Flanders Flame Attack

[bob lembke]

Poking thru my material, I see that thre was another major flame attack in Flanders, on June 2, 1916, on a high position known as the Heights of Zillebeck or Mt. Sorrel, held, I believe, by the Canadians. At least in the opinion of the German flame commander, the 20 FW employed by 9. Kompagnie, Garde=Reserve=Pionier=Regiment (Flammenwerfer) were central to breaking into the Canadian positions. A brigadier was captured, along with over 500 other prisoners, and a major-general was killed in the front line by artillery fire. (Two Flamm=Pioniere fell, and a third died the following day. About 180 flame troops took part in the attack.)

I have a description of this engagement which reads as if it came from a Canadian history, although, as is common on the Internet, no proper attribution was given.

Are the Canadian histories on the Internet? Anyone have a handle on how to get a balanced take on this engagement? I gather that this was some distance inland from the coast.

Bob Lembke

[6th Shropshires]

Hi Bob

The Canadian histories are on the Internet but I can't find the web address-someone will post it I am sure. Chris as a good piece on The Long, Long Trail, look under Battle histories then Western Front, work your way down to Actions in Spring 1916, then look for The Battle of Mount Sorrel and click on full story.

Annette

[Nathan Greenfield]

Here is the link to the Canadian War Diaries:

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/archivianet/020152_e.html

If it fails, google National Archives of Canada, then go to ENGLISH, then "Archives" (on the upper right hand side of the screen). War Diaries is on the list that comes up.

NMG

[Jack Sheldon]

You can freely download the Canadian Official History as a 1.45mb PDF file from:

www.forces.ca./hr/dhh/downloads/Official_Histories/cef.PDF

It's a gift!

Jack

[GrandsonMichael]

Hi Bob,

The story is essentially true. The 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade bore the brunt of the massive German onslaught and its War Dairy specifically mentions the flammenwerfer. Not, however, on such a large scale as your source does. Here is part of the narrative of the 7th Brigade.

Appendix A

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS.

1. Distribution previous to the attack.

2. Summary of operations.

The beginning of the attack June 2nd 1916.

At 6 p.m. Lieut Scott, P.P.C.L.I. reported at my Headquarters with the standard of the P.P.C.L.I. which Major Gray deemed wise to send back to safe keeping. Lieut Scott had a perilous trip with his precious burden.

He reported as follows:- “Left LOVERS WALK about 5 p.m. We are still holding APPENDIX , trench 65 and R Line as far as HILL STREET, which was held by the Germans also MAPLE COPSE, BORDER LANE was manned by one company 42nd Highlanders, 4 companies 8th Brigade are on the way to reinforce.

The Germans came down GOUROCK ROAD with flammenwerfer ahead, two men with it. One was sniped, and those in support retired. We then blocked GOUROCK ROAD. Many dead in BORDER LANE”. End of Lieut. Scott’s report.

Lieut. Scott, as soon as he had rested and he had something to eat, insisted on returning to the fighting line, where he was subsequently wounded and evacuated. We received an order for counter attack at 5.45 p.m. from 3rd Canadian Division.

Between 1 and 2 a.m. June 3rd, the remains of A Company P.P.C.L.I. 60 strong under Lieut Glascow P.P.C.L.I. , (all other officers had been wounded) withdrew from the APPENDIX and 65, bringing everything with them, including the machine gun. They had done all that mortal man can do, and decided to withdraw before being surrounded and captured.

At least 10 germans were observed to be using flammenwerfers, which they used as they came on.

There might be more information in other War diaries, I'll check.

In the mean time you might be interested to have a look at the study project on the Battle of Mont Sorrel June 2-13, 1916, where we accumulated a lot of information a while back. Also, there is a very recent thread on the subject of the Canadian Generals Williams & Mercer, the men you're referring to.

Cheers,

Michael