THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE (_Contd._)--THE BATTLE OF THE LYS.
On 1st April the Division moved by train to an area near Bethune, where
it remained for a few days resting and refitting. The only event of
interest that occurred in this area was the accidental bombing by
daylight of the vicinity of Divisional headquarters by a British
reconnaissance aeroplane, fortunately without casualties.
On 7th April the Division was transferred to the XIth Corps, and was
moved to an area in rear of the Portuguese Divisions, which at the time
were holding the line about Neuve Chapelle and Festubert.
Divisional headquarters was established at Robecq, a village which it
had occupied on its first arrival in France. The 152nd Brigade were
billeted at Ham en Artois, the 153rd Brigade at Busnes--or Business, as
the Jocks called it,--the 154th Brigade at Gonnehem, and the Divisional
artillery at Amettes.
The units were in the throes of reorganisation under most difficult
circumstances. Some three thousand men had joined as reinforcements, but
few new officers had arrived; moreover, the authorities at the base had
made confusion worse confounded by posting Gordons to Black Watch
battalions, and Seaforths to Argylls, and thereby had considerably tried
the temper of the men and increased the difficulties of their
commanders.
While the Division was resting in this area, there was much speculation
as to whether the enemy's effort had not spent itself in the south, and
whether he was likely to make a similar attempt in this part of the
front, with a view to threatening the Channel ports.
Ultimately the same white directing posts were reported on the enemy's
front as had appeared opposite to the Division just prior to the German
attack on 21st March, and it was then generally felt that a new
offensive in this part of the front could be anticipated with certainty.
At this time arrangements were being made for the relief of the two
Portuguese Divisions in the line, with a view to the frontage held by
them being taken over by the 50th and another Division. This relief was
planned to take place on 10th April.
Meanwhile, certain changes had taken place in the Division. General
Pelham Burn, whose health for the last year had been very indifferent,
was compelled to give up command of the 152nd Brigade. It is difficult
to estimate the loss which not only his brigade but the whole Division
sustained at his departure.
Throughout his period of command he had displayed a knowledge of minor
tactics and trench craft which had been invaluable both to his own
battalions and to the infantry as a whole.
To the satisfaction of all, General Burn was succeeded by the G.S.O. I,
Lieut.-Colonel J. K. Dick-Cunynghame, C.M.G., D.S.O. There was probably
no officer into whose hands the traditions of the 152nd Brigade could
have been better entrusted. Moreover, this appointment not only secured
to Colonel Dick-Cunynghame his promotion, but also secured for the
Division a continuance of his services--unfortunately, however, for but
a few days.
Colonel Dick-Cunynghame was succeeded as G.S.O. 1 by Colonel A. Symons,
C.M.G., 13th Hussars, who had recently been employed at the War Office,
and later on the staff of the IVth Corps.
The country in which the Division was billeted and in which it was to
become engaged was typical of Flanders--low-lying, studded with hamlets,
farms, and orchards, and intersected by dykes, ditches, and fences. In
some places it was marshy, and nowhere could trenches be dug to a depth
of more than three feet without water being reached.
At 4.5 A.M. on 9th April an intense bombardment broke out on the front
of the Portuguese Divisions in the line about Richebourg l'Avoue, Neuve
Chapelle, Fauquissart. At 10 A.M. information was received that the
Portuguese had broken.
At 6.30 A.M. the 152nd Brigade, in accordance with instructions issued
by the corps, had ordered its battalions to move to positions of
reserve--the 5th Seaforth Highlanders to Huit Maisons, the 6th Seaforth
Highlanders to Lacouture, the 6th Gordon Highlanders being in reserve at
Zelobas and La Croix Marmuse.
At 11.30 A.M. the 152nd Brigade had established its headquarters near La
Croix Marmuse, where its battalions were waiting for guides from the
units which they were to relieve in Huit Maisons and Lacouture--the
Corps Cyclists and King Edward's Horse.
The 152nd Brigade was at this time directly under the orders of the XIth
Corps.
As soon as definite information from the front was received, and it
became evident that the German attack was making considerable progress,
the 154th Brigade was ordered into the 55th Division area east of the
Aire-La Bassée Canal, the Divisional artillery to Gonnehem, and the
153rd Brigade to the Le Cornet Malo-Pacaut area. The 51st Division
Machine Gun Battalion was also ordered to send one company to join each
of the three brigades.
At this time the information concerning the progress of the battle was
extremely vague. It was, however, appreciated that the Portuguese had
been overwhelmed, and could no longer be considered a fighting force,
and that the only troops opposing the Germans in front of the Division
were King Edward's Horse and the Corps Cyclists. The 50th Division were
known to be on a line east of the river Lawe from Bout de Ville
northwards.
At 12.45 P.M. the 5th and 6th Seaforth Highlanders began their advance,
guided by troops of King Edward's Horse. It was the intention of the
officer commanding 6th Seaforth Highlanders to place two companies in
Lacouture. The leading company had, however, only reached the
foot-bridge east of the Vert Lannot (subsequently called Boundary
Bridge) when it came under hostile rifle and machine-gun fire. In spite
of the brisk fire which was engaging them, an attempt was made to
continue the advance, but without success. Two companies were therefore
placed in position along the western bank of the river Lawe, from 200
yards south of Boundary Bridge up to the southern bridge at Vieille
Chapelle: one was disposed on the western outskirts of that village; one
in reserve at Les Lobes. An attempt to blow up Boundary Bridge
unfortunately ended only in its partial destruction.
On the front of the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, King Edward's Horse were
offering a stubborn resistance against great pressure on a line from a
point some 300 yards north of Lacouture to just south of Bout de Ville.
The situation was, however, desperate. Both flanks had been turned, the
enemy having occupied both Lacouture and Bout de Ville. The cavalry
nevertheless held on in their isolated position, and maintained
themselves with the greatest gallantry.
