THE SOMME BUGLE

NEWSLETTER OF THE SOMME BRANCH

ISSUE NUMBER 5 Summer 2009

Welcome to the fifth edition of the Somme Bugle. Spring and summer this year have been busy times for the Branch as can bee seen from the events that members have attended, In the following paragraphs you will find a brief report on some of the events attended by members of the Somme Branch since the last issue of the “Bugle”.

In Memoriam Sadly this summer has seen the passing of the last two members of the 1914-1918 BEF.

Henry Allingham “The Last Kitchener Volunteer” served in the Royal Naval Air Service at sea and on the Western Front and was a founder member of the Royal Air Force.

Harry Patch “The Last Fighting Tommy” served in the 7th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on the Western Front until being wounded during the Third Battle of in September 1917.

With their passing the Great War has now passed from living memory and it is now up to our generation to ensure that the achievements of their generation is passed onto to future generations and that their deeds and sacrifice will always be remembered. “At the going down of the sun And in the morning We will Remember Them.”

Henry Allingham Harry Patch 6 June 1896 – 18 July 2009 17 June 1898 – 25 July 2009 RIP RIP

1 SUMMARY OF BRANCH EVENTS – Steve Berridge

ST GEORGES DAY SUPPER - 18th April 2009 On the evening of Saturday 18th April 32 members and friends of the Somme Branch dined together at the Ashford International Hotel to celebrate St George’s Day. We were joined by former Coldstreamer and current member of the “Queens Body Guard” Bill Tuffs in his full ceremonial regalia who gave us a very interesting talk about the “Guard” illustrated with many personal mementos, after which we sat down for dinner. We were entertained during dinner by the Brass St Georges Day diners and the Queens Bodyguard (Photo: Neil Bedford) quartet of the Band of the Hampshire Constabulary After dinner our Vice Chairman, Steve Berridge opened his speech giving a background history of St George, the patron saint of England with the immortal Monty Python line, “what have the Romans ever done for us?” all became clear during the speech – honest! This was followed by a rendition of Shakespeare’s “God for Harry, England and Saint George” speech from Henry V by our Secretary David Williams TD. There followed a moving presentation of a set of First World War medals, “pip, squeak and Wilfred” into the care of our Chairman Rod Bedford by former Grenadier (yes I can hear Rodders now ―once a Grenadier always a Grenadier!) Sean Cartwright. The Battle of Trafalgar was also humorously re-enacted dwelling on the outcome of the battle if set in a modern day health and safety/politically correct environment! The evening culminated with our usual patriotic sing a long with music provided by the Hampshire Constabulary Quartet.

BATTLE OF RIDGE COMMEMORATION – 9th May 2009 On Saturday the 9th May a commemoration service was held at the just outside the village of to remember the Anglo-Indian battle of Aubers Ridge of the 9th which resulted in nearly 12,000 British and Indian casualties during the one day battle. The area of the Australian Memorial Park although at first glance appears to be mainly associated with the Anglo-Australian attack of 19/20th known as the Battle of Fromelles, when Australian soldiers gained footings in the German lines here, was appropriate as in the 1915 battle this same area of the German lines was reached and held for some hours by members of the 8th Divisions, 25th Infantry Brigade and in particular the 2nd Rifle Brigade and 1st Royal Irish Rifles who were heading for the area of Rouge-bancs. The ceremony was attended by representatives from the RBL Ypres Branch and the RBL Somme Branch represented by Chairman Rod Bedford and Secretary David Williams TD who carried the Branch Standard on this occasion – competition eh!

2 ACHIET-LE GRAND MEMORIAL DEDICATION – 24th May 2009 On the morning of the 24th May the Branch Chairman Rod Bedford, Vice Chairman & Standard Bearer Steve Berridge and Secretary David Williams TD attended a service organised by the Somme Remembrance Association for the dedication of a new memorial in the wood just outside of the village of Achiet-Le-Grand.

AMERICAN MEMORIAL DAY – 24th May 2009 In the afternoon Branch Officers and members were invited to attend and parade our Standard at the American Memorial Service held at the Bony American Cemetery on the Somme. We were hosted by the Superintendant of the Somme American Cemetery Mr Craig Rahanian and his wife Lorna who have been friends of the branch for many years (and have now taken the plunge and become branch members). The parade held in the cemetery itself was attended by dignitaries from many nations, French and American military bands and representatives American Memorial Day, Bony. (Photo Chris Berridge) from the US Forces in Germany, the French Armed Forces and representatives of the Ancients Combatants as well as our Branch Standard and a group of Cadets who just happened to be passing!

