10/11th HLI - 1 Aug 1917

[Roxy]

I think that one of my relatives may have been involved with the HLI on 1 Aug 1917; he is commemorated on the Menin Gate?

Can anyone tell me what the battalion was up to?

Thanks in advance,

Roxy

[sotonmate]

Roxy

Third Ypres. 31 July 1917,a day for a large planned attack of 9 Divisions of around 100,000 troops,on a line from west of Langemarck in the north to west of Gheluveldt in the south. The 10/11 HLI was part of 15 Division and positioned about a mile to the west of Broodseinde and Zonnebeke. 15th was one of three Divisions (39/55/15) who made a particularly good advance on the day and outstripped their neighbours,only to find they were not only broken up as a force in the advance but also isolated when the Germans counter-attacked and made best use of the fact that they could hit them from three sides because they were so far in front of the remaining six Divisions. Not only did German Artillery do much damage,but British Artillery had no information or communication on the position of the three Divisions so were unable to support them against the counter-attack.

So there were heavy casualties in all three Divisions.

Your relative is commemorated on the Menin Gate because he has no known grave.

Sotonmate

[Roxy]

Sotonmate,

Cheers. I suspected the opening of 3rd Ypres; nice for the Pals to confirm.

Roxy

[stoj22]

Most of the casualties on the 1st August occurred between Iberian Farm and Beck House, the battalion casualties being some 17 officers and 278 O.R.'s.

Here's a map..........

Steve.

[Roxy]

Steve,

Thanks. That's great. I have Peter Barton's excellent 'The Battlefields of the First World War' - I'll see if I can relate your map to the pictures.

Roxy