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A SHORT HISTORY OF THE 6th DIVISION

Aug. 1914-March 1919

Edited by

MAJOR-GEN. T. O. MARDENC. B. , C. M. G. 

LondonHugh Rees, Ltd. 5 & 7 Regent Street, S. W. 11920

PREFACE

This short history has been compiled mainly from the War Diaries. 

My reason for undertaking the task is that there was no one else to doit, the units composing the Division being scattered far and wide, andthere being no Divisional habitat with local historians as in the caseof Territorial and New Army Divisions. My object is that all whoserved with the Division for any period between 1914-1919 may have arecord to show that they belonged to a Division which played noinconspicuous part in the Great War. 

I regret that it has been impossible to tabulate the honours (exceptV. C. S) won by officers and men of the Division, and it is alsoinevitable that the names of many individuals to whom the success ofthe Division in many operations was largely due should go unrecorded. The Infantry naturally bulk large in the picture, but they would bethe first to admit that their success could not have been obtainedwithout the splendid co-operation of the Artillery, who are sometimesnot even mentioned in the narrative; and this theme might beelaborated considerably. 

My particular thanks are due to Lt. -Col. T. T. Grove, C. M. G. , D. S. O. , R. E. , to whom the credit belongs for the form taken by the history andthe more personal portions of the history itself. I also wish tothank Lt. -Gen. Sir J. Keir, K. C. B. , D. S. O. , and Major-Gen. C. Ross, C. B. , D. S. O. , as well as several Brigadiers and C. O. S, for so kindlyreviewing the periods of which they had personal knowledge. 

In conclusion, I wish to add that every copy sold helps towards theerection of Battlefield Memorials to be placed in France and Flanders. 

 T. O. MARDEN, _Major-General. __April 1920. _

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

 I. MOBILIZATION AND MOVE TO FRANCE 1

 II. BATTLE OF THE AISNE 3

 III. MOVE TO THE NORTH AND FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES 6

 IV. ARMENTIÈRES 10

 V. YPRES SALIENT 13

 VI. THE SOMME 20

 VII. LOOS SALIENT 28

VIII. CAMBRAI 35

 IX. GERMAN OFFENSIVE OF MARCH 1918 44

 X. YPRES SALIENT AGAIN 53

 XI. THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN THE SOUTH 58

 XII. THE MARCH TO THE RHINE AND OCCUPATION OF GERMANY 76

APPENDIX

 I. BATTLE CASUALTIES 81

 II. V. C. S WON BY THE DIVISION 82

 III. DIARY 85

 IV. ORDERS OF BATTLE ON MOBILIZATION AND ON 11th NOVEMBER 1918 102

 V. CHANGES IN COMMANDS AND STAFFS 109

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE 6th DIVISION

CHAPTER I

MOBILIZATION AND MOVE TO FRANCE

1914

The Division mobilized with its Headquarters at Cork--two brigades inIreland, namely, the 16th Infantry Brigade at Fermoy, and the 17thInfantry Brigade at Cork, and one Infantry Brigade--the 18th--atLichfield. Divisional troops mobilized in Ireland. The order formobilization was received at 10 p. M. On the 4th August 1914. 

On the 15th August units mobilized in Ireland commenced embarkation atCork and Queenstown for England, and the Division was concentrated incamps in the neighbourhood of Cambridge and Newmarket by the 18thAugust. 

The period from the 18th August to the 7th September was one of hardtraining. Those who were with the Division at that time will alsoremember, with gratitude, the many kindnesses shown them by the peopleof Cambridge; the canteens and recreation rooms instituted for themen, and the hospitality shown by colleges and individuals to theofficers. They will remember, too, their growing impatience to getout, and their increasing fear that the Division would arrive toolate. 

On the 7th September, however, entrainment for Southampton commenced, and on the 9th the first troops of the Division disembarked at St. Nazaire. 

From St. Nazaire a long train journey, which the novelty of theexperience robbed of its tediousness, took the Division a shortdistance east of Paris, where it concentrated in billets in the areaCoulommiers--Mortcerf--Marles--Chaume by the 12th September. 

CHAPTER II

BATTLE OF THE AISNE

1914

The period 13th to 19th September was spent in the march to the Aisne, where the Division arrived at a time when a certain amount of anxietywas felt by the Higher Command. The 5th French Army on the right, theBritish Army in the centre, and the 6th French Army under GeneralMaunoury on the left, had pushed the Germans back across the Marne, and on the 14th September the British troops had crossed the Aisne onthe front Soissons-Bourg--the I Corps at Bourg, the II Corps at Vaillyand Missy, and the III at Venizel. The French right attack from thedirection of Rheims and the British attack by the I Corps hadprogressed much faster than the left, and had reached the heights onthe line Craonne-Troyon, astride the famous Chemin des Dames. Thesewere now the objective of fierce attacks by the Germans, and the 6thDivision, which had been allotted originally to the III Corps, was putinto General Reserve instead, only the artillery joining the IIICorps. The units of the I Corps were very tired and weakened after thebig retreat from Mons and the subsequent hard fighting on the Marneand Aisne, so immediately on its arrival the 18th Infantry Brigade(Brig. -Gen. W. N. Congreve, V. C. ) was ordered to relieve the 2ndInfantry Brigade on the right of the British line. The front takenover ran diagonally from north-east to south-west along the highground just south of the Chemin des Dames to the north and north-eastof Troyon. The East Yorks on the left relieved in daylight on the 19thSeptember the D. L. I. , and the West Yorks during the night of the19/20th September. The West Yorks had two companies in fronttrenches, one company echeloned in right rear and one company insupport. The Sherwood Foresters were in reserve. 

At dawn on the 20th September, the enemy delivered a heavy attack onthe I Corps and on the French left, driving in the Tirailleursd'Afrique and turning the flank of the West Yorks. The echelonedcompany formed front to the flank, and the supporting company followedsuit. The Germans annihilated the right front company, and, using thewhite flag ruse, apparently captured some of the next company. MajorIngles, collecting a proportion of the front companies, withdrew ashort distance and counter-attacked, but was unsuccessful and lost hislife in this gallant endeavour. At about 1 p. M. A counter-attack wasdelivered by the Sherwood Foresters, who were in Brigade Reserve, thesupport company of the West Yorks, under Lt. -Col. Towsey, and asquadron of the 18th Hussars from Paissy. These, advancing over theperfectly open ground, recaptured the trenches and gallantly held themagainst further attacks. In this affair the West Yorks sufferedcasualties amounting approximately to 15 officers and 600 other ranks, the Sherwood Foresters also losing 12 officers and 180 other ranks. The temporary loss of the trenches by the West Yorks exposed thetrenches of the D. L. I, to enfilade machine-gun fire, from which theyhad considerable casualties, including Majors Mander and Robb. Thiswas the only serious fighting in which the Division was engaged, but acertain amount of trouble was caused by the arrival of guns fromAntwerp which fired "Black Marias, " and the enfilade gun andmachine-gun fire to which portions of the main line lent themselves. 

On the 21st September the 17th Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. W. R. B. Doran) relieved the 6th Infantry Brigade and the 4th Guards Brigade onthe front Fort de Metz-La Cour de Soupir, and held the portion withoutmuch incident till 2nd October, when they were withdrawn intoCorps Reserve. 

The 16th Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. E. C. Ingouville-Williams)relieved the 7th and 9th Infantry Brigades to the north-east of Vaillyon the 21st/22nd September, and remained in trenches until 12thOctober, some time after the rest of the Division had gone north. Theyreceived the thanks of the II Corps for their soldierly conduct. Thedivisional artillery (Brig. -Gen. W. H. L. Paget) was in support of the5th Division opposite Missy, but only the 2nd Brigade was engaged. Ithad already been re-organized since mobilization by the inclusion, ineach of 12th, 24th and 38th Brigades, of a battery of 4. 5-in. Howitzers. 

The Battle of the Aisne marked the commencement of trench warfare, andthe Royal Engineers (Lt. -Col. G. C. Kemp, C. R. E. ) were employed tosome extent in wiring at night. 

CHAPTER III

MOVE TO THE NORTH AND FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES

1914

The diminishing pressure of the Germans on the Aisne had made itevident that an attempt by them to reach the Channel ports would bemade very soon. This would best be frustrated by an outflankingmovement of the Allies to the north, with the ultimate aim of joininghands with the Belgian Army at that time holding Antwerp. Sir JohnFrench was most anxious to place the British Army in its originalposition on the left of the French, as it was based on Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk. 

The II British Corps was the first to move from the Aisne andprolonged the French line towards La Bassée; the I and III Corpsextending inwards to relieve it. Next followed the III Corps, relievedby the French and destined to take its place north of the II Corpstowards Bailleul. 

The Cavalry Corps advanced north of the III Corps towards Kemmel, andat a later date the I Corps, handing over to the French, was movedtowards Ypres, while the 7th Division, just arrived in France, wasdirected on Menin. 

The III Corps consisted of the 4th and 6th Divisions under Lt. -Gen. Pulteney. The period 6th to 9th October was occupied in the march tothe entraining station near Compiègne. The Division detrained at St. Omer on 10th October, and was joined by the 19th Infantry Brigade(Brig. -Gen. Hon. F. Gordon), which remained with it until 31st May1915. The battalions composing this brigade were 2nd R. W. F. , 1stCameronians, 1st Middlesex, 2nd A. And S. Highlanders. The 5thCameronians were added on 19th November 1914. 

On the 12th October the Division marched to Hazebrouck, where itcovered the detrainment of the 4th Division and came into touch withthe enemy. The latter, consisting of two Cavalry Divisions with someJäger (Rifle) Battalions, and at least one Division of the XIX Corps, were fighting a rearguard action until such time as they should bereinforced. The character of the advance may be illustrated by anincident on the 14th October, when a platoon of the 1st R. F. (of theReserve Brigade) was detailed to rescue General Keir's car, which hadrun into snipers near Merris. Fortunately the G. O. C. Was not in it. The reinforcement by the enemy occurred on the 20th October, on whichdate began the Battle of Ypres-Armentières, generally called the FirstBattle of Ypres. As far as the Division was concerned this took placeon the western portion of the ridge between Armentières and Lille, andresulted in the Division being forced back from the linePréniesques-Radinghem (almost on top of the ridge) to the low groundRue du Bois-La Boutillerie after very fierce continuous fighting from20th to 31st October, in which the Division suffered nearly 4, 000casualties. To revert, on 13th October the III Corps advanced with the4th Division on the left and the 6th Division on the right. An actiontook place on the line of the Méteren Brook, commencing at 1 p. M. Andcontinuing till dark, when the 17th and 18th Infantry Brigades hadcaptured Méteren and Bailleul with about 400 casualties. Pushingforward, the 17th Infantry Brigade crossed the River Lys at Bac St. Maur, and the 18th Infantry Brigade at Sailly on the night 15/16thOctober, and approached on the 17th the ridge west of Lille, where theenemy were reported to be entrenched. The 16th Infantry Brigade nowrejoined the Division from the Aisne, and on the 18th October areconnaissance in force was ordered, which was brilliantly carriedout. The Buffs and Y. And L. On the right captured Radinghemwithout much opposition, and advanced across a small plateau, 300yards in width, towards the woods in which stands the Château deFlandres. They here came under a heavy cross-fire of machine-guns andshrapnel, and were counter-attacked and driven back. The situation, however, was saved by Major Bayley's company of the Y. And L. , whichhad worked round on the left and threatened the flank of thecounter-attack, which thereon withdrew. The Y. And L. Sufferedconsiderable casualties in this little action--Major Robertson beingkilled. Meanwhile the 18th Infantry Brigade had captured Ennetièresand the south end of Capinghem, while the 17th Infantry Brigadereached Prémesques, but was unable to take Pérenchies. The 4thDivision had not been able to cross the Lys north of Armentières, which necessitated the 17th Infantry Brigade throwing back its flankto l'Epinette. On the 19th October the Division entrenched on the lineit had won. To the right were French cavalry and cyclists, coveringthe gap between the right of the III Corps and the left of the I Corpsnear Aubers. The advance from Hazebrouck to the ridge had occupied sixdays, and cost the Division some 750 casualties. 

On the morning of the 20th October the Germans attacked very heavilyon the whole front. Fighting on a very extended front (five miles) andwith very little in hand, the Division was soon in difficulties, particularly on the exposed left flank, where the Leinsters had theirthree left companies quickly driven in, and the situation at middaywas critical. One company with the machine-guns was able to hold onuntil the afternoon at Mont de Prémesques, and to withdraw under coverof darkness, having inflicted heavy loss on the enemy. Meanwhile unitsof other brigades were putting up a gallant fight against great odds, each unit generally with one or both flanks unsupported. AtEnnetières, which formed rather a salient, the Sherwood Foresters heldout all day, but were attacked at dusk by three battalions andpractically annihilated or captured, only the CO. , Adjutant, Q. M. And250 other ranks remaining the next day. 

The Buffs, after a splendid fight, were driven out of Radinghem, andby night the Division was practically back on the line which it was tohold for the next few months, and on which the German offensive of1918 still found the British. Continuous unsuccessful attempts tobreak through occurred till 31st October, when trench warfare set in. Notable among these was the attack on the K. S. L. I. And Y. And L. Onthe 23rd October, when 300 enemy dead were left in front of ourtrenches; on the 18th Infantry Brigade on the night of the 27/28thOctober, when the enemy captured the line, but was driven out by acounter-attack, in which the East Yorks specially distinguishedthemselves; and on the night of the 29/30th October, when the 19thInfantry Brigade lost some trenches, but counter-attackedsuccessfully, and counted 200 German dead. The incident of Cpl. Forward, 1st The Buffs, is typical of the fierce fighting. On 30thOctober, when the O. C. Machine-guns of The Buffs and all the team hadbeen killed or wounded, this gallant N. C. O. Continued to fire his gununtil eventually wounded in five places, when he crawled back toreport the situation. He was rewarded with the D. C. M. During the wholeperiod, 20th to 30th October, the guns were woefully short ofammunition, and consequently a greater strain was thrown on theinfantry. 

CHAPTER IV

ARMENTIÈRES

1914-15

Active fighting now died away on this front, but its place was takenby constant shelling and the deadly sniping which claimed so manyvictims at this time. The weather during November and December wastruly appalling. All trenches were knee-deep and more in mud andwater, and it is on record that the B. G. C. , 19th Infantry Brigade, hadhis boots sucked off by the mud and went round trenches without them. Parapets would not stand and were so flimsy that many men were shotthrough them. But the weather eventually improved, material forrevetment began to appear, and by the commencement of 1915 it waspossible to move in the trenches in comparative safety. 

The next few months were uneventful ones, the only incidents worthy ofremark being a visit from the King on the 2nd December; a minoroperation by the North Staffordshire Regiment on the 12th March, resulting in the inclusion in our line of the unsavoury EpinetteSalient; the sudden move of the 16th Infantry Brigade to Vlamertingheat the time of the enemy's attack at St. Eloi in the middle of March, and a little mining and counter-mining on the Frelinghien and LeTouquet fronts in May. The minor operation at l'Epinette was a verywell-planned night affair, whereby the 17th Infantry Brigade advancedtheir line 200-300 yards on a frontage of half a mile. It was carriedout by the 1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment and 12th FieldCompany, and Sir H. Smith-Dorrien (Army Commander), in congratulatingthe regiment, mentioned particularly Lieuts. Pope and Gordon forfine leading. But if there was no heavy fighting, the trench casualtiesfrom sniping and enemy shell-fire were quite considerable (seeAppendix). We had practically no artillery ammunition with which toworry the enemy, as the following extract from the Divisional WarDiary shows:--

_24th April 1915. _--"In view of the fighting in progress in the north(Second Battle of Ypres) the Corps Commander allots an extra tenrounds of shrapnel per gun for 18-pounders with a view to making ademonstration by fire to hold the enemy in front of us. " Amusingreading in 1919!

The Division continued to hold a quiet but very extended front tillthe end of May, receiving a succession of units from new Divisions toserve their apprenticeship to trench warfare. 

Amongst our visitors, during this period, were units of the 9thDivision, and some of those who have read Ian Hay's _The First HundredThousand_ will have recognized in it a description of a part of thetrenches of the 19th Infantry Brigade. 

During this period the four brigades each received a fifth TerritorialBattalion--the Queen's Westminsters joining on the 11th November andbeing allotted to the 18th Infantry Brigade; the 5th Scottish Rifles, who went to the 19th Infantry Brigade, joining on the 19th November;the 2nd Battalion London Regiment joining the 17th Infantry Brigade inFebruary, and the 5th Battalion Loyal North Lancashire Regiment the16th Infantry Brigade on the 15th of that month. The 38th FieldCompany left the Division on the 9th April, and on the 21st December1914 the 1st London Field Company, later the 509th, began its longconnection with the 6th Division. The Division lost its squadron ofthe 19th Hussars, receiving in its place "C" squadron of theNorthamptonshire Yeomanry. 

It was during the sojourn in Armentières that the "Fancies, "without mention of whom no history of the Division would be complete, came into being. With the "Follies, " the 4th Division troupe, formed afew weeks before them, also in Armentières, they were the forerunnersof the Divisional theatrical troupes which subsequently becameuniversal. 

At Armentières also took place the first 6th Divisional Horse Show, ahighly successful two-day show--the first of its kind held in theB. E. F. 

On the 27th May 1915 began the relief of the Division by the 27thDivision, and on the following days its move northwards to join thenewly formed VI Corps. Major-Gen. Sir John Keir left on the 27th totake up command of the new corps, taking with him--as B. G. , R. A. --Brig. -Gen. W. H. L. Paget. 

Major-Gen. W. N. Congreve, V. C. , from the 18th Infantry Brigade, succeeded Sir John Keir in command of the Division; Brig. -Gen. Humphreys taking the appointment of C. R. A. 

CHAPTER V

YPRES SALIENT

1915-16

On the night of the 31st May/1st June the Division took over its newfront in the Ypres Salient, commencing its long tour in that unsavouryregion, and trench casualties almost doubled immediately. It continuedin the Salient up to the end of July 1916, with three periods of rest, each of about a month's duration: the first spent in the neighbourhoodof Houtkerque and Poperinghe, in November and December 1915; thesecond in the Houtkerque-Wormhoudt area, with one brigade at a timeback at Calais from mid-March to mid-April 1916; and the third againin the Houtkerque-Wormhoudt area from mid-June to mid-July 1916. Thenature of these rests has been humorously but not untruthfullyportrayed in the columns of _Punch_; the author of "At the Front" inthat paper having been an officer in the K. S. L. I. 

The line was just hardening after the Second Battle of Ypres when theDivision moved up to the Salient, and no active operations took placeon the actual front taken over by the Division, but its artillery wascalled upon to assist its neighbours on either flank, i. E. On the 16thJune when the 3rd Division attacked Bellewarde Farm north-west ofHooge; on the 22nd June when the 42nd Infantry Brigade of the 14thDivision attempted a small operation, and on the 6th July when the 4thDivision carried out a successful minor operation near Pilkem. 

On the 30th July the 14th Division was attacked at Hooge and drivenback to Sanctuary and Zouave Woods. Their counter-attacks, gallantlydelivered, but under the circumstances giving very little prospect ofsuccess, failed, and for a time the situation was critical. The16th Infantry Brigade was moved up to the area about Goldfish Château(half-mile north-west of Ypres) as a precautionary measure, and was atone time in danger of being thrown in to make a hasty counter-attack. Fortunately this proved unnecessary, and on the 31st July the CorpsCommander decided to relieve the whole Division, and to allot to itthe task of restoring the line at Hooge in a carefully preparedattack. 

The relief was carried out on the 2nd and 3rd August 1915, and on the6th the Division took over its front of attack, and the preparatorybombardment was commenced. This bombardment was very carefullyplanned, carried out with great thoroughness and accuracy, and was oneof the most effective and severe that had, up to that time, been putdown by the British. The artillery co-operation in the attack was on asimilar scale and equally effective, except so far as counter-batterywork against enemy artillery to the south was concerned, and theattack owed much of its success to the assistance it received from theartillery. To this assistance two French batteries of "75's, " lent bythe 36th French Corps, ably contributed. 

The attack was launched on the 9th August at 3. 15 a. M. On a front ofabout 1, 000 yards--the 18th Infantry Brigade (Lt. -Col. F. W. Towsey)attacking on the right with the 2nd D. L. I. In front line and the 2ndSherwood Foresters in support, the 16th Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. C. Nicholson) on the left, with the 1st K. S. L. I. And the 2nd Y. And L. Regiment in front line, and the 1st The Buffs in support. 

The attack was completely successful; all objectives were quicklygained. A very large number of German dead were counted in therecaptured position, and a considerable number of prisoners taken. Thecaptured position was subjected to a very heavy bombardment, especially on the right; principally by guns firing from thesouth-east, not opposite the corps front, which took the new line inflank and often in reverse. The troops of the 18th Infantry Brigadeheld on to their positions with their usual gallantry anddetermination, in spite of very heavy casualties. The 2nd D. L. I. Particularly distinguished themselves by the tenacity they displayed, and they and the 2nd Sherwood Foresters and 1st East YorkshireRegiment suffered severely. In face of the heavy shelling it was foundimpossible on the right to establish a line on the final objective, where all the former trenches had been entirely obliterated. Theadvanced troops had accordingly to be withdrawn on this flank, butsome time after this withdrawal was thought to have been completed amessage was received from a Lance-Corporal of the 2nd D. L. I. To theeffect that he was established in the stables of the château with afew men, and asking that rations and ammunition might be sent up tothem. On the left not only was all the ground lost on the 30th Julyregained, but an important spur north of the Menin Road, which hadhitherto been in German occupation, was included in the final positionconsolidated. Three officers and 124 other ranks were taken prisoners, and over 500 of the enemy were counted dead on the captured ground. The gallant work of the R. E. In wiring the position was speciallymentioned in the accounts from G. H. Q. Which appeared in the papers. 

The attack at Hooge was particularly interesting, as it was the firstattempt made to follow the barrage really closely. The barrage didnot, however, "creep" up to the German front line, but was placeddirectly on it at once at zero and lifted back from there, the 6-in. Howitzers lifting slightly before the Field Artillery. The infantrylay out as close to the barrage as possible before zero, and moved in_on time_ as soon as the Field Artillery barrage lifted. The attackwas looked upon for some time as a model of really close co-operationbetween infantry and artillery. 

For this operation, skilfully planned and most gallantly andsuccessfully carried out, the Division received great praise. Thecasualties were 70 officers and 1, 700 other ranks. (A very fullaccount of this operation can be found in the fourth volume of _TheGreat World War_, published by the Gresham Publishing Company, Limited. )

Other incidents of the tour in the Salient were the gallant voluntaryassistance rendered on the 6th July 1915 by Lieut. Smith, 1st NorthStaffords (died of wounds), with his grenadier party to a post of the41st Brigade which was being heavily attacked, and which brought himthe thanks of General Allenby, commanding V Corps; the enemy gasattack of 19th December 1915, when no actual attack was launchedagainst the Division, and the minor operations near Turco Farm andMorteldje Estaminet on 19th-22nd April 1916. Certain trenches, D20 and21 and Willow Walk, were much overlooked by High Command Redoubt, some150 yards away. The Germans throughout the 19th April heavilybombarded these trenches, and succeeded in seizing them at night. Onecompany 8th Bedfords and two companies Y. And L. Delivered acounter-attack in the early hours of 20th April, but could not retakethe position. The Brigadier-General therefore decided to bombard themsteadily throughout the 21st, and recapture them on the night21st/22nd April with three companies of the K. S. L. I. , then in BrigadeReserve. This was brilliantly accomplished in spite of the very heavygoing, and the line firmly re-established, but with the loss ofLt. -Col. Luard, commanding K. S. L. I. , who died of wounds. It was foundthat the enemy had dug good new trenches in several places, andequipped them with steel loop-hole plates, and these were occupiedthankfully by our men. The general state of the trenches, commanded asthey were by the enemy's positions, in the water-logged Ypres Salientduring the winter of 1915-1916 defies description, and all praise mustbe given to the regimental officers and men for their hard workand cheerfulness under most depressing conditions. 

Mention must be made of the thirty-five-mile march to Croix Dubac toassist in an extensive raid by the Anzac Corps, made by the 24thBrigade, R. F. A. , at the shortest notice. The brigade was away tendays. 

During this period the principal change which occurred in the Order ofBattle of the Division was the arrival of the 71st Infantry Brigade(Brig. -Gen. M. Shewen) instead of the 17th Infantry Brigade, whichtook the place of the former in the 24th Division. Consequent on thiswas a redistribution of battalions to brigades--the 1st LeicestershireRegiment, from the 16th Infantry Brigade, and the 2nd SherwoodForesters, from the 18th Infantry Brigade, being transferred to the71st Infantry Brigade in exchange for the 8th Bedfordshire Regimentand the 11th Essex Regiment respectively. These exchanges tookplace--the former on the 18th November 1915, the latter on the 28thOctober 1915. On 1st April the 11th Leicestershire Regiment (Pioneers)joined from the United Kingdom. 

