FESTUBERT.
We left England under the impression that our military training was
complete. There was one item, however, of which we had learnt little,
and that was bombing. It was now impressed upon us that this weapon
would play an important part in trench warfare. A Bomb School was
therefore formed at a farmhouse between Lacouture and Richebourg St.
Vaast. Qualified instructors were appointed, and a party under Lieut.
G. F. Taylor was furnished from the Battalion. Material was scarce and
equipment primitive, consisting at first of the home-made Battye. These
were roughly made of cast iron. The bombers had to cut their own fuses,
fix them into the detonators, attach the patent lighter, and wire the
whole together--a laborious and lengthy task. The bomb when completed
was unsuitable for transport, but could be easily thrown. There were
other types being tried, percussion and time fuse. The percussion
(Hale) soon lost favour, and we went through many varieties of time
fuse, the light and heavy R.L., the Pitcher and the Hairbrush, until
finally a selection was made of the Mills bomb, which stood the test
well, being handy, portable and effective.
We now had the misfortune to lose the services of the Commanding
Officer, Lieut.-Col. W. F. A. Wadham, who was ordered to the Field
Ambulance, and eventually to England on medical grounds. He had done
fine work for the Battalion, and it must have been largely due to his
efforts that we were enabled to land in France at all. The strain had
taken its toll. It was bad luck to lose him, but medical opinion admits
of no argument.
[Sidenote: _June_, 1915]
The Command devolved upon Major R. Thompson (promoted acting
Lieut.-Colonel) with Major N. E. Barnes as Second-in-Command.
Rumour, always busy, had for some days prevailed that the 154th Brigade
to which we belonged was to be entrusted with an operation more
ambitious than usual, and for once rumour was correct. A conference
was held at Brigade Headquarters at Locon on the 13th June, and at
7 p.m. the following day the Battalion left billets at Le Cornet
Malo, and moved by Companies along the familiar Route C, to take over
trenches at Festubert. The transport also moved nearer to the line at
Le Touret. By 10 p.m. the Battalion commenced to arrive in the old
British trench, and were all in by 11.30. Contrary to arrangements this
trench was already occupied by the 1/6th Scottish Rifles, and room was
made in the reserve trench. The intended operation was an attack by the
7th Division, Canadian Division, and our own (the 51st) on the enemy
position on the line Chapelle St. Roch-Rue d’Ouvert. After a 48 hours’
continuous bombardment our mine at Duck’s Bill was fired. At 6 p.m.
on the 15th our attack commenced under heavy artillery fire from the
enemy. It was led by the 1/4th Loyal North Lancs, on the right, and the
1/6th Scottish Rifles, with the 1/4th King’s Own and 1/8th Liverpool
(Irish) in support.
“A” Company (less party selected from two platoons under Command of
Lieut. R. Gardner for Brigade Relay Posts and less other details) were
ordered to occupy and hold Sap L. 8.
“B” Company moved to the old fire trench, and “C” Company moved forward
to take their place in support. “D” Company moved into support trench,
and it was reported that two lines of German trenches had been occupied
by 6.20 p.m. “D” Company were in position at 6.50 when a number of
wounded of the 6th Scottish Rifles passed through. At 7.20 all reports
from the front were satisfactory. At 8 p.m. “B” and “C” Companies
were ordered to push on in support of the Loyals and Scottish Rifles,
who asked for reinforcements. “D” were ordered to the fire trench and
arrived at 8.25 p.m.
The progress of “A” Company (less detachment) to Sap L. 8 was delayed
by blocks ahead, and bridges broken by shell fire, but they reached
their position and performed their allotted duty. “D” Company moved
forward to support the Loyals, and threw back their right flank whilst
trying to get into touch with the Grenadier Guards. At 9 p.m. the last
platoon of “D” Company was sent from the reserve trench to rejoin their
Company in front. The 8th Liverpools commenced to arrive and moved
two Companies to the old fire trench, and one to support. Battalion
Headquarters got into touch with the firing line through Lieut. Taylor,
the Bombing Officer. Lieut. A. A. Wright, in charge of the Machine Gun
Section, was ordered to reinforce the firing line. This move commenced,
but could not be completed and the machine guns were buried as the
result of enemy shell fire. All the Companies concerned exhibited great
gallantry and performed their duties with devotion, and showed fine
discipline and steadiness, and excellent fighting qualities. Between
10 and 11 p.m. a retirement was ordered. “D” Company still tried to
establish contact with the Grenadier Guards on our right, but this was
not effected until some two hours later.
