OtherguidesintheBattlegroundEuropeSeries:

WalkingtheSalientbyPaulReedYpres-SanctuaryWoodandHooge byNigelCave

Ypres-Hill60byNigelCaveYpres-MessinesRidge byPeterOldhamYpres-PolygonWoodbyNigelCaveYpres-Passchendaele byNigelCave

Ypres-AirfieldsandAirmenbyMichaelO'ConnorYpres-StJulienbyGrahamKeech

WalkingtheSomme byPaulReedSomme-GommecourtbyNigelCave

Somme-Serre byJackHorsfall&NigelCaveSomme-BeaumontHamelbyNigelCaveSomme-ThiepvalbyMichaelStedman

Somme-LaBoisselle byMichaelStedmanSomme-FricourtbyMichaelStedman

Somme-Carnoy-MontaubanbyGrahamMaddocksSomme-Pozieres byGrahamKeechSomme-Courcelette byPaulReed

Somme-BoomRavine byTrevorPidgeonSomme-MametzWoodbyMichaelRenshaw

Somme-DelvilleWoodbyNigelCaveSomme-AdvancetoVictory(North)1918byMichaelStedman

Somme-Flers byTrevorPidgeonSomme-BazentinRidge byEdwardHancockandNigelCave

Somme-Combles byPaulReed

Arras-VimyRidge byNigelCaveArras-Gavrelle byTrevorTaskerandKyleTallett

Arras-BullecourtbyGrahamKeechArras-MonchylePreuxbyColinFox

HindenburgLine byPeterOldhamHindenburgLineEpehybyBillMitchinsonHindenburgLineRiquevalbyBillMitchinson

HindenburgLineVillers-PlouichbyBillMitchinsonHindenburgLine-Cambrai,RightHookbyJackHorsfall&NigelCaveHindenburgLine-SaintQuentinbyHelenMcPhailandPhilipGuestHindenburgLine-BourlonWoodbyJackHorsfall&NigelCave

LaBassée-NeuveChapelle byGeoffreyBridgerLoos-HohenzollenbyAndrewRawson

Loos-Hill70byAndrewRawsonMons byJackHorsfallandNigelCaveAccringtonPalsTrailbyWilliamTurner

PoetsatWar:WilfredOwenbyHelenMcPhailandPhilipGuestPoetsatWar:EdmundBlundenbyHelenMcPhailandPhilipGuestPoetsatWar:Graves &SassoonbyHelenMcPhailandPhilipGuest

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BoerWar-TheReliefofLadysmithbyLewisChildsBoerWar-TheSiegeofLadysmithbyLewisChilds

BoerWar-KimberleybyLewisChildsIsandlwanabyIanKnightandIanCastleRorkesDriftbyIanKnightandIanCastle

WarsoftheRoses-Wakefield/TowtonbyPhilipA.HaighEnglishCivilWar-NasebybyMartinMarixEvans,PeterBurtonandMichaelWestaway

Napoleonic-HougoumontbyJulianPagetandDerekSaundersNapoleonic-WaterloobyAndrewUffindellandMichaelCorum

WW2PegasusBridge/MervilleBatterybyCarlShilletoWW2UtahBeachbyCarlShilleto

WW2GoldBeachbyChristopherDunphie&GarryJohnsonWW2Normandy-GoldBeachJigbyTimSaunders

WW2OmahaBeachbyTimKilvert-JonesWW2SwordBeachbyTimKilvert-Jones

WW2BattleoftheBulge-StVithbyMichaelTolhurstWW2BattleoftheBulge-Bastogne byMichaelTolhurst

WW2DunkirkbyPatrickWilsonWW2Calais byJonCooksey

WW2Boulogne byJonCookseyWW2DasReich–DrivetoNormandybyPhilipVickers

WW2Hill112byTimSaundersWW2MarketGarden-NijmegenbyTimSaunders

WW2MarketGarden-Hell'sHighwaybyTimSaundersWW2MarketGarden-Arnhem,OosterbeekbyFrankSteer

WW2MarketGarden-TheIslandbyTimSaundersWW2ChannelIslands byGeorgeForty

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Somme-HighWoodbyTerryCarterSomme-GermanAdvance1918byMichaelStedman

Somme-BeaucourtbyMichaelRenshawWalkingArras byPaulReed

Gallipoli-GullyRavine byStephenChambersFromelles byPeterPedersenHamelbyPeterPedersen

WW2Normandy-EpsombyTimSaundersWW2Normandy-MontPinçonbyEricHunt

WW2Normandy-OperationBluecoatbyIanDaglishWW2MarketGarden-Arnhem,TheBridge byFrankSteer

WW2Normandy-Falaise byTimKilvert-JonesWW2WalcherenbyAndrewRawson

WiththecontinuedexpansionoftheBattlegroundseriesaBattlegroundSeriesClubhasbeenformedtobenefitthereader.ThepurposeoftheClubistokeepmembersinformedofnewtitlesandtooffermanyotherreader-benefits.Membershipisfreeandbyregisteringaninterestyoucanhelpuspredictprintrunsandthusassistusinmaintainingthequalityandpricesattheirpresentlevels.

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CONTENTS

IntroductionbySeriesEditorAcknowledgementsAdvicetoTravellersHowtousethisbook

Chapter1PlanningTheOffensiveChapter2TheBattlefieldin1915Chapter3TheMenChapter41stDivisionChapter515th(Scottish)DivisionChapter647th(London)DivisionChapter7TheBattleContinuesChapter8TheBattleforHill70Chapter9IXCorps–TheReserveEarlyDevelopmentsChapter1026SeptemberChapter1124thDivision'sAttackontheGermanSecondLineChapter1227September,theGuardsDivisionChapter13TouringIVCorpsAreaChapter14CemeteriesandMemorials

FurtherReadingIndex

IntroductionbySeriesEditor

ForsomeyearsnowIhavebeenlookingforanauthortoextendtheBattlegroundEuropeseriestotheBattleofLoos,whichcommencedon25September1915.AndrewRawsonhasfittedthebilladmirablyandhistwobooksonthebattlewillmakethegroundfarmorecomprehensibletothebattlefieldvisitor.IfirstvisitedLoossometwentyyearsago,clutchingRoseCoombs'sinvaluablevademecum,Before

EndeavoursFade.UnfortunatelytheindustrialsprawlroundaboutputmeoffexploringmuchfurtherthanavisittotheMemorialtotheMissingatDudCorner.AfewyearslaterIwasabletospendlongeronthebattlefield,alongwithmyfatherandundertheexpertguidanceofoneoftheforemost(theforemost?)BritishGreatWarbattlefieldguide,TonySpagnoly.ItwasonlythenthatIbegantoappreciatefarmorefullytheeventsthattookplaceintheautumnof1915andhowmuchofthebattlefieldlayonagriculturalland;whilstthenumerousviewpointsandvistasmadeunderstandingtheactionquiteeasy.Loosisatragicbattle–as,ofcourse,areallbattles.Butthereseemstobesomethingespeciallyso

aboutLoos.Itwasanactionthatcertainlydidnotresultinfailurebecauseofalackofspiritorcourage.ButlikeallthemajoractionsoftheBritisharmyin1915–whetherinFlandersorGallipoli–itsufferedfrominexperienceinallranksandinallbranchesofthearmy.ThiswasaconsequenceoftheBritishmaintaininganarmythatwasnotatallpreparedfortherealitiesofaContinentalCampaign;thereasonsforwhichgowellbeyondthissmallpiece.Itisfaciletolayalltheblameatthefeetofcommandfailings.TheotherelementintheBritishfailurein1915–andindeedformostof1916–wasthechronicshortageofsuitableartillery(andinparticularheavyartillery)andreliableshells.Loosisjustaboutslippingfromthememoryofanyonealivetoday.ThedeathoftheQueenMotherat

theendofMarch,2002,perhapsmarkedthissymbolically–herbrotherFergusBowesLyonswaskilled,whistservingwiththe8thBlackWatchon27September,1915,byanenemybombontheHohenzollernRedoubt.HehasnoknowngraveandiscommemoratedatDudCorner.InhistorybooksLoosisbutafootnote,overwhelmedbytheShellScandalandthesquabblingbetweenHaigandFrenchthatfollowedit.AsabattleitisoverwhelmedbythehugeandlengthystrugglesthattookplaceontheSommeandaroundYpresandArras.Looswasthetestinggroundforthe16th(Irish)DivisionwhenitfirstcametoFranceafterthebattle

wasover.AnaccountbyFatherWillieDoylemakesforgraphicreading:Istumbledacrossayoungofficerwhohadbeenbadlygassed.Hehadgothishelmeton,but

wascoughingandchokinginaterribleway.‘ForGod'ssake,’hecried,‘helpmetotearthishelmetoff–Ican'tbreathe.I'mdying.’IsawifIlefthimtheendwouldnotbefar;socatchingholdofhim,Ihalfcarried,halfdraggedhimupthetrenchtotheaidpost.Ishallneverforgetthattenminutes;itseemedhours.Iseemedtohavelostallmystrength:strugglingwithhimtopreventhimkillinghimselfbytearingoffhishelmetmademeforgetalmosthowtobreathethroughmine.Iwasalmoststifled,thoughsafefromgas,whiletheperspirationsimplypouredfrommyforehead.

Theaimofthesebooksistoenablepeopletofollowtheeventsontheground;butwealsoendeavourtobringoutthepersonalstory–likethisofFatherDoyleandtheyoungofficer–toensurethatwerememberthatwarisfilledwithpersonalachievementandtragedy,andperhapstobringmoretovisitstothecemeteriesandmemorialsthatscatterthebattlefieldtoday.

NigelCave,CastaNatale,Rovereto,Italy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

IfirstcameacrossLoosin1989,followingRoseCoombe'stimelessbook‘BeforeEndeavoursFade’.Likesomanyothers,withVimyRidgeandtheSommebeckoning,ImovedonafterpayingnomorethanafleetingvisittotheLoosMemorialatDudCorner.HavingmadedetailedvisitstoFlandersandtheSomme,Iwasleftlookingfornewareastoexplore.AcyclingtourofthevillagesaroundBethunefollowed,fuellingmyinterestinthebattlethattookplacethereintheautumnof1915.Therewas,however,aproblem.Althoughbooksonlatercampaignscontinuedtoappear,Loosremainedamystery.ReadingtheOfficialHistory,themostcomprehensiveaccountofthebattlesofar,convincedmethattheshortcampaignplayedakeypartinthehistoryoftheBEF.WhatfollowedwasafiveyearvoyageofdiscoveryintothearchivesoftheBattleofLoos.ThroughoutmyresearchmanypeoplehavehelpedmelearnwhathappenedaroundLoosovereighty

yearsago.Withouttheirassistance,myknowledgewouldhavebeenfarfromcomplete.Thebattaliondiarists,whowrotetheirversionhavingwitnessedthelossofmanyfriendsandcomrades,deserveremembering.Underdifficultcircumstancestheycomposedaccurate,andoftenmoving,accountsoftheattack.Thisbookwouldhavenotbeenpossiblewithouttheirrecords.FormanyyearsDoctorJohnBourne,oftheUniversityofBirmingham,hasbeenmymentor,providing

adviceandencouragementalongtheway.Withouthishelp,manydoorswouldhaveremainedunopenedorunknown.MartinMiddlebrook'sapproachtotheWesternFrontprovidedtheinitialmotivationformyvisitstoFranceandhispracticaladviceatthebeginninggavemetheconfidencetocontinue.NigelCavehasprovidedassistancethroughoutthewritingstage,answeringastreamofquestionswithperseverance.Meanwhile,thestaffatthePublicRecordsOfficeinKewtirelesslyguidedmethroughtheirarchives.ThesamegratitudeappliestothestaffattheImperialWarMuseumandwithouttheirassistanceIwouldhavefailedtolocatevaluableinformation.ForthepastsixmonthsMichelleTurnerhasworkedonmyhandwrittendrafts,turningthemintoa

presentabletypescript.Meanwhile,mypartnerAmandahasenduredendlesstalesofthebattle.Withoutthesepeople,thisbookwouldhaveremainedanidea.Finally,IdedicatethisbooktomysonAlex,inthehopethathisgenerationarenevercalleduponto

servetheircountryasthosebornacenturyearlierwere.

ADVICETOTOURERS

AfulldaycanbespentstudyingthefightingaroundLoosvillage.ThecompanionvolumecoversICorpsattackacrossthenorthernsectorofthebattlefield.VisitorstotheLoosareahavetwooptions.IfyouintendtospendtimeontheSomme,thenitispossibletostopoffforafewhours,asthemainroutesouthfromthechannelportspasseswithinafewmilesofthebattlefield.ExittheA26atBully-les-Mines,takingtheA21forLens.InaboutthreemilesleavetheA21,takingtheN43signpostedforMazingarbeandBethune.TheroaddipsthroughtheLoosvalley,withthehugetwinslagheapstotheleftandLoosvillagetotheright.DudCornermemorialisatthetopoftherise,ontheright.Inordertohaveyourcarpointingintherightdirectionturnintothelaneafewmetrespastthememorial,soyoucanturnaroundsafelyoffthemainroad.Alternativelyifyouwanttoexploretheareaindetail,youcanstopnearthebattlefield.Thereare

againtwooptions.Lenshasnumeroushotelscateringforsortsoftastesandbudgets,fartoonumeroustolisthere.Thereareanumberclosetothecity'srailwaystationandallthemainroadsintothecityeventuallybringyoutoit.Followsignsforcentrevilleorlagare.ThealternativeisBethune,thehomeofmanyBritishsoldiersforoverfouryears.Theoldtownwas

originallysurroundedbyramparts,whichwerere-modelledbyVaubaninthe18thcentury.Itwasoriginallyamarkettownandthesurroundingfertileplainensuredthatthemarketswerealwaysbusy;thegrain,marketgardenandclothtradeswereparticularlylucrative.Whentheindustrialrevolutionarrivedinthesecondhalfofthe19thcentury,therichcoaldepositssouthandeastofthetownensuredBethune'splaceintheemergingtrademarkets.InOctober1914Frenchtroopsbegandetrainingatthestationduringtheearlystagesoftheso-called

RacetotheSea.FiercebattlestotheeastaroundLaBasséeandLoosendedinastalemate.Inthespringof1915Britishtroopsmovedintothearea.Duringthewarthetownsufferedheavydamage,mostofwhichwasinflictedinApril1918,whentheGermanoffensivecameclosetooverrunningthetown.Manyoftheinhabitantswereforcedtoevacuateitandwhentheyreturnedtheyfoundthatninetypercentoftheoldtownhadbeendestroyed.AfterthewarBethuneroseonceagainfromtheruinsandmanyofthenewbuildingswerebuilttotheoriginalplans.Todayitisdifficulttoimaginethatthetownwasoncedevastated.

BethuneBelfry,focalpointformanyBritishsoldiers.

TheBelfryinthemainsquareisthemoststrikingbuildinginthetownanditwasawell-knownlandmarkformanythousandsofBritishsoldiers.Theoriginaltowerwasbuiltin1346,butitwassoonreplacedbyasturdierstructure.Anextrafloorwasaddedin1437,andforsixhundredyearsithasremainedthetown'scentrepiece.Awatchmenlivedintheroomsatthetopofthetowerformanyyearstokeepalookoutforinvaders.Thetowersufferedagreatdealofdamagein1918,andthebuildingsthatoncesurroundedthebasehavenotsurvived.Thechurchonthenorthsideofthesquaredatesfromthe16thcentury.Manysoldiersspenthoursrelaxinginstreetsaroundthesquare,eating,drinkingorbarteringfor

luxurieswiththelocals.Thecharacterofthesquarehasbeenretainedandonawarmsummerevening,sittingoutsideoneofthemanybars,itisquiteeasytoimagineTommiesmillingaboutthesquareinsearchofentertainmentormischief.

AllthatremainedoftheBelfryafterthewar. IWM-Q58145

Alotoftheadvicegivenbelowwillbewellknowntotheexperiencedtraveller.Evenso,manyofyouwillbevisitingnewandunfamiliarterritory.Althoughthebattlefieldiswellprovidedwithlandmarks,itiseasytobecomelost.Afterall,itispossibletotravelfromoneendofthebattlefieldtotheotherinamatterofminutesandhardlynoticeit.UnlikethefightingontheSommeandintheYpresSalient,theBattleofLooswas,forthemostpart,

foughtoveropencountry.Trenchesatthisstageinthewarwerefairlyprimitive.Onlylater,whenthisareabecamea‘quietsector’,didbothsidesinvestincomplextrenchsystems.Duetotheswiftconclusionofthebattle,therearefewpermanentscarssuchastrenchesorcraters,andthehardchalkprovidedadequateshelterfromtheshelling,sothereareveryfewbunkerstosee.AlthoughLensandBethunelieattheheartoftheFrenchcoalfields,thebattlefieldhassufferedveryfewchanges.ThevillageofLooshasexpandedbutthelayoutofthestreetsisvirtuallythesameasitwasin1915.Someareasontheedgesofthebattlefieldhavedisappeared;someunderslagheaps,othersundertheindustriallandscape.Havingsaidthat,theareawheremostofthefightingtookplacehaschangedlittle.Althoughthereareplentyofmapsinthebook,youmaywishtopurchasetherelevantIGNSeriesBlue

map(1:25,000).2405est-(Lens)coversthewholebattlefield,itmightalsobeusefultoalsohave2405

ouest(Bethune)whichcoverstherearareasandBethunetown.Themapsaresimilartothe1:20,000Britishtrenchmapsandareveryusefulfordetailedstudies.Thereare1:250000MichelinmapsavailablefromtheCWGCheadquartersatMaidenhead.ThemapsareoverprintedwiththelocationofeveryCommonwealthWarGravesCommissioncemetery.Theyalsoincludeausefulindexandcostabout£3.Althoughthereareanumberoftrenchmapextractswithinthebookshowingthesituationbeforeandafterthebattle,youmaywishtopurchasetherelevantsheetforthebattle.TheeasiestwaytoobtainitisbyjoiningtheWesternFrontAssociation.Theassociationrunsatrenchmapservice,theappropriatereferenceis36cNW3Loos.TheshopsinandaroundthesquareinLoosprovidemostofwhatyouwillneed.Asmallsupermarket

stocksmanyitems,andasmallbakeryaroundthecornerbakesbaguettestwiceaday.Thereareanumberofbarsaroundthesquarewhereyoucanquenchyourthirstandrestyourachingfeet.Ifyouneedanypillsorpotionsforheadachesorplastersforblisters,thevillagechemistwithitsGreenCrosssignisjustoffthesquare.Althoughthevillageiswellstocked,bewarned;theshopscloseforlunch,althoughatanhourandahalflongitismorelikeasiesta.Makesureyoubuyyourlunchearly,before12.30,otherwiseyouwillgohungry.Onacoupleofafternoonsaweekthevillageclosescompletelyfortheentireafternoon.TheonlyotheroptionistoreturntoBethuneorheadintothecentreofLens.Thecountrysidearoundthevillageisgentlyundulatingandwalkingisnearlyalwayseasygoing.

Thereareanumberofsuggestedwalkswhicharefairlyshort,soyouareneververyfarfromyourcar.Stoutwalkingbootsandwaterproofs(incasetheweatherturnsagainstyou)shouldbeallyouneedtogetyouaround.Itwouldbeadvisabletocarryabasicfirstaidkitincaseofaccidents(itisalegalrequirementtocarryoneinyourvehicle).Althoughtherearefacilitiesalwaysclosetohand,itwouldbewisetotakeasupplyofbottledwatertoquenchyourthirst.Afewbarsofchocolateneverseemtogoamisseither.Otherusefulitemsincludeacompass,binocularsandacamera.Anotebookishelpfulforrecordingyourphotographs;scenicviewsoffieldscanlookverysimilaracoupleofweekslaterwhenyougetthemdeveloped.Therearenumeroustarmacanddirttrackscriss-crossingthebattlefield,manyusedbythefarmersto

accesstheirfields.However,inmanyplacesfindingaspacetoparkyourvehicleinasafeplacecanbeachallenge.Itmayseemasthoughthefieldsaredeserted,butthetracksarethereprimarilyforthefarmers.Pleasedonotleaveyourvehicleinsuchawayastostopatractorpassing.Ifyouwishtostopandtakeinaparticularview,donottravelfarandbereadytomovealongifafarmerwishestopass.Bewarnedthatmanyofthesetrackshavedrainageditchesoneachsidewhichareoftenhiddenbygrass.Unlessyouarepreparedtoreverselongdistances,keeptothemainroads.Manyofthesetrailsstartastarmaclanes,butafterawhileturnintoroughtracksthatwouldtestmostcars.Whenitcomestowanderingoffthetracks,rememberthatthelandisprivate.Manyfarmerswouldnotobjectiftheharvesthasbeengatheredin,butifindoubtaskpermission.Neverenterafieldthathascrops,ifyouareindifficultykeeptotheroughstripofgroundattheedge.RememberthatinthisareathelocalsarenotusedtoBritishvisitorswanderingabout,sobepreparedforalongexplanationinFrench.Thereareacoupleofwoodsonthebattlefield,andthebestadviceistostayout.Severalareasbelongtotheminingcompanies,oroneoftheotherlocalindustries,andagainkeepout.Itispossibletoviewvirtuallyeverypartofthebattlefieldfrommanyangles,sothereshouldbenoneedtotrespass.Rememberthatanysignmarked‘Privée’meansprivateland.Asforlookingforrelics,itisillegaltouseametaldetectoronsomeoneelse'sproperty.Abovealldonotsetaboutdigging.Apartfromtheusualdangersoftetanus,thereisstillalotof

ordnanceburiedjustbelowthesurface.Inmanycasesshellcaseslitterthesidesofthetracks.Artilleryshellsweredesignedtomaimandkill,andsomeofthemstillcanevenaftereighty-fiveyears.

Artilleryshellsstilllitterthebattlefield.

RelevantsourcesBoththeImperialWarMuseumandtheNationalArmyMuseumareworthavisitbeforeyoucrossthe

Channel.TheyarefullofinterestingdisplaysandexhibitsandtheIWM,inparticular,possessesausefulbookshop.TheIWM'sreadingroomhasacomprehensivecollectionofregimentalandbattalionhistories.Anappointment,eitherbytelephoneorletter,isallthatisneeded,althoughitdoeshelpifyougivesomeindicationofwhatyouwishtoview.AReader'sTicketisneededfortheNAMsotakesuitableIDtoobtainone.ThePublicRecordOfficeiscustodiantothearmy'swardiaries,anditiswellworthvisitingKewat

somestage,justfortheexperience.Althoughtheplaceappearsquitedaunting,thestaffareveryobliging,helpingyouinyourquestforinformation,Ifyouwishtopursueanindividual'sarmycareer,thereisachancethattheirpapersarestoredatKew,providingtheywerenotdestroyedintheblitz.ThePRO'sownpublicationArmyServiceRecordsoftheFirstWorldWarisausefulguidetotherecordsheld.AgaintakesuitableIDtoobtainareader'sticket.ThePROhasawebsitewhereyoucanlookforwardiaryreferences,agreattimesavingdeviceifyourtimeinLondonislimited(searchforpro).Ifyouintendtotracearelativewhowaskilled,theCommonwealthWarGravesCommissionis

usuallyabletohelp.Itisusuallyinsufficienttogivejustaname,becauseofthedozensofpossibilitiesthatwillberecorded.Armydetails,suchasregiment,battalion,rank,armynumberandapproximatedateofdeathhelpnarrowdownthecandidates.Theremaybeachargeaccordingtothecircumstancesoftheenquiry.TheCWGCalsohasawebsite(searchforcwgc),withthefullDebtofHonourRegister.Itiswellworthinvestigating;alternativelyfindacomputerliteratefriendwhocansteeryouthroughtheinternet.TheCWGCareaofficeissituatedatBeaurains,onthesouthernoutskirtsofArras.Theyalsohaveafulllistingofcasualties.ThecaretakenbytheCWGCinkeepingthememorialsandcemeteriesinpristineconditionisnothingshortofmagnificent.TaketimetorecordyourcommentsintheVisitors'Booksthatarekeptatthelargercemeteries,theyareappreciatedparticularlyinareaswheretherearenotsomanyvisitors.AlittleplanningisneededbeforetakingyourvehicleacrosstheChannel.Youneedregistrationand

insurancedocuments;althoughtheGreenCardsystemappearstohavelapsed,itisworthcheckingfirstwithyourinsurancecompany.Awarningtriangle,sparelightbulbs,afirstaidkitandheadlightdeflectorsarealsocompulsory.Alwayshaveyourpassportanddrivinglicensehandyincasethepolice

performaspotcheck.Althoughthewineischeapandaperfectcompaniontoawaysidepicnic,bewarnedthatthedrinkdrivinglawsarestricterthanintheUK.So,drivers,savethevinrougefortheendoftheday.Itisrecommendedthatyouandyourpassengershavefullmedicalandhealthinsurance.TheE111

form,availablefrommainpostoffices,providesreciprocalcover.Itdoesnot,however,covereveryeventualityandyoumayfindyourselfwithalargebill.

HotelsAccommodationcanusuallybefoundwithoutdifficultyinBethune.However,thereisacarnivalon

theweekendnearest3September,LiberationDayin1944,andmanyhotelsarebookedupwellinadvance.Thefollowingisasamplelistandsomemayclose,whilenewonesopenoverthecourseoftime.TheTouristinformationoffice(Tel+33321572547),situatedintheGrandPlaceonthegroundflooroftheBelfry,willbeabletoprovideanuptodatelist:

HotelduVieuxBeffroi,GrandPlace,BethuneTel+33321681500HoteldelaCoupole,GrandPlace,BethuneTel+33321573501HotelBernard,PlacedelaGare,BethuneTel+33321572002TourHotelduGolf,RN43,(Rond-pointSt-Pry),BethuneTel+33321569000

Therearealsoanumberofhotelsintheoutlyingsuburbs;FouquereuilandFonquierestothesouthandBeuvytotheeast.Manyhotelshaverestaurants,ifnotthetownisoverflowingwithcafesandrestaurants.Takea

wanderandfindonethatappealstoyourpalateandyourpocket.

Usefuladdresses:TheImperialWarMuseum,Lamberth,LondonSE16H2Tel02074165000TheNationalArmyMuseum,RoyalHospitalRoad,Chelsea,LondonSW34HTTel02077300717TheCommonwealthWarGravesCommission,2MarlowRoad,Maidenhead,Berks.Tel01628634221TheWesternFrontAssociation,POBox1914,Reading,Berks.Thisistheaddressformembershipenquiries.Includealarge(A4)stampedaddressedenvelope.

HOWTOUSETHISBOOK

IfyouhavenevervisitedthispartofFranceIrecommendyoutotakethetimetoreadthroughthisbook(andanyfromthefurtherreadingsectionyoucanobtain).ItisimportanttogainafeelfortheeventsthattookplacearoundLoosinSeptember1915.Thisbookdoesnotintendtobeacomprehensiveaccountofthebattle,eventhoughoneislongoverdue.Thereisonlyabriefdescriptionoftheeventsleadinguptothebattleanditsaftermath.Itwill,however,giveyouafeelfortheeventsthattookplaceonIVCorpsfront.Byfarthebestwaytoappreciatethebattlefieldisonfoot.Althoughtheroadnetworkmakesit

difficulttomakelongwalkswithoutresortingtousingroads,thereareplentyofopportunities.Theeasiestwaytotourtheareaistotravelfrompointtopointbycar,thentakeashortstrollalongthetracksandpaths.Walkinggivesyouthetimetostudytheterrainandgetafeelforthelieoftheland.Itisimpossibletotakeineverythingwhiletryingtoconcentrateatthewheel.Alternatively,youmaywishtotourthewholeareaonabike.Althoughthismethodoftransportisanexcellentcompromise,therearedifficulties.Manyofthemajorroadsthatcrosstheregiondonothavecyclepathsandattimesthevolumeoftraffic,inparticularheavylorries,canbeoverwhelming.Atthebackofthebooktherearerecommendedcarandwalkingtours.Iftimepermits,andyouneeda

fulldaytotakeinthewholeofIVCorpsarea,followthecircularcartourfirst.Thisgivesyoutheopportunitytoseethewholeareafromseveralanglesinashortspaceoftime.Youwillalsobeabletogetyourbearingsandidentifylandmarksthatwillhelpyoulateron.Havingseenthewholeareayoucanpickthewalksthatinterestyouaccordingtotheamountoftimeyouhaveavailable.Thereisaseparatesectioncoveringthecemeteriesandmemorialsrelevanttothebattle.ThisbookisaguidetotheareasurroundingLoosvillagewherethousandsofmenfoughtanddied

duringthebriefyetbloodyengagement.Asyouwalkalongthepathsandtracksconsiderthehorrorsanddifficultiesfacedbytheyoungmenwhocameheretofightintheautumnof1915.Forthemajorityitwastheirfirst(andinmanycaseslast)timeinaction,somehadneverheardashotfiredinangerbeforetheycametoLoos.Onawarmdrydayitisalmostimpossibletoimaginewhattheyfaced.Ifthisbookstimulatesyourinterestinthisforgottenbattle,itwillhaveserveditspurpose,forthemenofLoosdeservetoberememberedinthesamewayasaretheircomradesofYpresandtheSomme.

ChapterOne

PLANNINGTHEOFFENSIVE

TheBattleofLooswasnotanisolatedassault,itwasinfactoneofthreeattacksdesignedtodrivetheGermansoutofFrance.PreparationsforanautumnoffensivewerewellunderwayevenbeforetheSecondBattleofArtoishaddrawntoaclose.GeneralJoffreproposedtothrowtheentireweightofhisreservesagainsttwopointsintheGermanline.Itwasanoptimisticplanwhich,ifsuccessful,wouldpushtheinvadersfromFrenchsoil.IntheChampagneregionanattackdrivingnorthwardswouldadvancetowardstheArdennes.Meanwhile,arenewaloftheoffensiveintheArtoisRegionwouldhopefullyde-stabilisetheGermanssouthofLens.TheconvergentadvanceswouldthenthreatentheflanksofthepronouncedsalientastridetheRiverSommeandRiverAisne,forcingtheGermanstoretireacrosstheBelgianborder.

Map1.TheWesternFront,showingLoosinrelationtoYpresandArras.

AtthebeginningofJuneGeneralJoffreputatwo-pointsuggestiontoFieldMarshalSirJohnFrench.InordertobuildupanarmyfortheChampagneoffensivetheBritishwouldtakeovertheSommeregion.HealsowantedtheBritishtoattackalongsidetheFrench,strikingtheGermanlinenorthofLens.AtfirsttheproposalwasacceptedandFirstArmy'scommander,GeneralHaig,wasaskedtoprepareaplanforsuchanattack.AfewdayslaterHaigrepliedthatinhisopiniontheLoosfrontwasnotsuitableforoffensiveoperations.Theareaconsistedofopenfieldsdottedwithfortifiedvillagesandwouldbeidealdefensiveterrain.InsteadGeneralHaigadvisedthattheBritishshouldstrikenorthofthecanal,astheyhaddoneinthespring.TowardstheendofJunetherespectivegeneralstaffsandrepresentativesfromthemunitionsindustry

wereinconferenceatBoulognediscussingplansforthefollowingyear.TheirconclusionsdidnotagreewithGeneralJoffre'splansforanautumnoffensive.Thespringcampaignhadprovedthatattacksonanarrowfrontagecouldeasilybecontainedbyasmallnumberoftroops.Whatwasneededwasabroadfront,uptofifteenmileswide,toenableabreakthoughtosucceed.TheBritishwouldnothavesufficientnumberstocontributetosuchanoffensiveuntilthefollowingspring.Itwasalsonotedthatonlytheshellsofheavycalibregunswerecapableofpreparingthegroundfortheinfantry,andneitherarmyhadsufficientnumbersforawidefront.Thespringoffensiveshadalsoprovedthattheneedforshells,inparticularheavycalibreammunition,faroutstrippedthecurrentcapacityofthecombinedmunitionsindustries.AlthoughtheBoulogneconferenceadvisedwaitinguntilthefollowingspringbeforetakingthe

offensive,GeneralJoffrewasadamantthattheGermansmustbedrivenfromFrenchsoilatthefirstopportunity.AttheStOmerconferenceon11JulyheproposedtakingtheoffensiveattheendofAugust,bywhichtimetheBritishwouldhavetakenovertheSommefront.GeneralJoffrewantedassurancesthattheBritishwouldstrikeasimultaneousblow.However,FieldMarshalFrenchwasthistimemorereservedinwhathewouldoffer.IftheFrenchArmybrokethroughtothesouthofLens,hisArmywould

striketheweakenedGermanlinenorthofthecity.Withthesituationstalemated,JoffrewaiteduntiltheendofJulywhenheagainaskedforfullco-

operationfromhisallyattheFrevéntconference.Hiseffortswereinvain,neithergeneralwouldchangetheirviewsandforthenextthreeweeksthetwoexchangedletters.Eventually,GeneralJoffre,determinedtopressonwithhisplans,decidedtoadoptadifferentapproach:diplomacy.On16AugusthewelcomedLordKitchenertohisheadquartersforadiscussion.Althoughthereisnorecordofthemeeting,whenKitchenervisitedFieldMarshalFrenchthreedayslateritwasobviousthata‘deal’hadbeenstruck.InthebeliefthattheUnitedKingdomwasthejuniorpartner,hehadagreedtosupportJoffre'splans.Thefollowingyear,withtheBEFswelledbytheNewArmies,theBritishwouldbeabletoargueitscaseonmoreequalterms.ThereisnodoubtthatKitchenerwouldhavebeeninfluencedbytheglobalsituation,fortheAllieshad

sufferedastringofset-backsthroughoutthesummer.TheattempttoknockTurkeyoutofthewar,byinvadingtheDardenellespeninsula,hadresultedindeadlock.Italy'sfirstattempttostrikeattheAustro-HugarianEmpirehadalsofailedmiserably.Meanwhile,intheeast,theCentralPowershadlaunchedtheBrest-Litovskoffensive,drivingtheRussiansbackindisarray.KitchenerwaswellawarethatoffensiveactionwasneededontheWesternFronttoprovidesupportandencouragementtotheireasternally.LordKitchenerinstructedFieldMarshalFrenchtoco-operatefullywithGeneralJoffre,orderinghim‘totaketheoffensiveandactvigorously’.Tomakeupfortheshortfallinartillery,gaswouldbeusedtosurprisetheGermans.AsAugustdrewtoaclose,planswerebeingdrawnupandbeforelongmenandequipmentbeganfloodingintotheBethunearea.

Map2.SchematicmapofFirstArmy'sbattlefield.

GHQneitherwantedtheattack,norwasitontheirchosenground.However,toprovetotheGermansthattheAllieswereunited,theBritishArmyhadtoact.InKitchener'sownwords;

…wemustactwithallenergyanddoourutmosttohelpFranceintheiroffensive,eventhoughbydoingsowemaysufferheavylosses

Thedatewasoriginallysetfor8September,butdelaysinpreparingtheChampagnesectorforactionforcedapostponementuntilthe25th.Thereweretwoplans.Iftheweatherallowedtheuseofgas,GeneralHaig'sFirstArmywouldattack

betweentheLaBasséecanalandLenswithsixdivisionsofIandIVCorps.Athirdcorps,IX,wasinreservealongsidethecavalry.Meanwhile,FirstArmy'sremainingtwocorps,theIndianandIIICorps,wouldmakesubsidiaryattacksnorthofthecanal.GeneralPlumer'sSecondArmywouldalsocarryoutanumberofdiversionaryattacksinFlanders,designedtodeceivetheGermansandpindowntheirreserves.However,ifgascouldnotbedeployed,theattackonFirstArmy'sfrontwouldbescaleddownconsiderably.OnIVCorpsfront,15th(Scottish)DivisionwouldattacktheGermanlinewestofLoos,seizingLoosRoadandLensRoadredoubts.Meanwhile,the9th(Scottish)Division,onICorpsfront,wouldcaptureHohenzollernRedoubtandFosse8.Furtherattackswouldfollowwhentheweatherallowedthegastobeused.Theoffensivewouldbecalledoffifthewindremainedunfavourableonthe26thand27th.Meanwhile,Joffrewasfullyoccupiedfinalisinghisownplan.TheFrenchArmywouldattackattwo

points,thefirstofwhichwasonlyafewmilessouthoftheBritishattack.TenthArmy,withseventeendivisions,wouldattackonatwelvemilefrontsupportedbyover400heavycalibreguns(theBritishhadseventy).Generald'UrbalwastoadvancefromVimyRidge,drivingeastofLenstolinkupwithGeneralHaig'smen.TheBritishandFrenchwouldthencontinuetopusheastacrosstheDouaiplain.TheattackintheChampagnewouldstriketheGermanpositionseastofReims.SecondArmy,employingtwentyseveninfantryandsixcavalrydivisions,wouldattackonaneighteenmilefrontsupportedby850heavyguns.Meanwhile,FourthArmywouldcarryoutasubsidiaryattackwestofReims.ItwashopedthatGeneralPétainwouldbeabletopushnorthtowardstheArdennes.ThemainobjectivewastherailwaylinelinkingMeziéresandHirson,anadvanceoffortymiles!IfsuccessfultheGermanArmywouldbesplitintwo,allowingthecavalrytorushforwardtotheBelgianborder.AsdarknessfellacrossFranceontheeveningof24September1915,thousandsofmentookuptheir

positionsreadyforzerohour.ItwastheBritisharmy'slargestbattleofthewarsofar,andthefirstinwhichKitchener'sNewArmydivisionswereinvolved.

ChapterTwo

THEBATTLEFIELDIN1915

ThefrontheldbyLieutenant-GeneralHenryRawlinson'sIVCorpsranapproximatelynorthtosouth,crossingtheLens-BethuneroadtothewestofLoos.Usingthreedivisions,theattackwoulddevelopeastwards,withtherighthanddivisionholdingarefusedflank.Lieutenant-GeneralHubertGough'sICorpswouldadvanceonRawlinson'sleft.Whatfollowsisadescriptionofthegroundcoveredbyeachdivision,combinedwithanoutlineofFirstArmy'splan.Eachpartstartsinthedivision'sreararea,workingeastacrossNoMan'sLandasfarasthehighwatermarkoftheBritishadvance,inmanycasesclosetotheGermansecondlineofdefence.

Map3.AdetailedmapofIVCorpsareashowingtheGermanlinesofdefence.

Theleft-handboundaryofIVCorpsranalongtheroadbetweenVermelles,whichlaybehindtheBritishfront,andHulluch,behindtheGermanline.Major-GeneralHolland's1stDivisionoccupiedthesectorimmediatelysouthoftheroad.Vermelles,alargeandthrivingvillage,providedshelterforavarietyofsupportservices.Theimposingchateau,atthesouthernendofthevillage,wasusedbyanumberofadvanceddressingstationsduringthewar.AnotherADSoccupiedthecellarsofthevillagebrewery,althoughduringthebattlecasualtiesweretakenelsewhere.Throughoutthebattlethevillageplayedhosttoanumberofdivisionalheadquarters,anditsstreetswouldhavebeenfilledwithtroopsmovingtoandfromthefront.Twoofthetalleststructuresinthevillage,thechurchandthewatertower,

providedobservationplatformsforartilleryspotters.ThegroundbetweenVermellesandNoMan'sLandwasflat,openandbarren.Theonlyclusterof

buildingsinthemiddleofthefieldswas,andstillis,LeRutoireFarm,whichstoodtotherearof1stDivision'ssector.BeforethebattleNoMan'sLandwasnearlyhalfamilewide,neithersidewishingtoantagonisetheotherbyclaimingterritory.AllthischangedinSeptember1915.SeverallinesoftrencheswereexcavatedinNoMan'sLandtoaccommodatetheassaulttroops,whilstanextratrenchtoholdthehundredsofgascylinderswasalsodug.ThisoperationnarrowedNoMan'sLandconsiderablybut,evenso,GeneralHolland'smenwouldhavetocross400metresofopengroundtoreachtheGermans.Beforethewarthelandhadbeenfarmed,buttwelvemonthofneglecthadreducedittoanunkemptscrub.Inmanyplacesthewildcropsscreenedthebarbedwireandtrenches,makingaccurateregistrationimpossible.

BritishobservationofficerandsniperoverlookingGermantrenches.

ThereweresmalltwocopsesinNoMan'sLandontheleftofthedivision'sfront,laHaieandBoisCarré.Althoughtheshellinghadreducedthetreestosmashedstumps,eachoneconcealedaGermanobservationpost,linkedbysapstothefrontline.Afewhundredmetrestothesouth,againinNoMan'sLand,stoodalargecherrytree,markedontheBritishtrenchmapsasLoneTree.Theshatteredtrunkmanagedtoproduceblossominthespringof1915inspiteoftheshrapnelandbulletsthatbecameembeddedinit.ThetrenchlinesrannorthtosouthonthewesternslopesofwhatisknownastheGrenayRidge,

althoughinthissectortheslopeisbarelynoticeable.Evenso,inflatcountrytheslightestadvantageinheightmakesobservationfareasier.InplacesslightundulationshidtheGermanfrontlineandits

protectivebeltofbarbedwire.Aswasusuallythecase,theGermansheldthehighgroundandtheirfrontlineranalongtheforwardslope.Thesupportlinehadbeendugalongthecrestoftheridge,affordingexcellentviewsacrosstheBritishrear.

ViewfromthecrestoftheGrenayRidge.ThedistantlineoftreesstandalongsidetheLens-LaBasséeroad;theGermanSecondLinecrossedthefieldsbeyond. IWM-Q43120

MovingeastintotheGermanreararea,thegrounddropsgentlytowardsHulluch.Asupporttrench,knownasGunTrench,ranalongthereverseslopeandanumberofcommunicationstrenchescrisscrossedthearea.AtthefootoftheinclinethemainhighwayconnectingLensandLaBasséerunsinastraightlinenorthtosouthacrossthebattlefield.In1915alineofpoplartreesranalongsidetheroad.Hulluchvillageisjusttotheeastoftheroadanditfacedtheleftsectorof1stDivision.AChalkPitanditsadjacentwoodstoodclosetotheLensroadontherightofthedivision'sfront.Justbeyond,alongsidetheroad,wasPuits14bis,asmallmineheadcomplex;thepitheadchimneywasanimportantlandmarkformanysoldiers.BoisHugo,athinstripofwoodland,raneastwardsfromthemine,markingtheboundarybetweenthe1stand15thDivision.TheGermanSecondLinewouldplayanimportantroleduringthebattle,inparticularthesection

betweenHulluchandBoisHugo.Thetrenchranaroundtheoutskirtsofthevillagecomingfromthenorth.Itthenturnedatrightangles,headingeastacrosstheopenmoor.Itagainturnedarightangleandransouth,400metreseastoftheLens–LaBasséeroad.ItwaspositionedtocoverthevalleynorthofLoos,andcouldfireontroopsassoonastheycrossedthesummitofGrenayRidge.Twostrongpoints,knowasStutzpunkzIIIandIV,anchoredtheline.

CrudetrencheswoundtheirwayaroundtheminingcommunitieseastofBethune.

PanoramaoftheGermanheldterritorysouthofLoos.

Thegroundheldbythe15th(Scottish)Divisionwassimilarto1stDivision'ssector.Anumberofsmallminingcommunities,primarilyPhilosopheandMazingarbe,housedtheheadquartersandfieldambulances.TheScotsheldalineoftrenchesalongthelowerslopesoftheGrenayridge,whichinthissectorismorenoticeable.AgaintheGermansheldthecrestoftheridge,withtheirfiretrenchontheforwardslope.Attwopointsthefrontlinehadbeenfortifiedwithstrongemplacements,LoosRoadRedoubtandLensRoadRedoubt.Bothweredesignedtoconductanallrounddefence,capableofholdingoutifthelineeithersidefellintoBritishhands.Justbeyondthesupportline,thegroundfallsrapidlytotheoutskirtsofLoos.Adefensivelinefollowedthewesternoutskirtsofthevillage.

Loospithead,nicknamedTowerBridge,wasafamiliarlandmarkonthebattlefield.

