Chapter XIX: The Battle of the Somme (2)

Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers started off, moving forward by platoons in artillery formation some 350 yards in rear of the Coldstream. With it came Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny, who was easily distinguished as he marched along, for he wore a forage cap in place of a helmet. When the Battalion reached Ginchy a heavy German barrage came down on the men, who were almost blinded by the shells. Fortunately, the bulk of the barrage was chiefly on the south side of the village, but huge shells, bursting at the appalling rate of one a second, were shooting up showers of mud in every direction, and the noise was deafening. All this in addition to a fierce rifle fire, which came from the right rear. Though the softness of the ground prevented many shells from exploding, there were naturally a considerable number of casualties. Captain M. K. A. Lloyd was killed as he came along with his half company through the barrage, and Lieutenant Macmillan was slightly wounded in the knee, but was able to go on. Lieutenant Hasler, who was severely wounded in the stomach, never recovered from his wound, and about the same time Second Lieutenant J. Arbuthnott was also fatally wounded.

Twenty minutes later Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny decided to push on, and the Battalion emerged from the barrage with its right on the Ginchy――Lesbœufs road, but nothing could be seen of the two Coldstream battalions. It turned out afterwards that the leading battalions of the 2nd Guards Brigade, which were on the right, had started off in the wrong direction, and had consequently pushed the Coldstream battalions in the 1st Guards Brigade too far to the left, so that they were no longer in front of their support. The orders given to the Grenadiers were to keep their right on the Ginchy――Lesbœufs road, and this they had managed to do in spite of the barrage. Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny knew he was in his right place, but was totally unable to understand what had happened to the Coldstream battalions.

He sent a message to General Pereira and received the following reply:

Your pigeon message timed 7.45 A.M. not quite clear. Irish
Guards reported their Headquarters in Green line (first
objective) and in touch with 41st Brigade on left at 8.45
A.M. You state no signs of Coldstream. Presume they are
pushing on to next objective. Am sending bombs up.

Throughout the day it appears to have been assumed that the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was in touch with the two Coldstream battalions, but although the Coldstream were fully aware of the position of the Grenadiers, the Grenadiers had no knowledge of the whereabouts of the Coldstream.

Almost immediately after the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers cleared the barrage it came under machine-gun fire from the left front and rifle fire from the right rear. Instead of finding itself, as it expected, in rear of the Coldstream, it was suddenly confronted by a trench full of the enemy. This was the first objective, which the men naturally imagined had been taken by the Coldstream. Here they were in artillery formation instead of in line, marching forward under the impression that the two battalions of Coldstream were in front of them. To approach the trench with any prospect of success it was necessary to deploy into line, and in doing this they lost very heavily. Our creeping barrage had, so to speak, run away, and there was now no artillery support of any kind.

The companies on the right pushed on into the Green line, the first objective, and there gained touch with the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers in Ponsonby’s Brigade, which was attempting to stop the Germans turning its right flank. Here Lieutenant Jesper was wounded, and Lieutenant Macmillan, who had gone on in spite of the wound in his knee, was struck a second time in the left thigh. The attack of the Division on the right had failed, with the result that the right flank of the Guards Division was dangerously in the air. On the left there was a considerable gap, which caused great trouble, as it happened to be opposite one of the enemy’s strong points. Lieutenant A. T. A. Ritchie was wounded as he was trying to deal with this difficult situation, and Sergeant Lyon, who took charge of his platoon, was soon afterwards shot through the head.

One platoon of No. 1 Company with a machine-gun went out and succeeded in forming a defensive flank, thus preventing the Germans, who were in considerable strength, from working behind us. The greater part of the casualties in the 2nd Battalion occurred about this time. Although three of our machine-guns reached the first objective, two were instantly required on the right flank, as the Sixth Division had failed to take the Quadrilateral; this left only one to deal with the Germans on the left. The centre of the Battalion then rushed a part of the Green line and bayoneted all the Germans who did not surrender, making prisoners of the rest. One German soldier who was taken in this way thought it too dangerous to wait for an escort and ran off towards our supports, holding up his hands as he went.

Meanwhile the left of the Battalion was still held up outside the wire of the first objective, as the two Coldstream battalions had apparently passed still farther to the left. As soon as the companies in the centre entered the trench which was the first objective, the enemy started bombing down it from the left. The Grenadier bombers ran short of bombs and were powerless to stop the rush. The situation looked ugly, when Company Sergeant-Major J. Norton, who was lying outside the wire, gathered some men together and led a bayonet attack against the German bombers. This momentarily relieved the situation.

All available bombs were then collected, and a party began to work up the trench, but on reaching the enemy they were driven back with great loss. The situation again became critical, as the Germans were slowly driving our men back. Captain Harcourt-Vernon, finding that the supply of bombs had given out, determined not to waste any more men’s lives in what must necessarily be a one-sided contest, and organised a bayonet charge over the top.