On the 11th June the 5th Loyal North Lancashire Regiment left theDivision, and on 11th October the 2nd London Regiment; on the 26thNovember the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment was transferred to the 1stDivision, and on the 28th November the Queen's Westminsters left tojoin the 56th Division, the 14th D. L. I. Arriving the same day to taketheir place in the 18th Infantry Brigade. On the 13th October the2/2nd West Riding (later the 459th) Field Company joined. Machine-guncompanies took their place--the 18th M. G. C. In January, the 16thM. G. C. In February, and the 71st M. G. C. In March 1916. Medium T. M. Scame into being in May 1916, and L. T. M. S in August 1916. The cyclistcompany and the squadron of Northamptonshire Yeomanry also left duringthis period on becoming Corps troops. 

The changes in the Divisional Artillery were numerous. On 12th May the12th Brigade, R. F. A. , was broken up--the 87th Battery going to the2nd Brigade, and the 43rd Battery to the 24th Brigade; eachbattery giving one section to form "D" Battery, 38th Brigade, whichlatter replaced the 34th Battery transferred on 15th February to aT. F. Division. The 86th Battery had previously been transferred fromthe 12th Brigade, R. F. A. , to another Division. The 38th Brigade laterbecame an Army Brigade, R. F. A. 

On the 14th November 1915 Major-Gen. C. Ross, D. S. O. , assumed commandof the Division, on the appointment of Major-Gen. W. N. Congreve, V. C. , to the command of the XIII Corps. Lt. -Col. J. M. Shea (nowMajor-Gen. Sir J. M. Shea, K. C. M. G. , C. B. , D. S. O. ) was succeeded asG. S. O. 1 on the 5th July 1915 by Lt. -Col. G. F. Boyd, D. S. O. , D. C. M. , who finished the war as Major-General commanding the 46th Division. Onthe 29th February 1916 Major W. E. Ironside, who has since reached theposition of Major-General commanding the Allied Forces at Archangel, was succeeded as G. S. O. 2 by Major L. P. Evans of the Black Watch, whosubsequently, after winning the V. C. As a Battalion Commander, finished the War in command of an Infantry Brigade. 

A history of the Division would hardly be complete without a shortreference to "The Admiral. " Many of those who knew and liked him wellby that name probably never knew him by any other. Lieut. Smith was anowner driver in charge of a convoy of 'buses with the Royal NavalDivision at Antwerp, whence he escaped to France. In October 1914 heseized the opportunity of an officer requiring to be taken up to joinhis unit, to make his way with his car to the front. Arrived there hecontrived to get himself attached to the 6th Division Headquarters, remaining with them until he was reported missing on the 10th June1916. Consumed with a good healthy hatred of the enemy, and keen to beof assistance in any way that he could, he devoted the greater part ofthe time he was with the Division to experimenting with bullet-proofshields on wheels to be propelled by manpower, a sort of embryonictank. His ambition was himself to take the first of these into action. At last he was offered an opportunity of co-operating with a small3-man pattern in a minor raid near Forward Cottage. What success hemight have achieved it is impossible to say, as in his eagerness hepreceded the shield by several yards to show the crew the way and washit in the neck by a splinter from a bomb. The name of Admiral's Road, given to the road past Crossroads Farm and Forward Cottage, commemorates the incident of which it was the scene. Later "TheAdmiral" turned his attention to Bangalore torpedoes, in the use ofwhich he trained the unauthorised party which had long existed underthe name of the 6th Division Shield Party. With them he took part inmany raids and minor enterprises, one of which earned him the D. S. O. On the 10th June he was reported missing from a patrol of the 9thNorfolk Regiment, and nothing has since been heard of him. For nearlytwo years he contrived to serve voluntarily with the Division, nobodyquite knows in what capacity or by what authority, and during thattime he endeared himself to all by his unfailing good nature andcheeriness, his whole-hearted enthusiasm and his lack of fear. 

It may here be mentioned that during its last "rest" the Divisioncarried out very hard training over dummy trenches for an attack onthe Pilkem Ridge, in conjunction with the Guards. This attack wasabandoned when the Division moved to the Somme, but it formed thebasis of the very successful attack delivered by the Guards and WelshDivisions in July 1917. 

CHAPTER VI

THE SOMME

1916

At the end of July the Division was at last relieved from the Salient, where it had suffered nearly 11, 000 casualties during its thirteenmonths' sojourn, and went south by train to join the Fifth Army. 

The greater part of August was spent on the Ancre, on the frontopposite Beaumont-Hamel, making preparations for an attack which waseventually abandoned for a time. 

After a short period in reserve the Division was moved, between 6thand 8th September, to join the XIV Corps, Fourth Army (Lt. -Gen. LordCavan), to which corps it had for some time belonged up north. The XIVCorps was the right corps of the British attack, and had its right onthe north bank of the Somme. In a succession of hard-fought battlesthe Fourth Army (Gen. Sir H. S. Rawlinson) had pushed the Germans backa considerable distance; units were feeling the strain badly, andfresh troops were needed. 

On 9th September a successful attack had given us Ginchy and LeuzeWood, but the Germans were holding very strongly the high ground whichlies in the form of a horseshoe between the above-named points, andwhich dominates the country for some distance to the south. Thetrenches followed the shape of the spur roughly at the back end of thehorseshoe, and covered access was given to them by a sunken roadleading back to the deep valley which runs north from Combles. 

At the top of the spur, just south of the railway and communicatingwith the sunken road, was a four-sided trench in the form of aparallelogram of some 300 yards by 150 yards, called by us theQuadrilateral. 

It was this strong point and the adjoining trenches which had held upthe advance of the Fourth Army on the 9th September, and it was thefirst task of the 6th Division to obliterate the horseshoe andstraighten the line preparatory to a general attack on the 15thSeptember. 

On 12th September attacks by the 56th Division on the south and theGuards on the north reduced the neck of the horseshoe, or pocket, toabout 500 yards, but could not close it. The situation within thehorseshoe was undefined, and the exact positions of the Quadrilateraland other trenches were not known, owing to the bad flying weather. Even our own positions were in doubt, as almost every vestige ofroads, railways and even villages had disappeared under the continuousbombardments. 

On night 11/12th September the 71st Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. J. F. Edwards) relieved part of the Guards Division and the 16th InfantryBrigade (Brig. -Gen. W. L. Osborn), part of the 56th Division, withorders on the 13th September to straighten the line by capturing theQuadrilateral. The 71st Infantry Brigade attacked with the Forestersnorth of the railway and 9th Suffolk Regiment south of the railway, while the 8th Bedford Regiment, who were close to the Quadrilateral onthe north-east of the Leuze Wood, co-operated by bombing up the trenchtowards it. The artillery co-operation was weak, observation beingdifficult, and though the troops advanced with the greatest gallantrythe northern attack could only make 500 yards, and the southern attackof the 71st Infantry Brigade still less, while casualties from theenemy artillery and machine-gun fire were very large. 

A second attack at 6 p. M. The same day succeeded in bringing our lineto about 250 yards from the Strong Point, and in getting touch on theright with the 16th Infantry Brigade. 

Preparations were now made to include the Quadrilateral in thegeneral attack of the 15th September instead of making it a subsidiaryoperation--a situation which recurred two years later almost to a dayin the attack on Holnon Village, and which had similar results. 

The British objective for the 15th September wasGueudecourt-Flers-Lesboeufs-Morval--the XIV Corps (Guards and 6thDivision) to capture the two latter. It was the first occasion onwhich tanks were employed, and as far as the Division was concernedwas a failure, for of the three allotted to the 6th Division two brokedown before starting, and the third, moving off in accordance withorders long before the infantry, had its periscope shot off, itspeep-holes blinded, was riddled by armour-piercing bullets, and had tocome back without achieving anything. This again found a parallel inthe attack on the Quadrilateral, near St. Quentin, on 18th September1918, when the tanks were ineffective. 

To facilitate the movement of the tanks a gap of about 200 yards hadbeen left in the creeping barrage. This gap unfortunately coincidedwith the strongest point of the Quadrilateral. The barrage, moreover, had passed over the German trenches by the time the infantry advanced;the latter had, consequently, to attack up the glacis-like slopeswithout any artillery support except the bombardment. This, owing tothe enemy's trenches not having been accurately located, wasineffective. 

The 16th Infantry Brigade attacked on a battalion front--one companyof the Bedfords bombing up the trench from Leuze Wood, and theremainder over the open to the north against the south-west face. TheBuffs and York and Lancasters supported the attack, but in spite ofthe greatest gallantry could not take the Strong Point. 

The 1st Leicesters and the Norfolks, passing through the entrenchedForesters and Suffolks, attacked the Quadrilateral from the north-westwith equal drive, but they too failed. Some ground, however, wasmade, and by 10 a. M. The 16th Infantry Brigade on the south, and the71st Infantry Brigade on the north, were digging in close to theenemy's wire and trenches. 

During the day constant reports arrived that the Guards had gainedtheir objectives, and that tanks and cheering men were moving throughLesboeufs. It was not until the following morning that this reportwas proved to be incorrect, and that it was Flers which had beencaptured. In the meantime it appeared to the Divisional G. O. C. (General Ross) that the prospect of a break-through on a large scalewas prejudiced solely by the repulse of the 6th Division. He thereforeordered a night attack on the flanks of the Quadrilateral to beexecuted by two battalions of the 18th Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. R. J. Bridgford). These battalions, the 2nd Durham Light Infantry and the11th Essex, moved round after dark and attacked; the former from thenorth, the latter from the south-east to the left of the 16th InfantryBrigade. The 11th Essex lost direction, while the 2nd D. L. I. Bombeddown a trench only to find that it did not lead into the Strong Point. Except on the 6th Divisional front and at High Wood, which wascaptured during the night, the whole line had advanced, and it was abitter blow to the Division to think that their sacrifices had been invain. 

On the night of the 16/17th September the 18th Infantry Brigaderelieved the sorely-tried 71st Infantry Brigade, and freshpreparations were made for an attack, on the 18th, of theQuadrilateral, which had been strongly reinforced by the enemy throughthe sunken road. 

The K. S. L. I. Dug themselves in with their left on the railway, so asto assault the south-west face of the Strong Point. The weather havingcleared, the trenches were now carefully located from the air andheavily bombarded, and on the 18th September, under both a stationaryand creeping barrage, and with the York and Lancasters bombing upthe trench from Leuze Wood, and the 18th Infantry Brigade (West Yorksand 14th Durham Light Infantry) attacking the north-west face and thetrench running north from the Quadrilateral, this redoubtable StrongPoint was at last captured with comparatively small loss after whatmust be conceded as a magnificent defence, and which had cost theDivision upwards of 3, 500 casualties. Nine machine-guns and 160unwounded prisoners were taken in the Quadrilateral and many Germanskilled. 

The Quadrilateral once captured, the advance was carried forward for1, 000 yards to within half a mile of Morval and Lesboeufs. These, which were the original objectives on the 13th September, were now tobe attacked on the 25th September. Relieved for rest on the 16th, theDivision came in again on 21st September, and dug good assemblytrenches. The most forward portion of the line taken over by theDivision consisted of 250 yards of one of the main German trenches, which was held by the Germans on both flanks for some distance. Fortunately we were in possession of the communication trench leadingup to it, and during the three nights after taking over considerableexcitement and amusement were caused by the occasional arrival ofGerman ration parties at our part of the trench, having failed to hitoff the part occupied by their own troops. Uttering many gutturaloaths these fled for their lives, speeded up by our machine and Lewisguns. A few prisoners were captured in this way, and some valuableinformation obtained. Spurred on apparently by the loss of theirrations, the Germans attacked on the 24th September both flanks ofthis trench under cover of a mist, but were driven back withoutreaching it, except on the extreme right. Here they entered a bombingpost, but were ejected, leaving one officer and twelve other ranksdead and an unwounded prisoner, while our casualties were practicallynil. 

The objective allotted to the Division for the 25th September was theground between the north end of Morval (attacked by 5th Division)and the road which passes through the centre of Lesboeufs. At 12. 35p. M. The attack was launched--the 16th Infantry Brigade on the rightgaining the first objective with the Buffs, and the final objectivewith K. S. L. I. And the Y. And L. On the left the 2nd D. L. I. And theEssex captured the first objective, and the West Yorks and twocompanies 14th D. L. I. The final objective. This was one of the mostsuccessful battles on the Somme--thanks to good weather andobservation, a carefully arranged creeping barrage, and a soundpreliminary bombardment. 

The Division captured over 500 prisoners, 6 machine-guns, and 4 heavytrench-mortars. Tanks were not used. We here turned the tables on the52nd Division, 26th Reserve Corps, our old opponents at Ypres, wherethe ground was all in their favour and where they had provedtroublesome antagonists. 

After consolidating its ground the Division was relieved by the 20thDivision on 30th September, and the long struggle began for thepossession of the high ground overlooking the Bapaume-Le TransloyRoad. 

On 7th October the XIV Corps (20th and 56th Divisions) attackedwith only partial success, and the 6th Division was brought inagain on night 8/9th October for a general attack on the 12thOctober. The enemy had dug a series of trenches named by usRainbow--Cloudy--Misty--Zenith, etc. , a portion of which had beencaptured by us, making a somewhat pronounced salient. All threebrigades were in the line, with one battalion in front trenches, the71st Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. E. Feetham) being in the salient, with the 16th Infantry Brigade on the right and the 18th InfantryBrigade on the left. The objective of the attack of the 12th Octoberwas the line of trenches running north from Le Transloy. 

At 2. 5 p. M. The flank brigades attacked, but with only partialsuccess. The failure to make ground, which was general all alongthe British front, was attributed to want of surprise, as we hadbombarded the position for two days, and always attacked in the earlyafternoon. Further, the ground was very heavy and observationextremely bad. The Germans were fresh troops, and fought well. Perhapsmore than anything it was due to the effect of their machine-gun fire. Taught by our creeping barrage that machine-guns in the front linewere useless, the enemy had drawn them across the valley towards theroad, and caught our advance over the brow of the rise with accuratedistant machine-gun fire. 

Changing the time of zero, the attack was renewed at 5. 35 a. M. On the15th October, the 18th Infantry Brigade on the left (2nd D. L. I. And11th Essex) attempting to seize those portions of Cloudy and Mildtrenches still held by the enemy, while the Sherwood Foresters ontheir right attacked some gun pits which lay about 200 yards in frontof their line. This latter attack succeeded, but with the great lossof Colonel Hobbs, O. C. The Foresters, who died of his wounds. The leftattack made a little ground. A final attempt to push forward the linewas made on the 18th October by the 9th Norfolks, but was onlypartially successful. 

On 20th October the Division (less artillery) was relieved and movedto the First Army, going into Corps Reserve of the I Corps, withDivisional Headquarters at Béthune and the units in the town andsurrounding area. 

The artillery of the Division (Brig. -Gen. E. S. Cleeve, C. R. A. ) hadfirst come into action on the Somme on the 3rd September, supportingthe attack of the 16th Division on Guillemont. It was grouped andre-grouped in accordance with the requirements of the situation, butnever as a whole covered the operations of the Division. 

On the 9th November it was withdrawn and marched to First Army area, where for about a month it covered the 56th Division, XI Corps, with6th D. A. H. Q. At La Gorgue, rejoining the Division in I Corps inDecember. Brig. -Gen. E. F. Delaforce replaced Brig. -Gen. Cleeveas C. R. A. On 25th October. 

The Division had taken part as a whole in three general attacks on theSomme (15th and 25th September and 12th October), and had also carriedout subordinate operations on 13th and 18th September and 18thOctober. 

It had suffered casualties amounting to 277 officers and 6, 640 otherranks, and had well earned a rest. 

CHAPTER VII

LOOS SALIENT

1916-17

On 25th November the Division took over the La Bassée sector, whichincluded the famous Givenchy Ridge and Cuinchy Brickstacks. Afterabout a month it side-stepped to the Cambrin-Hohenzollern Quarriesfront of about 5, 500 yards, where it remained until the 28th February1917. All this front had a most evil repute, but so exhausted was theenemy by the Somme fighting that this four months' trench sojournproved the quietest the Division ever experienced, except before thestorm of March 1918, and the casualties would have been far fewer hadit not been for several raids carried out by us. 

The machine-guns of the Division were strengthened on 15th December bythe arrival of the 192nd M. G. Company, and on 2nd January 1917Lt. -Col. G. F. B. Goldney, D. S. O. , succeeded Lt. -Col. H. R. S. Christie as C. R. E. , the latter having been nearly a year with theDivision. 

On the 1st March the Division took over a 11, 000 yards' frontextending north from the Double Crassier at Loos with sectorsLoos--14bis--Hulluch--Hohenzollern, all three brigades being in lineand a brigade of the 21st Division also which came under the commandof G. O. C. , 6th Division. 

March and the first portion of April were notable for raids andcounter-raids, and for considerable artillery and trench-mortaractivity, which gave place to more or less continuous fightingconsequent on the withdrawal of the enemy opposite the right of theDivision after the successful attack by the Canadians at Vimy. 

Notice was received on the morning of the 13th April that awithdrawal was contemplated by the enemy opposite part of theDivisional front. The right section of the front was at that time heldby the 16th Infantry Brigade, with the 2nd York and Lancaster Regimenton its right. On the 13th April the withdrawal commenced, the enemybeing so closely followed up by the York and Lancaster Regiment thatby 6. 20 p. M. The brigade was able to report the Railway Triangle inour occupation, and the whole of the battalion in the enemy'strenches. Our troops were into the enemy's dug-outs before the candlesleft by them had burnt out. 

The policy laid down for the Division was that the enemy was to beclosely followed up wherever he fell back, but that our troops werenot to be committed to a serious engagement. In accordance with theseinstructions the enemy's trenches were subjected to heavy bombardment, with pauses during which patrols were sent forward and occupied asmuch ground as they could. This policy was maintained for four days, during which the 16th Infantry Brigade pressed the enemy with suchvigour, within the limits allowed to it, that he was evidently rushedrather farther back than had been his intention, and began to becomeapprehensive as to his hold on Hill 70. The opposition stiffened onthe 15th April, and on the 16th a counter-attack drove the 1st TheBuffs back slightly, but was unsuccessful against the 8th BedfordshireRegiment on the right. An advanced post of the latter battalion put upa very fine defence and maintained its position. A further attack onthis battalion on the following day again failed to shake the defence. 

On the 16th April a systematic bombardment of the trenches on Hill 70was commenced, and authority was given for a slightly greateremployment of force. Attacks on the 18th and 19th April, by the 1stK. S. L. I. And the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment, gained some ground andgave us between forty and fifty prisoners. 

By this time continuous fighting, under very trying weatherconditions, had exhausted the 16th Infantry Brigade. In order tomaintain the pressure it became necessary to withdraw battalions fromthe front of the other brigades and to put them straight in on theoffensive front, replacing them by the battalions withdrawn from thatfront. 

An attack by the 14th D. L. I. On the 21st April in conjunction with theleft of the 46th Division, who by this time had relieved the 24th onthe right of the 6th Division, yielded thirty-five prisoners and twomachine-guns, and disposed of a strong machine-gun nest on the DoubleCrassier Railway which had been holding up our right. Twocounter-attacks were repelled, and on the 22nd April the 14th D. L. I. And the 11th Essex Regiment delivered a combined attack. The 14thD. L. I. Secured the whole of their objective, with forty-six prisonersand three machine-guns, but the 11th Essex Regiment was unable to gainany ground. The 46th Division had been prevented by uncut wire fromco-operating in the attack, with the result that the 14th D. L. I. , after enduring a very heavy bombardment with exemplary determination, were eventually sniped and machine-gunned out of the captured linefrom the houses on their right. Eventually the position stabilizeditself, with the enemy in possession of Nash Alley. 

During ten days the Division had been engaged in continuous fightingon the front of one brigade, whilst holding with the other two a frontof approximately 7, 000 yards. Four battalions from other brigades, inaddition to its own four, had passed through the hands of the 16thInfantry Brigade which was conducting the fighting. Battalionsrelieved from the fighting front one night were put straight into theline elsewhere on the following night, and battalions which hadalready done a long continuous tour in the trenches were relieved onenight, put into the fighting front on the following night, andtwenty-four hours later had to deliver an attack. The enemy, concernedabout the fate of Hill 70, concentrated a very formidableartillery on the narrow front involved, and the bombardments andbarrages on the front of attack were of exceptional severity. Theextent to which the Division was stretched on the rest of its front isexemplified by two incidents. On one occasion an enemy raid penetratedboth our front and support lines without being detected or meetinganyone, and came upon our reserve line by chance at the only place onthe front of the brigade concerned where there was one company in thatline. At another part of the front it was found, when normalconditions were restored, that in an abandoned part of our front linebetween two posts, the enemy had actually made himself so much at homethat he had established a small dump of rations and bombs. 

For the manner in which the Division had followed up and pressed theenemy withdrawal it received the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief. 

On the 26th June 1917 the 46th Division was engaged on our right inactive operations in the outskirts of Lens. The 2nd Sherwood Forestersand the 9th Norfolk Regiment were placed at the disposal of the 46thDivision for these operations. The 9th Norfolk Regiment was notactively engaged, but the 2nd Sherwood Foresters, used in the laterstages of the attack, fought with great gallantry and suffered fairlyheavily. 

On the 25th July the Division was relieved after a continuous tour inthe Loos front of just under five months--a period of particularlybitter and severe trench warfare. Trench-mortaring was continuous onboth sides on the greater part of the front held, and shelling heavy. The artillery suffered no less severely than the infantry, owing tothe very restricted choice of positions and the advantages of theobservation enjoyed by the enemy. Raids and counter-raids werenumerous. An analysis of the diary shows that during the six monthsfrom the end of January to the end of July the Division carried out30 raids, of which 13 were successful in obtaining their objectiveand securing prisoners (total for the 13 raids: 54), 11 secured theirobjective but failed to yield any prisoners, and only 6 definitelyfailed. During the same period the enemy attempted 21 raids, of whichonly 4 succeeded in taking prisoners, 5 entered our trenches withoutsecuring any prisoners, and 12 were entire failures. Three of theenemy's attempted raids yielded us prisoners, and 4 yieldedidentifications. The low average of prisoners taken by us insuccessful raids is attributable to two causes--first theextraordinary precautions taken by the enemy in the latter part of theperiod to avoid losing prisoners by evacuating his trenches on theslightest alarm or remaining in his dug-outs, and secondly thefierceness engendered in our troops by the severity of thebombardment, and particularly of the trench-mortaring to which theywere normally subjected. 

A very successful battalion raid by the 1st The Buffs on the 24thJune, which yielded 15 prisoners, might have made a better showing ifit had not followed closely on the receipt of the mail containingaccounts of an enemy bombing raid on Folkestone. 

It is invidious to differentiate among so many carefully prepared andgallantly executed enterprises, but a reference to the successfulbattalion raid of the 11th Essex Regiment on the 24th March, to theraid carried out by the 14th D. L. I. On the 15th June, in the earlymorning which caught the Germans at breakfast, and particularly to thecombined raid by the 2nd D. L. I. And the 11th Essex Regiment on the28th June, will perhaps be forgiven. The latter was an exceptionallyfine performance. It was carried out in connection with the operationsof the 46th Division already referred to, by one company from each ofthe two battalions. Everything possible had been done beforehand toinduce the enemy to expect attack on the front of the Division, yetthese two companies succeeded in establishing and maintainingthemselves for one hour in the enemy's line, though constantlycounter-attacked. They inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy, who counter-attacked both over the open and by bombing along thetrenches. It was on this occasion that 2/Lieut. F. B. Wearne, late11th Essex Regiment, won the V. C. Mention ought also to be made of thevery gallant repulse of an enemy raid by the 1st K. S. L. I. And the 1stThe Buffs on the 7th July. In one post of the 1st K. S. L. I. One woundedLewis gunner, the only survivor of his post from the enemybombardment, kept his gun in action and beat off the raiders. 

On the 25th July the Division was relieved by the Canadians, with aview to an attack by the latter on Hill 70, and withdrew into rest inthe Monchy Breton area with Divisional Headquarters at Ourton. 

A feature of this period of rest was the very successful two-day riflemeeting, held on the Monchy-Breton Range. 

During the month's rest out of the line Major-Gen. Ross left theDivision, being succeeded in command by Major-Gen. T. O. Marden, C. M. G. , on the 19th August, and Brig. -Gen. Feetham, C. B. , C. M. G. , leftthe 71st Infantry Brigade to assume command of the 39th Division, incommand of which he was killed in March 1918. 

From the 31st July to the 5th August the 1st Leicestershire Regimentand 9th Norfolk Regiment were away from the Division, lent to the 57thDivision to assist in a relief at the time of the gas shelling ofArmentières. 

On the 24th to the 27th August the Division was relieving theCanadians on the Hill 70 front. The month spent in that sector was oneof hard work for all ranks consolidating the newly won position, butwas without important incident. 

On the 24th September the Division side-stepped into the Cité St. Emile sector just north of Lens, and commenced preparations for anattack north of Lens, to be carried out in conjunction with theprojected attack by the Canadian Corps on Sallaumines Hill. Thisproject was, however, abandoned, and on the 23rd October theDivision was withdrawn into rest in the St. Hilaire area, west ofLillers. 