ThevillageofLooshadgrownaroundPuitsNumber15,andwasathrivingcommunitybeforethewar.Thetwinpitheadtowers,knownas‘TowerBridge’bymany,couldbeseenformilesaround.Ahugewallofslag,nick-namedthe‘Grandstand’,stretchedeastfromthetowers,andarailwayranalong

thesummitconnectingtheminetotherestofthenetwork.Thegroundrisesrapidlytotheeastofthevillage,culminatinginaflatsummitknownasHill70.Itwaspossibletoseeformilesfromthehill,andtheGermanshadbuiltasemi-circularredoubttoprotectthenaturalobservationplatform.TheLens-LaBasséeroadcrossesthetopofthehillandcontinuessouthintotheLenssuburbs.In1915theareaeastandsouthofthehillwasintheearlystagesofdevelopment.Twominingvillages,CitéStAugustetothewestandCitéStLaurenttothesouth,hadbeenincorporatedintotheGermansecondaryline.Thistrenchhadbeenbuiltoutofartilleryrange,andithadbeenplacedtostopanyfurtheradvanceifHill70fell.ThesouthernflankofIVCorpswasheldbythe47th(London)Division.ForoncetheGermansdidnot

holdthehighgroundandfromtheleftoftheDivision'sfrontitwaspossibletoseethewholeoftheLoosvalley.Headingeast,thegroundfellrapidly,andtheLenshighwaycutacrossthevalleyatanangle.TheLondonerswouldhavetocapturethesouthernoutskirtsofLoosvillage;thevillagedefencelinecurvedinanarcaroundtheedgeofthehouses.Atonepointitranalongtheedgeofthevillagecemetery,andtheGermansmadeuseofthecryptstoshelterfromtheshelling.Thedefencelinethenswungeastpastasmallhousingestate,builtinthemarketgardenstyle.TheLondonersnamedtheisolatedestateWelwynGardenCity.ThegroundrisesquicklytothesouthofLoos,andin1915athinstripofwoodland,knownasChalkPitWood,stretchedacrosstheslopenorthoftheLensroad.Thefrontlineonthecentreof47thDivision'sfrontslopeddowntotheflooroftheLoosvalley.An

intermediatetrenchranacrossthevalleyfloor,connectedatitsnorthendtotheLoosdefenceline.Miningactivityhadleftagreatscaracrossthevalley,theslagheapknownasDoubleCrassier.In1915themoundsofashformedtwolongstrips,runningeasttowestbehindtheGermanline.Lightrailways,whichcarriedcoal-trucksfilledwithslag,ranalongthecrestsofthetwomounds.DoubleCrassierwasaboutfifteenmetreshighandfromitssummititwaspossibletodominateanyadvanceacrosstheLoosvalley.PuitsNo11stoodattheeasternendoftheCrassier,onthehorizon.AroundthefootoftheminewasthecommunityofCitéStEdouard.TherighthandbrigadeoftheLondonDivisiondidnotattackonthemorningofthe25th.Thetroops

holdingthispartofthelinefakedanattacktodeceivetheGermans.These‘attacks’werecommonplacelaterinthewarandknownas‘ChineseAttacks’.

ChapterThree

THEMEN

FirstArmy'splancalledfortwocorpstoattacksidebysidesouthoftheLaBasséeCanal.Lieutenant-GeneralGough'sICorpsheldtheleft,ornorthern,halfofthefrontwiththreedivisions.2ndDivision,ontheleftofthefront,wouldadvanceastridethecanalandformaprotectiveflanktotheeastofAuchy-lez-la-Bassée.Meanwhile,the9th(Scottish)Divisionandthe7thDivisionwouldadvanceeastthroughHaisnesandHulluch.Lieutenant-GeneralRawlinson'sIVCorpsalsohadthreedivisionstoaccomplishitstask.1stDivision,ontheleftofthefront,wouldadvancealongsideICorpspastHulluch.The15th(Scottish)Division,inthecentreofthecorps,wouldcaptureLoosvillagebeforemakingitswaytowardsCitéStAuguste.Thesouthernflankwouldbesecuredbythe47th(London)Division,intouchwiththeTenthFrenchArmy.FirstArmyalsohadasubstantialreserveinplace,threedivisionsofIXCorpsandasinglecavalry

division.21stDivisionwasbilletedinandaroundBeuvry,fivemilesbehindICorpsfront,while24thDivisioncampednearNouex-les-Mines,sixmilesbehindIVCorps.Thetwowouldtakeovertheadvanceintoopencountry.TheGuardsDivisionwasstationedtothewestofBethuneasthefinalreserve.The3rdCavalryDivisionwouldbereadytoexploitanybreakthrough.TheCavalryCorpswasplacedabouttwentymilesbehindFirstArmy'sfront,readytodeliverthefinalblow.

Lieutenant-GeneralSirHenryRawlinsonBt.

IVCorpsdivisionswerealldifferentinnature,havingcomefromavarietyofbackgrounds.Somewereveteransofseveralcampaigns,whileotherswouldbegoingintobattleforthefirsttime.ManywantedtoseehowtheNewArmydivisionsfaredagainsttheGermans.Whatfollowsisabriefbackgroundofeachdivisiontoillustratethedifferences.

Map4.FirstArmy'sdispositionsatzerohour.

IVCorps-THEASSUALTTROOPS

1stDivision1stDivisionwasoneoftheoriginalBEFdivisionsthatlandedinFranceinAugust1914.Itmanaged

toavoidmajorengagementsduringtheretreatfromMons.Evenso,onanumberofoccasions,theDivisionwasforcedintofightingrear-guardactions.DuringthebattleoftheAisnetheDivisionsufferedheavycasualtiesasittriedtoadvanceontotheheightsabovetheriver.ThefollowingmonththeBEFmovedtoFlandersandinthefightingthatfollowed1stDivisionwasvirtuallywipedoutdefendingtheYpresSalient.AfterthebattlethesurvivorsmovedsouthandspentthewinterdiggingtrenchesastridetheLaBasséeCanal.TheDivisionwasbroughtuptostrengthwithreservists,ex-soldierswhohadbeenrecalledtothecolours.On9MaytheDivisionparticipatedinICorpsoffensivesouthofNeuveChapelle,aspartoftheBattle

ofAubersRidge.Theattackwasacompletedisaster;inamatterofminutestwobrigadeslostovertwothousandofficersandmen,sixtypercentoftheirfightingstrength.AfterthebattletheDivisionreturnedtotheLaBasséecanalareaandforasecondtimewelcomedanewbatchofreservists.InAugusttheDivision's1BrigadelostitsGuardsstatuswhenthe1stColdstreamGuardsandthe1st

ScotsGuardslefttojointhenewGuardsDivision.TwoNewArmybattalions,the8thRoyalBerkshiresandthe10thGloucesters,tooktheirplace.Thenewcomerswerenotwelcomed,atthisstageofthewarregularsoldiersviewedKitchener'smenwithsuspicion.TheDivisionsufferedasecondlossattheendofthemonthwhenMajor-GeneralHakingwaspromotedtoleadIXCorps,FirstArmy'sreserve.Major-GeneralArthurHollandhadlittletimetoadjusttohisnewcommandbeforeittookoverthetrencheseastofVermelles.

15th(Scottish)DivisionOn11September1914ArmyOrder382authorisedtheformationofaSecondNewArmy,andwithin

days15thDivisionbegantoassembleatAldershot,usingthesurpluspersonnelofthe9th(Scottish)Division.44BrigadewascomposedofHighlandregiments,while45Brigaderecruitscamefromthebordersand46Brigadeincludedtwobattalionsfromeacharea.AttheendofthemonththeDivisionparadedinfrontoftheKing,butintheabsenceofequipment,all

butthestaff-officerswerestilldressedintheirowncivilianclothes.Aswintersetin,themenmovedintobilletsonSalisburyPlain.Lookingback,theeffortstopreparethemenforwarwereludicrous.Theydo,however,illustratehowunpreparedGreatBritainwasforafull-scalewar.On22JanuaryLordKitchenerandMonsieurMillerandinspectedthemen,whowerenowproudlywearingtheirnewuniforms.TheFrenchMinisterforWarwasratherperturbedthatonlythefrontrankscarriedarms,andtheyconsistedofanarrayofobsoleteriflesdatingfromthepreviouscentury.

Scottishtroopspreparefortheirfirstbattle. IWM-Q60739

Theartillerysufferedevengreaterdifficultiesintheirattemptstotrain.Horsesarrivedatanearlystage,butintheabsenceofharnessesandsaddlestheprospectiveriderswereforcedtopracticeonwoodendummiesforseveralmonths.Atfirsttheonly‘artillery-piece’availablefordrillpurposesconsistedofafuneralcarriage,withalogtiedontop!EventuallyresourcefulofficersstoleamuzzleloadinggunfromtheOrdnanceOfficers’messtouseforexercises.Thefirstsupplyof‘real’artillerypiecesarrivedinthespring,andtheyconsistedofamixtureofobsoletefifteenpoundersandFrenchbreachloaders.ThegunsthatweretoaccompanytheDivisionoverseaseventuallyarrivedinthesummerof1915.However,thegun-sightsonlyturnedupafewdaysbeforedeparture.Nevertheless,enthusiasmandhardworkmadeupforthelackofequipmentandbythesummerthe

troopswereeagertoembarkforFrance.On21JunetheKinginspectedthedivisiononSidburyHill,andtheformationhesawwasacompletecontrasttotherabblehehadseenninemonthsearlier.Afewdayslaterorderstoleaveforthecoastarrivedand,bythemiddleofJuly,the15th(Scottish)DivisionwasstationedintheBethunearea.AfteraperiodofacclimatisationthemenenteredthetrenchesontheGrenayRidgeoppositeLoos.

47th(London)DivisionThe47th(London)Division,aTerritorialformation,wasrecruitedinthesouth-westandsouth-east

districtsofthecapital.WhenwarbrokeouttheinfantrywereencampedonSalisburyPlain,engagedintheirannualmanoeuvres.ThetroopswereimmediatelyrecalledandsenttotheStAlbansarea,toguardroadsandinstallations.Trainingcontinued,andinOctoberMajor-GeneralSirCharlesBarterwasinformedthathisDivisionhadbeenselectedforoverseasduties.OrderstocrosstheChanneleventuallyarrivedon2March1915andbytheendofthemonththe

LondonerswerebilletedinthevillagesaroundBethune.BeforelongtheDivisionwasholdingthefrontlineastridetheLaBasséeCanal,includingFestubert,GivenchyandCuinchy.AlthoughthedivisionalartilleryprovidedsupportingfirefortheattackonAubersRidgeon9May,theinfantrytooknopartintheengagement.ElementsdidtakepartintheattacksonFestubertaweeklater,butformanytheattack

southofLooswouldbetheirfirstbattle.AttheendofJunetheFrencharmyhandedoverthelinewestofLoostoFirstArmyandthroughoutthesummerBarter'sDivisionheldsectorsontheGrenayRidge.Afterashortbreak,47thDivisiontookovertheMarocsectoronthesouthernflankoftheBEF.Overthenextthreeweeksthemenwerekeptbusy,diggingoverthreemilesoftrenchesinpreparationfortheforthcomingbattle.

LondonTerritorialsintraining.

IXCORPS-THERESERVES

21stand24thDivisions-formationandtrainingOn13SeptemberArmyOrderNo.388authorisedtheformationofaThirdNewArmy,inresponseto

theoverwhelminginfluxofvolunteers.Throughoutthemonthsixdivisions,numbered21stto26th,begantoassembleonSalisburyPlain,theirranksquicklyfilledbytheoverflowofrecruitsfromtheSecondNewArmy.TwoofthesedivisionswouldenduretheirbaptismoffireontheLoosbattlefield.21stDivisionrecruitedinthenortheastofEnglandandthethreebrigadeswerecomprisedofYorkshireandNorthumberlandregiments.24thDivision'svolunteerscamefromavarietyoftownsacrossthesouthand

eastofEngland.BytheendofSeptemberthepoolofexperiencedofficershadalmostdriedup.Instructorswerehard

tocomeby,virtuallyalltheretiredofficershadjoinedup,andofficersrecoveringfromwoundswerequicklypostedoverseastotheregulararmy.Atmostabattalionhadonlyoneortwoofficerswithanypreviousexperience.Bankers,clerksandstudentsbecameofficers;teachersandpolicemenwerepromotedtosergeantandcorporal.Inmanycasesamanreceivedhisstripesbecauseofhiswell-dressedappearance.Evenso,therecruitstooktotheirnewrankswithenthusiasm.The21stsoonmovedfromitsbilletsatTringtoencampmentsatHaltonPark,whilethe24thleftforShoreham.Withoutweaponsoruniforms,trainingoptionswerelimited,butdayswerefilledwithdrills,paradesandmarches.Countrylaneswerefilledwithcolumnsofmen,dressedinahotchpotchofclothesandboots,muchtotheamusementofthelocals.Winterweatherforcedthemenundercoverandchurches,cinemasandhallswerefilledtothebrimwithshabbilydressedmen.Thefirstbatchofuniformsarrivedinspring;notkhakiasexpected,butaselectionofcivilianoutfitsincludingabatchofredandbluePost-Officeuniforms.Equipment,muchofitobsoleteorofforeignorigin,alsobegantoappear.Astimepassed,Kitchener'smenbegantolooklikesoldiersand,withplansfornewoffensivesinthepipeline,theWarOfficeandGHQstartedtotakethemseriously.Asspringturnedtosummer,thedivisionsassembledonSalisburyPlainwherethemenwereallowed

topracticemusketry.AttheendofAugust,followinginspectionsbyFieldMarshalKitchenerandtheKing,embarkationordersarrivedandmensaidtheirlastfarewellsbeforeleavingforFrance.24thDivisioncompleteditsassemblynearEtapleson4September,while21stDivisionreacheditsbilletsnearStOmerninedayslater.Therewas,however,littletimetoenjoythedelightsofthenewsurroundings.On18SeptemberordersarrivedinstructingthetwodivisionstomovesouthtoBethune,wherethey

wouldcomeunderIXCorps,FirstArmy'sreserve.Forthreenightsinarowthemenmarchedalongthecountrylanes,sometimescoveringovertwentymiles.Manywerepushedtothelimitbythehotweatherandlongmarches.Yetbytheeveningofthe23rdtheyhadreachedLillers,tothewestofBethune.

Anotherendlessroutemarch.

Asdarknessfellonthe24ththetwodivisionsagainmoved,thistimeforwardtowardsthesoundsofbattle.21stDivisiongatheredtotheeastofBethunenearBeuvry,while24thDivisionassembledsouthofthetownnearNoeux-les-Mines,bothwerefiveorsixmilesbehindthefrontline.Itwasadifficultnightformanyandinsomeareaslackofexperienceamongthetransportdriverscausedinterminabledelays.Someunitstookmorethaneighthourstotravelsixorsevenmiles.Lieutenant-GeneralHaking,IXCorps’commandingofficer,summeduptheproblems:

Iamoftheopinionthatthedelaywascausedchieflybytheirownindifferentmarchdiscipline,especiallyasregardsfirst-linetransport.ThesedivisionsonlyreceivedtheirtransportjustbeforeleavingEngland,theirdriverswerenotwelltrainedandthemarchdisciplineofthesenewdivisions,thoughgoodwhenmarchingwithouttransport,wascertainlynotgoodwhenmarchingwithit,andconstanthaltsandchecksoccurred.

TheGuardsDivisionTheformationoftheGuardsDivisionwas,andstillis,acontroversialissue.Inthesummerof1915

LordKitchenerproposedtheideaofforminganélitedivisionintheBritishExpeditionaryForce,inthehopeitwouldsetastandardforotherstoaspire.SomecampsopposedthesuggestiononthegroundsthatitwasunwisetoconcentratetheGuardsbattalionsintooneformation.AsusualKitchenerpersisted,andinJulytheKingapprovedtheproposal.AfewweekslaterMajor-GeneraltheEarlofCavanestablishedhisheadquartersatLumbres,nearStOmer,andbeganwelcolminghisnewbattalions.Contrarytocommonbelieve,theGuardswerenotallbattlehardenedregulars.Threeoftheinfantry

battalioncamedirectfromEngland,havingbeenbuiltfromscratchbyemptyingthedepotsofpersonnel.ThedivisionalartillerywascomposedofNewArmymenwhowereintheprocessofbeingtrained.Thethreefieldartillerybrigadesweretakenfromthe16th(Irish)Division.Thehowitzerbrigadecamefrom

the11th(Northern)Division;thebrigadehadbeenleftbehindwhentheDivisionleftforGallipoliattheendofJune,boundforSuvlaBay.AfterashortperiodoftrainingtheDivisionmovedsouth,arrivingintheBethuneareaon24September.ItwasintendedthattheGuardswouldspearheadthebreakoutintoopencountry.FirstArmyalsohadthe3rdCavalryDivisionallottedtoit.Asusual,thecavalrytrooperswerenever

usedasintendedandbrieflyheldthetrenchesinandaroundLoos.

THEGERMANS

AlltoooftenweignoretheGermanswhofacedBritishattacks.YetitwasoftentheirtenacityandresiliencethatthwartedAlliedoffensives,eveninthefaceofoverwhelmingnumbers,horrificbombardmentsand,atLoos,gas.Inthespringof1915theGermanArmyunderwentthefirstofseveralreorganisations.ManyoftheWesternFrontdivisionsdonatedoneoftheirfourregimentstoformanewseriesofdivisions(101stto123rd,oddnumbersonly).The117thDivision,facingIVCorps,wasformedinApril,nearLiartinSeventhArmy'sarea,fromthispoolofregiments.Twooftheregiments,the11thReserveand12thReserve,hadparticipatedintheVIReserveCorps

advancetotheMeuseunderFifthArmy.FollowinganumberofcostlyengagementsinSeptember1914tothenorth-westofVerduntheytookuppositionsonthehillswestofthetown.Theyremainedhereonthedefensiveuntilthe117thDivisionwasformed.Thethirdregiment,the157th,alsoservedundertheCrownPrince'sFifthArmyduringtheadvancetotheMarne.ItadvancedasfarsouthasLayencourt,overthirtymilessouth-westofVerdun,beforeretiringbacktotheChampagne.IteventuallytookuppositionstotheeastofRheims,holdingthemuntilrecalledtoLiart.Soonafterthe117thDivisionformeditwastransferredtotheArtoisinresponsetoFrenchattacks

southofArras.Almostimmediatelythedivisionwascalledupontoholdtheline,andthroughoutMayandJuneitfoughtcostlyengagementsnearSouchezandontheinfamousNotreDameLorrete.Following

thesebattles,inwhichthe117thsufferednearly5,500casualties,theDivisionmovedtoLilletorefit.InJulyittookovertheLoossector,spendingthenexttwomonthsimprovingthetrenchesandconstructinganewlineofdefence2,000metresbehindthefront.On25SeptembertheDivisionhadtworegiments,orsixbattalions,facingIVCorpsfront.The157th

Regimentheldthefrontlineoppositethe1stand15thDivisionswithasinglebattalion.Twocompanies,about400men,facedeachdivision.Thesupportbattalionwasstationedabouthalfamilebehindthefront,manyofitsmeninLoositself.Thereservebattalionwasinbilletsfourorfivemilesintherear,aboutthreehoursmarchawayfromthefrontline.IncaseofattackitwouldbeexpectedtomanthesecondlineofdefencebetweenHulluchandCitéStAuguste.The22ndReserveBattalionheldthelineoppositethe47th(London)Division.However,onlythetwonortherncompanieswouldbeattacked.TherestoftheBattalionfacedafake,or‘Chinese’,attackplannedtopreventreservesattackingIVCorpsrightflank.ThesupportandreservebattalionswerebilletedintheoutskirtsofLens.The117th'sthirdregimentwasinlineoppositeICorpsandplayednodirectpartinIVCorpsattack.ApartfromlocalreservestheCrownPrinceofBavaria'sSixthArmycouldcallupontwodivisions,althoughonlythe8thDivisioneventuallyfacedIVCorps.Itwas,however,manymilesintherear,refittingnearTourcoingandRoubaix,whentheattackbegan.

TheGermanDefencesFortwelvemonthstheLoosfronthadbeenquiet,whiletheAlliesattackedtheGermanlinetothe

northandtothesouth.Untilthespringof1915theGermanshadreliedonasinglesystemoftrenchestoholdtheGrenayRidge;onlyinfrontofLooshadtheyduganintermediatelinetoprotectthevillage.FollowingtheAlliedspringoffensivesitbecameobviousthatasinglelinecouldeasilybebroken,leavingtherearareavulnerable.FacedwithwagingadefensivewarintheWest,whileemployingtheminimumnumberoftroops,theGermantacticiansdecidedtosupplementthefrontwithasecondlineofdefence.Thislinewouldbebuilt,withoutinterference,overamilebehindthefront,farbeyondthereachofAlliedguns.Whereitwaspossible,villagesandwoodswouldbeincorporatedintotheline.MeanwhiletheGermansmadeeveryefforttomaketheirfrontlinepositionsasstrongandas

comfortableaspossible.Strongwidebeltsofwirestretchedinfrontofthetrenches,whilesapsstrategicallyplacedinNoMan'sLandmadesurethatthegarrisonwouldnotbetakenbysurprise.Chalkjustbeneaththesurfacemadeitpossibletodigdeepdugoutstoprotectthemenfromshellfire.Twoafter-the-battlereportsgiveaninterestinginsightintohowwelltheGermanshadprepared

themselvesontheGrenayRidge.Thefirst,whichwassubmittedbythe2ndKing'sRoyalRifleCorps,isadetailedstudyofthelineopposite2BrigadenearLoneTree.AsthesameGermanbattalionmannedthewholesectoropposite1stDivision,thereisnoreasontodoubtthatitwasrepresentativeofthepositionsfacingtheIVCorpsleft.

Cutdeepintothechalk,theGermantrenchesprovidedprotectionfromeverythingbutadirecthit.

Theyseemedtobeabluffandnotnearlysostrongasshownbyairphoto.Thewireinfrontofuswasabout10ftwide,verylowandthickbarbedwire.Thesapstowhichwehadpaidgreatattentionwerehardlyafootdeep.

ArtilleryofficerswereanxioustodiscoveriftheirbombardmenthadmanagedtodamagetheGermandefences.However,in2Brigade'ssector,asinmanyotherareas,theyweretobedisappointed.Fourdaysofshellinghadfailedtomakeaseriousimpactonthetrenches:

Thefrontlinetrenchwasinperfectconditionandhardlytouched.Communicationtrenchesdeepandnarrow.Trenchingverywellkeptandclean.Lockersforeverythingincluding‘GASSHUTE’,rifleracksetc.Trenchratherwidewithfirestep.Frontrevettedandstakedup,assistedbywirenetting.Telephonewiresfoundbutno‘phone.Equipmentnew–riflesmarked1915.Bottomoftrenchwasboardedoutwithdrainunderneath.

Themunitionspredictionoftheneedformoreheavycalibregunsandammunitionhadprovedtobetrue.Apartfrommoregunsandammunition,newmethodsofobservationandregistrationwouldberequired.AltogethertheGermantrencheswereapermanent,well-maintainedsystemofdefencemadebyanopponentintentonalongoccupation.TheyweresomewhatdifferenttothehastilydugassemblyusedbytheBritishtroopsafewhundredyardsaway.Theywerecramped,muddyandinthewetautumnweather

servedasperfectdrainagechannel.TheKRRCalsodiscoveredasurprisingsubstituteforbarbedwirebeyondthefrontline,visibleonly

fromtheair.Thewirealongthecommunicationstrencheswasabluff.Thistlesbeingplantedinrows

whichatashortdistancelookedlikestrongwire.Furthersouthon15thDivision'sfront,theGermanshadagaindugdeepintothechalk,makingshell-proofshelters.TheGuardsDivisionspentthenightof26SeptemberinreserveontheGrenayRidgeandthe

GrenadierGuardswereimpressedbytheirtemporaryaccommodation.Bothofficersandmenwerefilledwithadmirationattheintricatedug-outstheyfound,twenty

tothirtyfeetdowninthechalk;evidentlygreattroublehadbeenexpendedonthispartoftheline,andtheGermanofficershadbeenaccustomedtolivealmostinluxury.

ThiswastheconditionoftheGermanfrontlineaftertheBritishartilleryhadspentfourdaystryingtodestroyit.

GASOPERATIONS

TheGermanArmyfirstusedgasinasignificantwayontheWesternFrontinasurpriseattackontheYpresSalientinlateApril1915.Despitewidespreadcondemnationofthisnew,terribleweapon,boththeWarOfficeandtheBritishArmyrecogniseditspotentialandLordKitchenerimmediatelyappointedColonelLouisJacksonREtoconductafeasibilitystudy.ResearchattheImperialCollegeofSciencequicklyidentifiedthatchlorinedespatchedfrompressurisedcylinderswouldbethemosteffectivemethodtoforma‘gascloud’.Thesystemofdeliveryworkedalongthesameprinciplesasasodasyphon.Atubeinsertedintothecylinderallowedthegastoescapeunderpressure,andthespeedofreleasewascontrolledbyastopcock.Sprayingoutalongahalf-inchdiameterirontube,threemetreslong(coppertubingwaspreferredbutitwasinscarcesupply),theliquidchlorineconvertedintoayellowish-whitegasasitemergedintotheatmosphere.ThefirstcylindersweretestedatthebeginningofJuneatRuncorn,beforemembersoftheWarOffice.

EmployeesfromtheCastner-Kellerfactorytookpartintheexperiment,standingatintervalsinfrontoftheadvancingcloudwithorderstosignalwhenitreachedthem.Thementhentimedhowlongtheycouldstandthepoisonbeforepullingonasmokehelmet,abarbaricyeteffectivemethodofmeasurement.Thegasreleasehadtolastforlongerthanthirtyminutes,theeffectivelifespanofaGermangasmask.Therewas,however,aproblemwiththescheme.CalculationsshowedthatBritishindustrycouldnotproduceenoughchlorinetocoverthewholeofFirstArmy'sfront.Insteaditwasproposedtousesmokecandlestoincreasethelifespanofthe‘gas-cloud’.

Anearlyformofgasmask.Thehoodshouldbetuckedintothetunicbeforegoingintoaction.

TheWarOfficewereconvincedandsanctionedtheformationofthefirstgasunitunderLieutenant-ColonelFoulkes.Underacloudofsecrecychemicalstudentsfromacrossthecountry(andthosealreadyenlistedinthearmy)wereaskedtojointhenewformation.ThevolunteersknewnothingoftheirtaskuntiltheyarrivedatHelfautdepotnearStOmer.Everyonewasgiventheoptiontoleaveoncetheyhadbeenbriefed,butveryfewreturnedtoEngland.Manycamestraightfromcivilianlifeandknewlittleofarmydiscipline.Foulkesarrangedacrashcourseinpistolshooting,navigationandtheassessmentofwinddirection.Atwo-daytourofthefrontlinefollowed,afterwhichthechemicalstudentsweredebriefedandencouragedtosuggestwaysinwhichtheirowntrainingcouldbeimproved.Meanwhile,theenergeticFoulkeswaskeptbusycollectingequipment,chasingsuppliersand

attendingarmyconferences,wherehewasfacedwithamixtureofinterestandcynicism.On22AugustGeneralHaig,surroundedbyhiscommanders,staffofficersandengineers,andfilledwithsuspicion,witnessedamockgasattackattheSpecialBrigade'sheadquarters.Itwas,however,ananswertotheArmy'sshortageofartillery.Allalongthefrontengineerssupervisedthediggingofagastrench,inplacesuptofiftymetresinfront

oftheassaulttrench,completewithemplacementsreadytotakethecylinders.Thereweretypicallysixengineersectionsoneachdivisionalfront,andasectioncontrolledabouttwelvegasbatteries.Themenweresplitintotwosandeachpairwasresponsibleforoneofthebatteries,whichconsistedoftwelvecylinders.Meanwhile,theinfantryweregiventheunenviabletaskofcarryingthecylindersforward.Thecylinderswereslungonspecialslingsandduringthenightsbeforethebattlethemenstruggledalongthetrenchescursingtheirheavyloads.Everyonewassuspicious;althoughgashadbeengiventhecodename‘AccessoryNumber1’,mostsoldiersknewwhattheirdeadlycargocontained.Evenso,therewerenoaccidentsandbythenightofthe24thover1,500cylinderswereinplace.GeneralHaigwasbriefedontheweathersituationbyhismeteorologicalofficer,CaptainEGold,

throughouttheday.ReportsfromLondonandPariswerecomparedwithresultstakenbyanumberofobservationstationsinFirstArmyarea.EveryhourreportsfromthefrontlinecameinfromFoulkes’men,completingthepicture.At9.00pmGoldinformedGeneralHaigthattheMetOfficeforecastgavefavourableconditionsforthemorning.Onthestrengthofthereport,theorderwentouttoprepareto

assault.Theweatherforecastatthishour,indicatesthatawestorsouth-westwindmaybe

anticipatedtomorrow,25thSeptember.Allordersissuedfortheattackwithgaswillthereforeholdgood.Thehourofzerowillbenotifiedduringthenight.

Allalongthefrontmenmovedintoposition,whilethereservesmovedclosertotheaction.By2.30amHaigknewthateverythingwasinplace,andtheultimatedecisionrestedonhisshoulders.Hewasconcernedthatupdatedforecastshowedthatthewindwasswingingtothesouthanditsspeedwasfallingclosetothedesiredminimum.AfterafinalbriefingwithCaptainGold,thetimewasset.Thegasprogrammewouldbeganatsunrise(5.50am),theinfantrywould‘gooverthetop’fortyminuteslater.LieutenantFDCharlescontrolledpartof15thDivision'ssector,andhisaccountdescribesthehoursbeforezero:

Gasmaskdrill,checkingthehoodsfordamage.

Onarrivalatthetrenchesourfirstjobwastoputeverythinginorderinpreparationfortheattack,theexacthourofwhichwastobetelegraphedlater,andeachmanwasinstructedtoputonhisbrassard[armband],aredwhiteandgreenverticallystripedaffair,which,ifclean,couldnotverywellbemistakenforastaffofficer.Itservedasourauthorityforgivingorders,andalsoasapreventativeagainstbeingordered‘overthetop’withtheassaultinginfantry.Thetimeoftheattackwastelegraphedtomeat4.40am.Theinfantry,afterbeingtoldthe

timeoftheattackbyus,issuedarumrationtoeachmanwhowantedit,andthenstartedgettingtheirmentogether,instructingthemslowlyandwithouthurryandveryclearly,sothateachmanknewwhattodowhenthetimecame.

Whiletheassaulttroopsmadetheirlastminutepreparations,FirstArmystaffwaitedimpatientlyat

HingesChateau.Althoughtheweatherstationsreportedfavourableconditions,theairwascalmandat5.00amHaigwentoutsidewithhisseniorADC,MajorAFFletcher.AtHaig'srequestFletcherlitacigaretteandthetwowatchedasthesmokedriftedtothenorth-east.Theorderwasgiventoproceed,andHaigclimbedtothetopofhisobservationplatformtowatchthehorizon.Evenatthislatehourtherewerereservations,andatabout5.30amastaffofficerwasorderedtotelephoneICorpstoaskiftheattackcouldbecalledoff.Itwas,however,toolatetoalterthedecision.At5.50amFoulkes’menwentintoaction,followingtheprogrammebelow:

MinutesZeroHour Startthegasandrunsixcylindersoneaftertheotheratfullblastuntiltheyare

exhausted.

0.12to0.20 Startthesmoke.Thesmokeistorunconcurrentlywiththegasifthegasisnotexhaustedat0.12.

0.20 Startthegasagainandrunsixcylindersoneaftertheotheratfullblastuntiltheyareallexhausted.

0.32to0.40 Startthesmokeagain.Thesmokeistorunconcurrentlywiththegasifthegasisnotexhaustedat0.32.

0.38 Turnallthegasoffpunctually.Thickenupsmokewithtriplecandles.Prepareforassault

0.40 ASSAULT

ChapterFour

1STDIVISION'SASSAULT

1Brigade1Brigade,underthecommandofBrigadier-GeneralAnthonyReddie,wasontheleftof1stDivision's

assault,immediatelysouthoftheVermelles-HulluchRoad.7thDivision,therighthanddivisionofLieutenant-GeneralSirHubertGough,wouldattackontheBrigade'sleftflank.DuringAugust,1Brigadehad,aspreviouslydiscussed,exchangedtwoGuardbattalionsfortwoK3Kitchenerbattalions.Despitetheirinexperience,Reddiehadchosentoleadwithhisnewadditions.Thereasonforthisisnotdocumented,butithadbeenacknowledgedthatregularsoldiershaddevelopedatendencytobecomepinneddowninthefaceofheavyfire.ItmaybethatReddiehopedtocapitalizeontheenthusiasmandinnocenceoftheNewArmymentobreakthroughthefirstlineoftrenches.HisexperiencedbattalionscouldthenpushontowardsHulluch.TheBrigadewasdeployedatzerohourwith8thRoyalBerkshiresontheleft,the10thGloucestersontheright,the1stCameronHighlandersinsupportandthe1stBlackWatchinreserve.Afifthbattalion,the1/14thLondon(LondonScottish),wassecondedtoColonelGreen'sreserveforceinsupportbehindthecentreofthedivision.AsthegasofficersstartedthefirstreleasetheGermanartilleryretaliated,firingblindlyontothe

Brigade'strenches.Therewereproblemstoointhegastrench,whenleakycylindersreleasedconcentratedcloudsofgas,whichdriftedbackoverassemblytrenches.Despitethesetback,whichcausedanumberofcasualtiesamongsttheBerkshires,theattackbeganasplanned.DeepintheshatteredBoisCarré,amachine-gunlayhidden,untouchedbytheartillerybarrage.Unabletolocateitforatimeinthethicksmoke,theBerkshireslostheavilycrossingNoMan'sLand.Undeterred,theypressedon,eagertogettogripswiththeirinvisibleassailant.ThewardiarydescribestheattackonBoisCarré:

Map5.1stDivision'sdeploymentsouthoftheHulluchroad.

ThefireofourartilleryliftedandtheBattalionadvancedinquicktimetoassaultthefirstlineenemytrenches.Theadvancewasopposedbyheavyartilleryandmachine-gunfire,whilethewireinfrontoftheGermantrencheswasfoundtobescarcelydamaged,anditwasincuttingawaythroughthisobstaclethatmostoftheregiment'sheavycasualtiesoccurred.Shrapnelandmachine-guncombinedtoplayhavocinourranks,andanadditionaldisasterwastheblowingbackofourgas,bythewind,intoourownranks.AfterastruggletheGermanfirstlinewaspenetrated,andthetrenchfoundtobepractically

deserted,theenemy,apparently,havingdesertedit,merelyleavingbehindsufficientmentoworkthemachine-guns.Mainlyoverland,butwithsomemenworkinginthecommunicationtrench,ourlineadvancedsuccessivelytothe2ndand3rdGermanlinesandmetbutslightopposition.

Artist'simpressionofagasattack.

Althoughdamagedbythebombardment,thewirecausedconsiderabledelays. IWM-Q28975

Withthefirstlinetrenchclearedthesurvivorswereabletopushonoverthecrestoftheridge,supportedbythe1stCameronHighlanders.Ontherightofthebrigadefront,oppositeLaHaiecopse,the10thGloucestersalsoexperienced

difficulties.Asthegasofficersbegantoopenthestopcocksonthefirstbatchofcylinders,itquicklybecameclearthatthewindwasnotasstrongasexpected.SwirlingcloudsofchokinggasandsmokeengulfedtheGloucesters,incapacitatingmany.Evenso,thissetbackfailedtostallthemen,asthewardiaryreports:

Theassaultwascarriedoutin3lines,frontagebeingBOISCARREEinclusivetoPoint39inG.17.d.Theattackwasdeliveredat06:30amwiththeaccompanimentofgasandsmoke.Thewindwasnotquitefavourablewiththeresultthatfromthestartseveralmenwereaffected.

Notwithstandingthisdrawbackthethreelinesmovedforwardpunctuallytothemoment,machine-gunsaccompanying.

Asecondmachine-gunpost,hiddeninthetangledscrubthatwasonceLaHaieCopse,hadescapedtheartillerybombardment.Itcausedmanycasualties,firingblindlyingreatsweepsacrosstheadvancinglinesbeforeitwassilenced.WithgrimdeterminationtheGloucesterspushedon:

TheGerman'swireentanglement,whichhadbeentornintogapsbybombardment,provedaconsiderableobstacle.Thewindprovingmorefavourabletotheenemythanourselves,inthesmoke,directionwasnotproperlymaintained,butdeflectedtotheright.HeavyresistanceencounteredatthesupportandreserveGermanworks,atthefirst,theenemyeventuallyevacuatingthesepositions,andretreatedtowardsHULLUCH.Ourbomberssufferedseverely,theirbombsinthemainrefusingtoexplode,theBROCKlighterhavinggotwetwiththerain,whichfellintheearlymorning.Neverthelesstheassaultwaspushedhomewiththeutmostresolutionoverthe2ndGermanlineintothethird,anduptheflankingcommunicationstrenchestoeastwards.TheNewArmymenhadprovedthattheycouldovercomethestrongestofGermanpositionsinthe

mostdifficultofcircumstances.However,atwhatcost?TheGloucesterswardiarymournsthedestructionoftheBattalion,whichhadtakentwelvemonthsoftrainingtoprepareforitsfirstbattle:

1Brigade'sviewofHulluchastheycrossedthesummitoftheGrenayRidge. IWM-Q43119A

Theofficersfellasthepositionoftheirbodiesshowed,leadingtheirmen,and16outof21werelost.Thebodiesofourdeadindicatedhowtheydied,withfacestotheenemy.

The1stCameronHighlanders,followingcloseinsupport,tookoverthelead,capturingGunTrenchandthreefieldguns.WiththeGermansinfullretreat,Lieutenant-ColonelGraeme'smenpushedonovertheridge,meetinglittleopposition.AheadlayHulluch,protectedbyanundamagedbeltofwire.Itappearedthatthevillagewasdeserted,butGraemewasconcernedthathismenwouldbeshottopiecesifhewasmistaken.HaltingontheLensRoadtoawaitthearrivalofthe1stBlackWatch,theCameronssentpatrolsforwardtoreconnoitretheruins.At09.10amGraemesentamessageto1Brigadeheadquarters;

…mixedpartyofourbrigadehavecapturedatrenchclosetoHulluch.Enemyreportedtobe

retiringthere.Unfortunately,themessagegaveanover-optimisticimpressionofthesituation.Totheofficersatbrigadeheadquarters,itappearedasthoughthattheGermanSecondLinehadbeenbreachedandHulluchtaken.Inactualfact,aslaterresearchdiscovered,onlythirtymenenteredthevillage.Althoughtheyfoundthestreetsdeserted,thesmallpartyofmencoulddonothingbutwaitforreinforcements.

2Brigade2Brigade,underBrigadier-GeneralJamesPollard,wasontherightof1stDivision'sassault,withthe

1stLoyalNorthLancashiresontheleft,the2ndKingsRoyalRifleCorpsontheright,the2ndRoyalSussexinsupportandthe1stNorthamptonshiresinreserve.TheBrigade'sfifthbattalion,the1/9thKing's(Liverpool)completedGreen'sforcebehindthecentreofMajor-GeneralHolland'sfront.Yetagainthebrigadewasatadisadvantage,holdingthelowerslopesoftheridge.TheonlylandmarkwasLoneTree,whichstoodinNoMan'sLandoppositethecentreofthebrigade.TwosapsjuttedoutfromtheGermanfrontline,oneclosetoLoneTree,andthesecond,NorthernSap,facedtherightflankofthebrigade.Theareaimmediatelytotherightofthebrigadewasonlylightlyheld.IVCorpsplanhadleftanintentionalgap,about500metreswide,betweentheflanksofthe1standthe15th(Scottish)Division.Evenbeforezerohour2Brigadewasindifficulties.Duringthereleaseofthegas,thewindchanged

direction,engulfingtheassemblytrencheswithachokingfog.OnthelefttheassaultcompaniesoftheLoyalNorthLancashiresinthefirstlineweredecimated.Aszeroapproachedmostwerelaidinthebottomofthetrenches,asphyxiated.Meanwhile,theRiflemenexperiencedsimilardifficulties.Tomakemattersworse,thetwo4”Stokesmortarsemployedtosupplementthesmokescreenweredisabledatanearlystage:

Map6.GermantrenchesontheGrenayRidge,facing1stDivision.

5.50amGasturnedonandbeganfiringsmokeshellsfromStokesguns(Thesegunsgotdonein.Inonethecoppercollarburstandchargeburstintheother,wegotoffabout30roundsbetweenthetwo).6.00amThewindchanged,allthegasblewbackespeciallyontoBcoy.Allrankshadsmokehelmetson(oldpatternorderedtobeused).Consequently,mostofBcoyweregassed.Notallverybadbutithadputthemoutofaction.ReportedtoBDE.Orderedtoattack.

Bothbattalionsorderedtheirsupportcompaniesforwardtoreplacetheincapacitatedmen.Withthefronttrenchalreadycongestedwithpoisonedmen,itwasadifficulttask.Manyhadclamberedoutofthetrenchestoescapethegas,takingcoverbehindtheparadosinthehopeoffindingclearair.Withtheminutestickingby,itlookedasthoughtheassaultwouldfailbeforeitstarted.Realisingthathisassaultbattalionswereindifficulty,Brigadier-GeneralPollardallowedafiveminutedelaytoallowtimetoreorganise.

Map7.Sketchmapof2ndKRRCsdeploymentoppositeNorthernSap.

At6.20amitappearedthatthewindhadchangedagain,andthegasofficersconsidereditsafetoreleasethelastbatchofcylinders.At6.34amthosestillcapableintheleadingwavesmovedforwardandtheyimmediatelycameunderfire.TheLoyalNorthLancashiresweretargetedbyamachine-gunthathadremainedconcealedneartoLoneTree.Theyalsofounditimpossibletoretainformationintheswirlingcloudsofsmokeandgas;

…Owingtogasgotmixedupandfourlinesadvancedtogether,alsowegotmixedupwiththeKRRConourright.WeadvanceduptotheGermanwirebutfoundituncutandretired.

The2ndKing'sRoyalRifleCorpswerefacedwiththesamedifficulties.Anothermachine-gunhiddenattheendofNorthernSapfiredintothetroopsastheygropedtheirwayforwardthroughthepoisonousmist.Againtheyfoundthattheartilleryhadfailedtocutthewireentanglement:

Couldseenothingforsmokeandgasbetweenthelines-Verydifficulttofinddirection.Mostpeoplechoking.Onreachingthewireitwasdiscoveredthatitwasnotcut,beinglowandwide.OntheleftoftheBattntroopsstartedtogoback.ThislefttherightoftheBattnintheairastherewasagapof500yardstoourrightunattacked.TheBattnhadtofallback.

Wherepossibletheofficers,inparticularColonelSandersonoftheLoyals,ralliedtheirmenforanotherattempt.Bynowthesmokewasbeginningtoclearandasthemenadvancedforasecondtimetheywerehitbyaheavyandaccuratefire.AstheLoyalsdiaryreports,manyofficerswereshotdownastheyurgedtheirmenforward:

…He(ColonelSanderson)andtheAdjutant,CaptainDever,werewounded,also2/LtP

Goldiewhowaswiththemwaskilled.Officercasualties;9killed,5wounded,2missing.CaptainFaulkner,LtsLevesey,WhartonandHealeyallkilledrightontheGermanwire.LtWarborough,MGofficer,tookhistwogunspracticallyuptoGermanwire,hewaskilled.LtGardner,theotherMGofficer,wentoutonleftflankwithhistwoguns,nearlyallhisteamwasgassedandhecarriedagunouthimselfwithtwomen.HewasgassedbutcamebacktogetammunitionandwastoldbyDoctortoreturntotherear,buthewentandgotmoreammunition.

PrivateHenryKennyVC.

NoMan'sLandwasstrewnwithoverfivehundreddeadandwoundedLoyals.PrivateHenryKennywasonemanwhosetaboutrescuingstrickenmen.Bravingshrapnelandbulletshescouredtheground,eventuallymanagingtocarrysixmenbacktothesafety.AshehandedthelastmanovertheparapetKennywaswoundedintheneck,bringinghisexploitstoanend.PrivateKennyreturnedtothefrontthreemonthslaterandsurvivedthewar.InMarch1916hisbraverywasrewardedwiththeVictoriaCross.HewentontoserveintheLocalDefenceVolunteersinWorldWarTwoandlivedtotheageofninety.ThesituationwassimilarontheRifleCorpsfront.Thewirehadremainedintactand,withthesmoke

clearing,thesurvivorswerepinneddownintheopen.PrivateGeorgePeachment,agedonlyeighteen,wasclosetotheGermanwirewhenhenoticedthathiscompanycommander,CaptainGRDubs,waswounded.Ratherthanretiringwithhiscomrades,Peachmentcrawledovertothestrickenofficer.Ignoringthebulletsandrefusingtotakecover,PeachmenttriedtobandageDubs'wounds.Afterbeingwoundedhimselfinthechestbyabomb,Peachmentbegantodragtheincapacitatedofficertoshelter.Ariflebulletendedtheyoungman'slife,hislifelessbodywasfoundslumpedbyhiscaptain.AshiscitationforhisVictoriaCrossstates,

PrivateGeorgePeachmentVC.

