Aisne- Chemin des Dames Battle May- June 1918

[David_Blanchard]

Hello Busman,

For the trench map have you tried the WFA trench map service? Other than that its either Ebay or the NA Map room .

Secondly I am surprised you cannot trace the movements of the Cheshires in the War Diary or Reg Hist ( this maybe because often on a rapid retreat alot of paperwork was quickly discarded) I would imagine that they became a composite unit comprising various regiments from the brigade or even division. In which case I suggest you check out the 25th Divisions History for their movements in the latter phases of the battle. ( off the top of my head I think the 10th Cheshires were in the 25th Div)

Regards

David

[busman]

David

Many thanks for your pointers - couldn't locate the maps at the NA but may be worth a second look,

Yes they did form a 'composite' Battalion following the heavy losses on the 27th... so the 25th Div History may be the answer ! - I failed to locate the war diary entry for the 1st June 1918 onwards at the NA.

Regards

Busman

[Guest Simon Lazenby]

Hi All

Have been following the topic with great interest as I'm researching my Grandfather who died of wounds received 31 May 1918 whilst serving with 2 Wilts.

Have been trying to retrace they're route but are finding it difficult can anyone point me to a good map of the battle that shows at least the brigade locations?

David

Have a question about the short history of 19 Div that you posted, You mention 6th Wilts in action on 30 May but from their war diary I have them in Belgium, at Melleville?

I only ask as I have been round in some circles lately, CWGC lists my Grandfather as 2 Wilts but medal roll shows him as 6 Wilts.

Through some great help from others on the forum I think i have identified that 6th were absorbed into 2nd at the start of May and then a new training cadre of 6th was formed.

Really interested to find out what you know as I am really feeling my way in the dark with a lot of assistance from others in the forum.

Regards,

Simon

[David_Blanchard]

Simon,

Have you tried contacting member edwin astill, he seems to have a great deal of expertise with regard to the Wiltshire regiment?

Regards

David

[Guest Simon Lazenby]

Thanks David

Will drop Edwin a note. Do you have any other info on 19th Div during that time that you are able to pass on?

Regards,

Simon

[David_Blanchard]

The 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, 50th Division on the Aisne

Extracts from 'When the Lantern of hope burned low' By Rev Wilfrid Callin

The Third Battle From the Aisne to the Marne.
MAY 27th to JUNE 16th, 1918.

I.

The Southward move was exhilarating. All along the route
we had evidences of the happy entente that now binds Britain and
France together. Flags were hung out, hands were waved, elderly
Gentlemen gravely raised their hats or saluted, and the fair sex
an overwhelming majority threw kisses at us_ in most liberal
fashion. The glimpse of Paris, as we skirted the Northern and
Western sides at the leisurely pace of a troop train, stirred many
to excitement. Then through the gathering gloom we travelled
on amid scenes pregnant with ecclesiastical history past the
Church of Meaux where Bossuet preached some of his most famous
sermons until we reached our detraining point. The few days in
camp near Fere-in-Tardenois helped to familiarise us with the
country, which was sweet and glorious in the glad garment of
Spring. It witnessed, too, the reorganisation of the Battalion, the
absorption of new drafts, and rapid growth in efficiency. We felt
the driving-power of Colonel Gibson in everything.

Then we moved into the front area, taking over from a
famous French regiment. Findlay, with his fine knowledge of
French, was particularly useful here, and our reception by the
French Colonel and his officers was particularly kind. The whole
area was eloquent with memories of the war from the first great,
battle of the Aisne in 1914, to the stupendous storming of the
Chemin des Dames in the Spring of 1917. The Aisne canal became
a favourite bathing-place, and in the generous warmth of the ex-
cellent weather helped us to forget the dark days of the previous
months. Reims, with its Cathedral glorious even in ruins, was not
far to the East of us; Soissons, almost equally beautiful, away to
our left. Even the villages, such at any rate as had escaped the
devastation of war, were things of beauty. I shall not soon forget
one midnight ride down the hillside through Longueval. The
clustering houses, with the quaint old Church set in the midst,
were bathed in the full light of a gorgeous moon, and the silver
and shadows created a magic scene. Scarcely had we passed the
village than from the thickets and hedgerows came the thrilling
notes of a score of nightingales, singing away in the silence and
the moonlight a sad song whose ecstasy touched us almost to tears


