proceeded to Ellis Square, Fort Hoystead, and View Trench
(Redan right sub-sector). "A" and "C" Companies sent at 10.10
a.m. to G.O.C. 5th Brigade at White City. These companies
proceeded later to the old German front line, and at 5 p.m.
"C" Company was ordered up to reinforce the 2nd Highland Light
Infantry in Green Line.
"B" and "D" Companies at 7 p.m. carried the German second
line. During this time, these companies were under the command
of G.O.C. 8th Infantry Brigade. At 7 p.m. Battalion
Headquarters moved to White City.
November 14.--1st King's Royal Rifle Corps at 3 a.m. also
established Headquarters at White City. At 6 a.m. Battalion
moved forward in support of 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps and
1st Royal Berks. "A" and "C" Companies proceeded to Crater
Lane, and later to Wagon Road (on right). "B" and "D"
Companies (on left) took up position in Lager Alley, between
the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and the 1st Royal Berks.
November 15.--At 1 a.m. Battalion Headquarters moved from
White City to Headquarters of 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps in
German front line. Companies still in support of 1st King's
Royal Rifle Corps and 1st Royal Berks.
November 16.--Battalion at 1 a.m. moved back to Ellis Square.
November 17.--Battalion moved to billets in Mailly-Maillet.
November 18.--Battalion moved to billets at Sarton.
November 19.--Battalion marched to billets at Gezancourt.
November 20.--Battalion in billets at Gezancourt.
November 21.--Battalion marched to billets at Candas.
November 22.--Battalion in billets at Candas.
November 23.--Battalion marched to billets at Domqueur.
November 24.--Battalion marched to billets at Gapennes.
November 25.--Battalion marched to billets at Millencourt.
November 26.--Battalion in billets at Millencourt.
November 27.--Battalion marched to billets at Oneux.
November 28-29-30.--Battalion in billets at Oneux.
The following month, December, the Battalion also spent in rest at
Oneux.
1917.
On January 9 a move was made from Oneux to Candas, to Beauquesne on
the 11th, to Bouzincourt on the 13th, and to Aveluy on the 20th. From
there it went into the trenches at Courcelette, "A" and "C" Companies
being in the front line, and "B" and "D" in support.
On February 1 the Battalion moved from Courcelette to Ovillers Huts,
and on the 5th went on to Senlis, moving to Wolfe Huts on the 15th,
and into the line for operations a day later.
Intense cold was experienced at this time. The ground, like iron, was
covered with snow. The frost was intense, one man being actually
frozen stiff at his post on sentry, and drinking water carried to the
front line arrived as lumps of ice, from which bits were chipped for
eating.
An attack on the German trenches was made on February 17. Unluckily a
day before the attack the frost gave way, a very rapid thaw set in,
making No Man's Land deep and heavy with slush and mud. Moving to the
attack over such ground was terrible; the objective line was reached,
but the following casualties were sustained:
Officers killed 8
" wounded 4
" missing 1
---
13
Other ranks killed 30
" wounded 165
" missing 32
---
227
The Battalion held the Red Line on February 18, and in the night was
relieved and moved to Ovillers Huts again. On the 24th it moved to
Bruce Huts, and on the 26th to Albert, returning to Ovillers Huts on
the 27th.
March 5 found the Battalion back in the trenches at Courcellette, and
on the 10th "D" Company cooperated with the 1st Royal Berks and the
1st King's Royal Rifle Corps in an attack on Grevillers Trench and
Lady's Leg Ravine, taking the ravine, killing about 20 of the enemy,
and capturing 30 men and 2 machine guns. The casualties of the company
amounted to 7 other ranks killed, 26 wounded, 1 accidentally wounded,
and 2 died later from their wounds.
The following day the Battalion moved to Wolfe Huts, and on the 19th
to Albert again, proceeding from there to Contay, Amplier, Bonnières,
Framecourt, Aumerval, and Bailleul les Pernes.
VIMY RIDGE.--From Bailleul les Pernes the Battalion moved up to
Larosette, behind Vimy Ridge, ready to go in and take over a part of
the Ridge after its capture in the coming battle for its possession.
On the night of April 11, in a blinding snowstorm, the Battalion
relieved the 1/5th Gordons on the captured Ridge, and on the 13th
continued the advance to the line of the railway, captured the village
of Bailleul, established a line on the enemy side of it, and sent out
patrols to Oppy, which was found to be very strongly held by the
enemy.