BRANCH NORMANDY 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY TOUR. 5th-8th June 2009 During 4 days in June, Officers of the branch:- Chairman Rod Bedford, Vice Chairman Steve Berridge, Treasurer Chris Berridge and Webmaster Neil Bedford forayed out from the Somme toward the Normandy beaches to take part in commemorations for the D Day landings of 65 Years before. On the evening of the 5th we gathered at Benouville to take part in the commemorations and festivities (we lost the Chairman and webmaster a number of times in various bars) to mark the taking of the two bridges here subsequently renamed Pegasus and Horsa, by the gliderborne coup-de-main glider force led by Major John Howard and his reinforced Letter D Company of the 2nd (Airborne) Battalion the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (“up the Ox and Bux, up the Ox and Bux” as Richard Todd would say!) at 15 minutes after midnight 5/6 June 1944. Commemorations involved a march over the bridge by the Army Air Corps and the veterans of the coup de main party much to the cheering of those present. A small private ceremony was held at midnight around John Howard’s memorial plinth involving surviving veterans of the Coup de main party and family members and friends. The ceremony involved playing a recording of the late Major John Howard retelling his experiences of the glider assault followed by glasses of “champers”. Listening to the voice of the man himself and on the very spot 65 years ago almost to the minute where it happened was very emotive.

After the ceremony at approximately 00.15 hrs buglers heralded the arrival of the “Project 65” runners who had run from Tarrant Rushton to Pegasus Bridge. Project 65 had been set up to raise funds for a new memorial to the Coup de main force and to help service and ex-service organisations.

Then off to find the Chairman and webmaster yet again! And eventually back to our billets.

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The New Memorial at Pegasus Bridge funded by Project 65 (Photo Steve Berridge)

On the 6th the Branch attended the official commemoration service at Bayeux Cathedral attended by Prince Charles and at which the Standard was on parade. The Standard next attended the Normandy Veterans Commemoration Service held at the Bayeux War Cemetery again in the presence of the Prince of Wales. In the Afternoon we headed for Arromanches and the culmination of the commemorations, the march past and drumhead service of the Normandy Veterans and the Royal British Legion Standards including the Somme Branch standard in the area in front of the museum which overlooks the beach and the remains of Mulberry Harbour, the highlight of which was a flypast by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight which left not a dry eye in the house and that was not just because it was raining!

RBL BRUSSELS MEMORIAL DAY – 27th June 2009 Members of the Branch and the Standard were invited to attend an annual service held by the RBL Brussels Branch to commemorate the Battle of Waterloo (fought nearby on 18th June 1815) and to remember those who served in the two world wars particularly those who liberated Brussels in September 1944. Two services were held in the Brussels Town Cemetery. The first at the Waterloo Memorial and the second at the Commonwealth War Brussels Town Cemetery (Photo Chris Berridge) Graves plot within the cemetery. Editors note - Just look at that right elbow Rodders- private joke!

4 THE SOMME DINNER – 30th June 2009 This year the Branch annual dinner was held in the Royal Picardie Hotel in Albert. 27 members and friends sat down to dinner. Prior to dinner we were entertained by Pipers from the Somme Battlefield Pipe Band. As is customary before dinner the Exhortation was said, but this time the whole of Laurence Binyon's poem “The Fallen” was read a verse at a time by various diners ending with the Chairman giving the lines of the Exhortation that are actually taken from the poem. After dinner entertainment was provided in the form of a sing-a-long of First World War trench songs organised by the Vice Chairman and Treasurer. The highlight of which was the assembled throng trying to sing “Sister Suzie’s sewing shirts for soldiers….” Those present will also be relieved to know that the Vice Chairman has put on hold his thoughts of a career in the diplomatic service!!!!!!!

93RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE SOMME – 1st July 2009. The annual services to commemorate the were once again well attended. The Branch Standard was present in the morning along with many others at the main British Service held at the Memorial then in the afternoon at the .

