“It was not Fighting, but Murder” The Battle of Aubers Ridge

 

Sunday, the 9th of May, 1915, saw the battle of Aubers Ridge.

This was a British offensive, supporting a larger French attack in the South at Artois. The plan being to tie down the Germans, preventing them from sending reinforcements to oppose the main attack by the French.

 

The British plan comprised of two attacking forces.

IV Corps on the left, in front of Laventie, 6,000 yards from the right hand component in the South West.

This second force was made up of the Indian Corps and I Corps, situated between Neuve Chapelle and Festubert.

The plan was for them to attack the German defences simultaneously, taking Aubers Ridge and reaching the Lillie - La Bassee road, between La Bassee and Fournes, with the IV Corps and Indian Corps then meeting at La Ciqueterie Farm.

 

After preparations through the night of the 8th, clearing barbed wire, putting wooden planks across water obstacles and erecting trench ladders, at 5am a bombardment was opened up on the German positions for 40 minutes. This was to destroy the defenders parapet and cut the wire.

 

The right hand attack, with I Corps, had assaulting battalions of the 2nd and 3rd brigade first into the attack. None of their objectives were met.

The German wire was for the most part uncut and the German breastwork only lightly damaged. Machine guns were quickly brought into action by the Germans, causing heavy losses and holding up the attack. Men were pinned down in No Man's Land. Those who did reach the enemy's trenches were killed or captured.

 

There was a second bombardment at 7.45am for forty minutes. A further assault was scheduled for noon, only to be pushed back to 2.40pm, with the same 40 minute preparatory barrage to begin at 2pm.

The trenches were clogged with wounded and dead, causing the supporting troops to be held up. The attack was pushed even further back to 4pm.

 

From 2pm til 4pm a steady artillery barrage was kept up on the German trenches and support positions, in an effort to prevent them bringing up reinforcements or conducting repairs. The Germans however did manage to bring up reinforcements, their trenches were held by more men in the afternoon than there had been in the morning.

 

At 4pm the second wave of battalions from the 2nd and 3rd brigades were to attack. With them two battalions of the 1st (Guards) Brigade, one being the 1st Black Watch, were to attack on the left of the 3^rd Brigade.
The second wave of the Bareilly Brigade, of the Indian Division, contained the 2nd and 4th battalions Black Watch.

 

The movement of fresh troops to the support trenches was noticed by the Germans. They shelled the packed trenches, causing many casualties.

 

1st Bn War Diary

 

May 9^th.

Chocolat Menier Corner, In bivouac.

Battalion fighting strength: Officers: 22, Other Ranks: 807

 

At 4pm the 1st Black Watch, with two companies of the 1st Camerons, the rest of the Camerons not yet being in position, attacked, making it to the German first line, some being able to enter it.

After initial success those in the German trenches were isolated, no support able to make their way to them. They were surrounded and killed or captured.

 

The following are accounts by men who were part of the 1^st Bn Black Watch attack, or who witnessed it.

 

9237 (Acting) Sergeant Frank Traynor of the 1^st Black Watch, from Dundee

"I suppose you have read in the papers about my regiment, the 1st Black Watch, making a great charge on the 9th, in which we lost more than three-parts of our men!

When the word 'advance' was given our first line went over the parapet like one man, and when they had gone 100 yards our second line followed, and when they reached the German lines, which were about 330 yards away, our third line went. I was one of the third line.

Well, the first and second lines got to the German lines, but those who got there never came back, for they were all killed.

I went on leading my platoon until I was the only one running. Then I thought it was time to get down, for if I had gone any further I should be sure to have been laid out.

I saw a hole made by a shell, and into this I jumped and waited till it was dark.

While I was there shells were bursting all around me, and every minute I was expecting to get one myself, but my luck was in, and after lying about 50 yards from the Germans. I got back to our lines about 9 p.m.”

 

Another Dundonian, 3/3285 Henry Cunningham, 1^st Black Watch wrote:

"I will never forget the 9th May.

On Sunday afternoon at four o'clock the Black Watch had to charge the German trenches. I will never forget the sight all the days that I live, and I have only God to thank for my coming out of the charge safe.

My knees are all torn with the barbed wire, but otherwise I am all right. We mowed the Germans down like hay.

There are only four of us left out of a platoon.

It is not war; it is butchery. They were setting fire to our wounded. They don't like us.

I am left with nothing but my kilt and jacket, but thank God I came out of it alive. All my pals are gone.

Our artillery did splendid work before we charged."

 

1801 L/Cpl Frank Johnstone, a Signaller with the HQ staff, also a Dundonian, wrote:

"I came through our last engagement safe, so I have a lot to be thankful for, as we have many casualties in our ranks.

It commenced on Sunday, 9th inst.

We lay in reserve on Saturday and Sunday morning. If the regiment in front of us, an English one, had got through we were to follow, but they failed to accomplish the deed. The bombardment of the enemy's lines started about five or six o'clock, and lasted an hour. We were not needed, as the brigade had not broken through.

