War Diary Extracts - WW1 - Battle of Arras, April 1917
William WINTER - died 23rd April 1917
1 - 23 April 1917 1st to 4th - MAISNIL St POL - The battalion remained at MAISNIL-ST-POL during which period general training was carried out. 5th - MAISNIL St POL - The battalion marched to VILLERS-sir-SIMON and billeted for the night. Route via MAIZIERES - PENIN. 6th - VILLERS-sir-SIMON -Remained at Villers-Sir-Simon. A Brigade Tactical Exercise was carried out during the morning. 7th - VILLERS-sir-SIMON - The Battalion marched to AGNEZ-les-DUISANS via HABARCQ GOUVES and billeted in Hutments for the night. 8th - AGNEZ - The battalion marched to Bivouacs at L.16.c.4.0 (Ref .flap 51C) and bivouacked for the night. 9th - WAGNONLIEU - 5.20am - Left Camp near WAGNONLIEU as rear Battalion of Brigade and marched with various halts round North Side of ARRAS to position of assembly beyond BLACK LINE near FRED'S WOOD. 4.30pm - The Battalion moved in Artillery formation as Reserve Battn. of the Brigade towards BROWN LINE. A considerable amount of hostile shelling. At about 8 pm. I received a message to say that the 10th and 13th Bns. R.Fus. were held up and were digging on line from H.36.a.0.4 to the South along FEUCHY CHAPEL Road. I accordingly took up supporting position in rear of 13th R.Fus. who had asked for my support - 2 Coys. in Front Line and 1 In Support with 4 Lewis Guns in shell holes echeloned on the left to form a defensive flank. I finally established connection with the 63rd Infantry Bde. on the left with the 8th Somerset's who had 2 Coy's on ORANGE HILL - 1 Coy. in Support on reverse slope of ORANGE HILL and 1 Coy. in Reserve in BROWN LINE about H.26. 10th - 4am - We received an order to march at once to a position near BROKEN HILL and to report to GOC 63rd Inf. Bde. We moved there occupying a position at H.28.a.1.3 the 13th KRRC. on our right. About 11 am. we received an order to be ready to form up at 12 noon to move to the attack on MONCHY-LE-PREUX. The Battn. moved in Artillery formation as the Reserve battn. of the Brigade. 5pm - The advance was held up at 5 pm. I saw the O.C. 10th En. R.Fus. who asked for as much support as we could give. I sent up 2 Coys. to the 10th R.Fus. and 13th R.Fus. and kept 1 Coy. on plateau WEST of MONCHY with 4 Lewis Guns. The situation was now as under:- 10th R.Fus. and 13th R.Fus. had retired about 300 yards from lissure of the village and were digging in assisted by 154th Coy. R.E. 2 Coys. of the Battn. were sent up in support or to move into the line if necessary. 2 Coys. 13th KRRC. were also in the line or in Support. 1 Coy. KRRC. was in Reserve about N.5.b.4.7. 1 Coy. of the Battn. were digging in 150 yards in rear of this Coy. 4 Lewis Guns of the Battn. were disposed, two on each flank of the 13th KRRC. Coy. in support. 2 Lewis Guns were on each flank of the 13th R.Bde. Coy. in Reserve. 6pm - I saw the Commander of the Artillery Group and explained the situation to him. He came into action on Germans to the S. of MONCHY-LE-PREUX. I also saw the Staff Officer of the Yeomanry Brigade in rear and asked him for support if necessary. 11th - MONCHY-LE-PREUX - 12.30am - I saw the Brigade Major and received verbal orders to attack at 5 am. 13th R.Bde on Left 13th KRRC. on right. 13th R.Fus. supporting us. 10th R.Fus. supporting 13th KRRC. I only had time to issue verbal orders and get the Coys. into position. Owing to the difficulties of collecting Companies in the assembly trench, the Battalion moved forward to the attack at 5.5 am. I had two Coys. in two waves in front - 1 Coy. in 2 waves in Support - 4 Lewis Guns on the left which I judged to be the exposed, flank. As soon as they reached, the village I went forward with H.Qrs. to N.6.b.7.8. On moving forward I rallied and collected a good many stragglers of various Battalions and with my H.Qrs. occupied a trench facing N.E. about N.6.b.7.8. Later in the day when the 63rd Inf. Bde. had come up I communicated with the O.C. 4th Middlesex Regt. in house No.15 in the village. We were finally relieved about 10.30 pm. when we marched back to the BROWN LINE near which we bivouacked and moved on to BATTERY VALLEY in the early morning where we rejoined the Bde. 12th - 11am - The Battalion marched to ARRAS and billeted in the cellars of the GRAND PLACE for the night. 