La Coulotte, Arras Sector

[Guest KELLYBROD]

I am trying to get as much information as I can about an attack that happened at La Coulotte near Lens in the Arras sector on 23rd april 1917. A few people have already provided me with some great info (thanks). My greatgrandfather died in this attack and I am tryng to get the best picture I can of what was going on. He served with the 1/Norfolks as part of the 5th division. If any one knows of any diaries, books anything that document this time please let me know.

Thanks

Kelly

[salientpoints]

Hi Kelly,

One of the Pals, Paul suggested a naval & military book on a previous post 'Official History of the 5th Division' which should help you. Stick 5th Division in as keywords and there is more to choose from!

La Coulotte is mentioned here

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ww1can/hutch.htm

http://www.army.dnd.ca/ROYAL_WESTIES/history4.htm

and on the main site http://www.1914-1918.net/bat18.htm

I think you may have more luck researching 'Lens' rather than 'la coulotte'

Regards

Ryan

[Robert Dunlop]

Kelly

I don't have any specific information but attached is a map of the village. Givenchy is just off the bottom-left hand corner; Lens is to the north.

Cheers

[Paul Reed]

Fished out my copy of the 5th Division history and scanned the section on La Coulotte. Not much, as this history can be brief at times, but a little more.

A link for the book if you wanted to buy a copy from the company that has reprinted is:

http://www.naval-military-press.com/FMPro?...=2369700&-find=

[Paul Reed]

Second part of text.

[Paul Reed]

And finally a map.

[jhill]

If any one knows of any diaries, books anything that document this time please let me know.

Forgive me if I am repeating a previous suggestion. As the 5th Division was at this time operating under the commander, Canadian Corps, there are many diaries, sketchs, and other documents available at:

http://www.archives.ca/02/02015202_e.html

(including this sketch, which may or may not be interesting!)

[Guest craig.fletcher]

Hi Kelly,

My great uncle Thomas Fletcher died on the same day in the same battle around La Coulette. He was in the Bedfordshire Regiment.

Links:

http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/id59.html (which confims his death on that date)

and

http://www.bedfordregiment.org.uk/id60.html (which gives a good account of the action)

and

http://www.cwgc.org/search/SearchResults.a...6&send.y=12

Regards,

Craig

[steve fuller]

Although I cant help with the 1st Norfolks, they fought alongside the 1st Beds at La Coulotte. An awful action in which all the units went above and beyond IMHO. Anything I can do to help from the perspective of the Beds, for what its worth, let me know. Some of the assaulting troops actually made it into the village, despite the odds, and were a mixed up group who simply held on until there was no other choice but to retire again. The highly experienced Bedfords CO requested he be allowed to withdraw his men but was denied. As a result, he sent several runners up with a total of 700 bombs to reinforce the beleagured remnants on the assaulting Battalions as best he could. Lodas of medals were awarded to the Beds as a result of the attack, so I would imagine the Norfolks had a similar level of awards given to them?

Personally, I would suggest looking for the War Diary at the NA if you are in a position to. I trawled the box for Beds info but didnt look at the Norfolks Im sorry to say!

Was gonna add a link to the page on my site covering it but seems to be a technical glitch or similar.

[edit] ignore me, Craig has already done it. Hopefully you can view it. I not, Ive already emailed the webhosting firm & they should get it sorted quick enough.

[steve fuller]

In case they dont get it sorted quickly, heres the Beds stuff. This is the report by the 1st beds CO:

"Report on action at La Coulotte.

Lt. Colonel P.B. Worrall M.C. Commanding 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.

Sir, I have the honour to report that I received orders to attack LA COULOTTE from T.1.d.1/9 to T.1.a.3/9. and attach a copy of my Operation Orders which I personally explained in detail to all Officers and NCO’s. Briefly, I had to make:

(a) a frontal attack to the N.

( b ) a flank attack East on WATER TOWER TRENCH.

AND

( c ) attack on triangle south of WATER TRENCH from the south, including a large part of CYRIL TRENCH held by the Germans.

The whole undertaking seemed to be most hazardous.

I considered the WATER TOWER TRENCH to be key to the situation and so attacked it frontally and in enfilade. Had I not got this footing, my Battalion must haave been wiped out by WATER TOWER TRENCH if we were held up by wire.

NARRATIVE.

4.40am. For half an hour previous to this I heard no M.G. fire and this proved a successful deployment.

5.15am. Two wounded reported that left company had reached 1st line German trench. It proved afterwards to be correct but with regard to extreme left only.