Six days later it commenced its march south to the Riencourt area, tojoin the Third Army for the Battle of Cambrai. 

The 11th Leicesters (Pioneers) had gone north to the II Corps, to workon light railway construction near Dickebusch on 2nd July 1917. Theirabsence was much felt by the Division, and in view of the approachingoperations they were welcomed back on 6th November, when they broughtwith them a letter from G. O. C. , II Corps (Lt. -Gen. Jacob)congratulating them on their excellent work. 

Before leaving the subject of the tour of the Division in theLoos-Lens front, some reference ought to be made to the successes wonduring that period by the Division in horse shows. After practicallysweeping the board in all events at the I Corps show for which it waseligible to enter, the Division secured seven first and eight secondprizes at the First Army show, as well as the cup for the best R. A. Turn-out presented by G. O. C. , R. A. , First Army, and also that for thebest R. E. Turn-out, presented by the C. E. , First Army. 

The Divisional Ammunition Column secured prizes for the two best teamsof mules, the best single mule, and the best light draught horse. 

CHAPTER VIII

CAMBRAI

1917

The general situation on the British Western Front in November 1917, though fairly universally known to-day, may now be outlined, and thehopes and aims which led to the Cambrai offensive be touched onshortly. The prolonged and hard-fought attacks in Flanders by theBritish, and in other portions of the front by the French, had causedthe enemy to concentrate his forces in the threatened sectors, denuding those portions of the line which appeared reasonably safe andquiet. The Cambrai sector was included among the latter, for not onlywas the ground very open, forbidding to us the unseen concentration ofthe large forces and masses of heavy artillery which at that periodwere deemed essential, but also the Hindenburg Line was immenselystrong and the trenches so wide that the tanks in use by us could notcross them. 

This enemy sector was, therefore, particularly suitable for surpriseby us, as it was deemed by the enemy to be unassailable. 

The Hindenburg Line ran north-west for six miles from the St. QuentinCanal at Banteux to Havrincourt on the Canal du Nord, where it bentsharply north for four miles to Moeuvres, thus making a pronouncedsalient. The Commander-in-Chief's plan was to smash the salient, tooccupy the high ground overlooking Cambrai--notably the Bourlon WoodRidge--push cavalry through the gap in order to disorganisecommunications and the arrival of reinforcements, and to roll up theenemy's defences to the north-west. 

The French held considerable forces in the immediate vicinityto exploit successes. It was reckoned that the enemy could notreinforce his front under forty-eight hours. Everything depended inthe first instance on successful surprise, and in the second onsecuring within forty-eight hours the important tactical points withinthe salient. The difficulties of surprise, which were many andserious, were most successfully overcome, but the enterprise failedeventually because the key points were not seized. 

The principal factors operating against success were the limited hoursof daylight and the long distances to be traversed both by men and bytanks, which, though vastly improved since 1916, were still very slow. There was also, in the case of securing the high ground west ofCambrai, the canal to be crossed by tanks. While smashing in theenemy's salient we ourselves were making a salient, extending ourfront, as far as the Third Army was concerned, from a straight 7, 000yards to a curving 15, 000 yards, thus affording the enemy a chance ofa blow at the sides and hinges of the salient, of which he availedhimself to good purpose ten days after our initial attack. 

To ensure success the troops which were to undertake operationspractised with tanks in back areas, and officers and men went throughthe operation on a carefully made ground model without being awarewhat ground it represented. Units were brought up just before the 20thof November, the day of the attack, marching by night and hiding invillages and woods by day. In some cases battalions were quartered inflat canvas erections, looking like ammunition or supply dumps. The6th Division were fortunate in being in woods and destroyed villages. No unusual activity on ground or in the air was allowed, no gunsregistered as had been usual, even the Home mails were stopped for ashort period, and a screen of the troops which had held the line forsome time was kept in front trenches to the last. Under General Byng'sinitiative the difficulty of tanks crossing the wide HindenburgLine trenches was overcome by each tank carrying on its brow a hugefaggot which it deposited in the trench at its selected crossing-place, and which gave its tail a purchase to enable it to climb the oppositeside of the trench. The ground was very suitable for tanks, as it wasmoderately hard grass land, and the first portion of the attack onmuch of the front was downhill. 

The III Corps (Lt. -Gen. Sir W. Pulteney) was on the right, andconsisted of the 12th, 20th, and 6th Divisions, which attacked in theorder named. The left corps (IV) consisted of the 51st and 62ndDivisions. These covered the six miles with an average frontage of oneand a half miles. The 6th Division attacked on the front VillersPlouich-Beaucamps, with the 71st Infantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. P. W. Brown) on the left next to the 51st Division, the 16th InfantryBrigade (Brig. -Gen. H. A. Walker) on the right next to the 20thDivision. These two brigades were to advance about 3, 000 yards to thefirst objective (Ribécourt and spur to south-east of it), and another1, 000 yards to the second objective (support system). The 18thInfantry Brigade (Brig. -Gen. G. S. G. Craufurd) was ordered to advancethrough the 71st Infantry Brigade and secure the third objective abouta mile farther on (Premy Chapel Ridge), throwing back a defensiveflank towards Flesquières for the further operations of the 51stDivision on its left and securing the flank of the 29th Division onits right. The latter division passing through the right of the 6thDivision and the left of the 20th Division, was charged with securingthe crossings of the St. Quentin Canal at Marcoing and Masnières andseizing the high ground at Rumilly, thus facilitating exploitation tothe south-east, preventing a concentration against the widelystretched defensive flanks of the III Corps and threatening Cambrai. 

The Divisional Artillery was reinforced during the first part of theoperations by the 17th Brigade of the 29th Division and the 181stBrigade of the 40th Division, as well as by two R. H. A. Brigades. Batteries moved into position and camouflaged their guns. Noregistration could, of course, take place, but long practice enabledthe gunners to put down a very accurate barrage without thisdesideratum. 

Opposite the Division the Hindenburg Line commenced with an outpostline 750 yards distant on the left and 250 yards on the right. Thiswas out of sight of our front trenches by reason of the curve of theground. Half a mile behind this came the main system, consisting oftwo trenches 200 yards apart, the whole guarded by most formidablebelts of wire about 150 yards in depth. The interval between outpostand main systems was sown with well-sighted and concealed machine gunpositions. A mile farther on, and on the opposite side of the valleyfor the most part, ran the support system, similar to the main system. One and a half miles farther back again was the reserve system, ofwhich only machine-gun dug-outs were completed, and a small amount ofwire had been erected. 

Two battalions of tanks, each of thirty-six tanks, were allotted tothe Division. "B" Battalion (Lt. -Col. E. D. Bryce, D. S. O. ) operatedwith the 16th Infantry Brigade, and "H" Battalion (Lt. -Col. Hon. C. Willoughby) with the 71st Infantry Brigade. The 18th Infantry Brigadeadvanced without tanks. The only points which caused anxiety, providedthat the tanks functioned satisfactorily, were Couillet Wood on theright of the 16th Infantry Brigade front, in which tanks could notoperate, and Ribécourt Village on the left of the 71st InfantryBrigade front. 

The former was successfully cleared by the Buffs, and the lattergallantly captured by the 9th Norfolk Regiment; the 11th Essexclearing and securing it for the advance of the 18th Infantry Brigade, while the 71st Infantry Brigade attacked the second objective. 

The 18th Infantry Brigade pushed through the 71st Infantry Brigadeand secured Premy Chapel Ridge in good time, and rendered greatassistance to the 51st Division on our left, who were held up atFlesquières by guns in the valley picking off the tanks one by one asthey breasted the ridge. The West Yorks and the 2nd D. L. I. Eachcharged over the Premy Ridge spur and captured a battery at the pointof the bayonet. 

At 3. 15 p. M. The cavalry, who would have been of the greatestassistance in capturing the enemy guns holding up the 51st Division, reported that they could not advance owing to snipers in Ribécourt. The village had been in our possession since 10 a. M. , and the 18thInfantry Brigade had passed through it at 11. 30, and were now twomiles beyond it. However, the cavalry pushed through patrols beforenightfall to Nine Wood. 

A company of the 9th Suffolk Regiment successfully carried out itsmission of advancing without artillery or tank support, and capturingthe bridge at Marcoing. The Division had a most successful day, withvery light casualties (about 650), capturing 28 officers and 1, 227other ranks prisoners, 23 guns, and between 40 and 50 machine-guns andmany trench-mortars, and receiving the congratulations of the CorpsCommander. Everything had gone like clockwork: the artillery hadpushed forward to advanced positions to cover the new front beforedarkness came on; the machine-guns, under Major Muller, D. M. G. O. , werelikewise established in their new forward positions, thanks to carefularrangements and the use of pack animals; and the 11th Leicesters, under Major Radford, were repairing and clearing the roads before thethird objective had been secured. The tanks, which had made surprisepossible, were most gallantly handled, and all arrangements mostcarefully thought out by Col. A. Courage, D. S. O. 

The next morning the 51st Division captured Flesquières from thenorth, and three companies of the 14th D. L. I. , moving forwardslightly in advance of them and operating with a squadron of theQueen's Bays, entered Cantaing ahead of the 51st Division, handingover subsequently to the 4th Gordons. 

The Buffs, with the assistance of the tanks, completed the clearing ofNoyelles (a village some 2, 500 yards north-east of Premy Chapel), which had been entered the previous day by the 29th Division, andrelieved the latter there. On the night of the 26/27th November the18th Infantry Brigade extended its left up to the south-east edge ofCantaing. 

About half a mile of the original front had been handed over to the29th Division, and the 6th Division now held a rectangular strip 2, 500yards by 7, 000 yards, with the head at Cantaing and Noyelles, and therear in the Hindenburg Main Line. The 29th Division had a precarioushold of the ground across the canal on the right, and the GuardsDivision was having hard fighting at Fontaine on the left. 

Comparing the position with the back of a man's left hand, the 6thDivision occupied the third finger, the 29th Division the main finger, the 20th Division the index finger, the 12th Division the portionbelow the index finger down to the lower portion of the thumb whenfully extended, the 55th Division occupied the thumb. Such was thesituation when the enemy delivered a heavy counter-attack, on themorning of the 30th November, on the 29th, 20th and 12th Divisions ofthe III Corps and the 55th Division of the VII Corps, driving the 20thand 12th Divisions on to the main finger except for a few posts, andoccupying the thumb. 

The Germans reached Gouzeaucourt at about 9 a. M. , but were stoutlyopposed by transport details of the 18th Infantry Brigade, who mostgallantly led by Lieut. And Quartermaster J. P. L. Shea, 2nd D. L. I. , and Capt. And Adjutant W. Paul, 1st West Yorks, checked the enemy in aportion of the village until it was retaken by the Guards aboutmidday. These two brave officers, whose initiative and sound militaryaction probably saved the situation from becoming much worse, wereboth wounded, and subsequently died of their wounds, a great loss totheir battalions and to the Division. 

A Staff-Officer arrived from the 29th Division about 9 a. M. , andreported their Divisional Headquarters just north-east of Gouzeaucourtto have been captured and the Germans entering the village, which wasabout two miles to the right rear of 6th Divisional Headquarters. The16th Infantry Brigade, which was in Divisional Reserve in theHindenburg Main Line some two miles away, was ordered up to the ridgebetween Beaucamps and Gouzeaucourt. Brig. -Gen. Walker, commanding 16thInfantry Brigade, who was ordered to report to G. O. C. , 29th Division, at Gouzeaucourt, narrowly escaped capture, together with hisBrigade-Major, the enemy now being in possession of the village. G. O. C. , 29th Division, had in the meantime passed through 6thDivisional Headquarters, and gone forward to his line. 

The situation was now very confused, as all wires to corps had beencut, but it was evident that there was a gap between 12th and 20thDivisions, the latter still holding on to La Vacquerie, a strong pointon the ridge two miles east of Beaucamps. The 16th Infantry Brigadewas ordered to retake Gouzeaucourt, aided by some tanks which were atBeaucamps, and advanced about 3 p. M. , but found the Guards already inthe village. It therefore took up a position in the road betweenGouzeaucourt and Villers Plouich, to the left of the Guards, andprepared to attack Cemetery Ridge between Gonnelieu and La Vacquerie, so as to re-establish the line. Patrols reported no enemy activity, and as there were no guns available (all in this sector having beencaptured or out of action) the Divisional Commander (Gen. Marden)thought a surprise attack by moonlight might succeed in capturing thisimportant ridge before the enemy could reinforce it. An attackwas launched at 1 a. M. Hand in hand with 20th Division, but thoughmost gallantly pushed, failed owing to loss of direction and heavyenemy machine gun fire. The ridge was captured by a Guards Brigade thenext morning at 6. 30 a. M. , by the aid of tanks and artillery. 

In the meantime the Reserve Battalion of the 18th Infantry Brigade(14th D. L. I. ), and a battalion lent by the 57th Division, took up aposition on Highland Ridge facing east, thus completely securing theflank. 

On 2nd December the 16th Infantry Brigade was withdrawn and ordered torelieve 87th Infantry Brigade (29th Division), which had been havingstiff fighting across and astride the canal east of Marcoing. The 14thD. L. I. (18th Infantry Brigade) were lent to 16th Infantry Brigade andon the night of 2nd/3rd December occupied the south portion of theloop across the canal, the K. S. L. I. Taking over the north half. The88th Infantry Brigade (29th Division) held the ground south of thecanal. The whole position was a salient subject to shell, rifle andmachine-gun fire from north, south and east. The 14th D. L. I. Positionhad no wire, and only hastily dug trenches. At 10. 30 a. M. , after aheavy bombardment, the enemy attacked the 14th D. L. I. And thebattalion of the 29th Division south of the canal, penetrating thetrenches, but was counter-attacked and driven out. At 11. 30 a. M. Heattacked again with similar results. At 12. 15 p. M. He attacked bothD. L. I. And K. S. L. I. And penetrated the right of the D. L. I. , but wasagain driven out. With a final attack at 12. 45 p. M. The enemysucceeded in forcing both battalions across the canal by sheer weightof numbers. 

Two companies of the 8th Bedfords now reinforced the 14th D. L. I. , andthis force again counter-attacked and recovered the bridge-head atdusk; the 88th Infantry Brigade, assisted by 2nd Y. And L. , havingalso counter-attacked successfully south of the canal. Losses were, however, heavy, and the line was gradually withdrawn under Corpsorders during the next two days to the Hindenburg support system, which became our front line. The 14th D. L. I. Fought magnificently, losing 15 officers and 262 other ranks, more than half being killed. Capt. Lascelles, who led two of the counter-attacks and was twicewounded, here gained his V. C. The 16th M. G. C. , both north and south ofthe canal, had very heavy losses, but put up a splendid resistance. 

The only other incidents of note were the repulse by the 18th InfantryBrigade of a half-hearted enemy attack on Cantaing on the 1stDecember, and D. H. Q. Being three times shelled out of its Headquartersbetween 30th November and 9th December. 

During the whole period--20th November to 6th December--the DivisionalArtillery were constantly changing position in order to support theinfantry, either in advance or retirement, as closely as possible. Itwas a welcome change to them after the many weary months of positionwarfare, and it may be said, without fear of contradiction, that bothbrigades and batteries were extremely ably handled, and that theD. A. C. Never left a battery short of ammunition, in spite of very longdistances and rough going. 

On 10th December the Division (less artillery) was withdrawn to restin the Basseux area south-west of Arras, after a strenuous threeweeks. 

The Divisional Artillery remained in action, covering the 18thDivision. A little later the 2nd Brigade, R. F. A. , was withdrawn torest, but the 24th Brigade, R. F. A. , continued in the line. 

CHAPTER IX

GERMAN OFFENSIVE OF MARCH 1918

1918

After a month's rest in the Basseux area, during the first few days ofwhich the 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades were placed at the disposalof the 3rd Division to relieve two of their brigades on the Bullecourtfront, the Division moved up, commencing on the 17th January torelieve the 51st Division in the front line between Hermies andBoursies. A month later it side-stepped northwards, relieving the 25thDivision in the Lagnicourt sector. The period up to the 21st March wasone of steady work on defences, but without special incident, except agas-shell attack on the 71st Brigade, which caused a certain amount ofcasualties. 

During this period Infantry Brigades were reduced to three battalionseach--the 9th Suffolk Regiment, 8th Bedford Regiment, and 14th DurhamLight Infantry being disbanded between 1st and 16th February. Shortlyafterwards the three Machine-gun Companies and the DivisionalMachine-gun Company were organized into the 6th Machine-gun Battalion, under the command of Lt. -Col. Rosher, D. S. O. , late commanding 14thD. L. I. 

Some description of the ground and defensive organization of theDivision will not be out of place here. The front held by the Divisionwas generally on a forward slope opposite the villages of Quéant andPronville. 

No Man's Land averaged three-quarters of a mile in width. The wholearea was downland, and very suitable for the action of tanks. Theposition lay astride a succession of well-defined broad spurs andnarrow valleys (like the fingers of a partially opened hand), merginginto the broad transverse valley which separated the British linefrom the two villages above-mentioned. All the advantages of groundlay with the defence, and it seemed as if no attack could succeed, unless by the aid of tanks. A large portion of the front line--notablythe valleys--was sown with 2-in. Trench-mortar bombs with instantaneousfuses, which would detonate under the pressure of a wagon but not of aman's foot. In addition five anti-tank 18-pounder guns were placed inpositions of vantage. The wire was very broad and thick. The positionwould, indeed, have been almost impregnable had there been sufficienttime to complete it, and had there been separate troops forcounter-attack. 

The ground was a portion of that wrested from the enemy in the Cambraioffensive of November-December 1917, but had only improvised trenches. A month's hard frost in January had militated against digging, andthough there were a complete front trench and reserve trench, thesupport trenches hardly existed, and dug outs were noticeable by theirabsence. The front was 4, 500 yards in extent, the three brigades inline--18th on right, 71st in centre, 16th on left--on approximatelyequal frontages. The depth from front or outpost zone to reserve orbattle zone was about 2, 000 yards. With only three battalions in abrigade, there was no option but to assign one battalion in eachbrigade to the defence of the outpost zones, and keep two battalionsin depth in the battle zone. With battalions at just overhalf-strength, and with the undulating nature of the ground, thedefence resolved itself everywhere into a succession of posts with avery limited field of fire. 

A good corps line called the Vaux-Morchies Line had been dug, thenearest portion a mile behind the reserve line, and this was held bythe Pioneers and R. E. , owing to scarcity of numbers. 

The Right Group, R. F. A. (Lt. -Col. H. Weber), consisting of 2nd Brigade(less 21st Battery), supported the 18th Infantry Brigade; the LeftGroup (Lt. -Col. J. A. C. Forsyth), consisting of 24th Brigade, 21stBattery, and 93rd (Army) Brigade, supported the 16th and 17th InfantryBrigades. 

Reports from deserters that we were to be heavily attacked werepersistent, and the Division stood to arms twice before 21st March. On20th March aeroplane photos disclosed ammunition pits for seventyextra batteries opposite the divisional front, and when at 5 a. M. On21st March the bombardment commenced, there was no doubt but that areal offensive had begun. Warning had been given overnight for alltroops to be in battle positions by 5 a. M. , but it came too late tostop working parties, and the reserve battalions of all brigades hadmarched ten miles before the battle commenced. 

Fog favoured the Germans in that it prevented us seeing when theattack was launched, but every credit must be given them for the skillthey evinced and the dash with which they pushed forward and broughtup successive waves of attackers. By concentrating their efforts onthe three main valleys, i. E. Noreuil Valley on our extreme left, Lagnicourt Valley in the centre and Morchies Valley on our extremeright, they avoided much of the fire which they would have encounteredon the broad spurs, and thus worked round and isolated the garrisonsof the latter. For five hours the bombardment continued withtremendous force, first with gas and H. E. On back areas to cutcommunications and disorganize reinforcements, later about 7 to 8 a. M. With smoke and H. E. On the forward system. The intensity of it may begauged by the fact that four out of five concealed anti-tank guns wereknocked out by direct hits. 

This bombardment annihilated the garrisons of the forward system, andfew survivors came back to the reserve line. 

The only authenticated accounts of a successful resistance in thefront system were from the 71st Infantry Brigade, where both 9thNorfolks and 2nd Sherwood Foresters repulsed the first attack. By10. 30 a. M. The enemy had nearly reached Noreuil and had driven backthe 59th Division on our left, leaving the left flank of the 16thInfantry Brigade in the air, while its right flank went shortlyafterwards, as the enemy captured Lagnicourt, driving in the SherwoodForesters in the valley. The 16th Infantry Brigade was graduallysqueezed out towards the corps line, where at 4 p. M. Parties from theDivisional Bombing School counter-attacked and drove the enemy out oftrenches on the immediate left. The 71st Infantry Brigade, with itsright flank secure, threw back a defensive flank south-west ofLagnicourt, and successfully prevented issue from that village to thehigh ground. The enemy broke into Skipton Reserve Strong Point, butwere thrown out again by a counter-attack of Norfolks and Leicesters. 

Coming up a subsidiary valley the enemy nearly drove a wedge between71st and 18th Infantry Brigades, but the 2nd D. L. I. Counter-attackedgallantly and kept them out till dusk. On the right of the 18thInfantry Brigade, however, the enemy advanced up the Morchies Valley, capturing the left trenches of the 51st Division on our right at about10 a. M. 

The 2nd West Yorks, reinforced by two companies 11th Essex, gallantlyled by Lt. -Col. Boyall, D. S. O. , who was subsequently wounded andcaptured, drove back three attacks issuing from our support line. The18th Infantry Brigade held on till 7 p. M. When, in trying to withdraw, it suffered heavy casualties. The last company was not overwhelmedtill 8. 30 p. M. The 18th and 71st Infantry Brigades, therefore, maintained their hold on the ground Lagnicourt and the Morchies Valleyall day, though the enemy had penetrated far in rear on both flanks. 

When darkness fell the remnants of the Division were back in the corpsline, together with three battalions of the 75th Infantry Brigade(25th Division), the remaining troops of the Division not beingstrong enough to hold the line unaided. The 11th Cheshires were with18th Infantry Brigade, 2nd South Lancs with 71st Infantry Brigade, and8th Border Regiment with 16th Infantry Brigade. 

The night was quiet, both sides preparing for the next day's struggle. 

At 7. 30 a. M. On 22nd March the 16th Infantry Brigade repulsed anattack, but the enemy renewed his efforts with great persistence, andwith much heavy bombardment and trench-mortaring, at 9. 30 a. M. Andonwards in the vicinity of Vaux and Méricourt Woods. Though frequentcounter-attacks were made, the troops were forced back little bylittle from the corps line towards some improvised trenches hastilydug under the C. R. E. 's (Col. Goldney) direction some 1, 000 yards inrear, and manned partially by men from the Corps Reinforcement Campunder Major Jones of the 2nd D. L. I. As an example of the tenaciousfighting, a sunken road which contained the Headquarters of the 16thand 71st Infantry Brigades changed hands three times. Throughout theday Lt. -Col. Latham, D. S. O. , commanding 1st Leicesters, and Lt. -Col. Dumbell, D. S. O. , commanding 11th Battalion Essex Regiment, distinguished themselves greatly in the defence of their sectors ofthe line. On the right of the Division the control had passed by duskto the G. O. C. , 75th Infantry Brigade (29th Division)--the 18thInfantry Brigade having only about 100 of all ranks left. On the leftthere was a large gap between the 16th Infantry Brigade and the 40thDivision, which had been pushed up towards Vaux Vraucourt, and thisthe 6th Division had no troops with which to fill it. The enemy'spressure on the flanks of the 16th Infantry Brigade and in the centreon the 71st Infantry Brigade caused the line to fall back on the newArmy line which was being dug and wired. This was done in good order, and at nightfall the weary remnants of the Division were relieved bythe 41st Division and concentrated in the vicinity of Achiet, theartillery remaining behind and fighting in the subsequentwithdrawal up to 26th March. 

The Division had put up a resistance of which it had every reason tobe proud, and which won for it the following letter from the G. O. C. , Third Army (General Sir J. Byng):--

"I cannot allow the 6th Division to leave the Third Army withoutexpressing my appreciation of their splendid conduct during the firststages of the great battle now in progress. 

"By their devotion and courage they have broken up overwhelmingattacks and prevented the enemy gaining his object, namely a decisivevictory. 

"I wish them every possible good luck. "

To this magnificent result all ranks and all arms had contributed, andit is perhaps invidious to single out special instances for mention. The gallant stand of the 18th and 71st Infantry Brigades in thereserve line throughout the whole of the first day has already beenreferred to. Other outstanding incidents are the counter-attack bypart of the 2nd D. L. I. Against the enemy advancing from our supportline, which relieved the pressure on the reserve line and capturedfour machine-guns; the holding out of a post of the West Yorks on theeast side of the Morchies Valley from 10 a. M. To 3 p. M. Thoughcompletely commanded and surrounded; the counter-attacks by companiesof the 1st Leicestershire Regiment and 9th Norfolk Regiment, whichrestored the situation in the Skipton Strong Point just east ofLagnicourt; that of a company of the 11th Leicestershire Regimentwhich drove the enemy out of the corps line when he had established afooting in it on the afternoon of the 21st; and that of the twoplatoons formed from the 16th Infantry Brigade School which regainedposts on the extreme left of the corps line in the Divisional area onthe evening of the 21st. 