An Officer of the Loyals reported at Battalion Headquarters about
midnight, but could give no clear information of conditions in front.
At 12.30 a.m. on the 16th, the German counter-attack was delivered,
artillery support was impracticable, heavy casualties had occurred
amongst the Officers of the attacking battalions, no supports came
up on our right, and our right flank was therefore in peril. Enemy
pressure increased, and retirement along the line was effected in good
order.
At 1.45 a.m. an order was received to re-form the Battalion in the
reserve trench, and a Battalion from the 152nd Brigade moved up in
support, the 8th Liverpools taking over the old fire trench. On relief
the Battalion assembled at Le Touret at 10 a.m. on the 16th.
Such is the bare outline of events on this memorable night. Let us
examine them a little more closely and see what they reveal. It would
be natural to assume that the result of the encounter was negative,
seeing that the relative positions of the opposing forces now remained
as before. It had been rumoured that this Action was to synchronise
with an attack on a large scale by the French between Arras and La
Bassée, but this idea was dispelled when it was found that the troops
on our right did not co-operate.
The educational effect on the Battalion was profound, and the young
soldier, who less than twelve months before had stepped out along
Dalton Road, Barrow, or Market Street, Ulverston, etc., with the gay
irresponsibility of Saturday night, and was now thrown into this
cauldron of war, recognized its realities in a way he would never
forget. He had seen death in battle at close quarters, and was to look
at things in a different light thenceforward.
Of course there were the inevitable casualties, matters that went
astray, and bad luck. Five minutes after the attack commenced, the
telephone line to Brigade Headquarters broke down, and messages had
to be transmitted by the relay posts previously referred to. This
part of the work was very well carried out under Lieut. R. Gardner of
“A” Company. Lieut. Hewitt of “A” Company, the Assistant Adjutant, a
most able Officer, was killed and his loss was severely felt. Lieut.
Bigland of “B” Company was killed in the fire trench before the advance
commenced, and it was never clearly known how Lieut. Walker met his
fate. Captain W. G. Pearson with “B” Company followed up the Loyals in
attack, and the Company was well inside the German lines when he was
hit by shrapnel and went down. Unfortunately he could not be found
when the retirement took place. He was eventually picked up by the
Germans and made prisoner. Almost as trying, after the retirement was
ordered, was the finding and evacuation of wounded and stragglers.
Sergeant Bell did good work, returning again and again to the front
so long as any could be found. Lance-Corporal “Tommy” Dixon also was
prominent in this connection. The notorious “L. 8,” a sap following the
line of a natural ditch twining away from our trenches to the German
lines, and in “peace time” one of the plague spots from enemy fire, was
occupied by “A” Company (less detachments) and was most valuable as a
defence post, and also as a covered way for getting our wounded back
into our lines.
The element of surprise in this attack was lacking. The enemy seemed
to be well-informed of our intentions. He held his reply to our
bombardment until almost the very moment of our attack and then opened
a heavy artillery fire on our troops in their assembly positions, and
caused many early casualties. In the fighting in the German trenches
the enemy had the advantage of an adequate supply of bombs, whereas
our supply became exhausted and the bombers were handicapped owing
to forward ammunition dumps having been destroyed by the enemy’s
artillery. The deciding factor, however, appeared to be the withering
cross fire which the enemy was able to bring to bear upon our troops
when crossing no man’s land.
To the onlooker the scene was one of terrible grandeur. The bombardment
swelled to titanic proportions. Looking towards the line the eye was
dazzled with the multitude of lights. Now it was the flash of exploding
shells, now the slow glare of Very lights and rockets arching in the
sky. Sometimes the thunder of the artillery softened into a muttering,
when the tattoo of the machine guns became audible. The suspense of
waiting was almost unbearable.
And so from this action the Battalion emerged, sadly depleted in
strength by five Officers (three killed, one wounded and prisoner,
one wounded) 147 other ranks (ten killed, 32 wounded and missing, 58
wounded, 37 missing and ten sick). Sergeant Bell received the Military
Cross, which must be almost a unique award to one so junior. It was,
however, a fitting recognition of one who even at this early period
of his service, showed a natural flair for soldiering, which his
subsequent distinguished career has confirmed.
A Special Order by Brigadier-General G. L. Hibbert, D.S.O., Commanding
the 154th Infantry Brigade was issued as follows:--
“The Brigadier has received personal instructions from Lieut.-General
Sir H. Rawlinson, Commanding IV Corps to convey to the Brigade his
appreciation of the gallantry shown by all ranks in the attacks of the
15th and 16th instant under very trying circumstances.
