8th Battalion in the Battle of the Somme (Second & Third Phase): Difference between revisions

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The second phase of the Battle of the Somme started on the [[23 July]] 1916, and for the purpose of this brief history it should be noted that the [[8th Border Regiment]] did not actively take part, however, this does not mean that their involvement was any less important. Only two battalions of the Border Regiment effectively took part in this phase, namely the [[2nd Border Regiment|2nd]] and [[7th Border Regiment|7th]] Battalions, but it could be stated that their successes were emphatically linked to the efforts of the other battalions along different parts of the line. At the end of the first phase the 25th Division, to which the 8th Borders belonged, were relieved by the 48th Division and at this time moved to a location not far from Beauval where they held a sector of the line from the River Ancre running in northwards direction. Between the 23 July and [[10 August]] this section of line was held without any physical offensive operations taking place, yet much work was done by way of digging new assembly [[trench|trenches]] (which were later used for attacking German defences south of here and in the fighting on Beaumont Hamel) and providing assistance for other units when it was required. It was also around this time that [[trench mortars]] were used against the 25th Division, which in itself is nothing particularly unusual, however, this was the first time the enemy had used [[mustard gas|poison-gas]], a new weapon that had a dramatic and devastating effect on trench warfare.

During the month of August, there was a short period of rest at Bus en Artois and later the [[Division]] was involved with a number localised engagements, then in September, working with the 29th Division, they attacked along the Thiepval Spur. As mentioned in the previous paragraph the 8th Battalion did not actively participate in the fighting during the second phase and so the action seen here at this time did not include them for they were holding the front-line trenches at a particularly notorious and well-defended section of the enemy line called the [[Glossary:Leipzig Salient|Leipzig Salient]]. The 25th Division then moved to the front area of [[Glossary:Thiepval|Thiepval]] on the [[25 September]], and by this time the second phase had ended the third phase had officially begun. The [[8th Border Regiment]] were for a short while in the trenches at Ovillers where they were involved in various aspects of training, then as soon as they moved up to the area of Pozières to relieve the Canadians their casualties mounted. The duties of working hard on the communication trenches and the forward dumps commenced in light of a further advance being made. As a result the 39th Division moved its front to Stuff Redoubt and the 74th and 75th Brigades of the 25th Division aligned themselves to the right holding roughly 2000 yards of front line between them. Heavy rain was the cause of a postponement in the attack that every unit had been working towards. Instead of the [[19 October]], it was going to take place on the [[21 October|21st]] and as detailed in the attack plans the 25th Division began its attack on Stuff and Regina Redoubts covering a distance of between 200 and 500 yards. It was due to the effectiveness of the British bombardment beforehand that the enemy gun emplacements and various other strong-points were disabled allowing for a much easier transition from the British lines forward.

The 8th Border Regiment's involvement in this is as follows. Their objectives were to work in conjunction with the 11th Cheshire Regiment of the same Brigade to take a section of Regina Trench some 350 yards long. They assembled at 6am along Hessian Trench and awaited for the orders to attack. Once given they attacked in four waves<ref>Each wave referring to a company of the battalion of which the following were commanded: 'A' Company, Lieutenant Slater; 'B' Company, Captain Watson-Thomas; 'C' Company, Captain Miller and 'D' Company, Captain Stewart.</ref> of half-company columns making their way across [[No Man's Land]] that was to their surprise more tolerable than expected. The shell fire hadn't, as in other occasions, totally devastated their forward route and crossing this ground was much easier than expected making for a hurried approach. While this might have seemed like a good idea at the time, the speed at which they crossed No Man's Land was the cause of several casualties. This was because the British [[barrage]] was still firing when the leading wave arrived at their objective before the barrage was lifted, however, when ceased the men continued through the well-cut wires as planned. The attack was so successful that within ten minutes they were collecting German prisoners, sending them back and ensuring that the enemy trenches and dug-outs were no longer a threat by systematic bombing and clearing. The men were so surprised at the ease of the initial attack that, according to [[Harold Carmichael Wylly|Colonel Wylly]]:

:{{quote-left}}Lieutenant E.D. Birnie was now sent up with all the [[bomber|bombers]] remaining at Battalion Headquarters to try and get touch with with Captain Stewart by bombing up the communication trench, but on arrival he found that the dug-out just beyond the block was ablaze and he was unable to get past, but under cover of the smoke he managed to get his squad, and 10 other bombers whom he had collected en route, man by man to Regina Trench, where was Captain Stewart, with only one casualty. He now got to work in a very gallant manner, standing up on the parapet and firing on the enemy while his party worked up the trench. Lieutenant Birnie accounted for about 8 of the enemy when the rest in number, surrendered. The trench was cleared, touch gained and consolidation proceeded unhindered.{{quote-right}}<ref name="wylly />