The "Forty-Twa" however, tried again in the afternoon, and succeeded, but a great many of our comrades never came back. I am sorry to say I was not in the charge myself. I only wish I had been.

Our Colonel gave the order; our men gave a rousing cheer, jumped over the parapet, crossed 200 yards to the German lines, and got into them - a feet which a brigade had failed to do in the morning. Our men, however could not get reinforcements.

Our casualties are heavy. Our Colonel says he is going to get a red hackle for every man in our regiment.

It was magnificent to see our men go over the parapet and make straight for the German trenches. Not a man waivered."

 

2nd Lt Lionel Sotheby, wrote in a letter to his mother:

"One big German in a helmet stood waist high above the parapet firing and raving at us. I think we got him........It was awful. I was also afraid that they would chuck bombs at us lying there, they did later at the wounded, petrol bombs.....Those who penetrated into the rampart on our left held on for about ten minutes and then were stripped of their equipment by the Germans, shot and thrown over the parapet."

 

9700 L.Cpl. Reuben Jackson, 1st Black Watch, from Belper recorded in his personal diary:

"May 9^th.

At 3.30am we were awakened and our aeroplanes got busy, and then the big guns commenced about 5am, demolishing places that were suspected of containing Maxims etc.

Soon the German guns replied and we saw we were not going to get it all our own way. In spite of the number of guns we had going, the Germans replied with high explosives, and one landed just at the end of the parapet, killing right our five of our platoon. The wounded began to pour in from the first charge that had been made by the King's Royal Rifles, Sussex Regiment, North Lancs., and Northamptons, and they told us that the first line of German trenches had been taken, which proved untrue, as, although some companies did get into the German trenches we don't know what became of them.

When the 42^nd went into the firing line the scene between the German trenches and ours was appalling. Dead and dying khaki-clad figures lay all over the place, some absolutely still and some moving slightly. We could hear some of the poor chap shouting for help and many a brave deed was done which deserve mention. Every time a man jumped over the parapet to assist the wounded the snipers shot at him, and in some instances Maxim guns were turned on them. During the morning attack Lieut. Edwards and Lieut. Shand, who had gone up to reinforce some of the English regiments in the attack, were killed.

Men out in front came dropping on top of us, some wounded, some not. The latter had dropped into all kinds of holes, including a trench that was full of water, and they were in a mess. We heard that the attack had to be made again. We moved out to take up our original position, and the North Lancs., came in. We had just got to the second line of trenches when we had to turn back, and the whole regiment came into the firing line with the pipers. We were told to discard our packs, and then we knew we were going to be in for it. Very soon the artillery started again, the Germans replying strongly, and we began to wonder if it were true the Germans were short of ammunition. A big shell landed right into the parapet, almost wiping out a whole section of No.6 Platoon.

The whole regiment fixed bayonets, "A" and "B" companies on the right, and the remainder of "C" and "D" companies on the left, and word passed that we were to wait for our Colonel's command. At the given word the pipers mounted the parapet, immediately followed by the first line, and we gave them a hearty cheer as they disappeared over the parapet. We watched their advance. The Germans kept up an awful fire, and men began to drop, but still the remainder kept on until finally a good many disappeared into the German trench. Such a charge I never before saw in my life. Up went the second line, leaving two platoons (seven and eight) to accompany the C.O., and all headquarters to the trench.

Very soon we began to see that all was not well with our men in the German trench, who were getting bombed out.

Some who were stripped of their equipment had to make a dash back to safety, only to be shot down by Maxim gun fire.

Lieut. Wallace was seen to be evicted from the German trench and then riddled with bullets.

No. 7 and 8 Platoons were next, the only ones left besides headquarters, and we were ordered to man the parapet, and just as we were ready to go to a almost certain death, the order "Nobody to advance until further orders" was sent along.

The Germans then started firing on our wounded, and it was heart rending to see some of them killed, who would have stood a chance had it been dark. Some too, who lay between the lines, were also killed by shell fire from both sides.

A signaller named Knotty Burns did a brave action. He was seen to advance with the first line that charged, and got into the German trench. He had to come out again and signal to the reinforcements not to come up as it proved to be a death trap. He calmly sat on the bank of their breastworks, and signalled and then ran back for safety, but was seen to fall.

The Colonel of the Camerons came along, and our Colonel said to him; "There you are, I have sent all my men over and got their trench, but I have got no supports," I might add that the London Scottish were dying to assist us, but were held back - why, God only knows.

We lost some good officers and men in this disastrous affair. All our rankers were either killed or wounded. Capt. Green and Major Robertson wounded, Lieuts. Shand, Edwards, Wanless, Bone and Scott were killed, while Lieut. Grey had his arm blown off and Lieut. Richards wounded. Lieut. Scott, we were told, actually got to their second line of trenches and was killed. Lieut. Haldane and Lieut. Lyall were also wounded.

Two companies of the Camerons charged also on our left, with the same result - no supports. It would take Brigades and Divisions to clear the Germans out of those trenches. Their second line was very strong, and contained more Maxim guns than their first. So even if we had captured their first breastwork the position would have been made untenable for us.