This year the band of the Blues and Royals were in attendance. Thiepval-The Band of the Blues and Royals (Photo Chris Berridge)

ARQUES-LA-BATAILLE SOUTH AFRICAN MEMORIAL - 17th July 2009 In a call for extra labour on the Western Front The South African Native Labour Corps came to early in 1917. Its camp and a Hospital were set up at Arques-la- Bataille near Dieppe. On 17th July officers of the branch were invited to attend a ceremony to remember these South African soldiers at the Arques- la-Bataille British Cemetery and later at a service in the town which was followed Arques-La-Bataille South African Memorial (Photo Chris Berridge) by a vin-du honour.

5 93RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF FROMELLES – 19th July 2009 From the Commonwealth War Graves website:- “On the 19 July 1916, after a preliminary bombardment, the 5th Australian and 61st (South Midland) Divisions undertook what is officially known as the . The 61st Division attack failed in the end, with the loss of over 1,000 officers and men out of 3,410 who took part in it. The Australian left and centre reached the German trenches and held their second line during the day and night, but the right was held off by a fierce machine-gun barrage and only reached the front line in isolated groups. The action was broken off on the morning of 20 July, after the 5th Australian Division had lost over 5,000 officers and men.”

On Sunday the 19th July 2009 the Chairman, Rod Bedford and Vice Chairman/Standard Bearer Steve Berridge attended three services to remember the 93rd anniversary of the Anglo-Australian Battle of Fromelles 19-20 July 1916. The first service was held at the Australian Memorial Park outside of Fromelles where a portion of the German second line captured by the Australian 14th Brigade has been turned into a memorial park complete with some Service at the Australian Memorial Park (Photo Mark Farmer) German bunkers constructed in 1917 to prevent this ground being captured for a third time (The first time was on 9th May 1915 when the British 8th Division (2nd Rifle Brigade and 1st Royal Irish Rifles) had assaulted over the same ground during the Battle of Aubers Ridge and captured these lines and beyond until being driven out). Also in the park is a superb statue of an Australian soldier or “Digger” rescuing a wounded comrade or “cobber” from the battlefield, many wounded were recovered from the battlefield in the following days. All the nations involved in the 1916 battle were represented at the service. It was good to see a good British presence here including representatives of the RBL Ypres Branch at what seems to have been until recently a forgotten battle as far as the British are concerned.

The second service was held about 200 yards down the road at the VC Corner Australian Cemetery where around 410 unidentified Australians recovered after the Armistice were buried and the screen wall of the cemetery is also the Memorial to the Missing and records the names of the 1,299 Australians who have No Known Grave from the battle.

The third service was held at the “Pheasant Wood” site just a little way from Fromelles Church. It was here that the bodies of some of the British and Australian dead were recovered by the Germans after the battle and were brought in and buried in a number of mass graves or pits. These graves were apparently missed in the post war battle field clearance of the area and only recently has work started to excavate the pits with the intention of reburying them individually in a new CWGC cemetery being constructed a little way from the original burial site.

6 MEMBERS ARTICLE-REMEMBERING FROMELLES - by Steve Berridge Over the last couple of years the village of Fromelles in Northern France has been in the media spotlight due to the rediscovery of First World War burial pits at the nearby Pheasant Wood. The burial pits contain the remains of British and Australian soldiers recovered by the Germans from the immediate area of their lines following the disastrous Battle of Fromelles fought 19th to 20th July 1916. The Germans had hastily buried these soldiers in an area just behind their lines, however after the war the burials were not found during the battlefield clearance of the area. As a result of much research and lobbying by an Australian called Lambis Englezos and others, eventually in May 2008 an exploratory excavation of the area where the pits were believed to be was conducted to confirm if remains were present, they were and in May of this year excavations were started to retrieve, try to identify and re- bury the soldiers in individual marked graves in a new Commonwealth War Graves cemetery being constructed a short way from the original burial site.

The Battle of Fromelles (known to the British in the years after the Great War as the Battle of Fleurbaix) was planned to stop fresh German troops leaving the “quiet” “nursery” sector between Armentieres and being withdrawn and sent further south as reinforcements for the Battle of the Somme that had been raging since the 1st July. Initially the plan was to just put down an artillery barrage to make the Germans believe that an offensive in the area was imminent, however the planners soon raised their goal to “pinching” out a salient known as the “Sugar Loaf” and possibly on toward Aubers Ridge with a full scale infantry assault. Two divisions both newly arrived on the Western Front in this “nursery” sector were chosen for the attack originally due to take place on the 17th July but postponed to the 19th.

