The Yser Belgian Front Oct-Nov1917

[MaxD]

I've been looking at 64 HAG deployed to the area to the west of Dixmude in early October 1917 and leaving there about the end of November.  During that time the batteries fired an enormous number of rounds for CB, harrassing, neutralization and destruction and took a lot of incoming also.  On other threads here I also have seen activity of the RE Specials in the same time frame.  What I can't find is any indication that there was any significant offensive infantry action during that period.  Was the Gunner/Sapper action simply to be a pain in the proverbial for the enemy?  Was it in conjunction with 3rd Ypres (keeping the enemy busy).  Grateful for any general guidance.

 

MaxD

[sdparker]

I think this deployment may have been part of a plan called the Great Landing. This was envisaged

as an attempt to capture Ostende with a combined amphibious and coastal attack. However the

Germans got wind of the build up and attacked two British infantry battalions on the North bank of 

the Yser on 10/7/1917 -effectively wiping them out.

The plan was dependent on a rapid breakthrough at  3rd Ypres and since this dragged on it was

decided to drop theGreat Landing on 15/10/1917 through no great enthusiasm or likelyhood

of success

[MaxD]

Thank you.  I had discounted that abortive operation as being effectively over by the time I am looking at.  The group didn't get orders to move from the south until 2 Oct, they moved on 6 Oct with the 4 batteries to be ready by 13 Oct, they spent 13-20 Oct preparing and the firing continued until late Nov.  The diary does have the entry covering the period 13-20 Oct "the general idea was that all the artillery, Belgian, French and XIX Corps HA would bring a great volume of fire suddenly to bear that the enemy wouldn't be able to retaliate on battery positions until after the capture of Dixmude so very little actual protection was made in the gun positions".  This would imply that there was an attack to be made on Dixmude some time in that time frame but although I find reference to an early 1917 action, I find nothing for Oct/Nov.

I wonder simply that whatever was planned just didn't happen for some reason?