9th loyal north lancashires, 10th august 1917,Westhoek

[gazcass]

Hi, does anyone have a copy of the trench map for the above date, my grandfather was shot during the attack on Westhoek on the above date and i am planning to go and visit the spot next year,they were part of the 74th brigade that attacked Westhoek along with the 13th Cheshires, 2nd R.I.R, and the 11th Lancs Fusilliers.

Thanks guys.

[CROONAERT]

Though slightly earlier dated (July 1917), this covers the area they were in on 10th August (left flank of brigade on the railway line I believe?)

Dave

[CROONAERT]

...and here's the area a little later (14th September 1917)...

[gazcass]

Thanks Dave thats great,

I've got google maps roughly overlaying the area but to be honest i am struggling to follow the map, and to where the opposite lines met, eg British front line and German front lines, the 74th Brigade where against the railway, which is now a motorway.

I reckon i can pin my Grandads set off point to a couple of hundred yards and my next step is to contact Fulwood Barracks to trace his arrival in France, which according to his service record was 25 / 6/ 17 .

I have had a similar thread running before giving my grandads details on a soliders thread, [John H Mcdade , tank corps 304743] i am now getting some definate information as to my grandfathers movements and actions, and if you dont mind i would like to try and move these maps back to the original thread on the soliders forum as this is were some other information is regarding his movement after he was shot and later joined the 12th Tank battallion, of which i have a full battalion history.

[Phil Evans]

I don't know if this is of any use to you? Unfortunately it is the earliest I have, but it is the Distribution of Enemy Forces at 5-00pm on the 11th August 1917. 54th Division are in the top half and 52nd Reserve Division in the bottom.

There is a good account of the actions on the 10th in Jack Sheldon's "The German Army at Passchendaele", which I happen to be reading at the moment.

Phil

[gazcass]

Thanks for that Phil, any information is helpful, are the Loyals mentioned in the attack in the book you are reading?

Cheers

Gary

[Phil Evans]

Hello Gary,

The book deals with the German side of things, so the Loyals don't get a specific mention. 74th Brigade get a mention regarding their initial attack against 84th Infantry Regiment.

Quote

"The attack by 74th Brigade of the British 25th Division began at 6.00am but the defensive fire was so well placed that the attack came to a standstill between the railway embankment and Villa Hanebeek and the machine guns of 1st Battalion Infantry Regiment 84 were able to engage an enormous array of targets as the British infantry flooded back to the rear."

Phil