The British 61st (2nd South Midland) Division was a Second Line Territorial Division originally formed as a reserve unit for supplying reinforcements to the 48th (South Midland) Division. The division was composed of Territorial battalions from Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire and was composed of three brigades:- 182 Brigade-2/5th, 2/6th, 2/7th & 2/8th Royal Warwickshire Regiment 183 Brigade-2/4th & 2/6th – 2/6 & 2/7 Worcestershire Regiment 184 Brigade-2/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, 2/4th Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry – 2/4th – 2/5th Gloucestershire regiment

The 5th Australian Division consisting of the 8th, 14th and 15th Brigades was a result of the expansion and reorganisation of the Australian Imperial Force in early 1916 and was composed of a mixture of reinforcements from Australia and seasoned veterans of the Gallipoli campaign. The 5th Division was to be the first Australian unit to see major action on the Western Front.

Over the past five years I have visited the area of Fromelles a number of times as I am particularly interested in my family regiment, the Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry whose 2/1st Battalion fought at the Battle of Fromelles in July 1916. The 2/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion had in its ranks many men from my home town of Wolverton and its surrounding North Bucks towns and villages and coincidentally carried out a lot of its training less than half a mile from my present home in Northampton when it moved with the 2nd South Midland Division (Later 61st Division) to the town in early 1915.

Officers of 2/1st Bucks Battalion outside the Officers The same location August 2009 (Photo Steve Berridge) mess, the cricket pavilion at the Northampton Asylum 1915.

7 The following is taken from the battalion’s official history: "The Second Buckinghamshire Battalion 1914-1918" by Major General J C Swann and gives the battalions version of events to which I have added some of my own notes:-

―The (61st South Midland) Division was closed up on less than a Brigade frontage from opposite the Wick to Sugar Loaf salients; two Battalions from each Brigade were detailed for this attack, the remaining two being in support.

Of the 184th Brigade the (2/4th) Royal Berks were detailed for the right (300 yard frontage), the (2/1st) Bucks for the left (400 yard frontage) of the attack. The 183rd Brigade were on the right of the Royal Berks, the Australians (59 Bn, 15 Brigade, 5th Australian Division) on the left of the Bucks, but owing to the (Sugar Loaf) salient unable to keep in touch.

(The 61 Division assault battalions were: 182 Brigade-2/6 & 2/7 Warwicks. 183 Brigade-2/4 & 2/6 Glosters. 184 Brigade-2/1 Bucks & 2/4 Berks (4 of the 6 assault battalion’s county regiments are now represented by and 2 by the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers))

(Bucks) Battalion Headquarters were at a farm in front of Picantin Post, between that post and Jocks Lodge. The Oxfords (2/4th Oxford & Bucks LI) and (2/5th) Glosters were in support and reserve near Sailly and at Estaires and moved up during the attack to positions in front of Bacquerot Street and to some strong posts in the vicinity. The formation of dumps of S.AA., rations, water, engineer stores, etc., necessitated heavy fatigue work for days beforehand, and even the troops detailed for the attack were not exempt up to the last moment.

The preliminary bombardment, which lasted for three days, was carried out by some 350 guns of all calibres, R.F.A. and R.H.A. Batteries being pushed up to within a short distance of Tilleloy Street, many of them in exposed positions, where they suffered heavy casualties. On the afternoon of the 19th ―lifts to barrage lines ―were ordered for the Artillery for certain periods, varying from four to ten minutes, during which the Infantry in the trenches were to show their bayonets and steel helmets over the parapets, and officers were to whistle and shout orders with the view of inducing the enemy to man his parapet and thereby incur heavy casualties when the Artillery shortened the range on to the front parapet and continued the intense bombardment of the front and support lines.

During the last phase of the bombardment the attacking Infantry was to issue through the sally posts cut in their wire and deploy in No Man’s Land in four waves, the leading wave within 80 yards of the enemy’s parapet, if possible, and 50 yards between waves. The assault was timed for 6 p.m.