Calling on the Adjutant, Captain Bailey, to come with him, he led the charge and took the German bombers completely by surprise. Many of them were killed before they realised what had happened, and forty to fifty more in rear all surrendered. Captain Harcourt-Vernon himself, on arrival at the enemy’s trench, was confronted by a stalwart German who immediately held up both hands and was made a prisoner, but Captain Bailey’s man proved a fighter although, happily, a bad shot. Captain Bailey missed him with the first three shots of his automatic pistol, but despatched him with the fourth.

The Grenadier bombers, having managed to find some more bombs, now worked along the trench to the left, and the Germans who had escaped from Captain Harcourt-Vernon’s bayonet attack broke and ran across the open to their support trench. Having cleared the line for some distance, the Grenadiers began to consolidate. Two small parties of the enemy tried to return but were dealt with by Lewis guns. Lieutenant Crookshank, who was in charge of these guns, was wounded by a H.E. shell which exploded a few yards in front of him, and Captain Lord Lascelles, who was explaining to Captain Beaumont-Nesbitt what he wanted him to do, and had just sent for a runner, was hit by a bullet and had his arm broken.

Meanwhile No. 2 Company under Captain Cunninghame had pushed forward, and got into line with the 3rd Coldstream, some 500 yards to the left front of the remainder of the Grenadiers, who were in the first objective, with the 3rd Grenadiers on their right and a mixture of men from the Guards Division on their left. The Irish Guards had followed the Coldstream, and had been able to send up some platoons to support them.

When the aeroplanes reported that the two Coldstream battalions were not at the third but between the first and second objectives, General Feilding despatched the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards from the 3rd Brigade, which was in reserve, to support them. But their position was not accurately known, and only one company with two Lewis guns reached them.

During the afternoon Lord Cavan had issued orders for the third objective to be bombarded by heavy artillery. On hearing this, General Pereira strongly protested, as he believed that two of his battalions were already occupying that position. But Lord Cavan was so well satisfied that the aeroplane reports were correct that he overruled the protests, and the bombardment took place.

Further and costly attempts to retake the lost ground were made by the enemy during the evening, but all their counter-attacks were easily repulsed. The position in the evening was this: the remnants of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions Coldstream and the Irish Guards, with one company of the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and one company of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, were holding the second objective. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was holding the first objective to the right, with its right flank on the Ginchy――Lesbœufs road and in touch with the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers.

[Sidenote: Sept. 16.]

Nothing of importance happened during the night of the 15th, and the 1st Guards Brigade remained in the same position throughout the 16th, when it was subjected to a terrific shelling. That evening the troops in the first objective were relieved by the 59th Brigade, and those in the second objective by the 62nd Brigade. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was relieved by the 15th King’s Royal Rifles and retired about five miles to bivouacs, where it arrived dead-beat, having had practically no sleep for five days. It slept through the whole day on the 17th.

The casualties throughout the 13th, 14th, and 15th were: killed and died of wounds 108, 235 wounded, and 12 missing――total 365, excluding officers. Amongst the officers, Captain M. K. A. Lloyd was killed, and Lieutenant H. Hasler and Second Lieutenant J. Arbuthnott were seriously wounded and died a few days later, while the following were wounded: Captain Lord Lascelles, Lieutenant T. Parker Jervis, Lieutenant M. H. Macmillan, Lieutenant A. T. A. Ritchie, Lieutenant H. F. C. Crookshank, Second Lieutenant T. W. Minchin, Second Lieutenant N. McK. Jesper, Second Lieutenant D. Harvey, and Second Lieutenant C. C. Cubitt.

Captain J. Andrews, R.A.M.C., was also wounded, but insisted on remaining at duty. His gallant conduct throughout these three days elicited much praise from the Commanding Officer.

General Pereira addressed the following message to the 2nd Battalion:

2ND BATTALION GRENADIER GUARDS.

As your Brigadier I wish to say in a few words how deeply I
appreciate the gallant work done by you in the recent
operations at Ginchy.

On the 12th September you took over Ginchy trenches, and the
following night you drove the German out of Ginchy Orchard;
this work caused you one hundred casualties, but by your
fine work you cleared the ground for the advance on
September 15, and ensured that it would not be held up at
the very beginning.

On September 15 your first advance was through a heavy
artillery barrage, but owing to the splendid discipline of
your Regiment, you went through it as if on parade.

Your opportunity came later on when you cleared trenches at
the point of the bayonet, having run out of bombs, and when
you charged a trench strongly held and in the face of
machine-gun fire.

You have shown the Germans what they have to expect when
they meet the pick of the British Army.

In the near future you may be called upon to do as much
again, and I know that you will not fail.