6.15am. 24 prisoners marched in from DEVONS and BEDFORDS captured at the junction of these two Battalions. 6.5am O.C. right assault company reported wounded but right company going through gaps. This Officer in charge and many others afterwards reported that it took at least five minutes to get through the wire, that there were few gaps, and a double belt (the first one 15 yards thick) in front of the first line.

7.05am. Touch with NORFOLKS reported.

7.55amj. Right 2nd wave (“C” Coy.) report they had passed through first objective (second German line) met with strong resistance, machine gun fire from houses and minerwerfer, but captured 9 prisoners (sent back), and 2 machine guns which they later smashed, and parties actually reached buildings T.1.b.5/9 and made a great attempt to rush LA COULOTTE from there, patrols were also sent out from there to try and get touch with the NORFOLKS , and companies on the left.

9.50am. NCO’s from “B” and “D” (left companies) reported that their right was held up, they had been surrounded and several prisoners had been taken. I have satisfied myself that these men were between two belts of wire with wire and a communication trench on the right from which they were enfiladed, and the gaps through which they had advanced were covered, and that they were bombed from the front and like rats in a trap.

Lt. Hunter from the right and who was on the other side of the road witnessed it and stated they were absolutely powerless.

10.00am. I sent orders to “A” and “C” to hang on and throw a defensive flank from junction of LENS-ARRAS ROAD and 1st German line and make strenuous efforts to get in touch with “B” and “D” .

11.05am. Lt. Woodford wounded, reported that “B” and “D” took the German 2nd line and were at once driven out of it with the exception of extreme left (communication trench T.1.a.30/95). Capt. C.A.S. Morris O.C. B Company was killed in rallying his men to make a gallant attack on machine guns, holding up their advance from 2nd line. At the same time I received a message that the remnants of A and C Companies were under 100 in WATER TOWER TRENCH and TRIANGLE, and that there were some NORFOLKS fighting with them and that they could not hold out much longer. They asked for reinforcements and bombs.

1.30pm. I applied at once for permission to conduct retirement in person but on this being refused I despatched Lt.H.J.EVERERTT MC with all available men from headquarters with 700 bombs and detailed orders for retirement if forced back, and I considered it imperative:

1. To hold the strong point in CYRIL TRENCH and not save the OUTPOST LINE

2. To evacuate my wounded (some 30) in the TUNNEL before evacuation.

My orders were more than carried out, the bombs were taken up under heavy fire, though some sent up by another Regiment failed to arrive, a splendid attack was led by a Sergeant of the NORFOLKS before the withdrawal, all the wounded were got away, and barricade strengthened before withdrawal.

[Cannot read time]. Verbal message received that A and C Companies had withdrawn to our original OUTPOST LINE and that Lt. H.J.EVERETT MC again sent up with a further supply of ammunition and bombs for strong point in CYRIL TRENCH.

[Cannot read time]. My position at the time of this withdrawal was:

1. About 60 men of “A” and “C”, all me effective rifles and some NORFOLKS from about T.1.a.6/7 to T.1.a.9/0 (German Front Line).

2. On my left from T.1.a.5/6 to T.1.a.1/8 the remnants of “B” and “D” lying out in front of German Wire till dusk, being continually bombed, grenaded and minenwerfened.

[Cannot read time]. A proportion of “B” and “D” Companies withdrew under the smoke of a protective barrage on German 2nd Line trench, to left of OLD OUTPOST LINE.

Copy of orders of my forced retirement attached.

I consider that my Officers, NCO’s and men showed great devotion to duty against untold odds, particularly wire and machine guns and I am forwarding under separate cover a list of recommendations.

I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant

P.R.WORRALL, Lt.Colonel commanding 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment."

If you need the trench map from that action, I have it. Give me a shout & Ill dig it out.

[Guest craig.fletcher]

Steve,

Any chance of an image of your trench map? I thought I'd try and get there for the 90th anniversary.

Regards,

Craig

[steve fuller]

Sure thing Craig. email me on steve@bedfordregiment.org.uk and I will sort it. Cant attach anything emailing form the forum, so will have to do it outside.

[Guest Craig Burchell]

I am new to the Great War Forum. What a fascinating place!!. I am rkeen to research the last days of a relative Major Joseph McBride of the 27th Brigade Royal Field Artillery 5th Division. He died on 23rd April 1917 and is buried at Vimy communal cemetery. (which we just visited today) The date of death coincides with the attack on La Coulotte. Can anyone add any information about Major McBride or guide me as to where I should look further..... Thanks in advance.

Craig Burchell, Brussels, Belgium