“The Brigadier wishes to add on his own behalf his appreciation of the
pluck and spirit evinced by all and while he deplores the heavy losses
incurred congratulates the Brigade on the fine fighting qualities
displayed.”
At 6 p.m. on the 16th the Battalion moved from Le Touret to billets
at Pacaut, where it “rested” until the 22nd. The blessed word “rest”
developed into one of the standing jokes of this period, and this
time took the form of General’s inspection, when he complimented the
Battalion on its recent work. Working parties were provided for the
trenches, and these found and brought back our buried machine guns.
All requirements in arms and equipment were replaced and the Battalion
had a two hours’ route march. On the 22nd we moved back to Le Touret,
where the same routine of working parties was carried on. On the 25th
we marched to Estaires.
The folly of hearkening to idle report was never more triumphantly
proved than now. It had been in the mouth of everybody that another
week would see us at Armentières, or even further north. The rumour did
not go bare and ungarnished. The most unlikely things were prophesied.
Before the week was old the exact date of our leaving the Western
front and embarking for India had been determined to the complete
satisfaction of everyone, and no one dared to dispute a rumour which
had emanated from the padre, and had received his benediction.
The Division did _not_ go to Armentières, nor did it go much
further north. It took over trenches in the sector of Laventie, and it
was to the village of Laventie that the Battalion now went to billet.
Laventie had been entered by the Germans in October, 1914, and vacated
after the lapse of six days owing to the pressure of stronger forces,
or in conformity with the general plan. Although separated from the
front line by a distance of only three miles, it was still inhabited
by many of the citizens, principally on the outskirts of the town. The
centre of this place, from which radiated all the chief roads, was
marked by the ruins of the church, a mere shell, and as sad a spectacle
as could be witnessed in all this martyred region. True to their faith,
many of the Catholics still clung to their dearest possessions and one
cannot fail to remember the brave nuns of the Hospice, who refused to
abandon their infirm charges to the fury of the oppressor. We found the
place was still shelled almost daily.
On the 26th the Commanding Officer, Colonel Thompson, and others
inspected the trenches. The trenches in the sector of Laventie partook
of the nature of breastworks, and were in a much better state of repair
than those at Festubert and Richebourg L’Avoué. It would seem that the
fighting in this quarter had not attained the same infuriate heat as
elsewhere. The temporary fever during the operations for the seizure
of Aubers Ridge had subsided, but the enemy still held the commanding
ground; and our line, forming a wide but not a deep re-entrant, skirted
the base of the ridge from Fauquissart to Neuve Chapelle. The defensive
system on the whole, seemed to be too insecure and vulnerable. Its
liability to rupture, if subjected to the intensity of a bombardment
and the crushing weight of a massed attack, appeared obvious to
everybody. There was but one main line of trenches running parallel
to the Rue Tilleloy, but in rear a succession of isolated forts,
adequately served, fenced off this fertile country from the onsets
of the enemy. Four of these fortified redoubts were strung along the
Tilleloy Road from Chapigny to Fauquissart, and a fifth was isolated
slightly in rear.
It was a task, therefore, of the first importance to provide an
adequate defensive trench system, and the Battalion began to prove
itself active in the necessary labour. The Germans, on the other hand,
from whom we were separated at an average interval of 150 yards,
possessed all the natural favours of the ridge. They had at least a
triple belt of defence, with the additional advantage of numerous
communication trenches. Behind their front line were farms capable of
being put into a very solid state of defence, such as Ferme Deleval,
Trivelet, La Distillerie, Les Mottes Ferme, and the Moulin du Pietre.
As their line receded, the trees grew more and more abundantly, wherein
they were able to conceal large numbers of guns. They had also the
inestimable advantage of full observation from the ridge. Surmounting
this high ground lay the village of Aubers, fed by a light railway.
This natural bulwark, in the hands of skilful troops, could resist the
strongest frontal pressure that could be brought to bear upon it.
At 8.45 p.m. on the 27th, Companies commenced to move off to take over
trenches from the 8th Liverpools, and by 10.45 the relief was complete.
This was not bad going considering that no trench maps were available.
Periscopes also were not on view at this period. It was comparatively
quiet in the trenches but it was soon found that sniping by the enemy
was the order of the day. This was a nuisance as considerable work
remained to be done on parapets, dugouts and communication trenches.
Good progress was made notwithstanding, and in a few days improvement
was apparent.