C. E. PEREIRA, Brigadier-General,
Commanding 1st Guards Brigade.

IN THE FIELD,
_September 18, 1916_.

[Sidenote: Sept. 17-20.]

The 2nd Battalion remained at the Citadel from September 17 to 20 with the rest of Pereira’s Brigade. The weather was wet and cold, and the Brigade was busily employed in absorbing drafts. On the 19th a conference of Commanding Officers was held at Brigade Headquarters, when the frontage and objectives for the attack which was to take place on the 25th were outlined. As the front allotted to the Brigade was 700 yards, it was decided to attack with three battalions in front and one in support; but when this scheme was subsequently changed, and the frontage decreased to 500 yards, it was proposed to entrust the next attack to the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and 1st Battalion Irish Guards, with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions Coldstream in support.

On the 20th the Brigade began moving in companies from the Citadel to relieve the 61st Brigade. It was still very wet, and the roads were blocked by transport in a sea of mud. The weather had now broken, and owing to the cold nights the men took their greatcoats with them, though the rest of their spare equipment was stored as before.

[Sidenote: Sept. 20-24.]

The two Coldstream battalions remained in the front line from the 20th to the 24th, while the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and 1st Battalion Irish Guards, who were to undertake the attack, were bivouacked in Bernafay and Trônes Woods. The 3rd Guards Brigade was employed in digging an assembly trench about 150 yards in rear of our front line. The fact that the trench was completed only the night before the attack accounted for the Germans being, apparently, ignorant of its exact situation, for although they shelled all the other trenches this one escaped their notice. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was put on to salvage work and carrying during the days that preceded the attack.

On the 21st the following orders were issued by Brigadier-General Pereira:

SECRET.

1ST GUARDS BRIGADE ORDER, NO. 77

_21st September 1916._

1. The Fourth Army will renew the attack on Z day, in combination
with the attacks by the French to the south and Reserve Army to
the north.

2. (_a_) The Guards Division will form part of the attack of the
Fourteenth Corps.

(_b_) 1st Guards Brigade will attack on the right and 3rd Guards
Brigade on left of Guards Division.

(_c_) 18th Infantry Brigade of Sixth Division will be attacking
on the right of 1st Guards Brigade.

_Attacking Troops_――

3. The attack of 1st Guards Brigade will be carried out by 2nd
Bn. Grenadier Guards on the right and 1st Bn. Irish Guards on the
left.

The 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards will be in support on the right and
3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards in support on the left.

_Preliminary Bombardment_――

4. A steady bombardment of hostile positions will begin at 7 A.M.
on Y day and will be continued to 6.30 P.M. It will begin again
at 6.30 A.M. on Z day.

Night firing will be carried out nightly from 6.30 P.M. to 6.30
A.M.

There will be no intensive fire previous to zero hour.

_Forming-up Areas_――

5. Forming-up areas, boundaries, and objectives are shown on the
attached map.

The first objective is marked Green.
The second objective is marked Brown.
The third objective is marked Blue.

_Formation for Attack_――

6. The 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards and 1st Bn. Irish Guards will
form up in two lines――one in the firing line and one in the
support line.

The 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards will form up in the communication
trench from T.8.a.9.4 to T.3.c.3.8.

The 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards will form up in the trench from
T.8.a.9.4 to T.8.d.5.5.

The 1st Guards Brigade Machine-gun Coy. will assemble with one
section at the head of 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards――one section in
rear of 2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards and one section on right of 3rd
Bn. Coldstream Guards.

The 1st Guards Brigade Trench Mortar Battery will form up with
two guns on right of front line and two guns on right of support
line.

The 75th Field R.E. and work platoons will form up in trenches
T.8.d.

7. The infantry will advance to the attack of the Green line at
zero――to the attack of the Brown line at zero + 1 hour. To the
attack of the Blue line at zero + 2 hours.

_Barrages_――

8. (_a_) 50 per cent of Field Artillery barrage will be used for
creeping barrage, and 50 per cent for stationary barrage.

(_b_) In all cases the stationary barrage will lift back when the
creeping barrage meets it.

9. (_a_) At zero the creeping barrage will start 100 yards in
front of our front-line trenches. It will advance at the rate of
50 yards a minute until it is 200 yards beyond the Green line,
when it will become stationary.

(_b_) At zero + 1 hour, the creeping barrage will start 200 yards
in front of the Green line, and will advance at the rate of 50
yards a minute until it has passed 200 yards beyond the Brown
line, when it will become stationary.

(_c_) At zero + 2 hours the creeping barrage will start 100 yards
in front of the Brown line, and will advance at the rate of 50
yards a minute until it has passed 100 yards beyond the Blue
line, when it will become stationary.