At this time Le Marais post was held by troops of the 50th Division. Two
companies of the 5th Seaforth Highlanders were therefore ordered to hold
the west bank of the river Lawe, while the remaining two companies
crossed the river. They reached Huit Maisons, two platoons of the
leading company reinforcing the cavalry garrison there, while two
platoons lay in support of them. The remaining company was diverted so
as to form a flank facing north-east along the road to Fosse. At this
period the shelling was intense, being particularly violent on Fosse
village and on both banks of the Lawe.
Some desperate fighting ensued, almost immediately after the troops were
in position. King Edward's Horse had already been heavily engaged, and
had defeated repeated attempts to envelop their left flank. The arrival
of the 5th Seaforth Highlanders was most timely, and considerably
relieved the pressure, the garrison being able to retain its hold on
Huit Maisons for another three hours. In fact, it was not until Le
Marais post had fallen, and the enemy appeared to be surrounding Huit
Maisons, that the garrison fell back in face of heavy enfilade
machine-gun fire and bombing. These troops withdrew to Fosse post,
which, with the assistance of the battalion headquarters of the 5th
Seaforth Highlanders, they occupied on three sides.
While this action was in progress "A" Company of the 8th Gordon
Highlanders, under the command of Captain J. E. Christie, was sent to
Vieille Chapelle to reinforce the garrison there of King Edward's Horse
under Lieutenant Stein. This company placed one platoon just west of
the bridge across the Lawe, the remainder taking up defensive positions
in Vieille Chapelle, in spite of a terrific bombardment to which the
village was being subjected.
The remaining three companies of the 6th Gordon Highlanders deployed on
a line west of the Lawe due north of La Tombe Willot.
Meanwhile on the left the 153rd Brigade had also been ordered forward.
The roads were, however, so congested with Portuguese troops and
refugees moving westwards that it was not until as late as 5.45 P.M.
that the battalions could move off from Pacaut. At that hour the 7th
Gordon Highlanders, with four machine-guns, moved forward to take up a
line east of the river Lawe north of the village of Fosse. These
battalions, however, during their advance, learnt from troops of the
50th Division whom they met that there was considerable uncertainty as
to the situation. Moreover, a change in dispositions became necessary,
as the Divisional front was suddenly extended so as to include the whole
of Lestrem. As a result, practically none of the 153rd Infantry Brigade
were able to cross the river, except for one platoon of the 7th Gordon
Highlanders, which formed a bridgehead protecting the bridge just south
of the Lestrem Loop.
The 7th Gordon Highlanders and the 6th Black Watch ultimately took up a
position on the west bank of the Lawe from just north of Fosse to
Lestrem inclusive, the 7th Gordon Highlanders being on the right.
On the right of the Division the 154th Brigade, until the morning of the
10th, was under orders of the 55th Division, the 4th Seaforth
Highlanders remaining with the 166th Brigade until 13th April.
The 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had moved off at 11.40 A.M. on
the 9th, and after various vicissitudes and alterations of plans, due to
rapidly changing circumstances, were finally disposed with the 7th
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders along the west bank of the Lawe from
Pont Tournant inclusive to Boundary Bridge. The 4th Gordon Highlanders
remained in reserve about Les Caudrons.
At 7 P.M. the Divisional artillery came into action between the villages
of Paradis and La Croix Marmuse.
Thus at nightfall the Division was in position in the same order of
battle as in the operations about Bapaume: 154th Brigade on the right,
152nd Brigade in the centre, and 153rd Brigade on the left. On the
flanks touch was maintained on the right with the 55th Division, who
were still in their original front line, but had been compelled to form
a defensive flank to connect up with the river Lawe; on the left with
the 50th Division, who were being heavily engaged about Estaires.
The 51st Division was entirely west of the Lawe, except for the 6th
Gordon Highlanders at Vieille Chapelle, the 5th Seaforth Highlanders at
Fosse, and the one platoon of the 7th Gordon Highlanders south of the
Lestrem Loop.
By dawn on 10th April the whole Division, less the 4th Seaforth
Highlanders, had reverted to the command of General Carter-Campbell. No
changes had been made in dispositions during the night except that half
the reserve company of the Divisional machine-gun battalion had been
sent forward to reinforce the 153rd Brigade front, while two companies
of the 39th Machine Gun Battalion, due to arrive at Calonne during the
day, were placed at the disposal of the Division.
Throughout the day the 152nd Brigade experienced the most sanguinary
fighting. The enemy during the night had, in a brilliant enterprise,
managed to dribble across Boundary Bridge and push machine-guns and
riflemen into the farms just west of it. These he covered by other
machine-guns on the eastern bank of the Lawe. From the farms and
out-buildings he inflicted numerous casualties to the 6th Seaforth
Highlanders by close-range machine-gun fire. When daylight came, he
attempted to reinforce them by pushing parties across the bridge, over
which only one man could advance at a time. The Seaforths put a stop to
this manœuvre by rifle and Lewis-gun fire, and many Germans shot on the
bridge were drowned in the river. A counter-attack was launched against
the farms by two platoons of the 6th Seaforth Highlanders, supported by
covering fire from the 8th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, but it
broke down under the intense volume of machine-gun fire directed against
it.
At 3 P.M. a more deliberately prepared counter-attack was delivered by
one company of the 6th Gordon Highlanders sent forward for the purpose.
Three of its platoons attacked and successfully occupied the northern of
the two farms. The troops were, however, held up in the open in front of
the second farm. In this position they were in their turn attacked by
some fifty of the enemy. The Gordons held their ground until dusk, when
fifteen men out of an original total of ninety-seven rejoined the
remaining platoon of their company.
Meanwhile the 6th Gordon Highlanders and King Edward's Horse in Vieille
Chapelle, resisting with the utmost vigour, were repeatedly attacked,
but gave no ground. A Lewis-gun team on the roof of a cottage remained
in action and inflicted many casualties on the enemy, in spite of the
building being several times hit by shells.