Hewasoneoftheyoungestmeninhisbattalion,andgavethissplendidexampleofcourageandsacrifice.

HisgravewaslostlaterinthewarandRiflemanPeachment'snameappearsontheDudCornerMemorial.HavingseentheKingsRoyalRifleCorpsindifficulties,thecompanyofficersofthe2ndRoyalSussex

decidedtoadvanceaheadofschedule.Tenminutesaftertheopeningattack,threecompaniesofthebattalionwentoverthetop.Theytooweremetbyamurderousfireandbroughttoastandstillinfrontofthewire.SergeantHarryWellstookcommandofhisplatoonwhenhisplatoonofficerfell.Leadingthemenforwardtowithinfifteenmetresofthewire,Wellsseemedtoliveacharmedlife.MajorFWBWillett,oneofthefewsurvivingofficers,describedwhathappenedinaletterwrittenafterthewar:

Owingtothewirebeingentirelyuncut,theassaultfailed,thebattalionlosing19officersandnearly600meninlessthan15minutes…SergeantWellsthreetimesralliedhismenandledthemagainstthewireundercloseandcontinuousmachine-gunfire.DuringthethirdattemptSergt.Wellsandpracticallyallthesurvivorsofhisplatoonwerekilled.

SergeantWells,areservistandveteranofseveralbattles,wasposthumouslyawardedtheVictoriaCross.HisgraveissituatedinDudComerCemetery,wheremanyofhismenarecommemorated.AtfirstBrigadier-GeneralPollardwasunabletoseewhatwashappeningthroughthesmokeclouds.

However,astheminutespassed,byhelearntthatthree-quartersofhisbrigadehadbeenbroken.Withscantreservesathand,hefranticallyarrangedforarenewedattacktotakeplaceinthehopeofrallyingthesurvivorsinNoMan'sLand.Ittooknearlyanhourtomusterameagreforcewho,withgreatdifficulty,tookuppositionsinthealreadycrowdedfiretrench.Shortlybefore8.00am,twocompaniesofthe1stNorthamptonsandthelastremainingcompanyoftheSussexwentoverthetop.TheNorthantswardiaryexplainswhathappened:

Asecondattackwasthenordered,theSussextoadvanceontheleft,centreon‘LoneTree’.TheBattalion,less‘A’Coyandpartsof‘B’,whowereusedforcarryingammunition,toattackontheirright.Thisattackcommencedabout9.00am.Themenwentforwardwell.‘D’CoywereabletogetclosetoGermanwireentanglementwhichwasfoundtobeuncut.‘C’havingawideopenpieceofgroundtotraversewereunabletogetsofarforwardandhadheavycasualties,LieutJockeybeingmortallywounded.Thelinewasunabletoadvancecloseenoughtocutwireandremainedlyingoutinopenfortwohours.Sussexonourleftbeinginsamepredicament.Thislimitedattackstoodnochanceofsuccess,bynowthesmokeandgashaddispersedduring

thedelay.

Map8.TrenchmapoftheLoneTreeareaafterthebattle,notetheGasTrenchandassemblytrenchesinfrontoftheoriginalfrontline.

Suchasmallforce,advancingagainstanalertenemy,stoodnochance.Forathirdtime2Brigadewasatstandstill.CaptainAnketellRead,oneofthefewsurvivingseniorofficers,realisedthattheonlyoptionleftwastoestablishafiringlineclosetotheGermanwire.Gatheringtogetheranyablebodiedmenhecouldfind,Readdirectedthemforward.The1stNorthantswardiarydescribeswhathappened:

CaptainReadhadverygallantlygoneouttorallyapartyofaboutsixtymenofdifferentunitswhowereretiringdisorganisedowingtothegasdriftingback.ThemenwereledforwardagainbyhimandtookupapositionsouthofLoneTree,wheretheymaintainedthemselvesforsomehours.

DespitethefactthathewassufferingfortheeffectsofgasCaptainReadtirelesslymovedbackwardsandforwardsalongthelinedirectingfireandencouragingthemen.Asanobvioustarget,heeventuallyfellvictimtosniperfire.CaptainAnketellReadwasposthumouslyawardedtheVictoriaCrossandhisgravewaseventuallymovedtoDudCornerCemetery.

Artist'simpressionofCaptainReadleadingstragglersbacktothefiringline.

CaptainAnketellReadVC.

By8.30amBrigadier-GeneralPollard'sBrigadewasfinished,havingusedallfourofitsbattalions.NoMan'sLandwaslitteredwithdeadanddyingmen,manyotherslaypinneddownclosetotheGermanwire.Ifanyonemovedtheyimmediatelydrewtheattentionofeveryrifleinrange,evensoafewcrawledorranbacktosafety.Althoughreinforcementswereontheirway;itwould,however,besometimebeforetheywereinapositiontorenewtheattack.

Green'sForceMajor-GeneralHollandhadsixbattalionswaitinginreservearoundLeRutoireFarm.Twowere

groupedtogetherunderLieutenant-ColonelGreen,withorderstoadvancebetweenthedivergentattacksof1and2Brigades.1stDivision'sOperationalordersforGreen'sForcewerebrief:

Itsmissionthereforeistowatchfor,andmoveforwardtomeet,anycounter-attackwhichthe

enemymayattempttopushinbetweenthe1stand2ndBrigades.TheCRAwillassistinthismissionbyestablishingabarrage300yardseastoftheroadbetweenPuits14bisandHulluch,ifandwhentheenemylaunchesacounter-attack.

OnceGreen'sForcehadtakentheGermanSecondLinebetweenHulluchandBoisHugo,Brigadier-GeneralHRDavies'3Brigadewouldtakeovertheadvance.However,by7.30amMajor-GeneralHolland'splanlayintatters.Although1Brigadewasclosingon

Hulluch,2BrigadewaspinneddownaroundLoneTree.Thefirstmessagefrom2Brigadearrivedatdivisionalheadquartersshortlyafter8.00am;

2ndBrigadeatfirstheldup,butSussexhavenowgotthroughintoGermantrenchesBasedonthiserroneousinformation,GeneralHollanddecidedtoalterhisoriginalplaninthehopeofmakingupforlosttime.Ifsufficientweightofnumberscouldbethrownbehind2Brigade,thewholefrontcouldbeclearedandhewouldbeabletomoveforward3Brigadeunobstructed.AfterinstructingBrigadier-GeneralPollardto“pushonwithallspeed”beyondLoneTree,heorderedColonelGreento:

Pushforwardyourleadingbattalionasrapidlyaspossibleinordertoassistadvanceof2ndBrigade

InfactbothofGreen'sbattalions,the1/9thKing's(Liverpool)andthe1/14th(LondonScottish),lefttheirassemblytrenches.Almostatoncetheycameunderlong-rangefirefrombeyondLoneTree.TheLondonScottishregimentalhistorysummarisestheadvance:

TheLondonScottishadvancedintwolinesofcompaniesintwolinesofplatoons,AandDinthefrontline,BandCinthesecond.Theattackofthe2ndBrigadehavingfailed,andthesmokeclearedaway,theadvancehadtobemadeinfullviewoftheenemyandunderaimedfire.Assoonasthecompaniesbegantomovetheycameundershellandriflefireandhadtoextend.Theircasualtieswereheavy,buttheyadvancedasifonparade,theBlackWatchcheeringaswepassed.

Attheheadofthe1/9thKingsmarchedLieutenant-ColonelRamsey,carryingawand,adeviceusedtoidentifyhimasthecommandingofficer.AsGreen'sForcemovedforward,Major-GeneralHollandreceivedasecondmessagefromthefront,

andforthefirsttime2Brigade'splightcametolight.HeimmediatelysentanordertoColonelGreeninstructinghistroopstoattackatonce,takingBrigadier-GeneralPollard'smenforward.Meanwhile,Green'sForcehadreachedtheassemblytrenchesandtheycouldseeforthemselvesthesituationaroundLoneTree.TheLondonScottishwardiarysumsuptheappallingcircumstances:

Arrivedatthefronttrenches,theforcelaydownbehindtheparadostoawaitthecaptureoftheGermanfirstline.Awaytotheleftthe1stBrigadecouldbeseenintheenemy'strenchesbuttherewasnosignoftheirbombingparties.Ofthe2ndBrigadetherewasnothingtobeseenbutgroupsofdeadandwoundedoutinfront,andgassedandwoundedmenstraggling.Theshellinghadnowceased,buttheenemykeptupabriskriflefire,whichroselikeatornadowheneveramanmoved.TheLondonScottishlostheavilyduringtheadvance,andtheysufferedstillmorelossesduringthistimeofwaiting,for,onaccountofthegas,thetroopscouldnotenterthefronttrenches,andthelowparapetsbehindwhichtheylayaffordedlittlecover.Severalwerehitbesidethecommandingofficer,wholay,withColonelGreen,behindthefronttrenchbetweenthetwobattalions.

Map9.Summaryof1stDivision'sadvanceuntil3.00pm.1BrigadeisinfrontofHulluch,while2BrigaderemainspinneddownatLoneTree.

HereGreenwaitedforfurtherinstructions,foritwasobvioustohimbynowthathisoriginalorderswereout-dated.

ChapterFive

15TH(SCOTTISH)DIVISION

46Brigade'sassault46Brigade,underthecommandofBrigadier-GeneralTorquilMatheson,wasontheleftof15th

Division'sassault.Thebrigadehadtwocompaniesofthe12thHighlandLightInfantryontheleft,the7thKingsOwnScottishBorderersinthecentreandthe10thScottishRiflesontheright.Theremainingtwocompaniesofthe12thHighlandLightInfantryandthe8thKing'sOwnScottishBordererswereinsupport.

Map10.15th(Scottish)Division'sdeploymentnorthoftheLensroad.

Artisticimpression(minusthegasandsmoke)of46Brigade'sattackonGrenayRidge.

NorthernandSouthernsapsjuttedoutintoNoMan'sLandontheBrigade'sleftflank.Aspreviouslydiscussed,IVCorpssuspectedthattheymightconcealmachine-guns.Fearingheavycasualties,theplannersdecidedagainstdeliveringafrontalattackonthe500metressectornorthofthebrigade.Instead‘A’and‘B’companiesoftheHighlandLightInfantryunderCaptainPWTorrancewouldattackthesectorbybombing.Torrance'smenwouldaccompanytheadvanceasfarastheGermanfrontline,theywouldthenturnnorth,bombingtheirwayuptheGermantrenches.BydoingsotheHLIcouldoutflankthetwosapsandlinkwiththerightflankof1stDivision.The7thKing'sOwnScottishBordererswerepositionedastridethetrackthatranbetweenVermelles

andLoos.LoosRoadRedoubtstooddirectlyinfrontoftheBorderers,nearthesummitoftheGrenayRidge.Thepositionwasheavilywiredandconsistedofinterlinkedstrongpointsdesignedforallrounddefenceincasethelineoneithersidefellintoenemyhands.Jew'sNoseTrenchfacedtheScottishRifles,curvinginanarcawayfromtheirlineasitfollowedthecontoursoftheridge.IntheweeksbeforetheattackengineershaddugaseriesofRussiansaps(shallowtunnelswhichcouldbeopenedintotrenchesinafewhours)uptheslope.Theywereturnedintoanewfrontline,only200metresawayfromtheGermantrenches.Evenso,46Brigadefacedastifftask.At5.50amthegasprogrammestartedanditsoonbecameobviousthateitherthewindhaddroppedor

changed,causingthegastosettleontheScottishfrontline.TheBorderersRegimentalHistorygivesagraphicdescriptionoftheconditionsenduredbytheLowlandBrigade:

The7thwentoverthetop.Initselfitmeantaphysicalaswellasmoraleffort.Halfsmotheredintheirsmokehelmetstheyhadtoscrambleoutofthe250yardsoffiretrenchinwhichtheycrowded,getthroughthegapscutinthewire,andspreadouttosomethingover400yardsoffrontage-andthis,heavilyladenandwithrifleswithfixedbayonets…Ascanbeimagined,thingsdidnotgotoclockwork.Menwereaffectedbygas.ItwasHobson'schoice-Tobehalfchokedforwantofair,orwhollychokedintheattempttogetit.

OntheleftofthebrigadethegassettledintheHLI'strenches,bythetimezerohourarrivedmanyofCaptainTorrance'smenwereasphyxiated.Withthebattalionmachine-gunscoveringtheirexposedleftflank,thedepletedriflesectionsledthebombersacrossNoMan'sLand.‘B’company,ontheleft,madeforSouthernSapinthehopeofusingitascover.However,itwasonlyamerescrapeinthegroundandGermanmachine-gunsextractedtheirretribution.Everyofficerandsergeantwashitastheyledtheirmenforwardacrosstheexposedground.ThesurvivorsbrokeintotheGermantrenches,butweretoofewtobombnorthwards.At7.15amthemachine-gunofficerledhisfourgunteamsacrossthebulletsweptgroundtoreinforcethebeleagueredforce.Oneinthreebecamecasualties,butthesurvivorsmanagedtodragthreegunsintoposition.PrivateRamagewasconspicuousinthecoolandablemanner

inwhichhehandledhisgun,drivingoffseveralcounter-attacks.AtnoonSecondLieutenantWatsonbroughtthe6thCameronHighlandersbombersacross,withafresh

supplyofbombs.Hismenhadlimitedsuccessinbombingnorthwards,butwereunabletoreach1stDivision.OnlywhenRitter'smeninfrontof2Brigadesurrenderedwascontactmade,overeighthoursafterzero.

Map11.Trenchmapcovering15thDivision'sfront,theshadingaroundthetworedoubtsdenotesbrokengroundcutupbyartilleryfire.

Inthe7thKOSBsectorthegascloudsengulfedtheassaulttroopsandforafewminutesitseemedasthoughtheadvancewouldfalter.SecondLieutenantMartinYoungcalledtohispiper,DanielLaidlaw:‘forGod'ssake,Laidlaw,pipe‘emtogether’.Laidlawclimbedontotheparapet,pulledbackhissmokehelmetandstruckupthe‘BlueBonnets’.ThesoundofthepipesralliedtheBorderersandthosestillabletomovemountedtheparapet.Marchingforward,theyweremetbythedeadlychatterofmachine-gunfire.TwogunsintheredoubtconductedtwosweepsalongtheranksofBorderers,killingandwoundingmany.PiperLaidlawwashitbyshrapnelbutcontinuedtolimpforward,changingthetuneto‘TheStandardontheBraeso’Mar’.Asecondshellbroughtthepiperdown,andmortallywoundedLieutenantYoung.UndeterredtheScotspushedon,clamberingoverthebrokenwireandontotheredoubt.Thebattalionbombersrushedforwardtakingcareofthemachine-guns,andmanyGermanswerecapturedintheirdugouts.

LoosRoadRedoubt,amazeofbatteredtrenchesandbrokenwire. IWM-Q28985

PiperDanielLaidlawVC.

PiperDanielLaidlawwasawardedtheVictoriaCrossforhisbravery,thefirstawardedtoaNewArmysoldier.Hesurvivedthewar,re-enactinghisdeedsintwofilms.Hediedin1950.Lieutenant

YoungwasburiedinNoeux-les-MinesCemetery.The10thScottishRifles,ontherightoftheBrigade,cameunderheavymachine-gunfirefromJew's

NoseTrenchastheyadvancedacrossNoMan'sLand.Threecompanyofficersandsixsubalternswerekilledbeforethewire.FortunatelytheartilleryhadmanagedtocuttheGermanwire,andwithoutdelaytheRiflesstormedthetrenchwithbayonetandbomb.Inspiteofgasandheavycasualties,theLowlandBrigadehadprovedthemselves.

Map12.15thDivision'sassemblytrenches,withdetailsofheadquartersandammunitionstores.

Unabated,theKOSB'sandtheScottishRiflespushedforwardoverthecrestasfastasthewetclaywouldallowthem.AheadlaytheLoosvalley,enshroudedinsmokeandmist.Theonlyconsolationwasthattheairwasnowclearenoughtobreatheandmanyrolledupordiscardedtheirsmokehelmets.Movingsteadilyforwardacrossthevalley,46Brigade'sadvancewasrelativelyuneventful,althoughthediscoveryofanabandonedsix-gunbatterynorthofthevillageraisedthemen'smorale.Themenfounditeerieastheyadvancedacrossthesoddenfieldsunopposed,thesoundsofbattleragingtothesouth.AstheScottishRiflesapproachedthenorth-easternoutskirtsofLoos,machinegunfirestruckthebattalionintheflank.ManyCameroniansturnedtofacethethreatandweredrawnintothevillageviatheLoos-HulluchRoad.Astheyworkedtheirwaysouththeybecameembroiledin44Brigade'sbattlefortheruins.Meanwhile,itappearedasthoughthebattlefieldwasdesertedtotheleftofthebrigade.The7th

KOSBsentpatrolsnorththroughthemistinthesearchofthe1stDivision,buttheyreturnedhavingfoundnoone.Asthemenstartedtoclimbthefarslopeofthevalley,themistclearedandforthefirsttimeitwaspossibletoseearecognisablelandmark,Puits14Bisanditsunmistakablechimney.At9.15amtheBordererslinedtheLenshighway,asamessagefromMajorTGlennyconfirms;

Havereached300yardsSouthofPuits14Bis.Goingstrong.Havehaltedforanotherblowasourartilleryarefiringabitshort.Shallpushonagainimmediately.

Theremainderof10thScottishRifleswaitedalongsidetheBordererswhileeventsdevelopedonHill70tothesouth.Alittlelatertheremnantsofthe12thHLIandthreecompaniesofthe8thKOSBreinforcedtheposition.

44Brigade'sattack44Brigade,underthecommandofBrigadier-GeneralMontaguWilkinson,wasontherightof15th

Division'sattack,withthe8thSeaforthHighlandersontheleftandthe9thBlackWatchontheright.The7thCameronHighlanderswerepositionedinsupport,withthe10thGordonHighlandersinreserve.TheSeaforthsfacedthesouthernsectionofJew'sNosetrench,whichfollowedthecontourofthegroundsouthuntilitmetLensRoadRedoubt(orJew'sNoseRedoubt).Theredoubtwasbuiltonthesummitoftheridge,blockingtheLensRoad.Directlyopposite,the9thBlackWatchhuddledintheirassemblytrenchesonly200metresaway.OntheSeaforthsfrontthegascloudcausedconsternationintheassemblytrenches.Minutestickedby

beforeorderwasrestoredand‘A’and‘C’companiesbeganclamberingintotheopen.Oneofthefirstcasualtieswas‘A’company'sCO,CaptainAlecRavenhill,shotdeadashekneltontheparapethelpinghismentoclimbout:

Themenpassedthroughgapsinourownwire,andformedupbeyondingoodorderthenboredownsteadilyontheGermanwire.TheGermanresistancebrokebeforetheshockoftheassault;andwithgreatrapidityprogresswascontinuedtothesecondGermanline….Thespeedmadebytheattackhadbeenphenomenal,indeed;andthesuccessattainedpromisedtoexceedthemostsanguineexpectations.Thefirstlinetrencheshadbeentakeninsometentofifteenminutes.Thesehadnotbeenstronglyheld,andthegarrison,whichhadmetourmenwithmachine-gunfire,didnotawaittheassault.

Despitehavingsufferedoveronehundredcasualties,includingLieutenant-ColonelThomson,theadjutantandallfourcompanycommanders,theSeaforthsoverranJew'sNoseTrench.Onthe9thBlackWatchfrontthegasfailedtoassisttheadvanceandthebattalionsufferedanumberof

casualtiesbeforezero:…Atthehourreceivedtheenemycommencedaveryheavybombardmentofourtrenches.The

windnotbeingofsufficientstrengthaportionofthegascamebackintoourtrenchesatthehourcalledforassaulting.

Atzerohourthemenclimbedoutofthetrenchesandformedupreadytoadvance.Almostatoncethetwomachine-gunsinLensRoadRedoubtbegantraversingthelinesofHighlanders.OneobserverrecallshowtheBlackWatchwereunstoppable:

Noonepresentwilleverforgetthatattack.Asonetheleadingtwoplatoonsof‘A’Companyleaptontheparapetand,makingtheirwaythroughtheBritishwire,steadilyadvancedtowardtheGermanfrontline,followedbytheremainderoftheBattalionatregularintervals.Itseemedimpossibletorealisethattheselinesofdisciplinedsoldiershadbeen,twelveshortmonthsbefore,almostallcivilians.Perfectsteadinessprevailed,regardlessoftheheavyfirewhich,comingmoreespeciallyfromtheLensRoadRedoubt,sweptthegroundoverwhichtheyhadto

cross.Therewasnoshoutingorhurry;themenmovedinquicktime,pickinguptheirdressingasifonceremonialparade.Thedistancetobecrossedvariedfrom80to200yardsand,despitethefiercefire,notalinewaveredorstopped.

The9thBlackWatchstormedontotheredoubt,thebattalionbombersleadingtheway.YetagainitwasfoundthatmanyoftheGermanshadfledatthefirstsignofgas.Withthetroublesomemachine-gunssilencedtheadvancecouldcontinue.Astheregimentalhistoryreports,thebattalionhadsufferedgrievouslosses,inparticularamongstofficers:

WithinfiveminutesboththeGermanfrontandsupportlineshadbeentaken,butatwhatacost.Threeofthecompanycommanders,MajorHendersonandCaptainsGrahamandBell,togetherwithLieutenantsHenderson-Hamilton,Creighton,CameronandMillarhadbeenkilled,togetherwithallfourcompanysergeant-majorsandover200otherranks;whileCaptainMcLeod,nearlyalltheremainingofficersandalargenumberofotherrankshadbeenwounded.Ashelayontheground,MajorHenderson'slastwordstohiscompanywere,“keepgoing”.

TowerBridgeoverlooksthecentreofLoos. IWM-Q43113

MovingswiftlyforwardoverthebrowoftheridgethemenofthetwoHighlandbattalionsrandownthesteepslopetowardsLoos,closeontheheelsoftheretreatingGermans.Timewasoftheessence;adelaywouldallowthegarrisonstationedinLoostomantheLoosdefencelineontheoutskirts.AgaintheSeaforthslostaconsiderablenumberofmencuttingawaythroughthewirecoveringtheLoosDefence

Line.Asinglemachine-guninFortGlatzcausedmanycasualtiesbeforeitwassilencedbythebattalionbombers.Fortunately,therestofthegarrisonhadbeentakencompletelybysurprise,manyofthemstrugglingtogetreadyforaction.Onlyahandfulofwildshotswerefiredfromthemenbilletedinthehouses.AstheSeaforthswardiaryexplains,thebattalionsplitintotwobeforeitenteredthevillage:

Machine-gunsinfrontofthevillagewereputoutofactionandthenautomaticallyallbomberswerewithdrawnfromtheleftandputontherightflankforbombfightinginthestreets…ThesecondlinewhichwascloseintoandcoveredLoositselfwastakenwithalmostequalrapidityandthegarrisonwithdrewintothetown,orfledbacktolinesofdefencefurtherinrear.

Meanwhileasinglemachine-gunpostcarefullyconcealedinthevillagecemeterymanagedtotraversetheBlackWatchbeforetheLondonIrish,advancingtotherightoftheBlackWatch,silencedit.ClosetothewireabrutalincidentincensedtheHighlanders:

SecondLieutenantASharpwaskilledatthesecondGermanline.AGermanOfficerhadcomeupandsurrenderedtohimatwhich2ndLtSharporderedhismennottofireathim-whenaGermansoldierstandingbehindhisofficertreacherouslykilledhim.

By7.00am,44Brigadewasbeginningtoenterthemazeofstreets,becomingengagedinafiercestruggle.TheScotschargedintotheruins,throwingasidebarricadesthedefendershadhastilybuiltacrossthestreets.Findingthemselvestrapped,theGermansbarricadedthemselvesintheirbilletsandbeganfiringatthepassingScots.Theenragedmenspiltintogroups,smashingtheirwaythroughdoorsandthrowingbombsthroughwindows.Theywereunstoppable,andinmanycasestheGermanssurrenderedwithoutafight.Dozensofprisonerswerehauledfromthehousesandferriedtotherear.Occasionallyterrifiedcivilianswerebroughtoutoftheruins,andquicklyshepherdedtosafety.WhatisremarkableisthattheScotsneverhadtrainingforthistypeofwarfare.Nevertheless,inrecordtimethenorthernpartofthevillagewasclearedbythe8thSeaforths:

Theroutetakenbythe9thBlackWatchandtheLondonIrishastheyenteredLoos. IWM-Q28987

EmotivedrawingdepictingScottishtroopssavingwomenandchildren.

ManyGermanswereaccountedforandmanyweretakenprisonersfromtheroomsandcellarsofthehouses.AGermanbatteryoffieldgunswastakeninthecourseoftheadvance,theCommanderoftheBatterybeingshotbySgtRMacPhailof‘D’Coy.

Whilethestreetfightingragedon,theleftofthebattalionfollowedaneasierroute:TheremainderoftheBnmovedwithitslinesextendingtotheNorthofthetownandkept

pushingforwards.Atplaceslossesweresevereuntilthebombershadclearedhousesfromwhichmachine-gunswerefiring,andstoppedtheenemy'sfiringfromtheflank.Theworkdonebythebombersinfacilitatingtheadvancewas,indeed,invaluable.

ManyoftheBlackWatchwerefunnelledintothevillagealongtheGrenayRoad,enteringthesquarebythechurch(afterthewarLoosChurchwasrebuiltinadifferentlocation,theoriginal,smaller,structurestoodontheedgeofthesquare,wherethewarmemorialisnow).Againtheassaultingtroopsbrokeupintosmallgroups,burstingintohouses,takingprisonersandrescuingcivilians,themajorityofwhom

werewomenandchildren.By8.30amadvancedpartiesoftheSeaforthsandtheBlackWatch,nowintermingledwiththesupportbattalion,the10thGordonHighlanders,begantomaketheirwayoutoftheruins.Manyhowever,continuedtofightonintheruins.Lieutenant-ColonelSandilands,COofthesupportbattalion,the7thCamerons,wastakenbysurprise

bythespeedoftheadvance.Bythetimehereachedthecrestoftheridgehismenhadmovedoffaheadofschedule;

Iwentstraighttoouroriginalfronttrenchbut,however,IcouldnotmakeoutveryclearlywhatwasthesituationsoIproceededtoG,28,c.9.1.oftheGermansecondline.Onarrivaltherehaltedtomakeadetailedreconnaissance.Itcouldnotthenhavebeenmuchmorethan8a.m.Tomyastonishmenttherewerescarcelyanysignsofmyownregimentintheimmediatevicinity;theywereallstreamingthroughtheGermanlines,intothehousesofLoos.OnmyleftIverysoondistinguishedthelinesof15thDivisiontroopsascendingtheslopetowardsPuitsNo.14bis.

Map13.Trenchmapcovering15thDivision'sadvancethroughLoosandontoHill70.

Movingquicklyintothevillage,Sandilandswasmetwithasceneofdestruction.Hesetuphisheadquartersnearthechurchandsetabouttryingtoestablishcontactwithhismen.ThereportgivenintheCameronswardiarypaintsavividpictureoftheviciousnatureofstreetfighting:

InLOOSitselftherewerestillpartiesgoingaboutbombingandbayonetingGermansrunningoutofhouses,andalsotakingprisoners.IshelteredbehindastronglybuilthouseclosetoLOOSchurch,butwasheavilyshelledandwentinsearchofcellars.IfoundonewhichwasoccupiedbyGermans,whowerekilled,andthiswasusedasmyheadquartersforaquarterofanhour.WhenoneofmymenwithaVermoralsprayer(usedtocombatgas)camealongIsenthimtothelowercellarofthehouse,whereaGermanofficerwasfoundstilltelephoningtotheenemy.Hewaskilled.

Meanwhilethemoppingupoperationcontinuedallaround.AlloverthevillagegroupsofmenworkedtheirwaythroughtheruinssearchingforGermans.SergeantFindlay,leadingNo.11PlatoonofthePioneerBattalionthe10thGordonHighlanders,cameundermachine-gunfirefromonestronglyheldhouse.WiththehelpofanunknownCameronhissmallpartybombedtheirwayforwardcapturingfiftyprisoners.SecondLieutenantJBruce-Wood,10thGordons,andhismeneventuallyescorted275Germansintocaptivity.Theythenreturnedwithdesperatelyneededammunition.InsomecasestheGermanshadbooby-trappedstrategicbuildings,butinthechaosandconfusiontheyhadfailedtodetonatethecharges.MajorEBBlogg,4thLondonFieldCompanyRE,wasawardedtheDSOfordefusingaminedesignedtodemolishthechurch.

Ruinsandwreckageinthevillage.

2/LtJBruce-Wood.

IntherushtoadvancemanyGermanswereoverlookedandthroughoutthedaysnipersshotattheunwaryScotsastheycarriedouttheirduties.Oneparticularincidentinvitedadmirationfromallquarters.CaptainFABearn,theBlackWatch'smedicalofficer,hadsetuphisaidpostinashopownedbyEmilienneMoreau'smother.BearnlaterdescribedtohissuperiorofficerhowyoungEmiliennecametothesoldiers'assistance:

Thisgirl,whoisonly17yearsold,waslivingwithanotherwomaninashopatLoosintheChurchSquare.ThesepremisesweretakenasaregimentalaidpostbyCaptainBearnandthesetwowomenspentthewholedayandnightinhelpingtocarryinthewoundedandcarryoutthedead,alsopreparingfoodandcoffeeforall,refusingpayment.Thisworkwasdonecontinuouslyfortwenty-fourhours.WhentheBritishtroopsweremakingeffectiveeffortstodislodgetwoGermansnipersfromthenexthouse,whowerefiringonthestretcherbearers,thisyounggirlseizedarevolverfromanofficerandwentintothebackofahouseandfiredtwoshotsatthesnipers.Shecamebacksaying,“C'estfini”,andhandedtherevolverbacktotheofficer.Itisuncertainifthetwoshotsactuallykilledthemenbutthediversionintherearenabledourmentomakeanentranceinfront.CaptainBearnstates:“Isawmanyexamplesofcoolcouragethatdaybutnonethatexcelledhers”.

EmilieneMoreau.

TwomonthslaterMademoiselleMoreauwasawardedtheCroixdeGuerreandtheMilitaryCrossbyGeneraldeSaillyatVersailles.ThevillageschoolisnamedinmemoryofthebraveyoungladywhooncetaughtthechildrenofLoos.Smallpartiesandisolatedsniperscontinuedtohideoutintheruins,harassingtheScotsastheymoved

aboutthevillage.Eventuallyon28thSeptemberasystematicsearchwasorganised,finallyclearingtheruinsofGermans.Thesearcherswerealsosurprisedtodiscoveranumberoffieldgunsburiedundertherubble.

TheinhabitantsofBethuneturnouttoviewcapturedguns. IWM-Q28963

AdvanceontoHill70By9.00am,44Brigade,orratheramixedbodyofmen,begantocollectontheeastsideofthevillage.

Eventhoughmoralewashigh,thebrigadewassufferingintworespects.Theconfusedfightingamongsttheruinshadcausedthevariousbattalionstobecomeveryintermingledandtherewasnotimetostopandreorganise.Thesecondproblemwasofficercasualties;veryfewseniorofficerswerestillstanding.Manyofthosewhohadsurvivedhadlostcontactwiththeirsubordinatesinthevillage.DespitethefactthatGeneralWilkinson'sbrigadehadceasedtobeacoherentformation,hismenkeptgoing,mindfuloftheirordersto‘pushon’.ObserversontheGrenayridgewatchedeagerlyasalargecrowdofmen,about1,500strong,madetheirwaytothesummitofHill70.ThegarrisonofHill70redoubt,seeingthattheywereoutnumbered,ransouthtowardsCitéSt

Laurent.WitharousingcheertheScotsfollowedinhotpursuit.Unfortunately,thispulledthedirectionoftheadvancetothesouth,ratherthaneastasordered.Thediaryofthe8thSeaforthHighlandersdescribestheadvanceoverthecrest:

InadvancingthevillageofLOOSandCrassierbehindthepylonsseemedtoexerciseabadfascinationonthefiringline.ThelinealsowasinclinedtotherightbythedesiretogetintouchwiththeLondonDivision.TheresultwasthattheSeaforthHighlandersandBlackWatchmixed

upwiththeGordonsandCameronslefttheGermanworkatH31CentralontheirleftandadvancedontheCITEStLAURENTratherthantheCITEStAUGUSTE.TherightofthelineemergeddirectlyonPuits12,whereitsfurtheradvancewasimpossibleowingtothefactthatourheavyartillerywasshellingthemineandapparentlysearchingforabatteryrightupagainstwhichwehadarrivedandwhichcontinuedtofireinourimmediateneighbourhooduntilonegunwasknockedoutbyoneofourshells.AsadvancewasobviouslyimpossibleherethelinetheninclinedtotheleftanddirecteditsattackagainstapositionextendingfromPUITS12totheDYNAMITIEREatN.1.B.1.2.TheDynamitierewasstronglyheldbyMachine-Gunsandourgunsbeganwastingtheirammunitionatthispoint.Thisseemedtostriketheline,forafterabititapparentlywavered.

MenfromtheLoosgarrison,reinforcedbyadetachmentfromthe22ndReserveRegiment,barredthewayforward.Frombehindtheuncutbeltofwiretheyreturnedfire,bringingtheScotsadvancetoanabrupthalt.Asecondwavecomposedofthe7thCameronsand10thGordonswascaughtunawaresasitapproachedCitéStLaurent:

WeadvancedrightoverthemoorontoHill70andsomeofficertoldusthattheCameronsandBlackWatchwereoccupyingthevillageinfrontandwepushedovertosupportthem.Whenwegotoverthecrestwefoundanumberofmachinegunsfiringonmeninfront.Lieut.

Christisonjoinedourlineandinstructedthemachinegunnerstostopfiring,astheywerefiringontheBlackWatchandCamerons.Wethenproceededdownthehilltowardsthevillageinfrontwhenamurderousmachinegunandriflefireopenedonus.InsteadofitbeingtheBlackWatchandCameronsaswethought,wefoundittobetheretreatingenemywhorandownaroadthroughhousesandmannedatrench,whichwasheavilybarbedwired.

Map14.AreaeastofHill70,wheretheGermanSecondLineprotectedCitéStAuguste.

Weadvanceduntilwewereabout150yardsfromthistrenchandLieut.Robertson,whowasincommandoftheline,gaveusordersforthementomakeheadcover.Theenemy'sfirewascausingagreatdealofcasualtiesontheline.

Meanwhile,ontheleft,46Brigademetasimilarfate.SeeinganumberofmendisappearingintoCitéStAuguste,theleadingwavemistookthemforScots.TheywereinfactGermanartillerymenmanhandlingtheirgunsbackfromtheexposedslope.Withacheer,Brigadier-GeneralMatheson'smenranforwardtocatchup.Waitingbehindanuncutwireentanglementwereacompanyof22ndReserveRegimentwhohadbeenrousedfromtheirbilletsbythenoiseofbattle.Theirfirebrought46Brigade'schargetoanabrupthalt.

Map15.Summaryof15thDivision'sadvancebeyondHill70.

WhentheycrossedthecrestofHill70,theyfoundseveralmachinegunsinactionandalineofKOSBontheirleft.Theyjoinedupandadvanceddownthehill.Thereseemedtobesomedoubtastowhethertherewasanyofourtroopsinfront.Suddenlytheyfoundastronglineofbarbedwireconcealedinthegrassandatthesametimeaheavymachinegunandriflefirewasopenedonthem.Theylaydownandtriedtomakesomecover.15thDivision'sadvancewasfinished,itsforcespent.Aroundeightorninehundredmenlaypinned

downinanarc,facingeasttowardsCiteStAugusteandsouthtowardsCiteStLaurent.AttemptsweremadetogettogripswiththeGermansandmanytriedtopushforwardbyshortrushes.Therewaslittlehope,foreachtimetheymovedtheGermansopenedaheavycrossfire.Therewasnootheroptionbuttodiginandwaitforreinforcements.Allacrossthebareslopemendesperatelytriedtoscratchhollowsintheground.

ChapterSix

47th(LONDON)DIVISION

141Brigade141Brigade,commandedbyBrigadier-GeneralWilliamThwaites,heldtheleft-handsectorofthe

47thDivision.Thebrigadefacedadifficulttask,forhavingclearedthefronttrenchthemenwouldhavetoadvanceoverhalfamiledownthegentleslopetowardsthesouthernoutskirtsofLoos.AtthebottomoftheslopewastheLoosDefences,whichranthroughthevillagecemetery.Thwaiteschosetoattackwithonlyonebattalion,the1/18thLondon(LondonIrish),whichwouldhaltonthedefenceline.Thetwosupportbattalions,the1/19thLondon(StPancras)andthe1/20thLondon(BlackheathandWoolwich)wouldthenadvancethroughthesouthernoutskirtsofLoos.The1/19thLondon'sobjectivewerethe‘MineBuildingsandCrassier-Puits15’,thepitwheremostofthemeninthevillagehadworkedpriortothewar.Thepitheadtowerwasaffectionatelycalledthe‘TowerBridge’andtheadjacentslagheap,ahugewallofash,wasknownasthe‘Grandstand’.Meanwhile,the1/20thLondonwouldskirtpastthesouthofthevillage,clearinganisolatedestateofminers'cottagesknownas‘WelwynGardenCity’.AfterclearingthehousestheywouldheaduptheslopestoChalkPitCopseandthestrongpointknowntotheGermansasStutzpunkt69.

Map16.47th(London)Division'sdispositionsatzerohour.

InplacestheBritishartillerycompletelydestroyedtheGermanwire.

AssoonasthegasstartedtheGermansbeganshellingthebrigade'strenches,supplementedbyriflefirefromthefrontlinetrench.Despitethisattention,theshrapnelonlyburstonegascylinder;itdid,however,meanthatthemenhadtoputtheirgashelmetsonearly.Foroncethegasmovedinthedirectionitwassupposedto,movingslowlydowntheslopesengulfingtheGermantrenches.Atzerohourtheadvancestartedwithoutdelayandplatoonafterplatoonmovedforwardquicklytoclimbtheladders.Menoftheleadingplatoonontherightdribbledafootballbetweenthem,aimingtoscorea‘goal’intheGermantrench.PatrickMacgill,awell-knownauthor,wasastretcher-bearerwiththeLondonIrish.Hisrecordoftheattackportraysthethoughtsofasoldiergoingovertop:

ChlorinegasbroughtnewhorrorstotheWesternFront.

Itwasnowagreyday,hazyandmoist,andthethickcloudsofpaleyellowsmokecurledhighinspaceandcurtainedthedawnofffromthesceneofwar.Thewordwaspassedalong“LondonIrishleadontoassemblytrench”.Theassemblytrenchwasinfront,andthescalingladderswereplacedagainsttheparapet,readystepstodeath,assomeoneremarked.IhadaviewofthemenswarminguptheladderswhenIgotthere,theirbayonetsheldinsteadyhands,andatalittledistanceoffafootballswingingbyitswhangfromabayonetstandard.

PatrickMacgill.

Thecompanyweresoonoutintheopenmarchingforward.Theenemy'sgunswerebusy,andtherifleandMaximbulletsrippedthesandbags.Theinfantryfirewaswildbutofslightintensity.Theenemycouldnotseetheattackingparty.But,judgingbytherow,itwashardtothinkthatmencouldweathertheleadenstormintheopen.Iwenttothefootoftheladderandgotholdofarung.Asoldierinfrontwasclambering

across.Suddenlyhedroppedbackwardsandboremetotheground;thebullethadcaughthimintheforehead.Igottomyfeettofindastrangeringreyuniformcomingdowntheladder.HereachedthefloorofthetrenchandputuphishandswhenIlookedathim.

Rifleandmachine-gunfiremettheLondonIrishastheyadvanced,butduetotheeffectivesmokescreen,muchofitwaswildorhigh.WithinminutestheGermantrenchwasenteredandafiercehand-to-handstruggleensued.ManyGermanswereintheprocessofmanningthefronttrenchwhentheIrishreachedthem;thesloweroneswerecaughtintheirdugouts.Takenbysurpriseandoutnumbered,thesurvivingGermanssoonturnedandranonlytofallvictimtooverheadmachinegunfire.BrigadierThwaiteshadplacedsixMaximsinreservetofireindirectlyovertheattackingwavesinoneoftheearliestattemptsatthistypeofsupportingbarrage.At7.00amMajorWHMatthewsreportedthattheLondonIrishhadcrossedtheBethune-LenshighwaynearValleyCrossroadsandwasmovingtowardsLoosCemetery.

141Brigade'sviewofthevillage,Looscemeteryistotheleft. IWM-Q37564

Bynowthesmokescreenwasdispersingfast,exposingtheadvancingLondonIrishtothefewGermansholdingthecemetery.Asinglemachine-gun,concealedinacrypt,fireduntilthelastmoment,causingfearfulcasualties.Manywerestruckdownasthemenequippedwithwire-cuttersforcedawaythroughtheuncutwire.Theirtaskcomplete,theIrishhalted,allowingthesupportbattalionstopushontothefinalobjective.The1/19th(StPancras)London,followingclosebehindtheleftoftheLondonIrish,werecaughtby

heavyenfiladingfirefromtheirleftwhilecrossingNoMan'sLand.Here,thesectionoflineimmediatelysouthofLensRoadRedoubtbentback,takingadvantageoftheflatcrest.ItwasdeemedunwisetocrossthewidestretchofNoMan'sLandincasetheredoubtheldoutforsometimebeforeitwascaptured.TheLondonIrishhadenteredtheGermantrenchbeforetheunmolestedsectionwasmanned.Unfortunately,bythetimetheStPancrasmenstartedtocrossNoMan'sLand,twomachine-guncrewshadmannedtheirguns.Theyquicklyrealisedthattherewerenomentotheirfrontandtheywerefreetoengagetheinvitingtargetcrossingtotheirleft.Casualtieswereheavy,Lieutenant-ColonelHaroldCollinson-Morleywasmortallywounded,theadjutantandmanyotherofficerswerehit,alossthatwouldhamperthebattalionseverely.CaptainAPHamiltonwasseriouslywoundedbutrefusedtobetakentosafety.InsteadheremainedintheGermansecondlineorganisingtheconsolidationofthetrench.Heeventuallyhadtobeorderedbacktoreceivemedicalattention,andwasawardedtheMilitaryCrossforhisdevotiontoduty.ThebattalionheadedforValleyCrossroads,reachingthecemeteryjustastheGermanbatteriesinCité

StLaurentfoundtheirrange.Fromhereontheytookthelead,movingintothesouthernoutskirtsofLoosCrassier.Afterrippingdowntheprotectivewirenettingfence,theStPancrasmenwereabletosecuretheareaaroundTowerBridge.TheythenskirtedthenorthernendoftheGrandstand,advancingupthe

slopebehindtheScots.Atitseasternend‘C’Companyhalted,havingreacheditsobjective.Theywereabletomakecontactwithaplatoonofthe1/20thLondonthathadestablisheditselfacrosstheendoftheCrassier.Heretheywaitedfortherestofthebattaliontojointhem.Theyweretobedisappointed.

TheGrandstandloomsoverthesouthernoutskirtsofLoos. IWM-Q43114

Theremainingcompanies,bynowvirtuallyleaderless,hadbecomeintermingledwiththe9thBlackWatch.SomeweresweptalongwiththeScotsanddidnotmanagetorejointhebattalionuntilafterthebattle.Themajoritystayedinthevillage,becomingembroiledinthehouseclearingoperation.Withouttheirofficerstoorderthemforwards,themennaturallydealtwithanyGermanthatfiredonthem.LieutenantFLPusch,thebombingofficer,receivedaseriousfacialwoundearlyon.Despitethepain,hewentaloneintoanoccupiedhousetakingsevenprisoners.AmongsttheruinstheStPancrasmenrecovereda77mmfieldgunandlargequantitiesofammunition.Thebattalion'slosseshadbeengrievous:14officersandnearly350otherranks.Meanwhile,the1/20thLondon,underLieutenant-ColonelABHubback,hadmanagedtoreachthe

Loosdefencelinewithoutseriousloss.Advancingontherightofthe1/19thLondon,thebattalionpassedtothesouthofthecemeteryandswungsoutheasttowardsWelwynGardenCity.FromtheirpositionsintheChalkPitthemenofthe26thRegimentwatchedandwaited:

Thelinescamepastthecemeteryandthenturnedtowardsus.Duringthemomentswhenthecloudandmistlifted,greatmassesoftroopswerenowvisibleallalongthefront,theleadinglinesrunning,andthosebehindfollowingatawalk;somanyweretherethatitlookedlikeagreattrek.Thoseimmediatelyinfrontofourpositionwerenot,however,clearlyseentillwithinahundredyardsofourentanglement,andfromtheirheaddresswerealisedthattheBritishwereuponus.Lineafterlinenowrapidlyapproachedinshortrushes,whilsttoourrightwecouldseemoremassespouringintoLoosvillage.