In the (Bucks) Battalion ―A‖ Company under Captain H. Church and ―D‖ under Captain I. Stewart- Liberty were detailed for the attack. (A & D Coys only had 120 men between them on a frontage of 400 yards and across 420 yards of no mans land) On the 18th ―A‖ Company had lost 78 men owing to a short shell from one of our own (believed to be Australian) guns falling on a gas cylinder and bursting it in the trench. This had necessitated filling up the ranks of the Company with men from the reserve and from a newly arrived draft, but it was still much under strength. On the 19th owing to the restricted front and consequent crowding in the trenches, the casualties were very heavy, amounting to nearly 100 killed and wounded before the Companies moved out to deploy for the assault. Luckily, it was not necessary to use the sally ports, which in the case of other units caused heavy losses at the start, as they had been located by the enemy, and were effectively covered by machine-gun fire. A better way had been found, and at 5.40 p.m. the assaulting Companies filed out into No Man’s Land by way of Rhondda Sap (a water filled trench dug 150 yards in front of the British front line toward the German lines- however this would still leave 250 yards of open No Mans land to cross!!) and lay down in four waves. In order to complete the waves ―C‖ Company had followed ―A‖ and ―D‖ and ―B‖ Company moved in to hold and garrison the line.

At 6 p.m. with a cheer the four waves leaped up and assaulted the enemy’s trenches. Not a man was seen to waver, but the fire brought to bear was annihilating. Even before 5.40 p.m., the enemy machine guns (from the Sugar Loaf) had begun to get busy, and at 6 p.m. they literally mowed down the advancing waves; only a few men actually reached the German parapet, some were seen actually on the parapet, and may have got in, but none got back.

8 The “few men” referred to were from “A” Company who with their Commander Captain Harold Church managed to reach the German parapet. Charles Bean the writer of the Australian Official History “The Official History of Australia in the Great War of 1914-1918” states “Upon assaulting, the centre and right of the 184th Brigade-comprising the right company of the Buckinghamshire and the survivors of the Royal Berkshire-were at once stopped by the Sugar-loaf machine guns, which as was already evident, had not been destroyed, nor even wholly silenced, during the British bombardment. On the left however, Captain Church, leading his company, was killed as he reached the German Breastwork, and, according to some accounts, a small section of the Western edge of the Sugar-loaf was entered, if not captured.” Captain Church’s body was later recovered from near the Sugar Loaf and is buried in Military Cemetery along with 15 identified comrades of his battalion from the battle. It was also reported that one man of “D” Company, Lance Corporal Arthur Stevens managed to get into the German lines but he was wounded and died as a Prisoner Of War, his body was lost and he is one of the battalions 89 “missing” from the battle who are commemorated on the .

By 6.30 p.m. it was evident that the attack had failed, but it has been asserted that success could have been secured had it been possible to bring two fresh Companies to the assault. No reserves, however, were available; ―B‖ Company was fairly intact, but definitely marked for garrison duty in the line—a few orderlies, telephone operators, etc., were with Headquarters, and the small remnant of the assaulting Companies who survived were in No Man’s Land awaiting darkness to get back. All the officers of the three Companies that had gone out were either killed or wounded except one. The position was reported to the Brigade Headquarters, and orders received to reorganise and attack again at 8.30 p.m. Reorganisation was effected so far as possible by taking 40 men from ―B‖ Company and collecting about 80 more from the other Companies (A, C & D). As soon as this had been carried out, orders were received first postponing and finally cancelling the fresh attack. Unfortunately this cancellation was not received by the Australian 58th Battalion (15th Brigade) earmarked to support the attack who went forward and sustained many casualties.

In hardly any portion of the attack of the two Divisions was any great success obtained. A party of the (2/7th) Warwicks on the right, opposite Fauquissart, gained a footing in the enemy’s line, but could not be supported, and few were able to get back. The same thing happened to an Australian Brigade on the left. (Elements of the 5th Australian Divisions 8th and 14th Brigades had managed to reach the German first and second lines but could not be supported. Having held on through the night of 19th/20th they were ordered to withdraw early in the morning. The Australian “right” 15th Brigade who were on the Left of British 184 Brigade had the same problem as the British in having to cross over 400 yards of No mans land under very heavy fire and only reached the German lines in isolated groups but could not consolidate, leaving the 5th Divisions right flank “in the air” and subsequently the Germans were able to launch strong counter attacks that managed to regain their lines, get behind the Australians in some cases and allow them to “roll up” the defenders.)

The 5th Australian Division sustained 5,533 casualties – 1,917 dead, 3,146 wounded & 470 POW

VC Corner Australian Cemetery (Photo Steve Berridge) 410 unidentified Australians recovered after the armistice lie in this cemetery and the screen wall at the far end is the Memorial to the Missing 1,299 Australians from the battle who have No Known Grave.