Another gallant deed must be mentioned. Sergt. Shales, R. E. , andanother signaller went from 18th Infantry Brigade Headquarters toa distributor station 400 yards distant during the full force of thebombardment, sorted out and tested wires in the open, and thusestablished communication between the front trenches and BattalionHeadquarters. The burying and connecting up of the cable was to havebeen completed the day of the attack. 

The casualties in the infantry were extremely heavy, amounting in thetwo days to some 3, 900 out of a total for the Division of somewhatover 5, 000 engaged, and out of a total trench strength of less than5, 000 infantry. The 18th Infantry Brigade suffered particularlyheavily, being only able to muster in its three battalions 8 officersand 110 other ranks of those who had been through the fight, including32 at Battalion Headquarters. 

The Machine-gun Battalion did excellent service and great execution, many guns remaining in action until the enemy were within a few yardsof them. Its losses were heavy--14 officers and 280 other ranks. 

The field companies suffered heavily, and rendered good service asinfantry. Special mention may be made of the action of 12th FieldCompany under Capt. Langley, who rallied some 300 stragglers ofvarious units and filled a gap between the 18th Infantry Brigade andtroops on its left. 

The 11th Leicesters, under the gallant leading of Major Radford, fought splendidly, losing 14 officers and over 200 other ranks. 

The artillery performed magnificent services, particularly on the 21stMarch. All guns that were not destroyed by the enemy's bombardmentwere fought until all the ammunition was expended or the enemy'sinfantry reached their position. The gunners enjoyed the novelexperience of firing over open sights and seeing the effect of theirfire, and not only with their guns but with rifles and Lewis guns didthey inflict very heavy casualties on the enemy. The 42nd Battery, having kept their three forward guns in action after our infantry hadfallen back behind them, succeeded in bringing the two that were notdestroyed away, under the very noses of the enemy and through a heavybarrage and machine-gun fire. The forward section of the 53rd Batteryhad one gun destroyed. Lieut. Reeves got the other into the open, and, after firing 850 rounds with it over open sights and having exhaustedhis ammunition, brought back his detachment and the breech-block. Theforward section of the 87th Battery continued firing until rushed bythe enemy's infantry. Sergt. Pengelly of the 112th Battery, who was incommand of a 15-pounder in an anti-tank position, having had his gundestroyed in the preliminary bombardment, fought for two days with theinfantry, in command of a platoon, and did great execution himselfwith a pickaxe. A forward gun of the 110th Battery was fought untilall its ammunition was expended, and the breech-block was then removedwith the enemy almost on the top of the gun. For over seven hours themain battery fired on the enemy at ranges from 1, 200 to 600 yards, expending over 2, 400 rounds. The forward gun of the 111th Battery, after expending all its ammunition (500 rounds), largely over opensights, was withdrawn and brought into action again in the mainposition, a team coming up in full view of the enemy, and under veryheavy shelling and a hail of bullets, for the purpose. The 112thBattery had two guns in action in advance of the corps line. Theseremained in action until all their ammunition was expended, and thedetachments then withdrew with all their wounded and the breech-blocksof their guns, the enemy being by this time actually on the wire ofthe corps line. 

The instances quoted are only typical of the conduct of the whole ofthe artillery of the Division, which fully justified the very highreputation it has always enjoyed, and the confidence which theinfantry of the Division has always felt in its own artillery. 

The morning of the 23rd March found the remnants of the Division, less artillery, assembled about Achiet-le-Grand and Bihucourt. Thesurvivors of the 18th Infantry Brigade numbered 8 officers and 110other ranks; those of the 71st Infantry Brigade 11 officers and 279other ranks. Each of these brigades had had a trench strength on themorning of the 21st of just over 1, 800 all ranks. Figures for the 16thInfantry Brigade are not available. The Division was most fortunate inhaving very few senior officers killed, though many were wounded. Themost noticeable casualties among the killed were Major Lyon, 2ndBrigade, R. F. A. , Majors Williamson and Wingate, D. S. O. , M. C. , R. E. , and Capt. Harbottle, M. C. , 1st Leicesters. 

Even after relief the Division was not able to enjoy the rest it hadso richly deserved, and of which it stood so much in need. The furtherprogress of the enemy's attack and constant alarms necessitated itspreparing and taking up a position of readiness covering Achiet, throughout the 23rd and the 24th. 

On the 25th March it entrained for the north, to join the Second Armyin its old haunts in the Ypres Salient. 

CHAPTER X

YPRES SALIENT AGAIN

1918

On the 30th March, whilst in rest in the neighbourhood of Steenvoorde, the Division had the honour of a visit from His Majesty the King. Representative survivors of all ranks from the recent fighting weredrawn up in the square and were inspected by His Majesty, who spokemost graciously to every individual, questioning all as to theirexperiences during the fighting, and thanking them for andcongratulating them on their services. 

At the beginning of April the 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades tookover the front from Broodseinde southwards to Polygon Wood, comingunder the XXII Corps (Lt. -Gen. Sir A. Godley). 

The general situation now was that the Flanders front was held bytired and decimated Divisions withdrawn from the big battle in thesouth. These had been brought up to a respectable strength by draftsfrom all sources--wounded men belonging to other formations, R. A. S. C. , Labour Battalions, etc. , many of whom had received no training ininfantry weapons or methods of fighting. Officers and men were new toeach other, and there was no chance to train as the whole of everyDivision was in trenches. 

Against these forces the Germans now opened a determined offensivefrom Zandvoorde southwards. 

On the 13th April, as a result of the German successes on the Lys, the71st Infantry Brigade, which was in reserve, had to be rushed off tojoin the 49th Division on the Neuve Eglise front. It returned to theDivision on the 26th April after a pretty rough time, during whichit suffered considerable casualties (about 750), but earned greatpraise. A counter-attack delivered by the 9th Norfolk Regiment was aparticularly creditable incident in this period. 

Otherwise the first fortnight in the Salient was without specialincident. On the 16th April, in consequence of the progress made bythe enemy farther to the south, the Salient was reduced in accordancewith plan, and the line withdrawn to the battle zone, where anadvanced force was left out in a line of detached pill-boxes andworks. The enemy followed up cautiously in the afternoon, but thegarrisons of the line of posts by lying low were able in several casesto catch parties unawares, and a fair number of casualties wereinflicted. One party of twenty-five in particular was annihilated. 

On the 25th April the enemy attacked and captured Kemmel Village andHill from the French. This decided the Higher Command to withdraw theadvanced force, and this was successfully carried out on the night ofthe 26/27th to the line West end of Zillebeke Lake-White Château. 

Incessant work on the new defences, and heavy shelling, particularlygas shelling of Ypres, were the only incidents for some time on theactual front of the Division, though heavy attacks on the 29th Aprilon the Division on the right, and the enemy's unsuccessful attack onRidgewood on the 8th May, kept it on the alert. The Division was onthe edge of the battle, and stood to on several occasions for anattack on its own front. 

On the 11th to the 14th May the Division side-slipped to the south inrelief of the 19th Division, thus coming next door to the 14th FrenchDivision, and passing to II Corps (Lt. -Gen. Sir C. Jacob). On the 28thMay the enemy attacked our neighbours on the right and succeeded indriving them out of Ridgewood and almost in reaching Dickebusch Lake. In view of the importance to us of the lost position, and of theexhausted state of the 14th (French) Division, an offer was madeto co-operate with them in a counter-attack to regain the lost ground. This was gladly accepted, and on the early morning of the 29th May the11th Essex Regiment attacked in conjunction with two battalions ofChasseurs of the 46th (French) Division, which was in process ofrelieving the 14th Division, the operation taking place under theorders of the G. O. C. , 14th French Division (General Philipot, theconqueror of Fez). 

Under a barrage formed by the French and English artillery the 11thEssex Regiment attacked with great determination, and by the end ofthe day had achieved the whole of its share of the task. The twobattalions of the Chasseurs were, unfortunately, not so successful, with the result that the right of the 11th Essex Regiment was exposed, and it was unable to hold on to a small part of the ground recoveredon its extreme right. For this action the Division received a letterof thanks for its "spontaneous" co-operation from General de Mitry, commanding the French Détachement de l'Armée du Nord. 

The Division remained in the line as next-door neighbours to theFrench till the 7th June, when relieved by 33rd Division. Many willretain pleasant memories of our association with our Allies during thethree to four weeks that we were alongside them, and of the admirableliaison that existed between us. 

During the period of just under three weeks' rest that it enjoyed onthis occasion the Division had one brigade always at Dirty Bucket Campworking on rear lines of defence, one training in the St. Jan terBiezen area, and one at musketry at Cormette, near Tilques. Duringthis period, too, the 71st Trench-mortar Battery and the 18thTrench-mortar Battery were able to be of service to the French, theformer being lent to the 46th Division to assist them in an operationon 8th June, the latter co-operating with the 7th (French) Division ina successful raid on the 19th June. 

On the 27th June the Division passed to the XIX Corps (Lt. -Gen. Sir H. E. Watts) and relieved the 46th French Division (Chasseurs) inthe Dickebusch sector. This was in a very unpleasant front, where thedominating position of the enemy on Kemmel Hill made movement, even inthe rear lines, impossible by day, and practically all work, of whichthere was plenty, had to be done by night. 

The chief incidents of the tour of the Division in this sector werethe successful attack on Ridgewood, the 1st The Buffs daylight raid onthe Brasserie, the sixteen-prisoner night-raid of the 2nd D. L. I. Onthe Zillebeke front, and the co-operation of the 18th Infantry Brigadewith the operations of the 41st Division on our right. 

The situation created by the enemy's attack on Ridgewood on the 28thMay had never been satisfactorily restored, in spite of repeatedattempts on the part of the 46th (French) Division. The 6th Divisiontook over with the determination to put this right on the firstopportunity, profiting by the lessons learnt in the successive attacksmade by the French Chasseurs, which their Division had placed mostunreservedly at our disposal. After careful reconnaissance the 18thInfantry Brigade, assisted by two companies of the 1st MiddlesexRegiment of the 33rd Division, attacked the enemy at 6 a. M. On the14th July. The attack delivered by the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment andthe 2nd D. L. I. And the two above-mentioned companies was a completesuccess. The enemy, taken entirely by surprise, only offered anyresistance in one or two isolated cases, and the dash and promptinitiative of the attacking troops soon dealt with these. Allobjectives were gained, Ridgewood and Elzenwalle retaken, and 7officers, 341 other ranks, 25 machine-guns, and 3 trench-mortarscaptured at small cost to the attackers. Large quantities oftrench-mortar ammunition, found dumped close up to the front line, demonstrated the correctness of the view that the enemy had incontemplation a resumption of his offensive on this front. Forthis the Division received congratulations from the Commander-in-Chief, the G. O. C. , Second Army (General Sir Herbert Plumer), and G. O. C. , XIXCorps. 

The raid of the 1st The Buffs was carried out on the 2nd August. Theobjective was the Brasserie and neighbouring farms. The raid, whichwas by day and on a fairly extensive scale, was very successful. 

On the 8th August the 41st Division carried out a small operation, inco-operation with which the 18th Infantry Brigade undertook two minoroperations. That by a company of the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment onthe Vierstraat Road was unsuccessful, through no fault of theattacking infantry, who were held up by machine-guns sited so farforward that they had escaped our barrage. On the right a company ofthe 2nd D. L. I. , operating in direct touch with the left of the 41stDivision, was completely successful in carrying out its task. Inconnection with operations on this front the Division sustained asevere loss in Major R. W. Barnett, K. R. R. , G. S. O. 2, who was killed bya sniper while reconnoitring on 12th August. 

During July and August the Divisional Artillery was exceptionallybusy. An immense amount of effort was put into the preparation offorward positions for a large number of batteries to be employed in acontemplated later offensive. Vast quantities of gun ammunition werecarted nightly, and dumped therein in readiness. 

During the month of August the Division had the pleasure of closeassociation with our American Allies, part of the 27th American, a NewYork Division, doing their attachment and apprenticeship to trenchwarfare with us. On the 21st to the 24th August the Americans relievedthe Division in the line, and it was withdrawn for rest and trainingto the Wizernes area. 

On leaving the XIX Corps the Corps Commander sent the Division his"warmest thanks for and appreciation of the excellent servicerendered" while under his command. 

CHAPTER XI

THE ALLIED OFFENSIVE IN THE SOUTH

1918

Originally destined to take part in a projected attack for therecapture of Kemmel Hill and Village, the Division suddenly receivedorders at the end of August, to the delight of all, to move southwardsat very short notice. During the 1st, 2nd and 3rd September the movesouthwards was carried out by rail, the Division, less artillery, detraining at Corbie, Heilly and Méricourt. On the 4th the DivisionalArtillery followed, and the whole Division was concentrated in thearea Heilly-Ribemont-Franvillers on the River Ancre, in G. H. Q. Reserve. The next few days were devoted to a continuation of thetraining in open warfare commenced in the Wizernes area. 

The Germans, forced back in July and August from the high-water markof their advance in March and April, had stood on the line of theSomme and the Péronne--Arras road. In the southern sector of theBritish front the Somme defences had been turned by the brilliantcapture of Mont St. Quentin (to the north of and guarding Péronne) bythe Australian Corps. The retreating enemy had been pursued across theSomme by the 32nd Division, which had been attached temporarily to theAustralians. This Division now became part of the newly-constituted IXCorps (Lt. -Gen. Sir W. Braithwaite), which was to bear such a gloriouspart in the concluding chapter of the War, and which consisted of 1st, 6th, 32nd and 46th Divisions. 

The 32nd Division had followed the enemy without much incident up tothe large Holnon Wood, three and a half miles west of St. Quentin, andit was there that the Division relieved it on night 13/14thSeptember, with the 1st Division on the left and the 34th (French)Division on the right. 

It was expected that the enemy would stand on the heights whichcommand St. Quentin to the west and south, but it was not knownwhether their resistance would be strong or not, as they were muchdisorganized. 

The 1st and 6th Divisions, hand in hand with the French, were orderedto capture this tactical line on 18th September, as a starting-pointfor the attack on the Hindenburg Line, which ran just outside St. Quentin to the canal at Bellenglise. 

To the 18th Infantry Brigade was entrusted the task of securing a linewell clear of Holnon Wood for the forming-up line on the 18th, and indoing so it first had to clear the wood and establish posts at theedge, then push forward. The selected forming-up line included to usHolnon Village on the right and next to the French. 

On the morning of the 16th September the 11th Essex, after anunsuccessful attempt to push forward during the night, attacked undera barrage and advanced from the line of posts taken over a little wayinside the wood to a line of trenches just clear of the wood, capturing in this small operation forty-six prisoners. It was nowarranged for the 1st, 6th and 34th (French) Divisions to advancesimultaneously to secure the above-mentioned starting line. On theleft the 1st Division was successful, and so were the 11th Essex, who, held up at first by heavy shelling and machine-gun fire, perseveredthroughout the day and were rewarded by finishing up in possession ofthe whole of their objectives, a very creditable performance. 

On the right the West Yorks had to secure Holnon Village, which lay ina hollow commanded by Round and Manchester Hills in the area allottedto the French, and which was itself strongly held. The French failedin their attack, and though the West Yorks obtained part of thevillage they could not clear it and establish the starting linebeyond it. The situation at the end of the 17th was thereforeunsatisfactory on the right, but it was impossible to put off thegeneral attack, and arrangements had to be improvised. Anotherunsatisfactory feature was that Holnon Wood covered practically thewhole 2, 500 yards frontage of the Division, and was so drenched withgas shells and the tracks so bad, that both 16th and 71st InfantryBrigades had to make a detour north and south of the wood respectivelyto reach their assembly positions, and this naturally fatigued thetroops and hindered communication and supply. 

Standing on the east edge of the wood, a bare glacis-like slope devoidof cover, except for two or three shell-trap copses, stretched awayfor 3, 000 yards to the high ground overlooking St. Quentin. There wasno sign of life and very few trenches could be seen, though it wasknown that they were there as the Fifth Army had held the position inMarch 1918. It was found afterwards that the Germans had camouflagedtheir trenches with thistles, which here covered the ground to aheight in many places of eighteen inches. 

At the highest point about the centre of the Divisional area of attackwas a network of trenches known later as the Quadrilateral--a name ofbad omen to the 6th Division--and which, like its namesake on theSomme, could be reinforced under cover from the back slopes of thehill. An examination of the battlefield after the 24th September alsorevealed several narrow sunken roads filled with wire. The positionwas one of great natural strength, and in addition the whole of theright was dominated by heights in the area to be attacked by theFrench. Lastly, adequate time could not be given to Brigades forreconnaissance owing to the imperative necessity of pushing on toguard the flank of Corps farther north. Troops had not seen the groundthey had to attack over, and rain and smoke obscured the few landmarksexisting on 18th September. 

On that morning the Division attacked at 5. 20 a. M. With the 71stInfantry Brigade on the right, its left directed on the Quadrilateraland its right on Holnon and Selency. 

The 16th Infantry Brigade was on the left, with its right just clearof the Quadrilateral and its left on Fresnoy le Petit. Six tanks wereallotted to the Division, but met with various mishaps or were knockedout, and were not of much use. The attack met with most determinedopposition at once, especially on the right, where the difficulties ofthe 71st Infantry Brigade were increased by the failure of the Frenchto take Round and Manchester Hills. 

The 2nd D. L. I. , attached to this brigade to complete the clearing ofHolnon Village, accomplished this, but were driven out by shelling andby machine gun fire from Round and Manchester Hills, losing veryheavily. 

The 16th Infantry Brigade was more successful, and at one time theYork and Lancasters had nearly completed the capture of Fresnoy lePetit, but were unable to hold it. The brigade advanced, however, 3, 000 yards. Fighting was continuous throughout the day, but withoutfurther success. The Sherwood Foresters advancing very gallantlyagainst the Quadrilateral were reported as being just outside it andentrenched. It was machine gun fire from this stronghold whichprevented the right of the 16th Infantry Brigade advancing, and anattack was therefore ordered for dawn of the 19th September, but itwas evidently anticipated by the enemy, who put down a very heavyartillery and machine-gun barrage before the attackers left theirjumping-off positions. Fighting again continued throughout the day, but without success, and it was evident that the enemy meant standinghis ground and that this was not a rearguard action as it had at onetime been thought. The enemy's artillery was very strong, and, withthe thick Hindenburg wire in front of it, was placed close to theirfront line, and was enabled thus to do considerable execution onour back areas. 

The successes of other Divisions in the south of the British zone hadbeen constant and fairly easy for some time, so that the partialsuccess which the Division had obtained was very disappointing to allranks. They were much cheered, therefore, to get the following wirefrom the Army Commander (General Sir H. Rawlinson):--"Please convey tothe 6th Division my congratulations and warm thanks for their successof yesterday. Though all objectives were not attained they carriedthrough a difficult operation with great gallantry and determination. I offer to all ranks my warm thanks and congratulations. "

All units had heavy fighting, in which some had incurred considerablelosses, and all were tired and in want of reorganization. It wastherefore decided not to renew the attack for a few days, and todevote the interval to a proper artillery preparation (the heavyartillery put 1, 000 shells on the Quadrilateral in one day), thereorganization of battalions, and the construction of a jumping-offposition, in the execution of which the R. E. (Lt. -Col. H. A. L. Hall)and the Pioneers rendered invaluable assistance. The fighting up tothis date had yielded 6 officers and 264 other ranks prisoners, and 65machine-guns. 

On the morning of the 24th September a fresh attack was launched; the18th Infantry Brigade, to which was attached the 1st LeicestershireRegiment, attacking on the right; the 16th Infantry Brigade on theleft. The French 36th Corps attacked with a fresh divisionsimultaneously to our right; the 1st Division, which had taken overthe task of the capture of Fresnoy and Gricourt, on our left. The fourtanks detailed to attack the Quadrilateral again had bad luck, onebeing turned absolutely turtle by a mine field. The three battalionsof the 18th Infantry Brigade met at first with little success, the11th Essex on the left establishing a rather precarious footingin one face of the Quadrilateral, and the 1st West Yorkshire Regimentgetting in at one point in Douai Trench, running south from the StrongPoint. The D. L. I. , attacking south of them through Holnon Village, could make no headway. The French had during the morning capturedRound Hill and part of Manchester Hill, and came up in line with us. The 16th Infantry Brigade fared much better, and working down from thenorth was able in the course of the day to secure the northern face ofthe Quadrilateral. Their four tanks were of great assistance to themthis day. Throughout the day the 18th Infantry Brigade maintained thefight with characteristic determination, but without improving itsposition very much. At 11 p. M. , however, it launched the 1stLeicestershire Regiment by moonlight in a further attack on DouaiTrench. The attack, delivered with great gallantry, was successful, and many enemy were killed in the trench which was found to bestrongly held. In spite of the very rough handling which it hadreceived on the 24th the 18th Infantry Brigade stuck grimly to itstask during the 25th. Douai Trench was cleared from end to end byhand-to-hand fighting, and patrols, admirably handled, gradually madegood the whole of the objectives allotted for the previous day'sattack. On the morning of 25th September 3 officers and 104 otherranks surrendered near Fayet to patrols of the 2nd Y. And L. Regiment. By midnight on the night of the 25/26th September the 16th and 18thInfantry Brigades in co-operation had completed the capture of theQuadrilateral, a position of such unusual natural strength thatcaptured German officers admitted that they had fully expected to beable to hold it indefinitely. For this very fine performance, aremarkable instance of grit and determination and of intelligentinitiative by regimental officers of all ranks, to whom the successfulresults were entirely due, the Division received the congratulationsof the Army and Corps Commanders and G. O. C. , 1st Division. Themessage telephoned on behalf of the Army Commander contained thefollowing passage:--"He fully realises the difficulties they have hadto contend with, and admires the tenacity with which they have stuckto it and completed their task. "

The enemy's resistance now broke down, and during the 26th, 27th and28th September patrols were able gradually to gain further ground, sothat by the time the Division was relieved by the 4th French Divisionon the 29/30th, posts had been established round three sides of thevillage of Fayet. Manchester Hill was finally captured by the Frenchon 26th September. 

The captures during the period were 10 officers, 372 other ranks, 4guns, 15 trench-mortars, and 53 machine-guns. 

During the relief by the French a noteworthy incident occurred. The2nd Brigade, R. F. A. , were asked to fire a barrage to cover an advanceof French infantry at a certain hour, and did so. Just aftercompletion a message arrived saying that the attack had beenpostponed, and would the brigade repeat the operation very shortly atanother hour which was fixed. This the brigade did, clearing toabsolutely the last shell the ammunition available on the ground andcompleting the barrage at the same moment. 

During the fighting in September the Division had "B" and "C"Companies, 2nd Life Guards Machine-gun Battalion, at its disposal, andthese fine troops helped much in the machine-gun barrage, and addedconfidence that any counter-attack on the right would meet with a hotreception. 

While the 6th Division had been fighting on the right of the BritishArmy, the 46th Division, with the Americans on their left and the 1stDivision forming a defensive flank on their right, had broken theHindenburg Line on 29th September by a magnificent attack. Followedacross the canal by the 32nd Division, these two divisions hadvery severe fighting at Ramicourt and Sequehart and were exhausted. The 6th Division, after four days to rest and absorb reinforcements, was ordered to relieve them and attack on the 8th October in thedirection of the small town of Bohain. The 30th American Division wason the right and about 2, 000 yards ahead, connected to the 6thDivision by a series of posts along the railway. This curious positionentailed a very complicated creeping barrage, which, however, wassuccessfully put into operation on the day of the attack. On the rightwas the French 42nd Division slightly in rear, having followed theGermans through St. Quentin and met with strong resistance beyond it. The position to be attacked consisted of high rolling downs with deeptraverse valleys, giving good cover for supports and forward guns, andon the right a broad longitudinal valley closed by a ridge on whichstood the village of Méricourt. The French had a stiff task in frontof them, and did not propose to advance as far as the British--6, 000yards--with the result that even if they were successful our frontage, thrown back from left to right, would be 7, 500 yards, and ifunsuccessful over 10, 000. Added to this their zero hour was nearly anhour after ours, and there would be a very real danger ofcounter-attack from the right. The Divisional Commander, therefore, decided to leave the valley severely alone to start with, merelysmoking by guns and bombs from aeroplanes the Méricourt Ridge andattacking all along the high ground on the north. As our attack andthe French attack progressed the valley was to be cleared by threewhippet tanks supported by the 1st Battalion West Yorks, lent to the16th Infantry Brigade, while finally an attack from the high groundagainst the Méricourt Ridge would be delivered with a view to cuttingoff posts in the valley between the two attacks. The 139th InfantryBrigade of the 46th Division remained in position at Sequehart, together with two companies Life Guards Machine-gun Battalion, tosecure the right flank against counter-attack. The machine-gunnests on the Sequehart-Méricourt road enfiladed the start line of the6th Division, and the G. O. C. , 139th Infantry Brigade (Brig-Gen. J. Harington), was asked to capture these just before the general attack. The 46th Divisional Pioneer Battalion (1/1st Monmouthshire Regiment)undertook this task, and twice attacked the position but withoutsuccess, in spite of the greatest gallantry. The Commanding Officer(Col. Jenkins) and his Adjutant were both unfortunately killed. Theirbravery, however, was well rewarded, as their action enabled the 6thDivisional troops to work round and cut the position off, and theenemy eventually surrendered. 

