Daylight Patrols

[EAST YORKSHIRE]

Hello there, through a very helpful forum members knowledge and research, It appears that my great grandfather (Walter Gawthorpe) was KIA on the Somme Aug 1918,whilst on a daylight patrol. Could any one enlighten me as to what type of daylight patrols consisted of?, any info would be greatly appreciated, Thankyou , Ian Gawthorpe.

[truthergw]

Hello there, through a very helpful forum members knowledge and research, It appears that my great grandfather (Walter Gawthorpe) was KIA on the Somme Aug 1918,whilst on a daylight patrol. Could any one enlighten me as to what type of daylight patrols consisted of?, any info would be greatly appreciated, Thankyou , Ian Gawthorpe.

Hi Ian. You do not say what arm of the service your GGF was in but by August 18, open warfare was returning on the Western front. As the Entente advanced, it was necessary for patrols to precede the main body. They would be essentially scouting missions to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy, their strength, were they dug in, how well etc. etc. This was originally performed by cavalry but this was no longer a certainty by this stage of the war.

[EAST YORKSHIRE]

Hi Ian. You do not say what arm of the service your GGF was in but by August 18, open warfare was returning on the Western front. As the Entente advanced, it was necessary for patrols to precede the main body. They would be essentially scouting missions to ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy, their strength, were they dug in, how well etc. etc. This was originally performed by cavalry but this was no longer a certainty by this stage of the war.

[EAST YORKSHIRE]

Hello Truthergw, thanks for the reply, Walter Gawthorpe was In the 1/8 lancs fusiliers (private), best wishes to you, Ian Gawthorpe.