9 The 61st (South Midland) Division sustained 1,547casualties – 519 dead, 977 wounded and 61 POW

The 61st (South Midland) Division Memorial in Laventie (Photo Steve Berridge)

The casualties in the Battalion, which had gone into action with 20 officers and 622 other ranks, were 322 of all ranks during the 18th and 19th July. The battalion’s casualties were broken down as follows:- OFFICERS - Killed - 4. Missing (believed Killed) - 2. Died of Wounds - 1. Wounded - 8. OTHER RANKS - Killed -62. Missing (believed Killed) - 65, Wounded - 180

Of the battalions casualties who fell between the 18th and 20th July when the battalion was relieved in the line by 2/4th Oxford & Bucks LI:- 21 members of the battalion recorded as Killed in Action were later recovered and their remains buried in 3 cemeteries – Aubers Ridge British(4), Laventie Military(16) and Rue-Du-Bois Military(1). 14 members of the battalion who Died of Wounds are buried in 2 cemeteries – La Gorgue Communal (3) and Merville Communal (11) 88 members of the battalion who have No Known Grave are commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

During the following days from 21st July up to 26th July a further 9 members of the battalion Died of Wounds received in this action and are buried in named graves in 5 cemeteries stretching from the Casualty Clearing Stations just behind the front line back down the casualty evacuation route to General Hospitals on the Channel coast – Merville Communal(3), La Gorgue Communal(1), Boulogne Eastern(2), Wimereux Communal(2) and Longuenesse (St Omer)(1)). A further member of the battalion, Serjeant Charles Austin of D Company is recorded as having Died of Wounds on the 22nd of July whilst a Prisoner of War, his body was not found and he is commemorated as “Missing” on the Loos Memorial bringing the battalion’s total from the battle with No Known Grave to 89. Of the 89 missing it is believed that 52 unidentified Officers, NCO’s and men of the battalion lie in a grave in the Rue-Du-Bois Military Cemetery under one headstone that simply reads:- TO THE MEMORY OF SEVERAL OFFICERS NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE GREAT WAR 2/1ST BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BATTN OR 2/1ST OXFORD & BUCKS LI This still leaves 37 members of the battalion unaccounted for, including at least 3 who Died of Wounds whilst Prisoners of War in German hands so some of the “Missing” may be among the Pheasant Wood burials.

10 For the action at Fromelles members of the battalion were awarded 4 Military Cross’s, 4 Distinguished Conduct Medals and 5 Military Medals (2 to Wolverton men).

The Battle of Fromelles was the Australians first major action on the Western Front, and it turned out to be a disaster so it was perhaps not surprising that scapegoats were looked for. A lot of criticism was aimed at the British 61st Division. Charles Bean again “ A particularly unfortunate, but inevitable, result of the fight was that, having been unwisely combined with a British division whose value for offence in spite of the devoted gallantry of many of its members, (mention was here made in his notes of- ―The fate of Captain Church and several other officers whose bodies, with those of their parties, were long afterwards found lying near the German wire, proves the quality of parts of this division‖) was recognised as doubtful, the Australian soldiers tended to accept the judgement – often unjust, but already deeply impressed by the occurrences at the Suvla (Gallipoli) landing – that the ―Tommies‖ could not be relied upon to uphold a flank in a stiff fight.‖

The 61st Division were also accused by their own higher staff of “lacking offensive spirit”. However what is often forgotten is that both Divisions were new and inexperienced to the Western Front. The British 61st Division was also well understrength, in some cases up to 50% and had seen no action up till now; the Australian battalions on the other hand were up to strength and most had a proportion of experienced veterans from the Gallipoli campaign in their ranks who had already seen action. A lot has been made of the British being unable to take their objectives, but lets remember that when they started their assault they were already understrengh, had taken many casualties from German counter bombardment of their trenches and that when they went through the breastwork sally ports were almost immediately cut down by German Machine fire, as the 2/1st Bucks Battalion war diary states “again, the enemy’s machine gun fire prevented any advance without extermination‖.

It is therefore amazing that any British troops reached the German trenches at all, but they did, the 2/7 Warwicks on the right managed to enter and hold for a while the enemy trenches and a party of the 2/1 Bucks Battalion on the left were also seen to enter the German trenches although none returned! It is also interesting to note when you study the 1916 trench maps and the opposing front lines and brigade frontages that the Australian 8th and 14th Brigades who did manage to reach the German lines had a much shorter distance of No Mans Land to cross and narrower frontages compared with their own 15th Brigade and virtually the whole of the British 61st Division!

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