Silence before going over the parapet?

[StuartAB]

An anthology of letters sent home by WW1 soldiers from Derby, largely by men of the Sherwood Foresters, contains this assertion by a private: “The second Sherwoods, in the charge at Hooge sang three hymns before they went over the parapet.”

The editor identifies this with the assault on Sanctuary Wood, near Hoog, Ypres, 9 August 1915, 1.45 am.

This seems to conflict with the narratives I've read of total silence as the time to go over the top approached, broken only by the whistles as they left the trenches.

Is the report in the letter credible?

Stuart

[mikebriggs]

Stuart

There is no mention in the Battalion History.

[centurion]

Donald Hankey the author is recorded as having led his men in prayers ending with "if wounded blighty, if killed the resurrection - over the top" before leading his men (the Warwicks) into battle on 9th October 1916. I would suspect that there may have been many instances of hymns and prayers.

[StuartAB]

Thanks for both comments. Presumably official unit diaries wouldn't record such unofficial practices in any case? Unless there are contradictory examples?

Stuart

[Tom W.]

An anthology of letters sent home by WW1 soldiers from Derby, largely by men of the Sherwood Foresters, contains this assertion by a private: “The second Sherwoods, in the charge at Hooge sang three hymns before they went over the parapet.”

The editor identifies this with the assault on Sanctuary Wood, near Hoog, Ypres, 9 August 1915, 1.45 am.

This seems to conflict with the narratives I've read of total silence as the time to go over the top approached, broken only by the whistles as they left the trenches.

Is the report in the letter credible?

Stuart

Das Enhrenbuch der deutschen Pioniere describes German soldiers singing patriotic songs before and during assaults.

[Ron Clifton]

Anything which raised morale, calmed the men and kept them focussed would have been appropriate, plus the need not to alert the enemy to a prospective attack. Silence had its place in ensuring that orders which needed immediate compliance could be heard and understood.

Ron

[centurion]

Anything which raised morale, calmed the men and kept them focussed would have been appropriate, plus the need not to alert the enemy to a prospective attack. Silence had its place in ensuring that orders which needed immediate compliance could be heard and understood.

Ron

One would think that in 1916 the preliminary bombardment ceasing would suggest to even the dimmest enemy soldier that an attack was imminent.

[Ron Clifton]

True centurion, but it was not unknown for a barrage to stop, time allowed for the enemy to man their trenches, and then the barrage started again. And there wasn't always a preliminary barrage, though it was normal in 1916.

Ron

[centurion]

True centurion, but it was not unknown for a barrage to stop, time allowed for the enemy to man their trenches, and then the barrage started again.

In which case singing hymns etc might mislead the enemy much better than silence rather than forewarning him.