Map17.StreetplanofLoos,thevillagedefencelinerunsbetweenFortGlatzandthecemetery.

WelwynGardenCitywastakenwithoutafight.AsLieutenant-ColonelHubbacksetuphisheadquartersinoneofthehouses,heproudlywatchedashismensettowork:

TheworkofconsolidationwasproceededwithandthehousesintheGARDENCITYwereputinastateofdefence.Thecapturedpositionsweremaintainedthroughouttheday.Theattackwascarriedoutwiththegreatestpossiblecoolnessandsteadinessofallrankscouldnothavebeensurpassed.TheresultofthepreparationwasmostapparentasonarrivalattheGARDENCITYeachmanknewexactlywheretogo.

Meanwhile,CaptainGWilliamsled‘A’companyupthebareslopetowardsthefinalobjective,ChalkPitandtheadjacentcopse.Againresistancewaslightandbeforelongthesmallquarrywastakenalongwithtwo85mmfieldguns.Attemptstotakethecopsefailed.Mostofthebattaliongrenadierswerebynowdeadorinjured,andwithouttrainedbombersitwasimpossibletosecurethecopse.ThroughoutthemorningWilliamspersisted,buteachtimehismenweredrivenbackbytwomachine-guns.TheGermansalsohadaconcealedBelgianfieldgun,whichwasabletofireoveropensightseverytimetheStPancrasmenchargedforwards.AroundmiddayadetachmentofGermansfromthe27thRegimentreinforcedthecopse,andthroughouttheafternoon‘A’CompanygrimlyheldontotheChalkPit.

TheChalkPitcanbeseenontheslopesbelowPuits12,WelwynGardenCityisintheforeground.IWM-Q43115

By9.00am141Brigadehadsecuredthemajorityofitsobjectives,(allexceptChalkPitCopse),andwasintheprocessofconsolidatingitspositionincaseofcounter-attack.Owingtothehighnumberofofficercasualties,Lieutenant-ColonelHubbackwasinstructedtotakecommandofthe1/19thLondonaswellashisownbattalion.Thereservebattalion,the1/17th(PoplarandStepneyRifles)London,sentonecompanyunderMajorFEEvanstosupportHubback'spositioninChalkPitCopse.Themenduginandstrengthenedtheirpositions,andthroughouttheafternooneffortsweremadetoorganiseadefensiveline.Brigadier-GeneralThwaite'smenhadachievedatremendoussuccess,clearingadifficultpositioninspiteofheavylosses.Alltheyhadtodonowwaswaitforreinforcementstoarrive.

140Brigade140Brigade,underthecommandofBrigadier-GeneralGeraldCuthbert,heldthecentresectorofthe

47thDivision.Itwould,however,formtherightsectoroftheDivision'sassaultontheextremerightofIVCorps'breakthrough.Itsplanplaced1/6th(Rifles)Londonontheleft,the1/7th(City)Londonontherightwiththe1/8th(PostOfficeRifles)Londoninsupportandthe1/15th(PrinceofWales'OwnCivilServiceRifles)Londoninreserve.The1/6thLondonhadtoadvancedownthebareslope400metresbeforetheyreachedtheGerman

trenches.TheywouldthenpressonacrossthevalleysouthofLoosvillage,eventuallyconsolidatingtheGermansupportlineastridethemainLenshighway.FromthiscommandingpositionLieutenant-ColonelFaux'smencouldpreventanycounter-attacksfromthedirectionofCitéStPierre.Meanwhile,LieutenantColonelMildren's1/7thLondonfacedanarduoustask.AlthoughNoMan'sLandwasnarrowontheirfront,theadvancewouldbeoverlookedbytheDouble-Crassier.TheGermanfrontlinerannorthfromtheslagheapatthefootofalongslope.Havingtakenthefronttrench,theleftofthebattalionwouldpressontothesupportlinealongsidetheCityBattalion.TherightcompanyhadtoscalethesteepslopesofDoubleCrassier,capturingthetrenchthatranalongitscrest.ThecaptureoftheslagheapfelltoMajorBillCasson's‘A’Company;withoutit47thDivision'sposition,andultimatelyIVCorps'flank,wouldbeexposed.Onthenightbeforetheattacktheheavilyladenassaulttroopsfiledintothetrenchesincomplete

darkness,whileartilleryshellsscreamedoverhead.Thetwoleadingcompanieswerepackedtightlyintothefronttrench,leadingmentotheleftoftheladders,secondcompanytotheright.AsdawnapproachedthemenoftheSpecialBrigadewenttoworkreleasingthegas.Winddirectionandspeedturnedouttobe

favourableonthebrigadefrontandthethickcloudsrolledslowlyintothevalleybelow.Thewardiaryofthe1/6thLondonvividlydescribeshowthe‘CastIronSixth’advanced:

Map18.47thDivision'sassemblytrenches;noteFosse5behindtheBritishlines,theslagheapusedbyartilleryobservers.

At6.28amthegaswasturnedoffandpreciselyat6.30am‘A’Companywasseenclimbingoutofthetrenchesandadvancing.Theywerefollowedtotimeby‘B’Coy.,‘C’Coy.movingforwardfromthesupporttrenchesatthesametime.‘D’Companyfollowed‘C’Coyatadistanceofabout200yards.Thesmokecloudwasdense,thesightwasmagnificent,themenwereabsolutelysteely,movingforwardinquicktimeexactlyasiftheywereonparade.Owingtothedensityofthesmokeclouditwasdifficulttomaintaindirection,eventheDOUBLECRASSIERbeingalmostcompletelyobscured,thedirectionhoweverwasfairlymaintainedbutacompanyoftheBattaliontoourrightinclinedtoomuchtoitsleftandoverlappedourright.

Eventhoughthesmokeobscuredthe1/6thuntilthelastminute,theenemyreactedquickly.DespitefourdaysofshellingtheGermansheltershadremainedundamagedandbeforelongtheirmachine-guncrewswereinaction.Undeterredbythegascloudandthelinesofmenclamberingthroughthebrokenwire,the

menofthe22ndReserveInfantryRegimentfoughtonuntiltheywereoverrun:Thefourlinesadvancedingoodorder,allranksbehavingwiththeutmoststeadinessinthe

faceofadistinctiverifleandmachine-gunfireinadditiontotheartillerybarragewhichwasnowintense.Thewirewasfoundtobeverywellcutinplaces,buttherewereconsiderableportionsuntouchedandtheseformedamostformidableobstacleandcausedconsiderablelosstotheassaultingtroops.TheGermanmachine-gunswereinoperationuptothelast,thegunneronourfrontbeing

bayonetedathisgun.Theenemiestroopsmaintainedthefightuntiltheleadingcompanyreachedthetopofthefronttrenchwhenaconsiderablenumberretreatedthroughthecommunicationstrenchandacrosscountry,beinglosttoviewinthesmoke.

Nowthebattalionbombers,tentoacompany,begansearchingoutdugouts,forcingtheiroccupantstosurrender.Inmanycasestheirbombsfailedtoignite,eithersoakedbythedampconditionsorsmotheredinmud.Undeterred,theyusedtheircudgelsanddaggersandinsomecasesusedcapturedGermanstickgrenades.Thehaulofprisonerswasunexpected:

140Brigadeestablishedalineacrossthevalley,ChalkPitCopselinesthehorizon. IWMQ37567

Sometwohundredunwoundedofficersandmensurrenderedandanumberwerekilledandwounded.TheOfficerCommandingwaswoundedandtakenprisoner.

Theadvancecontinuedunabated,assomeadvancedacrosstheopen,othersmadetheirwayalongtheGermantrenches.RiflemanChallonerledthewayforward,shootingandbayonetingGermansashechargeddownthecommunicationstrenchattheheadofthebattalionbombers.HereceivedtheDCM.

TherewaslittleoppositionintheGermansecondlinewhich,althoughmannedatthetime,wasnotapparentlycompletedasafiretrenchalthoughveryheavilywired.

Theirtaskcomplete,the1/6thLondonbeganconsolidatingtheirgains,andcollectingbothLondonandGermanwounded.Theadvanceofthe1/7thLondonontherightoftheBrigadefrontstartedwell.AlthoughtheGermans

reactedquickly,the‘ShinySeventh’sooncrossedNoMan'sLand.

TheDoubleCrassier,MajorCasson'smensecuredtheslagheapontheleft. IWM-Q37910

Themenwentoverthetrenchesat6.30am,AandBCoysleading,followedbyCandD.AllCoysreachedtheirobjectives.Thecasualtiesinofficerswassevere.TheBattalionfoughtsplendidly.

Yetagaintheartilleryhadfoundtheirmark,smashingthewireentanglementtopieces.Ontheleft,‘B’CompanypushedforwardalongthefootoftheDoubleCrassieralongsidethe1/6thLondon.Inaletterhome,PrivateWEMorleydescribedtheadvance:

Wewentoverthetopintoaperfecthailofmachine-gunbullets-theyletushaveitproperly;stillwekeptonandsoonreachedtheGermantrenches.MostGermansturnedtailandbolted,andwehadsomefinesportbringingthemdown.Aboutfourofusinfiveminutesturnedabouttwentyout,elevenoftheminonedugout.Anotherfour,whoheldtheirarmsabovetheirheads,suddenlyturnedandboltedupthetrench,soweletflyatthem.

MajorBillCasson's‘A’CompanyadvancedupthesteepslopesoftheDoubleCrassierinfourwaves.Despitefierceopposition,theGermanswerequicklyoverwhelmed,andforthetimebeingitseemedasthoughtheslagheaphadbeensecured.TheGermanshadotherideas,reservesweremovedup,assemblingoutofsightatthefootoftheheap.AsCasson'smendugin,adeterminedcounter-attackaroundtheendoftheslagheapthreatenedtodrivethemfromtheirloftyperch.MajorCassonimmediatelyledhismenagainstthethreat,butwhenhewaskilleditseemedasthoughtheCityBattalionwouldbedrivenoffthesummit.PromptactionbyCSMGeorgeHillralliedthemenandwithbombandbayonet,theDoubleCrassierwassecured.Evensocasualtieshadbeenheavy,andtwocompaniesfromthe1/8th(PostOfficeRifles)weresentforwardbyBrigadeheadquarterstosecuretheflank.Thebattalionbombers,ledbySergeantThomas,werekeptbusyferryingboxesofgrenadesupthetothetopoftheslagheap.

Map19.Summaryof47thDivision'sadvanceacrosstheLoosvalley.

Lateintheafternoon,asheavyrainfell,thepadreburiedeighty-sevenofficersandmenofthebattaliontogetheratthefootoftheDoubleCrassier.ACompany'scommanderwasamongthem:

BillCasson'sonlythoughtwasfortheregimentandforthewellbeingofhismen.HewasaperfecttypeofRegimentalOfficer,absolutelyselfless,untiring,utterlyloyalandcompletelyfearlessinbattle,withanacutesenseofhumourandenjoymentofthesimplethingsinlifewhichmadehimthevastnumberoffriendswhofeltthathisdeathleftagapimpossibletofill.

ThecaptureoftheDoubleCrassierwasseizeduponbytheLondonpress,foritwasthefirsttimethatoneoftheircity'sdivisionshadbeenseriouslyengaged.Forweeksafterthebattlewasknownacrossthecapitalas“TheSlagHeapVictory”.TothesouthoftheDoubleCrassier,142BrigadecarriedoutaChineseattack.Dozensofwooden

dummies,shapedandpaintedtolooklikepronefigures,weremadebythedivisionalcarpentersandplacedinNoMan'sLand.Atzerohourstringspulledthefiguresupwhilethemenofthe1/21stand1/22ndLondoncheeredandraisedtheirbayonetsovertheparapet.Thedeceptionworked,formanyofthedummieswerefoundtohavebeenpepperedwithbullets.ItwasoneoftheearliestattemptstodeceivetheGermansinsuchamanner,anditssuccessledtothemethodbeingusedonmanyoccasionslaterinthewar.

ChapterSeven

THEBATTLECONTINUES

DeadlockatLoneTreeBy9.00amMajor-GeneralHollandwasinapredicament;although1Brigadehadreachedthe

outskirtsofHulluch,elsewheretheattackhadbrokendown.Tomakemattersworse,thetworeservecompaniesof157thRegimenthadmovedforwardalongLoosNorthAvenue,swellingtheforceopposite2Brigadetoover600men.Thesereinforcementsbegantore-occupythetrenchesaboutBoisCarré,effectivelycuttingoff1Brigade.Tocounterthis,Brigadier-GeneralReddiewasforcedtore-directthe1stBlackWatchtochecktheGermanmove.Lieutenant-ColonelJHamiltonordered‘B’Companyforwardfirst;theHighlandersweremetbysuchaheavyfirethatonlythirtysurvived.Thesmallgroupdid,however,managetothwarttheGermanplan.Inviewofthecasualtiessuffered,Hamiltondecidedagainstsendingtherestofhisbattalionforward.AttemptstomovenorthalongthetrenchestocircumnavigatetheGermanpositionsfailed,forevennowthecommunicationtrencheswerestillblocked.

Map20.SituationonIVCorpsfrontatnoon.

At10.00amtheleadingbattalionof3Brigadewasorderedforward;Brigadier-GeneralDavies'reportdescribesthebrigade'sdispositionsaboutthirtyminuteslater:

MunstershavebeenorderedtoadvancenorthofBoisCarré,andwhenthroughGermantrenchestowheelhalfrightandattackinsupportof1stBrigade.Welchfollowinsupport,withorderstopushthroughsouthernendofHulluch.SouthWalesBordererswillbereadytosupportWelch.Yetagainthecrowdedtrenchesthwartedallattemptstomoveforward,andinfrustrationtheMunsters

(only250strongduetolackofreinforcements)wereorderedtoadvanceoverthetop.Asthefirstcompanyemergedfromthetrenches,MajorGorhaminstructedthemtoproceedtoBoisCarré.However,bythetimetheorderreached‘A’Companyattherear,theGermanshadseenthetemptingtarget.MajorJohnConsidinecalmlyorganisedhismenasbulletsbegantofindtheirmark.Seeingthehugenumbersof

menpinneddownaroundLoneTree,hedecidedtoignorehisorders.InsteadheorderedSecondLieutenantBDConrantolead‘A’Companytowards2Brigade.TheregimentalhistoryexplainswhatMajorConsidinewashopingtoachieve:

Itwasnothisallottedtask,andhisorderswereclear.Asmallermanwouldhavecarriedouthisinstructionstoaletter.ButnotsoMajorConsidine.Hesawthatiftheenemyheldthissectoritwouldendangertheflanksofoursuccessfulattacksintheneighbouringsectors.

Partof‘B’Companyfollowed,asdidtwoplatoonsof‘D’CompanyunderLieutenantRichardGethin.Advancingbyplatoonrushes,theMunstersmovedsouth,crossingNoMan'sLandnearLoneTree.WoundedmencheeredConsidine'spartyforwardastheypassed.ConsidinewasshotdeadneartheGermanwire,attheheadofhismen.Hissergeant-major,CSMJamesLeahy,waskilledasherushedtohisofficer'said.Thebraveattempthaddonenothingtobreakthedeadlock.Meanwhile,Green'sForcewasstillwaitingforinstructions.Major-GeneralHolland'sordertoattack

hadbeensentat9.10am.However,threerunnershaddiedtryingtoreachthefrontline,andittooknearlytwohourstogetthemessagetoColonelGreen.AnotherhourpassedbeforetheLondonScottishandthe1/9thKing's(Liverpool)werereadytomove.MajorLindsaywantedtotakehismennorthtooutflanktheGermans,butColonelGreenrefused,havingdecidedthattheorderhadtobeobeyedliterally.Aroundmiddaytwocompaniesofeachbattalionbegantomoveforward.Bymovingforwardinshortrushes,halfacompanyatatime,casualtieswerekepttoaminimum.Itwasabraveattempt,butitmadenodifferencetothesituationbecausethebeltofwirewasstillintact.Manywereshotdownastheytriedtocutawaythrough.Thesurvivorsformedafiringlineclosetothewire,makingcoverwiththeirentrenchingtools.Oneofthe1/9thKing'smachine-gunswasbroughtacrossNoMan'sLandunderahailofbullets,andusedtoprovidecoveringfire.Aftersixhoursofdeadlock,Major-GeneralHollanddecidedtoabandonfurtherfrontalassaults.

InsteadhistroopswouldoutflanktheLoneTreepositionandtheorderto2Brigadeexplainshisintentions:

Collectallavailablemenofyourbrigade,leavingonlysufficienttoholdtheline.MovethemdowntotheVermelles-LoosRoadandacrosstheGermantrenchesattheLoosRoadRedoubt.ThenwheeluptoyourleftandattackalonglineNorthLoosAvenueandLoos-LaBasséeroad,soastogetbehindtheGermansholdingupyourbrigade.

Germanmachine-gunteam'sviewofNoMan'sLand. IWM-Q28976

TheDivisionalreserve,the1stGloucesters,weredetailedtoassistthestrickenbrigade.AtthefrontlineColonelGreenorderedonecompanyoftheLondonScottishtomakeaflankattackfromthenorth.However,beforetheseoutflankingmovesdeveloped,assistancecamefromanunexpectedquarter.

The2ndWelch,ledbyLieutenant-ColonelAGProthero,hadsetofffromLeRutoireat12.30pminsupportofthe2ndMunsters:

Wemovedoffinextendedordertwocompaniesleadingandtwobehind,fullyimaginingthattheMUNSTERS'wereinfront.WecameunderheavyfireimmediatelyfromtheGermanswhowerebytheBOISCARREbuttheydidnodamage.WethencrossedovertheGermanfirstandsecondlines,notlosinganyone.

AsProthero'smenadvancedoverthetopoftheridgetheycameunderheavyfirefromHulluch,losing150meninashortspaceoftime.BythetimehereachedGunTrench,Lieutenant-ColonelProtherowasconvincedthattheRoyalMunstershadbecomelost.Tomoveforwardwouldresultinheavycasualties.InanattempttofindasaferrouteforwardProtheroorderedthebattaliontowheelrightinthehopeofbypassingHulluch.BychancethismovementbroughttheWelchbehindCaptainRitter'sposition.RespondingtothisnewthreattheGermansmannedthereversesideoftheirsupporttrench.Surroundedandwithammunitionrunningout,themenof157thRegimentbegantosurrender.ThosefacingtheWelchsurrenderedfirst,asthewardiaryreports:

SuddenlythefirefromourrightslackenedanditatlaststoppedaltogetherandaGermanbearingawhiteflagcametowardsus.HewassentbytheGermansholdingouttoarrangetheirsurrender.Wethencaptured160menandfiveofficers.

TheremainderoftheGermans,over400,ledbyCaptainRitter,capitulatedsoonafterwards.AStuartDoldendescribesthemomentofsurrenderinhisautobiographyCannonFodder:

Desolationafterthebattle. Q28967

Atonemomenttherewasanintenseandnerveshatteringstrugglewithdeathscreamingthroughtheair.Then,asifwiththewaveofamagicwand,allwaschanged;alloverNoMan'sLandtroopscameoutoftheirtrenches,orrosefromwherethegroundwheretheyhadbeenlying.Prisonerswereeverywhere.

Foreighthours600menhadhelduptentimestheirnumber,inflictingover2,500casualties.157thRegiment'swardiarymodestlydescribestheexploitsofits1stBattalion;

…repulsedtheconstantBritishattacks,butnoreinforcementscouldbesentforwardtoitfromHulluchthroughoutthemorninginanswertoCaptainRitter'srequests.Atlength,thebattalionranoutofammunitionandhandgrenades,sothat,whenstrongBritishforcesbegantomovewestofHulluchacrosstherearofitsposition,ithadtosurrender.

Aftercollectingtheirweapons,Ritter'smenwereledbacktoLeRutoireFarmunderescort.Itwasnowpast3.00pmand,withdarknessapproaching,Brigadier-GeneralPollardandColonel

Greenassembledtheirdepletedcommands,numberingonlyaquarteroftheirstrength.AsraincloudsgatheredthemenmovedovertheGrenayRidge,leavingbehindtheghastlyscenesaroundLoneTree.Infront,2,000metresaway,theycouldseetheLenshighwayrunningacrossthevalley.TotheirrightwasthevillageofLoosandTowerBridge,burninginthegatheringdarkness.Aheadweretheirobjectives,BoisHugoandthechimneythatstoodbesidePuits14bis.Thevalleywasunusuallyquiet,thefightinghavingsubsidedwithbothsidesdigginginreadyfor

morning.ByduskthewesternendofBoisHugohadbeensecured,andtheScotsinChaletWoodwererelievedtofindBritishtroopstotheirleft.Entrenchinginthehardground,2Brigadeestablishedalineontheflatgroundnorthofthewood,whileGreen'sforceprovidedsupportintheChalkPit.

Map21.Sketchmapof2Brigade'sovernightpositionsnorthofBoisHugo.

1BrigadewaitsforreinforcementsatHulluchDuringallthistimethethreebattalionsof1Brigade,orwhatwasleftofthem,waitedpatientlyin

frontofHulluch.Forsevenhourstheysawno-oneexceptadvancedpartiesofthe7thDivisiontotheirright.Itseemedasthoughthebattlefieldwasdeserted.Aroundnoonwhatwasleftofthe2ndRoyal

Munsters,aboutonehundredmen,arrived.Unfortunately,theyweretoofewanditwastoolate.ForoverfivehourstherehadbeenaconsiderablebreachintheGermanline,withnoformedGermanresistancetopreventabreakthrough.Withreinforcements1Brigadecouldhavebrokenthrough,astheCameronHighlanders'diaryreports:

Map22TrenchmapoftheareawestofHulluchafterthebattle,thedefencelineprotectingthevillageisclearlyshown.

Thereundoubtedlywas,foranappreciableperiod,agapintheenemy'sdefences,butthenecessarytroopstoforcetheirwaythroughwerenotathand.Instead1Brigadewasforcedontothedefensive.TheCameronsinHulluchwerecompelledtomakea

hastyretreatwhenthereservebattalionofthe157thRegimentarrivedshortlyafternoon.Threehourslatertheyattackedfromthevillage,driving1Brigade'soutpostsacrosstheLensroad.Althoughtheywereoutnumberedandisolated,Reddie'sbrigadeeasilysawofftheattack.Shortlyafterwards,substantialreinforcementsarrived,the2ndWelchandthe1stSouthWalesBorderersof3Brigade.Itwas,however,toolatetoattackHulluch.WithnightfallapproachingGeneralReddieinstructedhismentodiginalongAlley4,acommunicationstrenchwestoftheroad.Justbeforemidnightasecondcounter-attackstruck.LieutenantCGentry-Birch,oneofonlytwo

survivingofficersofthe8thBerkshires,describeshowhismenfoughtalmosttothelastman:At11.30pmtheGermanscounter-attackedinlargenumbers,drivinginourrightflank.We

retiredtothepositionwehadheldintheafternoon.TheGermanscontinuedtopushthecounter-attack.Oursupportlinethenopenedfireandwewerecaughtbetweenthetwofires.Wethenmadeourwayaswellaspossibletooursupportingline.OnlysixoftheBerkshiresreturnedsafely.TheGermanscontinuedtopushthecounter-attack,butsufferedheavilyandweredrivenback.

Meanwhile,theSouthWalesBorderers,withtheirconsiderableexperience,managedtofoiltheGermanattackwithlightcasualties.AstheGermansapproachedtheyattemptedtofoolLieutenantColonelGwynn'smenwithshoutsof“Don'tshoot”and“WearetheWelsh”.Realisingtheruse,theBorderersopenedfireatpointblankrange.ThefollowingmorningnearlyeverymanpossessedaprizedGermanhelmet.Whatwereneededweresubstantialreservestotakeadvantageofthebreakthrough.Theday'sfighting

hadexhaustedMajor-GeneralHolland'sDivision,andalthoughtheyhadbrokentheGermanfirstlinetheyweretooweaktoholdtheirpositions.Nightfallfound1Brigadeand3BrigadefacingHulluch.NeitherBrigadier-GeneralReddienorBrigadier-GeneralDaviesknewofthewhereaboutsof2BrigadeanditwasnotuntilaftermidnightthatscoutsfromthetwohalvesoftheDivisionmet.Agapof1,200metresbetweenthetwocommandswasdevoidoftroops,andGeneralHollandhadnothingtofillitwith.Allhecoulddowaswaitforthearrivalofthereserve,21stand24thDivisionsofIXCorps.

ChapterEight

THEBATTLEFORHILL70

By10.30am15thDivisionhadreacheditshighwatermark.Themajorityof46and44BrigadeswerescatteredacrosstheeasternandsouthernslopesofHill70,pinneddownclosetotheGermanwire.Withoutsubstantialreservestheattackwasdoomed.Meanwhile,Lieutenant-ColonelSandilands(minushisbattalion)foundtwocompaniesofthe7thRoyalScotsFusilierswaitingfororders.Sensingthatallwasnotwellatthefront,heledthemoutoftheruinsandupthehill:

Onarrivalabouthalf-wayuptheslopeofHill70IheardthatabodyoftwoorthreehundredoftheBrigade,includingmanyofmyownmen,hadpushedontooquickly,downthefurtherslopeofHill70,wheretheywereencounteringthemostseriousresistancefromtheGermansaroundSAINTLAURENT,andcouldnotgetanyfurther.IproceededfurtheruptheslopeandgettingreportsthatthepositionalreadyreferredtowasbecominguntenabledecidedtodiginatoncewithwhattroopsIhadonthereverseslope.

Lieutenant-ColonelLloyd,9thBlackWatch,hadalreadygoneforwardtotherightflank,havingreceivedreportsthathismenhadbeenunabletocontact47th(London)DivisiononLoosCrassier.Asseniorofficeronthehill,ColonelSandilandsassessedthesituation.TothesouthandeasttheunbrokenwirecoveringCitéStLaurentandCitéStAugusteblockedthewayforward.Itwasalsoobviousthatthemenneartothewirewereunderheavyfire.Tothenorththerewasnosignof1stDivisioncrossingtheLoosvalley.TosafeguardHill70fromcounter-attackMajor-GeneralMcCracken'sorderscalledfor:

TheslopebeyondLoosleadinguptothesummitofHill70. IWM-Q43112

Asufficientforcetoconsolidateandholdituntiltroopsfromthedivisionalreservecanbepusheduptotakeitover…theseniorcommandingofficeronthespotwillissuenecessaryordersforconsolidatingthatpositionagainstpossibleattackfromdirectionofLens.

WiththeassistanceofLieutenant-ColonelWallace,the10thGordons'commandingofficer,Sandilandssetaboutestablishingafiringlineonthesummitofthehill.Realisingthattheyhadlittletimetospare,LieutenantColonelSandilandsdecidedagainsttryingtofortifytheredoubt.Insteadthemenwereorderedtodiginwestoftheredoubt,whereanaturalearthbankprovidedcover.Eventuallyabout400menweregatheredtogether,includingthetwocompaniesofScotsFusiliers.Sandiland'sreportexplainsthesituationonthehill:

Therewasveryheavyfiringinfront:thefewofficersandmenreturningallstatedthatthelineinfronthadbeenpracticallywipedout,thisinfluencedmefurthertoholdontothebacklineatallcosts.FromnowonthemixtureofunitsmadeCommandmostdifficult…IwouldliketomentionherethatColonelWallaceofthe10thGordonsrenderedmegreatassistanceinkeepingthemixedunitstogetherandtheScotsFusiliersstucktomoststaunchlyandwereinagreatmeasureresponsibleforthehillbeingheld.Finallythelinesettleddownandbecamequiteconfident.

Lieutenant-ColonelSandilandswouldhavebeenproudtoseehisbattalionflag,ayellowsignallingflagwithapieceofCamerontartansewnontoit,flyingproudlyabovetheredoubt.Atthefrontline,thesituationwasquicklydeteriorating.Numerousrequestsforartillerysupportwere

misunderstood.TheheavyartillerywasorderedtoconcentrateitsfireonCitéStAuguste,leavingthetroopsinfrontofCitéSt.Laurentunsupported.AtCorpsheadquartersitappearedthattheadvancewasgoingwellandjustbefore11.00amGeneralRawlinsonorderedMcCrackentosend45BrigadeforwardthoughCitéStAuguste.InactualfacttheScotswerenearbreakingpoint.Germanreinforcementshadbeguntoarriveand

aroundmiddaycounterattackedtherightofthelinenearLoosCrassier.Thedebriefingreportofthe10thGordonHighlandersdescribeshowthementriedtocallforassistance:

LieutenantRobinsonwastheonlyofficerleft.Thepartywasabout600strongofdifferentregiments.Variousattemptsweremadetocommunicateback.Sergt.AitkinandPte.McKellercrawledbackandtheformerreachedO.C.7thCameronswhowasdigginginonthereserveslopeofHill70.PteDavidsonalsowentbackwithamessage…

Withthefullfactsathand,LieutenantColonelSandilandsdecidedagainstsendingreinforcementsforward.Insteadhetookstepstorecalltheforwardlinefromitsexposedpositiontostrengthenthehilltop.Whenfreshreinforcementsarrivedtheycouldrenewtheattack.Sandilands'mainproblemwashowtocommunicatethemessage.EventuallytheGermansprovidedthesolution.Acounter-attackfromtheDynamitière,anexplosives

storeonthenorthernoutskirtsofCitéStLaurent,begantoexploittheScotsexposedrightflank.Unsupportedandoutflankedtheybegantoretire.Onthesummitofthehill,Scout-SergeantThomasLambgrabbedthebattalionflagandbeganwavingit,actingasarallyingpoint.Seeingthisassignofweakness,theGermansaroundtheDynamitièrebeganmovingforwardthroughgapsintheirwire.Theircheersinspiredtheircomradesfurthereasttochargeforward.SomeoftheScotsranbackuptheslope,otherswerecapturedorkilledandonlyfiftyweretakenunwounded.Thewardiaryofthe178thRegimentproudlydescribesitscounter-attack:

Map23.ThebattleforHill70,theScotsareforcedtoretirefromtheredoubt.

Tothosewhotookpart,thischargeuptheslopeofHill70willbeanunforgettableexperience,whilsttothosewhowatcheditgaveawarpicturesuchaswillseldomrecur.Onreachingthesummit,AdjutantRysselwasmortallywoundedbyashellsplinter,shoutingashelaydying,‘Wehaveit,hurrah!’

CaptainStrang,theonlyunhurtofficerofthe8thSeaforthswatchedthesituationdeterioratefromthetopofthehill.HisreportdescribeshowtheperseveranceofoneyoungofficerpreventedtheScotsfrombeingsweptoffthehill:

IhadretiredtothetopofthehilltoattemptanappreciationofthesituationandIgottotheKeepfoundthereayoungengineer,Lt.Johnson,whoinstantlyconvincedmeofthenecessityofrallyingthementhereandholdingthehillonthisline.WefailedtoinducethementoremainintheKeep,butsucceededinmakingthemholdontoabankonwhichthewholelinesubsequentlyretired,andgettingfireundercontrolwewereabletoholduptheGermancounter-attack.Itcertainlylookedforthemomentasifthewholeoffensivewasgoingtobesweptoffthehill,andIthinkitwasdueentirelytothejudgementoftheyoungEngineerOfficerthatthesituationwassaved.

Althoughtheengineershadbeensentforwardwithorderstoconsolidatethecapturedhill,CaptainCardewledNo.3andNo.4sectionsof73rdCompanyREintothefiringline.TheCompanywardiaryrelateshowtheengineerscounter-attacked:

…theyreachedthecrestofthehillandsawsomeinfantryinthekeephardpressed.TheR.E.

thenadvancedtothekeepandtriedtoholdit.Allhadhowevertoretire,asthemachine-gunfirewassohot.Theywentbackbehindtheridgeandstartedtodigin;butCapt.CardewdecidedtohaveanothergoatthekeepandadvancedagainwithR.E.onlyafterheandLieut.Johnsonhadgotthemselvesamachine-gunintoposition.TheyadvancedtothekeepandCaptainCardew,Lieut.Johnsonandabout16R.E.gotin,buthadtocomeoutagain.AtthispointCapt.CardewwaswoundedseriouslyandLieut.Johnsonwaswoundedintheleg.

LieutenantFrederickJohnson,anengineeringstudentwhohadvolunteeredinAugust1914,stucktohispostuntilrelievedatmidnight.Ashisunitwardiarymentionshehad:

…ralliedhismenandthepartiesofinfantrywithoutofficers,andshowedgreatcoolnessandgallantry.

LieutenantJohnsonwasawardedtheVictoriaCrossandquicklyrosetotherankofMajor.DuringtheBattleofCambraihewasmortallywounded,succumbingtohisinjurieson11December1917.HisnameisengravedontheCambraiMemorialtotheMissing.Germancounter-attackspersistedintotheafternoon,andwithnoreinforcementstohand,Sandilands'

menwerehardpressedtoholdontothecrestline.The7thRoyalScotsFusilerswerealreadyinthethickofthefightingontopofthehill.Asecondbattalionof45Brigade,the6thCameronHighlanders,washoldingadefensiveflanknearChaletWood.Meanwhile,the11thArgyllsand13thRoyalScotshadstillnotreachedLoos.

SecondLieutenantFrederickJohnsonVC.

WiththesummitofthehillinGermanhands,theirbatteriescouldshellthevalleyatwill,makingitimpossibletobringartilleryforwardtosupportfurtherattacks.Major-GeneralMcCrackenknewthathecouldasknomorefromhismen.Hewas,however,proudofhisDivision'sachievements.InfourhourstheScotshadadvancedovertwomiles,stormingasuccessionofstronglyheldpositionsalongtheway.LordKitchenercouldbeconfidentthat,giventherightcircumstances,hisNewArmieswerecapableofbeatingtheGermans.

Amixedgroupofwalkingwoundedawaitevacuation.

ChapterNine

IXCORPS–THERESERVE

ThedeploymentofthereservesduringtheBattleofLooswas(andstillis)anareaofcontroversy.FieldMarshalSirJohnFrenchandGeneralSirDouglasHaigdidnotseeeyetoeyeonthepositioningofthereserves,evenmoresowhenthebattlewasover.ThepoliticalmanoeuvringthatwentonduringtheearlywinterendedinthereplacementofFrenchbyHaig.Althoughthisisnottheplaceforstudyingthearguments,theconditionandtreatmentofthereservesisrelevanttothedevelopmentofthebattle.

Troopsmakingtheirwaypastbusesthathad,thepreviousyear,transportedmenoftheRoyalNavalDivision.Notethe‘R.N.D.’onthebusfronts.TheRoyalNavalDivisionwasservinginGallipoliatthetimeofLoos. IWM-Q60740

AllalongIVCorpsfrontsmallpartiesofmenwerefacingtheGermanSecondLine.Withnightfallapproachingreserveswereneededtopunchawaythroughtotheopencountryside.FirstArmyintendedtousethe21standthe24thDivisionsonthe26th,attackingtheGermanlinebetweenHulluchandHill70.Theywere,however,havingdifficultiesoftheirown.

Thearrivalof62BrigadeBylatemorningthesituationonIVCorpsfrontwaspromising.Inplaces,ontheleftof1stDivision

sectorandon15thDivision'sfront,cleanbreakthroughshadbeenmade.Whatwasclear,though,wasthefactthatheavycasualtieshadreducedtheadvancepartiestoamereskeletonoftheirpaperstrength.Ontheright,47thDivisionhadsecureditsobjectiveswithoutcommittingitsreservebrigade,andforthetimebeingthecorpsflankwassafe.Theonlyfailurehadbeenontherightof1stDivisionatLoneTree.Evenso,Major-GeneralHollandwasintheprocessofreinforcingthesectorinthehopeofbludgeoningawaythrough.

Lieutenant-GeneralRawlinson'smainareaofconcernwasHill70,wheretheScotswereengagedinarunningbattlefortheredoubt.Messagesfromthefrontlinereportedheavycasualties,waveringmoraleandGermancounter-attacks.IfthehillfellintoGermanhandsthechancesoffollowinguptheearlysuccesswoulddiminishrapidly.Havingnoreservesofitsown,IVCorpsneededassistancefromFirstArmyreservesandGeneralHaigreleasedasinglebrigadetoaidtheScots.Itwas62Brigade,fromMajor-GeneralCWJacob's21stDivision.Theleadbrigadeofthe24thDivision,the73rd,wasalsoorderedforwardtoreinforceICorps.AtmiddayBrigadier-GeneralErnestWilkinsonwasinstructedtoadvancetothemapreferencefor

Hill70.IntheknowledgethatthesituationeastofLooscouldchangeatanymomenthisorderswere,toputitmildly,vague.Asthemenatetheirdinners,Wilkinson'sbattalioncommandersgatheredaroundtheirleader'smap.Theirinstructionswerebrief:

…WedonotknowwhathashappenedonHill70.Youmustgoandfindout:iftheGermansholdit,attackthem;ifourpeoplearethere,supportthem;ifnooneisthere,digin.

Around3.00pmthetwoleadingbattalionsmarchedoutofMazingarbevillage,headingalongtheLensroad.Almostatoncetheywerestoppedbyamilitarypoliceman,whoorderedthemtoproceedinopenformationastheywereabouttoenterthe‘battlezone’.Experiencedofficerswouldhaveignoredtheinstruction,butthoseofthe8thEastYorkshiresandthe10thGreenHowardsknewnodifferent.Thecolumnsreorganisedandcontinued,theirprogresshamperedbytheswarmsofwoundedandgassedmenhobblingintheoppositedirection.

Brigade'stransportlieswreckedontheGrenayRidge. IWMQ28971

Withthesightsandsoundsofbattlenumbingtheirsenses,theleadingsectionsreachedtheoldfrontline,nearDudCorner,at4.30pm.Themarchingformation,columnoffourswithplatoonsat100metreintervals,wasentirelyinappropriatefortheconditions.Lieutenant-ColonelsWayandHadowledtheirheavilyladentroopsdowntheLensroadtowardstheburningruins,ignorantofthefactthattheirmovementwasbeingwatched.GermanartillerycrewsacrossthevalleyinCitéStPierrecouldhardlybelievetheirluck.Shrapnelsoonbegantoshowerthecolumnandmanywerehitbeforetheycouldtakecover.Thebrigadetransport,whichwasstillaccompanyingthemen,wasunabletoescape.Shellsdestroyedtheconvoyandthetangleofwreckedcartsanddeadanimalsblockedtheroadforanumberofdays.Reformingcautiously,thetwobattalionspushedonlookingforHill70.WithoutguidesordetailedmapstodirectthemtheYorkshiremenadvancedacrosscountryheadingforthehighgroundtheybelievedtobeHill70.BeforelongtheycameacrossLieutenant-ColonelHubback's1/20thLondonBattalion,whichwas

holdingacommunicationstrenchtothenorthofChalkPitCopse.TheStPancrasmenwatchedindismayasthetwobattalionscasuallywentforwardstowardstheenemyoccupiedcopse.Lieutenant-ColonelHubbucktriedtostoptheimpendingdisaster:

About5.00pm…the8thBn.EASTYORKSHIREREGT.and10thBn.YORKSHIREREGT.camethroughthelinewewereholding.Iwasabletostopsomeoftheseniorofficersandaskthemwheretheyweregoing.IwastoldthattheyhadbeentoldtotakeLOOSandoccupyHILL70;theyappearedtohavenodefiniteordersoranyideaastothedirectionofHILL70.Itoldaseniorofficerofthe8thEASTYORKS.(IthinktheC.O.)thedirectionofHILL70andalsothatLOOShadbeenoccupiedbythe47thDivisionsincethatmorning…FromwhatIcangatherfromtheofficerstheorderstheyhadreceivedweremostindefinite,

theyappearedtohavenomapsandcertainlynoideaoflocalities.DespiteHubback'sremonstrations,theEastYorkshiresandthetwoleadingcompaniesoftheGreen

Howardsmarchedblindlyforwarduptheslope.AstheyapproachedChalkPitCopseheavymachine-gunfireopenedup,sendingtheYorkshiremenreelingbacktowardstheLondonheldtrench.ThedisasterwascompoundedwhentherearcompaniesoftheGreenHowards,whowerewaitinginreserveatthefootofthehill,sawthesurvivorsfallingback.Inthefailinglight,theymistooktheircomradesforGermans,andopenedfire.ForatimeLieutenant-Colonels’HadowandWaywerepowerlesstostoptheirmenfromkillingeachother.Asdarknessfellorderwasfinallyrestoredandthebattalionsreformed.Lieutenant-ColonelWayledtwoofhiscompaniesbackupthehillsotheycouldreinforcethe1/20th

London'sline,therestofhismenjoinedinthehouseclearingoperations.Meanwhile,theGreenHowardsanxiouslywaitedinreservenearthevillagecemetery.Althoughthelinehadbeenstabilised,amessagefromtheEastYorkshiresillustrateshowprecariousitwas:

Map24.GermantrenchesnorthofDoubleCrassier,WelwynGardenCityandtheChalkPitaretothesouthofLoosCrassier.

EnemyshellingPYLONSandgoodnumberofmachine-gunsandsnipersworryingus.MachinegunsaresaidtobeinwoodRofourownfront–aboutE[thiswasChalkPitCopse].

Unlessartilleryhelpusweshallsufferfromheavygunfire.Canartilleryengageenemy'sartilleryandkeepdownfire.Ourownforwardpositionsareattheoutside800yardsinfrontofLOOSPYLONS.Havenotenoughmentoholdpositionifattackedatdaylight.

Itisnowtimetoturnourattentionstotherestofthebrigade,the12thand13thNorthumberlandFusiliers.ThetwobattalionsleftMazingarbeaboutanhouraftertheYorkshiremen.Apartfromtheusualstruggletomakeprogressalongthecrowdedroads,theymanagedtoreachLooswithoutdifficulty.Brigadier-GeneralWilkinsonfoundtohisdismaythattherestofhiscommandhadgoneastray;withnotimetosearchforthemhereportedto45Brigade'sheadquartersinthevillagesquare.BrigadierWallersteinwasabletotellhimthatthehillwasheldbyhismen;theywere,however,exhaustedandlowonammunition.Initiallytwoplatoonsofthe12thNorthumberlandFusiliersmadetheirwayupthehilltomakecontact

andestablishasaferouteforward.Whentwomoreplatoonsarrived,the9thBlackWatchand10thGordonsassumedthattheirreliefwasunderway.Lieutenant-ColonelSandilandsandLieutenant-ColonelWallacegratefullycollectedtheirfatiguedmenandledthemdownintothevillage.By11.00pmtherewasalargeholeinthefrontline,themisunderstandinghadleftthesinglecompanyofFusiliersinsolepossessionofHill70.ThefinalbattalioninWilkinson'scommand,the13thNorthumberlandFusiliers,wasorderedto

relieve46Brigade.Littlehadbeenheardofthemsincethemorning,butitwasbelievedthatBrigadier-GeneralMatheson'smenheldChaletWood.AstheFusiliersmadetherewaythroughtheruinedstreets,theywerefortunatetomeetLieutenant-ColonelPurvis,theseniorsurvivingofficerinchargeoftheChaletWoodposition.PurvisorderedthreeoftheFusiliercompaniestodiginonthelowerslopesofthehill,tosupporthisline.TheremainingcompanywasinstructedtostrengthentheScots,byextendingitslinesouthofChaletWood.Forasecondtimethearrivalofasinglecompanywasmistakenforafullrelief.Theattempttostrengthen15thDivision'sfronthadfailedmiserably,andwasaperfectexampleof

howpoorinformationandvagueorderscouldleadtodisaster.ItwouldbeseveralhoursbeforethemistakeswererectifiedandforatimeonlytwocompaniesheldthelinebetweenChaletWoodandHill70.LuckilytheGermansknewnothingofthesituationfortheytoowereexhaustedbytheday'sfighting.Theymadeonlytwocounter-attacksand,asluckwouldhaveit,theyfellonthestrongestpartoftheline,neartheendofLoosCrassierwherethe7thRoyalScotsFusilierswereholdingout.AsdawnapproachedthereluctantScotswereledbackupthehillsidetotheiroldpositions,wheretheywouldhavetofightagain.