[Illustration: _Swaine, photo._
LT.-COL. E.A. WINTER, D.S.O., M.C.
To face p. 50]
Owing to a mistaken order, one platoon of "C" Company actually
advanced on Oppy to capture it, but were themselves taken prisoners
after severe fighting. During this advance one 77mm., two field guns,
and one 4.2 howitzer were captured, and whilst moving forward, at the
Colonel's side, to the railway embankment, the Adjutant of the
Battalion, Captain Lissaman, was killed by an enemy shell.
Being relieved on the 14th by the 1st Royal Berks, the Battalion moved
into support and reserve lines, but on the 18th were in the trenches
west of Ecurie, moving to a tent camp on the Roclincourt-Maison-Blanche
road on the 22nd. Another move, to Maroeil, was made on April 23, and
on the 25th the 17th Royal Fusiliers were relieved in the trenches west
of Bailleul.
On April 29, at 4 a.m., "B" Company took part in an attack on Oppy by
the 1st Royal Berks and the 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps, and then the
Battalion moved back into reserve trenches.
On May 1 a composite battalion was formed of two companies of the 23rd
Royal Fusiliers and two companies of the 1st Royal Berks, and moved
forward to a position in front of Oppy to deliver an attack on the
Oppy-Fresnoy line.
Attacking on March 3, Fresnoy trench was captured with between sixty
and seventy prisoners and a machine gun. Heavy counter-attacks were
made by the Germans during the day, and, in view of these and the
retirement of the troops on the right, it became necessary to retire
along Fresnoy trench. At 3.30 a.m., on the night of May 3-4, the
Battalion was relieved by the 15th Warwicks, and moved back to disused
enemy trenches in the Roclincourt area, the total casualties sustained
being 7 officers and 122 other ranks.
On May 5 Lieutenant-Colonel Vernon having proceeded on leave, Major
E.A. Winter assumed command, and on May 24 Lt.-Colonel Vernon having
to report to the War Office on promotion to Brigadier-General, Major
Winter was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and appointed to the command
of the Battalion. On the same day the Battalion moved into the line
again, relieving first the 1st Royal West Kents, and then the 22nd
Royal Fusiliers.
June 1 saw the Battalion relieved by the 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps
in the front line (Oppy-Arleux line), and moved back to Deutscher
House and Thelus Wood, working parties for the front line being
provided each night. On the 4th, the 22nd Royal Fusiliers came in as
the relief, and the Battalion moved to St. Aubyn for rest.
This did not last long, for on June 8-9 the Battalion relieved the 1st
King's Royal Rifle Corps in immediate support, Oppy-Arleux line, the
casualties sustained being one other rank killed and two wounded.
Then, relieving the 22nd Royal Fusiliers, the Battalion went into the
front line, being relieved in turn on the night of June 13-14 by the
Royal West Kents, and proceeded to Bray.
On June 20 the Battalion was taken by omnibus to Beuvry, and on the
21st relieved the 2/5th Manchester Regiment in the front line, Cambrin
left sub-sector, the casualties being two other ranks killed and six
wounded. A German raid on the Battalion right was repelled at 3.30
a.m. on the 27th, and the 22nd Royal Fusiliers came in as relief on
the evening of that day, the Battalion proceeding to Noyelles for
rest.
July opened with the Battalion training at Noyelles under company
arrangements, so far as it was possible, having in view its proximity
to the line and liability to observation by the enemy. On July 3 the
Battalion went into the front line, Cambrin left sub-sector. Six days
later it went into support with headquarters at Annequin.
July 5 saw the Battalion, less two companies, in the Cambrin left
sub-sector front line, Major N.A. Lewis assuming command in the
trenches, with 100 Corps cyclists attached, while Lieutenant-Colonel
Winter remained at Annequin for the purpose of training "C" and "D"
Companies for a raid.
About 3.30 a.m. an enemy raiding party, about fifteen strong, entered
the front line, wounding and carrying off one man. Bombing parties at
once bombed along the trench, driving the raiders out, who came under
Lewis gun and rifle fire both on entering and leaving their objective.
On returning to their own lines they left our wounded man, who was
brought in. The body of one of the enemy was found in No Man's Land,
but a complete search could not be made owing to the light. At night,
however, a patrol went out and brought in the body of the dead German.
Other bodies had apparently been dragged back to the enemy trenches.
Our casualties were only four wounded.