Throughout the whole day, while the enemy's grip was continuously
tightening on them, this company and the cavalry defeated every attempt
made by the enemy to drive them in. On the night of the 10th
communication between battalion headquarters and Vieille Chapelle was no
longer possible. Captain Christie therefore decided to destroy the
bridges. An R.E. officer and one sapper were available to carry out the
work; but the explosives, for a reason which has never been explained,
had been dumped half a mile west of the village.
A party of the 6th Gordon Highlanders, however, made their way under
heavy fire to the dump, and successfully carried the charges back to the
village. The main bridge was blown up the same night, but the fire
directed against the other bridges was so accurate that they had to be
left intact.
On the left attempts were also made to blow up the bridges in the
Lestrem Loop; but these were only partially successful, and none of the
bridges were totally destroyed. At 8 A.M. the enemy, being admirably led
by his officers, managed to rush the crossings at the Lock de la Rault
and at Pont Riqueul, a subaltern officer being mentioned by name in the
German official communiqué for the gallantry and initiative displayed by
him in this enterprise. The defenders of the bridges were then driven
back, and became absorbed in the line, held as a chord line to the
Lestrem Loop, along the Lestrem-Fosse road.
About 10.30 A.M. the enemy also crossed the Lestrem Bridge and entered
the village. He was, however, counter-attacked by the 6th D.C.L.I. of
the 50th Division and driven back across the river, the bridge remaining
in the hands of neither side.
Throughout the afternoon the enemy made repeated attempts to break
through the chord line; but the 6th Black Watch, with ten Lewis guns,
and the 7th Gordon Highlanders, with eight machine-guns, broke up every
attack, and inflicted great losses on the attackers.
During these operations, 2nd Lieutenant R. Scott, 256th Brigade, B.F.A.
(since killed in action), observed a party of the enemy digging-in close
to the river bank. He at once sent a runner back to his battery to ask
for a single gun to be sent forward. He then selected a position for it,
and made all arrangements for opening fire on its arrival. The gun came
into action at 5.30 P.M., and fired ninety-four highly-effective rounds
at close range, causing many casualties, and remaining in action for
three hours.
This and many other cases in which a bold use was made of the artillery
considerably strengthened the infantry's powers of resistance.
During the night of the 10th orders were received for the Division to
extend its front to a point 400 yards north of Lestrem, two companies of
the 7th Black Watch being sent forward to take over the additional
frontages from the 50th Division. Meanwhile the 61st Division was moving
forward in rear of the 50th and 51st, to ensure that no gap should exist
between their flanks. Two battalions of the 61st Division, the 2/6
Warwicks and the 1/5 D.C.L.I., were to come under orders of the 51st
Division on their arrival.
For some time before nightfall the enemy had been observed collecting,
obviously for a renewal of the attack; the artillery had in consequence
been harassing all the approaches to the river Lawe from the east.
Shortly after dark a heavy attack was launched from the village of Fosse
northwards. At Fosse post the enemy managed, after a short struggle, to
drive in the north flank, the remainder of the garrison being compelled
to fight their way back to the Fosse Bridge. They, however, resisted the
enemy's attempt to advance with such vigour that they were able to
withdraw in good order, cross the bridge, and successfully destroy it
after they had crossed.
In the chord line Lestrem post was also rushed soon after the opening of
the attack. The enemy, having thus gained a lodgment in the chord line,
developed a strong series of attacks northwards and southwards. In each
case he met with some success; to the north the chord line was cleared
as far as the northern outskirts of Lestrem, but here he was brought to
a standstill by the 7th Black Watch. To the south he reached the village
of Fosse, where a defensive flank formed by the 7th Gordon Highlanders
held its ground, and stopped his further advance until midnight.
The defenders of this flank, after a gallant resistance in the dark for
over three hours, were finally driven back on to a party of about 150 of
King Edward's Horse and the 5th Seaforth Highlanders. Here the enemy was
again checked, the troops maintaining themselves against several attacks
until the pressure became too much for them, and they were driven back
on to the Zelobes-Croix Marmuse road.
At this stage the Division still formed a continuous line of resistance.
The 154th Brigade, the 6th Seaforth Highlanders, and the company of the
6th Gordon Highlanders at Vieille Chapelle, remained as they had been at
check. The remainder of the 6th Gordon Highlanders had been disposed in
and about Zelobes, three companies of the 5th Seaforth Highlanders in
and about Croix Marmuse, one company of the 8th Royal Scots and the 7th
Gordon Highlanders between Croix Marmuse and L'Epinette, the 6th and 7th
Black Watch between L'Epinette and the Divisional northern boundary. In
rear of this line 500 reinforcements of the 4th Seaforth Highlanders
were at Les Croquaux; the 4th Gordon Highlanders at La Tombe Willot; one
company of the 8th Royal Scots at Paradis and one at Pacaut; the 39th
Machine Gun Battalion with a half company at Paradis, one and a half
companies at Pacaut, and two companies at Calonne sur Lys; the 6th
Warwicks at Pacaut; and two companies 5th D.C.L.I. at La Pierre au
Beurre.
It must, however, be appreciated that though there was a continuous line
of resistance opposed to the enemy, the units forming it were in many
cases in a state of great disorganisation. They had gone into action
considerably deficient of officers, and the continuous fighting in the
dark had resulted in not only platoons and companies, but also in men of
different battalions, becoming intermingled. Control was therefore
becoming increasingly difficult to exercise.
In this position, and before anything in the nature of reorganisation
could be completed, a further attack broke out at dawn on the 11th
throughout the greater part of the Divisional front.
The enemy pursued his attack along the front with sufficient vigour to
find out any weak spots in the defences, with the result that he had
soon penetrated to the road between L'Epinette and Croix Marmuse. From
this point, as was his usual custom, he made every effort to extend his
gains to the north and to the south. After considerable fighting, in
which the enemy supported these flank attacks with heavy frontal
attacks, our troops were forced back on to the Zelobes-Paradis road. The
ground was, however, only given up after desperate fighting, in which
the enemy was compelled to pay heavily for his successes. The Jocks
were, in fact, in spite of their disorganisation, offering a gallant and
stubborn resistance in circumstances in which control was almost
entirely dependent on the initiative and leadership of N.C.O.'s.