The weight of artillery for the operations of the 8th October wasimmense. In addition to the Divisional artillery there were the 5thand 16th Brigades, R. H. A. , 161st, 168th, 230th, 231st, 232nd Brigades, R. F. A. , and the 14th and 23rd Army Brigades, R. F. A. Only a part ofthese fired the creeping barrage, the 6th Divisional Artillery, the5th Brigade, R. H. A. , and the 232nd Brigade, R. F. A. , moving forward asthe infantry attack progressed to new positions, so as to supportexploitation and give protection against counter-attack. The attackwas launched at 5. 30 a. M. The 16th Infantry Brigade on the right nextto the valley, and the 71st Infantry Brigade on the left next to theAmericans, both made excellent way, the former capturing the verystrong Mannikin Hill position, and the latter the formidable Doon Milland Doon Copse position, and making a good haul of machine-guns. 

As had been anticipated the French had been held up by Bellicourt Farmon their left, and the 16th Infantry Brigade suffered a good deal frommachine-gun fire from Cerise Wood on the farther side of the valleyand from Mannikin Wood in the valley. The three whippet tanks allottedto the 16th Infantry Brigade were all knocked out, but the West Yorks, to whom had been entrusted the clearing of the valley, stuck totheir work most gallantly, and in the afternoon, after three attempts, had the satisfaction of securing Mannikin Wood, with 10 officers, 240other ranks, and 20 machine-guns, by a final attack under an artillerysmoke barrage. To this success "B" Company, 6th Machine-gun Battalion, contributed largely by enfilade fire. 

By 3 p. M. The French announced that they had captured Bellicourt Farm, and were advancing. The situation on the right was now completelychanged, and the 1st West Yorks, advancing up the valley, gained touchwith the French east of Fairy Wood, more than half-way to the finalobjective in that area. 

By nightfall Méricourt, which blocked the head of and commanded thewhole of the valley, was in our hands. 

The Americans gained their final objective and continued the advancewithout much opposition. In attempting to support their flank the 71stInfantry Brigade came under the fire of field guns firing over opensights near Joncourt Farm, and could not advance. A squadron of theRoyal Scots Greys (5th Cavalry Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Neil Haig), attached to the Division, worked round and made a gallant attempt togallop the guns, but were stopped by close range gun fire. Pitchdarkness now came on, and left the Division tired but triumphant ontheir final objectives. The bag of the 6th Division amounted to over30 officers and 1, 100 other ranks. 

Congratulatory messages were received from the Army and CorpsCommanders as follows:--

From the Army Commander--"Will you please convey to the 6th Divisionmy warm thanks and hearty congratulations on their success to-day. They have done admirable work, and I wish them all good luck forto-morrow. "

From the Corps Commander--"Well done 6th Division. So glad casualtiesso light, considering what Division has accomplished. "

Almost before the final objective had been captured an order wasreceived from the Corps for the Division to take over a portion ofthe 30th American Division front on the left, hand over some ground to46th Division on the right, and attack at dawn on the 9th behind abarrage. Though very tired, and though it was a pitch dark night, the71st and 16th Infantry Brigades somehow managed to carry out thesealmost impossible orders, and advanced splendidly at zero hour--theartillery putting down an accurate barrage. The attack progressedsuccessfully, the first objectives being gained by both brigadeswithout much difficulty, but the enemy was able to delay our advancefrom the Railway Line, where after stiff fighting the 1st Leicesters, by a turning movement, captured some prisoners and machine-guns. The9th Norfolk Regiment on the left worked round by the north, and duringthe night captured Bohain, where some 4, 000 inhabitants were liberated, and vast quantities of war material fell into our hands. 

During this phase of the operations the 5th Cavalry Brigade wasattached to the Division, but circumstances did not allow of muchcavalry activity. 

We were now in a different country to that in which the operationssince 1914 had been conducted. The country had seen no war, houseswere intact, inhabitants looking starved and downtrodden weredelighted to see the British troops. To stop our advance all roads inBohain had been cratered at their exits from the village, anddelay-action mines on the railways were constantly going up. As anexample, D. H. Q. Was in Brancucourt Farm, in a main road which had beencratered just outside the farm. A railway bridge just opposite hadbeen blown down and the line cratered. The Canadian Engineersrepairing the line had removed a great many bombs, but about threedays after the arrival of D. H. Q. A delay-action mine went off on therailway at 7. 30 p. M. , and two days later again at 7 a. M. Fortunatelyon both occasions no men were working on the line, and D. H. Q. Suffered no worse harm than some injuries to staff cars from fallingdebris. The total captures by the Division since the 8th October nowamounted to 45 officers, 1, 839 other ranks, 15 guns, 20trench-mortars, and 266 machine-guns. 

On 10th October the advance was continued--the 30th American Divisionon the left, the 6th Division in the centre, and the 46th Division onthe right next to the French, who were again some distance in rear. 

The 71st Infantry Brigade (1st Leicesters and 2nd Sherwood Foresters), passing through the 9th Norfolks, gained most of its objective, whichwas the high ground about 2, 000 yards east of Bohain, but the 40thDivision was held up by machine-gun fire in Riqueval Wood. Anattempted advance by the 71st Infantry Brigade, assisted by two tanks, on 11th instant was brought to a standstill by machine-gun fire, aftera small advance. 

On the night of the 11/12th October the 18th Infantry Brigade, whichhad been in Divisional Reserve, relieved the 71st Infantry Brigade, and at 4. 30 p. M. On the 12th October carried out a minor operation, simultaneously with the left brigade of the 46th Division, in order topush its left flank forward to the line of the Americans, who werereported to be in possession of Vaux Andigny--some one and a halfmiles ahead. The attack on the right failed, with about 100casualties, owing to machine-gun fire from Regnicourt, and the 46thDivision was also held up. The left made a little ground. This attackand a low aeroplane reconnaissance disclosed the fact that the Germanshad dug a series of new trenches on the high ground immediately infront, and that there was a considerable amount of wire. The maps ofthis area were most indifferent, and many copses existed which werenot shown. It was now evident that the enemy intended to stand on thehigh ground east of Selle River and its continuation to Riqueval Wood. Failing to make any progress by a frontal attack, the G. O. C. , IXCorps, undertook a very pretty tactical move, which produced theattack of 17th October. The 6th and 46th Divisions were moved tothe north flank, and attacked south-east and east instead ofnorth-east. By this manoeuvre a great deal of enfilade fire wasbrought to bear both from guns and machine-guns. The task allotted tothe 6th Division was a difficult one. It had to issue fan-wise fromthe village of Vaux Andigny on a 1, 500 yards front, advancing2, 500-3, 000 yards to a front of 5, 000 yards. The 1st Division was topass through it and push on towards the Sambre Canal. The attack wasto be made under a barrage of eight brigades of Field Artillery andeighty machine-guns. The IX Corps employed on this occasion 17260-pounders and heavy howitzers. 

In the evening of 16th October Brig. -Gen. H. A. Walker, commanding16th Infantry Brigade, which was to attack on the left the nextmorning, most unfortunately lost his left arm by a shell, which blewit off so cleanly that his wrist watch was recovered by his orderlyand was still going. Brig. -Gen. P. W. Brown, commanding 71st InfantryBrigade, then in reserve, took command until the arrival of Brig. -Gen. W. G. Braithwaite. 

During the night 16/17th October the enemy poured gas shells into VauxAndigny, causing considerable casualties both to the troops forming upjust outside and to those who had to pass through a little later. Zerowas at 5. 20 a. M. , and the attack commenced in a dense fog, which inthe fan-shaped advance caused a good deal of loss of direction, although the 18th Infantry Brigade on the left had laid out longdirection tapes to give the troops the initial direction. 

The latter brigade was held up at the start by uncut wire, whichcaused it to lose its barrage. It also encountered a good deal ofopposition on Bellevue Ridge. It was, however, carried forward by theoncoming waves of the 1st Division, which were to pass through to afurther objective, and together the troops of the two divisionsmade good the objective of the 18th Infantry Brigade. The fog wasso dense that all direction was lost, although the 11th Essex Regimenttook the unusual precaution of sending its men forward arm-in-arm. Notwithstanding every precaution troops of the 11th Essex eventuallyfetched up at Regnicourt, which was on the right of the objectiveallotted to the 46th Division, who attacked on our right. Troops ofall three divisions also reached Andigny les Fermes, which was in theobjective of the 46th Division. The 16th Infantry Brigade was morefortunate, and was assisted in maintaining its direction by therailway, with the result that it gained its whole objective in goodtime and with very little trouble. The day's captures were 26officers, 599 other ranks, 5 trench-mortars, and 82 machine-guns. 

The 1st Division having passed through, the 6th Division was nowwithdrawn from the line to the neighbourhood of Bohain for a day ortwo. 

On the night of the 20th/21st October the Division was again put in, relieving the 27th American Division and a part of the 25th Divisionon the front from Bazuel to a short way north of Mazinghien, with aview to the attack planned for the 23rd October. There now occurred asudden change in the type of country. Instead of open rolling downs, there was a multiplicity of small fields, divided by high thick-sethedges trained on wire which proved formidable obstacles. The enemyhad good positions for his artillery in the Bois l'Evêque, and on theeast bank of the Canal de la Sambre, protected from the danger ofbeing rushed by that obstacle, and it was evident that he intended toput up a determined fight on the strong position thus afforded. Thehostile artillery fire was more than had been encountered since thefighting about St. Quentin, and throughout the few days preceding theattack the shelling of roads, farms and villages in our rear area andof artillery positions was continuous. On the night of the attack theassembly positions of the assaulting brigades were subjected toheavy counter-preparation, including a great deal of gas-shelling, and the assembly units suffered considerable casualties. The attackwas delivered at 1. 20 a. M. On 23rd October in a dense fog; the 1stDivision being on the right and the 25th Division on the left. Threesections of 301st American Tank Company were allotted to the Division, and did excellent work in smashing fences and destroying machine-gunnests, though, owing to the fog, the infantry lost touch with themalmost at once. 

On the right the 18th Infantry Brigade, which attacked with the 2ndD. L. I. On the right and the 1st West Yorkshire Regiment on the left, had a less difficult task than the 71st Infantry Brigade, but weredelayed in crossing the gas-shelled valley in their immediate front, and met with opposition from various farms. However, they fought theirway steadily forward during the day, and by the late afternoon theirright battalion had reached its objective and had pushed its patrolsdown to the canal, and the left battalion, having reached its firstobjective, was struggling forward to its second. 

The 71st Infantry Brigade on the left attacked with the 9th NorfolkRegiment and the 1st Leicestershire Regiment. Its attack soon becamedisorganized in the very enclosed country, was unable to keep pacewith its barrage, lost touch with its tanks in the fog, and was soonheld up on a line not more than about 400 yards beyond that from whichit had started. Fighting continued throughout the day, and finally, taking advantage of the progress made by the 25th Division on itsleft, the 71st Infantry Brigade was able by night to reach a lineabout half-way through the Bois l'Evêque. 

During the night this brigade was relieved by the 16th InfantryBrigade (Brig. -Gen. W. G. Braithwaite), which resumed the attack onthe morning of the 24th October. Opposition had by this timedecreased, and better progress was made, so that by noon the rightbattalion, the 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment, held the line ofthe objective laid down for the previous day's attack, and the leftbattalion of the 18th Infantry Brigade had also completed the captureof its objective. Some further progress was made during the day by the16th Infantry Brigade. 

During the period 20th to 24th October, Brig. -Gen. E. F. Delaforce, C. R. A. , 6th Division, had under his orders the Divisional Artillery ofthe 3rd, 4th and 5th Australian Divisions, though the 5th AustralianDivisional Artillery was withdrawn on the eve of the attack of 24thOctober. Their fire was most accurate and prompt, and gave theattacking infantry every confidence. The 6th D. A. On this occasion wasin Corps Reserve. 

During the 26th, 27th and 28th the patrols of the 16th InfantryBrigade continued to work their way slowly forward, and the village ofOrs was evacuated of its inhabitants under the protection of patrolsof the 18th Infantry Brigade. The latter established a bridge-headacross the canal at Ors, and posts on the west side commanding thecanal on the whole brigade front. 

On the 29th orders were received for the relief of the Division. Inorder to be able to hand over to the relieving Division a satisfactoryposition from which to launch the attack on the line of the canal, afurther small operation was planned by the 16th Infantry Brigade, andbrilliantly carried out by the 1st The Buffs on the 30th October. Twocompanies attacked and captured an important farm and spur overlookingthe canal, were counter-attacked in the afternoon and turned out ofthe farm, but retook it at once with the bayonet, inflicting heavycasualties on the enemy and capturing five more machine-guns. 

On the night of the 30th/31st October the relief of the Division (lessartillery) was completed, and it withdrew to billets in Fresnoy leGrand, whence it moved some days later to Bohain. 

The captures during the fighting from the 19th to the 31st Octobernumbered 9 officers and 431 other ranks, 13 guns (including two 5. 9-in. Howitzers), 12 trench-mortars, and 61 machine-guns. 

The total captures during a period of between six and seven weeks, inwhich the Division had seen much stiff fighting, and had suffered over6, 000 casualties, amounted to 96 officers, 3, 505 other ranks, 32 guns, 52 trench-mortars, and 527 machine-guns counted. 

The infantry of the Division saw no more fighting, but its artilleryremained in till the end, finishing up in the neighbourhood ofAvesnes. 

Among the many casualties which the artillery suffered must bementioned Major W. S. Ironside, D. S. O. , M. C. , commanding 112thBattery, R. F. A. , who was killed east of Le Cateau on 2nd November. Hewas among the then much reduced number of those who had landedoriginally with the Division in France in 1914, being then a sergeant. 

Very little mention has been made of the services of the RoyalEngineers during this period. Exceptionally heavy work was thrown onthe signal sections, owing to the frequent changes of headquarters, but they were untiring in their devotion and met each emergency withresource. To the Field Companies fell the dangerous task of taping outthe jumping-off lines for the attacks, but they invariably achievedthis difficult task to the complete satisfaction of thebrigadier-generals and units concerned in the operations. 

It is inevitable in a short History like this that the services of theadministrative branches should not receive the same notice as those ofthe purely fighting portions of the Division, but the History would beincomplete without some reference to them. 

The Field Ambulances showed throughout the high devotion to duty whichhas always characterized the Royal Army Medical Corps. The work of thebearer sections during actions always elicited the admiration of theinfantry, while the tent sections were frequently under shellfire, which, however, in no way interfered with their care of thewounded. Both at advanced dressing stations and tent sections many ofthe chaplains rendered most valuable assistance in carrying andhelping wounded men, while during trench warfare they were frequentlyto be found with their men in the forward trenches. 

In the action of 18th September 1918, Lt. -Col. Collins, D. S. O. , andMajor German, both of the R. A. M. C. , and also Father FitzGibbons, werekilled by shelling at a tent advanced dressing station. 

The work of our Army Service Corps has always been the envy andadmiration of our Allies, and that of the 6th Divisional Train was upto the highest standard of the British Army. The acknowledgedexcellence of the horses and mules of the Division is a tribute to theefficiency of the Veterinary Section and of the horsemasters attachedto the artillery, as well as to the mounted branches. 

In spite of the amusing comments of "The Fancies, " the life of theMilitary Police was not all beer and skittles. The control of thetraffic at some of the cross-roads, favoured by the Boche heavygunners, was nerve-racking in ordinary times, and tenfold more soduring an action, and several awards were given to the DivisionalMilitary Police for gallant conduct under these conditions. 

Very few officers or men served throughout with the Division. Perhapsthe two most notable were Lt. -Col. J. A. C. Forsyth, D. S. O. , commanding 24th Brigade, R. F. A. , who came out as a Captain, andStaff-Sergt. -Major Woollard, who was Chief Clerk of the Division forsome time before mobilization. 

CHAPTER XII

THE MARCH TO THE RHINE AND OCCUPATION OF GERMANY

1918-19

Armistice Day--11th November--found the Division in billets in Bohainarea, training for possible future operations. The news of thecessation of hostilities was received with calm satisfaction that wehad beaten the Germans, and of relief that now we could sleeppeacefully at nights and that lights need not be screened. 

Early in November the 1st and 32nd Divisions of the IX Corps hadforced the crossings of the Sambre Canal at Catillon and Ors afterheavy fighting, and had driven the enemy back towards Avesnes. On 11thNovember a mixed force, under Major-Gen. Bethell, was pushing thedisorganized Germans over the Belgian frontier near Beaumont. 

The IX Corps was now transferred to the Second Army, under Gen. Sir H. Plumer, to whom was assigned the command of the British Army ofOccupation in Germany. 

On leaving the Fourth Army the following letter, addressed personallyto the Divisional Commander, was received from Gen. Sir HenryRawlinson:--

"Now that the 6th Division is passing to the command of another Army, I desire to place on record my sincere appreciation and warm thanksfor the valuable services rendered by you since you joined the FourthArmy in September last. 

"The Division has passed through strenuous times and has seen someheavy fighting, especially in September between Holnon Wood and theCanal, and at Bohain and Vaux Andigny in October, where the gallantryand determination of all ranks filled me with admiration. 

"I congratulate most heartily you all on the victories you havewon, and trust that at some future time I may again find the Divisionunder my command. "

The Division spent the period 14th to 19th November in a march, viaCatillon and Avesnes, to the area round Solre le Château and SarsPoteries, where it was to assemble for the March to the Rhine. Forthis it was organized in three Infantry Brigade Groups and aDivisional Troops Group under the C. R. A. The 16th Army R. H. A. Brigade(Chestnut Troop, "Q" and "U" Batteries) was attached to the Division, and formed part of the 18th Infantry Brigade Group. The 2nd Brigade, R. F. A. , marched with the Divisional Troops Column, the 24th Brigade, R. F. A. , with the 71st Infantry Brigade, and the Divisional AmmunitionColumn with the 16th Infantry Brigade. Each Infantry Brigade had aField Company and Field Ambulance. 

The march resembled the progression of a snake, the rear group movingforward at each advance to the area occupied the previous day by theleading group. Commencing officially on the 20th November there werelong halts up to 2nd December, owing to the difficulty of feeding theleading Divisions (cavalry and infantry), caused by the destructiondone by the Germans to the railways, and also owing to the withdrawalof the Germans not being carried out in accordance with programme. Sometimes groups did not move, or only made minor adjustments toobtain more comfortable quarters. 

Both branches of the staff had long days of reconnaissance in carsahead of the Division, made to avoid moving troops farther off themain roads than necessary, while the R. E. And Pioneers were oftenpushed ahead to see about water supplies and mend roads. Up to theBelgian frontier roads had been cratered and bridges blown down, andthese caused defiles and impeded the march. Once across the frontierthe roads were splendid, the inhabitants most hospitable andenthusiastic, and the advance only held up until it could bepushed through continuously. 

However, it was no hardship to be delayed in such charmingsurroundings, though the weather was for the most part vile. The marchfrom the neighbourhood of Dinant across the Ardennes, and along thelovely valley of the River Ambleve, will always stand out as a mostdelightful reminiscence. All ranks worked hard at their equipment, andthe transport was so smart as to be thought by the Belgians to be new. 

It was a proud and splendid Division which marched, with drums beatingand colours flying, across the German frontier into the little town ofMalmedy between 13th and 16th December. 

Marching generally by only one road, the length of the Division, whenbilleted, varied from ten to twenty-five miles. It was particularlyinteresting for Brigades to occupy the German huts at Elsenborn Campof Exercise, where large numbers of the enemy had assembled in the endof July 1914 for the conquest of Belgium. 

The attitude of the population in Germany was servile, and little hatecould be felt by one or two battalions which marched into Malmedy inpouring rain and found German women lighting special fires, withoutbeing ordered to do so, to dry their clothing. It must, however, beadded that the inhabitants of Malmedy speak French and have Belgiansympathies. 

Passing through the lovely little village of Montjoie, which remindsone so much of Switzerland, the Division marched to its allotted areasouth-west of Cologne, Divisional Headquarters arriving at Bruhl, sixmiles from Cologne, on Christmas Eve; Headquarters 16th InfantryBrigade at Zulpich, Headquarters 18th Infantry Brigade at Lechenich, Headquarters 71st Infantry Brigade at Eichhols (a country house), andHeadquarters Divisional Troops at a château near Weilerswist. Theroute followed--220 miles--is given in the Diary. 

It was with a great feeling of gratitude and elation that theDivision ate their Christmas dinner on the Rhine in December 1918. 

The area allotted to the Division was a strip of country almostrectangular in shape, with a maximum length of twenty miles, and amaximum breadth of twelve miles, and lying to the immediate south-westof Cologne. The north-west border was on the ring of forts encirclingthe city, which were later included in the divisional area. 

The Civil Administration was carried out by the G. O. C. InfantryBrigades and the C. R. A. , who were much assisted by a Civil StaffCaptain and a Provost representative, and in the town of Bruhl by theG. O. C. Division, who also generally supervised under the Corps and theArmy the work of the Group Commanders. 

The Germans were very orderly, and little trouble was given, but guardand night patrol was fairly heavy. 

On 1st February 1919, General Sir H. Plumer presented a Colour to the9th Norfolk Regiment, 11th Essex Regiment, and 11th Leicester Regimentrespectively, and made a stirring speech to each, congratulating themon their fine appearance and steady drill, and emphasizing their dutyto their King and Country. 

The Division settled down to improving their billets and to education, and frequent lectures were given by special lecturers sent out fromEngland. Some of the troops were very comfortable, and notably thosein towns like Bruhl, where each man had a bed and mattress, andWarrant Officers and N. C. O. S who were billeted in private houses, butothers in the smaller villages were not so well off. 

As the Germans did not play football there was a general lack offootball grounds, which had to be made, but the troops scoredconsiderably by finding electric light in even the tiniest cottages, and at least one concert-room, with a stage properly fitted up, ineven the smallest village. The Opera, too, was a great source ofpleasure to many. But it was a period of transition--men werebeing demobilized freely, and it was with a sigh of relief thatsomething definite had been fixed, as well as with many sighs ofregret, that orders were eventually received that the 6th Division, assuch, would cease to exist in the middle of March 1919. Farewellparades were held, farewell speeches made, farewell dinners given, andon 15th March the Machine-gun Battalion, Pioneers, Field Companies(except 12th Field Company), and Train were transferred to thenewly-constituted Midland Division. 

The 6th Division, B. E. F. , had completed its task. 

APPENDIX I

BATTLE CASUALTIES

1914 Aisne (19th Sept. --12th Oct. ) 1, 482 Battle of the Aisne. 1914 Armentières (13th--31st Oct. ) 4, 696 First Battle of Ypres. 1914-15 Armentières (1st Nov. --31st May) 3, 940 Trenches. 1915-16 Ypres (1st June 1915--31st July 1916) 10, 938 Includes 1, 780 in attack on Hooge; 660 gas attack, 15th Dec; 400 Morteldje attack. 1916 Somme (5th Aug. --20th Oct. ) 7, 430 Battle of the Somme. 1916-17 La Bassée (25th Nov. 1916--16th February 1917) 709 Trenches. 1917 Loos (2nd Mar. --25th July) 4, 884 Raids and attacks, Hill 70. 1917 Loos-Lens (26th Aug. --23rd Oct. ) 1, 400 Trenches. 1917 Cambrai (20th Nov. --10th Dec. ) 1, 790 Battle of Cambrai. 1918 Bapaume (17th Jan. --20th March) 313 Trenches. 1918 Lagnicourt (21st--22nd March) 5, 160 German offensive. 1918 Ypres (3rd April--24th Aug. ) 4, 715 Includes 750 at Neuve Eglise (71st Infantry Brigade) and 250 in attack on Scottish and Ridge Woods. 1918 St. Quentin (14th--28th Sept. ) 3, 163 Battle of St. Quentin. 1918 Bohain--Ors (4th--29th Oct. ) 3, 120 Battles of Bohain, Vaux-Andigny, and Ors. 

Grand Total 53, 740

N. B. --Above are approximate, and have been compiled from D. H. Q. WarDiaries (Administrative). 

APPENDIX II

V. C. S WON BY THE DIVISION

No. 7504 Private HENRY MAY, 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 19th Infantry Brigade, at that time attached to 6th Division. 

For most conspicuous bravery near La Boutillerie, on 22nd October1914, in voluntarily endeavouring to rescue, under very heavy fire, awounded man, who was killed before he could save him, andsubsequently, on the same day, in carrying a wounded officer adistance of 300 yards into safety whilst exposed to very severe fire. (Gazetted 21st April 1915. )

No. 9730 Private JOHN CAFFREY, 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment. 

