Essling Redoubt XVIII Corps/Cavalry Corps 1918

[sjustice]

Hello all,

Can anyone enlighten me as to the precise location of Essling Redoubt? I'm relatively comfortable with an assumption it is situated somewhere along Essling Alley (easy to find) between the old French 1918 front system north of GRICOURT and an intermediate position south of MAISSEMY. I'd dearly love to see a map (French, German or British) which clearly shows this redoubt but reference to a document which gives its co-ordinates would be fine.

On British maps it would appear in some rendition of sheet 62c/62c SE etc. in R.24, M.19-22 or M.15-16.

Many thanks.

Cheers,

Simon

[mebu]

Simon, had a look but couldn't find on any map. One source says Essling Redoubt held by 1st North Stafs (24 div) who were immediately north of XVII Corps. Posibly the war diary of this or associated (especially tye REs may identify the location?

Peter

[sjustice]

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the reply. Yes, 24th Div (XIX Corps) in co-habitation with a platoon from 61st Div (XVIII Corps). I have multiple references to the redoubt, even accompanied by maps but none that I have seen (yet) actually says or denotes where it is, exactly Keeping on searching...

Cheers,

Simon

[sjustice]

Peter/all,

Update. I have found more references to this redoubt which may allow an identification:

1) On 16 January 1918 2/5th Gloucesters had two companies in 'HILL 116 Strong Point (ESSLING)'

2) On 21 February 1918 a discussion between Cavalry Corps and XVIII Corps produced a note from 61st Division: 'it will be necessary for us to keep a platoon either in ESSLING REDOUBT or at about Point M.20.b.7.5 in order to bring cross-fire to bear on Valley in M.21.'

Taking both these references into consideration I believe the ESSLING Redoubt/Strongpoint at HILL 116 was, in all probability, contained within the northern trench system shaded green on my attached map.

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Simon

[mebu]

Simon, that makes sense. The length of Essling Alley within the shaded area is noted as a fighting trench whereas the other length is a comm trench. It is likely that the redoubt would be the system within the area marked.

Peter

[Guest ypotryll]

Have just chanced across this thread. I don't know whether this is of any interest to anyone, but the following description of Essling Redoubt appears in the History of the 1st & Second Battalions the North Staffordshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales') 1914-1923 (Longton, 1932), p. 69. 'The French, who had originally dug this system, had expended most energy on Essling Redoubt, a large rectangular work which stood upon a hill some thousand yards behind the front line. The front and rear faces of this redoubt were narrow, perhaps one hundred and fifty yards long, but the two sides each extended to nearly a thousand yards. From this redoubt "No man's land" and the German lines could be clearly seen, and there can be no doubt that in clear weather the machine guns posted in it would have taken a heavy toll of any attack.’