Owing to the progress made by the enemy, it became evident soon after
dawn that the positions in which the field batteries were in action
would soon become untenable. Orders were therefore given for both
brigades to withdraw to positions previously reconnoitred, 255th Brigade
to near the eastern edge of Pacaut Wood, and the 256th Brigade to near
Le Cornet Malo. To effect this retirement gun-fire was opened
immediately on the advancing enemy, while batteries withdrew singly from
both brigades to their new positions, and at once came into action. This
covering fire, being mostly over open sights, was highly effective; and
though isolated portions of the enemy closed to within 600 yards of some
of the batteries and opened fire on them with machine-guns, their main
line was checked about 500-600 yards west of the Zelobes-L'Epinette
road. Two companies of the 8th Royal Scots established themselves just
short of this line, and assisted materially not only in covering the
withdrawal of the guns, but also in salving the ammunition of both
brigades, very few unexpended rounds being left on the ground.
At about 6.45 A.M. the headquarters of 152nd and 153rd Brigades moved
back to the cottages facing one another half-way between Le Cornet Malo
and Riez-du-Vinage. At this time Lieut.-Colonel L. M. Dyson, D.S.O.,
commanding the 256th Brigade, R.P.A., was ordered to take over command
of the 153rd Infantry Brigade from Brigadier-General A. T. Beckwith,
C.M.G. D.S.O. The latter had been gassed during the operations in
March, and was suffering considerably from the effects. He, however,
gallantly continued to carry out his duties until his condition became
so serious that he had to be admitted to hospital.
Meanwhile at Vieille Chapelle a company of the 6th Gordon Highlanders
and King Edward's Horse were offering a resistance which should become
historical. The garrison had denied the enemy passage over the river for
two days and two nights, but only by dint of continuous heavy fighting.
They were now completely isolated, the enemy's troops and guns being
pushed across the river in large numbers both north and south of them. A
German battery of field-guns was in action 600 yards from them to the
west. At 7.45 A.M. a pigeon message was received from Captain J. B.
Christie, stating that his situation was "almost unbearable." Christie,
however, decided with his men that, in view of their orders, surrender
was out of the question, and they resolved to make a desperate effort to
extricate themselves.
Their best chance seemed to be to make a sortie towards their right,
where the enemy did not appear to be in so great strength as he was
elsewhere. Machine-guns were posted to cover the withdrawal while the
remnants of the garrison emerged on the opposite side of the village.
Here they were met by a storm of close-range machine-gun and rifle
bullets. Captain Christie was at once hit by a bullet in the right knee,
but he managed to rejoin the survivors of his party by crawling to the
farmhouse, in which the survivors had been compelled to shelter. Six men
in succession advanced to knock out a machine-gun which was pinning
them to the farm, each in his turn being shot dead. Captain Christie,
unable to walk owing to his wound, next crawled forward himself to
attempt to put the gun out of action. He was, however, immediately hit
again, his right arm being shattered by a bullet. The enemy then entered
Vieille Chapelle and captured the remnants of the garrison, a handful of
wounded men.
As Lieut.-Colonel Lionel James, commanding the King Edward's Horse,
wrote in his report: "It is impossible to speak temperately of Captain
J. R. Christie, 6th Gordon Highlanders, and his officers, and of
Lieutenants Stein, Pinckney, and Laurenson of King Edward's Horse."
At 5.15 P.M. on 9th April Lieutenant Pinckney, King Edward's Horse, left
Vieille Chapelle with a message to Colonel James, stating that the
situation was desperate. This gallant officer made his way back again
into Vieille Chapelle, with instructions that the bridgehead was to be
held to the end. Thirty-six hours later, at 8 A.M. on 11th April, the
bridgehead was still held.
Captain Christie fortunately recovered from his wounds in the hands of
the Germans, and for his gallant leadership and devotion to duty was
awarded the D.S.O.
During the action at Vieille Chapelle the enemy was struggling to extend
his hold on the Lestrem-Fosse-Locon road southwards. In this attempt
heavy casualties were inflicted on him. On one occasion a large body of
Germans marching in close order along the road was shattered by the
artillery, while again and again machine-guns and Lewis guns took full
advantage of splendid targets offered to them as the enemy's troops
advanced to the attack.
Gradually, however, in spite of his losses, he forced a way between
Zelobes and Vieille Chapelle. Here he isolated and cut off two platoons
of the 6th Seaforth Highlanders guarding the western end of the Vieille
Chapelle bridge, who continued to resist while completely surrounded in
an attempt to force an exit from Vieille Chapelle for the 6th Gordon
Highlanders and King Edward's Horse inside the village.
Having effected a lodgment between Vieille Chapelle and Zelobes, the
enemy finally, after having suffered numerous casualties at the hands of
the 6th Gordon Highlanders, forced his way into Zelobes, throwing the
garrison back on Les Lobes.
As a result of these operations, the defending troops had become still
more disorganised; but though units were considerably intermingled, and
the number of officers and N.C.O.'s still surviving had further
diminished, the men remained disposed in such a manner that the Division
continued to maintain an uninterrupted line of resistance.
At noon (11th April) the line was held as follows: from the Canal de la
Lawe on the Divisional right boundary to north of Le Vert Lannot lay
three companies of the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, supported
by the fourth company with a company of the 4th Gordon Highlanders. The
line was then continued towards the north-east corner of La Tombe Willot
by two companies of the 4th Gordons and 200 reinforcements of the 4th
Seaforth Highlanders. The line then curved round to the north of La
Tombe Willot, and was held for a distance of 600 yards by elements of
the 5th and 6th Seaforth Highlanders, and of the 6th Gordon Highlanders,
disposed in depth. The remainder of the reinforcements of the 4th
Seaforth Highlanders held the line along the Le Cornet Malo-Croix
Marmuse road. Two companies of the 8th Royal Scots then linked up the
4th Seaforth reinforcements to the 2/6 Warwicks, who were holding the
line from the church at Paradis to a point 300 yards south of Le
Bouzateux farm, held by elements of the 6th and 7th Black Watch and 7th
Gordon Highlanders. On their left came the 5th D.C.L.I., holding the
line as far northwards as the railway crossing west of Merville, while
further elements of the 6th and 7th Black Watch and some of the 8th
Royal Scots manned the railway on the left flank of the D.C.L.I. facing
southwards.