(_d_) Other permanent barrages are being arranged along certain
sunken roads.

_Tasks_――

10. (_a_) The task of the Division is to press the attack through
to the Blue line. A sufficient flow of troops will be maintained
from zero onwards to ensure that the Brown line is strong and
well supported.

(_b_) The attack on all objectives will be carried out by 2nd Bn.
Grenadier Guards on the right and 1st Bn. Irish Guards on the
left.

The 2nd and 3rd Bns. Coldstream Guards will be in support under
command of Lieut.-Colonel J. V. Campbell, D.S.O.

_Method of Assault_――

11. The assault will be carried out by leading battalions in two
waves of 75 yards’ distance.

_Action of Support Battalions_――

12. As soon as the front and support lines are vacated by 2nd Bn.
Grenadier Guards and 1st Bn. Irish Guards the 2nd Bn. Coldstream
Guards and 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards will occupy them.

All movement to these lines by supporting units should be by the
communication trench from T.8.a.9.4 to T.8.c.3.8.

Similarly 2nd and 3rd Bns. Coldstream Guards will occupy the
Green and Brown lines as soon as they are vacated by 2nd Bn.
Grenadier Guards and 1st Bn. Irish Guards.

As soon as the 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards and 1st Bn. Irish Guards
have gained the Brown line, 2nd and 3rd Bns. Coldstream Guards
will each send a company as clearing-up parties in Lesbœufs.
These two companies must shelter in shell-holes behind the Brown
line during the pause on that line. They must on no account be
mixed up with 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards and 1st Bn. Irish Guards.
They will carry a special supply of P. bombs and Mills grenades
for dealing with cellars.

The 2nd and 3rd Bns. Coldstream Guards are responsible for making
good each objective as captured, and for guarding either flank if
threatened, paying special attention to the right flank.

Lieut.-Colonel J. V. Campbell, D.S.O., commanding supporting
battalions, will be prepared to give such additional support as
may be required to carry out the attack on the final
objective――bearing in mind the necessity for holding positions
already captured.

_Machine-guns_――

13. (_a_) At the first favourable opportunity after the Green
line has been captured, O.C. Machine-gun Coy. will send one
section forward to it. In this line and in his subsequent move to
the Brown line two guns will always be on the right flank, ready
to assist in the formation of a defensive flank.

(_b_) Similarly, when the Brown and Blue lines have been
captured, one section will be sent forward to help in the
consolidation of each of these lines.

Thus when the final objective has been captured there should be
four guns in the Blue line and eight in reserve in the Brown
line.

_Stokes T.M._――

14. (_a_) Previous to the assault two guns will be established on
the right of the Brigade area. These two guns will move forward
at the first favourable opportunity and establish themselves on
the right of the Green line.

(_b_) Two other guns will be in reserve in the front line, and
will only move forward to the Green line if ordered to do so by
Lieut.-Colonel J. V. Campbell, D.S.O., or by the Brigadier.

_R.E. and Work Platoons_――

15. 75th Field Coy. R.E. and Work Platoons will move forward from
their assembly area to the trench about T.8.b.3.0, as soon as
this trench is clear of 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards. They will be
ready to move forward on receipt of orders from Brigade H.Q. and
consolidate ground gained. O.C. 75th Field Coy. R.E. will detail
one officer and three orderlies in liaison with O.C. supporting
battalions.

_Patrols_――

16. When the Blue line has been gained, patrols will be sent
forward, and any ground from which good observation can be gained
will be occupied.

Such points will be consolidated and eventually joined up with
our line.

_Contact Patrol and Flares_――

17. One contact aeroplane will be in the air from zero till 6.30
P.M. on Z day. Flares will be lit by leading infantry lines on
obtaining each objective and also at 6 _P.M._ on Z day.

18. Watches will be synchronised at 7 P.M. on Y day and at 9 A.M.
on Z day.

_First Line Transport_――

19. Ammunition portions of first line Transport will be collected
on the south-west side of Bernafay Wood to the south of the
Guillemont――Montauban Road, and remainder of first line Transport
in the neighbourhood of Minden Post by 12 noon on Z day.

Brigade Transport Officer will detail an orderly to be in waiting
at Advanced Divisional H.Q. Bernafay Wood, and will himself be at
Minden Post from 12 noon on Z day to receive instructions.

_Prisoners_――

20. Prisoners will be sent back to the Corps Cage at the Craters
A.8.a under escort. In future correspondence will not be taken
off prisoners except off officers. Officers’ documents will be
removed as soon as they are captured and sent to the Corps Cage
with their escort.

_Dumps_――

21. An advanced Brigade Dump of bombs――S.A.A.――Stokes mortar
ammunition――R.E. material and rations has been established about
T.8.c central.