For most conspicuous bravery on 16th November 1915, near La Brique. 

A man of the West Yorkshire Regiment had been badly wounded, and waslying in the open unable to move, in full view of, and about 300 to400 yards from, the enemy's trenches. Corporal Stirk, Royal ArmyMedical Corps, and Private Caffrey, at once started out to rescue him, but at the first attempt they were driven back by shrapnel fire. Soonafterwards they started again, under close sniping and machine-gunfire, and succeeded in reaching and bandaging the wounded man, butjust as Corporal Stirk had lifted him on Private Caffrey's back hehimself was shot in the head. 

Private Caffrey put down the wounded man, bandaged Corporal Stirk, andhelped him back into safety. He then returned and brought in the manof the West Yorkshire Regiment. He had made three journeys across theopen under close and accurate fire, and had risked his own life tosave others with the utmost coolness and bravery. (Gazetted 22ndJanuary 1915. )

No. 3/10133 Sergeant ARTHUR FREDERIC SAUNDERS, 9th (Service) Battalion The Suffolk Regiment. 

For most conspicuous bravery. When his officer had been wounded, inthe attack he took charge of two machine-guns and a few men, and, although severely wounded in the thigh, closely followed the last fourcharges of another battalion, and rendered every possible support. Later, when the remains of the battalion which he had been supportinghad been forced to retire, he stuck to his guns, continued to giveclear orders, and by continuous firing did his best to cover theretirement. (Gazetted 30th March, 1916. )

2/Lieutenant FRANK BERNARD WEARNE, 11th (Service) Battalion Essex Regiment. 

For superb courage, leadership and self-sacrifice. 

On 28th June 1917, 2/Lieut. Wearne was in command of two sections onthe left of a raiding party, whose objective was the German frontline, east of Loos. He led his men into the objective againstopposition, and by his magnificent example and daring, they held on tothe German trench for one hour according to orders. 

Throughout the hour they were repeatedly counter-attacked, from theirleft down the trench and from their front over the open. Grasping thefact that if the left flank went, our men would have to give way, 2/Lieut. Wearne at a moment when the attack was being heavily pressed, and when matters were most critical, leapt on to the parapet and, followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench, firingand throwing bombs at the enemy. This unexpected and daring manoeuvrethrew the enemy back in disorder. Whilst on the top 2/Lieut. Wearnewas severely wounded, but refused to leave his men. He remained in thetrench directing operations, organizing the defence and encouragingall. Just before the order to withdraw was given 2/Lieut. Wearne wasseverely hit for the second time, and when being brought away was hitfor the third time and killed. 

His tenacity in remaining at his post, though severely wounded, andhis magnificent fighting spirit enabled his men to hold on to the leftflank; had this gone, the whole operation would have failed. (Gazetted5th August 1917. )

2/Lieut. (A/Captain) ARTHUR MOORE LASCELLES, 3rd Battalion, attached 14th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry. 

At Masnières on 3rd December 1917, showed the greatest courage, initiative, and devotion to duty when in command of his company. 

His company was in a very exposed position, and after a very heavybombardment, during which Captain Lascelles was wounded, the enemyattacked in strong force, but was driven off, largely owing to thefine example set by this officer, who refused to allow himself to bedressed, but continued to encourage his men and organize the defence. Shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench, taking several of his men prisoners. Captain Lascelles at once jumpedon to the parapet and, followed by the remainder of his company, twelve men, rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and droveover sixty of the enemy back, being wounded again, thereby saving amost critical situation. He then was untiring in re-organizing theposition, but shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and capturedthe trench and Captain Lascelles. Later he escaped, being woundedagain in doing so. 

The remarkable determination and gallantry of this officer inspiredeveryone. (Gazetted 11th January 1919. )

APPENDIX III

DIARY

1914. 

Sept. 8. Division embarked Southampton. 

 9. Commenced disembarking St. Nazaire. 

 10. Commenced entraining. 

 12. Into billets Coulommiers--Mortcerf--Marles--Chaume. 

 13-19. Marching to the Aisne--into General Reserve, D. H. Q. At Bazoches. 

 19. 18th Infantry Brigade to I Corps to relieve 2nd Infantry Brigade. 

 20. Attack on I Corps--18th Infantry Brigade heavily engaged. 

 21. 16th Infantry Brigade to II Corps to relieve 7th and 9th Infantry Brigades, and 17th Infantry Brigade to I Corps to relieve 6th Infantry Brigade and 4th Guards Brigade. 

Sept. 20 to Oct. 6. In trenches on the Aisne. 

 Oct. 2. Division (less 16th and 17th Infantry Brigades) concentrated in area Serches--Jury, under III Corps--D. H. Q. At Serches. 

 6. 17th Infantry Brigade rejoined Division, which marched west. 

 9. Division (less 16th Infantry Brigade) entrained at St. Sauveur near Compiègne. 

 10-11. Division arrived St. Omer and went into billets--19th Infantry Brigade joined Division (one battalion to Renescure)--one battalion 18th Infantry Brigade to Racquinghem. 

 12. March to Hazebrouck to cover detrainment of 4th Division. 16th Infantry Brigade relieved by French troops. 

 13. 16th Infantry Brigade entrained for Cassel. Division marched east--fighting from 1 p. M. On line La Couronne--Merris--Fontaine Houck, which was reached at nightfall--considerable casualties. 

 14. Line reached R. Du Leet--Blanche Maison--east of Bailleul. 

Oct. 15-16. 18th Infantry Brigade crossed River Lys at Sailly, and 17th Infantry Brigade at Bac St. Maur during the night--Steenwerck occupied. 

 16. Line advanced to Rouge du Bout--Rue Dormoire. 16th Infantry Brigade rejoined Division and went into Divisional Reserve. 

 17. Line Rouge du Bout--Bois Grenier--Chapelle d'Armentières reached without opposition. 

 18. Reconnaissance in force on enemy's reported positions. Line at night after considerable fighting Radinghem--Ennetières-- Prémesques--Halte to west of Pérenchies--l'Epinette (east of Armentières). 

 19. Entrenching above line. 

 20. Massed German attack all along line--Division driven back to Touquet--Bois Blancs--Le Quesne--La Houssoie--Rue du Bois--l'Epinette. 

 21. 19th Infantry Brigade (sent to fill gap between II and III Corps) driven back from Le Maisnil--Fromelles to La Boutillerie--Touquet. 

 22. Heavy attack on 19th Infantry Brigade in evening repulsed. 

 23. 17th Infantry Brigade relieved by 4th Division and became Divisional Reserve--attacks on 16th Infantry Brigade (K. S. L. I. And Y. And L. ) repulsed with much loss to enemy-- 300 dead in front of trenches. 

 24-25. Continuous attacks on Divisional front throughout day, all repulsed, but situation critical. 

 25-26. Retirement made during night to prepared line about half a mile in rear Touquet--Flamengerie Farm--Rue du Bois, so as to straighten front. 

 27-28. Attack by night on 18th Infantry Brigade trenches, which were captured but retaken by counter-attack--East Yorks especially distinguished themselves. 

 28-29. Attack by night on 19th Infantry Brigade repulsed. 

 29-30. Strong attack by night on 19th Infantry Brigade captured trenches, but was driven out by counter-attack and 200 dead counted. 

Nov. And Dec. } 1915. } In trenches Armentières front. Jan. And Feb. }

Mar. 12. L'Epinette attacked and captured by North Staffordshire Regiment. 

Mar. 15. 16th Infantry Brigade moved up to Vlamertinghe, but returned next day. 

May. A little mining and counter-mining on the Frelinghien and Le Touquet fronts. 

 27. Major-Gen. Sir John Keir left to command VI Corps, being succeeded by Brig. -Gen. Congreve. Brig. -Gen. Humphreys succeeded Brig. -Gen. Paget in command of Divisional Artillery. 

 Relief by 27th Division commenced. 

 31. Front handed over to 27th Division--19th Infantry Brigade left Division. 

May 31 to June 1. Took over new front Ypres Salient. 

June 2. Relief completed on front from Ypres--Roulers Railway to Wieltje. 

 5. 17th Infantry Brigade into line, which now extended to just short of Turco Farm. 

 8. D. H. Q. From Couthove to Vlamertinghe. 

 15. Gallant bombing attack by Lieut. Smith's Grenadier Platoon to assist 41st Brigade. 

 16. Artillery co-operation with 3rd Divisional attack on Bellewarde Farm. 

 20. 16th Infantry Brigade's first experience of gas. 

 22. Artillery co-operation in 14th Divisional attack. 

 July 6. Artillery co-operation in 4th Divisional attack near Pilkem. 

 30. Attack on 14th Division at Hooge. Drove them back to Sanctuary and Zouave Woods. Counter-attack unsuccessful. 

 31. 16th Infantry Brigade moved up. Decided to relieve 6th Division and give it task of retaking Hooge. 

Aug. 2-3. Relieved. 

 6. Took over new front and commenced bombardment. 

 9. Attack on Hooge by 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades--infantry moved close up under barrage, which remained on support trench five minutes longer--attack successful, but right suffered very heavily from shelling from south and fire from east. 

Oct. 14. 17th Infantry Brigade left for 24th Division, and 71st arrived. 

Nov. 19-20. Division relieved--to Houtkerque and Poperinghe, but had to find working parties for divisions in line. 

Dec. 14. Into line again--Routers Railway to Wieltje. 

 19. Gas attack by enemy. 

1916. 

Jan. 24. 11th Essex patrol raid (3 officers and 10 other ranks) on mound on Verlorenhoek Road--killed six Germans. 

Feb. 14-15. Two enemy raids near Wieltje and Trenches B9 and 10 repulsed. 

Mar. 9-10. 1st The Buffs bombing raid (1 officer and 19 other ranks) on crater at I 12. 

 15-16. 2nd D. L. I. (3 officers and 44 other ranks) successful raid, capturing a prisoner--Bangalore torpedo laid by Lieut. Smith, R. N. V. R. 

 15-18. Relieved from line--to Houtkerque, Wormhoudt, Calais. 

April 15-18. Back into line 5, 500 yards front, with left on canal next to 58th French Division and right next Guards Division. 

 19-20. Enemy occupied trenches out of which he had shelled a company of the 8th Bedfords in Morteldje Salient--counter-attack unsuccessful. 

 21. Trenches retaken by two companies K. S. L. I. , in spite of very heavy going. 

May 14-15. Enemy attacked four bombing posts of 1st The Buffs--beaten off three times, but captured them at fourth attempt--all garrison casualties. 

 June 3. Five officers and 200 other ranks 1st West Yorks drove enemy out of posts on frontage 450 yards and re-occupied it. 

 10. "Admiral" reported missing from patrol of 9th Norfolks. 

 17-18. Relieved--to Bollezeele, Houtkerque, Wormhoudt. 

July 15-17. Into line north-west of Hooge to north of Wieltje. 

July 29 to Aug. 1. Relieved preparatory to entraining. 

Aug. 2-3. Entrained Hopoutre, Proven, and Esquelbec, and detrained Candas and Doullens. 

 3-4. Marched to Acheux--Raincheval area. 

 5-7. Into line on Ancre--preparing for attack. 

 21. 9th Suffolk and 2nd Sherwood Foresters' unsuccessful raid. 

 24. 14th D. L. I. Unsuccessful raid. 

Aug. 26-27. Relieved and began to move south to Vignacourt-- Flesselles area. 

Sept. 6-8. Moved up to XIV Corps area. 

 11. Into line on front between Leuze Wood and Ginchy. 

 13. Attack by 71st Infantry Brigade on Quadrilateral unsuccessful--renewed in evening but only partially successful. 

 15. _General attack_ by 16th and 71st Infantry Brigades--6th Divisional objective beyond the Quadrilateral--attack failed--renewed in evening and failed again. 

 16. 18th Infantry Brigade into line in relief of 71st Infantry Brigade. 

 18. Fresh attack on Quadrilateral after bombardment by 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades--successful. 

 19. Relieved. 

 21. Into line again. 

 25. _General attack_--6th Division on Lesboeufs, and south to Morval--by 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades, with 71st Infantry Brigade in reserve--successful--over 500 prisoners. 

 30. Relieved by 20th Division. 

Oct. 8-9. Into line relieving 20th Division. 

 12. _General attack_--6th Division towards Le Transloy--by 18th and 71st Infantry Brigades--16th Infantry Brigade in reserve--unsuccessful. 

 15. Attack renewed--partially successful. 

 18. Fresh attack by 71st Infantry Brigade--only partially successful on left. 

 20. Relieved--to Corbie. 

 28. Assembled in reserve to I Corps. 

Nov. 25. Into line on Canal Sector, La Bassée. 

During Dec. Side-slipped slightly to south. 

1917. 

Jan. 26. 1st West Yorks raid (6 officers and 160 other ranks under Capt. Trimble) in Cambrin Sector--five prisoners. 

 29. 8th Bedford Regiment raid (C Company--150--under Capt. Brewster) in Hohenzollern Sector--two prisoners. 

 Feb. 4. Enemy raided 1st West Yorks and captured a Lewis gun and a prisoner. 

 Feb. 9. 2nd Sherwood Foresters raid (6 officers and 100 other ranks under Major Wylie) in Quarries Sector under smoke barrage by Special Co. R. E. --20 dug-outs blown in--about 60 enemy killed and wounded--8 prisoners. 

 10. 2nd D. L. I. Raid (3 officers and 38 other ranks) on Mad Point--over 30 enemy dead counted--1 prisoner brought in --several dug-outs destroyed. 

 12. 71st Infantry Brigade scouting party raid partly successful only--one machine-gun entrenchment blown in. 

 15. Enemy attempted raid in Hohenzollern Sector repulsed by artillery and machine-gun fire--one enemy identification made. 

 16-17. Relieved by 21st Division--to Béthune--Busnes--Robecq. 

Mar. 2-4. Into line Loos Sector--from Double Crassier to Railway Alley. 

 18. Enemy carried out several simultaneous raids--that on 2nd York and Lancasters dispersed by Lewis-gun fire--that on Buffs repulsed after hand-to-hand fighting--that on 1st West Yorks penetrated and captured one Lewis gun and six men. 

 19. Enemy raided 2nd York and Lancasters--unsuccessful--two Germans killed in our trenches. 

 24. 11th Essex Battalion raid on area round Posen Crater (4 companies of 2 officers and 80 other ranks each)--penetrated to enemy support line and remained one and a half hours--captured 1 officer, 8 other ranks, and 1 machine-gun. 

 25. Enemy raided 9th Norfolk Regiment and 2nd Sherwood Foresters and captured nine prisoners, penetrating some distance between the battalions, but leaving one officer and three other ranks dead in our trenches. 

 30. 1st The Buffs raid (4 officers and 100 other ranks under Capt. B. L. Strauss) in Loos Sector--remained in trenches over half-hour--took one prisoner and one machine-gun, and blew in eight dug-outs. 

April 5. Enemy raid on 2nd Foresters at Border Redoubt--driven off with very slight casualties. 

April 8. 2nd D. L. I. Patrol raid (2 officers and 47 other ranks) in Loos Sector--held up by wire. 

 10. 9th Suffolks raid (D Company under Capt. England, M. C. ) in Quarries Sector--successful and obtained identification. 

 12. 2nd York and Lancasters raid (2 officers and 80 other ranks under Capt. Hardy)--got into trench and killed sixteen Germans. 

 13. Enemy withdrew from Railway Triangle, closely followed by 2nd York and Lancasters, who entered enemy dug-outs before candles had burnt out. 

 24th Division on our right also advancing line. 

 System of bombardment followed by pauses during which patrols went out and occupied what they could. 

 14. Enemy small raid on 1st West Yorks--driven off by counter-attack and identification obtained. 

 15. A certain amount of ground gained in the face of increasing opposition--Buffs and York and Lancasters advanced a bit. 

 16. Systematic bombardment of Hill 70 trenches commenced--enemy counter-attacked and drove Buffs back slightly, but failed against 8th Bedfords' advanced post--D Company, West Yorks (3 officers and 65 other ranks under Capt. Rendall), attempted raid, but driven back by artillery fire. 

 17. Gas released on enemy--ideal conditions--enemy attacked right flank of 8th Bedfords but driven back. 

 18. Enemy shelled Loos heavily during night (about 1, 000 5. 9s) --1st Leicesters (C Company under Capt. Cox) raided and captured one prisoner--1st K. S. L. I. And 8th Bedfords made more ground, latter taking twenty-seven prisoners and one machine-gun. 

 19. 1st K. S. L. I. Got north end of Novel Alley, but three attempts to push forward by 8th Bedfords unsuccessful--K. S. L. I. Took eighteen prisoners--14th D. L. I. Relieved 8th Bedfords--11th Essex placed under orders of G. O. C. , 16th Infantry Brigade. 

 20. 46th Division relieved 24th Division on our right--11th Essex into line, relieving 1st Buffs and 1st K. S. L. I. 

April 20-21. Line partially withdrawn to allow of bombardment. 

 21. Attack by 14th D. L. I. In conjunction with 46th Division-- successful--two machine-guns and thirty-six prisoners. 

 21-22. 14th D. L. I. Repulsed two enemy counter-attacks. 

 22. Attack by 14th D. L. I. And 11th Essex in conjunction with 46th Division--latter unable to attack Narwhal trench on account of uncut wire--11th Essex unable to get on--14th D. L. I. Took objective, but gradually shelled and sniped out and driven back to original line--forty-six prisoners and three machine-guns. 

 22. 1st Leicesters relieved 14th D. L. I. --9th Suffolks lent to 16th Infantry Brigade--position became stationary with enemy in Nash Alley. 

 23. Small enemy raid dispersed and an identification obtained. 

 26. G. O. C. 71st Infantry Brigade assumed command Loos Sector vice G. O. C. 16th Infantry Brigade to northern sector of Division. 

 27. Enemy raided in Quarries Sector--one prisoner taken by us. 

 28. Raid by 9th Norfolks (No. 8 Platoon) stopped by new wire--same by West Yorks, also unsuccessful. 

 29. 7, 000 gas shells by enemy on Vermelles, Philosophe, and Maroc. 

 May 2. 46th Division took over portion of Southern Brigade area. 

 5. Enemy patrol entered our lines, but was shot and identification made. 

 9. Enemy attempted raid on 2nd D. L. I. , but driven off. 

 13. Heavy enemy bombardment in 14bis Sector--raid broken up as it came out of trenches by artillery fire. 

 15-16. Enemy raided Boyau 46 and captured four men. 

 20-21. 1st West Yorks raid (2 officers and 52 other ranks) entered trenches but enemy fled--no result. 

 22. 1st Leicesters raid (B Company, 4 officers and 132 other ranks, under Capt. Wykes) in Quarries Sector--several dug-outs with enemy in destroyed. 

 May 28. 2nd Sherwood Foresters (6 officers and 133 other ranks under Major Addison-Smith) raided under cover of a smoke barrage--captured two prisoners and destroyed some dug-outs, machine-gun entrenchments and tunnel entrances. 

 June 1. 1st K. S. L. I. (3 officers and 130 other ranks under Capt. E. Spink, M. C. ) raided enemy near Hendon Alley--sixteen Germans killed and machine-gun entrenchments blown in. 

 4. Two officers and forty other ranks of 1st K. S. L. I. Raided same trenches and got in, but no prisoners taken. 

 6. Small raid 2nd D. L. I. (2 officers and 50 other ranks) unsuccessful--enemy's barrage too heavy. 

 8. Enemy small raid on 9th Suffolks at Newport Sap repulsed--four enemy dead left on our wire. 

 10. 9th Suffolks (3 officers and 94 other ranks) raided as far as enemy support trenches, but found no one. 

 12-13. 9th Norfolks (1 officer and 35 other ranks) attempted raid on Merthyr Sap, but could not get in. 

 15. 14th D. L. I. Successful daylight raid (3 officers and 80 other ranks) in vicinity of Nash Alley--a good many enemy killed and seven prisoners taken. 

 23-24. Enemy entered post of 11th Essex and did some damage, but was driven out by counter-attack. 

 24. Raid by 1st Buffs (two companies under Capt. Jacob) near Halifax Alley--remained in trenches three and a half hours and captured fifteen prisoners and two aerial-dart machines. Lieuts. Harrington and Buss (both killed) greatly distinguished themselves. 

 27-28. Very gallant raid by 2nd D. L. I. (2 officers and 84 other ranks under Capt. Fawcett) and 11th Essex (3 officers and 67 other ranks under Capt. Silver) in connection with operations of 46th Division--though anticipated the raiders got into the enemy's trenches and remained there one hour, repelling all counter-attacks--one prisoner taken. 

July 1-2. Small enemy raid on Novel Alley unsuccessful--left one dead in our trench. 

 3. Small enemy raid on 1st West Yorks in Novel Alley unsuccessful --two prisoners taken and one enemy left dead in trench. 

 7-8. Brilliant repulse of strong enemy raid near Boyau 70 by 1st The Buffs and 1st K. S. L. I. --two prisoners taken by us. 

 9-10. 14th D. L. I. Raid (1 officer and 30 other ranks)--trenches entered but enemy fled--enemy small raid on Novel Alley driven off. 

 12. Patrol raid (3 patrols of 12) by 8th Bedfords in Hulluch Sector--one prisoner. 

 16. Surprise raid by 9th Norfolks (2 officers and 36 other ranks)--stiff fighting but no identification obtained. 

 20. Three patrols (3 officers and 55 other ranks) of 2nd York and Lancasters raided enemy's posts but only partly successful. 

 23. Raid by 1st Leicesters (8 officers and 291 other ranks under Capt. Mosse) in Quarries Sector--enemy bolted into dug-outs --remained one and a half hours in enemy's trenches--one prisoner taken. 

 Division relieved by 46th Division--D. H. Q. To Ourton-- troops to area Ourton-Monchy Breton. 

 31. 9th Norfolks and 1st Leicesters went by bus to Bac St. Maur to come under orders G. O. C. , 57th Division. 

 Aug. 5. 9th Norfolks and 1st Leicesters returned. 

 24-27. Into line on Hill 70 front. 

Sept. 9. 2nd Sherwood Foresters raided enemy Hill 70 Sector unsuccessfully--enemy had bombarded trenches all day and blown in many, and had anticipated the raid. 

 13. 8th Bedfords (2 officers and 85 other ranks) raided enemy and bombed his crowded trenches, but failed to get in. 

 20-21. Enemy's raid on 11th Essex failed. 

 24. Side-stepped with a view to attack on Cité St. Auguste. 

 29. Enemy raided York and Lancasters, but was repulsed and left an unwounded prisoner in our hands. 

 Oct. 4. Preparations for attack. Enemy raid (about half battalion) on 18th Infantry Brigade repulsed. 

Oct. 19. Raid with heavy bombardment on 14th D. L. I. Unsuccessful. 

 20-23. Relieved by 11th Division--to St. Hilaire area. 

 29. Marched south to join Third Army. Training with tanks. 

Nov. 15-19. Commenced march to Cambrai front. 

 20. _Battle of Cambrai. _

 16th Infantry Brigade on right, 71st Infantry Brigade on left, 18th passed through--broke both systems of Hindenburg Line, capturing Ribécourt and Premy Chapel Ridge--first company into Marcoing--over 1, 100 prisoners and 23 guns. 

 All objectives gained with few casualties by 12 noon. 

 Congratulatory message from Corps Commander. 

 21. Action of 14th D. L. I. Supporting cavalry in advance to Cantaing. 

 26-27. 18th Infantry Brigade extended front to Cantaing. 1st The Buffs cleared and occupied Noyelles. 

 30. _Enemy counter-attack in force on Third Army. _

 16th Infantry Brigade moved from Divisional Reserve to near Beaucamps and ordered to counter-attack on Gouzeaucourt-- found Guards already in possession. 

 Arranged to attack by night on La Vacquerie-Gonnelieu-- attack unsuccessful. 

 Gallant action of 18th Infantry Brigade transport under Shea, Q. M. , 2nd D. L. I. , and Paul, Transport officer, 1st West Yorks --both died of wounds. 

 Congratulatory message on this action received from G. O. C. , 29th Division. 

Night Dec. 2/3. 16th Infantry Brigade relieved part of 29th Division north of St. Quentin Canal. 

 3. Enemy attacked K. S. L. I. And 14th D. L. I. North of canal. Three counter-attacks by D. L. I. , but finally driven back. 

 Bedfords and York and Lancasters put in to restore situation --partially successful. 

 Front withdrawn to line of canal night of 3rd/4th. 

 4. General withdrawal of British line to Support System of Hindenburg Line ordered. 

Dec. 10. Relieved by 19th Division. 

 11. 16th Infantry Brigade to VI Corps. 

 12. 18th Infantry Brigade to VI Corps. 

 Above brigades placed at disposal of 3rd Division, and went into line to relieve two of their brigades on Bullecourt front for a few days. 

Dec. 14 to } In rest--Basseux area. Jan. 17, 1918. }

1918. 