The reserves were now reduced to one company of the 39th Machine Gun
Battalion and the 404th Field Company, R.E., about Pacaut Wood, the
remaining three companies of the 39th Machine Gun Battalion being
already in position between Le Cornet Malo and Calonne.
It will thus be seen that though the line, as has been stated, was
continuous, it can only be described as patchwork; and it had become
evident that no orders as regards a properly co-ordinated advance or
retirement, which either the Divisional or brigade commanders might
issue, were likely to be put into operation successfully. All that could
be expected was that each unit would conform to the movement of the
troops on its flanks, the success of this conformation being dependent
on the leadership of the local commanders, who in many cases were junior
officers if not junior N.C.O.'s.
The enemy continued his efforts during the afternoon, with the result
that the line was forced back so as to run through Le Vert Lannot and La
Tombe Willot. On the left, however, the fighting was not so severe,
though the enemy succeeded in occupying the whole of Paradis.
Meanwhile a large number of men of all regiments who had become detached
from their units had during the morning been collected at the
headquarters of the 153rd Brigade. They were, however, entirely without
officers, and almost entirely without N.C.O.'s. Volunteers were
therefore called for from the 256th and 12th Australian Brigades of
field artillery to officer these infantrymen. Of those that came forward
Captain Rickard, M.C., and Lieutenant Seton, M.C., of the 12th
Australians, and 2nd Lieutenants Inkson and Gordon of the 256th Brigade
were selected to reorganise the men and to lead them forward into
action. These four gunner officers, acting as platoon commanders, did
admirable work under very difficult conditions. Having led their
commands forward, they remained in action with them until the 13th inst.
Throughout this period they kept their troops well under control,
particularly during the series of withdrawals in the face of vastly
superior forces in the rearguard action which took place on the 12th
inst. They, indeed, all proved themselves highly capable infantry
leaders.
In the first instance the men were formed into a reserve, and took up a
position in rear of the line Pacaut-Bouzateux Farm, as further
battalions of the 61st Division were now arriving with orders to take
over all ground north of an east and west line through L'Epinette. At
4.30 P.M. the first of these battalions, the 5th Gordon Highlanders,
late of the Highland Division, took up its position along the stream
L'Ancienne Lys, with its left flank in contact with the 50th Division.
The situation now appeared to be improving: an additional reserve had
been improvised; the reinforcing Division had substantially joined up
with the 50th Division on the north; Givenchy on the south still held
out owing to the magnificent resistance of the 55th Division, and the
154th Brigade was maintaining itself on the right flank in the same
gallant and efficient manner as it had done three weeks earlier at
Hermies and Beaumetz. Moreover, another Division, the 3rd, was moving up
to support the 154th Brigade and 55th Division.
In these circumstances General Carter-Campbell decided to make a firmer
line by withdrawing his foremost troops north of Bouzateux Farm on to
the Paradis-Merville road, so as to join up satisfactorily with the line
held by the 5th Gordon Highlanders.
In the course of these operations the fighting had necessitated further
withdrawals by the artillery brigades, the 255th Brigade taking up
positions in Riez-du-Vinage, the 256th Brigade in Carvin, and the
Australians west of the river Clarence in Calonne.
During the night of the 11th-12th a further adjustment in the infantry
took place, the 76th Brigade of the 3rd Division having arrived and
relieved the 154th Brigade up to and including La Tombe Willot, leaving
only a very small portion of the front line held by the 4th Seaforth
reinforcements, under the command of General Buchanan.
The order of battle in the front line was now as follows: the 4th
Seaforth reinforcements extended from La Tombe Willot half-way to
Pacaut, the 2/6 Warwicks and 8th Royal Scots continued the line thence
up to but excluding Bouzateux Farm. Elements of the 153rd Brigade next
held the line along the Pacaut-Merville road just west of Bouzateux
Farm. On the left lay the 5th D.C.L.I., who were in touch with the 5th
Gordon Highlanders on the Ancienne Lys.
At dawn on the 12th a sudden and disastrous collapse occurred. The enemy
launched an attack on the centre of the position, which came in the
nature of a surprise. Patrols of the 2/6 Warwicks were covering the
front, but they did not return with information that the enemy was
advancing, doubtless having been cut off.
[Illustration: MAP XI.--THE GERMAN OFFENSIVE. (THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER
LAWE.) DISPOSITIONS OF 51ST (HIGHLAND) DIVISION, DAWN, 12TH APRIL 1918.]
At 5.15 A.M. it was reported from an artillery O.P. at Pacaut that the
enemy could be seen advancing. At the same time numbers of men were
found falling back about the headquarters of the 2/6 Warwicks on the
west of Pacaut and at the headquarters of the 8th Royal Scots in the
village, the officer commanding and the adjutant of the latter battalion
already having been cut off.
Five minutes after this report had been received from the O.P. in
Pacaut, close-range rifle and machine-gun fire were brought to bear on
Riez-du-Vinage from the east, south, and south-west.
The enemy during this advance had all but surrounded the headquarters of
the 152nd and 153rd Brigades on the eastern outskirts of the village.
Colonel Dyson, Captain Wrathall, the brigade-major, and the remainder of
the staff of the 153rd Brigade managed to extricate themselves and
escape just as the leading German troops were entering the front of the
cottage that had been used as brigade headquarters.
On the opposite side of the road the 152nd Brigade were not so
fortunate, and just as they were preparing to leave the cottage they
were occupying, the Germans closed in on it from all sides.