_Equipment_――

22. The equipment to be carried by assaulting troops will be the
same as that laid down for the attack on September 15.

23. Arrangements have been made for the Brigade on our right to
open enfilade machine-gun and trench-mortar fire on the Green
line from about T.9.d.3.9 at zero. This fire will be continued
until the creeping barrage passes beyond the Green line.

_Medical Arrangements_――

24. Medical arrangements will be notified later.

_Brigade Headquarters_――

25. Brigade Headquarters will be at T.19.a.½.3½. An advanced
Brigade Report Centre will be established in the communication
trench T.8.b――T.3.c on September 22.

Pigeons will be supplied to the battalions on Z day as follows:

3 to 2nd Bn. Grenadier Guards.
3 to 1st Bn. Irish Guards.
6 to 3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards.

As soon as all pigeons have been released pigeon men must return
at once to Brigade Headquarters.

26. Z day will be September 23. Zero hour will be notified later.
It will probably be in the afternoon.

Acknowledge.

M. B. SMITH, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 1st Guards Brigade.

A Memorandum from the Brigade-Major on the lie of the land followed.

1ST GUARDS BRIGADE, NO. 262

2ND BATT. GRENADIER GUARDS――

The forthcoming attack differs from the last in that the whole
scheme is not such an ambitious one. The distance to the first
objective is about 300 yards, to the second objective 800 yards,
and to the last objective about 1300 yards. In each case the
objective is a clearly defined one, and not merely a line drawn
across the map.

Between our present front line and the first objective there is
only “No Man’s Land.” During the next two nights this should be
actively patrolled to ensure that our attack is not taken by
surprise by some unknown trench, and in order that Officers and
N.C.O.’s may have a knowledge of the ground.

It would also be of great assistance to the Artillery if reports
as to the actual distance to the Green line were sent in.

The ground slopes down to Lesbœufs, beyond which there is a
distinct hollow with a plateau the same level as Lesbœufs beyond.
On reaching the final objective Officers and N.C.O.’s should
understand the necessity for pushing patrols out to command this
hollow and give warning or prevent counter-attacks forming up
here.

Large-scale maps of Lesbœufs have been sent to all battalions.
These should be carefully studied by all Officers and N.C.O.’s,
and especially by those of the companies detailed for the
cleaning up of Lesbœufs.

All runners and signallers should know the position of the
advanced Brigade Report Centre, and that the best means of
approach to it will probably be down the communication trench
T.3.c and T.8.b.

Finally, it cannot be too much impressed on assaulting troops the
necessity for clinging to our own barrage. It will be an attack
in which this should be comparatively easy and on which the
success of the whole operation may depend.

M. B. SMITH, Captain,
Brigade-Major, 1st Guards Brigade.

_September 22, 1916._

The Operation Order by Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny, Commanding 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, was as follows:

22/9/16. _Map Ref. 57.c.S.W._

1. _Intention._――The Fourth Army will renew the attack on Z day
in combination with the attacks by the French to the south and
Reserve Army to the north.

1st Guards Brigade will attack on the right of the Division.
3rd Guards Brigade will attack on our left.
18th Infantry Brigade will attack on our right.

2. This Battalion will be on the right of the 1st Guards Brigade.

1st Bn. Irish Guards will be on the left.
2nd Bn. Coldstream Guards will be in support on the right.
3rd Bn. Coldstream Guards will be in support on the left.

3. _Formation of Attack._――The Battalion will form up in two
lines, one in the firing line and one in the support line, care
being taken that bayonets do not show on the top of the trenches
before zero.

_Front Line._――No. 1 Coy. on left, No. 2 Coy. on the right.
_Support Line._――No. 3 Coy. on left, No. 4 Coy. on the right.

Forming-up areas, boundaries, and objective as shown on map at
Headquarters, to be copied in.

4. First objective is marked Green. Second objective Brown. Third
objective Blue.

5. _Task._――To press the attack through to the Blue line, a
sufficient flow of troops being maintained to ensure that the
Brown line is strong and well supported.

6. (_a_) At zero the creeping barrage will start 100 yards in
front of our front-line trenches. It will advance at the rate of
50 yards a minute until it is 200 yards beyond the Green line,
when it will become stationary.

At zero Nos. 1 and 2 Coys. will advance to the attack of the
Green line, followed at 75 yards’ distance by Nos. 3 and 4 Coys.,
who will not stop at our old front line but will push on into the
Green line. On reaching the Green line companies will at once
reorganise.

(_b_) At zero + 1 hour the creeping barrage will start 200 yards
in front of the Green line, and will advance at the rate of 50
yards a minute until it is 200 yards beyond the Brown line, when
it will become stationary. At zero + 1 hour Nos. 3 and 4 Coys.
will advance to the attack of the Brown line, followed by Nos. 1
and 2 Coys. at 75 yards’ interval.