As for the line itself, we had the Craonne plateau the
Broad open land on the immediate right of the Chemin des Dames.
The trenches were almost innumerable and formed a most
extraordinary network. They were shallow and chalky, difficult
to walk in, and some of them scarcely ever dry. To get to the
advanced positions meant an extraordinary expenditure of lime
and energy the trenches leading one by the longest possible route.
French wit had seized on this characteristic and named one of
Them 'The Trench of a Thousand Days'; We were constantly
overlooked by the enemy (owing to the slight slope) and this was
especially the case from the little elevation known as 'Ouvrage
des Quarrieres' The National Road 44 ran across our front
North- West and South-East. In such positions then we took our
turn with our sister-battalions in the line a few days in front, a
few days in reserve, a few days in support. We moved into the
front line for the second time on Saturday night-Sunday morning
May 25-26.

II.

Sunday was a day of glorious sunshine and beatific calm.
Over the whole area a great quiet prevailed. Some of us have
long been suspicious of such calmness, as a sure sign of some
further frightfulness being prepared in secret by the Hun. And
signs had been given that something was afoot. His famous red
aeroplanes the stormy petrels had been seen for a day or two;
new guns had been ranging ; convoys or motor lorries had been
reported near his lines. What this denoted became definitely
known on Sunday evening. Prisoners had given the information
that at 1 a.m. Monday 27th , the enemy intended to attack in great
force. The last needful preparations for battle were soon completed,
and the Fourth, inspirited by Colonel Gibson, waited the fateful
hour. At something past eleven o clock on the Sunday night our
own guns began anticipating the Hun by a hundred minutes, and
helping to disorganise his concentrations. But on the stroke of
1 o clock the whole front from Soissons to Reims broke into flame,
and we knew that for the third time in ten weeks we were lip
against the real thing. Within fifteen minutes it was obvious that
the Hun had an extraordinary concentration of guns of every
calibre, and that his bombardment had been organised beforehand
in most thorough and accurate fashion. A big proportion of gas
was used, about four varieties being distinguished in the later
French and British reports. The whole line was deluged with
shells, and the front trenches especially must have been reduced
to a pulverised mass. For two hours and a half this continued ;
then lifted further on as the infantry and tanks attacked at 3.30
a.m. Then ensued a fight that had epic qualities. Standing in
the ruins of their defences, the Northumberlands awaited the
onslaught waited and met it with rifle and Lewis gun fire until
the grey hordes broke and stayed their course, tanks and men alike,
overwhelming numbers, they poured on again, and our men were
pressed back to their second positions, fighting as steadily and
effectively as their depleting numbers permitted.

Another battalion came to their help, and the wood in front of Pontavert became a
perfect hell. Draw a line from the front of that wood eastwards to
the Bois des Buttes, and you have roughly the line on which
the Fourth fought its last battle as a battalion. What that
fight was like few of us know. The enemy came in great force
diagonally from the right, between Ronteux and_the line running
Ville-aux-Bois Bois des Buttes, so getting in behind the battalion
and working towards Craonne. Thus they were almost completely
cut off. Out of the melee only a few merged. Marshall came down
gassed, and after a certain rest and treatment at Concevreux,
returned to the fight with Major Robb's party, Napier (barely re
covered from his wound) came down badly gassed and had to be
sent to hospital. Capt. Gregory, the Adjutant, was wounded ; and
reported to have been left in the marshes, but by the almost super
human courage of two of our men, Hunter and Coghlan, was carried
out and eventually reached hospital wounded in three places. Capt.
Benson, of the Trench Mortar Battery, having made his way to
the forefront of the fight, led an attack on a German tank, but was
killed in the effort. Colonel Gibson fell, shot through the head as
he was directing the last defences. Thus the Battalion lost its
Commanding Officer a man revered and loved by all. All nerve
and will, he died fighting to the last, the very incarnation of courage.
A born leader and a superb soldier, he had joined in the early
Volunteer days, finally becoming Commanding Officer in the summer
Of 1915. His name will be ever remembered by those who knew
him as one of the straightest, strongest men we have known. With
the enemy on every side, the River and Canal both behind them,
the survivors, on the exhaustion of ammunition, were taken
prisoner.