Brigadier-General J. Dick-Cunynghame, Captains Berney-Fiklin and W.
Drummond, the brigade-major and staff-captain, Lieutenants Cummings and
Simpson, the signal and intelligence officers, and the whole of the
headquarters personnel, with Colonel Fleming commanding the 255th
Brigade, R.F.A., who was acting as artillery liaison officer to the
brigade, fell into the hands of the enemy. They had delayed their
attempt to escape from their headquarters by less than a minute after
the 153rd Brigade, who had made good their escape, only to find the
Germans entering their cottage.
Meanwhile the Divisional artillery was adding possibly the greatest
chapters to its history. Gunners have few opportunities of engaging the
enemy at close quarters, and their work is for the most part of a nature
that precludes them from performing outstanding acts of valour that
attract the public eye. This occasion, on which the enemy broke through
the infantry and with little warning appeared in close proximity to
portions of our gun line, was an exception of which they took full
advantage.
In spite of the complete surprise, "A" and "B" Batteries of the 255th
Brigade in the vicinity of Riez-du-Vinage managed to limber up and
withdraw south-west across the canal, although they suffered severe
casualties amongst their horses from machine-gun fire. "C" and "D"
Batteries of the same brigade could not get their guns away in spite of
many gallant attempts, as the teams were all knocked out by machine-gun
fire; but they remained in action, keeping up a rapid rate of fire to
cover the withdrawal of "A" and "B," and did not leave their guns until
the enemy were almost amongst them. The headquarters of 255th Brigade
just managed to escape with the loss of all its horses.
Farther north the 256th Brigade were in equal danger of falling into the
enemy's hands. The officers of the 153rd Brigade headquarter staff, who
themselves had only recently escaped from the enemy by a hair's-breadth,
collected stragglers and formed a line to protect the withdrawal of the
batteries. The gunners remained in action engaging targets at close
range with direct observation though under rifle and machine-gun fire at
some 500 yards' range. They finally withdrew in succession, the last
battery, "D" 256, only clearing its position when the enemy was 300
yards from it on the left front. Sergeant V. Illidge was partly
responsible for the successful withdrawal of this battery. He cut out
several killed and wounded horses from the different teams, assisted in
their hooking-in, and remained in the position until the last gun had
left.
Lieutenant M'Farlane of the same battery, who was acting as liaison
officer with the 6th Black Watch, was last seen emptying his revolver
into the enemy at close quarters.
The 12th Australian Army Brigade, R.F.A., also found themselves in an
awkward situation, heavy close-range rifle and machine-gun fire suddenly
being opened on them from their left.
The limbers were brought up at the gallop just as the enemy opened on
the position with his artillery, and in spite of the machine-gun and
shell fire, the guns were got safely away through Robecq. The gunners
with a few infantry stragglers provided their own covering parties, and
with their battery Lewis guns checked the enemy's advance until the
positions were successfully evacuated.
"A" and "B" Batteries, 255th Brigade, crossed the canal by the bridge
due south of Riez-du-Vinage, closely followed by the enemy. Majors
Davidson and Jack, the two battery commanders, however, each dropped the
last of their guns within 300 yards of the bridge to cover the
withdrawal of their remaining guns. Of these one gun covered a
foot-bridge and the other a drawbridge.
The Germans were so close on the heels of the artillery that they were
able to rush the drawbridge and establish themselves in a house on the
west side of it. Major Jack, however, brought such effective shell-fire
on to this house that the enemy fled from it and recrossed the canal,
whereupon Major Fairlie, Lieutenant Mackay, and Driver Boyd took up
rifles, occupied the bridgehead, and by their fire forced the enemy to
retire down the road.
In the meantime Major Davidson with his gun was firing on enemy
machine-guns which had been brought up close to the Canal, and by the
accuracy of his fire effectually covered the withdrawal of two heavy
batteries which were coming up out of action under heavy fire.
A description of this action, in which Major Davidson and Major Jack
were mentioned by name, was included in the Commander-in-Chief's
despatches dealing with the battle, Major Davidson being subsequently
awarded a bar to the D.S.O. and Major Jack the D.S.O.
It would be difficult to overestimate the valuable part played by these
two guns and the gallant conduct of all concerned in restoring a
situation at so critical a stage. Undoubtedly had it not been for the
prompt action of Davidson and Jack, the enemy would have succeeded in
establishing himself on the southern bank of the La Bassée Canal.
The enemy, opening fanwise from his area of penetration, had been
rapidly pressing his attack north, west, and southwards. Numerous
attempts were made to improvise lines of defence, but in the absence of
officers these all broke down until the infantry had withdrawn across
the Clarence river, where they linked up with the 5th D.C.L.I. in front
of Calonne. The line was then continued northwards along the Turbeaute
and Ancienne Lys rivers.
Southwards, as has already been described, the enemy reached the
northern bank of the La Bassée Canal.
The 154th Brigade farther eastwards had, however, formed a defensive
flank, which prevented the enemy from extending his gains in this
quarter. The 4th Seaforth reinforcements throughout these operations had
held their ground about La Tombe Willot, the remnants of the 152nd
Brigade were disposed facing north about La Vertbois Farm, extending
from La Tombe Willot almost to Pacaut Wood. Here they joined part of the
8th Royal Scots and 404th Field Company in Pacaut Wood facing north.
Meanwhile patrols of the 1st Gordon Highlanders, 3rd Division, were
entering Pacaut Wood from the south.
The 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who had been relieved and
were just withdrawing from the line, took up the lines of the La Bassée
Canal from Pacaut Wood to Robecq.
After the infantry had all been withdrawn behind some natural obstacle
such as the canal or the streams on the left, in spite of the
disorganisation that had resulted from the enemy's successful surprise
and the depth of his advance, the line began to harden again.
The 154th Brigade were adequately safeguarding the canal, and were in
touch with the 55th Division.