13th - ARRAS - The Battalion was conveyed in buses to AGNEZ-les-DUISANS and rested the night in the Hutments. 14th - ARRAS - The Battalion marched to VILLERS-sir-SIMON via HERMAVILLE - IZEL-les-HAMEAU and billeted for the night. 15th - 16th - Remained in billets. General cleaning up and refitting of battalion. Specialist Training carried out. 17th - The Battalion marched to HABARCQ and billeted for the night. Route via HERMAVILLE. 18th - HABARCQ - Remained in billets. Specialist Training and training of new drafts. 19th - HABARCQ - The Battalion marched to AGNEZ-les-DUISANS and billeted for the night in the hutments. 20th - The Battalion relieved the 1st Battn. The Rifle brigade in the Support Trenches N. of the river SCARPE (the BLACK LINE running N. and S. through the village of ST.LAURENT-BLANGY.) 21st to 22nd - BLANGY - Remained in Support Trenches. 23rd - BLANGY - The 2nd phase of the Battle of ARRAS (Lt.Col.C.F.Pretor-Pinney DSO.Commdg. the Battalion) 1 hour before Zero (4.45 am) the Battalion formed up 2 Coys. in Front Line, 1 Coy. being in Reserve with the 4 L.Guns of "A" Coy. At Zero hour the Battn. moved forward in Artillery formation marching on a compass bearing of 104 degrees. Very soon after the battalion started the enemy put down a heavy barrage of 5.9" H.E. shells. Casualties were very heavy going through this barrage but the men continued to advance without a halt. Just before reaching the enemy's wire we came upon what appeared to be assembly trenches. The first wave had halted in these, the officers leading it having been either killed or wounded. The second wave of the leading Coy. joined the first and together pushed up on through the enemy's wire into the BLACK LINE which they at once began to consolidate. A few Germans were found still in the dug-outs. Before we had been there very long a bombing attack by the enemy started by the right flank. 2nd Lt. W.M. SMITH got together a party, spreading out on both sides of the trench, and attached and captured the German Bombing party. Soon after this orders were received by Capt. The Hon. R.W.Morgan-Grenville to assume command of the battalion as Lt.Col C.F. Pretor Pinney had been badly wounded. He went back to find Battn. Hqrs. but was severely wounded. The Adjutant with the remainder of Battn. Hqrs. arrived in the BLACK LINE and Capt. C.N.C.BOYLE assumed command of the Battn. 9am - Major A.N.S.Jackson assumes command of the Battalion. I left 33rd Inf.Bde.Hqrs. to which I had been attached for the operations and reported to the Hqrs. of the 111th Inf. Bde. at 7.30 am. The Brigade informed Major Jackson that the Battn. was following on in rear of 13th KRRC. He was informed to stop Battalion if he got there in time as the Bde. did not want the Bn. to go in rear of the 13th KRRC. as we might have to support the 10th R.Fus. on the right. Major Jackson joined the Battalion in the BLACK LINE in front of the village of GAVRELLE. The Battn. had become somewhat disorganised and mixed up with the 63rd (R.N.) Division. The 4 Reserve L.Guns of "A" Coy. were missing, and all that could be found of the Battalion was 4 Officers and 120 O.R. The enemy were shelling the BLACK LINE heavily and placing a barrage in front and behind it. At 10 am. orders were received to get into touch with the O.C. 13th KRRC. and to go up and assist them in the consolidation of the final objective. 