During this time there was in Concevreux, on the Canal
bank, the Administrative and Transport people, along with our
Second in Command, Major (now Lieut. -Colonel) Ridley Robb,
Captain David Turner (who had rejoined from Ireland), Lieut.
J. M. Goodbody (Assistant Adjutant), and a few men. Gathering
together every available man, Major Robb and Captain Turner
proceeded along the Canal bank to defend the bridges (very
numerous) and to hold up the enemy where he must cross. They

were joined later by Lieut. Goodbody. Very stout work they did,
too, holding on from 9 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., when orders were received
to withdraw to the high ground above Concevreux.


A few of us remained in Concevreux during the morning to
deal with what wounded we could. Fifty or sixty perhaps passed
through our hands and were sent on to hospital at Meurival on
stretchers, on doors, and on barrows. Nicholson (who had been
acting as Liason Officer with Brigade) came in with a very nasty
wound in the thigh, but as cheery and as indomitable as ever. The
last we dressed was our Regimental Sergeant-Major, Fewster, very
badly hit indeed. What happened to poor Fewster after he left us
we do not know. When he had gone, Lieut. Playford (Doctor), the
Rev. Coyle (R.C. Padre), and I decided to leave Sergeant Hall and
two men remaining to fire the stores that could not be removed.
I caught up the Transport at the top of the hill, and from there
Watched the Boche cross the valley towards us. Though it was after
midday, he was putting up his Very lights to show to his people
behind where his advanced positions were located. His machine-gun
posts could be clearly distinguished, and his lines of men by roadside,
hedgerow, and dyke.


What happened during the rest of that day and the next
must be told in snatches. The long string of Transport, making
its slow way down the zig-zag road to Ventelay and Romaine, was
hit with deadly accuracy, and we lost both men and animals. It
was a nerve-racking time for Pickering, but his coolness and wise
leadership never showed to better advantage. They were gassed,
shelled, fired at repeatedly by machine-guns from aeroplanes, and
bombed by the roadside. One thing which imperilled the survivors
and the Transport was that the Boche had been able to execute a
tremendous flanking movement on the left, and had come round
with incredible rapidity. Perhaps the most pathetic thing about it
all was that several hospitals in this way fell into his hands before
the wounded had all been removed. Many of those we had treated
at the Aid Post at Concevreux had to be reported 'Missing' as a result of this.

In the meantime the Fourth was represented in other
directions. Pearson, attached to the Divisional Lewis Gun School,
lined the ridge at Revillon, and with his gunners fought a very stout
covering action. Essex had been at the Divisional Wing, but early
on Tuesday morning went up to the line at Jonchery, with a strong
party of men, and did most excellent work. Stewart, who was in
hospital, came out, and with the unassuming but unfaltering
courage that ever characterised him, went up the line. These three
officers Nonconformist minister, banker, and blacksmith with
their triple record on the Somme, the Lys, and the Aisne are
amongst the finest soldiers it has ever been my privilege to meet.
Cheesewright was attached to the Royal Engineers on the morning
of the 27th and escaped in pyjamas and tunic. He fought for a
time with some isolated details, hut eventually linked up with us on
the road to Ville-en-Tardenois. Firth and Farwell, who were at a
Divisional School, returned from their School to the line. Firth
was wounded, but escaped to Hospital. Farwell, a bonnie lad from
Scotland, was badly wounded, and had to he reported 'Missing.'


Scanty as were our numbers, separated as each little section
was, a steady fight was carried on. The main body if such a small
force can be called a main body under Major Robb, fought
tenaciously as they slowly gave way before the enemy fighting,
bluffing, retiring, reorganising, and fighting again. On Monday
night at La Haie farm they were almost cut off, and Had to retire
across country on a compass bearing through fields and woods.
Tuesday night was spent at Ville-en-Tardenois. Wednesday with a
junction of some of the sections, saw a retirement through Romigny
and Jonquery to Baslieux. Here a composite Brigade was formed
under Major Robb's command, with Capt. David Turner in charge of
the 149 Company. They returned to a line about Romigny. The
difficulties faced by the slender forces were enormous difficulties of
numbers, morale, and liaison. It speaks volumes for the fine leader
ship of Major Robb that so much was done. He and his indomitable
officers were the soul of the fight. At Romigny we lost Captain
Turner. 'David'; as we all called him, was one of the stoutest
soldiers the Fourth ever attracted or produced. He had spent the
night with his men at Ville-en-Tardenois. but was defending
Romigny village on the Thursday morning. The enemy entered the
village about 2 p.m.. and there was considerable rifle and machinegun
fire. At 2.30 Capt. Turner went to the left to reconnoitre in
person runners having been sent and failed to return he passed
behind some large French huts and was never seen again. Thus
the puny force put up its retreating fight. Sunday saw them at
Vert-la-Gravelle, Wednesday, 5th June, Nanteuil. Thursday at
9 a.m. they took up a reserve position at the Bois de Courton, but
the same night moved into the front line west of Bligny, which
they occupied until the12th . Then they came into reserve again
at Bois de Courton until the 18th, when they were relieved by the
Italians, and came out, ultimately reaching (20th) Broyes, on the
edge of the great plain of Champagne, the southernmost limit of
the German advance in that area in 1914.