Jan. 17. Commenced move up to Frémicourt. 

 Feb. 4. Enemy's silent raid on three posts of Boursies area and captured one prisoner. 

 13. Side-stepped into Lagnicourt Sector. 

 Mar. 3. 1st K. S. L. I. (2 officers and 50 other ranks, B Company) raided Magpie's Nest and captured one machine-gun--enemy fled. 

 16. 1st Leicesters (2 officers and 50 other ranks) repeated raid-- post empty. 

 21. _Great German offensive commenced. _ Fighting all day--heavy casualties--71st and 18th Infantry Brigades holding out in Reserve line till dark. 

 22. Fighting all day on Corps line. 

 Remnants of Division relieved at night--to Achiet and Logeast Wood. 

 25. By train to Second Army. 

 30. King's visit to Steenvoorde. 

April 3-4. Into line in Ypres Salient on high ground between Menin and Zonnebeke Roads--came under XXII Corps. 

 13. 71st Infantry Brigade left to join 49th Division on Neuve Eglise front. 

 16. Line withdrawn to battle zone--enemy followed up in the afternoon and a good many casualties were inflicted on him-- one party of twenty-five annihilated. 

 18. Enemy raided post unsuccessfully and lost an officer killed--identification obtained by us. 

 25. Capture of Kemmel by enemy from the French. 

 26. 71st Infantry Brigade returned to Division. 

Night 26-27. Further withdrawal to west end of Zillebeke Lake-White Château. 

 29. Heavy attacks against Division on our right. 

 May 8. Unsuccessful enemy attack on Ridgewood. 

 11-14. Side-slipped to south and came into II Corps. 

 19. 11th Essex raided Manor Farm successfully but no prisoners taken. 

 May 22. 2nd D. L. I. (A and C Companies) raided pill-boxes Bedford front and took sixteen prisoners. 

 28-29. Attack by 11th Essex in conjunction with French 46th Division. 

 June 5. 2nd York and Lancasters raided (3 officers and 68 other ranks) Lankhoff Farm unsuccessfully. 

 7-8. Division relieved--to Dirty Bucket Camp and Jan ter Biezen area. 

 71st T. M. B. Co-operated in 46th French Division operation. 

 19. 18th T. M. B. Lent to 7th French Division for a raid. 

 27-28. Relieved 46th French Division in Dickebusch front. 

 July 6. Enemy's raid on Scottish Wood repulsed. 

 9. Patrol of 2nd Sherwood Foresters rushed a post near Ridgewood by day--captured a machine-gun and killed the garrison. 

 14. _Attack by 18th Infantry Brigade on Ridgewood. _ 1st West Yorks and 2nd D. L. I. Assisted by two companies 1st Middlesex of 33rd Division--enemy surprised--most successful-- captures, 7 officers, 341 other ranks, 23 machine-guns, 1 H. T. M. , 2 L. T. Ms. 

 Aug. 2. 1st The Buffs daylight raid on the Brasserie--successful-- three prisoners. 

 6. H. M. The King saw some of the troops at Winnezeele. 

 8. Minor operation by 18th Infantry Brigade in connection with 41st Division's operation--company West Yorks unsuccessful --company 2nd D. L. I. On right co-operating with 41st Division entirely successful. 

 In August. Attachment of units of 27th American Division. 

 21-24. Relieved by 27th American Division--to Wizernes area. 

 31. Division marched to Arques. 

Sept. 1. Entrained for Fourth Army. 

 2-4. Detrained and billeted in area Heilly-Ribemont-Franvillers. 

 13-14. Relieved 32nd Division at head of IX Corps by bus. 

 18th Infantry Brigade took over front in Holnon Wood with 11th Essex. 

 16th Infantry Brigade in support in Trefcon area. 

 71st Infantry Brigade in reserve in Monchy-Lagache area. 

Sept. 15. 11th Essex attacked and captured trenches just clear of Holnon Wood, taking forty-six prisoners. 

 15-16. Divisional front re-organized with West Yorks on right and Essex on left. 

 17. West Yorks attacked Holnon Village and Essex Badger Copse to establish starting line for general attack on 18th September --fighting all day--Essex eventually successful--West Yorks unsuccessful. 

 18. _General attack_ to capture high ground overlooking St. Quentin--71st Infantry Brigade on right, with D. L. I. Attached to capture Holnon--16th Infantry Brigade on left --latter advanced 3, 000 yards--former held up by Quadrilateral--right made little progress as French failed to capture Round and Manchester Hills on right flank. 

 19. Attack renewed on Quadrilateral but unsuccessful. 

 20-23. Digging new assembly trenches and bombarding Quadrilateral with heavy artillery. 

 24. Attack on whole IX Corps front--18th Infantry Brigade on right, 16th Infantry Brigade on left--fighting all day; half Quadrilateral captured by nightfall. 

 1st Leicesters, attached to 18th Infantry Brigade, captured Douai Trench east of Holnon at 10. 30. P. M. By moonlight. 

 25. Gradual completion of capture of Quadrilateral. Selency Village captured--Position consolidated. 

 26-30. On position. 

Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. Relief of Division by the French. 

Oct. 1-3. Resting in Tertry area. 

 4. Division relieved 46th Division--D. H. Q. At La Baraque, 71st Infantry Brigade at Magny la Fosse, 16th Infantry Brigade took over line with 139th Infantry Brigade (46th Division) left at Sequehart under 6th Division. 

 7. 71st relieved part of 16th Infantry Brigade on left next to 30th American Division. 

 8. _General attack_ towards Bohain--71st Infantry Brigade on left, 16th Infantry Brigade on right, 18th Infantry Brigade in Divisional Reserve with West Yorks (attached to 16th Infantry Brigade) attacking up valley, French on right--all objectives gained by night. 

Oct. 8-9. Took over part of line by night from 30th American Division and handed over part to 46th Division. 

 9. Attack under a barrage at dawn towards Bohain and Fresnoy --Bohain captured during night by 9th Norfolks. 

 10. Advance by 71st Infantry Brigade to high ground 2, 000 yards east of Bohain--46th Division on right. 

 11. Reconnaissance in force by 71st Infantry Brigade brought to a standstill by machine-gun fire. 

 11-12. 18th Infantry Brigade relieved 71st Infantry Brigade by night. 

 12. 18th Infantry Brigade reconnaissance in force at 4. 30 p. M. Made a little ground. 

 14. 71st Infantry Brigade relieved 18th Infantry Brigade. 

 16-17. 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades moved to north for general attack on 18th, with 30th American Division on left and 46th Division on right. Brig. -Gen. Walker wounded. 

 18. _General attack_ through Vaux Andigny--16th Infantry Brigade on left, 18th Infantry Brigade on right, 71st Infantry Brigade in reserve--successful--1st Division passed through 6th Division, which came into Corps Reserve. 

 19-20. Resting. 

 20-21. Division relieved 30th American Division in St. Souplet area --18th Infantry Brigade on right next to 1st Division, 71st Infantry Brigade on left next to 25th Division--D. H. Q. Becquigny. 

 23. _General attack_ to gain high ground overlooking Sambre Canal--zero 1. 30 a. M. --18th Infantry Brigade successful on right--71st Infantry Brigade on left, disorganized by gas shelling in assembly position and losing the barrage by reason of the high fences and the mist, gained most of their objectives by the afternoon. 

 23-24. 16th Infantry Brigade relieved 71st Infantry Brigade by night and pushed on, completing capture of final objective. 

Oct. 28. 71st Infantry Brigade relieved 18th Infantry Brigade. 

 30. Successful attack on a farm by 1st The Buffs. 

 30-31. Division relieved by 32nd Division, went to rest at Fresnoy le Grand. 

 Nov. 6. Division moved to Bohain. 

 11. Hostilities ceased. 

 14. Division marched to area Catillon-Mazinghien-Vaux Andigny. 

 15. To area Prisches-Le Sart-Catillon. 

 16. To area Avesnes-Favril. 

 17. Halt. 

 18. To area Solre le Château-Dompierre. 

 19. Tail closed to Dimechaux-Sars Poteries. 

 20. _March to the Rhine commenced. _

 To area Barbençon-Thirimont. Tail at Solre le Château. 

 23. Tail closed to Barbençon-Beaumont. 

 24. To area Leneffe-Fraire-Walcourt-Boussu. 

Nov. 25th to Dec. 1. Halt. 

 Dec. 2. To area Mettet-Flavion-Morialme. Tail at Leneffe-Fraire. 

 3. To area Sommières-Onhaye. 

 4. To area Bouvignes-Anhee. Tail at Mettet-Biesmeree. 

 5. H. Q. Group and 71st Infantry Brigade crossed Meuse and went to Crupet-Braibant-Purnode. 

 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades closed to river at Anhee-Bouvignes. Tail at Gerin-Maredret. 

 6. 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades crossed Meuse Division in area Achet-Hamois-Ciney. Tail at Yvoir. 

 7. Halt. 

 8. To area Les Avins-Pailhe. Tail at Ciney. 

 9. To area Ouffet-Tinlot-Stree. Tail at Havelange. 

 10. Halt. 

 11. To area Remouchamps-Aywaille-Comblain la Tour. Tail at Tinlot. 

 12. To area Francorchamps-Stoumont. Tail at Ouffet-Hody. 

 13. 71st Infantry Brigade crossed German frontier to Malmedy. 

 Remainder in area Stavelot-Stoumont. Tail at Oneux-Presseux. 

Dec. 14. H. Q. Group crossed frontier--71st Infantry Brigade to Elsenborn Camp. Tail at Aywaille. 

 15. 18th Infantry Brigade crossed frontier--71st Infantry Brigade to Montjoie. Tail at Stoumont. 

 16. 16th Infantry Brigade crossed frontier--71st Infantry Brigade to Simmerath-Rotgen. Tail at Malmedy. 

 17. Tail to Elsenborn Camp. 

 18. Halt. 

 19. To area Heinbach-Gemund-Schleiden. Tail at Elsenborn Camp. 

 20. To area Mechernich-Kommern-Zulpich. Tail at Montjoie. 

 21. To area Euskirchen-Zulpich. Tail at Harpersheid-Drieborn. 

 22. To area Lechenich-Weilerswist. Tail at Vlatten-Satzvey. 

 23. To area Rondorf-Kendenich. Tail at Zulpich-Froitzhein. 

 D. H. Q. At Bruhl--all units now in final positions. 

APPENDIX IV

ORDER OF BATTLE ON MOBILIZATION. 

DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

G. O. C. Major-Gen. J. L. Keir, C. B. , late R. A. A. D. C. Capt. P. F. Fitzgerald, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. G. S. O. 1 Col. W. T. Furse, D. S. O. , late R. A. G. S. O. 2 Lt. -Col. J. T. Burnett-Stuart, D. S. O. , Rifle Brigade. G. S. O. 3 Capt. A. T. Paley, Rifle Brigade. A. A. And Q. M. G. Col. W. Campbell, D. S. O. , Gordon Highlanders. D. A. A. And Q. M. G. Major F. C. Dundas, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. D. A. Q. M. G. Major A. Delavoye, A. S. C. A. D. M. S. Col. H. O. Trevor, R. A. M. C. D. A. D. M. S. Major N. J. C. Rutherford, R. A. M. C. A. D. V. S. Major H. M. Lenox-Conyngham, A. V. C. D. A. D. O. S. Major H. M. Howard, A. O. D. A. P. M. Capt. H. S. Rogers, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. 

DIVISIONAL ENGINEERS

C. R. E. Lt. -Col. G. C. Kemp, R. E. Adjutant Major B. W. Y. Danford, R. E. 12th Field Company Major A. F. Sargeaunt, R. E. 38th Field Company Major F. M. Browne, R. E. 6th Divisional Signal Capt. A. N. Paxton, R. E. Company. 

DIVISIONAL CAVALRY

O. C. , Squadron, 19th Major H. O'S. F. Tanner, 19th Hussars. Hussars. 

DIVISIONAL CYCLISTS

O. C. , Cyclist Company Capt. S. H. Dix, Leinster Regiment. 

DIVISIONAL TRAIN

O. C. , 6th Divisional Lt. -Col. H. Davies, A. S. C. Train. 

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

O. C. , 16th Field Lt. -Col. A. C. Fox. Ambulance. O. C. , 17th Field Lt. -Col. J. P. Silver. Ambulance. O. C. , 18th Field Lt. -Col. A. A. Watson (S. R. ). Ambulance. 

DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY

C. R. A. Brig. -Gen. W. L. H. Paget, C. B. , M. V. O. Brigade-Major Major J. Farquhar. Staff-Captain Capt. J. De V. Bowles. Orderly Officer 2/Lieut. K. F. W. Dunn. 

_2nd Brigade, R. F. A. _

O. C. Col. W. A. M. Thompson. Adjutant Capt. H. R. S. Massey. 21st Battery Major L. M. Phillpotts, D. S. O. 42nd Battery Major H. J. Brock. 53rd Battery Major C. J. Rugge Price. Brigade Ammunition Capt. C. E. S. Bower. Column. 

_24th Brigade, R. F. A. _

O. C. Lt. -Col. C. E. Lawrie, D. S. O. Adjutant Capt. H. A. Boyd. 110th Battery Major W. M. Warburton. 111th Battery Major E. C. W. D. Walthall, D. S. O. 112th Battery Major W. B. Browell. Brigade Ammunition Capt. B. H. Shaw-Stewart. Column. 

_38th Brigade, R. F. A. _

O. C. Lt. -Col. R. F. Fox, D. S. O. Adjutant Capt. C. S. Rich. 24th Battery Major A. G. Arbuthnot. 34th Battery Major A. R. Wainwright. 72nd Battery Major F. A. Tighe. Brigade Ammunition Capt. C. R. Hill. Column. 

_12th (Howitzer) Brigade, R. F. A. _

O. C. Lt. -Col. G. Humphreys, D. S. O. Adjutant Capt. A. T. McGrath. 43rd Battery Major E. R. Burne. 86th Battery Major R. S. Hardman. 87th Battery Major H. T. Belcher, D. S. O. Brigade Ammunition Capt. R. J. C. Meyricke. Column. 

_24th Heavy Battery, R. G. A. (60-pounders)_

O. C. Major H. E. J. Brake, C. B. , D. S. O. 

_Divisional Ammunition Column_

O. C. Lt. -Col. G. A. Cardew. Adjutant Capt. J. C. Dundas. 

16th INFANTRY BRIGADE

B. G. C. Brig. -Gen. E. C. Ingouville-Williams, C. B. , D. S. O. , late Worcestershire Regiment. Brigade-Major Capt. R. H. Mangles, D. S. O. , The Queen's Regiment. Staff-Captain Capt. G. Lee, The Buffs. O. C. , 1st Bn. , The Lt. -Col. H. C. De la M. Hill. Buffs. O. C. , 1st Bn. , Leicestershire Lt. -Col. H. L. Croker. Regiment. O. C. , 1st Bn. , K. S. L. I. Lt. -Col. C. P. Higginson, D. S. O. O. C. , 2nd Bn. , York Lt. -Col. E. C. Cobbold. And Lancaster Regt. 

17th INFANTRY BRIGADE

B. G. C. Brig. -Gen. W. R. B. Doran, C. B. , D. S. O. , late Royal Irish Regiment. Brigade-Major Major A. D. Green, D. S. O. , Worcestershire Regiment. Staff-Captain Capt. H. V. Scott, Rifle Brigade. O. C. , 1st Bn. , Royal Lt. -Col. R. Fowler-Butler. Fusiliers. O. C. , 1st Bn. , North Lt. -Col. V. W. De Falbe, D. S. O. Staffordshire Regt. O. C. , 2nd Bn. , Leinster Lt. -Col. W. T. M. Reeve. Regiment. O. C. , 3rd Bn. , Rifle Lt. -Col. R. Alexander. Brigade

18th INFANTRY BRIGADE

B. G. C. Brig. -Gen. W. N. Congreve, V. C. , C. B. , M. V. O. , late Rifle Brigade. Brigade-Major Capt. R. F. H. Wallace, Black Watch. Staff-Captain Capt. F. G. Maughan, Durham Light Infantry. O. C. , 1st Bn. , West Lt. -Col. F. W. Towsey. Yorkshire Regiment. O. C. , 1st Bn. , East Lt. -Col. R. E. Benson. Yorkshire Regiment. O. C. , 2nd Bn. , Sherwood Lt. -Col. C. B. Crofton-Atkins. Foresters. O. C. , 2nd Bn. , D. L. I. Lt. -Col. B. W. L. McMahon. 

ORDER OF BATTLE--11TH NOVEMBER 1918

DIVISIONAL HEADQUARTERS

G. O. C. Major-Gen. T. O. Marden, C. B. , C. M. G. , late the Welch Regiment. A. D. C. 2/Lieut. E. C. W. Severne, General List. A. D. C. Capt. J. R. Tylden, East Kent Yeomanry. G. S. O. 1 Brevet-Lt. -Col. T. T. Grove, D. S. O. , R. E. G. S. O. 2 Major L. M. Taylor, M. C. , York and Lancaster Regiment (T. ). G. S. O. 3 Capt. J. Horlington, M. C. , York and Lancaster Regiment (S. R. ). Intelligence Officer Lieut. K. Archbold, M. C. , General List. A. A. And Q. M. G. Brevet-Lt. -Col. P. Hudson, C. M. G. , D. S. O. , The King's (Liverpool) Regt. D. A. A. G. Major C. Macfie, D. S. O. , Seaforth Highlanders. D. A. Q. M. G. Lt. -Col. A. J. D. Hay, East Surrey Regiment (S. R. ). A. D. M. S. Col. H. C. R. Hime, D. S. O. , R. A. M. C. D. A. D. M. S. Major N. Cantlie, M. C. , R. A. M. C. D. A. D. V. S. Major R. F. Bett, A. V. C. D. A. D. O. S. Major R. G. P. Hare, A. O. D. D. A. P. M. Capt. W. A. Bignell, South Irish Horse. S. C. F. , C. Of E. Rev. E. C. Hoskyns, M. C. , A. C. D. Divisional Claims Officer. Lieut. C. E. B. M. Smith, Sherwood Foresters. Divisional Gas Officer Capt. D. Powell, M. C. , R. E. O. C. , 209th Employment Capt. G. L. Scudamore, Labour Corps. Company. 6th M. T. Company Major O. B. Gabriel, A. S. C. 

DIVISIONAL ENGINEERS

C. R. E. Lt. -Col. H. A. L. Hall, M. C. , R. E. Adjutant Capt. C. A. Langley, M. C. , R. E. 12th Field Company Major F. W. Moore, M. C. , R. E. (S. ). 459th Field Company Major A. S. Lambert, M. C. , R. E. (T. ). 509th Field Company Major H. G. Bambridge, M. C. , R. E. (S. ). 6th Divisional Signal Major A. G. Shaw, M. C. , East Yorkshire Company Regiment (T. ). 

PIONEERS

O. C. , 11th Bn. , Leicestershire Lt. -Col. R. H. Radford, Leicestershire Regiment Regiment (S. R. ). 2nd in Command Major W. A. Rodger, Leicestershire Regiment (S. ). Adjutant Capt. H. M. Raleigh, Leicestershire Regiment. 

MACHINE-GUN BATTALION

O. C. , 6th Battalion, M. G. C. Lt. -Col. J. B. Rosher, D. S. O. , M. C. , Durham Light Infantry (S. ). 2nd in Command. Major M. C. Cooper, M. C. , Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry (T. ). Adjutant Capt. J. M. Briggs, King's Shropshire Light Infantry (S. R. ). 

DIVISIONAL TRAIN

O. C. Lt. -Col. F. C. S. Norrington, A. S. C. Adjutant Capt. R. Beales, A. S. C. Senior Supply Officer Capt. A. F. Osborne, M. C. , A. S. C. 

ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS

16th Field Ambulance Lt. -Col. J. W. C. Stubbs, M. C. , R. A. M. C. 17th Field Ambulance Lt. -Col. A. J. Hickey, M. C. , R. A. M. C. 18th Field Ambulance Lt. -Col. E. W. Wade, D. S. O. , R. A. M. C. 

MOBILE VETERINARY SECTION

O. C. Capt. H. J. Hughes, A. V. C. 

DIVISIONAL ARTILLERY

C. R. A. Brig. -Gen. E. F. Delaforce, C. M. G. , R. A. Brigade-Major Major S. Carwithen, R. A. Staff-Captain Capt. K. Lyon, R. A. Reconnaissance Officer Lieut. L. S. Wooler, R. A. Signal Officer Capt. F. Goodman, R. E. 

_2nd Brigade, R. F. A. _

O. C. Lt. -Col. W. H. F. Weber, D. S. O. , R. F. A. Adjutant Capt. T. C. Rayner, M. C. Orderly Officer 2/Lieut. T. Brough. Signal Officer 2/Lieut. W. F. J. Delyon. Horsemaster Capt. W. P. Jones, Duke of Lancaster's Yeomanry. 21st Battery Major E. F. Housden. 42nd Battery Major T. R. Ubsdell, D. S. O. 63rd Battery Major R. Scott-Aiton, M. C. 87th Battery Major J. W. Godley. 

_24th Brigade, R. F. A. _

O. C. Lt. -Col. J. A. C. Forsyth, D. S. O. , R. F. A. Adjutant Capt. E. J. Saltwell. Orderly Officer Lieut. C. G. Campbell. Horsemaster Capt. E. T. C. Murray, 6th Royal Regiment Dragoons (Canada). 110th Battery Major P. J. C. Honner, M. C. 111th Battery Major F. M. A. Wood. 112th Battery Major G. Sandeman. 43rd Battery Major B. Todd, M. C. 

_6th Divisional Ammunition Column_

O. C. Lt. -Col. B. Allan, R. F. A. Adjutant Capt. F. Heap. No. 1 Section Capt. A. McQueen. No. 2 Section Capt. H. W. C. Angell. No. 3 Section Capt. H. Brewin (S. A. A. Section). 

_Divisional Trench Mortars_

D. T. M. O. Capt. R. A. Levinge, R. A. X/6th T. M. Battery Capt. M. R. Anderson, M. C. , General List. Y/6th T. M. Battery Capt. V. E. Wait, 11th Essex Regiment. 

16th INFANTRY BRIGADE

B. G. C. Brig. -Gen. W. G. Braithwaite, C. B. , C. M. G. , D. S. O. , Royal Welch Fusiliers. Brigade-Major Capt. E. Dryden, M. C. , Durham L. I. Staff-Captain Capt. S. H. D. Chamier, M. C. , West Yorkshire Regiment. Intelligence Officer Lieut. G. H. Bond, M. C. , York and Lancaster Regiment. Signal Officer 2/Lieut. W. D. A. Williams, R. E. O. C. , 1st The Buffs Lt. -Col. R. E. Power, D. S. O. 2nd in Command Major Lord Teynham. Adjutant Lieut. E. F. Hall. O. C. , 1st K. S. L. I. A/Lt. -Col. L. H. Morris, M. C. 2nd in Command Major C E. Parker. Adjutant Capt. G. S. E. Denyer, M. C. O. C. , 2nd York and Lt. -Col. J. R. Robertson, Bedfordshire Lancaster Regt. Regiment. 2nd in Command Major P. H. C. Collins, M. C. Adjutant Capt. E. E. Battle, M. C. 16th T. M. Battery Lieut. H. Carss, Durham Light Infantry. 

18th INFANTRY BRIGADE

B. G. C. Brig. -Gen. G. S. G. Craufurd, C. M. G. , C. I. E. , D. S. O. , A. D. C. , Gordon Highlanders. Brigade-Major Brevet-Major H. C. E. Hull, The Queen's. Staff-Captain Capt. W. V. Cavill, M. C. , West Yorkshire Regiment. Signal Officer Lieut. G. White, Scottish Rifles. O. C. , 1st West Yorkshire Lt. -Col. D. L. Weir, D. S. O. , M. C. , Regiment. Leicestershire Regiment. 2nd in Command Major J. C. Blackburn, M. C. Adjutant Capt. G. A. Robinson, M. C. O. C. , 11th Essex Regiment Lt. -Col. C. H. Dumbell, D. S. O. , Sherwood Foresters. 2nd in Command Major A. G. Saunders. Adjutant Capt. G. H. Scott. O. C. , 2nd D. L. I. Lt. -Col. R. V. Turner. 2nd in Command Major P. C. Parker, M. C. Adjutant Capt. S. R. Streatfield. 18th Trench Mortar Battery Capt. T. E. Peart, M. C. , Durham Light Infantry. 