2nd Lt. W.M. SMITH was sent out with a small patrol to get in touch with O.C. 13th KRRC. In the meantime the Battn. was organised for the advance. Owing to Inf Coys. being mixed up in the trench, "D" Coy - the strongest Coy - were ordered to move out into shell holes in front of BLACK LINE to form a first wave. The remainder of the other 2 Coys. to form a second wave. 2nd Lt. W.M.SMITH returned and reported the position of O.C.13th KRRC. The Battalion moved forward the enemy barraging heavily the right flank which had some casualties. The Battalion lined the sunken road, running S.E. from the village, and dug themselves in. The situation not being clear on the final objective and the right flank of the KRRC being in the air, the O.C.KRRC did not wish the Battalion to move forward until further reconnaissance had been made, as it was thought that the Battn. would probably have to form a defensive flank to cover the right of the KRRC. At 12.30 pm. the O.C.KRRC and Major Jackson went up to reconnoitre the position. We found the enemy were holding the high ground in the neighbourhood of the Cross Roads in some strength and more of the enemy were coming in. The 13th KRRC, who were dug in on the road, were completely enfiladed from the Cross Roads and had casualties from Rifle fire and the situation was certainly unsatisfactory. The O.C.KRRC and Major Jackson made their way back to the BLUE LINE where there was a Coy, of the KRRC in support. He ordered them to move up at once in skirmishing order and form a defensive flank. At 3.30 pm a runner came from the KRRC to say that the enemy were in large numbers on the right flank and were creeping up the road, some being within 60 yards of the position, and the L.Gun which covered the right flank had been knocked out. Orders were given to Capt. BOYLE to move up across the open in skirmishing order, and to take up a position so as to cover the right flank of the 13th KRRC, and command the Cross Roads. Capt. BOYLE moved up with "B" Coy. and the remainder of "C" Coy. in skirmishing order joining up with the right of the KRRC and with his right shoulder back so as to command the Cross Roads. 2nd Lt. BOUGHTON-LEIGH was then ordered to move up and support Capt. BOYLE so as to extend the Line to the right. The movement was well carried out with only 1 casualty and our protective flank ran for about 120 yards from the right of 13th KRRC, then running S.W. for 400 yards. This position was consolidated and it covered the right flank of the KRRC, and commanded the Cross Roads. We had 6 Lewis Guns in the Line. Battn. Hqrs. were established in the sunken road. 13th Battalion The Rifle Brigade - Daily Casualty List - 7. 5. 17 - S.30753 Rfn Winter, W Killed in Action 23.4.17. Note at bottom of page that the as above casualties were reported by OC Battn. 1. 5. 1917
Account of “ARRAS 1917” Action of 13th Rifle Brigade by Lieut. L. S. Chamberlen. WO 95/2534/1 7.4.17. Arrive at Talavera Camp (K.6.) (huts) from Villers-sur-Simon (10 Kilos) at 11.30 a.m. Spent day in final preparations, including maps, and gave a last lecture to men. Stay night 7th/8th. Weather cloudy; heavy gunfire - more 9 a.m. 8.4.17. Arrive here (field outside Wagonlieu - L.21.) at 11 a.m. Brigade marched past General Compton (Brigadier) in Duisans (L.7.) and then split up into battalions and marched to allotted positions (see map) L.15. 16. 21. 22. Rest until 12.30 p.m. - lunch - continue minor preparations until 3 p.m. At 3 p.m. Voluntary Holy Communion (150 comts.). 3.45 - 4.15 viewed tomorrows battlefield from L.22.with Archbold and Pidsley. Could see Monchy-le-Preux (app. little damaged). Tea 4.45, followed by rag-rugger match until 6.15, then last instructions from Lt.-Col. C.F. Pretor-Pinney, D.S.O. - "Gentlemen, we will take Monchy "or die." 6.15 - 7.45. Issue of stores followed by thorough inspection of men (my batman, Rfn. Richardson refused to be left behind). Everything ready. Dinner in Wagonlieu - bed 9.30 p.m. - shared tent with Pughe and Pidsley. Weather fine - guns in Dainville (L.29) quietening down - sleep. 