What deeds of daring were performed during that charge. No one faltered and all ran like deer, although the distance was about 500 yards, and such a cheer rang out from us as we saw our men climb their breastwork and over the top they went to their fate, or otherwise we know not.

Our Colonel and Major were in a terrible state owing to having no supports.

We were relieved by the Coldstreams and our remnants marched down to Hinges, crestfallen for those who had lost their best chums.

May 10^th.

We awoke after a most refreshing sleep, and cleaned up.

Gradually a few of our stragglers came in and we began to realise that it had not been too disastrous for us after all. But still, we had lost more than 500 men and about ten officers."

 

Pte. George McGlashan, 1st Cameron Highlanders, from Dundee wrote:

"I suppose you will have seen in the papers that the Camerons had to make an assault with the Black Watch on Sunday, 9th May, and, as luck would have it, our company was picked to go in advance, and the remainder of our lot were to act as supports.

I need not say much about it, but our company managed to get within ten yards of the German lines, or at least the few of us who managed to escape the terrible rain of bullets, which was poured upon us.

There we lay down to wait for reinforcements, and our commanding officer wisely said not another Cameron should advance. So we had to lie five hours until it got dark before we could move.

There were five of us where I lay, two badly hit, but by God's mercy we all managed in safely, the wounded getting a helping hand from we who escaped Scot free.

The sights I saw that day I will remember as long as I live, and many's the good friend I have who went under. Of the 150 in our company who went out only 70 of us answered the roll call this morning.

To give you an idea of German savagery, the Black Watch, whose whole battalion was out, got a fearful cutting-up. Thirteen of them reached the German trenches and were made prisoners.

Their equipment and rifles were taken from them, and they were sent back to their own lines. When they got ten yards away a machine gun was turned on them. One escaped."

 

S/5003 Pte. George Dickson, 1st Black Watch, from Bellshill wrote:

"Sunday 9^th May, at 5am, the bombardment started all along the line, then, all at once, the guns stopped to let two brigades hurl themselves over the parapet and across the open to the German lins, only to be repulsed again and again.

Another bombardment by our artillery, then every man of the Black Watch dropped his pack and prepared. After hours of waiting, seeing English and Irish regiments getting cut down, we were standing on our footholds passing jokes and laughing. Then the word came “Charge, Black Watch!” Our company officer was yelling “Remember the Lusitania!” and, with these words on his lips, he fell, shot through the groin.

With such words as these they charged as if they were one man: “Come on the Watch! Scotland for ever! Give it to them men of the 42^nd!” Officers fell crying: “Never mind me, go on!” The pipers were playing “The charge”, and I am very sorry to say only one piper answered the roll-call next day.

However, owing to the fact petrol bombs were being throw at us, and that no reinforcements came up, we had to retire that night.

I may mention that there were two platoons of Camerons who charged on our left on the same day. I can't state here what happened to them, but I only came across two wounded out of the lot.

I may also mention that every man proved himself a hero over and over again; wounded carrying wounded, while others went back for wounded all night. One man, I know, carried in six, and all the time flares and machine guns were firing over the place.

I may mention that Bellshill was represented by two of us in that charge – one a young soldier, named Robert Irvine, from Parkhead Rows, and myself, and we were lucky to escape. All I received was a slight hit with a shrapnel bullet."

 

1st Bn War Diary

 

May 10^th.

At HINGES.

Battalion fighting strength: Officers: 8, Other Ranks: 354

 

Total casualties from May 9th: 467

 

The 1st Bn remained as brigade reserve, until the 19^th of May.

 

 

2^nd at Aubers

 

 

In the Indian Corps, within the Bareilly Brigade, were two battalions of the Black watch.

At 4pm they attacked. The 2nd and the 4th met with very heavy fire and made no progress. Few men made it as far as a dyke 20 metres in front of their starting trench.

 

2nd Bn War Diary

 

May 9^th.

Depot formed near canal Bride, Vielle Chapelle

The strength of the Battalion in the trenches previous to the attack was approximately, 21 officers, and 850 rifles.

 

1554 Pte Charles Taylor, 2^nd Black Watch, from Dundee wrote:

"At four o'clock in the afternoon of Sunday, 9th May, I was wounded. We made a charge with our mouths gagged, and I will not forget it in a hurry. I was lucky to get through it wounded. There are not many of the Black Watch left or any other regiment that took part in the charge. My wound is on the upper left arm, and has resulted in the fracture of the bone. I think I will have a long stay in hospital. I am wondering if any of my own section is left."

 

S/6958 Pte. Edward MacLure, 2^nd Black Watch, of Arbroath, wrote:

"We had to take part in a charge - my first, and I am not very anxious for another of the same.

Early in the morning our artillery bombarded the German trenches and position. The firing continued for hours. What a racket. After the artillery fire ceased we charged, and received so hot a reception from their machine-guns and shrapnel that we, too, were forced to retire after suffering heavy loss.

