4th Bedfords

[andrew pugh]

Good Evening

Could anybody tell me what the 4th Battalion Bedfords were up to between the 21st March 1918 up until the 25th March 1918. I have tried looking on Ancestry but have had no luck. Your help would be most helpful.

Kind Regards

Andy 

[EDWARD1]

The WD is here on Ancestry https://www.ancestry.co.uk/interactive/60779/43112_3118_0-00000?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=43112_3118_0-00001

[johnmelling1979]

March 23rd 1918 

 

March 23rd. — The following was one of the most
critical days of the offensive. Both the Third and Fifth
Armies had readjusted their front, and the day was to
put the new positions to the test. The night had witnessed
another withdrawal of the 7th Battalion. At 8 p.m. on
the 22nd the battalion had begun to move back through
Trescault to the Metz switch at the southern edge of
Havrincourt Wood. The imposing name was applied to
a group of trenches, about two feet deep, with no field of
fire and without dug-outs. There was no cover, and no
communication. There was no water, no transport,
little ammunition ; and when the Germans were seen
advancing in the morning the battalion were ordered to
retire once more. Captain Thomas was placed in com-
mand of the rearguard, while Captain Foster led the first
two companies. They marched through the wood to
Neuville. Shells fell among the rearguard, but for-
tunately the casualties were few. The battalion at
length reached Lechelle. The trenches were poor. The
battalion had no rations. The water was cut off. There
was no reserve of ammunition. The Germans were seen
to be advancing from the south and from the right flank.
At this moment the 1st Artists Rifles and the 4th Bedfords
were holding a line east of Ytres, and the 7th Royal
Fusiliers were in support

[TTracer44]

Have you seen the website Bedfordshire reg and the Great War,

would have sent a link but wouldn’t work.

Den

[andrew pugh]

Hi Folks

Thank you all for your most valuable information

Kind Regards

Andy

[johnmelling1979]

Andy

 

23 /24 March As, from the 7 fusiliers, who were with the 4 Bedfords

 

The position rapidly grew critical. Heavy shell began to fall on the huts in Lechelle
where the men had been placed for greater safety. But
unless they retired, they would be cut off. So the bat-
talion had to fall back over the open to the Rocquigny-Bus
road. The Germans opened fire from the south. Shrapnel,
high explosive and machine-gun fire made the situation
almost intolerable. At last the battalion got through the
barrage ; and then Captain Forster sounded his hunting
horn, and the stragglers began to collect from various
directions. Major Whigham was evacuated with shell
shock. Lieut. -Colonel Malone had been wounded by a
machine gun. From the point of view of efficiency these
were very severe blows. Captain J. Forster, M.C., assumed
command. At 7 p.m. the battalion were ordered to fill
the gap between the 47th Division and the right of the
190th Brigade. The left of the battalion was moved to
the Bus-Lechelle road, when the enemy were reported
advancing on Bus. An intense machine-gun fire was
opened on the men, and touch could not be obtained with
troops on the left, where the rest of the Brigade were
supposed to be. A patrol sent out to Bus found the
Germans there, and did not return. Dumps were on
fire on every side. The enemy were seen to be advancing
rapidly towards the main road. The position appeared
to be beyond hope.