9.4.17. Misty. Up 4.15 a.m., equipment ready, breakfast 4.35. Parade 5.15. Move off 5.20 “Jacker" (Major A.N.S.Jackson, D.S.O. - second-in-command at gate, wishes us 'bon chance'. Those left behind clear up bivouacs ready to move into Arras by 1 p.m. Ready here L.16 at Zero (5.30 a.m.) 5.29 all quiet, then crash - 3,000 guns go off accompanied by thousands of bombs - distant cheering - the first wave is over: The Bosch send up numbers of S.O.S. rockets and at 5.45 the enemy barrage falls. The whole landscape before us is now a mass of whirling smoke, flashes and frightful tumult. Suddenly a mile to our right an immense explosion, an enemy shell has hit a dump on the outskirts of Arras in the Fbg. d' Amiens - a huge cloud of black & white (lyddite) smoke like an immense mushroom hangs above it for a time and then disperses. On our left (North) we see the shells bursting over Vimy Ridge. What has happened? We march on awe-struck - its the biggest show in the world's history and we are for it. Eventually we reach L.18 and put gas-helmets at alert. We move on to Fbg. de Baudimont and halt until 12.10. (Zero plus 6 hours 40 minutes) just behind a battery of 6-inch Canadian guns firing rapid on to Vimy. Suddenly - cheers! The first batch of prisoners (91 men) come past - then 10 mins. later 400 all ranks - and others are seen coming from Vimy Ridge. At 11.30 a.m. tea is brought up by transport and at 12.10 we move on. As we moved on to our final assembly place in Blangy we met many wounded from the 15th Division, and numerous prisoners. The enemy had retired on his 3rd line (marked green on map). We moved through Arras by platoons at 100 yards intervals, with many halts, as the roads were crowded with troops, wounded, artillery limbers and ambulances. At 1.15 p.m. we reached an assembly position in Blangy and partook of meat, bully-beef, biscuits, chocolate and tea. Here the enemy first put a few gas shells amongst us, but there were no casualties. At 3.20 p.m. we advanced again and in battle order. 10/R. Fusiliers, 13/R.F., 13/K.R.R.C. and 13/R. Brigade. The C.O. went on with A. Company (Capt. Bowyer). 2nd-Lieut Balden with 4 of C. Coy's Lewis guns moved just in front of H.Q. company (self) attached to me as a reserve and flank guard. We now split up into artillery formation and went over our old front-line system and on through Blangy château grounds (blown to bits) until we reached the Railway "Å" (19) where we remained an hour. An unlucky shell in B. château gardens knocked out 6 men of D.Coy. (2 killed), but no one else. Whilst here (Rly. "Å " ) rumour came that the Bosch were on the run and suddenly three bridging trains came past us - covering the trenches as they went. Cavalry and artillery up! It was the 3rd Cavalry Div.4, 2nd D.G's, 10th Hussars and Essex Yeo. They formed mass between our lines here and dismounted - next minute we were off. (here we saw an upturned aeroplane (near Fred's Wood)). We moved over 'Observation Ridge' in artillery formation, sections 200 yards apart (all round). Hqrs. in rear. 2nd-Lieut. Pidsley (Int.Officer) took charge of right half and self (Chamberlen) left (signallers, runners and details). We went on for 500 yards across plateau towards Battery Valley and then suddenly came under terrific machine-gun fire from the Bosch 3rd line about Halifax trench system. A few 5.9's and 8-inch came over also, but the enemy were doing more counter-battery work against our artillery behind us. Despite enemy's fire we continued to advance in art. formation of sections without heavy casualties, until about 5.30 p.m., when dusk, snow and fire held up the leading battns. 