Siege Battery 94

[susanhemmings]

Usual roll of honour - battery positions etc.

Lookups offered

[David_Blanchard]

Hello Sue,

Can you tell me which division this battery was attached in 1918?

Regards

David

[susanhemmings]

Hello Sue,

Can you tell me which division this battery was attached in 1918?

Regards

David

David, I am hopeless at interpreting the books I have so will just go to the chapters that deal with 1918. I am quoting directly from the pages:

YPRES AND THE WINTER OF 1917-1918

DECEMBER 1917- MARCH 1918

Christmas 1917 - Arrived at Wormhoudt on December 6th the battery moved into billets there.(further entries but nothing about joining other units). Then....

BRIGADES AND RGA: Meanwhile a reorganisation of the heavy artillery had been in progress by substitution of the Brigade for the Group system as heretofore. The obvious advantages of being permanently under the same Bridage Commander, and of being continuously associated with the same sister batteries, did much to promote an increased espirit de corps . On joining X1X Corps (Fourth ~Army) the Battery was accordingly posted to the 23rd Heavy Artillery Brigade RGA commanded by Liut. Col W Budgen, DSO under whom it remained until the conclusion of hostilities. The other batteries of the Brigade were 41, 327 and 355 Seige Batteries - all 6 inch howitzers.

Please accept my apologies, have only just started loggin on again after a break as my dad been in hospital for six months and been too busy to do so.

If I can help in any other way just give me a shout. Book mentions names etc at end so if i can help please let me know. May take a few days but promise to try for you

Promise to log on more from now on.

Susan.

[bmac]

Susan,

Is there anything much about the period May-July 1st 1916? They were part of the 35th Heavy Artillery Group and located at Bayencourt but any additional information would be useful.

Thanks

Bill

[David_Blanchard]

Susan,

Thanks for all your help. Does the history of the unit say where they were during May-June of 1918?

Thanks again,

David

[susanhemmings]

Susan,

Is there anything much about the period May-July 1st 1916? They were part of the 35th Heavy Artillery Group and located at Bayencourt but any additional information would be useful.

Thanks

Bill

Bill, I will just put what the book says:

Feb 4th 1916 - the battery left for Bexhill (Cooden Camp). The garrison band played the men to the station. They spend four strenuous weeks there including laying of platforms and the man handling of guns at night across country and over ditches.

March 7th the unit was sent to Lydd for seven weeks to complete its training as a Siege Battery. Practice shooting took place under field conditions with 6 inch howitzers.

Towards the end of April they were sent to Stockcross near Newbury (Berks) where it took over its own guns (four 9.2 inch howitzers, Mark 1) .

May 30th - they crossed to France.

JUNE 1916 to March 1917

They then went by road to Doullens, while the guns were sent by rail. Then made to the village of Bayencourt and posted to the 35th Heavy Artillery Group and ordered into action.

Their position was on a by road leading west from Bayencourt Church. On the night of June 9th and 10th they found themselves on the extreme left wing of the impending attack.

The next three weeks were spent in completing the gun positions, storing ammunition and constructing observation posts together with a network of telephone lines..

By the third week of June all was ready. A few rounds only were fired for registration purposes in order that the Germans might not suspect the presence of so many new guns.

On June 24th a seven days' preliminary bombardment began. Their chief target consisted of a system of tranches from Gommecourt Wood to Rossignol Wood which were dosed with 200 rounds per day. The Germans responded with energy, and telephone lines were constantly cut.

July 1st - The infantry assault on the Gommescourt salient by the 46th and 56th Divisions was timed for 7.30am. This was preceded by an intense bombardment, which acted as a powerful safety-valve for war fever among the gunners, who succeeded in firing 100 rounds per gun in sixty-five minutes - a most exceptional rate for a 9's inch.

The infantry succeeded in entering the enemy trenches at certain points, but met with vigorous opposition. Heavy and confused fighting, which was observed and reported by the F.O.Os continued all day in the first and second German lines.

The OP party were able to turn the guns on to various bodies of the enemy who were seen massing for a counter-attack. The enemy shelling was very heavy, and telephone lines were continually being cut. The assault here was a subsidiary one and only intended as a distraction. The troops, or rather survivors, were withdrawn and further infantry fighting at this point ceased.