On July 20, at 10.30 p.m., a raiding party, consisting of two officers
and about a hundred other ranks, crossed to the enemy's front and
support lines, the object being the capture of these two lines, the
infliction of loss on the enemy, and the securing of prisoners and
identifications. The raid was preceded by a hurricane barrage from our
artillery, Stokes' mortars, and machine guns, being also accompanied
with a discharge from oil projectors.
Very few of the enemy were found in the front and support lines, but
small parties who were in dug-outs were bombed. Five of the enemy were
also bayoneted in a communication trench. The main garrisons of the
lines had apparently retired, and no prisoners were taken. Our
casualties during the raid were two killed, fifteen wounded, and five
wounded and missing.
Then came a move into reserve at Annequin, but from the 27th the
Battalion moved into the front line of the Cambrin left sub-sector
again up to, and including, August 1. From then until the night of
August 25 the Battalion were doing duty in the trenches and in
reserve, but on the 26th was relieved by the 8th Sherwood Foresters,
and moved to Oblinghem.
There training was carried on, and on September 6 the C.O.,
accompanied by the company commanders and specialist officers,
reconnoitred the Givenchy support line. On the following day the
Battalion proceeded to the village support line, no shelling being
experienced during the relief of the 17th Middlesex. On September 13
the Battalion relieved the 22nd Royal Fusiliers in the Givenchy left
sub-sector front line, a battalion of the Portuguese troops being
attached for instruction.
Gas was projected upon the enemy on the 14th; there was no
retaliation, and on the following day the Portuguese were relieved by
another of their battalions.
About a hundred enemy heavy shells fell on September 16 near the right
company's headquarters at Barnton Tee, Barnton Road, blowing in the
trench in five places. A bombardment on the left, which commenced
later, ceased on our retaliating. On September 17 the Portuguese
troops left the trenches and returned to their billets, while on the
night of the 18th-19th the Battalion was relieved and proceeded to
Beuvry.
Training there until September 26, the Battalion then relieved the
22nd Royal Fusiliers in the Cambrin left sub-sector, and finding the
enemy to be ominously quiet, a patrol was sent out to Railway Craters.
On the following night eight small patrols were sent out into No Man's
Land, and on the 28th two patrols reconnoitred the enemy wire. On the
following day eight small patrols were established in No Man's Land
to cover work in the trenches, and, ensuing upon this, the German
artillery became fairly active.
A move into support, following relief, was made on September 2. On the
5th the Battalion was relieved, and the companies marched
independently to the Orphanage, Bethune, then on to Raimbert, the
Battalion being watched on the line of march by Generals Pereira and
Kellett.
AT BOURLON WOOD.--Training was carried on, and on November 5 the
Battalion made a move through Busnes, Merville, and the Eecke area to
the Herzeele area. More training ensued, and a strong rumour was in
the air that the 2nd Division was "for Italy." The Battalion was
equipped up to the last button, all ranks were looking forward to a
change of scenery and new phases of fighting; the medical officer
lectured the Battalion on the perils to be avoided in relation to
charming Italians, and spirits were high and merry.
But the first attack on Cambrai took place, and instead of going to
Italy the 2nd Division was hurriedly moved south by road and rail to
take over the line from troops which had conducted the attack.
On the night of November 26-27 the Battalion had reached
Beaumetz-les-Cambrai, from which it was moved up to the slopes of
Bourlon Wood to take over from elements of the 2/4th King's Own
Yorkshire Light Infantry and the Bays. The march along the Cambrai
road, across the captured Hindenburg Line, and on to the Sugar
Factory will long be remembered by those who took part in it.
Again it snowed--it is curious how many important moves of the
Battalion took place in a snowstorm. This time, however, it was a
blessing, for it deadened the sound of moving troops, and certainly
saved the Battalion being heard and shelled by the enemy.
On the line (if a few scattered posts in shell-holes can be called a
line) being taken over, the Battalion at once set to work to dig
itself in, profiting greatly by the recent training it had received in
"intensive digging." On the left was the 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps,
and on the right the 62nd Division, the battalion in support being the
1st Royal Berks. The Battalion held the line on the 27th, and on the
28th changed places with the 1st Royal Berks, going into support
positions to them.
On the 30th the heavy enemy attack developed, and the Berks being hard
pressed, three companies of the 23rd were moved up to their support.
The enemy gained a footing in their line, and one company of the 23rd
was used to counter-attack and re-establish the line, which it
successfully performed.