You can just picture what we had to face. The German trench was lined with machine-guns, and they are deadly on open ground. The shrapnel was bursting all around, their and ours as well.

Then the distance we had to cover ranged from one to two hundred yards, and in the centre there ran a stream which was very deceptive. we thought it was six feet wide or so, and were prepared to leap across. Judge our surprise, therefore, when we got up to it and found it to be from ten to fourteen foot wide at parts.

Some of our chaps simply jumped in, and were standing in the water up to their chest. Some remained this way until dark, which was the safest time to come in.

The others, who made for the small bridges which the Germans had covered, were open to very heavy gunfire.

I saw some terrible sights that day."

 

7133 Pte. Albert Scott, 2^nd Black Watch, of Dundee, wrote:

"The 1st Seaforths were the first to charge, but they were mowed down by machine guns and had to retire. We then charged along with the Ghurkas, but also had to retire.

We made another charge, however, and captured a wood occupied by the Germans on our left, and set it on fire. We afterwards captured their first trench.

It was terrible - proper murder. Our commanding officer, adjutant and the captain of my company were all killed.”

 

2^nd Bn War Diary

 

Officers Killed: Lieut Hon. K A Stewart, 2nd Lieut W L Brownlow, 2nd Lieut R Sinclair.

Wounded: Capt C G S MacLeod, Lieut A H C Sutherland, Lieut G R M Reid, Lieut G G Moore

 

Other Ranks

Killed: 69

Wounded 157

Missing: 36

 

Total casualties: 269

 

The 2nd Bn was out of line until the 14^th of May.

 

4^th Bn at Aubers

 

4th Bn War Diary

 

8^th May.

Breastwork at Landsdown Post, Rue Des Berceaux

In Brigade Reserve.

9^th May.

Landsdown Post and Crescent.

4^th Black Watch, Brigade Reserve. Moved up to the Crescent and Blackadder Trench when Dehra Dun Brigade relieved by Bareilly Brigade after 1st attack. A Company attached to 58^th Rifles for second attack. B Company occupied fire trench, C & D Companies in support.

4^th Bn Black Watch relieved by Leicestershire Regiment at 9pm and returned to Landsdown Post at midnight.

 

3876 Pte. William Lindsay, 4^th Bn, from Dundee wrote:

"I suppose you have heard I have been wounded. I got it on the 9^th.

I was struck in the back and also twice in the leg. The two wounds in the leg are nothing, they only left marks. The one in the back was a piece of shrapnel. It went right in, but I have got it out now, so it is not so bad. It is a good job it did not touch the spine or else I would have been done for life.

We had an awful day when I got wounded. Half of the men were going about with tears in their eyes. I will never forget the sight all my life.”

 

3959 Cpl John McDonald, 4^th Bn, from Dundee wrote:

"I was knocked about twelve feet by a shell which burst beside me. Then three sandbags were thrown right on top of my head, burying me for a time. I was staggering about stunned when another shell burst just as we got the order to get over the parapet. It was then I was struck.

It was nothing but bullets and shells - a hard job.

A pal and myself got to the back of a house, and were just about to get dressed when a shell knocked the house down. You should have seen us run! I was struck in the neck by a piece of wood, but by good luck the flat side of it hit me, and I was only stunned."

In another letter he writes:

"I thought Neuve Chapelle was bad, but last Sunday was worse, and I do not want to see anything like it again. You saw nothing but men blown up in the air, men with arms off, some men with legs off, and some being burned to cinders. It was awful."

 

1500 Pte William Rae, from Dundee, wrote in his personal diary:

"May 9 - Bombardment starts at 6am. Neuve Chapelle is in the shade to this.

Awful slaughter among our men. Seaforths prepare to charge, but are mown down by German machine gun fire, and those left alive have to retire.

My regiment prepares to charge, and we are treated in the same way as the Seaforths.

Up to date we have about 200 casualties, and I thank God above for sparing my life, as men were being hit all around me.

The Germans seem to be well prepared for our onslaught, as they batter our trenches for all they are worth.

In summing up to-day's work I can only hope and trust to God that I do not have to pass through the same again.”4

 

602 L/Sgt John Bowman, from Dundee wrote:

"We took up a position in redoubts similar to those we occupied previous to our last engagement. At 5am the bombardment started. As an indication of how fierce it was I may mention that we had fourteen wounded before we left for the front line.

The bombardment lasted for hours, and the rattle of rifles and machine guns during the periodic lulls told us that hot work was in progress between our trenches and those of the enemy.

About eleven o'clock we received orders to move forward.

It was a brilliant Sunday forenoon - very warm - and we felt the heat all the more, as we had to struggle forward carrying heavy boxes of ammunition.

When we got into the reserve trenches we found that the enemy's guns had played havoc there. The sights in the old crescent trench of Neuve Chapelle fair made some of us sick.

For example, one traverse had been demolished and the occupants (Indians) were dead, and some of them were actually burning when we passed.