On July 2nd and amazing spectacle was seen on the Gommecourt battle-ground. A two hours' truce had been arranged to enable both sides to collect their wounded and bury their dead. British and Germans were accordingly seen walking about unconcernedly in No Man's Lane which but the day before had been an inferno of fire.

For the rest of the month (July) the Battery was silent. An assault on the Serre Ridge had been planned and several dug outs were constructed and gun platforms laid. The position was never occupied by the Battery.

They then apparently went on to Doullens by August 23rd....

Hope this helps Bill. Just ask if you need more.

Susan. (hope it was not too long winded).

[bmac]

Susan,

That's brilliant. Exactly what I need.

Thanks.

Bill

[susanhemmings]

Susan,

Thanks for all your help. Does the history of the unit say where they were during May-June of 1918?

Thanks again,

David

From the book again (sorry if its long winded);;;;;.....

PERIOD OF RECOVERY

RESUMPTION OF BRITISH OFFENSIVE.

MAY - AUGUST 1918

In action again: By May 1st the batteries of the 23rd Brigade had completed their refitting and received orders to return to the firing line. They now found themselves with the Australian Corps (Third Army) and were sent to the Albert Sector on the Ancre.

On May 3rd the two guns of the 94's Left Section were mounted on the western edge of Bresle Wood, while the Right Section dug in on the north-easteren outskirts of Franvillers. The Centre Section was kept on wheels at Baizieux. (It goes on here about morale etc so will give that bit a miss, no names or places mentioned)....

As May advanced and the Amiens front solidified, giving no further cause for concern, the heavy guns - which had for some time been echeloned in unusual and considerable depth as a precautionary meassure, the better to deal with any further break-through attempt on the part of the enemy - were once more sent forward.

In Action Again The months of May, June and July on the Somme were accordingly devoted to a vigorous harassing, destructive, and counter-battery fire. The latter had indeed always been a marked feature of the employment of our "Heavies".

During these summer months the aeroplane and balloon were much used by the Battery to obtain observation, while calibration was effected withe the aid of triple-line observation by the Field Survey Battalion.

Changes to personnel had taken place during this time. (captains and 2nd Lieut etc)

but it also mentions:

On May 24th Gr. CH Schnaar was killed in the Right Section position at Franvillers by a shell which struck his dug-out. Another casualty was caused by the enemy's night bombing activities.

On the night of May 27th-28th a hostile aeroplane bombed Bresle Wood. Gr H Banfild was killed and Gr F J Green wounded byh one of the bombs.

During June the influenza epidemic, then aging, spead to the Battery and affected about thirty NCOs and men. Fortunately they soon ecovered and were sent down to the Fourth Army Rest Camp and Le Treport under 2nd Lieut Storer, for a short convalescent holiday by the sea......

On May 19th 94 supported the Australian Division who attacked and captured the village of Ville-sur-Ancre.

Harassing tactics were continued and the Germans were subjected to heavy fire, night raids, and attacks on trenches and positions of local tactical value.

(An operation of a rather more ambitious nature was the capture on July 4th - by the Austalian Corps, in which American troops for the first time in this area participated, of the village of Hamel, on the south bank of the Somme.

In order to increase its effective range, the Right Section, on July 12th, was moved up to join the Centre at ibemont. Shortly afterwards the Battery passed from the Australian Corps to 111 Corps Heavy Artillery. This change involved an alteration of position.

July 20th - the two sections at Ribemont were moved into Henencourt and Baizieux respectively, occupying positions on the outskirts of these villages. A few days later Bresle Wood position was evacuated, and the guns there moved to a valley about 1,500 yards north-east of Franvillers. As the Baizieux position was a silent one the Battery personnel was moved round from one section to another, each section in tun thus enjoying a brrief spell of rest at the silent position.

Meanwhile the enemy was launching violent attacks against the French in the Champagne and Aisne sectos with considerable success. Mashal Foch decided to stike back. The assault on the Somme front was fixed for August 8th.

oh David, just read your posting - again,,,,, you only wanted to know up to June. Sorry got carried away.

Hope its what you need.

susan.

[susanhemmings]

Oh Bill,

so pleased to be of assistance to someone at last.

susan....

[David_Blanchard]

Susan,

Thanks very much for the very detailed response to my enquiry.

Regards

David

[susanhemmings]

David, you are welcome.

hope it wasn't too much !!

susan.