The 17th Royal Fusiliers, on the Berks' left, having severe fighting,
a section of the 23rd was sent to strengthen their posts, and help was
given in supplying them with bombs and S.A.A. On the evening of
December 1 the line was readjusted between the 1st Royal Berks and the
23rd Royal Fusiliers--the Berks taking the left and the 23rd the
right. On the night of December 1 the position of the Battalion was:
two companies and two platoons in the line; two companies, less two
platoons, in support.
On the night of December 2 the unit on the right of the 23rd Royal
Fusiliers pushed forward its line. In order to keep touch with them,
one company from the support positions went over with them at 8.10
p.m. The advance was successful, the objective duly gained and rapidly
consolidated--one prisoner and one machine gun being taken in the
advance.
Then came a great disappointment to the troops who had fought so well.
Further south the enemy's counter-attack had proved successful,
converting the position held by the 2nd Division into a very dangerous
salient, from which it was imperative to retire.
The necessary orders were issued, and at dead of night, December 4-5,
the Battalion retired through Graincourt to Hermies. To cover the
retirement two sections per company were left in the line with orders
not to retire until just before dawn, and to spend the night in moving
up and down the vacated line, firing Verey-lights and rifles to delude
the enemy into thinking the line was still held.
By this ruse the Battalion was enabled to carry out the difficult
operation of withdrawing in the face of the enemy without his
knowledge. The sections so left behind gallantly carried out their
tasks and safely rejoined the Battalion at Hermies.
From December 5 the Battalion was in support, but on the 11th it
relieved the 21st Londons in the Hindenburg Line, and, after relief,
marched on December 20 to Gropi Camp, where Christmas was spent in
tents in the snow. In reserve until the 30th, it then relieved the
22nd Royal Fusiliers in the left canal sector (Canal du Nord) of the
Hindenburg Line.
1918.
On January 3 the Battalion, relieved, marched independently by
companies to Barastre for Divisional rest. January 23 found them at
Villers Plouich in the Vacquerie right sub-sector, the Battalion
headquarters being in Farm Ravine. On February 3 they entrained on the
light railway for Equancourt, where they were placed in Divisional
reserve. Not much time was spent in this way, though, for on the 9th
the Battalion entrained for Trescault, and proceeded from there to the
Vacquerie right sub-sector, remaining in the line there until going
into reserve at Equancourt again on the 15th.
On February 22 a move was made to the line again in the Vacquerie
right sub-sector. On the night of March 6-7 the Battalion was
relieved, and marched to Metz, where they were billeted in huts. It
was impossible, however, to secure any real rest here, for the camp
was shelled intermittently both during the day and the night.
The afternoon of March 12 saw the Battalion back in the trenches
again at Lincoln Reserve and Midland Reserve, "D" Company being in
Snap Trench. There was a heavy gas-shell bombardment by the enemy on
the nights of the 12th, 13th, and 14th, the Battalion suffering heavy
casualties, also intermittent shelling during the day and night, while
there was, as a welcome change, a raid on the enemy front line by the
Battalion on the night of March 13-14. Then came the relief of the
Battalion, which marched back to Equancourt, a rest for the Battalion
being absolutely necessary owing to the fact that all the remaining
members were suffering from gas poisoning.
THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE.--Next came the great offensive by the enemy--the
time when the Germans almost thrust their way right through by force
of numbers.
The first indication of the break-through which the Battalion received
was enemy bullets actually falling in the camp. Every man turned out,
the Battalion took up a line north of Equancourt in an attempt to hold
up the advance of the enemy, patrols being sent forward into Fins,
where it was found the Germans had succeeded in establishing
themselves.
On the following morning an enemy attack was beaten back with heavy
loss, but both its flanks being "in the air" the Battalion received
orders to retire on Le Transloy. Moving though Hayettes Wood, Ytres,
Bus, and Rocquigny, Le Transloy was reached late at night, where the
Brigade from which it had become separated was rejoined.
Moving again before dawn, a line was taken up round Gueudecourt, which
was held during the day. Making another move at dusk, a fresh line was
established at Eaucourt l'Abbaye. Very heavily attacked on the
following day, the Battalion was forced to fight a rearguard action,
retreating through Le Sars on Pys, where another stand was made.
Again slipping back at night, a position was taken up near Beaucourt
sur Ancre. From this position the Battalion again moved back and
occupied the old British trenches known as White City trenches near
Beaumont Hamel. In spite of many heavy enemy attacks this position was
held until the Battalion was relieved by New Zealand troops.