(_c_) At zero + 2 hours the creeping barrage will start 100 yards
in front of the Brown line and will advance at the rate of 50
yards a minute until it has passed 100 yards beyond the Blue
line.

At zero + 2 hours Nos. 1 and 2 Coys. will attack the Blue line,
followed by Nos. 3 and 4 Coys. at 75 yards’ distance. The
Battalion will consolidate on the Blue line and hold it at all
costs.

(_d_) Other permanent barrages are being arranged along certain
sunken roads.

When the Blue line has been gained, patrols will be pushed
forward at once to seize and hold any point from which good
observation can be obtained.

7. _Lewis Guns._――Each company will have one Lewis gun: the
remainder (four) under Lieut. Knatchbull-Hugessen will move up
with the second wave and be prepared to act against hostile
machine-guns in the village or forward objectives or against
counter-attacks. They will also be ready to form a defensive
flank to the right or left.

8. _Mopping Up._――The dug-outs in the first and second objectives
will be promptly dealt with by Nos. 3 and 4 Coys. As soon as the
Battalion has gained the Brown line, the 2nd and 3rd Batts.
Coldstream will occupy the Green line, and will each send
clearing parties of 1 Coy. to clear the village of Lesbœufs.

9. _Dress and Equipment._――Greatcoats will not be carried, and
arrangements will be made for them to be collected before moving
up.

Following will be carried: Per man――three sand-bags, two
bandoliers, two Mills bombs, one day’s rations, one iron ration.
A large percentage of each company will carry slung shovels.
Flares will be carried by every officer and platoon sergeant, and
the remainder of the flares and rockets will be distributed among
the companies. V.P. lights should be distributed among companies,
men carrying one or two in their pockets.

Water-bottles must be filled before starting, and men must be
very sparing in their drinking.

10. All S.A.A. and bombs to be taken off casualties, whenever
possible, and dumped in the nearest objective.

11. One contact aeroplane will be in the air from zero till 6.30
P.M. on Z day. Flares will be lit by leading troops on obtaining
each objective, and also at 6 P.M. on Z day.

12. _Communication._――A party of signallers will accompany the
second wave and lay a telephone line from the jumping-off place
to the Green line, afterwards extending it to Brown and Blue
lines.

Battalion Headquarters will not move from the jumping-off place
until the Green line has been captured.

13. _Watches_ will be synchronised at 7 P.M. on Y day and at 9
A.M. on Z day.

14. _Prisoners._――If prisoners are taken they must be sent out of
the way, to prevent blockage in the trenches.

The Corps Cage is at the Crater A.8.a.

In future correspondence will _not_ be taken off prisoners except
off officers. Officers’ documents will be removed as soon as they
are captured, and sent to the Corps Cage with their escort.

15. _Dumps._――An advanced Brigade Dump is at T.8.c central.

16. The Brigade on our right will open enfilade machine-gun and
mortar fire on the Green line from about T.9.d.3.9 at zero, and
continue until the creeping barrage has passed Green line.

17. Z day and zero will be notified later, but zero will probably
be in the afternoon.

18. _Miscellaneous._――(_a_) Assaulting troops should keep as
close behind our creeping barrage as possible.

(_b_) There will be no intense artillery fire before zero.

(_c_) All troops should watch for any messages which aeroplanes
may drop.

W. R. BAILEY, Capt. and Adjt.,
2nd Batt. Grenadier Guards.

[Sidenote: Sept. 25.]

The following officers of the 2nd Battalion took part in the attack on the 25th:

Lieut.-Colonel C. R. C. de Crespigny, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Capt. the Hon. W. R. Bailey Adjutant.
Lieut. M. A. Knatchbull-Hugessen Lewis Gun Officer.
Lieut. A. F. Irvine No. 1 Company.
2nd Lieut. G. A. Arbuthnot ” ”
Capt. A. K. S. Cunninghame No. 2 Company.
Lieut. H. G. Wiggins ” ”
2nd Lieut. F. H. G. Layland-Barratt ” ”
Capt. W. H. Beaumont-Nesbitt No. 3 Company.
Lieut. A. McW. Lawson-Johnston ” ”
Capt. G. C. FitzH. Harcourt-Vernon No. 4 Company.
Lieutenant the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell ” ”
Lieut. R. B. B. Wright ” ”
Capt. J. Andrews, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

The remainder of the officers remained with the transport.

Late on the night of the 24th the Brigade was informed that zero hour would be 12.35 P.M. the next day. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers moved up that night from Bernafay Wood to relieve the 2nd Battalion Coldstream in the trenches preparatory to the attack, with its right on the Ginchy――Lesbœufs road. On arrival at the assembly trench No. 1 Company was placed on the right and No. 2 on the left, with No. 3 and No. 4 in support. The trenches were so narrow that the men were unable to sit or lie down, and had to remain standing all the next morning, shoulder to shoulder.