Then the survivors of the early morning charge began to file past. They were mostly Seaforths, and their appearance told its own terrible tale of what they had passed through.

A wounded officer came past and said to me "Is this the Bareilly Brigade?" I replied in the affirmative, and he said, "Well, lads, I hope you have better luck than we have had."

At this time we were experiencing a heavy fire from the German guns, and Dr Rogers was being kept busy.

At three o'clock word was passed that another bombardment was to take place at 3.30pm, and another advance to be made. At the appointed time our guns started firing, but the Germans replied, shelling our trenches, and for an hour it was hell. Neuve Chapelle was outdone.

We were falling everywhere. How I escaped passes my comprehension, for I was practically in the open all the time.

Sergeant Anderson, who used to work at A Company's books in Wormit, received two shrapnel wounds in the left leg while sitting behind me. While I was bandaging him it simply rained shrapnel, and yet I was not touched. He gradually sank back into unconsciousness just as the word came "B Company for the front trench."

We experienced great difficulty in getting into the firing line, as the communication trench was being heavily shelled, and the wounded were being brought down in dozens.

Thus A Company were first in the fire trench and played an heroic part, for they were just in time to join a charge with the other battalions who were there.

I understand two platoons were over the trenches, and their death toll was very heavy.

Lieutenant Weinberg was first, and he carried the flag to place in the enemy's trench should it be taken. He died a hero's death, falling under the rain of bullets which the platoon had to face from the Maxims in front.

Young Donald Pyott picked up the flag, but he was shot dead. His chum Jim Ross then grasped the flag, only to meet the same fate.

Those who were not killed or wounded had to remain in the open, and many of them lay there til dark. Lieutenants McIntyre and Law were among the latter.

When darkness did come we had an exciting time bringing in the wounded. Many of the Seaforths had lain since 5/6.30 in the morning.

Just as darkness was setting down a little Gurkha Sergeant suddenly appeared on the top of our traverse trench, carrying on his back a Seaforth Highlander who had been wounded. He got a cheer from the boys for his plucky action.

We were greatly relieved to hear that we were to go back into reserve that night, our places being taken by another battalion."

 

No. 17 Shoemaker Sgt. John McGonigal from Dundee wrote:

"Monday 10/05/1915

We are having a busy and anxious time here just now. Our men were in the trenches again on Saturday night, and a great bombardment opened here by our artillery yesterday at 4.30am.

We have been badly hit, Captain Boase, Major Muir, and Major Tosh have been wounded, but not seriously, and Lieutenant Weinberg has been killed. Robert McGonigal (a step-brother), who formed one of the bomb party, has been wounded in the shoulder, but not seriously, and is now down the line in hospital.

Lieutenant Cox is also wounded, and Company-Sergeant-Major Donald Pyott's son killed. Donald, who is stationed near here, came along last night, asking for news of the battle. He came again this morning, and though Company-Quartermaster Sergeant Crichton knew that Donald's son was killed, he could not muster up courage to break the news, but told him that the boy was missing and did not answer the roll-call.”

 

1886 Pte. Tom Healy of Dundee wrote:

"We were ordered to climb over the parapet and charge, and in doing so we lost a large number of our men. On the Friday there was a church parade of the Roman Catholics, and Charlie received Holy communion, and made his peace with God. He suffered no pain, as he was killed outright, and we brought him in when darkness had fallen, and laid him in a soldiers grave."

 

An anonymous Dundonian wrote:

"We are not out of the trenches yet, but we are being allowed to send in letters again. So I am taking this opportunity of giving you an account of the fighting that took place on the 9th.

I cannot describe it properly to you now, but it was awful. It just seemed as if the last day had come, and that the heavens had opened, pouring shell and fire down upon the earth in front of our trenches.

The roar of the guns was terrible. We could not hear each other speaking, and our heads ached with the noise. Every man wished that the guns would cease.

Some of us got up to have a look to see if our shells were hitting the right mark. I looked over the parapet, and the sight I saw was enough to make me sick. Lyddite and shrapnel rained on the parapets of the enemy's trenches like hailstones on the pavement. Sand bags and wood from dug - outs were blown in the air, and sometimes you could see pieces of human bodies thrown high above the trenches. The scene was sickening.

This went on for two hours, and after it stopped the infantry got ready for a charge. The Seaforths made an attempt to charge, but no sooner had they got over the parapet than the enemy opened a most horrific fire with machine guns and rifles.

The distance between the enemy's lines and ours was too great, and before the men had gone very far they were ordered to retire. And it was only a very small band that managed to get back to their own trench. The rest were mowed down.

After this the Germans started to shell us, until our bombardment began again in the afternoon. The roar of the guns and the smoking of the shells seemed fiercer than ever. I had a look over the trench again while the bombardment was going on. The ground in front was strewn with dead and wounded, and the enemy's front line of trenches seemed to have been obliterated altogether.

When it had again ceased the infantry prepared to attack. This time it was the 2nd and 4th Black Watch, along with some Indian regiments. The word was given to get over the parapet, and the men jumped to it at one. Some of the Indians shouted "Come on, Black Watch," and with that Lieutenant Weinberg, of the 4th Black Watch, gave his men the order to follow him, and sprang up the parapet, his men after him.