21stand24thDivisionsmoveontothebattlefieldAstheafternoonworeonthemenwaitinginthevillagestothereargrewrestless,wonderingwhen

theywouldbecalledupon.Asthehourspassedthetensionmounted,andmentriedtofindoutinformationbywhatevermeansavailable.Thestreetswerebustlingwithtransport,ambulances,supplywagonsandcartsofeverydescription.Therewerealsohundredsofwounded,limpingalongcoveredinchalkymudandbandages.Manywerecoughingandchokingfromtheeffectsofthegas.EverynowandagainGermanprisonerspassedby,andtheywereviewedwithsuspicion.FormanyoftheNewArmymenthesightsweredisturbing,fortheyhadneverseenanythinglikeitbefore.Asduskapproached,therestof21stand24thDivisionbrigadesreceivedorderstomoveoutwithout

delay.Theexperiencesof63Brigade,21stDivision'sleadingbrigade,illustratethedifficultiesencounteredbythereservesastheymadetheirwayforward.Reluctantly,themenformedup,theyweretiredandhungry,nothavinghadanyhotfoodastheircookershadfailedtoarrive.ForthreehourstheymarchedalongtheLenshighwayinthepouringrain.NearFosse7Brigadier-GeneralNormanNickalls

movedtothefrontofthecolumn,leadingthe8thLincolnsandthe8thSomersetLightInfantryacrosscountrybycompassbearing.Meanwhile,the12thWestYorkshiresandthe10thYorkandLancastercontinuedalongtheroadasfarasLensRoadRedoubt.Themenweremesmerisedbythescene,allaroundlinesofgunbatteriesfiredincessantlyoninvisibletargets,whiletheskylineinfrontofthemglowedorange.SecondLieutenantFCraggoftheLincolnsrecordedhisviewofthepanorama:

Thelandscapebeginstochangeasthetroopsapproachthebattlefield.

Aswegottothecrest-line,nowfreefromobstruction,wecouldseethecountrysideslightly,andwhatasightmetoureyes!RightaheadofuswasLoosinflames,thiswastheglarethatpuzzledus;thetwintowersoftheminestandingoutlikegreatoiltowersonaburningoilfield.

AstheLincolnshireRegimentalHistoryexplains,thisstageoftheadvancewasparticularlydifficultandthelackofinformationavailabletothebrigadeisastonishing:

TheCommandingOfficer,AdjutantandCompanyCommandersweregivenacompassbearingtomarchonandby11pmtheLincolnshirehadclearedthelastlineofoldGermantrenches.Sofarasweknewonlyopencountrylaybeforethem.Theythenlaydownforaconsiderabletime,apparentlytoallowothertroopstocomeup.

Brigadier-GeneralNickall'sassembledhisbrigadeontheslopeseastofLoosRoadRedoubt.NotsurprisinglysometroopsbecamelostandLieutenant-ColonelDennyleadingthetwosupportcompaniesoftheSomersetswentastray.Theyneverrejoinedthebrigade,andeventuallyattachedthemselvestotheScotsonHill70.

Confrontedwithadifficultsituationonunknownground,nothavingbeeninactionbefore,withoutguidancefromtheCommandersandStaffswhohadbeeninthesectorandhadstudieditsfeaturesformonthspast,itisnotsurprisingthatthisnightmarchwasmosttryingtoallranks.

Meanwhile,72BrigadehadbeenmakingitswayforwardfromBeuvry,sufferingthesamesortsofdelaysonthewaythroughVermelles.AroundmidnightBrigadier-GeneralMitford'smenbeganpickingtheirwayacrossthebattlefield,stumblingandcursingastheymadetheirwaythroughthenetworkoftrenches.Shortlyafter1.00amBrigadier-GeneralNickallsmetBrigadier-GeneralMitfordontheeasternslopeofGrenayRidge.InaccordancewiththeirinstructionsthetwodecidedtopushontotheGermanSecondLine.DuringtheafternoonFirstArmyheadquarterswasforcedtochangeitsviewontheprogressofthe

battle.AlthoughIVCorpshadclearedthefirstlineofdefence,ithadnotbrokenthroughthesecondline.Heavycasualtiesmeantthatthethreeassaultdivisionscouldnotbereliedontocarryoutoffensiveoperationsonthe26th.FirstArmyintendedtolaunchanattackthefollowingmorningandorderedIXCorpstohaltitsbrigadesontheGrenayRidge,wheretheywouldwaitforfurtherinstructions.GeneralMitfordreceivedtheorderintime,andwasabletoinstructhisbattalionstotakecoverintheGermantrenches.Meanwhile,71Brigade,followingbehind,occupiedtheassemblytrenchesnearLoneTree.

63BrigadetakeoverBoisHugoGeneralNickalls'instructiontohaltontheGrenayRidgefailedtoreachhimandthebrigade

continuedtomoveeast,skirtingtheflamingruinsofLoos.Astheycrossedthevalley,thebrigadecameunderheavymachine-gunfireandforatimeitappearedasthoughitwasdirectedfromChalkPitWood.InfactthewoodwasheldbyGreen'sForce,whowereinsupportof2BrigadeinBoisHugo.Thewardiaryof63Brigadereportshowluckpreventedacatastrophe:

NoinformationhadbeenreceivedthatthepositionoftheChalkPitwasinoccupationofourtroops.Luckilynounfortunateresultstookplace,whichmightveryeasilyhaveoccurredwithnewtroopsadvancingtoapositionatnightwhichwasnotknowntobeinourpossession.Itreflectsgreatcreditontheofficersconcerned,whokepttheirmensowellinhand…Theabsenceofinformationofwhatwashappeningelsewherewasnothingshortofdisastrous,asnooneknewwhatanyoneelsewasdoing.

ThefireactuallycamefromHill70,wheretheGermanswereengagedwiththeNorthumberlandFusiliersandScotsonthesummit.Withadisasteraverted,Brigadier-GeneralNickallssoughtoutBrigadier-GeneralPollard.Thetwo

eventuallymetintheChalkPitandcametothedecisionthat63Brigadewouldrelief2Brigade.ThroughouttheremaininghoursofdarknesstheNewArmymentookovertheshallowtrenchesinandaroundBoisHugo.Althoughtheyweretired,havingspentthelasteighthoursonthemarch,therewasnotimetorest.Withdawnapproaching,thementriedtodigintothehardchalkwiththeirentrenchingtools.Brigadier-GeneralNickallsknewthathisbrigadenowheldthefrontline.Notsureofwheretroopswereonhisflanks,heplannedtowaituntilfurtherordersarrived.TheBrigadewasdeployedasfollows:

A,BandCcompaniesoftheLincolnshireheldaneasttowestline,eastoftheLens-HulluchroadandalongthesouthernedgeofBoisHugoandfacingHill70;threecompaniesoftheWestYorkswereontheleftoftheLincolnshirefacingeast;thefourthcompany(D)oftheLincolnshire,withtheremainingcompanyoftheWestYorkswereinreserveintheangleformedbythefrontline;theSomersets(lesstwocompanies)werebetweenthewesternsideoftheLens-HulluchroadandtheChalkPitWood,whiletheYorkandLancaster,whobythistimehad

joined,carriedtheBrigadelinealongtheroadnorthoftheChalkPit;buttheleftflankwasentirelyintheair!

64BrigadeadvancesontothebattlefieldBrigadier-GeneralGeraldGloster'sbrigadefollowed63BrigadealongtheBethune-LensRoadasthe

skygrewdark.AlmostatoncetrafficcongestionatMazingarbedelayedthebrigadebyoveranhour.Soakedbythepouringrain,themenmarchedalongthedarkcobbledroadasfarasPhilosophe.HereGlosterdeployedhisbrigadesouthoftheroadonatwobattalionfrontage.Thecompaniesformedupincolumnsoffourattenpacesinterval,alineofscoutscoveredthelineofthemarch.TheBrigadediarydescribesthedifficultiesencounteredindeploying:

Ittookthreehourstoissueorders;unloadmachine-guns,ammunition,bombsandtoolsformanhandling;marshalandseparatetransport;andtoformuptheBrigade.Anyreconnaissanceofourlineofmarchwasimpossible,butitwasdecidedtomoveonacompassbearing.

Movingeast,thetroopspickedtheirwayacrossthebattlefield,aheadTowerBridge,silhouettedbyfire,dominatedthenightsky.CrossingtheoldfrontlinenearLoosRoadRedoubt,themen,encumberedbyfullpacks,struggledinandoutofthebatteredtrenches.

At1.00amwefoundourselvescrossingtheBritishfrontsystemoftrenches.Sometrenchescouldbejumped,somehadhadnarrowcausewaysfilledinacrossthem,acrossotherswefoundplanks.Butthecrossingwasinterminable,eachtrenchnecessitatingahalttoletunitsfileoverandthenreformtheBrigadebeyond.Whilecrossingbothsystemswewerespasmodicallyshelled,andtheshellsseemedtofollowusup,thoughluckilythosethatfellnearestwereblind.WeattributedthisshellinglatertotwoGermanspieswhowerefoundnextdayleftbehindintheirtrenchesandworkingatelephone.TheywerefoundandshotbytheGuardsDivision.

Looscollierytowersoverthedesolatecountryside.

EventuallyafteraneighthourmarchBrigadier-GeneralGlostercalledahaltnorthoftheburninghousesofLoos.Patrolsweresentforwardtocontact63Brigade,butreturnedwithoutfindingthem.AstheBrigadewardiaryreports,Glosterwasfacedwithadilemma:

Daylightwasnowrapidlyapproaching.Itwaspossiblethatthe63InfBdehadmistakenitsdirectionandtherewasnothingbetweenusandtheenemy.Ifthiswereso,itwasnowtoolatetopushontotheLENS-HULLUCHroadastherewasnotenoughdarknessleftinwhichtoconsolidateit,andtheriskofmovingforwardonunknowngroundandstumblingontheenemy

withouthavingtouchwithanyneighbouringtroops,orbeingcaughtbyhiminopencoverlessgroundatdaylightinanisolatedsituationwastoogreat.Ontheotherhandifthe63InfBdewereaheadandhadconsolidatedthemselvesontheLENS-HULLUCHroadasdirected,wehadreachedjusttherightpositionintheirrearfromwhichtosupportthem.

GeneralGlosterrightlyassumedthatNickallsBrigadewasjustinfrontandoptedtodeploynorthofLoos.Germancommunicationtrencheswereusedtoprovidecoverwhereverpossible.The14thand15thDurhamLightInfantrywereinfrontlinedoutalongsidetheGrenay-Hulluchroad;fivehundredmetresinsupportwerethe9thand10thKOYLIsalongtheLoos-Haisnesroad.Changingcircumstances,poorplanningandacompletelackofstaffworkhadscatteredFirstArmy's

reserveacrossthebattlefield,Inmanycasescorpsanddivisionalheadquartersdidnotknowwheretheirtroopswere.Onebrigade,the62ndhadbeenfragmentedandengagedonHill70.Asecond,73Brigade,hadbeendespatchedtoICorpstohelpshoreupthefrontatFosse8.Theremainingbrigadeshadspentamiserablenight,marchingforhoursalongdark,wetstreetsbeforetheyreachedthebattlefield.24thDivision'stworemainingbrigadesshelteringintrenchesontheGrenayRidge,werewellplacedfortheplannedattackinthemorning.

ChapterTen

26SEPTEMBER,EARLYDEVELOPMENTS

15thDivisionattemptstocaptureHill70ThefirstglimmerofdaylightfoundBrigadierGeneralFrancisWallerstein's45Brigadeina

precariouspositiononHill70.Germantroopsstilloccupiedtheredoubtanditsoutlyingtrench.Meanwhile,Wallerstein'smenheldaseriesofshallowtrenchesarrayedinasemicircleoppositetheredoubt.Ontheleft‘B’companyofthe13thRoyalScots,supportedbyacompanyofthe7thRoyalScotsFusiliers,wereinaperilousposition.AtfirstlightenfiladefirefromthedirectionofChaletWoodswepttheirposition,killingtheircommandingofficer,CaptainBethuneBruce.Thecentreofthelinewasheldbythe11thArgyllandSutherlandHighlanders,theyreportedthat:

Themorningwasspentinclosetouchwiththeenemy,thenearfaceoftheHILLbeingcontinuouslysweptbyenemymachine-gunfireandhighexplosiveshell.45thBrigade'srightflankwasheldbythe7thScotsFusiliers.

FirstArmyheadquartersintendedtoattacktheGermanSecondLinebetweenHulluchandCitéStAugusteat11.00am.Theydid,however,recognisethattheredoubtonthesummitofHill70couldenfiladetheassaulttroops.RawlinsoninstructedMcCracken'sDivisiontoclearthehillat9.00am,Brigadier-GeneralWilkinson's62Brigadewouldsupportthehard-pressedScots.However,onlytwoofWilkinson'sbattalionswereinapositiontoattackthehill,theremainderhadalreadybeenengagedelsewhere.WhentheordersarrivedintheearlyhoursBrigadiersWallersteinandWilkinsonmettodiscussits

practicalities:45thand62ndBrigadeswillattackHill70at9.00amtoday.45thBrigadewillattackfromthe

westwithitsleftonthetrackfromLoosthroughtheHill70RedoubttotheLens-LaBasséeroad.The62ndBrigadewillattackfromthenorth-westwithitsrightonthesametrack.Theattackwillbeprecededbyanhour'sintensebombardmentbyallavailableguns,andartillerybarrageswillbeestablishedontheenemy'strenchessouthandeastofHill70duringandaftertheattack….BeforethebombardmentoftheHill70Redoubtbeginstheinfantrywillbewithdrawntoasafedistance.

Thetwomenrecognisedthedifficultiesofcomplyingwiththeinstructions.Withtimerunningshort,itwouldbetoodangeroustoattempttoreorganisethefrontwiththeGermansincloseproximity.InsteadtheScotswouldattackthesummitfromtheirexistingpositions.TheRoyalScotswouldattackthenorthfaceoftheredoubtandbeyond.Inthecentrethe11thArgyllswouldtakethekeep,whilethe7thRoyalScotsFusiliersassaultedthesouthface.BrigadierWilkinson'stwoavailablebattalions,the10thGreenHowardsandthe12thNorthumberlandFusiliers,wouldbeinsupport,advancingfromtheirpositionseastofLoos.At6.45amBrigadier-GeneralWallersteinsummonedhisbattalionCOstoissueinstructions,asrecordedintheArgylls'wardiary;

TowithdrawundercoverofaheavybombardmentofHILL70,whichwastocommenceat8amandlastuntil9am,endeavourtoreorganiseandalongwith13thRoyalScotsand7thRoyalScotsFusiliersdeliverasimultaneousassaultonHill70at9am.

Meanwhile,theartilleryofficerswerefindingitdifficulttocomplywiththeirordersatsuchshortnotice.Anumberoffieldbatterieshadcollectedinthevalleyovernight.Theyhadlittletimetolocatetheirpositionsandregistertheirguns.TheScotsmarkedtheirfrontlinewithflags,buttheireffortswere

invain.Athickmistobscuredthehilltop,forcingthegunnerstofireblind.Theheavyartilleryhadtoremainintheiroriginalpositions,firingatlongrange,duetotheshortnotice.

Anartilleryman'sviewofHill70,lookingacrossthenorthernoutskirtsofLoos. IWM-Q43111

As8.00amapproached45Brigadewashurriedlytryingtowithdrawitsmen.Inmanyinstancesthemessagedidnotarrivebeforetheartilleryopenedfire.Thewardiaryofthe13thRoyalScotsillustratesthebitternessexhibitedbysome:

AtthetimefixedfortheassaulttheRegt.toadvanceinlinesof2platoonsorderofCo's.A,B,C,D,MG;DCoytobringupentrenchingtoolsandentrenchtheposition.Thetimeatourdisposalforissuingordersandforminganddirectdetailedschemeofattackwasmuchtooshort.Theenemy'sartillerystartedshellingLOOSandpartofHill70at8am.At8.30amourowngunssoeffectivelyshelledBCoythattheywereunabletogetintoposition,andanyattackbythisCoy.wasoutofthequestion.ACoywasunabletoadvanceowingtothegunsnothavingcutdowntheGermanwireinfront,whichatthisspotwasparticularlystrong.MajorMacPhersonandCaptainRobertsonwerekilledimmediately,theygotoutoverourparapetinfrontofCCoy,andthenthewholeassaultfizzledout,itwasnotlikelythatguns,whichhadnotregistered,wouldaccomplishinhalfanhourwhatfourdaysbombardmentandfortyminutesofgaswasconsiderednecessaryforonthe25th.

Elsewheretheleadingwavestruggledtomoveforwardtoassaultamongsttheconfusion.Tomakemattersworsethemist,thathaduptonowhamperedoperations,begantoliftjustwhentheScotsneededitmost.Meanwhile,200menofthe178thRegimentholdingtheredoubtbracedthemselvesforattack.

ScottishtroopslookonasartilleryshellshavelittleeffectontheGermantrenches.

DespitetheirdifficultiestheScotsadvancedpunctually.Theentryinthewardiaryofthe7thRoyalScotsFusiliersbrieflydescribestheattack:

Assaultdeliveredbyourfirstlineat9.00amfailed,ourgunsfiringshortcausedsomemenonleftandcentreoflinetoturn.Thelinewasrallied,advancedagainbutcouldnotcaptureredoubt.Casualtiesheavy.

Thestorywasrepeatedallalongthefront.Assoonasthechargewassoundedaheavycrossfiresweptthesummit.WiththeGermansholdingacontinuouslinefromChaletWoodtoLoosCrassiersuchasmallattackwasdoomedtofailure.Againthough,theScottishfightingspiritpushedthemontotheredoubt.Brutalhand-to-handfightingfollowedandforatimeitseemedasthoughtheredoubtwouldfall.Partofthegarrisonran,andeventhoughtheirnumbersweredwindlingfast,theScotsfollowed.Liketheirpredecessorsthedaybeforetheyfoundthemselvesonabareopensloperakedwithmachine-gun,rifleandartilleryfirefromeverydirection.Hardlyanyreturned.

Map25.45Brigade'sattempttoclearthesummitofHill70onthemorningofthe26th.

Meanwhile,thetwobattalionsof62Brigadeweremovingclosetothesummit,unawareofthedisasterthatlayahead.Themenwereterrified,neverbeforehadtheybeenunderfireandnowtheycouldseeandhearthebattleupabove.JustastheyreachedthecresttheScotsfellbackcausingsomeconfusion.Thefirewassoheavythathardlyanymenreachedtheperimeteroftheredoubt.Officerstriedinvaintoencouragetheirmenforward.Lieutenant-ColonelArthurHadow,ofthe10thGreenHowardsleaptforward,shouting‘charge’,followedbyMajorWilfredDent,MajorRalphNoyeandCaptainsThomasCharterisandJosephLynch.Allwerecutdowninstantly.Theattackwasover,andforasecondtimethesummitofHill70wascarpetedwithdeadanddyingmen.Seeingthesurvivorscrawlingback,theGermansbegantoreoccupytheredoubt,bombingdowntheperimetertrench.By10.30amtheywereinfullpossessionofthehill,leaving45and62Brigadesclingingtotheshallowtrenchesbelowthecrest.Wherepossiblemencrawledorranbacktosafety,drawingfirefromeverydirection.Theseriouslywoundedhadtobeleftbehindandtheyfacedalongagonisingwaituntilnightfall.Meanwhile,themenbehindthecrestlinehadtolistentotheircomradescriesforhelp.PrivateRobertDunsire,ofthe13thRoyalScots,wasdeterminedtoassist:

PrivateRobertDunsireVC.

Lyinginthefire-sweptzonebetweenBritishandGermans,awoundedmanmovedalimbasifinadespairingappealforassistance,andPrivateDunsire,heedlessofthefloodofbullets,crawledouttohimandbroughthimbacktosafety.Hehadjustreturnedwhenashoutforhelpdrewhisattentiontoasecondwoundedman,whowasalsorescuedafteradeath-invitingsallybyPrivateDunsire.Howhemanagedtoescapewithoutascratchwasamystery,fortheearthwasmadlydancingtothecontinuousthudofbullets.

PrivateDunsirewasawardedtheVictoriaCrossthreemonthslater.Unfortunatelyhedidnotsurvivelongenoughtoenjoyhisreward.On30January1916Dunsire'sdugoutnearHulluchreceivedadirecthitfromatrenchmortar.HediedofhisinjuriesafewhourslateratMazingarbeDressingStation.HisgravecanbefoundintheCommunalCemetery.

GermancounterattacksonBoisHugoandChaletWoodTothenorth,63Brigadefounditselfinaprecariouspositionatdawn.Althoughitwasholdinga

secureperimeteraroundthewesternendofBoisHugo,itsleftflankwasexposed.Meanwhile,theGermanshadmovedupundercoverofdarknesstohiddenpositions,closetoitsrightflank.Atthefootoftheslope,totheirrear,wasBrigadier-GeneralGloster's64Brigade.ThebrigadehadonlyjustarrivedandasyetGlosterhadnotmanagedtocontactBrigadier-GeneralNickalls.Havingspentalongnightmarchingacrossthebattlefield,themenweredeployedinreadinessfornewinstructions.MajorRBJohnsonofthe15thDLIdescribedinareportonhisexperienceshowthemenwerekeptbusy.Hismenwere:

…formedintoalinefacingapproximatelysouthalongafragmentaryandveryshallowGermantrench.ACompanyontheleft,B.C.andD.Companiesextendedtotheright.ThefrontageallottedtotheBattaliondidnotpermitalltobeinline.B.Companyhadoneplatooninline,theotherthreewereashortdistanceinrear,wheretherewasnoexistingtrenchthemenwereatoncesettoworktodigthemselvesin,andwherenecessarythefronttrenchwasalteredandimprovedasitwasoriginallysitedtofaceourrear.Thishadtobedonewiththesmallentrenchingtooleachmancarried,andtooksomeconsiderabletime.

At8.00am,justasthemistlifted,theordertosupport63Brigade'sadvancethroughBoisHugoandChaletWoodat11.00amarrived.Astheywaitedthemenwereideallyplacedtoobservethe9.00amattackonHill70and,sofar,itappearedthateverythingwasgoingtoplan.

Puits14biswithBoisHugoonthehorizon. IWM-Q43109

63BrigadehadbeenpreparingtoadvancethroughBoisHugowhenorderscametowaitforageneralattackallalongthefront.MajorStoreyreassuredtheofficersofthe8thLincolnshiresthat“Alliswell.Theadvancewillcommenceat11.00am”.SoonafterwardstheyobservedalargenumberofGermansretreatingtothesouth.Openingfire,theyshotmany,butindoingsodisclosedtheirpositions.BeforelongtheGermanartilleryretaliated,showeringBoisHugowithshrapnel.Infantryfollowed,movingforwardthroughthewood.ThebrigadewardiaryillustrateshowtheGermansbegantopressurisetheLincolnshirebattalion:

At9.30amtheColonelCommandingtheRegimentontherightofPUITS14BISreportedverballytotheBrigadierthatthesituationwasdistinctlyunfavourable,thattheGermanswerepushingthroughinlargenumbersandsuggestingthatweshouldaskforsupport.

Whileengaging63Brigade,theGermansalsoattackedChaletWood,200metrestothesouth.The6thCameronHighlanders,ledbyLieutenant-ColonelAngusDouglas-Hamilton,hadheldthewoodovernight,butbydawnwereexhaustedandrunninglowonammunition.ElementsfromthreeGermanregimentseventuallyclearedtheScotsfromthewood,drivingthembackacrosstheLensroad.Undeterred,Douglas-Hamiltonledhismenbackintothewoodtimeandtimeagain,eachtimehispartydiminishinginsize.Finally,withonlyaroundfiftyoftheCameronsstillcapableofstandingtheyfollowedtheirleaderintotheundergrowthforthelasttime.Theregimentalhistorydescribesthegallantofficerslastmoments:

FourtimesheledthepoorremnantoftheBattalionandsome100otherswhohadralliedaroundhimagainsttheeverincreasingenemynowholdingHill70.Thenhesanktothegroundwiththequiet,naturalwords.‘Colquhon,I'mdone.’‘Ofcourse’,saidCaptainColquhontohimself‘ofcoursehe'sdone.’Hehashadthewholethirtyhoursofcold,hungerandanxietyandhewasdoublingallthesetimestenyardsinfrontofusupHill70!Thenperceivingthefacts,thetwoofficersstillwithhimbandageduphiswounds,buttwentyminuteslaterwiththewords‘I

mustgetup,Imustgetup’,hepassedaway.

Lieutenant-ColonelAngusDouglas-HamiltonVC.

Douglas-Hamilton'seffortswereultimatelyinvain,fortheCameronswerewipedoutalmosttoaman,leavingthewoodanditscommandingviewovertheLoosvalleyinGermanhands.Becauseofhisdeterminedleadershipinthefaceofoverwhelmingodds,the52year-oldofficerwasposthumouslyawardedtheVictoriaCross.InJanuary1916the7thCameronHighlandersrecoveredhisbody,butthegravewaslostduringlaterfighting.HisnameiscarvedattheheadofhismenontheDudCornerMemorial.Meanwhile,63Brigade'sposition,nowisolatedonbothflanks,begantodeterioraterapidly.Efforts

toreinforceChalkPitWoodwithtwocompaniesofthe10thYorkandLancastersonlyaddedtotheconfusion.

TheorderwasapparentlymisunderstoodandthewholeRegimentnotonlywenttotheWoodbutwentbeyondit,insomecasescompanieswerelyingoutsidethewoodintheopen,tenyardsfromthewood,therebycausingunnecessarycasualties.

Anxioustorestoreorderbeforethegeneraladvancebegan,GeneralNickallssentarequestforreinforcementsfrom64Brigade,inthehopeofmaintaininghisholdonBoisHugo.HealsoinstructedhisbattalioncommanderstogatherattheChalkPitat10.00amtoreceivetheirorders.Lieutenant-ColonelLeggett,12thWestYorkshires,nevermadeit;hewasseverelywoundedbyashellasheapproachedbrigadeheadquarters.Thebattalioncommanderswereverballyinstructedtoadvanceeastwardsat11.00am.Meanwhile,theGermanshadotherideas:

About10.30am,afteraratherheavybombardment,aweakhostileadvanceagainstourleftflankbegan,againstwhichourartillerymadeexcellentpractice.

Althoughthiscounter-attackwasdrivenoffeasily,itwassignificant.Thecompanybelongedtothe26thRegiment,thefirsttroopsofthe8thDivisiontoarriveonthebattlefield.TheyhadmarchedovernightfromDouai.Undeterred,theGermansattackedasecondtime:

TheenemydebouchedfrombothsidesoftheBoisHugosimultaneously,attackingbothA,BandCcompaniesoftheLincolnshireandthethreecompaniesoftheleft(theWestYorkshires).Thetrenchesofthelatterwereoverwhelmed,andthesurvivingoccupantsfellbackinaconfusedmasstothesupporttrench.Similarly,ontheright,A,BandCfellbackthroughthewood.

Seeingtheretreat,the10thYorksandLancsfellback,leavingthetwocompaniesoftheSomersetLightInfantrytofightalone.Lieutenant-ColonelHowardreportedhow:

WewereallingoodspiritsandblazedawayattheGermanswhowerecomingintofullviewallthetimenow…Thingsbegantogetwarmnowandwealltookriflesandshotcarefullyalong

thewoodwherevertheenemydebouched,atrangesvaryingbetween400and800yards.Ammunitionranlowsowestrippedthedeadoftheirsandgotenoughtokeepgoing…

DuringtheGermanattackBrigadier-GeneralNickallswaskilledandhisstaffcaptainwentmissing,laterreportedkilled.Anumberofattemptstorallythemanandattackcametonothing.TheLincolnshiresfoughtbravely,ledbytheirseniorofficers:

CaptainLDavisledtwoorthreebayonetchargeswithoutsuccess.HereLieutenant-ColonelHEWalterwasshotdownwhilstgallantlycallingonhismentogoforwardwithhimandattacktheenemy.“Hestood,”said2ndLieutenantCragg,“notknowingwhatfearwasinthemidstofahotfireatcloserange,fortyyardsoff,callingonustocharge.Justashehadledhefell.”GreatlybelovedbyallranksoftheBattalionforhisfinesoldierlyqualities,hislosswassorelyfelt.

Itappearsthatthelackofexperiencecausedunnecessarycasualties,andintheheatofbattleofficersandNCOsfoundtheirtraininglacking.TheBrigadewardiarybitterlyreportshow:

Duringtheretirement,RegimentalofficersandNCOsdidnotgivemuchassistanceintryingtorallythemen(therewereafewexceptionsinthecaseofofficersbuttheNCOswereuseless).NoattemptwasmadetocarryouttheretirementasaMilitaryOperation,NCOsandmensimplyretiredinanydirectionandanyhowtheyliked…

Evensothecasualtyfiguresreflecttheseverityofthefighting.Seventy-oneofficerswerekilledorwoundedinthebrigade,andinthecaseofthe8thLincolnshireseveryofficerwasacasualty.Inlessthananhour63Brigadehadceasedtoexistasaneffectivefightingunit,losingover1,300ofitsnumber.Nickalls'requestforreinforcementshadtakennearlyanhourtoreachBrigadier-GeneralGloster.As

farashecouldsee,thewoodsonthehorizonwerestillinfriendlyhands.TheBrigadediaryexplains:At9-44am,howeveranotewrittenpersonallybyBr.Genl.Nickalls,timed8.53am,arrived,

sayinghisright,inthesoutherncornerofthesmallrectangularwood,waspressedbyaGermancounter-attackandaskingforabattaliontoreinforcehimthere.Wehadseennoindicationofanysuchattack,andtothecontraryhadjustseenourowntroopsdebouch,andsuccessfullyadvancefromthissamecorner.Itwasthereforepresumedthatthenecessityhadpassed.Neverthelessthe14DLIwereatoncesentforwardwithorderstomovetothesaidwoodandthereactasGeneralNickallsmightrequire.

Lieutenant-ColonelASHamilton'sbattalion,consistingofyoungminers(aswasthemajorityofthebrigade),climbedoutofitsshallowtrenchandmoveduptheslopetowardsBoisHugo.JustasitreachedtheLenshighway;

…Anextraordinarythinghappened.Withoutanyapparentattack,orchangeinthesituation,the63InfBdetroopsholdingthelinenorthwardofthehouseatthenorthernendofthewood,thehouseinwhichGen.NickallshadhisH.Q,suddenlyroseandretiredfromtheirtrenches.

The14thDurhamLightInfantrythenfoundthemselvesunderattackbytheirowntroops.Inastateofpanic63BrigadebelievedthattheyhadbeenoutflankedaroundthesouthandwestoutskirtsofBoisHugo.64Brigadediaryattemptstoexplainhowthemisunderstandingoccurred;

…TheyapparentlytookthemforGermansowingtotheirwearinglonggreatcoats,andmadeachangeofdirectionasiftoattackthe14thDLIintheflank.Thendiscoveringtheirmistake,andinfectingthe14thDLIwiththeirretirement,theyandthe14thbeganretiringtogether.

ThebidtosecureBoisHugohadfailed,andintheconfusiontheGermanswereabletoconsolidatetheirpositions.WithbothwoodsinGermanhandstheScotsholdingHill70wereindangerofbeingoutflanked.Theirexposedtrenchesnearthesummitcameunderaccuratemachinegunfireandforatime

itseemedasifthehillwouldhavetobeevacuated.

AttemptstoretakeBoisHugoandChaletWoodWith11.00amquicklyapproaching,thesituationinthecentreofIVCorpsfrontwasdeteriorating

rapidly.HelpwasathandforawaytothewestthousandsoftroopscouldbeseenadvancingovertheGrenayRidge;24thDivision'sattackwasfinallyunderway.MajorJohnsonofthe15thDurhamLightInfantrywatchedtheimpressivesightfromthefootofHill70:

Wewatchedthroughfieldglasses,asifonmanoeuvres,waveuponwaveofbattalionsinextendedordermoveatrightanglesacrossourfrontaboutamileaway.StartingnearthenorthernendofLooswefollowedtheirprogressintentlyandcriticallyuntilwelostsightofthembehindthewood[BoisHugo],orfoldsintheground.Thescenewasfascinatingandexcitingbecausewecouldnotseewhathappened.Therewasnosignofbattle;nonoise,noburstingshells,noenemyinsight,justlikeanAldershotfield-daywithtroopsinwonderfulalignmentforthemostpart.Verycriticallywescannedthelonglines,andwonderedwhattheirobjectivecouldbe.Itwasanimposingsight.

Meanwhile,timewasrunningoutforBrigadier-GeneralGloster'sbrigade.The14thDurhamLightInfantryhadralliedatthefootoftheslope,havingquicklyrecoveredfromtheshockofbeingattacked.Inordertoconformtohisorders,Glosterorderedthe14th,withthe15thDurhamLightInfantryinsupport,toadvanceeastimmediately.However,forsomeinexplicablereason,theDurhammenmovedsoutheast,advancingbyshortrushesuptheslopeleadingtowardsthesummitofHill70.Thismisdirectioncouldbeattributedtotheangleofthedeploymentofthebattalions,oreventotheslopeoftheground.64Brigadediarypresentsanexplanation;

…itlookedasifthehillhadbeenentirelyevacuated,especiallyasourowngunsnowagainbegantoshelleverythingonitindiscriminately;andthefactthatourtroopsremainingonthehillwerewearingbluesmokehelmetsaidedtheillusionthatnonebutGermanswereonthehill.

Toinexperiencedsoldiers,withlittleideaofwheretheyortheenemywere,thebattlefieldwasaconfusingplace.As64Brigadewaitedtoadvancetheywatchedtheirartillerybombardthehilltopandthedistantfiguresscurryingforcover.WiththeirgreatcoatsandsmokehelmetspulledbackontheirheadstheScotsweremistakenlythoughttobeGermans.WhenlongrangefiredirectedfromHill70begancausingcasualtiesamong64Brigade,theirmindsweremadeup.Thefirewasactuallyovershootingfromtheredoubt,aimedattheScots.

64BrigadeadvancedatanangleacrosstheslopetowardstheScots,ChaletWoodisonthehorizontotheleft. IWM-Q43110

AsthetwoDurhambattalionsmoveduptheslopetowardstheimaginaryenemy,theyinadvertentlyexposedtheirleftflanktotherealthreatshiddeninBoisHugoandChaletWood.MajorHowarddescribeshowthe15thDurhamLightInfantryreactedtothechangingsituationasitcrossedtheLoos-Hulluchroad:

ForthefirsttimeIbecameawareoftwomorewoodsonourleftflank,fromwhichdirectionwitheachadvancethefiringverygreatlyincreased;wewereenfiladedbyrifleandmachine-guns.Thiswasentirelyunexpected,andalittledisconcerting.ExaminingthepositionthroughglassesIbelievedIcouldlocatemachine-gunsinanupperstoreyofahouseontheedgeofthemiddlewood(BoisHugoIfinditisnamed),andfindingAandBCompaniessomewhataheadIformedlinehalfleft,tofacethewoodswiththeobjectofassistingthosewhofollowed.Thedinwasextraordinary,andIfounditimpossiblebyshoutingmyloudesttomakemyvoicecarryasfarasthethirdmanfromme.Crawlingalongtheline,andpassingontheorderIdirectedfireuponthewindowsofthehouse.Thesewereourfirstshotsofthewar,andwerefiredatalongrange.Whilsttryingtogetmoremenforward,andstoppingwoundedmendribblingbackIwasmyselfwounded.

Bewilderedbythechaosofbattle,theDurhambattalionsbegantowaver.TheludicracyoftheScotspredicamentonthehillissummedupinthe13thRoyalScotswardiary:

About11.30amthesituationbecamefurthercomplicatedbythe21stDivisionadvancingtotheattack.TheycrossedtheLOOS-HULLUCHRoadandestablishedafiringlinefromwhichtheyproceededtopouraheavyfireintotheleftofthe45thBde.andHill70causingheavycasualties.HoweverbyestablishingsomemachinegunsnearPuits14theenemycametotheassistanceofthe45thBde.byenfiladingthe21stDivn.,causingthelattertoretire.

Enfiladedatshortrangebymachine-gunsandrifles,thetwoDurhambattalionslostheavily.Withcasualtiesmountingthelinesbegantowaver,andastheynearedthetrenchesheldbytheScotsontopofHill70theirlimitofendurancewasreached.Thoseabletodosorandownthehillbacktowherethey

hadstarted.Asthemenretreateddowntheslopestheyweremetbyfreshtroopsmovingforward,Brigadier-GeneralMitford's71stBrigadewasadvancinguptheslopepasttheChalkPit:

ThisuniquespectaclewaspresentedofthelargerportionoftheRegimentsof(63rd)Brigaderetreatingthroughportionsoftheadvancingbattalions.

WhiletheDurhambattalionscarriedouttheirfruitlessattack,Brigadier-GeneralGlosterwasholdingacrisismeetingwithLieutenant-ColonelsLynchandPollock,commandersofthe9thand10thKOYLIs.Theintentionwasforthemtorenewtheadvancewithasmanyralliedmenaspossible.However,eventsovertooktheofficers.Urgedforwardbyadesiretoattack,the9thKOYLIsadvanced;

…theypouredoverthetopwithoutwordofcommand,likecoltsatastartinggatethatbreakthetapeandgetdownthecoursebeforethestarter'sflagisdown.

IntheireagernesstoreachtheunseenenemytheKOYLIssurgedforwarduptheslopebeforeorderscouldbeissued.TheBrigadewardiaryexplainswhathappenednext:

Ithasnotyetbeendiscoveredwhoorderedthemforward.Itwasimpossibletostopthem,andwithafewhurriedverbalinstructionstheirCOranoffafterthem.Butpracticallytheywentoffwithoutorders.The10thKOYLIwerehastilyorderedtofollowinsupport,andtheirCOwasorderednottogobeyondtheLOOS-HULLUCHroad.Therewasnoprospectoftwobattalionssucceedingwheremanyhadfailed,anditwashopedmerelytorestoremoralebyendingupinadvanceofsomekind,andthendiginneartheroadbeyondwhichfurtheradvanceseemedimpossible.

Everyable-bodiedmanintheLoosvalleyjoinedtheadvanceforward,whichagainmovedtowardsthesummitofHill70.ForasecondtimetheScotsholdingoutnearthecrestfoundthemselvesunderattackbytheirowncountrymen.NotsurprisinglythetwoKOYLICOswereunabletoarrestthemovementofsomany.Onlythetwosupportcompaniesofthe10thKOYLIsreceivedtheordertohaltintime.Themenofthe106thReserveRegimentwatchedinamazementfromBoisHugoandChaletas:

Massesofinfantry,estimatedataboutadivision,begantoadvanceinabouttwentywavesonafrontbetweenLoosandChalkPitWood,movinginasoutherlydirectiontowardsHill70.SimultaneouslythoseBritishtroopsentrenchedoppositeHill70Redoubtopenedaheavycoveringfire.Theadvancingmasseswereneverthelesstakenunderfirebythemachine-gunsandriflesintheHill70redoubtandeffectivelyenfiladedbythoseofthe153rdRegimentandacompanyofthe106thReserveRegiment….Theeffectofthisfirefromtwosideswasveryconsiderable,wholelinesbeingmowndownbythemachineguns.Theconglomerationofunitswerecrumpledupbyflankingenemymachine-gunfireandshrapnel,andretired.

By11.00am64Brigadewasfinishedasaneffectiveformation.Gloster'scommandhadsufferedovera1000casualtiesinitsfutileattempttodrivetheScotsfromHill70.ThemajorityofthesurvivorsfellbacktothetrenchesofGrenayRidge,leavingthetworeservecompaniesofthe9thand10thKOYLIstoholdthelineimmediatelynorthofLoos.Meanwhile,theGermanswatchedunmolestedfromBoisHugoandChaletWood.

ChapterEleven

24thDIVISION'SATTACKONTHEGERMANSECONDLINE

71&72BrigadesadvanceBrigadier-GeneralBetramMitford's72BrigadehadspentanuneasynightintheGermantrencheseast

ofLoneTree.Itwasthemen'sfirstexperienceofbattleandtheyrestlesslywaited,watchingandlisteningtothebattlearoundthem:

Attimestherewasfairvisibility,fortheenemybombardmentofLooshadturnedthevillageintoafurnaceofflame,withTowerBridgesilhouettedinblackoutlineagainsttheruddyglow,andtheskywaslightenedbyotherburningvillages,shellfireandVerylights.Fromtimetotimewouldcomeawaveofmist,whenallwashidden.

AsdawnbrokeBrigadier-GeneralMitford,concernedatthelackofinformation,sentMajorSirWKaytoVermellesinsearchofinstructionsfromdivisionalheadquarters.Fornearlyfivehoursthemenwaited,hiddenbythemistwhilethebattleragedallaround.MajorKayreturnedat9.45amwithverbalorderstoadvanceeasttoattacktheGermansecondline.Althoughwrittenconfirmationhadbeensentitdidnotarriveuntilnightfall.Itread;

1stDivisionattacksHulluch11am,72BrigadetoattacksecondlinetrenchbetweenPuits13bis(south-eastofHulluch)andtheredoubtexclusive,21stDivisionwillattackonyourrightagainstredoubtandcontinuationofthetrenchsouthofittoBoisHugo.Theattackwillbeprecededbyanartillerybombardment.TheattackwillcrosstheLens-LaBasséeroadat11am.From24thDivision,7.10am.

Thedearthofinformationisastounding.Withnodetailsonwhattheobjectiveswere,orinformationontheGermanpositions,thebrigadeswereexpectedtowalkforwardandthroughtheGermanlines.Withtimerunningout,Mitfordhadnoopportunitytoplantheproposedattack.Withminutestosparehesummonedhisbattalioncommanders,asrelatedintheRoyalWestKentRegimentalHistory:

Atabout10.20amColonelVansittartwassentforbytheBrigadierandgotorderstoattackat11am;hereachedthebattalionagainat10.53,andonlyhadtimetogiveordersforthewholeBattaliontomoveupintothefiretrench,andtelloffcompaniesasfiringlineandsupports.Weweretoldthattherewereplentymorefellowsinreservetogothroughus,andthatthetroopsoneitherflankwouldattacksimultaneouslywithourselves.

Despitethelastminuterush72Brigadeadvancedpunctually.Twobattalionsledtheadvance,the8thRoyalWestKentontheleft,andthe9thEastSurreysontheright.8thQueensfollowedinsupportontheleftwiththe8thBuffstotheright.The2ndWelchwatchedtheattackdevelopfromtheirtrenchesinfrontofHulluch:

Wesawamarvelloussight.LineuponlineofmeninextendedordercameoverthecrestofthehillbehindusandadvanceddowntotheHULLUCH-LENSROADandthenuptowardstheGermanlineoftrenchesonthecrestoftherise.

Inaweoftheunrealexperiencethemenadvancedsilentlystraining,undertheweightoftheirpacks.TheKentBattalionwentdirectlyeast,withtheirlineofadvancedirectedtothesouthofHulluch,inthebeliefthattroopsof1stDivisionwerepreparingtoassaultit.However,lessthanahundredmenofthe2ndWelchparticipated;theremainderdidnotreceivetheordertoattackuntilitwastoolate.

Map26.24thDivisionpreparestoadvancetowardstheGermanSecondLine,as21stDivisionfallsbackfromBoisHugoandChaletWood.

Theattackwascarriedoutatamarchingpaceinordertosavethemen'sbreathforthefinalchargeandbayonetwork,andtheadvancewassosteadyandformationssoregularthatitlookedmorelikeafielddayatAldershotthanpartofagreatbattle.Theenemybroughtaveryheavyriflefire,machine-gunandartilleryfiretobearontheattackinglines,andshortenedhisrangetokeeppacewiththeadvancewithwonderfulprecision;butthecasualtiesuptothispoint,thoughsevere,werenotinordinatelyheavy.

Meanwhile,theEastSurreyswereforcedtomarchsouth-easttoextendthebrigadefrontageinlinewith

divisionalorders.AstheyswungeastwardstocrosstheLensRoadtheywitnessedtheretirementof63BrigadefromBoisHugo.UndeterredtheEastSurreyscontinuedandtheirsteadyadvancecontributedtotherallyingofthebrokenbrigade.As72Brigadedeployeditbecameobviousthatthedivisionalorderhadaninherentflaw.The

designatedfrontagewasinexcessof1500metreswide,yeteachbattalioncoveredonly400metres.IntheirattemptstoconformtotheirorderstheRoyalWestKentsandtheEastSurreysdriftedapartleavinga700metregapinthecentreofthebrigade.GeneralMitfordimmediatelyreacted,sendingforwardthe8thBuffs,undercommandofitssixty-fouryearoldLieutenant-Colonel,FrederickRomerCBCMG.ThepreviousdayRomerhadaddressedhismenatBethune:

Iamnotgoingtomakeaspeechtoyou,butonlytoaskyoutorememberthatyouaretheBuffs.