10th and 13th R.F. and we (400 yards in rear) had to halt, and dig in on the line (Squares 27 & 33 in mauve line on map) - railway to Cambrai - Arras road. This mauve line marks position of 15th and 37th Divisions on night of April 9/10th 1917, - the broken line and crosses being the battle outposts. As soon as we were held up I, as Int. Officer and Signalling officer, went forward and got into touch with A. B. & D. Coys. Hqrs., also the 10th & 13th R.F., 13th K.R.R.C. and 111th Bde. Machine-Gun Company who were following us, and made my report of their dispositions to Col. Pinney and to Bde. Hqrs., and finally took the Colonel round as soon as I had seen to my men. 2nd-Lieut. Pidsley and Lieut. Archbald stayed with our H.Q. company. At 1.30 a.m. orders came to move at once and take up another position ready to support the 15th Division (H.L.Infantry) in an attack at dawn on the Bosch lines about H.28.a. and a. (see map), which had held them up the previous day. Heavy snow fell all the time until 8 a.m. when we were told that the enemy had retired on our fourth objective, leaving isolated strong points here and there, especially on Orange Hill and Chapel Hill (out of map to south). At 9 a.m. we moved back again and formed for the advance on Monchy-le-Preux,our final objective,- With the front wave lining the Chapel road and facing Orange Hill. Great excitement was now aroused by the appearance of about 20 batteries of R.F.A. and 6-inch, guns from Battery Valley, who were to co-operate with our 37th Division, now leading the attack. The 3rd Cavalry Division also came up at 10 a.m. and formed up on our left flank. The Bosch hadn't seen us yet.................. At 10.30 a.m. the advance began. The 111th Bde. was on our right and the 63rd on our left - 7 tanks also accompanied us but only one reached Monchy. As soon as our heads appeared about the 85 contour line, the enemy opened fire with 5.9's, 4.2's, 3-inch and gas shells, but not very heavily. A few enemy machine guns were put out in Halifax trench by tanks, and the wire crushed so that we could get on pretty easily - the ground being fairly hard, despite the snow. The cavalry now moved up, but as soon as they appeared every sort of weapon opened on us and casualties began to be frequent. The cavalry had to retire back to Battery Valley until the enemy should become less aggressive. Here (see map 34-Halifax trench) I saw an orderly riding, and leading another horse, downed by a 5.9 Woolley Bear bursting almost on his head: he and the lead horse were badly wounded but the other horse escaped. Pidsley shot the wounded horse with his revolver. Our advance was very slow over Orange Hill owing to the terrific tornado of shells and bullets amongst us. It became a matter of leaping from shell hole to shell hole and wondering how you ever escaped that one. One 5.9 actually struck the ground about 15 yards from me and ricocheted over me.(It can't have been more than 1 yard above my head). Nightfall found the 10th and 13th R.P. front line still west of Monchy and 40% laid out. The K.R.R.C. had lost 200 out of 500 and we, 80 out of 500. The Bosch had us absolutely taped and we had to halt and dig like moles or die. Capt. Bowyer (A) was killed about 7 p.m. and Sergt. Carter (1 Platoon A.Coy., my late platoon) was also killed. Sergt. Champion, L/Cpl. Brooker and Signallers did wonders keeping the line open to Bde. Hqrs. - everyone behaved magnificent. As soon as I got my fellows settled in and established a signal station (1) 3.5.a.)