[David_Blanchard]

Aisne Battle 27th May - 6th June 1918: Divisions and Regiments

50th Division : Major-General H C Jackson

Head-Quarters: Beaurieux

150th Brigade: Brigadier General H C Rees (POW)

Head-Quarters: La Hutte

4th East Yorks: Lieutenant Colonel N W Stead

Soldiers Died: 88

Officers Died: 2

Officers POW: 20

5th Green Howards: Lieutenant Colonel J A R Thompson (KIA)

Soldiers Died: 88

Officers Died: 3

Officers POW: 21

Reserve: 4th Green Howards: Lieutenant Colonel R E D Kent (KIA)

Head-Quarters: La Hutte

Soldiers Died: 69

Officers Died: 5

Officers POW: 19

151st Brigade: Brigadier General C T Martin (KIA)

8th Durham Light Infantry: Lieutenant Colonel P Kirkup

Head-Quarters: 'Vendee'

'B' Company: Lamoreux Hill

'C' Company: Chemin de Fer

'D' Company: Chevreux

Soldiers Died: 32

Officers Died: 2

Officers POW: 16

6th Durham Light Infantry: Lieutenant Colonel F Walton

Soldiers Died : 23

Officers Died: 2

Officers POW: 16

Reserve: 5th Durham Light Infantry: Lieutenant Colonel B B Robinson

Head-quarters: Chaudardes

Soldiers Died: 47:

Officers Died: 3

Officers POW: 13

(for all casualties see page 174 'The 5th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry' by Major A L Raimes)

149th Brigade: Brigadier General E P A Riddell (Wounded)

Head-Quarters: Centre d'Evreux

4th Northumberland Fusiliers: Lieutenant Colonel B D Gibson (KIA)

Head-Quarters: Centre Marceau

Soldiers Died: 63

Officers Died: 8

Captain J M Benson Lieut Col B D Gibson Lieut W S Jones Captain D T Turner (30th May) 2/ Lieut A E Morris 2/Lieut J E Farwell (30th May) 2/Lieut R H Smallwood 2/Lieut H R Tully ( In Soldiers Died but not in CWGC) (Photographs of all in 'When the Lantern of Hope Burned Low' by Rev R Wifrid Callin, C F)

Officers POW: 14

6th Northumberland Fusiliers: Lieutenant Colonel E Temperley (POW)

Head-quarters: P C Kleber

Soldiers Died: 42

Officers Died: 2

2/Lieut William Jenkin David 2/Lieut Alan Ryder Hall (30th May)

Officers POW: 17

Reserve: 5th Northumberland Fusiliers: Lieutenant Colonel Major Tweedy

Head-quarters: Pontevert

Soldiers Died: 51

Officers Died: 8 ( Priestnall McMurdo McMeeken North Phillips Porrit Sargent Slack )

(Attached: J Bryce 17th Royal Irish Rifles- from 'Soldiers died')

Officers POW: 6

War Diary :

Killed:

2/Lieut J E Porrit 2/Lieut J B Slack 2/Lieut E Phillips and 10 Other Ranks

Wounded:

2/Lieut R S Bowie 2/Lieut J H Young Captain H G Pegg (Gen List) and 99 Other Ranks

Missing: Captain N M North Captain H G Dodds Lieut E V Sargent 2/Lieut J H McMurdo 2/Lieut J McMeeken 2/Lieut S Weaterton (Photograph) 2/Lieut H E Preistnall 2/Lieut R H Quine 2/Lieut L J Ross 2/Lieut J Bryce 2/Lieut R T Dennis (Royal Irish Rifles attached) and 374 Other Ranks

Total Casualties 17 Officers and 483 Other Ranks

(8 KIA 3 Wounded 6 POW)

(Attached: from 6th Royal Irish Rifles L J Ross - Officers taken POW list)

Pioneers: 7th Durham Light Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Birchall

Soldiers Died: 34

Officers Died: 4

Officers POW: 13

[Jon Miller]

This is a truly great thread, and David has put in a fantastic amount of work. I don't know whether this is the same for everyone else now, or just me, but I couldn't see any of the photos or maps.

