cagnicourt. Also on September 2nd the 52nd and 57th
Divisions continued the attack, with the 63rd Division, and captured
Quéant, Pronville and Fontaine-lez-Croisilles.”
The despatch of 21st December, 1918, shows that the 56th Division was
on 23rd August in the VI. Corps, Third Army. These events are again
referred to in paragraphs 22, 23 and 28.
Paragraph 22 as to 24th August states: “On the left troops of the
56th Division, Major-General Sir C. P. A. Hull, had heavy fighting
about Croisilles and on the high ground north-west of that village
known as Hénin Hill.”
About 25th August the XVII. Corps was formed with the 52nd, 56th, and
57th Divisions, and later the 63rd. In the beginning of September the
56th became part of the XXII. Corps, First Army. Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle, vol. vi. p. 133, puts the losses of the Division between 27th
and 31st August at 2723 and the prisoners they took at over 1000.
In paragraph 23 as to 29th August, Sir Douglas Haig said: “To the
north of Bapaume a gallant thrust by the 56th and 57th Divisions
penetrated the enemy’s position as far as Riencourt-lez-Cagnicourt.”
Paragraph 35: “The Battle of Cambrai and the Hindenburg Line,
27th September-5th October,” states: “On the extreme left the
56th Division of the XXII. Corps” (on 27th September) crossed the
canal and, having cleared Sauchy Lestrée and Sauchy Cauchy, moved
northwards to Palluel.
About 11th and 12th October the Division was employed in attacks; it
took Fresnes and moved forward, overcoming various obstacles.
The various actions between August and October are now officially
defined as follows: 21st-23rd August, the Battle of Albert, 1918;
26th-30th August, Battle of the Scarpe, 1918; 2nd-3rd September,
Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Line; 27th September-1st October,
Battle of the Canal du Nord; 8th-12th October, Battle of Cambrai,
1918, with Pursuit to Selle.
Paragraph 50 describes “The Battle of the Sambre, 1st-11th November.”
Regarding the 4th-6th November: “On the front of the First Army, the
XXII. Corps and the Canadian Corps advanced against little opposition
except on their right. Here the 11th and 56th Divisions, having
crossed the Aunelle river and captured the villages of Le Triez,
Sebourg and Sebourg Quiaux, were counter-attacked on the high ground
east of the Aunelle and pressed back slightly.”
On the 6th the Division after heavy fighting gained its objectives.
The advance continued between 7th November and the 11th, Armistice
Day.
It will have been observed that all references to the work of the
Division were invariably of a laudatory character.
The 1/10th and 1/11th County of London Regiment, originally belonging
to the 56th, served with the 54th (East Anglian) Division at Suvla
Bay, Gallipoli, and in Palestine, their places being taken by the
1/7th and 1/8th Middlesex from the 44th (Home Counties) Division.
The 1/6th City of London Regiment, originally belonging to the 56th,
but which served with the 47th, the 1/9th County of London Regiment
of the 56th and the 1/7th Middlesex, which belonged to the 44th, but
served with the 56th, were selected for the Army of the Rhine. The
1/10th County of London Regiment, which, as above stated, served with
the 54th, was chosen for the Army of Occupation, Egypt.
57TH (WEST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION
SECOND LINE
The Division went to France in February, 1917, and was employed in
the Bailleul-Armentières-Ypres area during the greater part of 1917,
and for the first four months of 1918.
A quotation, in which West Lancashire Territorials are mentioned as
taking part in an advance in “The Battles of Ypres, 1917,” on 16th
August, 1917, has been given under the 48th Division. The number
of the West Lancashire Division is not given in the _Gazette_ or
in Messrs. Dent’s edition of _Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches_. It
seems to be the case that the infantry of the 55th or 57th was not
present on that date. The reference may apply to some West Lancashire
Artillery.
The 57th did attack as part of the XIV. Corps on 26th October, the
“Second Battle of Passchendaele,” see 50th Division. Ground was
gained, but the conditions were most difficult and the casualties of
the 57th were very heavy.