(sic.) in a convenient shell hole, which Brooker dexterously manipulated and increased, I took Sergt. Champion and visited the companies and K.R.R.C., but not the R.F's. We nearly lost ourselves in darkness and snow, but after numerous shaves from bullets etc. we discovered all we wanted, chatted to various fellows: C.S.M. Manktelow (A), C.S.M. Oliver(D), Capt. Wedemeyer (D), Lieut. Hobday (D), Lieut. Heepmaker (A) and Lieut. Carlisle (B) and riflemen here and there. We than returned to our own Hqrs. Company and I left Sergt. Champion with L/Cpl. Brooker and went to see Col. Pinney and report. He, Archbold and Pidsley were in H.Q. (an 8-inch shell hole) close by - and Rfn. Davies, Richardson (my servant), Prankish (P's servant) had made tea for us, -- joy!! I was feeling pretty well chilled to the bone, soaked, and deuced hungry. So a tin of bully, a few biscuits (our last) were devoured, and so we tried to sleep a bit in turn. Question:- Would C. Coy. (ration carriers) arrive before dawn when we should inevitably advance again? At 3.30 a.m. orders came to move at 4 a.m. - still no rations - but at 3.40 - joy - up they came plus Rhum!!, and I just had time to issue everything and force the men to have a feed, despite their hatred of bully, before we moved. Rfn. Newman, aged 19, got tight on the Rhum on an empty stomach, so I left him to guard the spare ammunition with Rfn. Keeble and to report to me later. At 4 a.m. we moved and formed for our last assault as shown on map (H.35.). 13th R.Bde. And 13/K.R.R.O. in front line, 13th R.F. support and 10/R.F. reserve. We had B. and D. coys. up and A. and Hqrs. in reserve. Col. Rice (10/R.F.) joined forces with our hqrs. until we assaulted, and his signallers luckily left some of their wire behind which Rfn. Warrilow and Whiting picked up and brought on, thus giving us enough to carry the line up to Monchy itself, if need be. L/Cpl. Brooker was left on Orange Hill at an intermediate signal station (1) whilst Champion established another at H.36.c. (2), which spot was battn. hqrs. until we advanced at 5 a.m. The enemy were quiet whilst we made ready for the assault and I went round the companies with Col. Finney and Archbold (Adjutant). D. on left and B. on right, and A. in support (see map). At 5 a.m. all were ready and eager to advance. I phoned dispositions to Bde. Hqrs. and answer came to advance. The brigade started in 'Blobs' but extended into waves as soon as they passed the copse (c) and dashed up into the village, splitting up into small parties to deal with houses, cellars, and strong points still held by the huns. Meanwhile the enemy barrage came down on us and numberless machine guns opened on us from in front and on both flanks where the 112th & 63rd Brigades were having a tough time. Hqrs. moved on slowly and finally established itself in a line of hastily-dug trench and shell holes (see map 0) at 6.15 a.m. One little story must be told here - Sergt. Champion, myself, and 6 signallers came up with the wire and were looking round for a convenient hole near H.4. 0 when an 8-inch shell pitched almost on us, blowing everyone down but unhurt, and made an immense crater at our feet - sequel - that crater was our signal post (M.3.) for the remainder of the action (until 4 a.m. on the 12th April) - marked "0" on map. This was about 6.20 a.m. on Wednesday, April 11th. Capt. Wedemeyer (D) and 2nd-Lieut. Reepmaker (A) came to report and runners from Carlisle (B) at 7 a.m. The enemy had retired from the village and high ground towards the Bois du Vert and the Bois du Sart and intermediate cover, leaving 40 prisoners in our hands & 200 dead, also some 16 machine guns and 4-5.9 Hows. Their other guns had been evacuated on the previous evening when we were on Orange Hill held up. The coys. were digging in on the E. edge of the village along our last objective (Mauve line) - the enemy shelling gradually increased to absolute drum fire and casualties increased. Carlisle, Reepmaker, Spooner, Warrilow and Chamberlen were wounded, and Hobday killed. I remained at duty but the others went down. Lt. Rhys took over "A" Coy. and Lieut. Bampfield "B" - the latter doing magnificent work in reorganising the front line and village defences, at the same time taking in hand many H.L.I., S. Wales Borderers and others from the 15th Division who had come up. C.S.M. Manktelow (A) and Oliver (B) were wounded. Col. Rice,10/R.F. (badly