Punctually at 12.35 P.M. the attack was launched, and immediately the creeping barrage was put down by our artillery with great accuracy 200 yards in front of the attacking force. The necessity of getting men across No Man’s Land as promptly as possible after zero had been found from experience to be of paramount importance, and the Grenadier and Irish Guards therefore did not hesitate for a moment, but dashed forward in two waves. The enemy must have had some very accurate information about our intentions, for the attackers had hardly left their trench (it was three-quarters of a minute after zero) when they put down a heavy barrage on our front trenches, as well as on the support and communication trenches.

The leading wave of men was able to get close up under our creeping barrage, and the Irish Guards found no difficulty in capturing the first objective at the point of the bayonet. The 2nd Battalion Grenadiers would have had an equally simple task but for the fact that the wire in front of them, which was in standing crops and therefore hidden, had been very little damaged by our artillery fire. There seemed no possibility of getting through it, with the Germans so close, and for the moment the whole advance of the Grenadiers was held up.

Captain A. Cunninghame, Second Lieutenant G. A. Arbuthnot, Lieutenant W. Parnell, and Lieutenant Irvine at once ordered their men to lie down, and the four gallantly advancing by themselves proceeded with the utmost coolness to cut gaps in the wire. Their one thought seems to have been that the attack must not be checked on any account, and as the task of cutting the wire meant almost certain death, they never thought of sending on any of their men, but decided to do it themselves. Captain Cunninghame, Second Lieutenant G. Arbuthnot, and Lieutenant Parnell were killed, and Lieutenant Irvine was wounded, but sufficient room was made for the men to go through, and the Grenadiers swept forward into the first objective.

Apparently the line was strongly held by the enemy, and a large number were killed and one man taken prisoner, while three machine-guns fell into our hands. Lieutenant H. Wiggins, who was on the extreme right, was trying to creep down the fire-swept sunken road when he was struck by a fragment of a shell which burst near him. Lieutenant Knatchbull-Hugessen brought up the Lewis guns by the sunken road and did great execution with them. He was still directing the fire of his guns, although wounded and covered with blood, when a shell pitched on the road near him and killed him.

_J. Weston & Sons photographers_ _Emery Walker ph. sc._
_Major-General G. D. Jeffreys, C.M.G._]

By 1.30 the first objective was entirely in our hands, and five minutes later the advance to the second objective began, close up under our barrage. This was a complete success, as the barrage kept the enemy in their trenches, and they had not even shown themselves when the Grenadiers and Irish Guards were on them with the bayonet.

After the capture of the first objective there were only two company officers left, Lieutenant A. Lawson-Johnston and Second Lieutenant Layland-Barratt, and the attack on the second objective was practically carried out by the non-commissioned officers. Never have the sergeants of the regiment showed to better advantage. The skill with which they handled their companies or platoons, their quick grasp of an order conveyed to them, and the intelligent way in which they carried out their instructions elicited the warmest praise from the Commanding Officer.

By 1.45 P.M. the second objective was secured, and many of the enemy killed. The dug-outs in the sunken road on the right of the Grenadiers were all searched, and a large number of prisoners taken. The following message was received from Brigade Headquarters:

Prisoner you sent down states that the rest of his Company
are in dug-outs or subterranean passages about 250 yards
east of Lesbœufs and south of the sunken road. He appears to
think they are anxious to surrender, but gives no reasons.
In thinking this he seems to be more talkative than reliable.

The prisoner proved to be right, though, by the time the search of these dug-outs started, all their occupants had already run out, holding up their hands. During this second phase of the attack, the enemy appear to have offered little resistance, and many more were captured than killed.

Meanwhile the company of Coldstream under Captain Verelst which had been detailed for clearing Lesbœufs closed up in rear of the Grenadiers, according to the programme, and at 2.35 P.M. the advance on the third objective began. To this also there was little resistance, and soon the Grenadiers and Irish Guards were established in a line 100 yards east of Lesbœufs village. During the whole of their advance the Grenadiers had kept in perfect touch with the Irish Guards on their left and the 1st West Yorks on their right, and the orders were carried out almost to the minute. However, the situation on the left of the 1st Guards Brigade seemed doubtful, and General Pereira therefore sent up a company from the 3rd Battalion Coldstream to strengthen that flank.

Thus Lesbœufs passed into our hands, and these positions, which had been considered quite impregnable, were taken by the combination of the creeping barrage and a simultaneous infantry attack.