One battalion of the 61st Division was already moving forward to occupy
the line of the Clarence river from the canal at Robecq to Carvin. This
section of the line had at one time been seriously threatened, as the
enemy had reached the outskirts of Robecq, thus somewhat precipitating
the departure of Divisional headquarters to Busnes. He had, however,
withdrawn, and Robecq was occupied by elements of the 189th Brigade,
61st Division, the 400th Field Company, R.E., and elements of the 404th
Field Company, R.E., who were disposed on an extended front covering the
eastern approaches to the village.
North of Carvin the 61st Division had one battalion already in position
on a line running from that village to Baquerolles Farm, and a second
battalion continuing the line towards Calonne.
North of Calonne remnants of the 5th D.C.L.I. and elements of the 153rd
Brigade had withdrawn beyond the Lys canal, and were engaged during the
remainder of the day in the fighting about Merville.
By 1 P.M. the three brigades of artillery were all established in new
positions: the 256th Brigade on the Robecq-St Venant road, the 255th
Brigade at L'Ecleme, and the 12th Australian Brigade at La Pierrière.
While in these positions the artillery drew its ammunition from an army
ammunition dump, in spite of the fact that one end of it had been set on
fire and was blazing furiously.
It will thus be seen that General Carter-Campbell had been able to
restore his battle line with the help of these additional battalions
from the 61st Division in such a manner that the enemy was not likely to
make further serious progress, at any rate until he could move a
considerable number of his guns forward. Thus valuable time was secured
in which troops could be reorganised, and which enabled other battalions
of the 61st Division to arrive on the scene.
The line from La Tombe Willot to Pacaut was not seriously threatened
during the morning, but throughout the afternoon the pressure against it
steadily increased.
The 4th Seaforth reinforcements north of the Vertbois Farm were well in
advance of the remainder of this line; the 4th Gordon Highlanders, who
had been concentrated on the south side of the canal, were therefore
ordered to join up the left flank of the Seaforth reinforcements with
the canal by forming a line through Pacaut Wood.
While the 4th Gordon Highlanders were moving forward to carry out these
orders, information was received that the 3rd Division, to shorten their
frontage, were falling back on to the line Locon-La Bassée Canal, and
that all troops were to conform to this movement.
This withdrawal was therefore begun; but the 4th Seaforth
reinforcements, under the command of Major Jobson, either never received
these orders or received them too late, and were left in the air by the
troops on their flanks. The enemy, discovering their position, pressed
round them on either flank, and Major Jobson realised that their only
hope of escape was to cut their way out. In this attempt Major Jobson
was wounded, and with the remainder of his party, being completely
surrounded, was captured.
Those Seaforth reinforcements, who had not even joined their battalion,
but had been employed as a separate unit, with four officers to weld it
into shape, had stubbornly fought for many hours, and had maintained
themselves on their ground in spite of strong attempts made by the
enemy to drive them in. They remained fighting gamely to the end in an
isolated position, cut off from all hopes of relief. Many of them were
only boys who had just arrived in France for the first time, and the
steadiness with which they conducted themselves in their first and last
fight was worthy of the highest praise.
The remainder of the line gradually withdrew, but in good order, and it
was not until 8.40 P.M. that the 4th Gordon Highlanders, who had moved
forward to the vicinity of Le Cornet Malo and had fallen back fighting
through Pacaut Wood, crossed with elements of the 152nd Infantry Brigade
to the south side of the canal.
Meanwhile the defence of the La Bassée Canal was handed over to the Ist
Corps, the 51st Division being ordered to cover the junction between the
XIth and Ist Corps. A composite brigade was therefore formed under the
command of Lieut.-Colonel A. Fleming, D.S.O., the C.R.E., known as
Fleming's Force, which took up a line from the bridge over the canal
south of Robecq, east of Robecq, to the hamlet of Les Amusoires.
Fleming's Force, as it took over this line, was composed of the
following:--
Echelons B (transport men, quartermasters' staffs, bands,
&c.) and further reinforcements of the 154th Brigade.
One hundred officers and men, details of the 152nd Brigade.
Two hundred officers and men, details of the 153rd Brigade.
Nos. 1 and 2, special companies, R.E., 300 strong (gas
projector companies).
Two companies, 11th Canadian Railway Construction Battalion,
250 strong.
One company, 51st Division M.G. Company.
One company, 39th Division M.G. Company.
Some further elements of the 152nd Brigade were collected in reserve at
Hollanderie.
The 154th Brigade was ordered to withdraw to Busnes as soon as it was
relieved by the 3rd Division.
By 3 A.M. on the 13th Colonel Fleming had organised his force into two
sectors, the right being commanded by Major Campbell of the 6th Black
Watch, and the left by Major Stein, 4th Gordon Highlanders.
The night of the 13th passed quietly, and was employed by Colonel
Fleming in advancing his line by 700 yards and in reorganising his
force. The railway companies and some elements of the Berkshire
Regiment, who had become attached to the Division, were withdrawn. Their
place in the line was taken by the 7th Gordon Highlanders, who had by
this time been collected and reorganised. The remnants of the 152nd and
153rd Brigades were also collected and formed into a composite battalion
under Lieut.-Colonel J. M. Scott, D.S.O., commanding the 5th Seaforth
Highlanders.
On 14th April orders were issued for the 154th Brigade to relieve
Fleming's Force during the coming evening. Shortly before this relief
took place the 4th Division, which had recently arrived in the area,
attacked northwards from the canal bank and established themselves on a
line from the canal through Riez-du-Vinage to Carvin. Thus when at 2
A.M. the relief of Fleming's Force was completed, the actual firing line
was for the most part well to the east of the line actually held by the
154th Brigade.
The situation then remained unchanged until the night of 23-24th April,
when the 154th Brigade was withdrawn.
Throughout this engagement the 4th Seaforth Highlanders had been
attached to the 55th Division, and had taken part in the obstinate and
successful defence of the defensive flank which that Division had formed
from Givenchy to Le Touret.