shattered arm), Col. Leyton, 12/R.F. killed and 12 officers of 13/K.R.R.C. Killed or wounded. At 9.30 a.m. the Bosch began to return, thinking that their fire had laid us low, but when 300 yards away 16 Lewis guns and 500 rifles told them another tale, and the few who got away didn't return that day; but, by Jove, their gunners warmed us up a bit. About 11 a.m. I noticed a few fellows coming back owing to the fire, so at once went out to stop them. I had just got one little H.L.I. man back to his original hole and was standing on the edge talking to him when an 8-inch burst 5 yards away and lifted me a good 15 feet into the air: as I landed another came and blew me flat, but unhurt, and then returned to Col. Pinney. Story of the Cavalry. This was a tragedy; a rumour spread that the Bosch had retired to Boiry Notre Dame and beyond and the 3rd Cay. Bde. (General Bulkeley-Johnson) was sent up from Feuchy to go through Monchy and pursue. At 12 noon they appeared, galloping up by squadrons - Cheers! The enemy, however, saw them and shelled them so terribly that in 10 minutes 50% were down. The rest dismounted, left their horses in the village and reinforced our lines, where they behaved magnificently. Only 60 horses out of 400 escaped. Cavalry are not for this warfare: Suffice it to say that during the remainder of the day and until 1 a.m. on the 12th the enemy shelling and machine-gun fire was terrific. Our artillery were prevented from coming up close by the heavy mud, but poured in a tremendous fire nevertheless. Our last tank did excellent work round Monchy and south to Guemappe, operating without stopping for 40 hours-(The Times mentioned it afterwards) - unfortunately it got knocked out by a direct hit, about 4 p.m., but the crew escaped. Its commander, whom I met in hospital at Avesnes le Comte on the 14th was kicked by a mule and broke his wrist after reaching Arras, and so came home. Rfn. Bearton, L/Cpl. Roff and Rfn Thorpe (runners) also Cpl. Caperon did excellent work during the day, but towards evening ( 5 p.m.) the two latter got wounded and went down. The enemy made no further advance and indeed never showed himself at all. At 6 p.m., having kept our line open to Bde. Hqrs. under intense fire and fearful climatic difficulties, an order came to prepare for an attack half right on Guemappe, which had held up the 112th Brigade. I took the orders verbally from our Staff Captain (a/Bde. Major) and repeated them to Col. Pinney, who was now in command of the 4 battns. in the village and precuts, being senior to Col. Chestermaster, 13/K.R.R.O. He,however, rang up again and took them himself from Capt. Paris, and was about to send orders to the companies to move when Paris rang up again to say "wash out" - you will be relieved by the 29th Division as early as possible and they will carry out the attack. We, being down to 40% of our original strength - (2,000 in Bde.) - and about done up said "Thank God!" - made a meal of what bully and biscuits we had left and then went out to see who 'was' and who was 'not'. Altogether we saved some 50 wounded, many half buried in snow, including a few Bosch. The Battn. stretcher bearers, under L/Cpl. Fowler, aided by Rfn. Hamilton and Tucker, also Furniss, who was killed, did splendid work and saved many poor fellows. At 7.30 p.m. it was pitch dark and heavy snow came on again, but we still searched for the wounded. Meanwhile the coys. in the village were fairly sheltered and a dressing station was established in the villa (remains) marked + on map, which had been a Bosch brigade H.Q. and in which a bag of 50 Iron Crosses were found by A.Coy. - ready for distribution after our defeat!!! - instead, they acted as unusually fine souvenirs. Sergt. Champion, of course, had gone off to explore and returned with a ripping automatic 1916 Steyn., which he eventually gave to me before I left the battn. on the Saturday at Agnes-les-Douisans. At 9 p.m. the shelling had died down to a negligible quantity, but the cold was fearful - my hands were absolutely frozen and I had intense frost-bite by midnight. At 2 a.m. the company arose - 'Relief Up' - and with what joy we gathered our remnants and handed over our shell holes to the R.W.Kents can easily be imagined. By 6 a.m. the brigade were once more in Battery Valley, sleeping in the remains of the gun emplacements. 