Early in May 1918 the 57th took over from the 42nd in the Bucquoy
area, south of Arras.
In August one brigade of the 57th was, for a time, attached to the
51st Division on the Scarpe and took part in a preliminary attack on
the 19th. During that month the XVII. Corps, which embraced the 52nd,
56th, 57th, and later the 63rd Divisions, took over in that area,
coming in between the VI. Corps and the Canadians.
The XVII. Corps, as part of the Third Army, attacked on the 25th
August (see 52nd and 56th), and the 57th entered the front line on
the night of the 27th. It had very severe fighting between 28th
August and 2nd September and did well, as appears from the extracts
referred to below.
In the telegraphic despatch of 13th September, 1918, as to the work
of certain divisions, a quotation from which has already been given
under the 56th, the 57th was mentioned for its fine services about
Bullecourt and there is also given under the 56th a quotation from
the despatch of 21st December, 1918, paragraph 23, which applies to
both divisions.
Paragraph 28 of the latter despatch deals with the storming of the
Drocourt-Quéant line, 2nd September, 1918. “This gallant feat of arms
was carried out by,” among other troops, “the XVII. Corps of the
Third Army employing the 52nd, 57th, and 63rd Divisions.” A quotation
as to the battle on that date has been given under the 52nd. In the
afternoon there was hard fighting but the enemy’s opposition was
overcome by nightfall “and the 57th Division, swinging to the right,
was threatening the villages of Quéant and Pronville from the north.”
During the night and following day the enemy rapidly retreated.
The fighting in the area in which the XVII. Corps was then operating,
26th-30th August, is now the “Battle of the Scarpe, 1918,” and that
on 2nd-3rd September, the “Battle of the Drocourt-Quéant Line.”
In the big and fiercely contested battle commencing on 27th September
the XVII. Corps had again to make an effort almost, if not quite,
as great as that which broke the Quéant line on 2nd September, and
nothing could have been finer than the work of the 52nd, 57th, and
63rd Divisions on this second occasion. The position of the enemy was
of immense strength and a wide and deep canal was among the obstacles
to be overcome in the advance of the Corps. The fighting on the front
of the XVII. Corps lasted, almost without intermission, from 27th
September to 1st October. This is now designated the “Battle of the
Canal du Nord.”
Paragraph 35 of the despatch of 21st December, 1918, dealing with
“the Battle of Cambrai and the Hindenburg Line, 27th September-5th
October,” states: “In the centre the 52nd Division passing its troops
across the canal by bridgeheads previously established by the 57th
Division, on the opening of the assault carried the German lines east
of the canal,” etc., but in Messrs. Dent’s edition, p. 281, there is
the following note: “This is incorrect. There were no bridgeheads at
this time and the crossings were forced by the 52nd Division at the
opening of their attack.”
The despatch proceeds: “As soon as the line of the canal had been
secured our engineer troops commenced the construction of bridges,
completing their task with remarkable speed, and working with great
gallantry under the fire of the German guns. Greatly assisted by
their efforts our advance continued. Obstinate resistance was met
with at Graincourt, and it was not until late in the day that the
village was finally surrounded and captured by the 63rd Division.
The 57th Division (Major-General R. W. R. Barnes) meanwhile had
passed through and carried the line forward east of Anneux to
Fontaine-Notre-Dame.”
In paragraph 42, “The Second Battle of Le Cateau, 8th-12th October,”
now officially designated the “Battle of Cambrai, 1918,” the despatch
shows that on 8th October the Third and Fourth Armies attacked and
very heavy fighting ensued. “On the extreme left the 57th Division
made progress in the southern outskirts of Cambrai.... During the
following night the Canadian Corps captured Ramillies and crossed the
Scheldt canal at Pont d’Aire. Canadian patrols entered Cambrai from
the north and joined hands with patrols of the 57th Division working
through the southern portion of the town.” Next day, “Cambrai was in
our hands and our troops were three miles to the east of the town.”