The moment they reached the top of the parapet they were met with a horrible fire from the machine guns; rifle fire and shrapnel was poured into them, and they were ordered to retire.

Luckily, all the company had not got over the parapet. The officer in charge, seeing what happened, stopped the rest from going over. Only a very few men rejoined the trench again.

Captain McIntyre and Lieutenant Law had a very narrow escape.

When the order was given to retire they could not get back, but they managed to crawl into a disused trench between the enemy's lines and our own, and lay there for over four hours under a terrible torrent of flying shrapnel.

How they managed to get back to their own line without being hit seems a miracle.

Lieutenant Weinberg, brave fellow, was killed, and, with the exception of barely a dozen men who reached the trenches, the rest of those brave young fellows went down with him."

 

Pte. R. Lindsay of Dundee wrote:

"We marched up to the trenches singing and joking the night before the big battle on May 9, and we were halted at the back of the firing line. This is worse than the front line, because the night before the bobardment we were all braced up, but we stuck it, and had a good Sunday morning breakfast.

When the battle started we could not hear ourselves speaking, and we had to sit for three or four hours before we went to the front line.

Then the word was given to advance and we were not an hour in the trench when the fun started. We were keenly alive, for everybody was anxious to get at his man, so we up and over the parapet and at them.

It was not fighting, but murder, yet it did not frighten the gallant "fourth." We were in the thick of it, and we lost a lot of men. I was hit when I was about 30 yards out, but when I was running out of "hell" I was lucky in meeting a comrade, who dressed my wounds and took me to the first aid station."

At 5pm the complete failure of the attack had reached First Army Headquarters and it was decided no further reinforcements should be committed to the attack.

 

4th Bn War Diary

 

Casualties sustained on the 9th of May

Officers Killed: 2, Wounded: 5

Other Ranks Killed: 31, Wounded: 120

Total casualties: 158

 

As a result of the action on the 9^th of May, 2 officers were awarded the Military Cross and 3 Mentioned in Dispatches.

2 N.C.O.'s were awarded the Distiguished Conduct Medal and one Private a Mention in Dispatches.

 

The 4th Bn remained out of the line until the 14^th of May.

 

 

5^th Bn at Aubers

 

In IV Corps the 8th Division was to lead with the 7th Division in support. The 5th Black Watch were in the 25th Brigade of the 8th Division.

After the same 40 minute artillery barrage at 5am, two mines were blown under German positions at 5.40am, then the attack by the infantry commenced.

After 40 minutes the initial objective of reaching and holding the German third line was achieved. No Man's Land was being thoroughly swept with fire by the German trenches that hadn't been attacked. Supporting waves packed in the trenches were suddenly met by a large scale retreat of soldiers.

By 8.30am there were still men in the German positions, who were now cut off from support, as no new waves could make their way to them. The support trenches were filled with dead, wounded and those now retreating, as well as those trying to work their way forward.

A further artillery bombardment and attack was planned.

The assault was scheduled for 1.30pm, this was deemed enough time for the reorganisation of the cluttered units.

The 5th Black Watch were part of this renewed attack. Along with other units moving forward to their start position they lost men to artillery and rifle fire. The clogged support trenches and lack of cover when moving in the open above the trenches to get forward caused hundreds of casualties. The 1.30pm attack was pushed back until 8pm.

 

2117 Cpl. John Stirling of Forfar wrote:

"You will be reading in the papers about this great movement we have been engaged in. I am very sorry to have to tell you that some more Forfar boys have made the great sacrifice.

There were two killed - Jim Milne and young Coutts. There were quite a lot wounded. Jock Towns has been wounded through the leg. Sergeant Ross, a Forfar 'postie', has also been wounded in the hip, as has also young Roy, of the Glamis Tollhouse.

We moved up close to the firing line late at night. About 5 o'clock a great battle commenced with heavy guns. We were in as heavy shell-fire as ever any troops advanced in.

One Kirriemuir chap was blown to pieces and another two wounded. The chap's body was blown over beside me. I will never forget some of the sights I saw that day. Poor Milne was next. About 100 yards further on he was shot through the hip, and turned to me when another shot caught him in the head. He never knew what struck him. Young Coutts was just behind him, and he cried, 'Oh! Stirling, I am shot through the back.' He was quite cool.

It was pure hell. We lay from nine o'clock until about eight at night under the heaviest shell-fire imaginable."

 

A man of the Arbroath High School Section, E Company, of the 5^th from Arbroath wrote:

"It is with mingled feelings of deep regret and thankfulness that I write you to-day. Since my last letter our brigade and this battalion have been well through an inferno, the like of which I never want to be near again.

No doubt you will have seen from the papers that the British made an attack "somewhere in France". After a certain time of heavy artillery fire our first line attacked the German trenches, and found, alas! to their cost, that the Boches were waiting for them, and mowed them down like ninepins.