300 guns, chiefly 5.9's and field guns were smashed or taken in that valley, so it well deserves its name. We found a fine dug out (Max Richter's -see map) full of things there too, apparently the M.O's, and I brought back a couple of bayonets, some letters and a helmet and gas-mask from there and a trench near by. About 8 a.m. Rfn. Frankish and Richardson, who had left us on Orange Hill to procure food from Major A.N.S. Jackson, 2nd-i/c at Arras, arrived to our great joy with eggs, cake, butter, and bread ad lib; - we devoured all - I ate 6 eggs. At 10.30 a.m. L/Cpl. Brooker and 6 signallers who had been on Orange Hill and who had been relieved before us, joined us, and some 30 missing from the battn. came in too. At 11 a.m. Rfn. Whiting brought me a Bosch helmet and a minute later the order came to move to Arras. At 1 p.m., after 3 ½ days of absolute hell, I saw dear old 'Jacker' and Pughe (T.0.) again, also Capt. Boyne, Capt. Morgan-Grenville and others left behind, and after seeing the men into the cellars in this grand place, their abode that day, we (officers) went off for a clean up and feed to our billet, where all the officers (10) assembled. We had a splendid evening and dinner at the only good estaminet intact, and so to bed. Unfortunately at 5 a.m. an orderly dashed in to say that we were to move by motor-bus to Agnes-les-Douisans, in half an hour, from this grande place, so we had to up and pack our valises (the servants having disappeared) and trek heavy-laden to the buses (½ mile). Eventually we reached 'Agnes', put the men into huts with the K.R.R. C. and were again united with those left behind. After breakfast, wash and sleep, then an immense tea and so, through Dr. Nicholson's hands to hospital at Manin with Archbold. Next day, Sunday, I went to Avesnes-le-Comte for one night, then Frevent (2 nights) and so to Etaples, Calais and London (24 Park Street). FINIS LIST OF OFFICERS - - - - - - - - 13th Rifle Brigade Col. C.F. Pretor-Pinney, D.S.O. (Ancre) Lieut. K. Archbold, M.C. Adjutant. (A) Capt. Bowyer. (B) Lieut. Carlisle. (C) Capt. The Hon. Morgan-Grenville (carrying party) (Ancre) (C) Capt. Wedemeyer, M.O. H.Q. Lieut. L.S.Ohamberlen & Lieut. Pidsley. Padre. Doctor. Capt. Nicholson. Transport. Lieut. Pughe. (to Brigade) & Lieut. Walpole. 2nd I/c Major A.N.S. Jackson, D.S.C. Other Officers Lieut Spanten and those mentioned in report sgd L.S.CHAMBERLIN July, 1932 Late Lieut, Rifle Brigade WW1 Soldiers Effects Record No. 446451, register No 414097/1 - Winter William, 13th Bn. Rifle Brigade, Pte. S.30753, died 23.4.17 in Action. 3 amounts authorised were 6s 3d ; £2 0. 2. to Mrs May E Budgen "undertaking" and a war gratuity of £3. 0. 0. WW1 Medal card records that WINTER, William - Rif Brig, Pte S/30753 was awarded the Victory and British War Medals The Medal Roll for THE RIFLE BRIGADE (Prince Consorts Own) records that s/30753 Pte WINTER, William of the 13th Bn Rif. Brig was entitled to the Victory and British War Medals Map references:- FRED's WOOD - Map 51b-NW3-H19a ORANGE HILL - Map 51b-NW3-H34b,d,35a,c MONCHY LE PREUX - Map51b-SW2-O1 BATTERY VALLEY - Map51c-NW3-H20, 26, 27, 33 HERMAVILLE - Map51c-NE1-D30 IZEL-les-HAMEAU - Map51c-NE1-J3 HABARCQ - Map 51c-NE1-K7d ST LAURENT_BLANGY - Map 51b-NW3-G18 BLANGY - Map 51b-NW3-G24 GAVRELLE - Map 51b-NW2-C25 Transcribed from the War Diary of the13th Battalion Rifle Brigade and covering the battle for Arras in April 1917 |