MovingforwardatthedoubletheranksextendedoutintoartilleryformationinresponsetotheGermanshelling,takingtheirplaceatthecentreoftheline.Lieutenant-ColonelRomer,incommonwithmanybattalioncommandersatLoos,ledhismenfromthefront.Hewasoneofthefirstcasualties,hitintheshoulder.Despitethewoundhecontinuedforwarduntilshotthroughtheheartandkilled.AstheleadinglinesapproachedtheLens-LaBasséeRoadthemenweregreetedbyacheeringsight,

asrecalledinthe2ndWelchwardiary:AlltheGermanswhohadadvancedtoattackus,onseeingthesemenadvance,theyturned

roundandranashardastheycouldupthehillthrowingawayalltheirarmsandequipmentandfinallydisappearedthroughtheirbarbedwireandintotheirtrench.Manywereshotdownastheyretreated,butmanymoreescaped.Someheadednorth,takingrefugeinthetrenchesaroundHulluchvillage,otherstookcoverinasunkenroadwhichranalongthenorthernedgeofBoisHugo.

TheareasouthofHulluch,thetreesmarkthelineoftheLaBasséeroad.Vendin-le-Vieilcollierydominatesthehorizon. IWM-Q43105

Eventsnowbegantounfoldrapidlyallalongthefront.AstheRoyalWestKentscrossedtheLensRoadonthelefttwocompaniesofthe2ndWelchrosefromtheirtrenchandjoinedtheadvance.

Averyseveremachine-gunfirefromeitherflankswepttheroad,andveryheavycasualtiesweresustainedincrossingit.AboutfourhundredyardseastoftheroadtheBattalionpassedaforwardGermantrenchfullofenemydead.AstheadvancesweptupthelongslopetowardsthemainGermantrenchesthemachine-gunfireincreasedinintensity,beingveryseverefrombothflanks.ShellingdirectedfrombehindHill70andfromthesouth-easternpartofHulluchwasalsoveryheavy,andtwofieldgunswerebroughtuptoapositionfromwhichtheytooktheattackfirstfromtheflankandlaterfromtheleftrear,firingpracticallyoveropensights.

Despitetheterribleonslaughttheadvancecontinued,officersandsergeantsencouragingthemenforward.Manywerehit(twentyfouroutoftwentyfiveofficerswerecasualties),tryingtokeeporderamongthethinningranks.Meanwhile,thehalfbattalionofWelsh,ontheextremeleftreachedthewireonthesouthernoutskirts

ofHulluch.TheWelch'swardiaryrecallshowvictoryappearedtobeimminent:…theymanagedtogetthroughwitheaseandentertheGermantrenchwhichwaspractically

unoccupied.ThefewGermanswhoweretobeseenwereunarmedanddesirousofsurrendering.ThecorpsonourrightalsoreachedtheGermanwireandweallthoughtthatatlastwehadgainedwhatmightbecalledarealvictory,asaccordingtoallmapsthislinewasthelastlineofdefenceandwehadvisionofadvancingmanymiles.

TheRoyalWestKents,however,hadnotbeensofortunate.OntheirfrontbetweenStudzpunktIIIandIV,thebarbedwirewasfoundtobeundamaged,withnovisiblegaps.Beyond,thetrencheswerefullofGermansfiringrapidlyintotheranksofapproachingmen.Inplacesthewirewasreached,butitwasfoundtobesecuredbystakesdrivendeepintotheground:

Manymenmadegallantattemptstogetthroughthewire,2ndLieut.Donbeingkilledwhenhalf-waythrough.Theremainderdroppedtothegroundwheretheywereandreturnedtheheavyfirefromtheenemy'strench.Thesituation,however,washopeless.Infrontwasanimpenetrablebeltofwire,andtheline,suchaswasleftofit,rakedwithrifleandmachine-gunfirefromthefrontandbothflanks,andenfiladedbyanequallydeadlyartilleryfire.

Tomakemattersworse,thesupportingartillerywasfiringshort,showeringthetwobrigadeswithshrapnel.OnlyLieutenantWKTillie,theWestKentsBattalionmachine-gunofficer,remainedunhurt.Therest,alongwithover500men,laydeadorwoundedontheslopeleadinguptothewire.AfterthebattleLieutenant-ColonelVansittartsentareporttotheWarOfficeinsupportofhisBattalion:

The8thRoyalWestKentsactuallygotfromhalftothreequartersofamileeastofHulluch–thatalthoughthefirewasveryheavyandfromeverydirection,officersandmenalikeshowednottheleastsemblanceofanycheckorstop.Theyadvancedasifonparadeandunderperfectdisciplinetilltheyreachedtheenemy'sundamagedbarbedwireentanglement,beyondwhichtheywereunabletogo;andhereourlosseswereheavy.

Meanwhile,the8thQueensadvancedbyshortrushes,joiningtheKentbattaliononitsright.Ittoohadsufferedheavily,losingoverfourhundredcasualties.Themenwereinapredicament.Aheadwasathickbeltofwire,thetrenchbeyondfullofGermans.Behindwasanopenslopesweptbyfireofeverydescription.Pinneddownwithgrasstheironlymeansofcover,theystayedstill,awaitingthepromisedsupports.The11thEssex,from71Brigade,wasfollowinginsupport,havingbeenorderedforwardat11.25am.

Againtheirorderswereunclear:TowardsmiddaytheC.O.simplysaid‘11thEssexgetoutofthetrench’andthewordwas

passedalong,followedbytheorder,‘Artilleryformationtotheright’.

Map27.TrenchmapoftheareabetweenHulluchandBoisHugoillustratinghow24thDivisionhadtobravefirefromthreedirections.

BynowtheGermanswerealertedtothethreattotheirfrontand,withtheleadingbattalionspinneddown,theywereabletoturntheirattentionstotheEssex.

AstheEssexwentdowntheforwardslopetothelowgroundthroughwhichranthemainLens-LaBasséeroad,firstfirefromfieldgunsandthenmachine-gunsopenedupontheminenfilade,sitedapparentlyinandaroundHulluchvillage.Thecommandingofficer,Lieutenant-ColonelRadclyffe-leadingtheBattalion,caneinhandandwithasmalldogbarkingathisheels-thesecondincommand,MajorDaviesandtheAdjutant,CaptainHeppell,wounded,allwentdownwithinafewminutesbeforethemachine-gunfirewhichrattledlikeamowingmachine.

AftercrossingtheLensroadthebattalionsplitintotwo.ThelefthandcompaniesdriftedtowardsHulluchinagallant,butfutile,attempttoenterthevillage.TheremainingtwocompaniesfollowedtherouteoftheKentsandQueens.AsanEssexofficerwroteafterwards:

Thebearingofthemenwassplendid,everyonewasascoolaspossible.Asgoodasapeaceparade,andbetter.Theexcitementmadeitbetter…Wethoughtwewereonlymovinginsupport.Weneverknewwherewewere.Thatdreadfullostfeelingisoneoftheworstthingstofaceinwar.

Injustoveranhour,threeandahalfbattalionshadbeenthrownatthedefencessouthofHulluch,andeachoneinturnhadbeendestroyed.Overa1000menlayscattered,pinneddownontheslopesouthofthevillage.Twiceasmanyweredeadorgrievouslywounded,withnochanceofrescue.CorporalGWChaseechoesthefeelingofhelplessnessandconfusionofthosestillalive:

Newexperiences:bewilderingandterrifying;mendestroyed;burstingshells;carnage,shambles;timecountedfornothing.

Leavingthissectorforthemoment,itistimetofollowthefortunesoftherighthalfof72BrigadeinitsadvancenorthofBoisHugo.The9thEastSurreyskeptperfectformationasitclimbedthegentleinclinetothenorthofChalkPitWood,partiallyconcealeduntilitcrossedtheLensroadatthetopoftheslope.SnipershiddenamongstthetreesliningtheLenshighwaytargetedtheofficers.CaptainHerbertDealtrywaskilledandCaptainsCollinsonandCharlesBarnettdiedofwounds.MajorHowardWelchandCaptainWilfredBirtwerealsohit,bothdyingoftheirwoundsincaptivity.AssoonasCandDcompaniescrossedtheroad,therifleandmachine-gunfireintensified.TheSurreyshadexpectedsupportontheirrightflank,with64BrigadeclearingBoisHugo.InsteadanumberofGermanmachine-gunslinedtheedge,enfiladingtheirflankfromcloserange.Inresponsethemenontherighttookcover,tryinginvaintoformafiringlinetosilencethehiddenguns.Theremainderpushedon,movinginshortrushes:

Thesouthernlimitof24thDivision'sattack,aftercrossingtheLaBasséeroadthemencameunderfirefromBoisHugoontheright. IWM-Q43107

…Rightuptotheenemy'strenches,butthewirenotbeingcutitwasimpossibletogetthroughtheenemy'slines,althoughseveralfruitlessattemptsweremade.Thecasualtieswereveryheavyatthispointchieflyowingtosomemachine-gunswhichformedaheavycrossfireonourmen.

The8thBuffs,withthe9thSuffolksfollowing,alsopushedforwardtowardsStutzpunktIVinthecentreofBrigadierMitford'sfront.TheGermanswereastonishedbytheweightoftheattack,buttheirmoraleneverwavered.InfactwhentheysawthattheirbarbedwirewasimpenetrabletheirconfidencegrewasconfirmedinthediaryofNo.26Regiment:

Thebattalionstaffwasontheleftflank,southofStutzpunktIV,whencewehadawonderfulview.TheEnglishattackedinwholehostsandwithgreatdash.Ourmenfiredstandingupasfastastheycouldpullthetriggers.NoEnglishmengotthroughthewireentanglement,andthegroundinfrontwascoveredwithbodies.

71and72Brigades'RetreatBy12:30pmtheattackhadgroundtoahaltclosetotheGermanwire.Facedwithanuncutbeltofwire

andunderamurderouscrossfirethemenofthe24thDivisionwerepinneddown.Thecombinedforceofsixbattalionshadsufferedover2,500casualties,including100officers,injustoveranhour.Withnomorereinforcementstodeploy,GeneralRawlinson'sattackwasover.Itwouldbeonlyamatteroftimebeforethelinesbegantowaver.

Map28.24thDivisionapproachestheGermanSecondLine,meanwhile,21stDivision‘attacks’theScotsonthesummitofHill70.

ThesmallpartyofWelchthathadpenetratedtheGermanlinesouthofHulluchwereforcedtoretire.Partofthe11thEssexhadfoundrefugeinasunkenroadsouth-westofthevillage.FromthishaventheyattemptedtoharasstheGermansholdingthevillage.

Themachinegunnerswereparticularlycoolandthehighestpraiseisduetobothofficersand

men…TheydidalottokeepdowntheGermanfire;andwereprobablychieflyresponsiblefortheGermansnotcounter-attackingafterwewerebeatenoff.Duringthewithdrawaltheymovedintothegully(sunkenroad),wheretheycontinuedtofire,withtheexceptionoftheleftgun,whichmovedstraightback.No.3teamtookupapositionabovethebridgeinthegully,whereitwasbadlyshelledandthegunabandoned,asitwasquiteuseless.Theothertwowerestationedbelowitandoneofthemfiredthreeorfourhundredroundswithabrokenpistonrodquiteeasily…

Meanwhileamixedforcecomprisedofthe8thRoyalWestKents,8thQueen'sandtherestofthe11thEssexwerepinneddowninfrontofthelinenorthofStutzpunktIV.Herethefireslackenedasthemenhidinthelonggrass.Afewgallantsoldierscrawledforwardtotryandcutthroughthewire.Theywereconfrontedwithanimpossibletask.Stoutstakesdrivendeepintothegroundwerefoundinterlacedwithmassesofbarbedwire.Anybodywhowasseenwasshotdownimmediately.ThegentleslopebetweenHulluchandBoisHugowasstrewnwiththedeadanddying,whilethewoundedattemptedtocrawltosafety.CaptainAKFisonofthe11thEssexrecordedhisownpainfuljourneyback,typicalofhundredsofothers:

Iwashitintherightarmbyariflebullet.ThewoundwassoonboundupbyaprivateoftheWestKentswhohappenedtobenear.ThereappearednogoodtobedonebyeithergoingonorstayingwhereIwas,soIstartedtryingtocrawlback.Thissoonprovedtoopainfulandtheonlypracticalmethodseemedtobetodoubleinshortrushesfromoneshell-holetoanother.ThisprocessultimatelybroughtmetotheLoos-Hulluchroad,afterbeingshotatmorethanIcaredfor,andhereIwasgladtostrikethebeginningofacommunicationtrench,Igotslowlyalongthis,progressbeingveryslowowingtoitsbeingfullofwounded,mostlybadlyhitandwaitingforstretcherbearers.

Athickbeltofbarbedwire,impossibletocutthough. IWM-Q28970

Althoughestimatesvary,itappearsthatthesituationremaineddeadlockedforoveranhour.Astimepasseditbecameobviousthattherewerenomorereinforcements.Thefewremainingofficersfacedadilemma.Somewereopposedtotheideaofpullingbackhavingcomesofar,afterallreinforcementswerefollowing.Therestrealisedthattostaywouldinevitablyleadtodeathorcapture.Withsofew

NCOstosteadythemen,thedecisionwaseventuallytakenfromthem.Whatreallyhappenedwillprobablyneverbeknown.TheOfficialHistoryplacestheblameonananonymousindividualshoutingretire,anoptiontakenbyasmanyaspossible.Inevitablymanywoundedmenwouldhavestruggledtomaketheirwayback.FromtheirexposedpositionneartheGermanwirethisrearwardmovecouldeasilyhavebeenmistakenforageneralretirement.Accordingto71Brigade'sreportthe8thQueensand8thRoyalWestKentsbegantoretireatabout

1.30pmandBrigadierMitfordatoncetookstepstopreventitturningintoafull-scalerout:Endeavoursweremadetostopthisbysendingacompanyof12thSherwoodForesterstothe

left.CaptainGEHope,StaffCaptainandCaptainH.D.MJamesmachinegunofficer,bothofthe71stBde.StaffweresenttotheleftwiththeresultthattheretirementwasstoppedatthecapturedGermantrenches.

Thereareconflictingaccountsastowhethertheretirementwasmadeingoodorderornot.AccordingtotheOfficialHistorythemen,

begantofallbacksteadily,withoutpanicandatevenpace,towardstheLensRoad.However,thereportinthe2ndWelchwardiaryisdamning.FromtheirtrencheswestandsouthofHulluchtheywatchedtheretreatunfold:

ButsuddenlytoouramazementanddisgustthewholeCorpsonourrightturnedroundandboltedinawildpanic.Thementhrewawaytheirriflesandequipmentandranbackacrossthevalleyanddisappearedoverthecrestofthehilloverwhichtheyhadadvancedsomagnificently.InthisrouttheyallbunchedtogetherandsomadeagoodmarkfortheGermanshrapnelandmachine-gunsinHULLUCHandconsequentlylosttwiceasmanyastheydidadvancing.WewereleftwithtwocompaniesoppositeHULLUCH,animpossiblesituationtoremaininaswehadbothflanksintheairandhadnosupport,soweretiredslowlybutnaturallylosingheavily.Eventuallytheremnantofus,some150menwithsevenofficers,arrivedinthetrenchwestartedfrom.Hereweremainedincomparativequiet.

Thecontemptshownbyregularsoldierstowards‘Kitchener'smen’isveryapparent.Meanwhile,the9thEastSurreyshadbeenretiringslowlyfromBoisHugo.Seeingthegeneralretreat

totheirleft,theynaturallyjoinedit,takingthe9thSuffolkswiththem.Again,BrigadierMitfordtookstepstostoptheretreat,andformalineintheGermantrencheswestoftheLens-LaBasséeRoad.Unfortunately,thistimeitwastoolate:

Soonafterthismuchgreaterretirementoftroopswasobservedontheright.IthadproceededtoofartostopitatthecapturedtrenchesandBrigadierGeneralM.ShewerandMajorH.C.D.Jowett,BrigadeMajor71Brigade,proceededtothatpartofthefieldandsucceededtoalargeextentinarrestingthismovementattheoriginalBritishtrenchesinthevicinityofLoneTree.

Map29.IXCorpsattackisover,21stDivisionand24thDivisionretirefromthebattlefield.

Bynowvirtuallyallofthe21stand24thDivisionswereinretreat,leavingtheareabetweenHulluchandBoisHugostrewnwithdead,dyingandwoundedmen.Brigadier-GeneralMitford's72Brigadehadsufferednearly2000casualties,andthetwobattalionsof71Brigadehadlostafurther700.Theadvancehadachievednothing.Theretirementleftseveralpartiesofunwoundedmen,totallingabout500.Manyofthe8thBuffs,

werestrandedclosetotheGermanlinenearBoisHugo.Withlittlechanceofmovingeitherbackwardsorforwards,theyremainedhiddeninthetallgrassorsoughtshelterinshellholes.EngaginginsnipingattheGermantrenches,thesescatteredpartiespreventedtheGermansfromlaunchingacounterattack.SecondLieutenantPhilipChristisonofthe6thCameronHighlanders,lyingwoundedinashellhole,watchedastheGermanstriedtopursue72Brigade:

Butonestoutfellow,SergeantA.F.Saunders,refusedtoretire.HehadaLewisgunhehadpickedupwithafulldrumonit.Hecrawledovertomeandsaidhe'dstayandfight.Hemadetocrawlovertothenextshellholeand,ashedidso,ashelllandedandblewpartofhisleftlegoffabouttheknee.Icrawledoverandgothimintoashellhole,puttingatourniquetonhislegandgivingmywaterbottleashiswasempty.Icrawledbacktomyholeandafewminuteslater…sawafreshwaveofGermanstroopsadvancing…Thereseemedtobenopointinopeningfireastherewere,perhaps,150enemyadvancingratherdiagonallyacrossourfront.Tomyamazement,Iheard,shortsharpburstsofLewisgunfirecomingfromtheshellholetomyright;thiswasSergeantSaunders,moreorlessminusaleg.TheGermansweretakenbysurpriseandbunched,soIjoinedinandbetweenuswetookaheavytollandtherestretiredoutofsight.

Thecentreofthe‘FieldofCorpses’.Bymidafternoonhundredsofmenwerefallingbackindisarray,nearlythreethousandlaydeadorwoundedbeyondtheLaBasséeroad. IWM-Q43106

SergeantArthurSaunderswaseventuallyrescued,andreceivedtheVictoriaCrossforhisgallantconduct.Hediedin1947,aged69.ChristisonwasawardedtheMCandremainedinthearmy,attainingtherankofgeneral.Thebattlefieldnowbecamequiet,astrangephenomenonaftertheslaughter.Sickenedbywhatthey

hadseen,theGermansceasedfiring.Allalongtheirfrontlayinjuredmen,somecallingforassistance,otherssilentinfearofbeingshot.HereandthereGermanmedicsbegantoemergeandpassthroughthewire.Thewardiaryofthe2ndWelchdescribesthescenesouthofHulluch:

SergeantArthurSaundersVC.

Allourwoundedhadtobeleftbetweenthelines.About2pmtheGermanssentoutagreatmanystretcherbearersandRAMCmenwhoworkedthewholeafternoonbindingupourwoundedandsendingallwhocouldwalkorcrawlbacktous.TherewereplentyofourshellsfallingaboutbutalthoughtheylostsomementheseGermansneverstoppedtheirwork.DirectlyitwasdarkwesentoutpartiestobringinourwoundedandwefoundseveralmenwhohadbeenboundupbytheGermansandwhohadleftthemtellingthemthatiftheywerenotremovedbeforeacertainhourtheywouldbeforcedtotakethemprisoners.

Nobodywhoexperiencedtheadvanceofthe71and72Brigadeswouldforgetwhathappened.ThestripofgroundbetweenHulluchandBoisHugobecameknowntotheGermansas“LeichenfeldvonLoos”,translatedas“TheFieldofCorpses”.GeneralHaig'sgambleforagreatbreakthroughhadfailed.Manyhavequestionedwhyhesent

inexperiencedmenforwardtowhat,inhindsight,wasacertaindeath.Unfortunately,thisisnottheplacetodiscussthewhysandwhereforesoftheattack.ThefinalwordgoestoColonelC.Stewart,GSO121stDivision.In1925hewrotetoMajorA.F.Beckeandgavethefollowingexplanation:

ItwasthatthesetwodivisionswouldbeinreserveinabigoperationatLoosontheideathatnothavingbeenpreviouslyengagedinthisway,theywouldgointoactionforthefirsttimefullofespritandélan,andbeingignorantoftheeffectsoffireandtheintensityofit,theywouldgoforwardanddogreatthings.

ChapterTwelve

27SEPTEMBERTHEGUARDSDIVISION

The25SeptemberwasadifficultdayforCavan'smen,forhoursonendtheGuardsmentriedtomarchclosertothefrontreadytoattack.Supplywagons,ambulancesandtroopsmovingineverydirectionbarredthewayandwithinsufficientpersonneltodirecttraffic,itwasaftermidnightbeforetheyreachedNouex-les-MinesandHouchin.ThefollowingafternoonorderscalledfortheDivisiontotakeoverthelinenorthofLoos.FollowingthedisasterthathadbefallentherestofIXCorps,GeneralHaighadbeenforcedtoinstructthe3rdCavalryDivisiontoholdtheweakenedsector.Bymidnight1and2GuardsBrigadeswereholdingtheGrenayRidge.3GuardsBrigadewasleftinreserveontheLens–Bethunehighway,southofVermelles.

2GuardsBrigadeThemainconcernattheendoftheseconddaywastheoccupationandconsolidationofHill70bythe

Germans.Lieutenant-GeneralHakingandMajor-GeneralLordCavanwereaskedtopreparetoassaultthesummitontheafternoonofthe27th.Theplanproposedinvolvedatwo-prongedassault.Thefirst,by2GuardsBrigade,wouldapproachthehillfromthenorthviaChalkPitWoodandPuits14Bis.Asmokescreen,createdby1Brigadetotheirleft,wouldscreentheadvancefromaccuratefirefromHulluch.Twohoursbeforetheattackbegan,newsofreversalsonICorpsfrontforcedGeneralHaigtoscale

downtheGuards'attack.NewordersforalimitedassaultwiththeLenshighwayasitsfinalobjectivearrivedshortlybeforezero.The2ndIrishGuardswouldlead,withthe1stScotsGuardsechelonedbehinditsright,the1stColdstreamGuardswouldfollowtheIrishGuardswhilsttwocompaniesofthe3rdGrenadierGuardssupportedtheScotsGuards.Thebrigadewouldstartfromitsovernightpositions,theGermantrenchestothewestofLoos.Theyhadtocross1,000metresofopengroundbeforereachingtheGermanlines.Fortunately,thesmokefooledtheGermanartilleryintothinkingthattheattackwasdirectlyonHulluch.At4.00pm,followinganinetyminutebombardment,the2ndIrishGuardslefttheirtrenchesandadvancedforward.TheirobjectivewastheChalkPitandtheadjacentstripofwoodland.

ViewacrosstheLoosvalleytoChalkPitWood. IWM-Q43108

TheordersfortheBattalion,afteraconferenceandashortviewoftheground,werethatNo.3Company(CaptainWynter)wastoadvancefromtheirtrencheswhenthebombardmentstopped,tothesouthernendofChalkPitWood,getthroughanddigitselfinthetoughchalkonthefartherside.No.2Company(CaptainBird),ontheleftofNo.3,wouldmakeforthecentreofthewood,digintoo,onthefarside,andthusprolongNo.3’slineuptoandincludingtheChalkPit-Thatistosay,thatthetwoCompanieswouldholdthewholefaceofthewood.Nos.1and4companiesweretofollowandbackupNos.3and2respectively.Thisadvancewascarriedoutwithveryfewcasualtiesundercoverofthesmokescreen,themen

‘keepingtheirdirectionandformationperfectly.’ThewardiarydescribeshowtheGuardsmendeployed;oneplatoonextendedinfrontasalineofskirmishersandtheotherthreeplatoonsofeach

company,eachplatoonincolumnoffoursandseparatedfromoneanother.WithouttoomuchdifficultyLieutenant-ColonelButler'smenformedaneffectivefiringlinealongtheeasternedgeofChalkPitWood,securingthebrigade'sflank.Meanwhile,the1stScotsGuardshadcrossedthevalleyatthedouble,againsufferingfewcasualties.

Twocompaniesofthe4thGrenadierGuardsunderCaptainMorrison(theyhadbecomelostinLoos,debouchingfromitsnorthsideastheScotswerepassing)extendedtheirright.AnumberoftheIrishGuardsweresweptalongwiththeScots.AmongstthemwasLieutenantJohnKipling,sonoftheauthorRudyardKipling.WiththeireyesfocusedonthePuits,theycameunderfire:

Map30.TheattackoftheGuardsDivision;2BrigadeadvancestowardsBoisHugowhile3BrigadeattacksHill70.

Astheythenstartedtomoveuphilltheybegantosufferheavilyfrommachine-gunsfromabovethePuitsandBoisHugoinfront,andevenmorefromtheGermantrenchesonHill70

IsolatedonthebareslopetheGuardsmendrewtheattentionofeveryguninrange.Hundredsweremowndownbythecrossfire,includingLieutenantKipling,andmanyotherswerepinneddown.OnlyasmallpartymanagedtoreachthePuits,ledbyCaptainJHCuthbertoftheScotsGuards,alongwithSecondLieutenantCrabbeandhalfadozenGrenadiers.Foratimetheyfoughton,reinforcedbyaplatoonofthe3rdGrenadierGuardsunderLieutenantAyres-Ritchie,butwithoutfurtherhelp,Cuthbert'smenfellback.Ageneralretirementfollowed.ManysoughtcoverinChalkPitWoodcausingconsiderableconfusion

amongsttheIrishGuards;…shortlybefore5pmthemeninandbeyondthePUITScommencedtoretire,andfellback

intoandthroughCHALKPITWOODinsomeconfusion.TheC.O.andadjutantwentforwardthroughthewoodtoclearupthesituation,andwhilegoingthroughthewoodCapt.andAdjutanttheHonourableTVesseywaswoundedandcarriedaway.Almostatthesamemoment,andbeforetheC.O.hadreachedthefurtheredgeofthewood,themenfromthePUITScamestreamingbackthroughthewood,followedbyagreatpartoftheIrishGuardslinewhichhadbeendigginginonthefurthersideofthewood.Effortstostoptheminthewoodorontherearofthewoodprovedfutile,butthelinewasreformedalongtheHULLUCH-LOOSroad.

WelshGuardsmovingoutbeforetheirdisastrousattackonHill70. IWM-Q17374

AsdarknessfelltheIrishGuardsretracedtheirsteps,theyspentthenightconsolidatingChalkPitWood.Theirwardiaryrecountsthedifficultytimespentthere:

Itrainedthroughoutthenight.Heavyandaccurateshellingthroughoutthemorning.Manyshellspitchedactuallyontothetrenchesburyingmanymenandblowingafewtopieces.

3GuardsBrigade3GuardsBrigade,underBrigadier-GeneralFrederickHeyworth,waitedinreservenearVermelles

until3.00pm.AssoonasitreceivedorderstoattackHill70theGuardsmenformedupandmarchedoffalongtheVermelles-Loosroad.NearLoosRoadredoubt,onthereverseslopeoftheGrenayRidge,the4thGrenadierGuardsandthe1stWelshGuardsdeployedintoartilleryformation.Incolumnsofplatoonsinfourstheymarchedforwardatthedoubleoverthecrest,presentinganinvitingtargettoeveryGermaninrange.Theadvanceimpressedeveryonewhowitnessedit,CaptainGABrettofthe1/23rdLondonwatchedfromCemeteryTrenchonthewesternoutskirtsofthevillage:

AttentionwasfirstdrawntothembyasharpincreaseinthenumberofGermanshellspassingoverhead;thenbodiesoftroops,atwhomtheseshellsweredirected,wereseenadvancingoverthecrestofthehighgroundaroundMarocintothevalley.Moreandmorecameoverthecrestbyplatoonsinartilleryformation,andtheintensityoftheshellingincreased.Quitequicklytheoppositeslopetookontheappearanceofagiganticmovingchessboardastheplatoonsapproachedwithintervalsbetweenthem.Thesteadinessofthemarchwasimpressive,andthosewhothoughtthatGuardsmenwereonlyornamentalsoldiersrevisedtheiropinionsspeedily.So

inspiringwasthesightthatscoresofthe23rdmenoftheirownaccordclamberedoutoftheirtrenchesand,undermachine-gunfire,pulledasidewireentanglementsandthrewduckboardbridgesovertheditchestofacilitatethewayfortheGuardswhenitwasseenthattheyhadtopassthroughtheirlines.

ThetwobattalionsenteredLoos,theGrenadiersfromthenorth-westside,andtheWelshfromthewest.Atoncetheywerefacedwithdifficultiesinthemazeofruinedstreets.GasshellscausedconfusionamongsttheGrenadiersasthemenfumbledtoputontheirmasks.OneofthecasualtieswasLieutenant-ColonelHamilton,aseriousblow.Twocompaniesstruggledthroughtheblockedstreets,tryingtofindawayoutontotheslopesofHill70.Meanwhiletheremainingtwoskirtedaroundthenorthernedgeofthevillage,becominginvolvedin2GuardsBrigadeattackonPuits14bis.TheWelshGuards,underLieutenant-ColonelMurray-Threipland,hadtothreaditswaythroughthecentreofthevillage.MajorHoward,ofthe15thDurhamLightInfantry,hadpassedthroughLoostwenty-fourhoursearlier,hisdescriptionofthevillagedoes,however,giveaninsightintothedifficultiesfacedbytheGuardsmen:

ThevillagewasfullofwoundedBritish,deadGermansandhorses,capturedgunsandscatteredpartiesofmen.Shellswerehurtlingthroughtheairandhouses,someexploding,othersfallingwithaflopinthegardens.Thewholeplacelookedasiffrenziedgangsofhouse-breakershadbeenworkingover-time.Amongsttheflyingbrickbats,cloudsofmortar,andheapsofrubble,squadsofmenwereformingup;menwerewalkingaboutinanonchalantmannerwithnotraceofhurryorexcitement.

Withdarknessfalling,Murray-ThreiplandledhisbattalionuptheslopeofHill70,orderingthesmallforceof4thGrenadierGuardstoextendtohisleft:

IarrangedtoattackthepositiontheGrenadiersdirectingonmyleft,myPrinceofWales'CompanywithafrontageoftwoplatoonsprolongingtotherightoftheGrenadiers:myNo.3CoysupportingGrenadiers:myNo.2supportingPrinceofWales':No.4Ikeptinhand.

At5.30pmtheattackbegan,underthefalseimpressionthat2GuardsBrigadehadcapturedPuits14bis.Brigadier-GeneralHeyworthonlyheardofitsfailureafteritwastoolatetostoptheWelshGuards.Fromhisheadquartersonthereverseslopeofthehill,Murray-Threiplandwaitedfornewsasthesoundsofbattleragingcamefromthesummit:

Iwasthenforsometimewithoutanyinformation:darknesscameoninlessthanhalfandhourofmyattack,andIreceivednoartillerysupport,butequallyhadnoartilleryfireonme,theenemyconfiningthemselvestotheshellingofthetownandthegroundwheretheothertwobattalionsofthe3rdBrigadewerestillcrossinginartilleryformation.Theriflefireonmyfrontwasheavy,butfromwhatIcouldmakeout,notmuchreturnfirebyus,whichwassatisfactory,asdarknesswasonandtheadvanceandbayonetwasthething.Theinformationnotarrivingwasdisturbingmefortworeasons;first-thatIhadnoinformationoftheprogressoftheattack,andsecondly,-asIfeltsureCaptainswouldhavesentinformationifpossible,ittendedtoshowthatsomeorallofthemwerecasualties.

InfacttheGuardsmenhadadvanceduptheslopesufferingfewcasualties.However,assoonastheyemergedontotheflatsummittheGermanshadfiredstarshellsilluminatingthescene.Machine-gunfirefromthefrontandfromnearPuits14bistotheleftcuttheadvancingGuardsmentopieces,bringingthemtoahaltclosetotheGermanline.MajorPonsonbywasmortallywoundedattheheadoftheGrenadierGuards,andCaptainOsmondWilliamslayseriouslywoundedneartheGermantrenches,surroundedbyhisPrinceofWales'Company,manyofthemwoundedordead.TheWelshGuardsattackwasfinished,andalthoughtheyhadadvancedtotheirobjective,itwasimpossibletodigatrenchonthebullet-sweptsummit.Lieutenant-ColonelCator,ofthe2ndScotsGuards,arrivedaround11pmwithonlyhalfhismen,

therestwerestillinLoos,lostintheruins.Lieutenant-ColonelMurray-ThrieplandandLieutenant-ColonelCatorthenvisitedthesummit;

Map31.TrenchmapcoveringtheareaattackedbytheGuardsDivision.

Anditwasobviousthatnoorganiseddiggingincouldtakeplaceonourfrontline,asfirewastooheavy.

ThetwoofficersdecidedtoemploytheScotsGuardsindiggingasupporttrenchjustbelowthecrest,towhichtheWelshcouldretirebeforedawn.AsThreiplandreported,itwasanextremelytiringnightspentcollectingthewoundedandrecallingthemen:

Itwasverydifficulttogetourmenback,unlessIgotpersonallytothem,eventhentheyall

wantedtogoforwardandnotback.However,wegotasmanyawayaspossible…..messageshadcomebackfromOsmondWilliams'linetosaytheywereoutofammunitionand,onnolessthantwooccasions,PrivateGrantofourMGdetachmenthadcrawledoutwithit.Againammunitionwascalledfor,andasitwasgettingneardawnandnotmuchdarkerthanwhenBagotChesterwentout,IorganisedanotherpartytotryandgetWilliamsback…Iagainsentmessagesforallwhocouldtoreturn,andseveralslightlywoundedandwholeonescameback.

Severalattemptstorescueofficersweremade;twomencarriedCaptainPhillipsinwhilehissergeantfoughtofftheGermanswithhisofficer'spistol.MajorMilesPonsonby,actingcommanderoftheGrenadierGuards,wasmortallywoundedneartheGermanlines,whilemanyofhismenneverreturned,havingbeencutoff.CaptainThorne,theGrenadiersadjutant,waswoundedintheheadattendingtoPonsonbybut,seeingthathecoulddonomoreforhiscommander,madehiswayback:

Onthewayhecameupontwodrummerswhohadbeenactingasorderlies;onehadbeenkilledandtheotherwoundedthroughtheleg.Knowingthatifhelefttheboywherehewas,hewouldprobablybekilled,hedeterminedtocarryhimback.Heputhimonhisshouldersandstartedoff,butmusthavemadesomenoise,fortheGermansatonceputaflareupandfiredathimwithmachine-guns.Hefellforwardatoncewiththedrummer–bothkilled.

CaptainWilliamsDSO,WelshGuards.

CaptainWilliamswasbroughtbacktosafetyovernight,butdiedthreedayslateratLapugnoyDressingCasualtyClearingStation.HisgravecanbefoundintheMilitaryCemetery.Ponsonby'sbodywasneverrecoveredandhisnameappearsontheLoosMemorial,asdoesCaptainThorne's.Lieutenant-ColonelCator'sScotsGuardsduginthroughoutthefollowingdaycreatinganewline

alongtheedgeofthesummitwhileengineerswiredtheposition:Woundedmenwerecontinuouslycrawlingbacktothislittleoasisinthedesertofshell-holes.

Painfullyandslowly,inchbyinch,thesemenwouldarrive,oftensnipedatbytheenemy.Itwassuchanexposedspotthat,beyondhelpingthemintotheshallowtrench,themeninthispartycoulddolittle.

28SeptemberAfinalattempttotakethePuitscomplexwasmadeon28September,withtwocompaniesofthe1st

ColdstreamGuards.ThistimetheattackwouldstartfromthecoverofChalkPitWood,inthehopethatarapidadvancecouldtaketheminebuildingsbysurprise.Notsurprisingly,sofewstoodlittlechancewheresomanyhadfailedbefore,asthewardiaryreports:

Theyweremet,almostbeforetheygotoutoftheirtrenches,byaterrificmachine-gunfirewhichenfiladedthemfromthreesides(chieflyfromBOISVICTORHUGO).Theywereabsolutelymowndown.Twoofficers,LieutenantRileyandSecondLieutenantStyle,witheightmenreachedtheobjective,whichtheyfoundnotheldbytheenemybutonlyenfiladedbyyetanothermachinegun.LieutenantRiley(wounded)andtwomengotback.Themenbehindbehavedsimplysplendidly,asnotonlyweretheysubjectedtothisenormousenfiladefirebutalsotoamostterrificbombardmentby8”shellsandshrapnelandeverykindofheavygunfirewhichwasmostaccurate.MeanwhileNo.3andNo.4companiesdoubledforwardtoChalkPitWoodunderfire.

ThisattackbroughttheoffensivebetweenHulluchandLoostoanendforthetimebeing.ImmediatereserveshadbeenexhaustedandwiththeGermansontheoffensivetothenorthonICorpsfront,GeneralHaigneededtodeployhisreinforcementselsewhere.ThatnighttheGrenadierGuardsmachine-gunsectionwitnessedabarbaricact;

….LieutenantWilliamssawapartyofGermanscrawloutandadvancetowardsomeofourwoundedwhowereunabletomove.Theyappearedtobequiteunawareofthehandfulofmeninthistrench.Feelingsuretheyintendedtotakethewoundedprisoners,whentheirinjurieswould,nodoubt,bedressed,hegaveordersthatnoonewastofire.TheGermanscreptonslowly,butonreachingthewounded,toLieutenantWilliams'horror,theyproceededtobayonetthem.ItwashardlynecessaryforLieutenantWilliamstogivetheordertofire,asthemenwiththemachine-gunshadseenthisdastardlyact,andthetwomachine-gunssoonwipedoutthewholepartyofGermans.

SothefirstbattleoftheGuardsDivisionwasoveranditwashardlytheoverwhelmingsuccessexpectedbyRawlinsonandHaig.Therewas,however,littletimetorest.AfewdayslatertheEarlofCavan'smenwerebackinthetrenches,twomilestothenorthnearHohenzollernRedoubt.

ChapterThirteen

TOUROFIVCORPSAREA

CarTourThecartourisdesignedtogivevisitorsaquickintroductiontotheareasurroundingLoos.Itis

approximatelysixmileslong,completingacircuitofthebattlefield.Manyoftheroadsintheareacarryingagreatdealofcommercialtrafficandcanbefastandbusy,particularlyduringpeakperiods.Driversareadvisedtoconcentrateontheroad,howevertemptedtheyaretotakeinthescenery.Thereareoccasionswhenitispossibletoparkacarsafely,butonthemainroadsitisanoffence,aswellasextremelydangerous,toobstructthecarriageway.Thesketchmapshowsthemainlandmarksandpointsofinterest.Thisdoeshaveadvantagesaswell

asdrawbacksanditmaybewisetostudytherouteonaroadmapfirst.Althoughindustryhasoverrunpartsofthebattlefield,particularlyeastofHill70,themajorityhaschangedlittle.Loositselfhasexpanded,butthestreetlayoutisessentiallythesame.Thereareanumberoflandmarksthatbecomefamiliarafterawhile,inparticularthetwinpeaksoftheslagheapsthatcrowntheDoubleCrassieronthesouthernedgeofIVCorpsarea.

Map32.AreasurroundingDudCorner.

StartingPoint:LoosMemorialtotheMissingatDudCorner.

ThemainroutefromBethunetoLenscutsacrossthecentreofthebattlefield;theLoosMemorialtotheMissingstandsalongsideasitcrossesthetopoftheGrenayRidge.Tofindoutaboutthememorialandthecemeterythatitsurrounds,consulttheCemeteriessection.StandingasitdoesclosetothesiteofDudCorner,orJew'sNoseRedoubt,itisanexcellentplacetostartyourvisitofIVCorpsbattlefield.Whenthememorialwasconstructed,stepswereincorporatedintothepaviliontotheleftofthe

entrance.Theroofofthepavilionisanobservationplatform,fromwhereitispossibletoviewthearea.ThespiresofBethunecanbeseeninthefardistancetothewest.TheflattopofFosse5slagheapnearMaroc,homeformanyoftheBritishobservers,standstothesouthwestoftheroad.Tothesouthiswherethe47th(London)Divisionadvanced.TheLondonersadvancedeastwards,obliquelytotheroad,withtheirrightflankagainstthetwinslagheapsoftheDoubleCrassier.Theseheapshavebeenenlargedsince1915.TotheeastliesLoosvillage,almosthiddeninasmallvalley.Hill70,wherethe15th(Scottish)Divisionendeditsadvance,risesabovethehouses.ObserversontheridgewereabletoseetheScotsmovinguptheslopestowardsthesummitofthehill.Hulluchvillage,where1stDivisionwerehalted,liesinadirectlinebehindtheCrossofSacrifice.BeforethebattletheGermanfrontlinerannorthandsouthfromDudCorner,takingadvantageof(forthemostpart)theforwardslopesoftheGrenayridge.

TheGermanperspectiveeasttowardsBethune.

Theviewsouthacross47thDivision'sbattlefield.

LookingnortheastfromtheroofofDudCornerPavilion.Hulluch,BoisHugoandChaletWoodlinethehorizon

Ifyouareunabletoclimbthestepsitisstillpossibletoview47thDivision'ssectorandacrosstoLoosvillagefromtheentrance.Bywalkingtothenortheasternendofthecemeteryyouareabletoview15thDivision'ssectorbylookingoverthewallbeyondtheCrossofSacrifice.Onthemorningof25September44BrigadeadvancedovertheridgeandintoLoos.Oneobserver

watchedanxiouslyastheScotsswarmeduptheslope:Itwasmagnificent.Icouldnothaveimaginedthattroopswithabaretwelvemonthstraining

behindthemcouldhaveaccomplishedit.Asthemenreachedourwiretheymadetheirwaythroughitwithperfectcoolnessanddeliberationinspiteoftheenemy'sincreasinglyheavyriflefire.OnceinNoMan'sLandtheytookuptheirdressingandwalked-yescoollywalked-acrosstotheenemytrenches.Therewasnorunningorshouting;hereandthereamanfindinghimselfoutoflinewoulddoubleforapaceortwo,looktohisrightandleft,thentakeuphisdressingandcontinuetheadvanceatasteadywalk.TheeffectoftheseseeminglyunconcernedHighlandersadvancinguponthemmusthavehadaconsiderableeffectontheGermans.

The9thBlackWatch,movingparalleltotheroad,stormedtheRedoubtwhilstthe8thSeaforthsadvancedacrossthegroundnorthofthecemetery.Thelineimmediatelysouthofthememorialwasnotattackedatzerohourbecauseofthedangerofbeingenfiladedfromtheredoubt.44Brigade'ssupportbattalion,the10thGordonHighlanders,movedforwardanhourlaterwhentheredoubthadbeencleared.Lieutenant-ColonelThullier,ChiefEngineerof1stDivision,visitedtheareaashorttimeafterwards:

Lookingnorthalong15thDivision'sfrontlinefromtherearofthecemetery.

InfrontoftheremainsoftheworkknownasLensRoadredoubtthedeadHighlandersinBlackWatchtartanlayverythick.Inoneplaceabout40yardssquare,ontheverycrestoftheridgeandjustinfromoftheenemywire,theylaysoclosethatitwasdifficulttostepbetweenthem.NeverthelessthesurvivorshadsweptonandthroughtheGermanwire.

InJune1917Thullierjoined15thDivisionasitsGOCandwentontoleaditthroughtheThirdBattleofYpres.Havingtakentheopportunitytogetyourbearings,returntoyourcarandheadsoutheast,towards

Lens.AfterclearingtheLensRoadRedoubt,the9thBlackWatchstreameddowntheslopetotheleftoftheroad,headingforthecentreofthevillage.TakethefirstrightatValleyCrossroads(A)signpostedforMaroc,(bythepetrolstation).TheLondonIrishadvancedfromthecresttotherightandafterpassingtheCrossroads,headedforLoosCemetery.NoMan'sLandranacrossthetopoftheslopetotheright.ItwasoneofthefewinstanceswhenBritishtroopsheldthehighground.

Map33.CarTourofIVCorpsarea.