_On relief it marched out to the wood at Mailly-Maillet only four
officers and seventy men strong._
Resting at Englebelmer for a day or so, it was again moved into the
front line at Aveluy Wood, where a German attack was beaten off, the
enemy being badly mauled. During the fighting round Gueudecourt,
Brigadier-General Barnett-Barker was killed, and, as senior Colonel in
the 99th Brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Winter assumed command, the
command of the 23rd Royal Fusiliers devolving upon Major Lewis.
In his anxiety to hold up the enemy for as long as possible and to get
the battalion back safely to a line being formed behind him, Major
Lewis was taken prisoner at Eaucourt l'Abbaye. The command then
devolved upon Captain C.H. Bowyer, who kept it until the return of
Lieutenant-Colonel Winter, who rejoined the Battalion on General E.
Ironside (now General Sir E. Ironside, who earned fame in Russia)
taking over the Brigade.
It only remains to add that the gas casualties from March 12 onwards
amounted to 11 officers and 240 other ranks, while the casualties in
action from the 22nd to the 31st were:
Officers killed 1
" wounded 2
" wounded and missing 1
" missing 10
Other ranks killed 15
" wounded 59
" wounded and missing 6
" missing 210
During the early part of April the Battalion was busy in moving, being
in turn in Hedeauville, Beauval, Houvin, Houvigneul, Ivergny,
Coullemont, La Cauchie, and on the 14th relieved the 1st Coldstream
Guards in Brigade Reserve in front of Blaireville. Two days later it
was in the front line, right sub-sector, in front of Adinfer, doing
alternate front line and support duty until the end of the month.
It was not until May 12 that the Battalion marched back to billets at
Berles au Bois, where training was carried on until June 7. On that
date it relieved the 1st Grenadier Guards in the Ayette left
sub-sector. Relieved on the night of June 10-11, it marched back to
reserve position near Monchy au Bois, going into the line again in the
Ayette sector on the night of 13th-14th.
During the night of June 24-25 "A" Company carried out a raid on the
enemy front line, and at 2 a.m. on the 26th "B" Company also carried
out a similar operation. July came round, and on the night of the
22nd-23rd the Battalion supplied a flanking party to a raid carried
out by the 1st Royal Berks. On the 30th the Battalion was in the
Ayette right sub-sector, but on August 5 and August 6 there was a
reorganization of the Brigade front, and it went into support.
Then came the British advance, and on the night of August 20-21 the
Battalion moved up for an attack by the 3rd Army. Leading off in a
dense fog, the 23rd Royal Fusiliers went over the top at Ayette,
capturing Aerodrome Trench, and so clearing the way for other troops
to leap-frog over them and capture Courcelles.
Moving forward again in its turn, two companies of the Battalion,
under Major W.B. Cluff, captured Behagnies. On the night of August
23-24, being relieved by the Loyal North Lancs, the Battalion moved
back to bivouac near Courcelles, where it remained until September 2.
Moving forward on that day to Vaulx-Vraucourt, it attacked at dawn on
the 3rd and reached Morchies, bivouacking near Doignes.
On the 6th-7th the Battalion took over the front line from the 1st
King's Royal Rifle Corps and delivered an attack on Slag Avenue,
suffering casualties of 3 officers killed and 100 other ranks killed
and wounded.
Relieved on the 8th by the 52nd Light Infantry, a bivouac was made at
Beaumetz-les-Cambrai, moving on the 15th to Mory. On the 27th the
Battalion moved forward in support to the Brigade which was fighting
its way onwards, and spent the night in the Hindenburg Support Line
just west of Flesquières.
The advance continuing, the Battalion moved again at dawn on the 28th,
reaching Nine Wood just west of Noyelles. From here one company was
sent forward and assisted the King's Royal Rifle Corps in capturing
Noyelles. Then the remainder of the Battalion moved up and took over
the front line from the 1st King's Royal Rifle Corps. Attacking on the
30th, the Battalion found itself up against the strong position of
Mount sur l'Ouvres, suffering casualties of two officers and
sixty-four other ranks. This position could only be subsequently
captured by the use of a whole new brigade for the purpose.
GERMAN TANKS UNSUCCESSFUL.--Relieved at night, the Battalion moved
back to bivouac at Nine Wood. Remaining there, resting, till October 7
the Battalion moved up to east of Rumilly on the night of 7th-8th, and
delivered a successful attack on Forenville at dawn on the 8th. During
a counter-attack the enemy used tanks against the Battalion in an
endeavour to oust it from the positions secured, but without success.