8th Division, Ovillers, 1/7/16 Lookup Request

[jmaitri]

Hello!

I’ve been pulling my hair on this one for several hours tonight with only another bald spot to show for my efforts!

I've recently gone through all my refs. on the action of the 8th Div. at Ovillers on 1/7/16, and I cannot for the life of me find specific references to the 2nd Rifle Brigade's role during the 25th Brigade’s assualt on Ovillers on 1/7/16.

While I found some information, it was not much, and what I did find seemed rather in conflict. For example Middlebrook hints that the Bn. possibly was ordered to stay in reserve and not go forward, while Hart suggests the Bn. saw action and experienced fairly heavy casualties on the 1st. Moreover while Cuttell does a decent job of giving a general overview of the 8th Division’s 3 attacking Brigades on the 1st, he makes no mention whatsoever (other than a map reference) of the 2nd Rifle Brigade’s involvement during its Brigade’s (25th) attack.

I've hunted through all I have, as well searched the Internet (& of course here—there was 1 post about the 2nd RB on 1/7/16, but it was a bit disjointed), but can't find anything really definite about the role of the 2nd Rifle Brigade on 1/7/16.

I appreciate any help that comes my way!

Thank you,

Jay

[Armoured Farmer]

For some primary sources you could look at the National Archives, specifically some War Diaries that may be of interest: -

WO 95/1726 25 Infantry Brigade: Headquarters. Routine orders for Jan-Feb 1916 transferred to WO 95/1725, 11 Ju ... 1916 June - 1917 Mar.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=5

WO 95/1731 2 Battalion Rifle Brigade 1914 Nov - 1919 May

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/catalog...;accessmethod=5

Good luck!

FArmer

[Steven Broomfield]

Jay, the Divisional History (you may already have it, of course) states that the 2nd RB were in resreve to 25th Bde attack, and little more than that they manned the trenches (having been moved forward before 10 a.m.) all day "under the constant punishment of the German guns".

In the 25th bde, casualties were stated as percentages: 2nd R Berks, 53%; 2nd Lincolns, 64%; 1st R Ir Rif, 64%, and 2nd RB, 18%.

Hope that helps.

Steve

[stiletto_33853]

The plans and objectives of the 8th Division on July 1st have no more than an academic interest for Riflemen; for the plans were unrealized, the objectives were not reached and the Second Battalion had no part in their attempted execution and capture. The 25th Brigade had attacked with the 2nd Bn. Royal Berkshire Regt. and the 2nd Bn. Lincolnshire Regt. in front, the 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles in support and the Rifle Brigade in reserve. The attack suffered the same unhappy fate as that of the 4th Division. It was met and smashed by shell and bullets. The Second Battalion moved up from the reserve assembly position by communication trench to the British front line wehere it swelled the heavy congestion by the failure of the attack; and, coming under violent shell fire, sustained one hundred and thirty three casualties (including five officers). Further operations having been abandoned, three companies were withdrawn to the support line, the front being held by "D" Company and the shattered remains of the other units of the brigade. At dusk "" Company relieved the survivors of the attack; and on the following night the troops of the 8th Division left the Somme for the Bethune area. Like the 4th Division, the 8th was for the time smashed out of recognition.

This is from the History of The Rifle Brigade in the War of 1914 - 1918, Volume 1.

Hope it helps a little.

Andy

[stiletto_33853]

2nd Battalion The Rifle Brigade's War Service Record for the 1st as follows:-

1st July:- At 6.45 a.m. our artillery opened a very intense bombardment on the German trenches at Ovillers la-Boiselle which lasted until 7.30 a.m. At this hour our troops attacked with the 2nd Bn. Berkshire and 2nd Bn. Lincoln in front, and the 1st Bn. Royal Irish Rifles in support.

The Battalion, which was in reserve, left its assembly trenches at 7.30 a.m. and proceeded up the communication trenches to the front line. The attacking troops and their supports were held up right at the beginning of the attack by very heavy rifle, machine gun, and shrapnel fire. They only succeeded in reaching the enemy's trenches at a few points, from which they were very soon driven back.

The Battalion was crowded into the front trenches came under very intense shell fire from guns of all calibres. As it was decided to attempt no further infantry attack, "A", "B", and "C" Companies were withdrawn to the support line, whilst "D" Company, with details of the rest of the Brigade, held the front line. The details of the other battalions were withdrawn just before dark and relieved by "A" Company. The casualties of the attack were practically all due to shell fire.

Captains A.H. Curtis and W.G.K. Boswell with 2nd Lieutenants H. Daniels, V.C. Eteridge and Sayer were wounded; 128 other ranks were killed and wounded. Shortly after midnight the Battalion was relieved by troops of the 37th Brigade, and marched back to bivouac in the Long Valley.

Andy

[jmaitri]

Gentlemen all, thank you very much for your contributions and especially your help!

Andy, your posts resolve the conflicting items I had read about the 2nd RB. I had a hunch they were hit in their assembly & forward trenches, but between Hart & Middlebrook, things were not adding up (bodies in the field vs. the order for them to remain in reserve).

While it must have been painful, it made sense to refrain from sending the Rifles forward when it was obvious that they would not be able to alleviate the situation for the rest of the Brigade--esp. with the Rifles being down by about a quarter of their strength due to the casualties they'd taken while they were in their trenches.

Even though I've read many accounts of what happened to various units on 1/7 over the years, and continue, as with now, to learn new facts along the way, I still never cease being stunned by the courage and saddened by the carnage of these men that fought and died in such droves on the First of July.

Thank you again everyone for all of your help!!

Jay

[stiletto_33853]

Jay,

Glad the information was of help. This is the Regimental and then the Battalion account of the day.

Andy