The Lonsdales Land in France, November 1915: Difference between revisions
The Lonsdales Land in France, November 1915 (view source)
Revision as of 23:12, 29 June 2024
, 5 days agotwo more links
(links to great war wiki) |
(two more links) |
||
Line 23:
The time spent in the trenches around Albert in the winter of 1915 was by far very different to those dug at camp in Carlisle. [[gw:Entrenching|Entrenchment]] training was just one of many basic skills the Lonsdales were taught at Blackhall, yet such systems on the {{gw|Western Front}}, especially of immense size and complexity, coupled with destructive {{gw|artillery}} and unfavourable weather, delivered an entirely different and very real experience that "hardened" the men in preparation for ever-changing and difficult conditions. As [[Colin Bardgett]], author of ''[[The Lonsdale Battalion 1914-1918]]'' states:
:{{quote-left}}This time in the line was to give the troops an insight into [[gw:trench|trench warfare]]. They learned that a pick and shovel was just as important as a {{gw|Lee-Enfield rifle}}, and that it was better to shoot fast than accurately. They learned that trench clubs and mills bombs were more use than ceremonial swords and {{gw|bayonet}}s. The men were initiated to the deadly varieties of German bombs and
Their arrival in France did more good for the men than they may, at first, have known. They were honing their skills, learning the way of trench life - as unpleasant as it could be – and garnering instruction on the effective use of their everyday tools that would, ultimately, keep them alive.
Line 31:
The Lonsdales situation would see no major events for the next few months but their routine remained fairly consistent. They were still at the front near Bouzincourt and [[Albert (Somme)|Albert]], relieving the 1/6th Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders on the [[19 December]]. It was around this time Captain C.H. Clart, the Commanding Officer of B Company, was admitted to hospital and in his absence Captain B.C. Harrison took over as commanding officer of the Company. The trenches they occupied were of a loam and clay mixture, which were in a dreadful state. The Battalion's 2nd in Command, [[P. G. W. Diggle|Major P.G.W. Diggle]], also an officer that held high esteem for the men wrote of these trenches stating that:
:{{quote-left}}In many places there were no {{gw|duckboards}}, and, in consequence, the mud and water was four or five feet deep. It was impossible to get all along the front line trench without going "overland," as there were two stretches of about 100 yards each that were impassible. However, we got them right eventually. The men used at times to get quite stuck and unable to move in the mud. Then the
What would have been a much easier task in suitably dry and firm trenches was made nigh on impossible in these mud-encased channels where they were tasked with repairing the trenches and constructing dugouts. The simplest of demands would have brought the men new challenges and, in some cases, immediate danger due to the flooding and the fear of being [[gw:sniping|sniped]] at when moving overground. The Lonsdales pulled through, working together efficaciously to get the task in hand done. Lt-Col. Machell praised the men for their unwavering efforts by stating:
| |||