At that moment our battalion left some reserve trenches about four hundred yards in rear of the firing line, and had to advance across an open field to get to the firing line.

With bayonets fixed our men advanced like veterans, although bullets and shells rained thick upon us never a man faltered. Chums fell on all sides, yet never a man hung back, and the way we advanced has been spoken of by regulars from the General down to the meanest Private.

However, that was bad, but worse was to follow, because, instead of mounting over the parapet, as we expected to do, the order came to stay where we were.

For 16 hours we lay in shallow trenches, and were literally blown to bits. Tons of shells were heaved into us, and God alone knows how any of us escaped.

We lost over 150 men in all, and are left with something like 200 men in the battalion.

To tell you of all the friends knocked out would be impossible, but one I especially miss is Sergeant George Miller, who was killed just as we were coming out about twelve at night. A cheerier or better soldier never carried stripes in the British Army."

 

757 Pte. Alexander Robertson of Carnoustie wrote:

"The 5th Black Watch were charging across an open field, when Lance-Corporal Ernest S. Mathewson, a Carnoustie boy, was struck in the right thigh by a bullet and fell. I helped him back a little bit, and dressed his wound roughly.

I had just finished when a piece of shrapnel struck me in the face, and I had to return to the field hospital.

After getting it dressed I went forward to join my company, and was going along a road when a shell burst underneath me. I was blown clean off my feet and thrown into a ditch by the roadside. When I rose again I can tell you I felt sick. Once more I went back to hospital, and this time was admitted as wounded and given a bed.

After a good night's rest, however, I felt A1, and rejoined my company again."

 

A man from Arbroath of the 5^th recorded a comrades death:

"I suppose you will have heard about the great battle. I may tell you I never want to go through the same again.

You know Hay Duncan, who worked with Stephen, butcher - Well, while we were advancing over a field he was shot through the hand. He was told to keep down, but got up, and was killed almost immediately.

All the other regiments suffered as hard as us, but I don't want to talk about it.

Neuve Chapelle did not have a look in.”

 

2003 Sgt. Tom Rees, of Arbroath wrote:

"I send you this letter to let you know that I am still well. The 9th, I may tell you, have lost a lot of good chaps. Of the Arbroath chaps there are 9 killed and 21 wounded.

My platoon Sergeant, G. E. Miller, was killed just as we came out of the trenches.

I tell you he was a nice fellow and a good soldier, and game to the last. You will be seeing a list of the names of those who have fallen.

We went up to the reserve trenches on the 8th about 12 o'clock, and the bombardment started about 4 o'clock.

After the guns had been going for about an hour the first battalion to go over was the ____, and the other battalions, including us, advanced to our own trenches under a heavy fire.

It was simply murder going over that ground, and I don't know how I managed it.

When we arrived at the trench behind the firing trench we were told that the ____ had got heavily cut up, and we, along with the Worcesters, had to sit all huddled up in that back trench all day, the shells going over our heads but no more.

About 5 o'clock one dropped in the trench, I think it killed one fellow and wounded 5 or 6.

We were relieved about 10 o'clock, and it was coming out - in fact, we were about out - when G. E. Miller got hit with a shell. I think if we had had to stay in that trench another night I would have gone mad, so terrible and deadly was the fire of the Germans.

However, I am quite safe, but we all considered ourselves lucky who got out safe."

 

1981 Pte. William Lynch of the 5^th from Arbroath wrote:

"In the battle we have lost many of our boys, and many of them have found soldiers graves in France. It was awful.

The shells were bursting all around us. I escaped without a scratch, and consider myself lucky.

A shell burst about a yard from me, wounding four of the East Lancashires. I lost three of my comrades, who were killed by a bomb. They all belong to Arbroath."

 

1154 Pte. Andrew Hill of the 5^th from Dundee wrote:

"Our guns opened fire early on Sunday morning, and bombarded the first line of German trenches for about an hour, then the East Lancashires made a charge and captured the first line with heavy loss of life, but had to retire to our position again.

Meantime we were lying in the reserve trenches, and we were ordered to fix bayonets and advance. As soon as we reached the open the Germans spotted us, and turned their Maxims and a heavy rifle fire upon us. We advanced by short rushes with no cover, and men were falling thickly. Every moment I thought would be my last, and I never expected to survive such a hail of bullets.

Every one was low, and even when we were lying flat on the ground men were being hit constantly. As soon as we got up again they met us with another rapid fire.

This was bad enough, but the enemy were also dropping shells heavily amongst us, and it was really a wonder any of us came through alive.

Some of our chaps were even hit with full force by some of the shells, but we faced it all, and did not hesitate in the least.

The night before our captain said he knew we were made of the right stuff, and when he was wounded he passed down word for our Lieutenant to assume charge, which he did with great coolness.

We are now getting a rest, sleeping in fields with a blanket rolled around us.”

As the situation became clear to high command that the assault had been a failure, at 6pm all further attacks were cancelled.