Jon.

[David_Blanchard]

Hello Jon,

My website is down at present, hence the photographs and maps are not available at present- working on restoring site at the moment.

Regards

David

[Guest Barry99]

Hello again David.

I am just starting to go through this thread but thought I would add the picture you asked for first. Can't wait to start at the begining as I am now looking at his fellow Soldiers at this Battle.

Barry.

R.E. Sapper 238089 Albert Edward Annis (1897-1957) Mustard Gassed 27 May 1918

[Guest Barry99]

Having read this thread I cannot help but be moved to tears by the bravery of all the men that fought in this Battle. I reiterate my life long feeling of the pointless slaughter of men, not only in this Battle, but the Great War. My uncle, on the first day of the Battle of Loos, a regular soldier, being one. Your thread must remain as a constant reminder to us all of what happend in this Battle. I have read many smaller transcripts but, none so poignant as these. Perhaps it's because I am but one generation away from this thread. The folly in the belief that this was the war to end all wars, being one. These graphic personal accounts and diaries leave me in no doubt that my fathers survival was no more than luck. I offer you, David, sincere thanks for leading me to this thread and to all contributors for their time and dedication to the memory of those who Fell; were wounded; and those thank God who survived untouched but most probably mentally scarred for life. I further understand why so very few of these men, who served in Great War ever wanted to talk about their experiences.

Regards.

Barry

[Julian Manchee]

As an additional bit of personal history, my great uncle, 2nd Lt William Candler as mentioned earlier in the post by David,

'Devonshire Regiment 1914 – 1918 By C.T.Atkinson

2nd Devonshire Battalion's Role in the Aisne Battle'

had an interesting time of it. During the battle he collected ammunition from the dead and moved about his platoon offering encouragement to his men. Eventually captured, he had removed the 'cords' from their machine gun (a method of 'spiking' the gun) and dropped them into a river as they were being taken back behind enemy lines. He realised that he would probably listed as missing in action so sent a cheque via a swiss bank for a sum of money that he could not possibly afford. His family promptly recived a refusal letter from the bank, but could tell by the date that he was alive.

He was a POW at Karlsruhe and my mother has the postcard he sent on arrial there. His main concern was for them to send him slacks and collars. He noted that the biggest cause of friction within the camp was all the different religions!

[David_Blanchard]

Hello QFE,

I wondered if you may have a photograph of your relative that you could post on this thread?

Regards

David

[Julian Manchee]

Hi David,

Shouldn't be a problem. I'm off home this weekend, so I'll take the camera and see if I can get a decent shot of the photo my mum has of him and the postcard.

regards,

QFE

[David_Blanchard]

Thanks QFE,

Looking forward to your photographs

David

[Julian Manchee]

I hope the picture comes out!

2nd 2nd Lt. Candler. Some additional information; The cheque he wrote to prove he was alive was for one million pounds. He originally served in the ranks (1st Devons, I think.) was wounded, then comissioned, wounded again while on patrol in no-mans land, returned in time for the Chemins des Dames. While a POW, tried to escape twice.

[David_Blanchard]

Thanks for the great photograph- I would have replied earlier but just got back from holidays

David

[Philip Terry]

David

I am interested in the 12/13th Norhumberland Fusiliers in which Duncan T Clark my grandfather served. I wonder if anyone knows if the unit served around the village of Goussencourt? Perhaps with with General Gaters Independant Brigade? the village is 24 km SW of Reims on the modern A4 road.

This is a good forum topic.

Regards

Phil

[David_Blanchard]

1/4th East Yorkshire Regiment 27 May 1918

When the storm of gas and H.E. shell broke over the 50th Division at 1 a.m., on 27th, the 1/4th East Yorkshires of the 150th Brigade (the left Battalion of the left Brigade of the Division), were disposed as follows: "A" Company held the front line, " B " was in close support in Trench Falaise, " C " had moved from La Hutte (Brigade H.Q.) to P-C. Verdun (in Craonne) at the disposal of the 5th Green Howards (on the right of the i/4th East Yorkshires), " D " was in support in P.C. Marais. For two and a-half hours the tornado swept the whole divisional area, causing many casualties and practically destroying the trenches.

