Aaron Nelson Posted 23 December , 2004 Share Posted 23 December , 2004 Hi, Has anyone got any info on the location and actions of the 66th Division in the Ypres area in the first two weeks of October. ALso any descriptions of the Battle of Polcapelle. There seems to be no unit histories for the 66th or its Battalions at this time. Also if anyone has any trench maps shwoing their location that would be great. thanks Aaron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 23 December , 2004 Share Posted 23 December , 2004 There will be information in the Day-by-Day account of Passchendaele. If nothing has been forthcoming by the time I get home, I will look it out for you. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 23 December , 2004 Share Posted 23 December , 2004 66th Division was part of II ANZAC Corps. They came into the line on 5th October, relieving the 3rd Australian Division. On 9th October, they took part in the Battle of Poelcapelle: 'The Division attacked at 5.20 am, zero hour, with two brigades. 198 Brigade attacked with the 2/9th Manchesters and the 2/4th East Lancs; the 2/5th East Lancs were in support and the 2/10th Manchesters in reserve. The assaulting troops immediately came under severe artillery and machine-gun fire. The 2/5th East Lancs came under heavy fire from Hamburg Redoubt, which they attacked without success. By midday it became apparent that the Brigade had only reached the first objective. Consolidation was begun. The remnants of the 2/5th were pulled back to form a line behind the two front-line battalions in anticipation of counter-attacks. At dusk the enemy launched a counter-attack, which was repulsed by artillery and small-arms fire, the 2/5th East Lancs being usefully employed. 197 Brigade, comprising four battalions of the Lancashire Fusiliers, attacked with the 3/5th Lancashire Fusiliers. The attack was then taken over by the 2/6th and 2/8th, with the 2/7th in reserve. The Brigade advanced in dribs and drabs owing to the state of the ground. The 3/5th Lancashire Fusiliers advanced with their right on the Roulers railway and took the Red Line. They linked with the 2/6th at about 9.30 am and joined 198 Brigade in Augustus Wood on the right. Meanwhile the 2/8th and part of the 3/5th were pushing on towards the Blue Line, which they reached by 9.30 am and started to consolidate. Patrols were sent out and some reached the outskirts of Passchendaele itself. Bodies of the men from these two battalions were found when the village fell on 6 November. The Germans launched two counter-attacks in the morning but were driven off with small-arms fire. A defensive flank was formed on the left but troops of the 66th Division, seeing the defensive withdrawal, mistook it for a general withdrawal and they feel back to the Red Line at about 1.30 pm. The Red Line was firmly held by the 3/5th, 2/8th and 2/6th Lancs. Orders were received to retake the Blue Line but they were later abandoned. The Division was in touch with the 2nd Australian Division and the 49th Division on their flanks.' On the 10th October, the Division repulsed a counter-attack. That night it was relieved by the 3rd Australian Division. Map to follow. Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 23 December , 2004 Share Posted 23 December , 2004 Aaron Here is a map of the 66th Division's objectives and actual progress during the Battle of Poelcapelle. Do you have a family connection with the 66th Division? Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Nelson Posted 23 December , 2004 Author Share Posted 23 December , 2004 Robert, What can I say, thank you so much for this wonderful detailed information. just fantastic. Yes i do have a famly connection with the 66th, my Great Grandfather was in the 330th Brigade RFA as a gunner manning the 18 pdrs. The 330 brigade was one the of the artillery units attached to the 66th. Is there any mention in the day by day account of what artillry support was provided to the units you describe above. I presume Grandpop would have participated in thise artillery supporting actions in some form. Thanks again for the info, its great stuff. Best Regards Aaron Nelson. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Dunlop Posted 23 December , 2004 Share Posted 23 December , 2004 No problem, Aaron. Glad to be of help. Sorry, no mention of 330 Brigade RFA. I would expect they would have been in support of their parent division but there is no guarantee of this. Others may be able to give you more certain information. I only know that 330 Brigade RFA was supporting 66th Division during the German offensive of 21-27 March 1918. Cheers Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 23 December , 2004 Share Posted 23 December , 2004 Hi Aaron, These War Diary Refs from the NA may be useful to fill in detail. WO 95/3127 330 Brigade Royal Field Artillery 1915 Sept. - 1916 Feb. WO 95/3127 330 Brigade Royal Field Artillery 1917 May - 1919 May Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron Nelson Posted 24 December , 2004 Author Share Posted 24 December , 2004 Roop, Thanks for that, I have already ordered the 1917 diary from NA and am waiting for that. but i didnt the 1915-1916 diary existed, so will order that one now as well. Thanks and merry xmas to all the pals. regards aaron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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