 

5th Bn War Diary

 

10th May 1915

The Battalion remained all day in bivouac and casualty lists were prepared.

The details of these lists were:-

Officers Wounded: 8

Other Ranks Killed: 22, Wounded: 108, Missing: 8, of whom 2 reported later in the morning 10th/11th.

Total casualties: 144

 

5th Bn remained out of the line until the 15th.

 

The cost of Aubers Ridge on the Black Watch

 

By the 8th of May, 1915, some 733 men of the black Watch, from the 4 battalions in France, had died since the war began some nine months earlier.

The 9th of May action added more than half of that total again.

At least 430 men were killed, or died later from their wounds, at Aubers.

1st - KIA 251 - wounded 246 = 497

2nd - KIA 111 - wounded 158 = 269

4th - KIA 37 - wounded 120 = 157

5th - KIA 32 - wounded 112 = 144

 

KIA/DoW and Wounded from the 9th of May (all 4 battalions) = 1,067

 

In the towns and villages in the counties where the Black Watch were primarily recruited from, the 9^th of May, 1915, was a dark, in some cases the darkest, day of the war for many of them.

Neither the Brigade or Battalion war diaries, the official history or regimental history, mention the petrol bombing of the wouded in No Man's Land.

It undoubtedly ocurred, as it was recorded by 7 identifiable and 2 unnamed Black Watch men in letters at the time, plus a named Cameron highlander. One of these accounts was recorded in a personal diary, another was in a letter to his mother, unpublished in his lifetime.

Further to these accounts are other published letters of the events of the 9^th of May regarding the throwing of petrol bombs onto the wounded in No Man's Land.

 

Pte. William Orr, HLI

"You need not tell me about German treachery after what I have seen during the last coupe of days. Yesterday the Germans set fire to a wounded soldier who was unable to get back to our trench."

 

7872 Pte. George Harold Tallbot, 1st KRRC

"As our wounded lay before their wire they threw petrol bombs at them, setting them on fire. If one offered to move he was riddled with bullets."

 

Anonymous 4th Lincolns man from Boston

"The other day I was chatting to one of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He asserted that he saw German infantry deliberately throw incendiary bombs on a wounded Highlander who was lying helpless about 25 yards from their trench. He saw smoke and flame coming from the poor fellows body."

 

Anonymous officer, 4th Seaforth Highlanders

"Those brutes of Germans. They squirted petrol over our wounded, and then tried to set them on fire. A few men were burnt, but fortunately some were already dead. One of the 1st Battalion was lying wounded out in front, and he went on fire. Another man rushed out amid a hail of bullets, lay down beside him, took his clothes off, stood up and stamped out the fire, bandaged him up, and then got back to the trench."

 

Anonymous, Seaforth Highlanders

"I nearly went mad with rage when our dead and wounded were lying helpless in front of the lines; they fired petrol and vitriol bombs over them, and set them alight. It was horrible to see men with whom you had been talking an hour before lying with their kilts ablaze."

 

1769 Pte. Alexander Fraser 1/23rd London Regiment

"Wounded soldiers, among the 200 brought to Cardiff from the front this week declare that the barbarism of Germans has intensified the bitterness of the struggle. Private A. Fraser, 1/23rd London Regiment, said the Territorials were forced from the trenches by shell fire, but later they came to grips with the Germans. They took three lines of trenches with the bayonet. When the wounded had to crawl back across the open, the Germans threw petrol bombs at them.

Lieutenant Clinton distinguished himself by carrying twenty seven wounded to safety."

 

Pte F. H. Moody 23rd London Regiment

"Unfortunately the battalion suffered very heavily and the Germans fired with petrol bombs on the wounded."

 

Anonymous, 23rd London Regiment

"The Germans threw petrol bombs, and some were blinded and roamed about without sight between the lines."

 

2899 Pte. George Hart, 24th London Regiment

"When we tried to get some of the wounded in the day after the charge, the Germans sent over petrol bombs, which explode and set the poor fellows on fire. Of course, they have not strength enough to move, so they have to lay there and burn."

 

Anonymous, 24th London Regiment

"They also threw some sort of petrol bomb over, as fires could be seen burning all day among the wounded, and the noise of their ammunition exploding could be heard."

 

Sgt. J. Lindsay Deas, RAMC

"The Germans are very watchful, and if any movement on the part of the wounded is detected they are immediately fired at or subjected to the patest phase of frightfulness - petrol bombs thrown at them. Thus have many of our heroes been burnt alive."

 

L.Cpl. John McIntyre, 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers

"They kill some of our wounded and throw vitriol on others and burn them, and then laugh at the poor fellows' agony. I have seen all this, and also the vitriol bombs they throw at night after a battle to catch the wounded who are unable to get to safety."

 

Sgt. T. Keinzley, Royal Irish Rifles

"We have been on the go since the 2nd of April. we had two days rest from then till 20th of May. I will tell you all about this some other time.

We have had "no fair do" against poisonous gases and plenty of other nofair methods, such as taking the khaki off out wounded and dead, and squirting vitriol and burning tar."