Progress continued on the 10th. Shortly after this the 57th was taken
out of the XVII. Corps and entered the XI. Corps, Fifth Army.
The operations referred to above turned the defences of Lille from
the south, and paragraph 45, dealing with “The Evacuation of Lille,”
states that the 57th and 59th Divisions were by the evening of 17th
October “on the outskirts of Lille.” These divisions were then in the
XI. Corps.
Thereafter the work of the 57th Division was less arduous; the
fighting in the area of the Fifth Army was not so severe as it had
been on the fronts of the Third and Fourth Armies farther south.
58TH (1ST LONDON) DIVISION
SECOND LINE
The Division went to France in January 1917. In March and April 1917,
Gough’s Fifth Army, which contained the 7th, 58th and 62nd Divisions
and Australians, was pressing the enemy towards the Hindenburg
line, south of Bullecourt. In April as that line was approached the
resistance became stronger. While the Arras battle was proceeding
on the left (see 56th Division) the Fifth Army had some severe
struggles, in the course of which the line at Bullecourt was pierced.
In these actions the Australians did splendid work and they were
nobly backed up by the three British divisions.
Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 25th December, 1917, paragraph 27
(Dent’s edition), shows that on 7th May, 1917, towards the close
of the Arras battle, the 7th Division “gained a footing in the
south-east corner of Bullecourt. Thereafter gradual progress was made
in face of the most obstinate resistance and on the 17th May, London
and West Riding Territorials (58th and 62nd Divisions) completed
the capture of the village.” The Division remained in the southern
area for some months. On 8th July it took over from the 42nd in the
Havrincourt sector.
The Division was employed in the Third Battle of Ypres as part of the
XVIII. Corps, which it joined early in August.
Paragraph 50 of the same despatch deals with the “most successful”
assault which was launched during that battle on 20th September,
1917. “North of the Zonnebeke-Langemarck road London and Highland
Territorials (58th and 51st Divisions) gained the whole of their
objectives by midday, though stiff fighting took place for a number
of farms and strong places.” The official designation of this action
is now the “Battle of Menin Road Ridge.”
Paragraph 52, as to the attack on 26th September: “The assault was
delivered at 5.50 a.m. and, after hard and prolonged fighting in
which over 1600 prisoners were taken by us, achieved a success as
striking as that of the 20th September.” Australian troops carried
the remainder of Polygon Wood, etc., on their left the 3rd Division
took Zonnebeke. “North Midland and London Territorial battalions
(59th Division, Major-General C. F. Romer, and 58th Division)
captured a long line of hostile strong points on both sides of the
Wieltje-Gravenstafel road.” This is now the “Battle of Polygon Wood.”
Paragraph 59, as to the assault on the Passchendaele Ridge on 26th
October, the “Second Battle of Passchendaele”: “On the left of
the Canadians the Royal Naval Division and battalions of London
Territorials (58th Division, Major-General A. B. E. Cator) also
advanced and, in spite of immense difficulties from marsh and floods
in the more low-lying ground, made progress.”
Paragraph 60, as to the attack on 30th October when the Canadians
continued their advance along the ridge: “Further north battalions of
the same London and Naval Divisions (58th and 63rd) that had taken
part in the attack on 26th October again made progress wherever it
was possible to find a way across the swamps. The almost impassable
nature of the ground in this area, however, made movement practically
impossible, and it was only on the main ridge that much could be
effected.”
The fine reputation of the Division was enhanced, not only by the
fighting qualities displayed in these and other actions, but by the
soldierly spirit with which they endured the horrors of the salient
throughout an unusually long spell of service there.