Onthemorningofthe25ththe1/7thLondonchasedtheGermansdowntheinclinetotheleftoftheroadamidstcloudsofswirlinggas.Halfamilefromthecrossroads,taketheminorroadtotheleft(B)headingtowardsthehugeslagheap.Theassemblytrenches1/7thand1/6thLondonweretotherightoftheroad.Manyartilleryobserversusedtheslagheap,Fosse5,behindtheLondoners’trenches.Atthebottomoftheslope,closetothebaseoftheslagheapthereisacrossroads(C).142Brigade,whichcarriedouttheChineseAttackonthemorningoftheattack,heldthegrounddirectlyinfront.Turningleftfollowthebaseoftheslagheap.Ithasgrownconsiderablyinmoderntimes,beyondtheconfinesoftheoriginaltwostripsofash.Headingeast,theroadcrossesthevalleythatthe1/7thLondoncrossedonthemorningofthe25th.Thebattalionquicklyestablishedaprotectiveflankacrossthefieldstotherightoftheroad.Itisimportanttoknowthatthegroundoccupiedbythe1/6thLondonhasdisappearedbeneath

theslagheap.ContinuetotheLens–Bethuneroad(D)andgostraightacross,takingparticularnoteofthefast

movingtraffic,intothecentreofLoos.Althoughthestreetsarenowpeaceful,theywereonceblockadedwithbarricades.Duringtheearlystagesofthebattle,themenof1/20thLondonfoughthardtoclearthevillageofGermans.Houseclearingwentontointothenightandittookseveraldaystoflushthestragglersoutoftheirhidingplaces.TheimpressiveMairiestandsatthecentreofvillagewithacarparkinfront.Thereisasmallstore,a

bakeryandanumberofcafesaroundthesquare.Ifyouwishtoshopforfoodordrink,makeyourpurchasesearly.Theshopscloseatnoonforanhourandahalfandonsomedaysthevillageisshutallafternoon.Takingaleftturnatthewarmemorial(E),whichnamesmanyofthecivilianskilledinthebattle.

KeepingtheMairietoyourright,continuealongthestreet,thenewvillagechurchstandstotheleftonasideroad.The10thGordonHighlandersenteredthevillageviathehousesandgardenstotheleft,breakingdownbarriersblockingthestreets.Keepstraightonto,followingthestreetoutofthevillage.Asyoupassthelasthouse,theroadrisessharplyupthereverseslopeoftheGrenayRidge.Passingalargefarmtoyourright,keepontothetopoftheslopetowherethetrackforksthreeways(F).FromhereitispossibletoviewthecentreofIVCorpsbattlefield.OnacleardayitispossibletoseebothDudCornertotheleft(south),andStMarysADSCemeterytotheright(north).LoosRoadRedoubt,wherePiperLaidlawpipedthe7thKOSBsintoaction,wasacoupleofhundredmetresalongthelefthandfork.Turninground,takingcarenottostrayoffthetarmacandgetboggeddown.TheviewacrosstheLoosvalleyisbreathtakingonaclearday.Scanningthehorizon,fromlefttoright,itispossibletoidentifyHulluch,theFieldofCorpses,Puits14bis(nowabandonedminebuildings),BoisHugoandChaletWood.ThewatertoweronthehorizontothesoutheaststandsaboveHill70.TheScotsmanagedtoadvancefromthisridge,acrossthevalley,clearingLoosontheway,andoverthesummitofHill70,adistanceofovertwomiles.

PanoramaoftheScotsadvancefromtheGrenayRidge.ThewatertowerstandsclosetothesummitofHill70.

Havingstudiedtheview,returndowntheslopereturningtothecentreofthevillage.Turnleftatthewarmemorial,keepingtheMairietoyourleft.LeavethesquareviaRueLouisPasteur,withtheBarStHubertontheleft.Atthefirstcrossroads(G),150mfromtheMairie,turnrightintoRueKleber,(signpostedforLesTulipiersandtheCollége).The10thGordonHighlandershadbypassedthesquareandbecameintermingledwiththe9thBlackWatchatthispoint.TowerBridgestoodbehindthebuildingstotherightandthereisnowabrickbuiltcollegeonthesite.After150mtaketheleftforkinto

RueGDecrombeque(H);afewyardsfromthejunctionthereisamemorialdedicatedtothesoldiersthattookpartinthebattle.ItistheonlymemorialinIVCorpsareaapartfromtheCWGCmemorialatDudCorner.Thememorialstandsattheedgeofthevillageasitwasin1915,andbeyondthispointtherewereonlyscatteredbuildings.Headingawayfromthecentreofthevillage,takethenextrightfork(I),RueDenfortRochereau,after100m.AsignpostfortheÉcoleOLeroypointstheway.Headinguptheslopethroughthemodernestate,rememberthat46and44Brigadesclimbedupthese

slopesontheirwaytothesummitofHill70.Bynowthebattalionswereveryintermixed,andwithfewsurvivingofficersthetwobrigadesresembledamob.Twodayslater3GuardsBrigadetookthesamerouteupthehill.Beforelongthehousesbegintothinoutanditispossibletoseetheopenslopes,derelictminebuildingsonthehorizontotheleftstandonthesiteofPuits14bis.Nearthetopoftheslopealineoftreeshidesthesummitfromview.TheScotsformedaperimeterfacingHill70andonthemorningofthe26thPrivateRobertDunsireVCrescuedwoundedmenunderheavyfirefromthefieldstotheleft.Passingbetweenthetrees,thegradientlevelsout.Thecentreoftheredoubtoccupiedthecrossroadswherethereisnowasetoftrafficlights.Havingtakentheredoubtintheinitialadvance,someoftheScotsheadedsouthtowardsCitéStLaurent,nowengulfedinthesuburbsofLens.OthersheadedeasttowardsCitéStAuguste,nowhiddenbeyondindustrialbuildings.WhentheGermanscounterattacked,theremnantsofthetwobrigadesretiredbeyondtheredoubt,LieutenantFrederickJohnsonVCwasinstrumentalinrallyingmanystragglers.Twofurtherattemptstocapturetheredoubt,thefirstonthemorningofthe26thandanotherthefollowingeveningbytheGuards,failedtotakethesummit.

MemorialtotheliberatorsofLoos.

Turnleftatthetrafficlights,followingthesignforLaBassée.Itisnowpossibletoseewhatacommandingpositionthehillaffords.BeforehousesandtreesobscuredtheviewacrossLoos,observerscouldseeacrossthevalleytotheGrenayRidge.TheLaBasséeroadisextremelybusyandthelorriestravelatspeed,sotakeextracare.Headingdownthehill,theslopeofHill70totheleftoftheroadbecomesapparent.Onthemorningofthe26th64Brigadeadvanceduptheslopetothelefttowardsthesummit,havingmistakentheScotsforGermans.Thelargebrickbuildingontheright,acrematorium

standsinfrontofChaletWood.Lieutenant-ColonelAngusDouglas-HamiltonVCledhisbattalionrepeatedlyintothewood.ItispossibletoappreciatetheviewthattheGermanshadas64Brigadeadvanceduptheslope.

TheGermanperspectiveoftheupperslopesofHill70,viewedfromChaletWood.

Atthenewroundaboutcontinuestraighton(J).Theabandonedmine,Puits14bisistotheleft,whileBoisHugoistotheright.Thewesternextremityofthewoodhasbeenclearedtomakewayforalightaerodrome.63Brigadeheldthewoodonthemorningofthe26th,onlytobeoverwhelmedbyfierceGermanattacks.Beyondthewoodthelandscapeopensuptotheright,theFieldofCorpses.At11.00amon26September,72and71Brigadesbeganitsattack,crossingtheroadatrightanglesasitheadedtowardstheGermanpositions.TheSecondLineranacrossthefieldstotheright,paralleltotheroad,1000maway.WithHulluchinfronttotherightoftheroadatthefootoftheslope,itiseasytoseehowvulnerablethetwobrigadeswere.ContinuingtowardsLaBassée,1BrigadereachedtheroadfacingHulluchatanearlystageinthe

attack.Onlyahandfulofscoutsenteredthedesertedvillageandbythetimeassistancearrived,Germanreinforcementshaddriventhemout.Atthemini-roundabout(K),turnleftforVermelles.Beyondthehousingestatetotheleft,thefieldsoncemoretakeover.1BrigadeadvancedparalleltotheroadheadingforHulluch,havingsufferedgrievouscasualtiesstormingtheGermanfrontline.After3/4mile,therearethreecemeteriesinalinetotheleftoftheroad.Thelargest,StMarysADSCemetery,standsalongsidetheroadinwhatwasNoMan'sLand.Thetwofrontlinesrandirectlysouth,approximately400metresapart.Theleadingbattalionsof1Brigadesufferedheavycasualties,fromgasaswellasfromtheGermanguns,beforetheycrossedthewire.LoneTree,where2BrigadeandGreen'sForcewerepinneddownforninehours,stoodinthefieldssouthofthethreecemeteries1000mfromtheroad.FourVictoriaCrosseswereawardedfollowingthebattleatLoneTree.

PanoramaacrosstheFieldofCorpsesfromtheLaBasséeroad.

ContinuepastthecemeteryaffordingabriefglancenorthoftheroadfromwhereICorpslauncheditsattack.Vermellesistwomilesfromthecemeteries.Fromthecentreofthevillage,headsouthfollowingsignsforPhilosophe.ThemainBethune-Lensroad,theN43,is¾mileaway.Turningleft,signpostedLens,headbacktowardsyourstartpoint1½milesaway.TheLoosMemorialtotheMissingstandsatthetopofthehill,totheleftoftheroad.Havingcompletedacircuitofthebattlefield,youmaywishtorevisittheviewingplatformto

reacquaintyourselfwiththeareabeforedecidingwhichwalkstofollow.

IVCORPSWALKINGTOURS

WalkingTour1-47th(London)DivisionContinuesoutheastalongthemainroadtowardsLens.Takethefirstrightafterhalfamile,at‘Valley

Crossroads’(1)(thereisapetrolstationontheright,justbeyondtheturning).Afterashortdistancepullinontheleftbyawaysideshrine(2).Leavethecarandcrosstheroad,followingthetarmactrackupthehill.TheGermanfrontlinefacingthe19th(LondonIrish)crossedtheroadclosetotheshrine.Wherethetarmactrackbranchesleftturnround(3)toviewtheobjectivesallocatedtothe47th(London)Division.Onthemorningof25thSeptember,theLondonIrishtrenchranacrossthetopoftheslope,headingnorthtosouth.ItwastheonlysectoronIVCorpsfrontwheretheBritishheldthehighground.TotheleftthedomesinDudCornerCemeterycanbeseen,NoMan'sLandranacrossthefieldslightlytotheleftofthem.

Map34.WalkingTour1-47th(London)Divisionarea.

TheLondonIrishheldthelinetotherightandatzerohour,withthegasrollingdowntheslope,afootballwaskickedintoNoMan'sLand.InthedistanceitispossibletoseeLoosChurchandthetownhall.ItisimportanttoknowthattheLondonIrishadvancedatanangletotheLensroad,headingforthesouthernoutskirtsofthevillage.Theychargeddowntheslopesheadingforthecemetery,which,providingthecropsdonothideitfromview,isjustvisibleagainsttheedgeofthehouses.Thetwinslagheapsdominatethehorizonandtheyhavegrownbeyondallrecognitiontothosefaced

bythe1/7thLondononthemorningoftheattack.In1915,DoubleCrassier(A)wasonlyafractionofthesize,consistingoftwolongtrailsofwastefromthemine.Thelowersectionofthemountainofash,nowcoveredinbushesandtrees,givessomeideaofitswartimeheight.Directlyinfrontisanopenfieldsandwichedbetweenthevillageandtheslagheap(B).The1/6thLondonsuccessfullyadvancedintothevalley,fromrighttoleft,establishingthemselvesinaGermansupporttrenchthatranacrossthevalley.DuringtheafternoonGermanartillery,fromtheirpositionsonthehorizon,shelledthevalley.Therewas,however,noattempttodrivethe1/6thLondonfromtheirpositions.Theslopesbehindandtotherightarewhere141and140Brigadesassembledinpreparationfortheattack.Takethelefthandtarmactrackheadingacrossthetopoftheslopetowardsthehouses.Thefrontline

ranfromDudCorner,obliquelyacrosstheslopetotheeasterntipoftheslagheap.Asthetrackclimbstheslope,theflattopofFosse7appearstotherightoverthehorizon.Againithasgrown,butin1915theflattopprovidedexcellentviewsacrossthevalleyforartilleryobservers.Atthetopoftheslope,bythehouses(4),lookbacktoviewthesouthernflankofthebattlefield.Thedirectionoftheattackwas

centredonthewhitewatertower,onthefarhorizon.TheLondonIrishadvancedfromthehighgroundontheleftintothesouthernoutskirtsofLoos,the1/20thLondoncontinuinguptheslopebeyondtoChalkPitCopse,closetowherethemotorwaycanbeseenbelowthehorizon.Inthecentre,the1/6thLondonformedalineacrosstheLenshighway,withthe1/7thLondontotheirright.(Thegroundheldbythe1/7thliesbeneaththeslagheap.)WiththeDoubleCrassierinBritishhands,IVCorpsflankwassecured.

ThevalleysouthofLoos,theLondonerschasedtheGermansacrossthevalley.

ThesouthernflankofIVCorpsattack,DoubleCrassierhasgrownbeyondallrecognition.

Walkbacktoyourvehiclethewayyoucame,takingtimetoappreciatetheachievementsoftheLondonTerritorials.ReturntotheshrineandcontinueeasttowardsGrenay,takingthefirstleftafterahalfamile(5).Theroaddropssharplydowntothetipoftheslagheap.Turnleftatthecrossroads(6),thesouthernendoftheattack,followingthebaseofthehugeslopesofslag.Afteramilethevalleyopensup.IftimepermitsparkyourvehicleandtakeafewminutestosurveythispartofthebattlefieldfromtheGermanpointofview(7).Theirfrontlinewasnearthetopoftheslopetotheleftoftheroad,thesupportlineheldbythe1/6thLondonranacrossthefieldtotheright.Shortlyafterzerohundredsofmen,theirfaceshiddenbysmokehelmets,camedownthisslopethroughthecloudsofsmoke.Onthefarslopeofthevalley,holdingChalkPitCopsetothesoutheastofLoos,wasNo.4Companyofthe16thRegiment.Fromtheirtrenchesthemenhadaperfectviewacrossthevalley-thatisuntilthegasreleasestarted:

Smokeandgascloudsrolleduptousacrossthevalley,andweresothickthatonecouldscarcelyseeforfiveyardsahead.Suddenly,about7am,somemenappearedontheridgeacrossthe

valley,alongwhichlayourfrontposition,followedbydenseskirmishinglines.TheycamedownthehilltowardsLoos,andwethoughttheywereourowninfantryretiring,astheyappearedtobewavingatuswithayellowflagonalongpole.Someofourowntroopsdidpassthroughus,quiteyellowalloverwiththegasfumes.

ContinueinyourcarcrossingthebusyLens-BethunehighwayintoLoos(8).ManyoftheLondonIrishenteredthevillageviathisstreet,ontheirwaytocaptureTowerBridge.ThevillagesquarewithitsimpressiveMairieandcarparkisthenextstop.

TheGermanviewof47thDivision'sfrontfromthevalley.TheBritishfrontlineranalongthehorizon.

WalkingTour2-LoosCemeteryandLoosRoadRedoubtThereareanumberofshopsandbarssituatedaroundthesquare(1).Bewarned;thevillagecloses

between12.30and2.00pm,andoncertainafternoons.Ifyouintendtohaveapicnicatsomestagebuyyourprovisionsearly.BeforeconsideringthefightingthatwentoninthevillageitistimetovisittheeasternslopesoftheGrenayRidge.LookfortheCWGCsignforStPatrick'sCemeterytotherightofthevillagewarmemorial.Followit,

keepingtothemainroadatthestaggeredcrossroads.ThesignforEcoleEMoreaupointstheway.AfterafewminutestheneatlycuthedgeoftheCWGCcemeterycomesintoviewontheright(2).Afteravisittothecemeterynotetheschoolacrosstheroad,namedinmemoryofEmilieneMoreau,theyoungteacherwhobravelyassistedtheScotsintheirbattleforthevillage.Continuetowalkalongthemainstreetawayfromthevillageuntiltheciviliancemeteryappearstotheleft.Theoldestsection,wheretheGermansconcealedamachineguninatomb,isdirectlyinfrontofthegate.Therearesignsofshrapneldamageonmanygraves.TotherightistheopenreverseslopeoftheGrenayridge.Toviewthearea,walktothefarendofthecemeterywall(3).Immediatelyinfront,lookingalongthe

road,isfromwheretheLondonIrishapproached.Thepetrolstationinfront(A),standsontheLens–Bethuneroad,atValleyCrossroads.TheLondonIrishstartedontheridgebeyond.Meanwhile,the9thBlackWatchcameswarmingdowntheopenslopetotherightoftheroad.

Map35.WalkingTour2-LooscemeteryandLoosRoadRedoubt.

GermanviewfromLoosCemetery,theLondonIrish'sadvancestartedonthehorizon.

Headingbacktothesquare,followingtheroutethattheScotstook,trytoimaginethemayhemonthatSeptembermorning.Barricadesblockingthestreetwerethrownaside,shotswerefiredfromdoorwaysandbombsweretossedthroughwindowsastheHighlandersfoughttheirwaythroughtheruins.Backatthesquareitispossibletoseehowthe9thBlackWatchandtheLondonIrishmergedinthesquare.

TaketheroadtotheleftoftheMairie,passingthenewchurch(theoriginalstoodinthesquareonthesiteofthewarmemorial)onyourleft(4).Many8thSeaforthHighlandersenteredthevillagealongthesideroad,passingtotherearoftheMairie.Othersfoughttheirwaythroughthehousesandgardensthatlinethestreet.Bitterfightingtookplacearoundthisareaandthe8thSeaforth'swardiarygraphicallydescribesthebattlefortheruins:

Themenremaininginthetownputupastubbornresistance,andeveryhousebecameakindoflittlefort,andeverycellararefugefortheenemy.Desperatehand-to-handfightingnaturallywenton;unitsbrokeupintodetachmentscarryingonindividualandisolatedencounters;andinthegeneralmêléemenofthedifferentbattalionsoftheBrigadeinevitablybecamemixed.

Looschurch,rebuiltatthisnewlocationafterthewar.Manyofthe8thSeaforthsenteredthevillagealongthisroad.

Atthecrossroads,wherethereisaCWGCsignforDudCornerCemetery,turnleft(5).AfterafewyardsafinepanoramaoftheGrenayRidgeappears.FortGlatzstoodinthesmallfieldtotheleftofthelane.ItsmachineguncrewwaswellplacedtoraketheSeaforthsastheychargeddowntheopenhillside.

TherearslopeoftheGrenayRidgeasseenfromFortGlatz,theslopewasswarmingwithScotsonthemorningoftheattack.

Returntothecrossroadsandturnleftheadingawayfromthevillage,uptheslopepastalargefarmyard.Atthetopoftheslopethetrackforksintothree(6).Takethelefthandforkandwithinafewmetresthetopoftheridgeisreached,providedanexcellentviewacrossthispartofthebattlefield.TotheleftarethetwindomesofDudCornermemorial,theScotsfrontlineranfromlefttoright.Awaytotheright,tothenorth,threewhiteCrossesofSacrificecanbeseenonaclearday.TheystandinNoMan'sLandin1stDivision'ssector.ItisquiteeasytomakeoutwhereIVCorpsfrontlineranfromhere.Continuewest,andafter300metresthegroundbeginstodrop;thiswasthesiteoftheLoosRoad

redoubt(7).Thesignificanceofthispositioniseasytounderstand,foritcommandsaperfectviewacrosstheBritishfront.The7thKOSBsadvanceduptheslopetocapturetheredoubt,urgedonbytheskirlofPiperLaidlaw'sbagpipes.Thelowgroundtotherightofthetrackiswherethe12thHighlandLightInfantrycrossedNoMan'sLand,losingheavilyintheprocess.On30September1915JohnBuchan,theTimesnewspaper'swarcorrespondent,visitedtheredoubt:

BeyondtheoldBritishfronttrenchyoupassthroughthedebrisofourwiredefencesandcrossthehundredyardsofNoMan'sLand,overwhich,forsomanymonths,ourmenlookedattheenemy.ThenyoureachtheGermanentanglements,wonderfullycuttopiecesbyourshellfire.Thereourowndeadarelyingverythick.PresentlyyouareintheGermanfronttrenches.Here,insomeparts,therearemassesofGermandead,andsomeofourown.ThisisthefamousLoosRoadredoubt,aworkaboutfivehundredyardsindiameter…tisanamazingnetwork,ramifiedbeyondbelief,butnowamonumenttothepowerofourartillery.Itisallploughedupandmangledlikeasandcastlewhichachildhasdemolishedinafitoftemper.Fragmentsofshell,oldmachinegunbelts,riflecartridges,biscuittins,dirtypadsofcottonwoolareeverywhere,andahorriblenumberofunburiedbodies.

Returningtothecrestitispossibletoviewtheaccomplishmentsofthe15th(Scottish)Division.46Brigadeenteredthevalley,advancingnorthofthevillage,andontotheLaBassée–Lenshighwaynearthehorizon.Hill70isslightlytotheleftofthewhitewatertower,withChaletWoodtoitsleft.44Brigadesweptthroughthevillagefromtheright.ThetwintowersofTowerBridgestoodimmediatelybehindthecreamcolouredtoweroftheMairie,withLoosCrassierbeyondstretchinguptheslope.FromthispositionitispossibletoappreciatehowmuchtheScotsachieved.Asyoureturntothesquarepicturetheslopesfilledwithsoldiersadvancingthroughthemorningmist.BeforeleavingthevillageyoumaywishtoseeLoosBritishCemetery,whichissignpostedfromthe

square(8).Ifso,returntotheMairieafteryourvisittocontinueyourtour.

TheGermanviewovertheScottishtrenchesfromLoosRoadRedoubt.PiperDannyLaidlawpipedthe7thKOSB'suptheroad.

WalkingTour3-LoosValleyandthelowerslopesofHill70LeavethesquareviaRueLouisPasteur,passingtotherightofBarStHubert.The8thSeaforths

crossedtheroadheadingeast,havingbypassedthesquare.ContinueoutofthevillageandtheLoosvalley,which46Brigadecrossed,canbeseenbetweenthehousestotheleft.Afewhundredmetresbeyondthevillage,ahousestandsonitsowntotheleftoftheroad.Thereisamemorial,(paintedyellow)nexttothehouse(1).Parkyourvehicleinfrontofthememorial.ThemonumentrememberssixelderlycitizensandonewoundedFrenchsoldierexecutedbytheGermansinOctober1914.Walkingbacktowardsthevillage,crosstheroadandtakethetarmactrackthatheadsuptheslope.On

themorningof25Septemberthe10thScottishRiflesand7thKOSBpursuedtheGermansuptheslopeheadingfortheLensroad.BehindthefencingtotheleftofthetrackisthesiteoftheChalkPit(A).Itisstillachalkpit,buthasgrowninrecentyears,swallowingupmuchoftheslope.Attheendofthetrackturnrightontoadirttrack(2),followingthelineofelectricitypylons.LoosvalleyistotherightwiththeGrenayRidgebeyond,thevillageisdirectlyinfront.44Brigadeadvanceduptheslopetotheleft,passingoverthesummitofHill70(thewatertowerstandsabove).Toobserversacrossthevalleytheadvancehad“theappearanceofabankholidaycrowd”.

Map36.WalkingTour3and4-Hill70,BoisHugoandChaletWood.

LookinguptheslopesofHill70.On26SeptembertheScotsheldpositionsnearthesummitofthehill,whiletheGermansheldthetwowoods.

Sixbattalionsof21stDivisionweredecimatedbymachinegunshiddeninthetwowoodsastheyadvancedupthehill.

Turnleftwherethedirttrackmeetsatarmacroad,uptheslope(3).ItisnowpossibletoviewChaletWood,infrontofwhichstandsalargebrickbuilding.Onthemorningofthe26ththisslopewitnessedtragicscenes.TheScotswereduginnearthesummitofHill70whentheGermanscounterattackedthroughChaletWoodandBoisHugo.Theshatteredmenof63Brigadecamestreamingdownthehillside,justas64Brigadewerepreparingtoadvancefromthefootoftheslope.The14thand15thDurhamLightInfantry,fearingtheywerebeingattacked,firedontheretreatingmen.AfterorderwasrestoredtheDurhammencontinuedtoadvancetowardsthesummitofthehill.TheGermansinthetwowoodswerepresentedwithatargetthatwasimpossibletomiss.WiththeprematurechargeofthetwoKOYLIbattalionstheslopewassoonstrewnwithpronebodies,somealive,manydeadorwounded.Withtherestoftheattackinfullretreatfromthe‘FieldofCorpses’,64Brigadebegantoretire,leavingtheScotsclingingtotheirtrenchesnearthetopofthehill.ContinuingupthehilltotheTjunction:wherethehousesbegin(4),itispossibletotakeinthefullviewofPuits14bis,BoisHugo,ChaletWoodandHill70.

On27September2GuardsBrigadetriedinvaintoreachPuits14bisandthetwowoods.

ThefollowingafternoontheGuardsDivisionperformedatwoprongedattacktowardstheLensroad.Althoughthechalkpithasobliteratedthegroundwhere2GuardsBrigadecametogrief,itispossibletofollowtheirrouteacrosstheLoosvalley.Nearly4,000men,marchinginquicktime,cameovertheGrenayRidgenorthofLoos,headingforPuits14bis.Everygunavailablewastrainedonthemastheystartedtoclimbthehilltowardstheminebuildings.LieutenantJohnKiplingwasmortallywoundedintheregionoftheChalkPit.Meanwhile,3GuardsBrigadeclimbedthehillfromtheright,havingstruggledtofindawaythroughtheruinedvillage.Returndowntheslope,retracingyourroutetoyourvehicle.

WalkingTour4-BoisHugo,ChaletWoodandHill70Headinginthesamedirection,turnrightontotheLens-LaBasseehighwayheadingsouth.Asthe

roadclimbsthehill,turnleftbythedisusedminebuildingsatthenewroundabout(5).Parkyourvehicleinthecarparkontheleft.TheFieldofCorpsesisnorthofthewood.Walkalongsidetheroad,whichfollowsthenorthernedgeofthewoodheadingtowardstheaerodromebuildings(6).Beforelongafinepanoramaoftheareacomesintoview.TotheleftistheLaBasséeroad,andthereverseslopeoftheGrenayRidgebeyond.Directlyinfront,inthedistance,isHulluchvillageandacrosstotherightarethetwocopsesthatmarkStutzpunktsIIIandIV.Asdarknessfellon25September,2BrigadereachedBoisHugo,andtheyspentanuneasytime

diggingin.Meanwhile1BrigadeheldalinetothewestofHulluch;thegapbetweenthetwohalvesofthedivisionwashuge.Laterthatnight63BrigadetookovertheperimeterinandtothenorthofBoisHugo.AtdaybreaktheGermansattackedthroughthewood,andinthechaoticbattlethatfollowed63Brigadewasrouted,fallingbackpasttheminebuildingstotheright.Aroundmiddayonthe26ththefieldsinfrontwerefilledwiththemenof72and71Brigadesadvancingfromlefttoright.The9thEastSurreyscrossedthegrounddirectlyinfront,allthetimeunderenfiladefirefromthewoodbehind.The8thBuffs,followedbythe9thSuffolks,crossedthelowergroundbeyond.

TheFieldofCorpsesseenfromBoisHugo,Hulluchisatthebottomoftheslope.

Walkbacktothemainroad,andfollowthefootpathupthehill,alongsidethebusyLensroad.Thewoodinfront,totheleftoftheroad,isChaletWood.Lieutenant-ColonelDouglasHamiltonandhisCameronHighlandersrepeatedlychargedintothewoodonthemorningof26September.About300metresupthehillthereisalargebrickbuildingtotheleft,acrematorium(7).ItstandsinfrontofChaletWood.WithyourbacktothewooditiseasytoseehowtheGermanscouldenfilade64Brigadeastheyadvanceduptheslope.Meanwhile,theScots,duginnearthesummittoyourleft,watchedthespectacleunfold.Carryingonuptheslope,thereisasmallconcreteshelterinthefieldtoyourright,(B)ideallyplacedtoobservetheLoosvalley.Afurther300metresonandthesummitofHill70isreached(8).Theareahasnearlyallbeen

coveredbymodernbuildingsnow,andtheslopeswhere46and44Brigade,becamepinneddownhavedisappearedunderindustrialestates.Evensotheviewtothenortheastshowshowsignificanttheredoubtwas.In1915theredoubtconsistedoftwoparts,theperimetertrenchraninasemi-circlearoundtheedgeoftheflattoppedsummit.TheScots,andlatertheGuards,dugtrenchesontheslopebeyondthecrest(C).Theheartoftheredoubt,asmalleraffair,wascentredonthecrossroads,positionedtocatchanybodyadvancingacrosstheflatsummit.On25SeptembertheScotscameoverthesummit,theGermansfleeingbeforethem.Themajority

wheeledright,headingsouthdownthemainroadintoLens,wheretheirroutewasbarredbytheGermanSecondLine.Othersheadedeast,chasingGermanstowardsCitéStAuguste.Whenitwasobviousthattherewasnowayforward,Lieutenant-ColonelSandilandsorderedSergeantTommyLambtowavetheCameronHighlandersflagtorecallthem.AstheScotsfellback,theGermansfollowed,charginguptheslopesandontotheredoubt.DuringtheensuingfightSecondLieutenantJohnsonVCledhisengineers,rallyingtheinfantryaroundhim.BynightfalltheGermansheldthesummit,whiletheScotsduginbeyondthecrest.TovisitthesiteoftheBritishtrenches,crosstheroadbythetrafficlights,takinggreatcareatthebusy

junction.HeadingwesttowardsLoos,walkalongtheroadandbetweenthehouses.TheScotsduginontheopenslopestotheleftandrightoftheroad(B).IfyoucontinuedownthehilltowardsLoosalittleway(9),itispossibletolookacrossthefieldstotheleftwheretheScotslineran.TheendofLoosCrassierishiddenamongthebushesbelowthepitheadtower.Onthemorningofthe26th,45Brigade'schargeontothesummitwasdrivenback.Afurtherassaultbythe10thGreenHowardsandthe12thNorthumberlandFusiliersalsofailedtocarrytheredoubt.Itisimportanttorememberthattheareaaroundthecrestwascompletelyopenin1915,andtheGermanmachine-gunswereabletosweepthe

summitwiththeirbullets.Afterthetwoattacks,PrivateDunsireVCmadeseveralsortiestorescuewoundedmeninthefieldtotherightoftheroad.Turninground,retraceyourroute.Ontheafternoonofthe27thafinalattempttocleartheredoubtwas

madeby3GuardsBrigade.TheWelshGuardsadvancedtotherightoftheroadwhiletwocompaniesofthe4thGrenadierGuardsmoveduptheslopetotheleft.Neitherwereabletoentertheredoubt.ReturntothesummitofHill70,thenwalkbackdowntheLaBasséeroadtoyourcar.

WalkingTour5-HulluchandtheFieldofCorpsesFromthecarpark,returntothemainroad,turningright,headingnorthforLaBassée.Afteramile,

taketheturningrightatthebottomoftheslope,signpostedHulluch(1).Afterthefirstfewhouses,wheretheroadswingsleft,takeasharpright(2).Park,makingsurenottoobstructanyproperties.Forafewhoursonthemorningof25SeptemberHulluchwasemptyandwideopenforexploitation.Althoughahandfulofstragglersenteredthevillage,withoutreinforcementstheywereforcedtowithdrawwhenGermantroopsarrived.Walkingawayfromthevillage,itispossibletoviewtheareafromtheGermanpointofview.BoisHugo,withtheaerodromebuildinginfront,coversthesouthernhorizon.Totheright,beyondtheLenshighway,istheGrenayRidge.TheGermanlineranaroundthetipofthevillagefromthenorth,beforeheadingeast,skirtingwhatisnowawoodedarea.At11.00amon26September1915,lineafterlineofmencameovertheridgemovingrighttoleft

acrossthehighway(seeMap28,p135).The11thEssexandpartofthe2ndWelchadvancedacrossthefieldinfront,by-passingthevillage.Heavyenfiladefireforcedthemtotakecoverinasunkenlane,wherethelineofbushesis.Changingdirectiontoadvancetowardsthevillage,afewmenmanagedtoentertheGermantrencheastofhere.Thebreakthroughcouldnotbesustained,eventhoughtherewerefewGermanstoresistthem.Followthetarmactrackfor300metres,turningleftontothetractortrail(3),followingthelineof

bushes.Asyoulooktoyourrightimagineintheregionof6,000mencomingoverthehorizon,andcrossingtheroadintoahailofbulletsandshrapnel.WiththeGermanstotheleft,rightandinfrontthetwobrigadesof24thDivisionstoodnochanceontheopenmoor.TheEssexandtheWelshtookcoveralongthistrackbeforeturningtofaceHulluch.TheRoyalWestKentsfollowedbytheQueensadvancedtotherightofthetrack,headingeast,withtheBuffstotheirright.

TheviewsouthfromHulluchvillage,BoisHugolinesthehorizon.

Map37.WalkingTour5-HulluchandtheFieldofCorpses.

After300metrestakethetracktotheleft(4),and200metresfurtherontakethetracktotheright(5).

ThelargergroupofbushesinfrontstandsnearthesiteofStutzpunktIV(B),onthelineoftheGermanSecondLine.Asecondsmallergroup,totheleft,isclosetoStutzpunktIII(C),wheretheGermantrenchturnedwest.Makingyourwayacrossthefieldstheallroundviewisdramatic,anditiseasytoseehowvulnerabletheNewArmymenwere.Infrontofthebushesthetrackforks(6);lookingbacktowardstheGrenayRidgeitispossibletounderstandhowmuch72and71Brigadesachieved.Bymiddayon26SeptemberthewholeareabetweenHulluchandBoisHugowaslitteredwithpronemen,the8thQueensand8thRoyalWestKenttotherightandthe9thEastSurreystotheleftinfrontofthewood.The8thBuffsand9thSuffolkswerepinneddownonthegroundtoyourfront.DuringtheretirementSergeantArthurSaundersVC,nursingaseriouslegwound,commandedtwomachine-guns,nearhere.BydoingsohekepttheGermansatbay,allowingmanytoescape.Whenthethreathadsubsided,theGermanmedicsemergedtohelpthewounded,amercifulactconsideringthecarnagethathadgonebefore.

LookingbacktotheGrenayRidgefromtheGermanpositions.

Taketherightfork,followingthetracksouthwesttowardsBoisHugo.The9thEastSurreyswerepinneddownherebytheGermansholdingthewood.AttheTjunction(7)itispossibletoseetheremainingsectionofBoisHugoontheleft.ItonceranallthewaytotheLensroad,wherePuits14minestands.Turningright,followthetrackacrossthefields,eventuallyrejoiningthetrackwherethetourstarted.

WalkingTour6-LoneTreeandtheGrenayRidgeTurnyourcararoundandheadbackontothemainLaBassée–LensRoad.Turningright,headupthe

hilltotheroundabout.Theareaofscrubtotheleftoftheroadiswheretheremnantsof1Brigadeduginonthemorningofthe25th.ThesmallpartyofCameronscrossedtheroadhereandenteredHulluch,findingitdeserted.Attheroundabout,turnleftandafteramile,thefieldsopenuptotheleftoftheroad.StMary'sADSCemeteryisashortdistancefurtheron,ontheleft(1).Parkyourcarinthelay-byinfrontoftheCrossofSacrifice.Aftertakingawalkaroundthecemetery,takesometimetoabsorbtheviewsthatthislocation

presents.TheroadwasIVCorps’boundary,theareatothenorthwascoveredbyICorps.ThecemeterystandsinwhatwasNoMan'sLandandtheBritishfrontlineranfromnorthtosouthabout150metrestothewest.LookingwestacrosstheBritishreararea,thelargefarminthemiddledistanceisLeRutoireFarm,andbeyondisVermelles.Onthemorningofthe25ththe8thRoyalBerkshiresadvancedthroughthickcloudsofsmoke,losingheavily.ManywerehitastheytriedtoclawawaythroughtheGermanwire,whichranabout100metrestotheeastofthecemetery.On29SeptemberGeorgeCoppardcarriedmachinegunammunitionuptothefrontline.Hisdescriptionofthescenealongsidetheroadthatappears

inhisautobiographyWithaMachine-guntoCambraiisparticularlygraphic;…stretchingforseveralhundredyardsontherightoftheroadlaymassesofBritishdead,struck

downbymachine-gunandriflefire.Shellsfromenemybatterieshadbeenpitchingintothebodies,flingingthemintodreadfulpostures.AstheyweremostlybelongedtoHighlandregimentstherewasafantasticdisplayofcolourfromkilts,glengarriesandbodies,andalsofromthebloodywoundsontheirbarelimbs.Thewarmweatherhaddarkenedtheirfacesand,shroudedastheywerewiththesicklyodourofdeath,itwasrepulsivetobenearthem.Hundredsofrifleslayabout,somestuckinthegroundonthebayonet,asthoughimpaledattheverymomentofthesoldier'sdeathashefellforward.

Map38.WalkingTour6-1stDivision'sfront,BoisCarréandLoneTree.

Fromthecemeterywalkeast,acrosswhatwasNoMan'sLand.BytheCWGCsigns(2),turnrightontothedirttrack.TheGermansupporttrenchranalongsidethetrack,thefrontlinecrossedthefields50metrestotheright.On25Septemberthe8thRoyalBerkshireslostheavilyastheycutthroughthewire;gassed,shotatandshelledtheypushedonacrossthetrackandoverthehorizon.Aftervisitingthetwocemeteriescontinuesouth,the10thGloucestersadvancedfromrighttoleft,sufferinggrievouslyinNoMan'sLand.TheviewacrosstheBritishrearisspectacularanditiseasytoseewhytheGermanschosetositetheirtrenchesontheforwardslopes.

Germanperspectiveof1Brigade'sfront,thethreecemeteriesstandinalineinNoMan'sLand.

Wherethetrackjoinsfromtheleft(3),stopandtakeintheviewtotheright.LoneTreestoodinthefieldsinfront,about200metresaway.Headingwestdowntheslope,theGermanfrontlineiscrossedafterabout100metres.The1stLoyalNorthLancashireswerepinneddownjustbeyond,totherightofthetrack.PrivateHenryKennyVCcarriedsixmenacrossthefieldbacktosafetybeforehewaswounded(A).The2ndRoyalSussexchargedforwardthroughtheLancashires,inthehopeofbreakingthedeadlock.SergeantHarryWellsVCledhismenrightuptothewireinadesperateattempttogetthrough(B).The2ndKRRCadvancedtotheleftofthetrack,andtheytoowereunabletofindawaythroughthewire.PrivateGeorgePeachmentVCwaskilledwhileattendingtohisofficerinthefieldtotheleft(C).TheNorthamptonshiresfollowedandCaptainAnketellReadVCledhismenacrossthesamefield(D).While2Brigadestruggledtobreakthough,Green'sForcebeganmovingforwardsfromthedirection

ofLeRutoireFarm,directlytoyourfront.The1/9thKingsand1/14thLondonScottishdrewattentionfromeveryguninrangeastheymovedacrosstheopen.Theyeventuallytookcoverinandaroundthetrenchesthatweretoyourfront.By8.00amthesituationwasdead-lockedandforoverthreehoursnothingstirred,2BrigadelayoutinNoMan'sLand,withGreen'sForcebehind.Theonlybriefactivityoccurredwhentwocompaniesofthe2ndRoyalMunsterFusiliersadvancedfromtheright,havingveeredofffromtheirintendedroutethroughBoisCarré.AroundmiddayColonelGreen'sforcerosetoadvance.Withoutsmoketoscreenthetroops,theadvancewasdoomedandforasecondtimethesituationwasastalemate(Seemap9,p56).Returntothetopoftheslopeandfollowthetrackimmediatelyinfront(4).InafewyardstheLoos

valleyopensup,presentinganimpressivepanoramaofthebattlefield.Around3.00pmonthe25th,the2ndWelchtentativelymovedacrosstheslopeinfront,makingtheirwaybehindCaptainRitter'sforce.Seeingthethreattotheirrear,theGermanssurrendered.Directlyinfront,atthebottomoftheslope,isHulluch.1Brigadeheldalinefacingthevillagefor

mostofthefirstday.When2Brigadehadassembled,thesurvivorscameoverthecresttotherightandheadedintothevalley.Asnightapproached,theyreachedPuits14bis,thedesertedminebuildingsatthefarsideofthevalley.Fromthispositionyoucanappreciatethegapbetweenthetwobrigades.Thefollowingmorningsixbattalionsmoveddowntheslope,expandingintoformationastheywent.CrossingtheLens–LaBasséeroad,thatrunsfromlefttoright,theyweremetbyacrossfirefromleftandright.Onacleardayitispossibletoseethelimitoftheadvance,signifiedbythetwoisolatedcopsesontheGermanSecondLine.

GermanviewofLoneTree.

LookingeastfromtheGrenayRidge,24thDivisionwasdecimatedasitadvancedpastHulluch.TheGermanSecondLineranalongthehorizon.

Aftertakingonelastlookoverthebattlefield,returntoyourcar.Continuingwest,headintoVermelles,andatthevillagecentreturnleft.Carryonheadingsouth,andoutofthevillage,untilthemainroadbetweenLensandBethuneisreached.IfyouintendtoreturntoBethunetofindaplacetostay,orjustvisit,turnrightandfollowsignsforCentreVille.If,however,youwishtomakeyourwaybacktothemotorway,turnleft.Afterawhile,DudCornerMemorial,yourstartingpoint,ispassed.ThejunctionfortheA21motorwayisclearlysignpostedasyouclimbthefarslopeoftheLoosvalley.

ChapterFourteen

CEMETERIESONTHEBATTLEFIELD

DudCornerCemeteryandMemorialTheLoosMemorialtotheMissingstandsalongsidethemainhighwaybetweenBethuneandLens,on

thecrestoftheGrenayRidge.ThewallsofthememorialsurroundDudCornerCemetery,alargeconcentrationcemeterybuiltafterthewarwhentheareawascleared.TheyarebuiltonthesiteoftheLensRoadRedoubt,thestrongpointstormedbythe9thBlackWatchon25thSeptember.Afterthebattlethebattalionburieditsdeadhere,Lieutenant-ColonelHenderson,CaptainsGrahamandBell,SecondLieutenantMillerandover40otherranks.Afterthewarthissitewaschosen,duetoitscentralpositiononthemainroad,fortheLoosMemorial.Nearly1,800gravesweremovedherefromthesurroundingbattlefield.Almosttwo-thirdsofthegravesareunidentifiedalthoughmanywouldhavediedinSeptember1915.Around200oftheidentifiedgravesbearthedate25September1915.AfterthewartherewereplanstoconstructamemorialinthecentreofBethune,alongthelinesofthe

MeninGate.However,theFrenchauthoritiesraisedtheirconcernsoverthesizeandnumberofmemorialsproposed.Withsomeunderconstruction,severalplanshadtobeshelved,includingtheoneplannedforBethune.Asacompromiseitwasagreedtobuildmemorialscreensaroundtwoplannedcemeteries.MenwhodiedbeforetheBattleofLoosarerememberedonthememorialatLeTouret.ThewallssurroundingDudCornerCemeterybearthenamesofthemenwhodiedintheareabetween25September1915andtheArmistice.DuringtheconstructionworkstheBlackWatch‘otherranks’graveswererelocatedtoPhilosopheBritishCemetery.

LoosMemorialtotheMissingandDudCornerCemetery.

Map39.CommonwealthWarGravesCemeteriesinIVCorpsarea.

InaugurationoftheLoosMemorial.

Thenamesareinscribedinorderofregimentandrank,startingtotheleftoftheentrance.Intotal20,712officersandmenarerememberedonthetablets,althoughseveralgraveshavebeenidentifiedovertheyears.OneoftheseisLieutenantJohnKipling,onlysonofRudyardKipling,ofthe2ndIrishGuards.Kipling'sgraveissituatedinStMary'sADSCemetery.ThenamesofthreeholdersoftheVictoriaCrossarecarvedonthepanels.Lieutenant-Colonel

Douglas-HamiltonVCledthe6thCameronHighlandersinthefightforChaletWood.RiflemanPeachmentVC,2ndKing'sRoyalRifleCorps,wasmortallywoundedwhileattendingtohisinjuredcompanycommanderatLoneTree.SecondLieutenantWearneofthe11thEssexwasawardedtheVictoriaCrossforleadingaraidtotheeastofLoosinJune1917.TheGermanstriedtooutflanktheintrudersasthesoonastheEssexmenbeganconsolidatingtheirnewposition.WearneleaptoutofthetrenchandranalongtheparapetthrowingbombsandshootingattheGermansbelow.AlthoughwoundedtwiceduringthesuicidalattackWearnecontinueduntilkilled.PrivateBowermanofthe1stQueen'sandPrivateFoulkesofthe1/10thManchesterswereexecutedfordesertion,theirnamesalsoappearonthepanels.CaptainReadVC,ofthe1stNorthantsandSergeantWellsVCofthe2ndSussexareburiedinthe

enclosedcemetery.BothwereawardedthehighestawardfollowingtheattackatLoneTreeon25September1915.CaptainRead'sgraveissituatedinPlotVII,RowF;SergeantWellísislocatedinPlotV,RowE.