[Sidenote: _June–July, 1915_]
At 10 p.m. on the 30th there was a short bombardment by our artillery,
and it is to be noted how short and inadequate our bombardments were at
this time. Even at Festubert when a serious attack was contemplated,
and after intensive gun fire, it was remarkable how much enemy wire was
left standing in virgin serenity and uncut. This was not due to any
lack of skill on the part of the gunners, but to lack of shells, which
were understood to be limited to three shells per gun per day. Things
remained quiet but persistent sniping continued. On the 2nd July we
had a visit by the G.O.C. the 51st Division, also Officers of the 5th
Gordons, who had received orders to relieve us. Suspicions were being
formed that the enemy was laying mines to our detriment, and not only
that, but actually placing field guns in his front line. At 9 p.m. on
the 3rd the relief commenced, and working smoothly, the Battalion were
all out of the trenches by 11 p.m. and marched into billets close to
Laventie Station. Snipers had accounted for Privates Tyson and Dodd,
killed, and Sergeants Pickin and Clampitt, wounded.
The usual routine of rest billets followed, numerous working parties
for the trenches being furnished, and much sanitary work had to be
undertaken to make the billets habitable. On the 5th the Brigade
paraded for inspection by General Sir James Wilcocks, Commander of the
Indian Corps, of which we formed part, and the General was good enough
to express his satisfaction with what he saw. The Battalion sighed
happily when it was all over. These functions of the highly placed have
an uncanny knack of raising fears and tremors out of all proportion
to the occasion, and it is not without humour to reflect that the
majority would cheerfully prefer a turn in the trenches to one of these
devastating ordeals.
Up to this time organized bathing facilities were non-existent, and
it was only in intermittent streams, accidentally met, that we could
indulge the craving for a thorough soak. This, too, could only be
gratified at the expense of much diffidence, as it had to be carried
out in the vicinity of the local population. This deficiency was now
being overcome, and in certain centres baths were in existence, where
the troops could revel in real hot water and soap. This was not all.
They could hand in their soiled and inhabited underwear, and receive
in exchange another set, sweet and clean, a boon indeed. One of these
bathing centres was at La Gorgue, of dismal memory, but now changed to
an enchanting oasis. The brewery had been taken over for the purpose,
and the vats provided ideal receptacles for soiled soldiers in mass
formation. Pandemonium, made up of songs, shouts and laughter, during
these grateful ablutions, conveyed to the authorities approval of the
wisdom of their kindly ministrations. It was, then, to the baths at La
Gorgue that the Battalion marched by Companies on the 7th and 8th, and
returned refreshed and enthusiastic.
[Sidenote: _July, 1915_]
Working parties went out nightly to the trenches, where the task of
strengthening the defences went on incessantly, one of the parties
being shelled en route, and two men were wounded. The billets at
Laventie too, received their customary shelling from the Hun, but the
tortured church again bore the brunt, and no other damage was done, and
there were no casualties. At 6 a.m. on the 9th orders were received to
take over trenches, and in the evening the move commenced, the relief
being completed by 10 p.m. The Battalion held the four posts and small
ammunition depot in rear of the line, the trenches being held by the
4th Loyals and Scottish Rifles. On the 11th the Machine Gun Section
went into the line in relief of one gun each of the Loyals and Scottish
Rifles. The 12th was notable for the presentation to Sergeant Owen of
the Distinguished Conduct Medal for the action at Rue d’Ouvert, and our
snipers accounting for two of the enemy.
At 9 p.m. on the 15th the Battalion moved into the trenches in relief
of the 4th Loyals and Scottish Rifles, and at 10.45 the relief was
complete, but we suffered three casualties from rifle fire. On the 17th
those insufferable pests, civilian snipers, were seen behind our line.
A keen hunt for this new quarry was immediately organized, but without
success for the moment. They are wary birds, and the nest is seldom
near where they operate.
Evidence that further moves were in contemplation, not only for the
Battalion but for the Division, was forthcoming when the trenches were
visited by the Staff of the 8th Division, and the usual curiosity and
conjecture was indulged as to our destination. It was interesting and
intriguing, but, after past experience, fantastic forecast was absent,
opinion more sober, and there was a disposition to “wait and see.” This
visit was speedily followed by orders for the relief to be carried out,
and on the 23rd we handed over to the 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers. This
was completed at 11 p.m., and at 11.30 the Battalion marched to billets
at Estaires, near La Gorgue. Here equipment and clothing were issued,
and on the 25th Lieut. E. Tillyard and one N.C.O. left by motor car for
the new area on billeting duty. This area was now definitely understood
to be the Somme.