When the German offensive opened on 21st March, 1918, the 58th
Division was in the III. Corps, Fifth Army; the other divisions of
that Corps on the 21st being the 14th on the left and the 18th in
the centre. The 58th on the right was the flank unit of the British
Armies. The Oise above La Fère, opposite the ground held by the
left brigade of the 58th, flows from north to south and thereafter
from east to west. One brigade, the 173rd, was on the west bank
above the bend while the others held a line from the south bank to
Barisis, four miles south of the river. The two latter brigades were
not seriously involved on the 21st. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle gives a
detailed account of the battle on the III. Corps front. At p. 111,
vol. v. he states that the 173rd Brigade, “which filled the space
between Travecy on the left, and the Oise upon the right, had the
2/1st Londons in the forward zone, the 2/4th Londons in the battle
zone opposite La Fère and the 2/3rd Londons in the rear zone upon
the Crozat Canal. The single battalion in front was attacked by the
impossible odds of three German divisions but held out for a long
time with great constancy.” The battalion was overwhelmed but fought
to the end. The enemy stormed forward to the battle zone but were
vigorously opposed by the 4th Battalion aided by some sappers and
pioneers. This force held up the attack for a time but were pressed
back. “By 5 a.m. on the 22nd all troops were across, and the bridges
destroyed. The 2/4th Londons succeeded in removing all their stores
and munitions, and their remarkable achievement in holding the high
ground of La Fère against ten times their numbers for as many hours,
during which they inflicted very heavy losses upon their assailants,
and repulsed six separate attacks, was among the outstanding military
feats of that difficult day.”
The 18th Division made a wonderfully fine and successful stand, but a
break-through occurred on the front of the 14th Division.
Sir Douglas Haig in his despatch of 20th July, 1918, paragraph 10,
gives the dispositions of the various Corps on the Fifth Army front
and states that “Over ten miles of this front between Amigny Rouy
and Alaincourt were protected by the marshes of the Oise river and
canal, and were therefore held more lightly than the remainder of the
line; but on the whole front of this Army the number of divisions in
line only allowed of an average of one division to some 6750 yards of
front.”
On the III. Corps front the extent of ground held was about 30,000
yards by two divisions and a brigade of a third. Their line was
certainly opposite the marsh area but, as pointed out in paragraph 15
of the despatch, “Assisted by the long spell of dry weather hostile
infantry had crossed the river and canal north of La Fère, and, south
of St. Quentin, had penetrated into the battle zone between Essigny
and Benay.”
Paragraph 14 shows that during the morning of the 21st, “the enemy
had penetrated our front line opposite La Fère.” This was in the area
of the 58th, see map opposite p. 186 of Messrs. Dent’s edition.
Paragraph 16 shows that Fargnier and Quessy were lost during the
afternoon and evening of the 21st.
Paragraph 17 states that on the evening of the 21st the Fifth Army
Commander decided to “withdraw the divisions of that Corps (the III.)
behind the Crozat Canal.... These different withdrawals were carried
out successfully during the night.... Instances of great bravery
occurred in the destruction of the bridges.”
Paragraph 18: “On the morning of the 22nd March the ground was again
enveloped in thick mist, under cover of which the enemy renewed his
attacks in great strength all along the line. Fighting was again very
heavy, and short-range fire from guns, rifles and machine-guns caused
enormous losses to the enemy’s troops. The weight of his attack,
however, combined with the impossibility of observing beforehand and
engaging with artillery the massing of his troops, enabled him to
press forward.”
Paragraph 19: “In the south the enemy advanced during the morning
as far as the line of the canal at Jussy” (area of 18th Division),
“and a fierce struggle commenced for the passage of the canal, his
troops bringing up trench mortars and machine guns, and endeavouring
to cross on rafts under cover of their fire. At 1 p.m. he succeeded
in effecting a crossing at Quessy, and made progress during the
afternoon in the direction of Vouel. His further advance in this
sector, however, was delayed by the gallant resistance of troops of
the 58th Division, under command of Major-General A. B. E. Cator, at
Tergnier, and it was not until evening, after many costly attempts
and much sanguinary fighting, that the enemy gained possession of
this village.”