StPatrick'sCemetery.

StPatrick'sCemetery,LoosThevillageofLooshastwomilitarycemeteries.StPatrick'sCemeteryissituatedoppositethevillage

school.TheschoolisnamedafterEmilieneMoreau,theAngelofLooswhoassistedScottishmedicsduringthebattle.Theoriginalirregularshapeofthecemeteryhasbeenmaintainedashouseshavebeenbuiltaroundit.Therandomnatureofthegravescontrastswiththemanyconcentrationcemeteriesinthearea.TheFrenchtookoverthesectoreastofthevillageaftertheBattleofLoosandFrenchandBritishFirstAidpostsworkedsidebysideintheruinedbuildingsthroughoutthewinter.The16th(Irish)DivisionarrivedintheareainMarch1916onitsfirsttourofthefrontline.Eachbattalionlaidoutitsownplotatthenorthendofthecemetery.TheymedicswereparticularlybusyduringAprilandMay1916whentheGermanscarriedoutseveralgasattacksdesignedtocoincidewiththeEasterRebellioninDublin.Thelargestgroupbelongstothe6thBattalion,RoyalIrishRifles.Twomedicsofthe150thFieldAmbulancewereburiedinthevillagecemeteryacrosstheroadinMay

1940.

LoosBritishCemeteryLoosBritishCemetery,originallyknownasLoosProvisionalCemetery,issituatedontheeasternside

ofthevillage.ItstandsonthesiteoftheChalkPitwherethe1/20thLondonsufferedmanycasualtieson25thSeptember.ChalkPitCopse,athinstripofwoodlandthatranalongthecontouroftheslope,wasacrosstheroadfromthecemeteryentrance.Theoriginalwartimecemeterywastinyincomparisontowhatwefindtoday.Inthesummerof1917

theCanadianCorpsstationedafieldambulancehereandrowsAandBofPlotI,andthefirstRowofPlotII,lessthan100graves,weremade.Thesegravesaresituatedatthetopoftheslopetotherightofthegate.Over2,750graveswerebroughtinafterthewarwhenLooswascleared.PlotsItoXVIIcontain2,175gravesandlessthantenpercentarefullyidentified.MostoftheidentifiedgravesdatefromSeptember1915.ThegraveofMajorBillCasson,wholedtheattackontheDoubleCrassier,issituatedinthesecondrowofPlotVIII.Nearly400gravesbeartheMapleLeaf;thesemendiedfightingonHill70duringthesummerof1917.

LoosBritishCemetery.

Awidelawnseparatethefinalthreeplotsfromtherest;theCrossofSacrificeandtheStoneofRemembrancestandatthecentreofthelawn.Mostofthegravesinthesefinalplotscamefromsmallercemeteriesandmanyarefullyidentified.BartsAlleyCemetery,CauldronorRedMillCemetery,CorkscrewCemeteryandLoos(FortGlatz)Cemeteryarejustafewofthosecleared.AgainalargenumberdatefromtheBattleofLoos.TherearetwogravesdatingfromtheSecondWorldWarinPlotXVII,RowG.

StMary'sADSCemeteryStMary'sADSCemeterystandsalongsidetheroadfromVermellestoHulluch.Anadvanceddressing

station(ADS)wasestablishedintheoldtrenchesafter25thSeptember.Itcontainsnearly1,800graves,ofwhichonlytenpercentarefullyidentified.ThemajoritydiedinSeptemberandOctober1915.Manybodieswereidentifiedbyregimentalbadgesor‘pips’onthetunics.TheBuff's,KingsRoyalRifleCorps,Devonshire'sandRoyalSussex,wholedtheassaulteithersideoftheroad,areparticularlywellrepresented.TwelvespecialmemorialstotheleftoftheWarStoneremembersevenofficersofthe10thGloucestersandfiveofthe1stLoyalNorthLancashires.Theywereallkilledinactiononthe25thofSeptember1915,andtheyareknowntobeburiedinthecemetery.ThegraveofLieutenantJohnKipling,Rudyard'sson,standsinPlotVII.Thedeathofthisyoung

officerinfluencedtheappearanceoftheCWGC'smemorialsandcemeteriesacrosstheworld.OnhisseventeenthbirthdayRudyardKiplingescortedhissontothelocalrecruitmentdepots,butpooreyesightpreventedJohnfrombeingenlisted.Indesperation,RudyardcontactedLordRoberts,ColonelinChiefoftheIrishGuards(aregimentheprivatelydespised)andobtainedacommissionforhisson.AfterayearoftrainingJohnwasdraftedtoFranceinthe2ndBattalion,whichhadbeenassembledreadytojointhenewGuardsDivision.Fiveweekslater,on27September,JohnKiplingwaspostedmissing,presumeddead.Extensivequestioning,inpartsponsoredbyhisfather,revealedthathehadbecomedetachedfromhiscompanyduringtheattackonPuits14bisandsweptalongbytheScotsGuardsadvance.RudyardKiplingwashauntedbythedeathofhisonlyson'suntimelydeathuntiltheendofhislife.He

wrotethefollowingepitaph;Mysonwaskilledwhilelaughingatsomejest,IwouldIknewWhatiswas,anditmayservemewhenjestsarefew.AfterthewarKiplingbecameheavilyinvolvedintheworkoftheWarGravesCommissionandwas

veryinfluentialinthepolicyofmarkingthegravesofunknownsoldiers.InparticularKiplingchosethe

inscription‘Therenamelivethforevermore’fortheStoneofRemembranceandthewordsinscribedonthegravesofunknownsoldiers.WhenparliamentvoicedtheirconcernsoverthecostofbuildingextensivecemeteriesandmemorialsinMay1920,KiplingaddressedalargenumberofMPswhohadservedinthewartorallysupport:

StMary'sADSCemetery.

Youseeweshallneverhaveanygravetogoto.OurboywasmissingatLoos.Thegroundisofcoursebatteredandminedpastallhopeofanytracebeingrecovered.Iwishsomeofthepeoplewhoaremakingthistroublerealisedhowmorethanfortunatetheyaretohaveanameonaheadstoneinanamedplace.

Inthepost-waryearsKiplingbeganwritingahistoryoftheIrishGuards,andin1923histwo-volumeworkwaspublished.RudyardmadeseveraltripstoFrancetooverseetheearlystagesoftheCommission'swork.DuringthetripsheandCarrie,hiswife,spentmanyhoursvisitingcemeteriesinthehopeoffindingtheirson'sgrave.TheirsearcheswereinvainandRudyarddiedabrokenmaninJanuary1936.In1992theCommonwealthWarGravesCommissionreceivedevidencethatan‘unknowngrave’inSt

Mary'sADSCemeterycouldbethatofJohnKipling.AninvestigationledtoPlotVII,RowD,Grave2beinggivenanewheadstoneinscribedwithJohn'sdetails.Therearesomewhoobjecttothedecision;theevidencebrieflyisasfollows.TheIrishGuardsonlymadeonetouroftheLoossectorduringthewar,intheautumnof1915.During

thatperiodthreeofficersofLieutenantrankdied,LieutenantHinesdiedofwoundsinVermellesDressingstationandwasburiedintheMilitaryCemetery.SecondLieutenantCliffordwaspostedmissingfollowingtheattackon27September.Duringthepostwarclearup,manygravesfromthebattlewereidentifiedbyitemsofclothinginparticularbadgesorinthecaseofofficers,metalpipsorstarsontheirtunics.(Metalidentitytagsdidnotappearuntil1916).ThegraveinStMary'sADSCemeterywasoriginallymarked‘ALieutenantoftheIrishGuards’;sobyasimpleprocessofdeductionthegravemustbeJohnKipling's.

LieutenantJohnKipling'sgrave.

ThedebaterevolvesaroundthedateofKipling'spromotiontofulllieutenant.Itisknownthathehadnotreceivedformalnotificationofthecommission.Somereasonthathewasawareoftheforthcomingpromotionandhadsewnthenew‘stars’onhistunicbeforegoingintobattle.Othersargueagainsttheproposal.Drawyourownconclusions,whatisimportantisthattheseyoungmengavetheirlivesanddeservetoberememberedwithoutcontroversy.AfterthewartheFrenchbuilttheirowncemeteryacrosstheroad.Theremainsof800poilu'swho

diedduringtheearlymonthsofthewarwerebroughtherefromalloverthebattlefield.In1922thecemeterywasclosedandthegravesmovedtoNotreDamedeLoretteNationalCemetery.

NinthAvenueCemetery

Betweenthe25thand29thofSeptemberthe1stBattalionCameronHighlandersburiedSecondLieutenantThomasPerryand41meninamassgravealongsideatrenchknownasNinthAvenue.ThetrenchwasdugacrossNoMan'sLandtoconnectthetwooriginalfrontlines.ThemajorityoftheCameronslosttheirlivesonthe28thduringanenforcedlullinthefightingbroughtaboutbyaneedto

reorganisetheline.Nowtheheadstonesformasquarearoundthegrave.

BoisCarréMilitaryCemeteryFourofficersofthe8thBattalionRoyalBerkshires,thebattalionthatledtheassaultacrossthispartof

NoMan'sLand,wereburiedtogetherhereafterthebattle.CaptainWilfredOldman,LieutenantHughCasselsandLieutenantWilliamHaynesareburiedtogetherinRowA,LieutenantHaroldKeable'sgraveisinRowF.Thebattalionsufferedover500casualtieson25thSeptember,manyfellvictimtomachinegunfireastheytriedtocutthroughtheGermanwire.AftertheBattleofLoositbecameacomrades’cemetery,andirregulargroupsofgravesdottedaroundremindusofthis.Welloverhalfofthegravesbelongtothe16th(Irish)Division,whichspentthespringandsummerof1916holdingthelinebetweenLoosandHulluchduringitsfirsttourofthetrenches.Thecemeterysufferedconsiderabledamageasthewarcontinuedandaquarterofthegraveswerelost.Alonglineofspecialmemorialsagainstthefarwallofthecemeterycommemoratesthelostgraves.

BoisCarréMilitaryCemetery.

VermellesBritishCemeteryVermellesChateauwasusedbymedicalunitsandthecellarswereusedtooperateonthewounded.

Thestoragecellarsofthevillagebreweryperformedasimilarfunction.Thefirstgroupofgraveswerelaidoutbypioneersofthe1stGloucestersnexttoasmallFrenchplot

andforalongtimeitwasknownastheGloucestersGraveyard.DuringtheopeningstagesoftheBattleofLoos7thDivisionusedthecellarsforitscasualtycollectingpost.Manyofthoseburiedherediedfromwoundsreceivedduringthebattle.MostoftheofficerswereburiedinPlotI.

VermellesBritishCemetery.

PlotVIbeyondthetracktotheleftoftheCrossofSacrificealsocontainsmanyofficersgravesfromtheLoosbattle.ThreeofficersareburiedclosetogetherinRowD.Lieutenant-ColonelLeathamDSO,

the2ndWiltshirescommandingofficer,diedofwoundsreceivedatGunTrenchon26thSeptember.Lieutenant-ColonelMonteithwasthesecondcommanderoftheBedfordstobehit,afterlessthanaweekincommand.CaptainRadfordDSO,ofthe1stRoyalBerkshiresdiedofwoundstwodayslater.Major(TemporaryLieutenant-Colonel)ArthurEgerton,the1stColdstreamGuardscommandingofficer,isburiedinRowG.Hisadjutant,LieutenanttheHonourableMauriceBrowne,sonoftheEarlofKenmore,isburiedalongside.ThetwoofficerswerekilledintheChalkPitbythesameshell.Therewerenearly2000gravesatVermellesChateauwhenthelastDressingStationleftinApril

1917.Afterthewarafurther167graveswereaddedtocompletePlotsII,IIIandIV.Meanwhile,theFrenchgravesweremovedtotheFrenchNationalCemetery.ThereareeightmilitarygravesinVermellescommunalcemetery,allbelongtoartillerymen.

FloorplanofDressingStationinVermellesChateau.

QualityStreet(Fosse7)MilitaryCemetery.

FosseNo.7MilitaryCemetery(QualityStreet)FrenchtroopsburiedanumberofmeninthecemeteryinMay1915,Britishtroopsstartedatthesame

time.Afewmonthslater15thDivisionarrivedandmanygravesbelongtoScottishNewArmysoldiers.Intherunuptothebattle,theDivision'sfieldambulancestookoverthehousesalongthestreetopposite.Thefirstaidpostswereabletodealwith500menatonetime.Splinterproofshelterscapableofhousing240casualtiesweredugintoFosse7,theslagheaptothesouth.TheelevatedembankmenttotherightheadstowardsMazingarbe,andduringthebattletherailway

linewasputtouse.Coaltucks,convertedtocarrywounded,wouldhavebeenoverworkedonthefirstdayoftheattack.15thDivisionsufferedover3,500woundedinforty-eighthoursandmanywouldhavebeentreatedhere.CaptainWalpole,theadjutantofthe9thBlackWatch,isburiedinRowBofPlotI.AgroupofartillerymenofABattery,71Brigade,areburiedagainsttherearwall.Thissmallgroup

ofgraveshasastorytotell,onewhichendedinActingSergeantJohnRaynesreceivingtheVictoriaCross.On11October,1915,afterhisgunhadbeensubjectedtocounterbatteryfire,SergeantRaynes,washorrifiedtolearnthathisfriendSergeantJohnAyreshadbeenwounded.Aftertendingtohiscomrade,Raynesreturnedtohisguntoreturnfire.Whenbatterywasorderedto‘ceasefire’Raynes,withthehelpoftwootherswhowerekilledsoonafterwards,carriedthewoundedsergeanttosafety.Astheyreachedadug-out,gasshellsstartedtoraindown,andfindingthatAyreshadlosthisgas-helmet,Raynesputhisownonthewoundedman.Rayneswentoffinsearchofanothergasmask;however,onhisreturnhewasshockedtofindthedug-outinruins.Inspiteoftheeffectsofthegas,Raynesdugouttwosurvivors,butAyreshaddiedintheexplosion.ThefollowingdaythebatterywasstationednearQualityStreet,oppositethecemetery,andseveralofthehousesservedasbillets.Whenalargecalibreshelldemolishedthecookhouse,sixteenmen,Raynesincluded,wereburiedbeneaththerubble.Despitehisownwounds,Raynesmanagedtofreehimself,andtookpartintherescueoperationthatfollowed.AfterhavinghisownwoundsdressedRaynesreturnedtoduty.Theshellingonthe12thwassoseverethatthebatterycommander;

Acting-SergeantJohnRaynesVC.

…wasobligedtosendawaytothedressing-stationthewholeofthepersonnelatthattimewiththefiringbattery.Onlysevenmensurvivedtotheendoftheengagement.

SergeantRaynessurvivedthewar,buttheeffectsofhisinjuriesplaguedhimuntiltheendofhislife.Hediedin1929,agedforty-three.Themainstreet,knowntothesoldiersasQualityStreet,leadstotheMilitaryCemetery.Duringthe

attacksonHulluchQuarries,Major-GeneralWingofthe12thDivisionstationedhisadvancereportcentreonQualityStreet.Hewaskilledbyshellfireon2Octoberwhilecrossingtheroadandbecamethethirddivisionalcommandertolosehislifeduringthebattle.HeisburiedatNoeux-les-MinesCommunalCemetery.

Major-GeneralWing.

REARAREACEMETERIES

BethuneTownCemeteryissituatedinthenorthernoutskirtsofthetown,neartotheIndustrialZone.Themilitaryplots,comprisingover3000graves,aresituatedatthenorthernendofthecemetery.Plot1wasfortheofficers.LieutenantFrankdePassVC,ofthe34thPoonaHorse,isburiedinRowA.DePasswasinvolvedinrepulsingseveralGermanattemptstobreachtheIndiantrenches.Healsorescuedawoundedsepoyunderheavyfire.Hewaskilledon25November1914whilerepairingadamagedsap.InOctober1914FabianWareandDrStewart,membersoftheRedCross,visitedthecemetery.

AccordingtoWarethey‘foundasmallnumberofEnglishgravesallwithplainbutcarefullymadewoodencrosses’.FromthatdayonwardstheRedCrossMobileUnitbeganrecordinggravesandmaintainingthem.ItwasthestartofwhateventuallybecametheCommonwealthWarGravesCommission.SirFabianWareledtheCommissionfromthebeginning,eventuallyretiringaftertheSecondWorldWar.

RowsAtoIofPlotIIIwereusedtoburytherankandfile.During1915officersherewereburiedseparatelyfromthemen,eitherinPlotIIoratthebackofPlotIII.Lieutenant-ColonelLordCrichton-Stuart,COofthe6thWelchandsonofthethirdMarquisofBute,isburiedinPlotIII,RowM.HediedofwoundsreceivedonHohenzollenRedoubt.ThegraveofCSMHayesofthe2ndWelchattheendofRowBofPlotIIItellsadifferentstory.The

registerstatesthatHayesdiedinJanuary1915fromaccidentalinjuries.Hewasactuallymurderedbytwoofhismen.Thetwoperpetrators,PrivatesMorganandPrice,wereexecutedamonthlaterandburiedsidebysideinthefirstrowofPlotIV.AnaccountoftheincidentisrelatedinRobertGraves’autobiography,GoodbytoAllThat.PrivateBryantofthe10thCheshiresisburiedinthelastrowofPlotVI,hewasshotfordesertioninOctober1917.Alongsideisamassgraveof26soldiersofthe1/8thManchesters.HavingjustcompletedatouroftheGivenchysector,themenof‘D’Company,theManchesters,weremarchingthroughBethuneduringanairraid,whenfivebombscausedover60casualtiesamongstthem.TheCasualtyClearingStationleftBethuneshortlyafterwardsinfearoffutureraidsandthecemetery

washardlyusedin1918.InSeptemberofthatyearLieutenant-ColonelLordThynneDSO,aMemberofParliamentandsonoftheMarquisofBath,waskilledbyashell.HisgravecanbefoundinRowLatthebackofPlotII.

BethuneTownCemetery.

SeveralhundredFrenchgravesmadeduringthefirstwinterofthewarwereremovedfromPlotIIIinthepostwaryears.Eighty-sevenGermansprisonerswhodiedofillnessareburiedinaseparategroup,nexttoPlotII.

Sailly-la-BourseCommunalCemeteryandExtensionSailly-la-BoursechurchstillbearsscarsfromtheFirstWorldWar.TheFrenchburiedovertwo

hundredmeninthevillagecemeterybetweenOctober1914andJuly1915.Themajoritydiedintheautumnof1914,duringwhatwasknownasthe‘RacetotheSea’.BritishfieldambulancestookoverthevillageinAugust1915inreadinessfortheforthcomingoffensive.TheywereparticularlybusyinOctober1915,duringthelaterstagesofthebattle.PrivateCarterofthe11thBattalion,MiddlesexRegimentwasexecutedfordesertioninApril1916.

AftersixdaysofshellingheandseveralothermendesertedfromVigoStreetTrenchnearVermelles.Althoughhewasobviouslyshell-shocked,Carter'spreviousrecordofdesertion,disobedienceandsleepingondutysealedhisfate.PrivateCarterwasonlyeighteenwhenhedied.HisgraveissituatedinRowO.The2/8thBattalionManchestersstartedtheextensioninthespringof1917andoverthenexteighteen

months200burialsweremade.ThreeyoungAustralianairmendiedinJanuary1918whentheirplanescollidedduringtraining;theyareburiedtogetherinRowE.PilotOfficerEdwards,anairgunnerwith

40thSquadron,RAF,wasburiedintheExtensioninMay1940.HisgraveissituatedinPlotI,RowO.

LabourseCommunalCemeteryLaboursevillagewasusedby7thDivision'smaindressingstationduringtheLoosOffensive.The

communalcemeteryissituatedtothewestofthevillage.Itisatypicalramshackleaffair,surroundedbyahighwall,theoldslagheapsontheskylinecompletethegloomyatmosphere.ThreemenburiedinthesmallBritishplotwereexecutedfordesertion.PrivateHarryMartinofthe9thEssexandPrivateThompsonofthe11thMiddlesexwereshoton20March1916.PrivateBeversteindiedamonthlater.FiftyFrenchgravesdatingfromthefirstwinterofthewararesituatedbehindtheBritishplot.

Noeux-les-MinesCommunalCemeteryBythetimetheBritisharrivedinJune1915,over700poilushadbeenburiedinNoeux-les-Mines

CommunalCemetery.Thevillagecontinuedtobeamajormedicalcentreanddressingstationsoccupiedtheminesschool,theMairieandseveralothermunicipalbuildings.DuringtheBattleofLoosboththe15thandthe47thDivisionusedthevillage.BracquemontSchool,tothesouth,wastakenoverbytheAdvancedOperatingCentre,aunitwhichspecialisedintreatingabdominalwounds.

IVCorpsevacuatedover14,000woundedinthreedays.

TheCommunalcemeteryconsistsoftwolargeplotscontainingnearly1000graves.PlotIwasstartedinJune1915,theofficerswereburiedinRowAandLieutenantMartinYoung,theofficerwhoencourgedPiperLaidlawtopipethe7thKOSBintoaction,isburiedinthisrow.Therowsatthebackof

theplotarefilledwithmassgravesdatingfromtheLoosOffensive.RowsKandLaremadeupofthegravesofofficersandmanyofthemservedwith15thand47thDivision.Grave15inRowKisthatofMajor-GeneralFrederickWingCB,commandingofficerofthe12th(Eastern)Division.GeneralWing'sADC,LieutenantChristopherTower,isburiedalongside.ThegraveofLieutenantRobertValentineofthe8thRoyalDublinFusiliersissituatedatthestartofRowL.Valentinewastheinventorofthequick-firingimprovementmechanismfortheLewisgun.HediedfromtheeffectsofgasinApril1916.Number7CasualtyClearingStationarrivedinNoeux-les-MinesinApril1917.Manyofthementhat

diedatthestationwereburiedintheCemeteryExtensioninsixsmallplotsinthesouth-westcornerofthecommunalgraveyard.Meanwhile,CanadianCasualtyClearingStationsstartedPlotII.ManyofthesoldiersburiedherewerewoundedonHill70inAugust1917.TworecipientsoftheVictoriaCrossareburiedinthePlot.PrivateBrown,10th(Canadians)BattalionCEFwasposthumouslyawardedthecrossfordeedscarriedouton16August1917.DuringaGermancounter-attackBrownwassenttothereartoaskforreinforcements.Despitebeinghitinthearmhemadeitback,collapsingshortlyafterwardsduetolossofblood.Theeighteenyearoldsuccumbedtohiswoundsthefollowingday.Brown'sgraveissituatedinRowD.Afewdayslaterfurtherattacksthreatenedthepositionsofthe2nd(EasternOntario)Battalion.MajorLearmouthpersonallyledthecounter-attacks.DespitebeingbadlywoundedtheMajorstoodontheparapettorallyhismen;severaltimeshepickedupGermanbombsandthrewthemback.Whenhecouldnolongerstand,Learmouthrefusedtoleavethefrontline;insteadhecarriedongivingencouragementandadvicetohismen.MajorLearmouthwasburiedinRowK.

VerquinTothenorthwestofNoeux-les-Mines.1stDivisionsetupitsMainDressingStationinthevillage

readyforthebattleinSeptember1915.Thechurchyardcontainstwomassgravesof18men.

PhilosopheBritishCemeteryThemilitarycemeteryinPhilosphestandsintheshadowofFosse3,anartilleryobservationpost.

Philosophebrewerywasusedasadressingstationbymanydivisions,inparticularthe15th(Scottish)DivisionduringSeptember1915.Itsspaciouscellarswerecapableofaccommodatingthreehundredwoundedatatime.Thisdressingstationwassetuptodealwiththewalkingwounded,sothereareveryfewgravesdatingfromthebattle.Thecindertrack,connectingthecemeterytotheroad,wasthelineoftheoldrailway.TheconvertedcoaltrucksbroughtthewoundedfromthefrontlinedressingstationsatQualityStreetandFosse7.ThefirstburialsweremadeinPlotIinAugust1915,notlongaftertheBritisharrived.thefirstmajor

influxofcasualtiescameon27April1916.The16th(Irish)Divisionwereholdingthelinenorth-eastofLooswhentheGermanslaunchedagasattack,thementhatdiedfromgas-poisoningareburiedinRowsC,D,EandF.TheIrishFieldAmbulancescontinuedtousethecemeterythroughoutthesummer.Nearly200gravesbelongtothe16thDivision,halfofthembelongtothe7thRoyalInniskillingFusiliers.InNovember1916,PlotIIwasstartedalongthesouthernhedge,extendingtherowsoftheoriginal

PlotandbySeptember1917thecemeteryhadgrownto1,500graves.PlotIIIandPlotIV.DuringtheconstructionoftheDudCornerMemorial,forty-onegravesofthe9thBlackWatchwererelocatedtoPhilosophe.ThemenfellduringtheinitialassaultonLensRoadredoubton25September;theirgravesstandinalineinPlotIII,RowH.

PhilosopheBritishCemetery.

MazingarbeCommunalCemeteryandExtensionNo.45FieldAmbulanceoccupiedMazingarbeduringtheattackofthe15th(Scottish)Division.Many

ofthewoundedarrivedonboardconvertedcoaltrucks,whichhadbeen‘borrowed’fromthelocalcolliery.Thesesmalltruckshadbeenboardedouttocarryfivestretchercasesatatime.Throughoutthebattle,orderliesman-handledthetruckstoandfromthecollectionpostatQualityStreet.Whentheyreachedthebrewery,themenweresortedintocategoriesaccordingtotheirinjuries.Thosecapableofbeingmovedweretaken,eitherbyambulancesorwagons,tothecasualtyclearingstationatNoeux-lesMines.Somewerebeyondhelp,andhadtobeleftwheretheylay.Meanwhile,thewalkingwounded,thegassedandtheshell-shockedwereshepherdedtoLeSaulchoyFarmwheretheycouldrestandhavetheirwoundstended.Thissystemofcollecting,sortingandprocessingofthewoundedenabledthemedicstodealwiththemeninamethodicalfashion,rescuingasmanyaspossible.

MazingarbeCommunalCemetery.

JustinsidethemaingateoftheCommunalCemeteryareaseriesofvillagememorials,commemoratingtheSecondWorldWar,whenninemembersofthelocalresistancedied;anotherremembersthefallenofthewarinFrenchIndo-China.TheCWGCwargravesaresituatedagainstthenorthwallofthecommunalplot,totheleftoftheentrance.Thefirstfourgravesbelongtoofficers,includingtwobattalioncommanders.Lieutenant-ColonelAllenbydiedwithinhoursofleadinghisbattalion,the7thRoyalScotsFusiliers,intothetrenchesforthefirsttime.PrivateDunsire,awardedtheVictoriaCrossforsavingwoundedmenfromthesummitofHill70,isburiedintheCommunalCemetery.HediedofwoundsinJanuary1916,afterashelldemolishedhisdug-out.MazingarbebecameknownasaplaceofexecutionaftertheBattleofLoos.Tenmenwereexecutedin

thevillageabattoir,themajorityfordesertion.PrivateJGrahamofthe2ndRoyalMunsterFusilierswasthefirsttofacethefiringsquad.Heabscondedfromhisbattalion'strenchesatGivenchyinJanuary1915.HewaseventuallycaughttenmonthslaterinaBethunebrothel.HewasshotfourdaysbeforeChristmas.InFebruary1916PrivateJohnDochertyofthe9thBlackWatchandPrivateJohnJonesofthe1stNorthantswereshotafewdaysapart.Joneswasonlytwenty-onewhenhedied,leavingawidowandyoungchild.Hisgraveissetapartfromtherestofthewartimegraves.PrivateArthurDaleofthe13thRoyalScotswasexecutedforentirelydifferentreasons.InFebruary1916Lance-CorporalJamesSneddonorderedDaletoleaveanextaminetbecauseofdrunkenbehaviour.Daleleft,butreturnedsoonafterwardswithhisrifleandshottheLance-Corporal.Hewasexecutedtwoweekslater.CorporalLewiswasthelastexecutedmanlaidtorestintheCommunalsection.WhilebilletedinNoeux-les-Mines,Lewisdiscardedhisuniformandabsconded.HewasarrestedsoonafterwardsneartheNieppeForestandexeckutedon11March1916.

MazingarbeCommunalCemeteryExtension.

PrivateO'Neilofthe1stSouthWalesBordererswasthefirstsoldierexecutedfordesertiontobeburiedintheextensionon30April1916,hisgraveissituatedinthefrontrow.DriverHasemoreoftheRoyalFieldArtilleryisburiedintherowbehind.AtfirsthewassentencedtoFieldPunishmentNumberOneforarelativelyminoroffence.Thisinvolvedasoldierbeingtiedtoacartwheelorapostforlongperiods.Hasemorerefusedtobetiedupandhisthreateningbehaviourandinsubordinationledtoafurthertrial.Hasemore'sdisobedienceresultedinhisbeingsentencedtodeath;hewasexecutedon12May1916.Twomenburiedside-by-sideinRowDwereshottwodaysapartinMay1916.PrivateThomasofthe2ndSussexservedelevenmonthsforhisfirstoffence.Shortlyafterhisreleasehelearntthathisyoungerbrotherhadbeenkilledinaction.ThispromptedBurrelltoabscondasecondtimeandasapersistentoffenderhewasexecuted.FurtheralongtherowisthegraveofRiflemanCardofthe20thKing'sRoyalRifleCorps,executedfordesertionontheSommeinSeptember1916.Thefinalexecutioncameeighteenmonthslater.PrivateWelsh,ofthe8th(90thRifles)BattalionCEF,desertedduringthefightingatPasschendalethepreviousautumn.HisgraveissituatedinthesecondrowofPlotIII.ManyofhiscountrymenkilledinthefightingonHill70theprevioussummerareburiedinPlotII.

MarocBritishCemeteryInAugust1915FrenchandBritishtroopssetupfieldambulancesintheshadowoftheslagheap

knownasFosse5.The47th(London)Divisiontookovertheburialgroundafewweekslater,whenthis

sectorcameunderBritishcontrol.1stDivisionwasstationedinthisareabetweenFebruaryandJuly1916andthe1stLoyalNorthLancashireshadaparticularlydistressingstay.Fourmembersofthebattalionwereexecutedfordesertionandthreeareburiedhere.PrivateWilliamHunterofNorthShieldsescapedcustodytwicewhileawaitingtrial.HiscorpscommanderrecommendedacommutedsentencebutHaigdeclinedtherequest.Thetwentyyear-oldwasexecutedattheendofFebruaryandburiedneartheendofRowBinPlotI.PrivateWiliamWattsabscondedwhilehisbattalionwasstationedinMazingarbe.HewasoneofthefewsoldierstomakeitacrosstheChannelandreachhishomeinLiverpool.Hewassubsequentlyarrested,convictedandexecuted.Watts’graveisatthefarendofRowHinPlotI.ThethirdmemberoftheLoyals,PrivateJamesMolyneaux,isburiedinthesamerow,nearthecentralpath,hewasexecutedinJune1916.

MarocBritishCemetery.

TheCanadianCorpsheldthesectoroppositeLensthroughout1917,andtherearofPlotIcontainsmanygravesbearingtheMapleLeaf.Afterthewarthecemeteryunderwentseveralchanges.TheFrenchgraveswereremovedtoNotre

DamedeLoretteNationalCemetery,leavinggapsinRowsBandCofPlotI.Meanwhile,340gravesCommonwealthgravesweremovedintoPlotIandPlotII.Manybelongtothe47th(London)Division,datingfromAugustandSeptember1915.Twolongrowsofspecialmemorialsremembermenwhoare‘knowntobeburied’amongsttheconcentrationgraves.ThememorialsalongsidePlotIIIremembersoldiersofthe1/6th(CityofLondonRifles)Battalion.Mostofthemdiedintheassaulton25September.TherearefourteenwartimegravesinMarocCommunalCemetery.Halfbelongtoartillerymenof

the47thDivision.

Bully-GrenayCommunalCemeteryFrenchandBritishExtensionBully-les-Minescemeteryissituatedonthewesternedgeofthevillage.Thecommunalplotisa

mixtureofFrench,Britishandciviliangraves.TwohundredandfortyFrenchpuiluswereburiedherebeforetheBritisharrivedinJune1915.ThemajorityoftheBritishgravesformonelonglineofheadstones,butonlyahandfulofgravesarefromtheLoosoffensive.Themaingroupbelongstothe23rdDivision,whichheldthissectorinApril1916.Thereareafewgravesinthecivilianplotbehind.DriverJamesSwaineoftheRoyalArtillerywasexecutedfordesertioninJune1916,havingabscondedwhilstonChristmasleaveinEngland.

TheExtensionwasstartedinApril1916,butitwashardlyusedfortwelvemonths.Twomenwereexecutedfordesertionduringthisperiod.PrivateJohnSmithwasthefourthmanofthe1stLoyalNorthLancashirestobeshot,hisisburiedinthefrontrowofPlotII.Nineteenyear-oldPrivateElsworthYoungofNovaScotiasufferedthesamefateinOctober1916,hisheadstonestandsintherowbehind.TheArrasoffensiveinApril1917broughtalargeinfluxofcasualtiesintoBully-les-Mines.PlotsI

andIIwerequicklyfilledbytheCanadianand24thDivision.PrivateDavidStevensonofthe13thMiddlesexwasshotinJuly1918fordesertion.Themenchosenforthefiringsquadhadgreatdifficultyincarryingoutthegruesometaskandtwowerechargedafterwardsforfailingtofiretheirweapons.StevensonisburiedinPlotV.RowG.Duringthepost-waryears168graveswerebroughtherefromthefieldseastofGrenay.

FURTHERREADING

TheBattleofLoosisapoorrelationtomanyofthelongercampaignsontheWesternFront.Apartfromspecificreferencesinunithistories,thereareveryfewbooksonthesubjectandmostareoutofprint.TheauthoritativeworkistheOfficialHistory(1915,VolumeII),andthereprintsareavailablefromtheImperialWarMuseum.TheLoosvolumeisveryreadable,comparedtosomeoftheofficialworks.Forthoseofyouwishingtofindoutmoreaboutthebackgroundtothebattle,theofficialaccountisthemainsourceofreference.TheDonkeys,byAlanClarkMP,ahistoryoftheBEFin1915,containsaconciseversionofthe

battle.Clark'sopinionoftheHighCommandisfarmorecriticalthanthatfoundintheofficalversion.ManywillbefamiliarwithLynMacDonald'sbooksand1915,TheDeathofInnocencefollowstheusualformat.ThechapteronLooscontainsmanypersonalaccountsthatexplainthebattlethroughtheeyesofthosewhotookpart.PhilipWarner'sTheBattleofLoos,iswrittenfromthesameperspective.Thebookwaswritten

followingarequestinthenationalpressforpersonalaccountsofthebattle.Asapieceoforalhistory,Warner'sworkisexcellent;therearemanymovingaccountsoflifeinthetrenchesandtheexperienceofbattle.Itis,however,aconfusingbook.Manyofthepiecesrefertolaterbattlesandinmanycasesitisdifficulttorelatetheaccountstoactualevents.Hopefully,onedaytherewillbeacriticalstudyofthebattletobringittheattentionitdeserves.

MilitaryOperations,FranceandBelgium1915,Volume2Brigadier-GeneralJEdmonds,Macmillian1927.ReprintavailablefromtheImperialWarMuseum

TheDonkeysAlanClarkHutchinson&CoLtd–1961Mayflower-Dellpaperback1964.

TheBattleofLoos1915PhilipWarnerWilliamKimber&CoLtd–1976WordworthEditionsLtd–2000

1915,TheDeathofInnocenceLynMacDonaldHeadlineBookPublishing–1993

INDEX

Barter,MajGen33Bavaria,CrownPrince38Bethune8,9,20,35,151,174,181Blogg,MajorDSO70BoisCarré24,45-46,89-90,171BoisHugo25,55,93-94,110-111,118-124,126-127,129-130,133-134,136,139-141,155,164-165,167,169

Bruce-Wood,2/Lt70

BritishArmyCorpsDivisionsBrigadesBattalions

CorpsI21IV21IX21

DivisionsGuards29,361st29,31,44-562nd293rdCavalry29,36,1417th299th21,2915th21,29,31,57-7421st29,3424th29,3447th29,33,75-88

BrigadesGas40-431(Guards)141,1562(Guards)141-1443(Guards)141,144-1481:31,44-48,55,89,94-96,156-157,165,169,1712:39,48-54,55,60,89-91,94,96,110,165,1713:55,90,96

44:31,58,62-74,97,152,155,162,16445:31,98,101,107,113,115,16646:31,57-62,73-74,107,162,16362:103-108,112,113,11763:108-109,110-112,118-120,122,125,129,156,164-16664:111-112,118,120,122-123,126,134,156,164,16671:125,127-140,180,72:127-14073:104,112140:83-88,158141:75-83,158142:88,154

Battalions11/Argylls94,106-1071/BlackWatch44,48,55,909/BlackWatch62-64,66,68,70,72,80,97,107,152-153,155,161,1738/Buffs128-129,134,139,166,168-1691/CameronHighlanders44,46,48,95-96,1786/CameronHighlanders59,62,101,119-120,1667/CameronHighlanders63,68-69,721/ColdstreamGuards31,141,149,17914/DLI122-125,16415/DLI121,123-125,1649/EastSurrey128-129,133,138,166,169,8/EastYorkshire105-10611/Essex131,133,135-136,1671/Gloucestershire17810/Gloucesterhire31,44,46-47,92,171,17610/GordonHighlanders63,68-70,72,98,107,152,154-15510/GreenHowards105-105,114,117,1663/GrenadierGuards141,1434/GrenadierGuards142,144-148,16012/HLI57-582/IrishGuards141-144,1749/King's48,55,917/KOSB60,62,154,162,164,1838/KOSB579/KOYLI112,125-126,16410/KOYLI112,125-126,164

2/KRRC39,48,50,52,1748/Lincolnshire109,111,119,121-1226/London84-87,1547/London84-86,1548/London7514/London44,55-56,91-92,17118/London75,77-79,153,157-158,160-16119/London75,79-80,82-83,10520/London75-76,80,105-106,154,158,17521/London8822/London8823/London1441/LoyalNorthLancashire48,50-51,88,171,186-1871/Northamptonshire48,52-53,171,18512/NorthumberlandFusiliers107,114,16613/NorthumberlandFusiliers1078/Queen's128,131,133,136-137,1688/QORWK127-131,131,136-137,168-1698/RoyalBerkshire31,44-45,96,169,1782/RoyalMusterFusiliers90,92,95,17113/RoyalScots101,113-117,125,1857/RoyalScotsFusiliers97,101,108,113-116,1852/RoyalSussex48,52,55,171,174,176,1868/SeaforthHighlanders62,63-68,72,99,152,161,162,1631/ScotsGuards31,141-143,1762/ScotsGuards147-1488/SomersetLightInfantry109,111,1211/SouthWalesBorderers969/Suffolk134,138,166,1692/Welsh96,128-130,135,137,140,167,1861/WelshGuards144-147-16712/WestYorkshire109,120,12110/YorkandLancaster109,111,120

Engineers4thLondonFieldCompany7073rdCompany99

Butler,LtCol142Casson,Maj84,87-88,175Cator,LtCol147-148

CemeteriesBethuneTownCemetery181BoisCarreMilitaryCemetery178Bully-GrenayCommunalCemeteryExtension187DudCornerCemetery8,9,54,105,120,151-153,173-174FosseNo.7MilitaryCemetery(QualityStreet)180LabourseCommunalCemetery182LoosBritishCemetery175MarocBritishCemetery186MazingarbeCommunalCemeteryandExtension184NinthAvenueCemetery178Noeux-les-MinesCommunalCemetery182PhilosopheBritishCemetery184Sailly-la-BourseCommunalCemetery182StMary'sADSCemetery176StPatrick'sCemetery175VermellesBritishCemetery179

ChaletWood94,101,107-108,113,116,118-119,123-124,126,155,156,162,164-166,174ChalkPitCopse76,83,105-107,158-159,175ChalkPitWood28,110,120,126,133,141-144,149CitéStAuguste27,29,38,72-74,97-98,113,166CitéStEdouard28CitéStLaurent27,72,74,79,97-98CitéStPierre84,105,Cuthbert,BrGen83Davies,BrigGen55,90,96Denny,LtCol109DouglasHamilton,LtColA,VC119-129,156,166,174Dunsire,PrivateR,VC117-118,155,167,185Cavan,EarlofMajGen36,141Faux,LtCol84FieldofCorpses140,155,164,167-169FortGlatz65,161Fosse5151,154,186Fosse7109,158,180,184Foulkes,LtCol41French,FieldMarshallSirJohn18-19,102

GermanArmy

Divisions8th121117th37

Regiments11thReserve37-3812thReserve37-3816th15926th121157th37

Battalions22ndReserve38

Gloster,BrGen111-112,118,122-126Gough,LieutGen22,29,44Graeme,LtCol48Grandstand27,76,79Green,Col44,48,54-56,91-94,110,171Hadow,LtCol105-106,117Haig,GenSirDouglas18,21,41-43,102,104,140-141,149Haking,LieutGen31,36,141Hamilton,LtColAS122Hamilton,LtColJ90Henderson,LtCol65,173Heyworth,BrGen144,146Holland,MajGen23,31,48,54-55,89,91,96,104Howard,LtCol121Hubback,LtCol80-83,105-106Hulluch,23,25,29,38,44,48,55,89,92,92-96,127,128-133,137,140,155,167-169Jackson,Colonel40Jacob,MajGen104Joffre,Gen17-21Johnson,Major118,123Johnson,2/LtF,VC99-100,155Kenny,PrivateHVC51,171Kipling,LtJ142-143,165,174,176-177Kipling,Rudyard142,176-177Kitchener,Lord19,21,32,35,36,40,101LaHaieCopse24,46Laidlaw,Piper,VC60-61,154,162,183

Leggett,LtCol120Lens9,11,18,21,25,38,98LensRoadRedoubt21,27,63-64,79,109,153,173,184LeRutoireFarm24,54,92,169,171Lloyd,LtCol97LoospassimLoosCemetery79,153,160LoosCrassier79,97,108,116,162,166LoosRoadRedoubt21,27,58,91,109,111,144,154,162Lynch,LtCol125Macgill,P77-78McCracken,MajGen98,101,113Maroc34,144,151,186Matheson,MajGen57,73,107Mazingarbe9,27,104,107,111,118,180,184Mildren,LtCol84Millerand,Monsieur32Mitford,BrGen109-110,125,127,129,134,137,139Moreau,Mademoiselle70,160Murray-Threipland,LtCol145,146,148Nickalls,BrGen109-110,118,120-121Peachment,PrivateGVC51-52,171Philosophe27,111,184Pollard,BrigGen48,49,52,54-55,93,110Pollock,LtCol125Prothero,LtCol92Puitsbis1128Puitsbis13127Puitsbis1425,54,62,69,93,119,125,141-143,145-146,149,155,165,172,176Puitsbis1527,75,Ramsey,LtCol55Rawlinson,LieutGenSirHenry22,29,98,104,113,135,149Read,CaptainAVC53-54,171,174Reddie,BrGen44,90,96Ritter,Captain60,92-93,171Romer,LtCol129Sanderson,Col51Sandilands,LtCol68-69,97-99,107,166Saunders,SgtA,VC139-140,169

Shewer,BdeMaj138Stewart,Col140StutzpunktIII165,168StutzpunktIV134,136,165,168,Stutzpunkt6976Thomson,LtCol64Thwaites,BrGen75,79Torrance,Captain58-59TowerBridge27,76,79,93,111,127,155,159,162,d'Urbal,Gen21Vansittart,LtCol127,131Vermelles23,31,58,109,144,178Wallace,LtCol98,107Wallerstein,BrGen107,113-114Walter,LtCol121Way,LtCol105-106Wells,SergeantHVC52,171WelwynGardenCity28,76,80,82Wilkinson,BrGenM62,71Wilkinson,BrGenE104,107,113-114Williams,Captain146,148-149Young,2/Lt60-61