On the morning of the 9th April the 4th Seaforth Highlanders had been in
billets at the Ferme du Roi near Bethune, in close proximity to the 55th
Divisional front. In consequence, when the sudden break through the
Portuguese lines occurred, they were placed under the orders of the
166th Infantry Brigade under the command of General Kentish.
Their first move was to the banks of the Canal de Lawe. Later, during
the same day, it was discovered that a gap existed in the line held by
the 166th Infantry Brigade, north of Le Touret. The battalion was
therefore moved forward under cover of darkness and disposed so as to
fill this gap, their headquarters being established at Les Faucons.
During the day (10th April) the enemy did not attack in force, but he
made several local attempts to penetrate the line held by the 4th
Seaforth Highlanders. On each occasion he was repulsed, and the position
was maintained intact throughout.
On 11th April, about 11 A.M., the German attacked in force. The 4th
Seaforth Highlanders resisted all his attempts to drive back their line.
Later in the day, the battalion on their left was driven in. The
Seaforths, however, formed a defensive flank, and in spite of numerous
attempts made by the enemy to roll up their line, maintained themselves
in their position and inflicted heavy losses on him. Subsequently the
Northumberland Fusiliers, on the left of the 4th Seaforth Highlanders,
delivered a counter-attack, which successfully restored the situation.
The Seaforths assisted this attack by giving covering fire from the
right flank, and inflicted serious losses on the enemy as he fell back
in front of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
On the night of the 11th the 4th Seaforth Highlanders were relieved by
the 1st Division, and took up a reserve position in rear of the stream
south-west of Les Faucons. Here in the course of the fighting on 12th
April they were attacked about 5 P.M., the enemy everywhere being
completely repulsed. On the 13th they were relieved and moved back to
billets at Oblingham.
The 4th Seaforth Highlanders had conducted themselves magnificently.
They had been in action for five days, had been repeatedly attacked, but
had not yielded a yard of ground to the enemy. General Kentish, in a
telegram to the officer commanding, expressed his great appreciation of
the splendid resistance offered by the battalion when fighting under his
command. General Jeudwine, commanding the 55th Division, also wired:
"Please accept from all ranks 55th Division our hearty thanks for
the willing co-operation of the 4th Seaforths. Their help and plucky
fighting have been an invaluable aid to maintaining our line through a
long period of strain."
The battle of the Lys was perhaps the most trying ordeal through which
the Highland Division passed in the whole course of its service in
France and Flanders.
It had just emerged from the operations round Bapaume, in which numbers
of officers and irreplaceable N.C.O.'s had become casualties. It had
received large numbers of reinforcements, mostly boys of eighteen and a
half and nineteen years of age, with no previous experience of war.
With its units incomplete in their organisation and under-officered, the
Division moved forward to stem the tide after the Portuguese had been
driven from their trenches. Information as regards the progress of the
enemy's advance was scanty, so that he was encountered in unexpected
places, with the result that in the initial stages of the attack a solid
front was not opposed to the German advance until the enemy had reached
the line of the river Lawe.
To increase the difficulties attending these operations, not only were
the roads in the early stages of the fight so congested with the
retiring Portuguese that forward movement, particularly for vehicles,
became at times absolutely impracticable, but also the whole area was
covered with civilians evacuating their homes, constantly under
shell-fire, and at times under machine-gun fire. Indeed, the advance of
the Germans had been so rapid, and the penetration made by them so deep,
that in many cases fighting took place in farms and cottages still
occupied by old men, women, and children. The sufferings of these poor
people were deplorable; many were killed and wounded, as were also their
beasts; others became involved in gas-shelling, and with no knowledge of
anti-gas defence, were overcome by the poisonous fumes. Of the
survivors, some fled from their houses as they stood, while others
packed their household effects, surmounted by the inevitable
box-mattress, on their waggons, and driving their beasts before them,
congested every road and track in the area. Others, again, particularly
the more elderly, overcome by the suddenness of the arrival of the
German infantry, were stupefied, and could not be persuaded to take any
action beyond sitting in their houses in a helpless state of collapse.
Later the capture of a complete brigade headquarters, in the course of a
prolonged rearguard action, was itself sufficient to break down the
organisation. The loss sustained by the Division in this unfortunate
incident was a grave one. No better successor to General Pelham Burn
could have been selected than General Dick-Cunynghame. That he should
have fallen into the hands of the enemy within a few days of having
taken over command was a piece of cruel ill-fortune, felt as acutely by
the brigade itself as by its commander. Moreover, in Captains
Berney-Fiklin and Drummond, two most reliable staff officers had been
lost to the Division; the latter was the embodiment of efficiency as a
staff captain, and had held every rank in the British army from private
soldier to captain.
In this battle the part played by the 55th Division on the right of the
51st was a memorable one. The Division, after all the troops on its left
had given, formed a defensive flank and brought the German advance to a
complete standstill, in spite of many violent attacks. The 51st was only
able finally to hold up the German advance by the fact that its right
was always thus secured.
On completion of the relief the 154th Brigade moved back to join the
Division, which was resting in the Norrent-Fontes area.
On 16th April, General Sir H. S. Home, K.C.B., K.C.M.G., commanding
the First Army, sent the following message to General Carter-Campbell:
"I must write you a line to tell you how highly I appreciate the
splendid fight that you and the 51st (Highland) Division have put up,
not only against very superior numbers, but under particularly trying
circumstances. You have done wonders. I am proud to be a Scotsman
at any time, but more than ever now. Tell all ranks I know how well
the Division has done, and what splendid fighting qualities and
determination they have displayed. It is this determination to 'stick
it out' that makes all the difference, and will win this war."
General Harper wired his congratulations to the Division on its recent
splendid fighting, and also General Lukin, commanding the 64th
(Highland) Division.
The results of the battle of the Lys were far-reaching. The decision of
the German Higher Command to exploit to the full the Portuguese debacle
resulted in the using up of nearly the whole German reserve, and
undoubtedly led towards their final collapse.