On 23rd March the 173rd Brigade had again very heavy fighting about
Noureuil. The despatch, paragraph 25, refers to “the most resolute
resistance offered to the enemy’s advance” by the III. Corps and
“many gallant actions performed.” The fighting 21st to 23rd March is
now the “Battle of St. Quentin.”
On the 24th the III. Corps, and certain French troops which had come
to its aid, were pushed back to the south and west of Chauny by the
huge forces of the enemy (see paragraph 32). That night the remnants
of the 173rd brigade were ordered to rejoin the remainder of the
Division on the south side of the Oise.
While the British were being pushed back on the north bank, the 174th
and 175th Brigades kept extending to their left along the south
bank and held the river line, until their frontage was about twelve
miles. This task was of absolutely vital importance. Several hostile
attempts to cross were defeated.
Mr. Sparrow in his _Fifth Army_ does not give details regarding
the work of the 58th, but on p. 85 he speaks of their resistance
at Tergnier on the 22nd, and in a note there occurs this sentence:
“What could have been more valuable to the Allied cause than was this
prolonged resistance at a most critical time and place?” On p. 283
there is another note which mentions that the right of the Division
was not attacked, “their left had fought magnificently.”
The Division was taken north early in April, and was immediately to
the south of Villers Bretonneux when that village was captured by the
enemy on 24th April. They were heavily engaged on that and the two
succeeding days during which the village and certain other positions
were recaptured. The Division again had serious losses.
In the telegraphic despatch of 13th September, 1918, as to the work
of various divisions, Sir Douglas Haig said: “The 58th Division,
which held the right of the British line on March 21st, attacked on
August 8th, north of the Somme, and captured Sailly Laurette. In
five days of severe fighting the Division captured many prisoners
and guns, and performed very gallant service on the left flank of
our advance south of the Somme. On the 24th August it again attacked
in the sector north of the Somme, and once more did gallant work,
overcoming strong hostile resistance at Maricourt and Marrières Wood.”
The despatch of 21st December, 1918, shows, paragraph 16, that the
58th was in the III. Corps, Fourth Army, when it was employed in
the attack on 8th August. That date and succeeding days are dealt
with in paragraphs 15 to 18 of the written despatch. In paragraph
15 Sir Douglas Haig remarked that: “A strong local attack launched
by the enemy on the 6th August, south of Morlancourt, led to severe
fighting, and undoubtedly rendered the task of the III. Corps more
difficult.”
On the 8th the 58th took Sailly Laurette, but were held up at
Chipilly Spur. With some assistance this was cleared on the 9th. On
the 10th a further advance was made by the III. Corps. The fighting
8th-11th August is now designated “The Battle of Amiens.”
Paragraph 21 deals with the attack by the III. Corps on 22nd August,
the 47th, 12th and 18th of that Corps and the 3rd Australian and 38th
Divisions being employed in the first line of attacking troops. The
58th reinforced the 47th in the afternoon. Albert was taken and the
left of the Fourth Army brought forward.
Paragraph 22 describes the fighting on 23rd and 24th August when
further progress was made. “Divisions which in the worst days of
the March retreat had proved themselves superior to every hardship,
difficulty and danger, once more rose to the occasion with the most
magnificent spirit; over the same ground that had witnessed their
stubborn greatness in defence they moved forward to the attack with
a persistent vigour and relentless determination which neither the
extreme difficulty of the ground, nor the obstinate resistance of the
enemy, could diminish or withstand.”
The fighting 21st-23rd August is now “The Battle of Albert, 1918.”
On the 24th the 58th had a stiff fight but they and the 47th secured
their objectives.
Paragraph 23 said: “During the next five days our troops followed
up their advantage hotly, and in spite of increasing resistance
from the German rearguards, realised a further deep advance. The
enemy clung to his positions in the latter stages of this period
with much tenacity. His infantry delivered many counter-attacks,
and the progress of our troops was only won by hard and determined
fighting.” On 28th August, “the 12th Division and 58th Division
(Major-General F. W. Ramsay) captured Hardecourt and the spur south
of it, overcoming strong resistance.”