10 February: Difference between revisions

*Casualties: One other rank is killed, one wounded and two suffering from shell shock.<ref name="wdfeb16" />▼

*"Edge of a night strafe; an anxious time; the people who have been here for months made no proper dug-outs; the Germans are 16 feet underground. Lachrymaotry shells,<ref>A chemical weapon that causes severe eye, respiratory, and skin irritation. It also causes pain, vomiting, and even blindness.</ref> 9 inch, filled the valley with dense smoke which entailed the use of gas helmets instantly...This business near us was no small matter. The battalion that got it (K.O.Y.L.I.) had been at Loos and Ypres, and never saw anything like it. I hear the Boches have travelling outfits of very heavy guns, which go about and make hay at different points." &ndash; [[Percy Wilfred Machell|Lt-Col. P. W. Machell]]<ref>[[Record of the XIth (Service) Battalion (Lonsdale) - In France]]</ref>▼

*Battalion parades in full fighting order and marches to Beaumont Hamel in accordance with Operation Orders received and Battalion Operation Orders No.10 &ndash; the [[Glossary:Brigade, 97th|97th Infantry Brigade]] being detailed to drive the enemy from the ridge running out of Ten Tree Alley on the night of the 10/[[11 February|11th]].<ref name="wdfeb17">[[11th Battalion War Diary, February 1917]]</ref> ▼

*Whilst at a quarry in Beaumont Hamel, tea and a ration of rum is issued. Bombs and Lewis Gun ammunition are also issued. At 6pm the first platoon (from D Company), move off from the quarry. Guides are left along the route to be followed up to the tape: 'Wagon Road' &ndash; 'Walker Quarry' &ndash; Top of 'Walker Avenue' across to 'Gough Post' &ndash; 'Franfort Post'. Other platoons follow at an interval of 100 yards along this route.<ref name="wdfeb17" /> ▼

*'C' Company, under Capt. Ross, is the first to move along and takes up this position at the tape.▼

:'B' Company, under Capt. Walker, follows 'C' Company and takes up position on the tape in same formation as Battalion Center. ▼

:'A' Company, Capt. Greenhill, follows 'B' Company and takes up position on the left in different formation.▼

:'D' Company, under Lieut. Harris, with two platoons closes up in rear and right of 'C' Company to deal with enemy posts, plus two platoons as Battalion Reserve.<ref name="wdfeb17" /> ▼

*The Battalion is in position at 7.30pm with HQ located at 'Frankfort Post'. The Battalion frontage is 350 yards. Zero Time is 8.30pm, when an artillery barrage opens up. On commencement the Lonsdales advance from their position closely follow a creeping barrage towards their objective. The men behaved splendidly and kept well up with the barrage right on to their objective.<ref name="wdfeb17" /> ▼

*The first message is sent back from the Reserve Company (D) at 9.30pm to say all objectives had been captured and consolidation in progress. The first batch of 35 prisoners are sent back soon after positions are captured and the Commanding Officer, Col. Girdwood, moves HQ forward, examining the ground won and the dispositions of troops.<ref name="wdfeb17" />▼

*Posts are established in front of captured line 'Gunpit Trench' and work is carried out to put position won into a state of defence.<ref name="wdfeb17" /> ▼

*Two Officers & approximately 100 other ranks are captured by the Battalion and sent back as prisoners of war. One dug-out in which the enemy refuses to leave is bombed, unfortunately catching fire and the enemy inside perishes. Company patrols are sent out and an attempt is made to re-establish communication with the 2nd KOYLI.<ref>King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.</ref><ref name="wdfeb17" /> ▼

*A strongly held enemy post is discovered on left flank. Two Vickers machine guns are sent to the position by the C.O. and under his orders also a Stokes Mortar detachment, under Lieut. Simcocks, which opens fire on the enemy post.<ref name="wdfeb17" />▼

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