71st INFANTRY BRIGADE

B. G. C. Brig. -Gen. P. W. Brown, D. S. O. , Gordon Highlanders. Brigade-Major Brevet-Major A. Weyman, M. C. , Leicestershire Regiment (A/G. S. O. 2, 18th Division). Acting-Brigade-Major Capt. J. F. Tamblyn, M. C. , The Queen's Regiment (S. ). Staff-Captain Capt. F. W. Musgrave, West Yorkshire Regiment (T. ). Intelligence Officer Lieut. H. L. Hayne, Leicestershire Regiment (S. ). Signal Officer Lieut. K. D. Allen, R. E. O. C. , 9th Norfolk Regiment Lt. -Col. F. R. Day, Norfolk Regiment. 2nd in Command Major E. W. Cannings, M. C. Adjutant Capt. C. P. Bassingthwaite, M. C. O. C. , 1st Leicestershire Lt. -Col. J. R. Martin, D. S. O. , M. C. , Regiment Royal Scots. 2nd in Command Major G. N. Wykes. Adjutant Capt. R. N. Davies, M. C. O. C. , 2nd Sherwood Foresters Lt. -Col. C. E. Hudson, V. C. , D. S. O. , M. C. 2nd in Command Major F. D. Collen, M. C. Adjutant Capt. A. L. Gill, M. C. 71st Trench Mortar Battery Capt. R. Gjertson, M. C. , Essex Regiment (T. ). 

APPENDIX V

CHANGES IN COMMANDS AND STAFFS

N. B. --Ranks and Honours are given as held on date of appointment. 

I. DIVISIONAL COMMANDERS

Major-Gen. J. L. Keir, C. B. Mobn. --26. 5. 15Major-Gen. W. N. Congreve, V. C. M. V. O 27. 5. 15--13. 11. 15Col. (T/Maj. -Gen. ) C. Ross, D. S. O. 14. 11. 15--18. 8. 17Col. (T/Maj. -Gen. ) T. O. Marden, C. M. G. 19. 8. 17--Armistice. 

II. G. S. O. S, 1st GRADE

Col. W. T. Furse Mobn. --28. 12. 14Lt. -Col. J. M. Shea, Indian Army 29. 12. 14--4. 7. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. F. Boyd, Royal Irish Regiment 5. 7. 15--17. 6. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) L. F. Renny, D. S. O. , Royal Dublin Fus. 18. 6. 16--22. 3. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) T. T. Grove, D. S. O. , R. E. 23. 3. 17--Armistice. 

III. G. S. O. S, 2nd GRADE

Major J. T. Burnett-Stuart, Rifle Brigade Mobn. --17. 2. 15Major W. E. Ironside, R. A. 18. 2. 15--29. 2. 16Major L. P. Evans, Black Watch 1. 3. 16--5. 3. 17Major M. Beevor, The Buffs 6. 3. 17--17. 11. 17Major W. Harris-St. John, Royal Welch Fusiliers 18. 11. 17--28. 4. 18Major S. S. Hill-Dillon, D. S. O. , Royal Irish Regiment 29. 4. 18--15. 6. 18Lieut. (T/Major) R. W. Barnett, M. C. , Rifle Brigade 16. 6. 18--12. 8. 18 (K. )Major L. M. Taylor, M. C. , K. O. Y. L. I. (T. F. ) 24. 8. 18--Armistice. 

IV. G. S. O. S, 3rd GRADE

Capt. A. T. Paley, Rifle Brigade Mobn. --31. 10. 14Major W. E. Ironside, R. A. 1. 11. 14--17. 2. 15Capt. T. T. Grove, R. E. 18. 2. 15--9. 8. 15Major A. B. Lawson, 11th Hussars 10. 8. 15--5. 12. 15Capt. H. D. Denison-Pender, Scots Greys 6. 12. 15--24. 6. 16Capt. M. K. Wardle, Leicestershire Regiment 25. 6. 16--25. 7. 17Capt. M. C. Bell, D. S. O. , M. C. , Royal Fusiliers 26. 7. 17--1. 11. 17Major A. S. Wright, Royal Canadian F. A. 2. 11. 17--21. 5. 18Lieut. (T/Capt. ) J. F. Horlington, M. C. , Y. And L. Regt. (S. R. ) 22. 5. 18--Armistice. 

V. A. A. S AND Q. M. G. S

Col. W. Campbell, D. S. O. Mobn. --30. 9. 14Col. R. Wanless-O'Gowan 1. 10. 14--7. 2. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. S. May, Royal Fusiliers 15. 2. 15--5. 2. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) M. R. Walsh, Worcestershire Regiment 6. 2. 16--29. 8. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) M. B. Savage, D. S. O. , South Staffs Regt. 30. 8. 17--15. 12. 17Bt. -Lt. -Col. P. Hudson, D. S. O. , King's (Liverpool) Regiment 16. 12. 17--Armistice. 

VI. D. A. A. G. S (FORMERLY D. A. A. S AND Q. M. G. S. )

Major F. C. Dundas, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Mobn. --30. 10. 14Capt. G. Ogston, Gordon Highlanders 1. 11. 14--4. 1. 16Capt. J. L. Watson, West Riding Regiment 5. 1. 16--7. 3. 16Capt. S. G. L. Bradley, Queen's Westminster Rifles 8. 3. 16--22. 3. 17Major C. Macfie, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 23. 3. 17--Armistice. 

VII. D. A. Q. M. G. 's. 

Major A. Delavoye, A. S. C. Mobn. --1. 1. 15Major H. L. Nevill, D. S. O. , R. A. 15. 1. 15--26. 2. 15Major B. Atkinson, R. A. 27. 2. 15--28. 5. 15Capt. J. C. Dundas, R. A. 29. 5. 15--13. 10. 15Major H. Street, Devon Regt. 14. 10. 15--16. 1. 17Capt. R. B. Tower, Notts and Derby Regiment 17. 1. 17--21. 5. 18Bt. -Col. A. J. Hay, East Surrey Regiment (S. R. ) 22. 5. 18--Armistice. 

VIII. C. R. A. S. 

Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) W. H. L. Paget, M. V. O. Mobn. --26. 5. 15Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) G. Humphreys, C. B. , D. S. O. 27. 5. 15--28. 6. 16Bt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) E. S. Cleeve (R. Of O. ) 29. 6. 16--23. 10. 16Lt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) E. F. Delaforce, C. M. G. 24. 10. 16--Armistice. 

IX. C. R. E. S. 

Lt. -Col. G. C. Kemp Mobn. --12. 8. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. G. Stevenson 13. 8. 15--19. 12. 15Col. T. A. H. Bigge 20. 12. 15--24. 1. 16Lt. -Col. H. R. S. Christie 25. 1. 16--1. 1. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. F. B. Goldney, D. S. O. 2. 1. 17--22. 9. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. A. L. Hall, M. C. 23. 9. 18--Armistice. 

X. O. C. S Train

Major H. Davies Mobn. --6. 4. 17Major F. Norrington 7. 4. 17--Armistice. 

XI. A. D. M. S. 

Col. H. O. Trevor Mobn. --March, '15Col. B. H. Scott March, '15--March, '17Lt. -Col. (T/Col. ) H. W. Grattan March, '17--Oct. , '18Lt. -Col. (T/Col. ) H. C. R. Hime, D. S. O. Oct. , '18--Armistice. 

XII. D. A. D. O. S. 

Major H. M. Howard Oct. , '14--26. 1. 15Major F. H. P. O'Connor 27. 1. 15--18. 11. 15Major S. T. Hayley, D. S. O. 19. 11. 15--26. 12. 15Major S. B. Winch 27. 12. 15--28. 4. 17Major R. G. P. Hare 29. 4. 17--Armistice. 

XIII. A. D. V. S. (LATER D. A. D. V. S. )

Major H. M. Lenox-Conyngham 6. 9. 14--28. 8. 15Major R. Tindle 29. 8. 15--2. 2. 18Major R. F. Bett 3. 2. 18--Armistice. 

XIV. SENIOR CHAPLAINS (C. Of E. )

Rev. T. P. Moreton July, '15--Oct. , '15Rev. Nevile Talbot, M. C. Oct. , '15--May, '16Rev. Maurice Ponsonby, M. C. May, '16--Nov. , '16Rev. J. D. McCready Nov. , '16--31. 12. 16Rev. L. G. Reed, M. C. 1. 1. 17--7. 7. 18Rev. E. C. Hoskyns, M. C. 8. 7. 18--Armistice. 

XV. SENIOR CHAPLAINS (R. C. )

Rev. Father FitzGibbons, M. C. Nov. , '16--Sept. , '18Rev. Father Kearey Sept. , '18--Armistice. 

XVI. A. P. M. S. 

Capt. H. S. Rogers, K. S. L. I. Mobn. --2. 3. 15Major Hon. J. R. Tufton, Royal Sussex Regiment (S. R. ). 3. 3. 15-- ----Capt. A. J. Simey, R. I. C. ---- --Aug. , '18Capt. W. A. Bignell, South Irish Horse Aug. , '18--Armistice. 

XVII. INFANTRY BRIGADE COMMANDERS

_16th Infantry Brigade_

Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) E. C. Ingouville-Williams, C. B. , D. S. O. Mobn. --16. 6. 16Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) C. L. Nicholson 17. 6. 16--25. 7. 16Major (T/Brig. -Gen. ) W. L. Osborn, D. S. O. , Royal Sussex Regiment 26. 7. 16--26. 10. 17Bt. -Lt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) H. A. Walker, D. S. O. , Royal Fus. 27. 10. 17--16. 10. 18Bt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) W. G. Braithwaite, C. B. , D. S. O. , Royal Welch Fusiliers 17. 10. 18--Armistice. 

_17th Infantry Brigade (to 24th Division on 14. 10. 15)_

Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) W. R. B. Doran, C. B. , D. S. O. Mobn. --10. 2. 15Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) G. M. Harper, D. S. O. 11. 2. 15--23. 9. 15Major (T/Brig. -Gen. ) J. W. V. Carroll, Norfolk Regiment 24. 9. 15--14. 10. 15

_18th Infantry Brigade_

Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) W. N. Congreve, V. C. , M. V. O. Mobn. --29. 5. 15Lt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) H. S. Ainslie, C. M. G. , Northumberland Fusiliers 30. 5. 15--14. 8. 15Lt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) R. J. Bridgford, C. M. G. , D. S. O. , King's Shropshire L. I. 15. 8. 15--19. 4. 16Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) W. K. Macclintock, C. B. 20. 4. 16--12. 6. 16Lt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) H. S. Tew, East Surrey Regiment 13. 6. 16--12. 8. 16Bt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) R. J. Bridgford, C. M. G. , D. S. O. , King's Shropshire L. I. 13. 8. 16--14. 9. 17Lt. -Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) G. S. G. Craufurd, C. M. G. , C. I. E. , D. S. O. , Gordon Highlanders 15. 9. 17--Armistice. 

_19th Infantry Brigade (to 27th Division on 27. 5. 15)_

Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) Hon. F. Gordon 12. 10. 14--27. 5. 15

_71st Infantry Brigade (joined Division on 14. 10. 15)_

Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) M. T. Shewen 14. 10. 15--26. 5. 16Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) J. F. Edwards 27. 5. 16--4. 10. 16Col. (T/Brig. -Gen. ) E. Feetham, C. B. 5. 10. 16--19. 8. 17Major (T/Brig. -Gen. ) P. W. Brown, D. S. O. , Gordon Highlanders 20. 8. 17--Armistice. 

XVIII. O. C. UNITS

[Tablenote a: Signifies date of joining or leaving Division. ][Tablenote b: Signifies date of disbandment of unit. ]

_Squadron, 19th Hussars_

Capt. H. O'S. F. Tanner Mobn. --April, '15[a]

_"B" Squadron, Northants Yeomanry_

Major Sir C. B. Lowther 14. 4. 15[a]--29. 10. 15[a]

_6th Machine-Gun Battalion_

Lt. -Col. J. B. Rosher, D. S. O. , Durham Light Infantry March, '18--Armistice. 

_2nd Brigade, R. F. A. _

Col. W. A. M. Thompson Mobn. --7. 7. 15Lt. -Col. L. C. L. Oldfield 8. 7. 15--May, '15Lt. -Col. M. J. MacCarthy, C. M. G. May, '15--20. 6. 17Lt. -Col. W. H. F. Weber, D. S. O. 21. 6. 17--Armistice. 

_12th Brigade, R. F. A. _

Lt. -Col. C. E. Lawrie, D. S. O. Mobn. --26. 5. 15Lt. -Col. W. Evans, D. S. O. 27. 5. 15--29. 2. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. A. C. Forsyth 1. 3. 16--Armistice. 

_38th Brigade, R. F. A. _

Lt. -Col. R. F. Fox, D. S. O. Mobn. --27. 1. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) L. M. Phillpotts 30. 1. 15--1. 11. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. F. Calthrop 2. 11. 15--19. 12. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. E. Clark 23. 12. 15--25. 9. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. Mellor, D. S. O. 26. 9. 16--2. 12. 16[a]

_12th Howitzer Brigade, R. F. A. _

Lt. -Col. G. Humphreys, D. S. O. Mobn. --29. 6. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. M. Davson 30. 6. 15--12. 5. 16 Distributed to other Brigades. 

_24th Heavy Brigade, R. G. A. _

Major H. E. J. Brake, C. B. , D. S. O. Mobn. --Feb. , '15Capt. (T/Major) E. Miles Feb. , '15--Dec. , '16[a]

_6th Divisional Ammunition Column_

Lt. -Col. G. A. Cardew Mobn. --19. 9. 14Lt. -Col. Baron H. E. W. De Robeck 20. 9. 14--Oct. , '16Lt. -Col. B. Allan (T. F. ) 21. 11. 16--Armistice. 

_1st Battalion The Buffs_ (_16th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. H. C. De la M. Hill Mobn. --15. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. McDouall 16. 11. 14--Bt. -Col. J. Hasler, D. S. O. --26. 2. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. McDouall 27. 2. 15--2. 6. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. H. Finch-Hatton 3. 6. 15--8. 1. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. F. Gould 9. 1. 16--26. 5. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. W. Green 27. 5. 16--1. 6. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. H. Finch-Hatton 2. 6. 16--12. 7. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. W. Green 13. 7. 16--26. 11. 17Major B. L. Strauss 27. 11. 17--1. 12. 17 (K. )Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. E. Power 12. 12. 17--Armistice. 

_1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers_ (_17th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. R. Fowler-Butler Mobn. --31. 7. 15Bt. -Lt. -Col. B. G. Price, D. S. O. 1. 8. 15--11. 10. 15[a]

_9th Battalion Norfolk Regiment_ (_71st Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. E. Stracey 11. 10. 15[a]--30. 9. 16Lt. -Col. B. H. L. Prior 1. 10. 16--10. 12. 16Capt. (T/Major) R. S. Dyer-Bennet, Leicester Regiment 16. 12. 16--14. 1. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. B. O. Trimble 27. 1. 17--26. 2. 17Capt. (T/Major) R. S. Dyer-Bennet 27. 2. 17--9. 3. 17Lt. -Col. E. Stracey 10. 3. 17--23. 3. 17Lt. -Col. B. H. L. Prior 24. 3. 17--30. 1. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. J. Spurrell, M. C. 31. 1. 18--13. 3. 18Lt. -Col. B. H. L. Prior, D. S. O. 14. 3. 18--21. 3. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. R. Day April, '18--28. 7. 18Lt. -Col. B. H. L. Prior, D. S. O. 29. 7. 18--22. 8. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. R. Day 23. 8. 18--Armistice. 

_9th Battalion Suffolk Regiment_ (_71st Infantry Brigade_)

Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. H. A. De la Pryme, D. S. O. , West Yorkshire Regiment 11. 10. 15[a]--14. 5. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. P. Mack, Suffolk Regiment (S. ) 14. 5. 16--15. 9. 16 (K. )Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. Latham, D. S. O. , Leicester Regiment 18. 9. 16--1. 2. 18[b]

_1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment_ (_18th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. F. W. Towsey Mobn. --20. 9. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. G. Lang 20. 9. 14--18. 10. 14Lt. -Col. F. W. Towsey 14. 10. 14--19. 10. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) T. P. Barrington 22. 10. 14--7. 12. 14Lt. -Col. F. W. Towsey 8. 12. 14--15. 9. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. G. Lang, D. S. O. 16. 9. 15--11. 11. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. H. Soames 12. 11. 15--27. 1. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. G. Lang, D. S. O. 29. 1. 16--18. 9. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. M. Dillon, D. S. O. , Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry 19. 9. 16--31. 10. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. M. Boyall 1. 11. 16--21. 3. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) D. L. Weir, D. S. O. , M. C. , Leicestershire Regiment 28. 3. 18--20. 5. 18Lt. -Col. G. Barry-Drew, D. S. O. 21. 5. 18--21. 7. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. W. Cannings, M. C. 22. 7. 18--28. 7. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) D. L. Weir, D. S. O. , M. C. 29. 7. 18--Armistice. 

_1st Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment_ (_18th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. R. E. Benson Mobn. --20. 9. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. H. Young 20. 9. 14--10. 11. 14Lt. -Col. W. H. Armstrong 11. 11. 14--19. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. L. S. Clarke 20. 11. 14--26. 11. 15[a]

_8th Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment_ (_71st and 16th Infantry Brigades_)

Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. S. Liddell 11. 10. 15[a]--13. 1. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. C. Jackson 14. 1. 16--17. 4. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. R. H. Dann 17. 4. 16--19. 5. 16Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) D. M. Hawkins 19. 5. 16--1. 6. 16Col. Lord Henry Scott 2. 6. 16--4. 4. 17Lt. -Col. Lord Ampthill 5. 4. 17--19. 5. 17Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. R. MacCullagh, D. L. I. 20. 5. 17--14. 6. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. Le Huquet 15. 6. 17--16. 2. 18[b]

_1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment_ (_16th and 71st Infantry Brigades_)

Lt. -Col. H. L. Croker Mobn. --11. 12. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. Stoney-Smith 12. 12. 14--15. 10. 15 (K. )Lt. -Col. A. H. Buchannan-Dunlop 25. 10. 15--1. 2. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. H. Gillespie 2. 2. 16--21. 9. 16Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. S. Dyer-Bennet 22. 9. 16--12. 12. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. H. Gillespie 13. 12. 16--27. 3. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. B. Brown, D. S. O. 28. 3. 17--2. 5. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. H. Gillespie, D. S. O. 3. 5. 17--5. 7. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. B. Brown, D. S. O. 6. 7. 17--16. 1. 18Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) D. L. Weir, D. S. O. , M. C. 17. 1. 18--Feb. , '18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. Latham, D. S. O. Feb. , '18--29. 4. 18Capt. (T/Major) G. N. Wykes 30. 4. 18--11. 5. 18Capt. (T/Major) Hartshorne 12. 5. 18--20. 5. 18Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) D. L. Weir, D. S. O. , M. C. 21. 5. 18--25. 7. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. Latham, D. S. O. 26. 7. 18--2. 11. 18

_11th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment_ (_Pioneers_)

Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. Turner, Leicestershire Regt. (S. R. ) 1. 4. 16[a]--24. 9. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. H. Radford, Leicestershire Regt. (S. R. ) 25. 9. 18--Armistice. 

_2nd Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers_ (_19th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. H. Delme-Radcliffe 12. 10. 14[a]--26. 10. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) O. De L. Williams 27. 10. 14--31. 5. 15[a]

_1st Battalion The Cameronians_ (_19th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. P. R. Robertson 12. 10. 14[a]--31. 5. 15[a]

_11th Battalion Essex Regiment_ (_71st Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. C. J. Hobkirk, D. S. O. 11. 10. 15[a]--3. 6. 16. Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. W. Green, D. S. O. , The Buffs 3. 6. 16--28. 6. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. G. Spring, Lincolnshire Regiment 29. 6. 16--3. 11. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. V. Manger, Durham Light Infantry 4. 11. 16--9. 12. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. G. Spring, D. S. O. 10. 12. 16--14. 9. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. H. Dumbell, D. S. O. , Sherwood Foresters 15. 9. 17--Armistice. 

_2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters_ (_18th and 71st Infantry Brigades_)

Lt. -Col. C. B. Crofton-Atkins Mobn. --7. 10. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) P. Leveson-Gower 8. 10. 14--5. 8. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. J. W. Hobbs, D. S. O. 5. 9. 15--7. 6. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. R. Street, D. S. O. 7. 6. 16--2. 8. 16Lt. -Col. C. J. W. Hobbs, D. S. O. 3. 8. 16--15. 10. 16 (K. )Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. E. Bradshaw, Rifle Brigade, R. Of O. 19. 10. 16--19. 10. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. Tylden-Wright, Derby Yeomanry 19. 10. 17--22. 11. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. M. Milward, D. S. O. 23. 11. 17--Sept. , '18Bt. -Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. E. Hudson, V. C. , D. S. O. , M. C. Sept. , '18--Armistice. 

_1st Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry_ (_16th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. C. P. Higginson, D. S. O. Mobn. --23. 10. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. B. Luard 24. 10. 14--13. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. J. Rowan Robinson 14. 11. 14--30. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. A. Strick 1. 12. 14--4. 8. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. B. Luard 5. 8. 15--22. 4. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) B. E. Murray 22. 4. 16--17. 10. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. F. B. Winterscale 18. 10. 16--14. 2. 18Lt. -Col. H. M. Smith, D. S. O. 15. 2. 18--21. 3. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. De R. Morgan, The Buffs 23. 3. 18--2. 4. 18Lt. -Col. C. Meynell, D. S. O. 3. 4. 18--26. 5. 18Capt. (T/Major) E. A. Freeman 27. 5. 18--8. 6. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. D. Leslie 9. 6. 18--17. 7. 18Capt. (T/Major) E. A. Freeman 18. 7. 18--23. 7. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. H. Cautley 8. 8. 18--28. 8. 18Lt. -Col. G. H. Meynell 29. 8. 18--9. 10. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) L. H. Morris 10. 10. 18--Armistice. 

_1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment_ (_19th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. B. E. Ward 12. 10. 14[a]--21. 10. 14Lt. -Col. F. G. M. Rowley 21. 10. 14--30. 10. 14Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. P. Osborne 30. 10. 14--28. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. C. C. Ash 29. 11. 14--31. 5. 15[a]

_2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment_ (_16th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. E. C. Cobbold Mobn. --9. 12. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) W. F. Clemson 10. 12. 14--18. 9. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) C. Mc. D. Pratt 19. 9. 15--17. 10. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) M. F. Halford 18. 10. 15--30. 4. 16Capt. (T/Major) H. B. Philby, D. S. O. 1. 5. 16--17. 5. 16 (K. )Lt. -Col. H. R. Headlam, D. S. O. 17. 5. 16--5. 6. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) E. L. Thomson 6. 6. 16--29. 6. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. St. J. Blunt, D. S. O. 30. 6. 16--25. 9. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. P. Wood, M. C. 25. 9. 16--9. 10. 16 (K. )Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) F. Lewis, D. S. O. 10. 10. 16--31. 3. 17Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. St. J. Blunt, D. S. O. 1. 4. 17--21. 4. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. R. Robertson 22. 4. 18--Armistice. 

_2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry_ (_18th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. B. W. L. McMahon Mobn--4. 1. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. A. Crosthwaite 5. 1. 15--10. 6. 15Lt. -Col. M. D. Goring-Jones 11. 6. 15--Sept. , '15Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) A. E. Irvine Sept. , '15--15. 8. 17Capt. (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. R. McCullagh 16. 8. 17--4. 2. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) D. L. Brereton 5. 2. 18--12. 7. 18Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) R. V. Turner 13. 7. 18--Armistice. 

_14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry_ (18th _Infantry Brigade_)

Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. F. Menzies, S. Lancs Regt. , R. Of O. 28. 11. 15[a]--12. 11. 16Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) J. B. Rosher, Durham Light Infantry (S. ) 13. 11. 16--1. 2. 18[b]

_1st Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment_ (_17th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. V. W. De Falbe, D. S. O. Mobn. --11. 10. 15[a]

_2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders_ (_19th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. H. P. Moulton-Barrett 12. 10. 14[a]--2. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) H. B. Kirk 3. 11. 14--8. 1. 15Lt. -Col. R. C. Gore 16. 2. 15--31. 5. 15[a]

_2nd Battalion Leinster Regiment_ (_17th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. W. T. M. Reeve Mobn. --19. 11. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. M. Bullen-Smith 20. 11. 14--3. 6. 15Lt. -Col. W. T. M. Reeve 3. 6. 15--20. 7. 15Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) G. M. Bullen-Smith 21. 7. 15--11. 10. 15[a]

_3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade_ (_17th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. R. Alexander Mobn. --13. 10. 14Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) Lord Henniker 13. 10. 14--21. 11. 14Lt. -Col. R. Alexander 22. 11. 14--29. 12. 14 (d. Of w. )Major (T/Lt. -Col. ) Lord Henniker 30. 12. 14--9. 6. 15Capt. (T/Major) R. Pigot, M. C. 10. 6. 15--11. 10. 15[a]

_1/5th Battalion Loyal North Lancs Regiment_ (_16th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. G. Hesketh 16. 2. 15[a]--11. 6. 15[a]

_1/2nd Battalion London Regiment_ (_17th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. J. Attenborough 19. 2. 15[a]--11. 10. 15[a]

_Queen's Westminster Rifles_ (_18th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. R. Shoolbred, T. D. 11. 11. 14[a]--28. 11. 15[a]

_5th Battalion Scottish Rifles_ (_19th Infantry Brigade_)

Lt. -Col. R. J. Douglas 19. 11. 14[a]--31. 5. 15[a]

Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld. , London and Aylesbury.