Howe Battalion at Gavrelle 1917

[johnsammc]

Hi all,Im looking for some info on said battalion on the 23rd April 1917 at Gavrelle.Ive looked into it and i have them as being part of 188th brigade,33rd RND.According to my dodgy research the division took Gavrelle on this day but the 188th doesnt get mentioned as being involved.Can anyone confirm this for me or maybe give me an idea of their role on this day

Many thanks

John

[michaeldr]

John,

33rd RND. - a slip of the finger there, this should read 63rd (RN) Division and you will find Douglas Jerrold's divisional history 'The Royal Naval Division' very useful

on page 229 he describes the plan

"The battalions allocated to the attack were, from right to left, the Drake, Nelson, 7th Royal Fusiliers and 4th Bedfords, with the Hood Battalion in close support. This battalion had to follow behind the Nelson to the second objective and capture the third objective in conjunction with the Drake. The 1st H.A.C. were in support to the 190th Brigade, with orders to go forward as the situation might require. The carrying parties were found from the Hawke and the 10th Dublin Fusiliers. The Howe Battalion of the 188th Brigade was attached as a reserve battalion to the 189th Brigade, the remaining three battalions of the 188th Brigade being held in divisional reserve. Two sections from each of the 189th and 190th Machine-Gun Companies were to go forward with the infantry, and the remainder were to cover the advance with overhead fire. Medium and light trench mortars were to follow up the advance. The attack was to begin along the whole front at 04.45 a.m."

see page 235

"The intricate and continuous fighting put a heavy strain on the Drake and Hood Battalions, and when, at 4.30 p.m., a belated order arrived for a further advance to the originally planned objective, Commander Asquith and Commander Bennett, after consultation with Lt-Col Lewis, decided to ignore it. Their action was approved, and, on getting a full report, General Phillips decided to put in the Howe Battalion in the evening, and to withdraw the Hood to the old reserve position."

see page 236 [24th April 1917]

"The enemy were in strength, and though they suffered under our barrage, their first wave being almost wiped out, they reached, and at one point on the Howe front actually penetrated, our posts. The prompt and energetic action of Commander Bennett and his officers on the Drake front, and of Lieutenant Mackinlay and Sub-Lieutenant Lawrie of the Howe Battalion prevented, however, any loss of ground and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Only once did the enemy look like breaking through, at the junction of the Howe and Nelson Battalions, when the position was safeguarded by 'A' Company of the former Battalion."

I hope that this helps

Michael

[johnsammc]

John,

33rd RND. - a slip of the finger there, this should read 63rd (RN) Division and you will find Douglas Jerrold's divisional history 'The Royal Naval Division' very useful

on page 229 he describes the plan

"The battalions allocated to the attack were, from right to left, the Drake, Nelson, 7th Royal Fusiliers and 4th Bedfords, with the Hood Battalion in close support. This battalion had to follow behind the Nelson to the second objective and capture the third objective in conjunction with the Drake. The 1st H.A.C. were in support to the 190th Brigade, with orders to go forward as the situation might require. The carrying parties were found from the Hawke and the 10th Dublin Fusiliers. The Howe Battalion of the 188th Brigade was attached as a reserve battalion to the 189th Brigade, the remaining three battalions of the 188th Brigade being held in divisional reserve. Two sections from each of the 189th and 190th Machine-Gun Companies were to go forward with the infantry, and the remainder were to cover the advance with overhead fire. Medium and light trench mortars were to follow up the advance. The attack was to begin along the whole front at 04.45 a.m."

see page 235

"The intricate and continuous fighting put a heavy strain on the Drake and Hood Battalions, and when, at 4.30 p.m., a belated order arrived for a further advance to the originally planned objective, Commander Asquith and Commander Bennett, after consultation with Lt-Col Lewis, decided to ignore it. Their action was approved, and, on getting a full report, General Phillips decided to put in the Howe Battalion in the evening, and to withdraw the Hood to the old reserve position."

see page 236 [24th April 1917]

"The enemy were in strength, and though they suffered under our barrage, their first wave being almost wiped out, they reached, and at one point on the Howe front actually penetrated, our posts. The prompt and energetic action of Commander Bennett and his officers on the Drake front, and of Lieutenant Mackinlay and Sub-Lieutenant Lawrie of the Howe Battalion prevented, however, any loss of ground and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Only once did the enemy look like breaking through, at the junction of the Howe and Nelson Battalions, when the position was safeguarded by 'A' Company of the former Battalion."

I hope that this helps

Michael

Fantastic Michael.Thanks very much for the information and for your time.Its very much appreciated

John McCann