No hostile infantry attack developed against the 150th Brigade front from the north, but as a result of the successful advance made by the enemy on the right portion of the divisional front and through the French division on the left, the Craonne Plateau, by 6.30 a.m., was enveloped on both flanks. The right of the 5th Green Howards had been overrun by 4 a.m. The smoke and dust hid from the O.Ps. on the Plateau the course of the battle, and all overground communication had been broken, only the buried cables held, and the only report received by Brigade H.Q. was from the CO. of the 5th Green Howards, about 5.45 a.m., which stated that his H.Q. Company was then fighting around his Command Post, and that they appeared to be surrounded. No news was received from the I/4th East Yorkshires, and it is possible that the majority of the latter were overwhelmed at about that time.

The Diary of the 1/4th Battalion states that the Battalion was completely disorganised and rearguard actions were fought by isolated parties who managed to escape and work their way back to the River Aisne and the bridge at Maizy, " the number which succeeded in crossing being very small,"

Even the Q.M., with his personnel and transport details, who attempted to defend the crossings at Maizy, was forced to withdraw and abandon all stores, regimental records and vehicles.

About 100 men of several units (including some of the 1/4th East Yorkshires) fought rearguard actions to Fismes, which held for some little time, a retirement being made through a line held by French troops. The last entry in the Battalion Diary, dated 28th/31st, reads as follows: "Ceased to act as a battalion, but remnants of brigade details acted as a composite battalion under the command of Lieut.-Colonel N. W. Stead. Total strength representing this Battalion, 4 officers and 105 other ranks," the survivors of 30 officers and 642 other ranks, the strength of the Battalion at midnight 26th/27th just before the enemy's attack.

(Added by Joseph from forum thread: Click Here

1st/4thBn east yorkshire regiment {george e boshier 42104}

[stiletto_33853]

Hi David,

Sorry I have been a bit late with the information that you wanted but better late than never. This is the Regimental account from "The History of the Rifle Brigade in The War of 1914 - 1918" Volume 2

The Second Battle of The Aisne.

In his Despatch Sir Douglas Haig States:-

"Arrangements have been made at the end of April to hand over to the French for Employment on a quiet part of their front a further five divisions, comprising the IXth Corps. These had only just been re-constituted, and being badly in need of rest and training, were not yet considered fit to hold an active sector. In return for these five British divisions, and in accorcance with Marshal Foch's views, presently explained, regarding the enemy's intentions, the French had dispatched a number of their divisions to be held in reserve in rear of the British right and to strengthen the Flanders front...........

"At this period, early in May, the Allied High Command repeatedly expressed the opinion that the enemy would renew his attack on a large scale on the front Arras - Amiens - Montdidier. The strategic results to be obtained by the capture of Amiens, the seperation of the French and the British Armies and an advance towards the sea along the Valley of the Somme were very great, and might well have proved decisive. The enemy's opening offensive had already brought him within a measurable distance of success in this direction, and had carried his Armies through practically the whole of our organized lines of defence..........

"The British General staff had always held the opinion that before the resumption of the enemy's main offensive on the Arras - Amiens - Montdidier front the attack on our northern flank in Flanders would be followed by a similar attack on the southern flank of the Allied Armies. This view proved correct. Though probably delayed by his unexpectedly extensive commitments in the Lys battle, at the end of May the enemy developed his plan of operations on the lines which we had foreseen, and launched a violent surprise attack on the Aisne front."

At the end of April and beginning of May the IXth British Corps (Lieut.-General Sir A. Hamilton-Gordon), comprising the 8th, 21st,25th, 50th and, subsequently, 19th Divisions, were placed at Marshal Foch's disposal and were dispatched by him to the Sixth French Army to replace certain French divisions concentrated behind Amiens. The recent history of the 8th Division is familiar; the other four divisions had all taken part in both the Somme and the Lys battles.

[David_Blanchard]

Excellent Andy,

Thanks

David

[stiletto_33853]

The 2nd Battalion spent May 1st and 2nd at Huchenville and whilst there received a message of warm congratulations from the divisional commander on the splendid work done by Captain Pascoe and the two platoons taken out by him south-east of Villers-Bretonneux, on April 25th.

The move to the Abbeville area appears to have been somewhat premature, for, on May 3rd, the 25th Brigade, which alone of the 8th Division had been moved, returned to the Amiens area; the Second Battalion moving by bus to Salouel, just south-west of the town.

