8th Battalion in the Second Battle of the Somme: Difference between revisions

== The build-up to the German Attack ==

For the [[8th Border Regiment]] the year 1917 was coming to an end. After spending three weeks training at Béthune, the month of November passing them by, they moved to the Somme area, arriving at Achiet-le-Grand<ref>Achiet-le-Grand roughly being 3 miles north-west of Bapaume.</ref> where they, and the entire 25th Division, became part of IVth Corps. The winter had turned cold and harsh and during this time the 25th Division relived the 3rd Division in the Quéant Sector, which was located due south of Bullecourt. The Division, mainly due to an unsatisfactorily protected front line, was given the task of ensuring that their particular piece of front line conformed to the standard and more. It was here that they worked hard on digging a continuous front-line trench system that connected all the sporadic posts and communication trenches to form something that would stand up to a full-on infantry attack. Wire, and plenty of it, was erected providing an impenetrable line, unless cut by enemy bombardments, and the communications trenches were linked to the reserve lines. This task, however, proved most challenging at times when they were faced with bouts of hard frost, which caused the ground to set like concrete making digging virtually impossible. When the frosts thawed, and usually quite suddenly, the ground again made situations difficult when trenches collapsed, sometimes becoming impassable. Their work was cut out for them and the bitterly cold French winter did not make things any easier.

 

== The Offensive Begins ==

 

:{{quote-left}}The Battalion was placed at the disposal of of the G.O.C. 16th Brigade, and was thus disposed in readiness to counter-attack N. of Vaulx Wood in the Vaulx-Morchies Line; “A” Company, Captain Birnie, on the right, then “B”, Lieutenant Reed, “C”, Lieutenant Allan, with “D”, Lieutenant Duggan, in reserve. The counter-attack was duly delivered and reached its objective by 3.10pm, but was unable to get any further, as the enemy wire was uncut; Lieutenant Reed was mortally wounded in this attack. The enemy in this sector of the front was now driven back and the position of the Corps line seemed to be secure; but later the Germans appeared to be getting round the left flank from the direction of Noreuil, and “D” Company of the Battalion was ordered up to the sugar factory at Vraucourt to form a defensive flank to the left. Here Lieutenant Bell, Sergeant Bowman and Private Stewart did excellent work when sent forward to reconnoitre; later in the day Lieutenant Bell was wounded and Private Stewart killed.{{quote-right}}<ref>{{Wylly|pageno=178}}</ref>

:{{quote-left}}Good work was done by Sergeant MacDonald, Lance-Corporal Stee and Privates Varty and Westbrooke with the Lewis guns. Sergeant Taylor, when all the officers of 'B' Company had become casualties, took command of 'B' Company, reorganised them, and during lulls in the battle produced a piccolo on which he played popular tunes to put new life into the weary men! Sergeant Ives took charge of 'A' Company later on, and with Corporal Pickup did splendid work in reorganising and encouraging the men. Sergeant Crayson, Corporals Wise, Carr, Sewell and Burkin did excellent work in bombing attacks, and Privates Lawless and Porter as battalion runners never once failed in their duty. The former displayed the greatest courage in carrying an urgent message over ground swept by machine-gun fire, though 5 other runners had already become casualties in former attempts to do the journey. Privates Jones, Langley, Routledge, Crone, Bailey, Todkill, Wright and Singleton as stretcher-bearers were conspicuous for their disregard of danger in bringing in the wounded. Lance-Corporal Duckworth, in charge of carrying parties, kept up a steady supply of ammunition.{{quote-right}}<ref>{{Wylly|pageno=179}}</ref>

 

 

== References / notes ==