Night raid on the Leipzig Salient (5 June 1916): Difference between revisions

By June 1916 work on the "Big Push" was well under way although only a few high ranking officers knew of the exact date this major offensive was to happen. The first few days saw the [[Lonsdale Battalion|Lonsdales]], along with their comrades of the [[Glossary:Brigade, 97th|97th Brigade]], the 16th and 17th Highland Light Infantry and the 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, form part of Divisional Reserve at Bouzincourt. During this time the days were quiet inasmuch as there was no involvement in any particular action worthy of note. However, for three weeks prior a volunteer group of Lonsdales, under the Command of Lieut. William Barnes, had spent much of that time training for what was hoped a successful outcome in discovering the dispositions of the German trenches at the strong-hold along the [[Glossary:Leipzig Salient|Leipzig Salient]]. It was already documented as position of strength, held on the higher ground overlooking the British positions across No Man’s Land towards the village of [[Glossary:Authuille|Authuille]] and [[Glossary:Authuille Wood|Authuille Wood]]. But there had been some unusual activity observed and it was unclear as to what what happening on the German side.

To learn more about this potential threat to the British line opposite the salient, an important mission was carried out on the night of the [[5 June]], which would secure important intelligence that could be used when the time to advance came. It was imperative to record and map in as much detail as possible the German trench system at the northern end of what was called the [[Glossary:Granatloch|Granatloch]] (Chalk Quarry) of the Leipzig Salient along with the [[Glossary:Bull's Eye|Bull’s Eye]] (which comprised of dug-outs at least 22ft below ground) and the [[Glossary:Leipzig Redoubt|Leipzig Redoubt]], which too, was heavily fortified.

Looking at the daring and effectiveness of this raid, it is difficult not to be in awe at those who volunteered for such a mission. Looking at the details of the raid we see that the men had formed up in No Man’s Land at 11pm in preparation for the British bombardment, which was prompt and lasted approximately 13 minutes. German retaliation was punctual as the raiders approached the German front line positions. As soon as that barrage lifted they made their way forward while a second barrage started, this time firing on positions behind the enemy lines allowing for passage across No Man’s Land. In the space of just a few minutes the torpedo party had moved out under a retaliatory fire, making their way forward to destroy the enemy wire that was blocking their advance. The wire was effectively cut using [[Bangalore torpedo]], an explosive charge placed within one or several connected pipes and used extensively during the First World War for such a task. When positioned correctly these explosives were very effective at clearing any barbed obstruction, and during this mission it was achieved in an incredibly short space of time considering they were doing so under enemy fire. At 11:17pm the raiding party entered the enemy positions and set about their objectives swiftly taking prisoners in the process, clearing dug-outs and mapping the defences.<ref name="stedman49">{{stedman|pageno=49}}</ref> ‘Conducting’ prisoners back to the British line had its issues, especially if prisoners made a concerted effort to be problematic with their delivery to the enemy. The [[Glossary:Brigade, 97th|97th Brigade]] War Diary it states:

Raids such as this can be practiced time and time again to ensure every possible outcome is covered, however, in reality things do not always as intended. Unforeseen elements can play out differently and that, ultimately, changes the outcome. The raid of [[5 June|5]]/[[6 June]] went mostly to plan and the information gained was both detailed and accurate. Diagrams of the German trench system along with dug-out locations and depths provided the Allies with the information they were looking for, information they could use against them when the time came. The Corps Commander Lt-Gen Sir T.L.N. Morland (Commander of Xth Corps) inspected the raiders the following day and gave them hearty congratulations for their work. Unfortunately, the week-long British bombardment at the [[Glossary:Leipzig Salient|Leipzig Salient]] before the big push was not as effective as the Allies had hoped. There was no disputing that the German-engineered dug-outs were strong, very strong. It was apparent that their depths and superior construction protected those taking shelter within them and as a result of this the Allies had overestimated the German casualties after such a harassing, yet forlorn, salvo.