On May 5th the move to the south began, the Battalion entraining at Saleux and detraining at Fere-en-Tardenois, whence it marched to billets at Lhuys, some seven miles to the north, and south of the valley of the River Vesle.

Here the Battalion remained training, whilst on the 7th a telegram was received from the Colonel-in-Chief in reply to one sent on the occasion of H.R.H.'s birthday:

"My best thanks to all ranks and my heartiest congratulations on their splendid services in the recent fighting of which I and the whole Regiment are proud."

On this day also Brig.-General R.H. Husey, D.S.O., M.C., London Rifle Brigade, assumed command of the 25th Brigade vice General Coffin, V.C., D.S.O., promoted to command the 36th Division. General Husey was one of the original company commanders of the L.R.B., when it was associated with the First Battalion in 1914-15.

On the 9th Captain G.H.G. Anderson, M.C., was awarded the D.S.O., Major A.E. Wass, M.C., a bar to the M.C., and Captain F.D.R. Milne and 2nd Lieutenant Sluman the M.C.

On the 10th the Battalion marched to Courlandon (East of Fisnes and on the right bank of the Vesle) and the next day to Ventelay, another three miles to the north-east and midway between the Vesle and the Aisne.

On the night of May 12th/13th the Battalion relieved part of the 358th French Infantry Regiment in the front line. The 25th Brigade occupied a sector between the River Aisne and the Miette rivulet with the 2nd Bn. Royal Berkshire Regiment on the right, the Second Battalion on the left, and the 2nd Bn. East Lancashire Regiment in reserve at Guyencourt. There were also two companies of the 24th Brigade allotted to hold the support system of redoubts in the 25th Brigade sector. On the right of the 25th Brigade the 62nd Brigade, 21st Division, would next night relieve the 50th Regiment of Chasseurs, and on the left was the 24th Brigade.

The line held by the 25th Brigade was peculiar in shape. The right battalion was facing partly north-east and partly south-south-east; the forward troops east of Camp de Cesar being in the form of a horseshoe lying across the road running from Cholera Farm to Guignicourt with the toe pointing south-south-east and the heels north-north-west; behind were three posts facing the Aisne, i.e. south-south-east, and a half company south of Cholera Farm-Camp de Cesar road some one thousand yards south-south-west of the latter place and facing north-east.

This half company was in the first line of the battle zone; the remainder of the Battalion was in the outpost zone.

The left battalion sector was rather less complicated although the right company was bent into the form of a "7", of which the head faced north-east and the shank south-east and flanking the north arm of the right battalion's horsehoe.

It may be convenient to quote here the 8th Division History on the line and dispositions taken over from the French.

"The defensive positions occupied by the Division consisted of an outpost line some one thousand to one thousand five hundred yards in depth, in touch with the enemy and a battle zone immediately in the rear, some one thousand five hundred to two thousand yards in depth; all north of the Aisne.

"The orders from the French Command were that not a yard of ground was to be given up. The outpost line was to fight to the last. The battle zone was to be held at all costs, and all reserves were to be put in to retake any portion of this zone which might be lost to the enemy.

"These directions meant that the main infantry strength of the division was committed to the defence of these two zones, and that to support them the greater part of the artillery at the disposal of the 8th Division was posted north of the River Aisne. This was necessary in order that the front of the outpost zone should be covered, and in view of the fact that the range of our 18-pdr. gun was more limited than that of the French 75mm."

The three divisional commanders concerned (8th, 21st and 50th divisions) each protested vehemently but wiithout avail, the French local command insisting on this method of defence.

Meanwhile the Second Battalion had a very peaceful time in the line until the 16th, when it went into reserve in billets in Guyencourt, having had no casualty during the tour. Training was carried out whilst here two Military Medals were awarded for April 24th/25th. On the 18th Captain G.H.G. Anderson, D.S.O., M.C., was appointed Adjutant, vice Captain B.C. Pascoe, M.C.

On May 20th the Battalion returned to the line, this time in the right sub-sector of peculiar shape, where again it had a very quiet time. On the night of the 25th/26th much transport was heard in the enemy lines and during the whole of the latter day the enemy was very busy working on his signal lines. During the afternoon and evening large parties of the enemy were seen arriving and entering the trenches on the right of the Battalion. Finally a wire arrived at 25th Brigade H.Q. from the 8th Division to say that an attack would undoubtedly take place the following morning: troops moved to their battle stations but this did not affect the Second Battalion - for it was already in the line.

