1st Battalion War Diary, September 1916: Difference between revisions
1st Battalion War Diary, September 1916 (view source)
Revision as of 21:40, 10 March 2020
, 4 years agoText replacement - "Very lights" to "Very lights"
(imported from old wiki with some changes) |
m (Text replacement - "Very lights" to "Very lights") |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 79:
| <center>8.9.16 </center>
|
| 2nd LIEUT. M<sup>c</sup>DONALD, G.H.S., to [[sniping]] course, MONT DES CATS.<br>
<u>Casualties</u> week-ending 9-9-16.<br>
<u>OFFICERS</u><br>
Line 112:
| <center>15.9.16 </center>
|
| 2nd LIEUT. G.H.S. M<sup>c</sup>DONALD rejoined from [[sniping]] course. CAPT. C. RUSSELL, R.A.M.C. attached temporarily as M.O.<br>
<u>Casualties</u> week-ending 16.9.16<br>
<u>OFFICERS</u><br>
Line 219:
At 8.50 p.m. the O.C. Raid left the head of our column by the willows and went forward to reconnoitre the wire. There were a great many enemy flare lights, but there was no firing from the enemy front line and it is probable that enemy were on the flanks or in the support trenches. The wire proved to have been very successfully knocked about by Trench Mortar fire but some inner belts of wire remained too high for easy passage. Accordingly wire-cutters were tried, but this method seemed slow, and at 8.55 p.m. the O.C. returned to party to begin advance through wire prepared to use bangalore torpedoes for any considerable obstructions near parapet. On a roll of a concertina wire which remained little damaged in the line of advance, 3 bangalore torpedoes were tried. The fitting of the torpedoes in concertina wire turned out to be quite simple and was well done. Each of the torpedoes failed, however, to detonate owing to the dampness of fuzes. They had evidently been injured in the journey across “NO MANS LAND”, as the Very light cases used to protect them had come off.
The O.C. Raid then noticed an easy gap which had been blown in the wire to the right, and the party trampled down what was left of the wire, and made a rush for the parapet. All arrangements worked as they had been planned, the point of entry being only a matter of yards away from that intended. The Right and Left Blocking Parties both experienced some bombing from enemy on flanks. The trench on right of point of entry had been rather badly blown in by our Artillery, and a group of men protected by the blockage sent up [[Very lights]], and brought rifle fire and bombs to bear on right blocking party, from trench in rear of our right. Our bombers retaliated with evident effect, as the enemy party retreated and the sending up of [[Very lights]] ceased.
The right searching party found in the main communication trench for some 30 yards to the right of the point of entry, 2 dugouts under the parapet. These were securely built, but small, and had merely wooden frames. They were carpeted with straw. In one of these a man was found who was made prisoner. The right communication trench was badly knocked about, and the large dugout shown in the aerial photo, was entirely demolished.
Line 246:
Raiding party consisted of approximately - 3 Officers and about 40 other ranks, and worked in co-operation with our Artillery and Trench Mortar Batteries. The section of the German line selected about 100 yards in length, was clearly understood. The Raiding Party was to enter in the centre of this length of trench, and search literally to definite limits.
O.C. Raiding Party made the necessary arrangements, and obtained the material etc., which was roughly - a tape about 400 yards long, wire-cutters, [[Bangalore
O.C. had made a preliminary reconnaissance, and the Raiding party had been practised over the ground by means of patrols some days beforehand.
Line 279:
#Raiding parties must be familiar with the ground – this is ensured by sending them out on patrols a few days beforehand.
#The Officer Commanding Party must confer with O.C. Artillery covering the raid area, and watches must be synchronised.
#Fixing, priming, and detonating of [[Bangalore
#Raiding Party must be in such close proximity to the enemy’s front line that they can, without any loss of time, rush straight into the trenches immediately after the barrage lifts – a few seconds delay would enable the Germans to man their defences and bring machine guns into action.
| |||