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Aisne

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The German Attack. May 27th, 1918.

Once more the weather favoured the enemy for there was a thick mist all night long. At 1.0 a.m., May 27th, a very heavy barrage of gas-shell and trench-mortar bombs came down on the front system, whilst back areas were bombarded with H.E. and gas. This continued until 4.0 a.m., when the enemy infantry attack, supported by tanks, was delivered, smoke being employed which, with the mist, reduced visibility to practically nil.

Once more, as was the case with the Seventh Battalion on March 21st, little is known of what happened to the Second Battalion except that it suffered very heavy casualties during the three hours bombardment.

In any case the outpost line was over-run within the hour and Brigade H.Q., just east of Cholera Farm, became involved in the fighting. General Husey went back to organize the defence of Gerincourt, which was held by two companies of the 22nd (Pioneer) Bn. D.L.I., and, later, two companies of the 2nd Bn East Lancashire Regiment, with odd parties of other regiments including those remnants of the Second Battalion which had succeeded in reaching the south bank of the Aisne after making a stand in the front of the battle zone. This position was maintained until about noon, when it became untenable owing to the enemy pushing round the flanks, so another line was taken up from the west end of Gernicourt Wood towards Bouffgnereux village, on which place the Germans were rapidly advancing.

At about this time some six hundred men who had been at the Divisional Lewis-Gun School were sent out to help man the position Buffgnereux-Roucy; these included 2nd Lieutenant R.C. Ellis and sixty other ranks of the Battalion.

By this time practically all the divisional artillery and the attached French batteries were out of action, or had been captured; as a fact the majority had been silenced during the preliminary bombardment.

At about 1.20 p.m. the 75th Brigade, 25th Division, was placed at the disposal of the 8th Division by the IXth Corps and the reamins of the 25th Brigade were placed under it, the staff of the latter having practically ceased to exist.

In the evening the 8th Division collected a scratch force from all and any sources available and placed the resultant five hundred men under the 75th Brigade, Captain E. Broughton-Leigh, 2nd Lieutenant J. Nettleton abd fifty-four other ranks moving up to form part of this force.

That night the 8th Division was on the line Romain (exclusive) to Les Grands Savarts, some 2,500 yards to the east. The 50th Division was in Romain; the enemy in Ventelay and Bouvancourt.

The estimated casualties for this day in the Second Battalion was twenty-seven officers and six hundred and eighty other ranks. Of these Captain D. Heaton-Ellis and 2nd Lieutenant R.C. Ellis were killed and the commanding officer (Lieut.-Colonel H.S.C. Richardson), Captain J. Lowder, 2nd Lieutenanta G.C. Hoare, G.D. Denison, and A.H. Halford were wounded: the remaining officers were presumably missing.

The 8th Division had been informed during the night May 27th/28th, that French reinforcements were coming up on the left. At 3.0 a.m., however, news was received that these had been diverted further west into army reserve and the 8th Division report quotes somewhat grimly: "no further supports are available and divisions will therefore hold their present ground to the best of their ability, keeping touch with each other and the French on the flanks."

At this point the 8th Division had precisely seven 18-pdrs. of its own to cover its front.

Regarding the events of this day, May 28th, the 25th Brigade and Second Battalion diaries are silent except that the details and Transport appear to have been moved some twelve miles back to a wood north-west of Jonquery. The remains of the battalions of the brigade were still under the 75th Brigade, which at first held the line of the River Vesle, east of Jonchery, with the 21st Division on its right and the 23rd Brigade on its left.

About 12 noon three battalions of the 154th French Division, with some artillery, occupied in depth the high ground south of Branscourt with orders to hold the position to the last. Meanwhile, however, the enemy had pushed on strongly against the French and the 50th Division on the left, capturing Fismes (south of the Vesle) and forcing back the left of the 23rd Brigade.

Eventually, by evening, the 75th Brigade was holding a line east of Branscourt and facing north-west with French troops on each flank; further to the west the 23rd Brigade continued the line over the high ground just north-west of the Jonchery-Savigny road.

[armourersergeant]

A fascinating thread, a story coming together from alot of different angles.

I shall refer to this when it comes time for me to compile this part of 21st divisions history on my website, at the moment still in 1915 and 16!

well done all.

regards

Arm