It was about this time that the only real hitch in the attack occurred. Arrangements had been made for the artillery barrage to be put down 200 yards east of the final objective, but the position of the trench was marked differently on the artillery and infantry maps, and the shells fell short. This not only caused a good many casualties amongst the men who were digging in, but also prevented the attacking force from pushing forward patrols and occupying the best ground for observation. A furious message was sent back by Captain Bailey: ”Our artillery are blowing us out. Please stop it at once,” but whether the messages miscarried or whether the maps were so inaccurate that the orders were not understood, the shelling continued for nearly two hours.

Meanwhile the 2nd and 3rd Battalions Coldstream moved up by the new communication trench to the support line and thence across the open to the first objective, where they remained in support.

When the barrage eventually cleared away it was found that there were practically no Germans in front, although a good many of them could be seen running towards Le Transloy without rifles or equipment, and the enemy were not shelling us at all, no doubt because they had been obliged to move their guns. It seemed to Lieut.-Colonel de Crespigny that some advantage should be taken of this situation, and he sent a message back that it was a splendid opportunity for the cavalry to go through. Lord Cavan, however, decided that the circumstances did not permit of such a move, as the front was too narrow.

Lord Cavan sent the following message to General Pereira:

Hearty thanks and sincere congratulations to you all. A very
fine achievement, splendidly executed.

To which General Pereira replied:

Your old Brigade very proud to be able to present you with
Lesbœufs. All ranks most gratified by your kind
congratulations.

Later this message was received from General Ponsonby, commanding the 2nd Guards Brigade:

G.O.C. and all ranks wish to congratulate the 1st and 3rd
Guards Brigades on their splendid success to-day.

The men were in the highest spirits, and that evening they had a quiet time even in the front trench, so quiet that there was no difficulty in getting supplies up. During the night each battalion was ordered to thin out the front line, as there were far too many men in the trench; this order was carried out, but next morning it was found that still further thinning had to be done.

[Sidenote: Sept. 26.]

On the 26th the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers and Irish Guards received orders to try and push patrols on to the ridge which ran 800 yards east of Lesbœufs; but, although this might have been possible the night before, it was found to be impracticable now as the Germans had had time to recover, and had established a strong line of posts with machine-guns, so that our patrols were unable to advance more than 300 yards.

That night the 2nd Battalion Grenadiers was relieved by the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards from the 2nd Guards Brigade, and marched back to the Citadel Camp, where it arrived at 4 A.M. on the 27th, after stopping on the way at the south end of Bernafay Wood for hot food provided by the cookers.

The casualties in the Battalion were 108 killed, 222 wounded, and 12 missing, making a total of 312 excluding officers. Considering what had been accomplished this was surprisingly little, but the percentage of officers was very high, the result, no doubt, of the fact that the wire had not been cut at the first objective. Captain A. K. S. Cunninghame, Lieutenant the Hon. W. A. D. Parnell, Lieutenant M. A. Knatchbull-Hugessen, and Lieutenant G. A. Arbuthnot were killed, and Captain Harcourt-Vernon, Captain Beaumont-Nesbitt, Lieutenant A. F. Irvine, Lieutenant H. G. Wiggins, and Lieutenant R. B. B. Wright were wounded.

The following order was issued by General Pereira to the 1st Guards Brigade:

2ND BATT. GRENADIER GUARDS――

You have again maintained the high traditions of the 1st
Guards Brigade when called upon a second time in the battle
of the Somme. For five days previous to the assault the 2nd
and 3rd Battalions Coldstream Guards held the trenches under
constant heavy shell-fire and dug many hundred yards of
assembly and communication trenches, this work being
constantly interrupted by the enemy’s artillery. The 2nd
Battalion Grenadier Guards and 1st Battalion Irish Guards,
though under shell-fire in their bivouacs, were kept clear
of the trenches until the evening of 24th September, and
were given the task of carrying by assault all the
objectives to be carried by this Brigade. Nothing deterred
them in this attack, not even the fact that in places the
enemy wire was cut in the face of rifle and machine-gun
fire, and in spite of all resistance and heavy losses the
entire main enemy defensive line was captured.

Every battalion in the Brigade carried out its task to the
full.

The German Reserve Division, which includes the 238th,
239th, and 240th Regiments, and which opposed you for many
weeks at Ypres, left the salient on the 18th September. You
have now met them in the open, a worthy foe, but you have
filled their trenches with their dead and have driven them
before you in headlong flight.

I cannot say how proud I am to have had the honour of
commanding the 1st Guards Brigade in this battle, a Brigade
which has proved itself to be the finest in the British
Army.

The Brigade is now under orders for rest and training, and
it must now be our object to keep up the high standard of
efficiency, and those who have come to fill our depleted
ranks will strive their utmost to fill worthily the place of
those gallant officers and men who have laid down their
lives for a great cause.

C. E. PEREIRA, Brigadier-General,
Commanding 1st Guards Brigade.

_September 28, 1916._

THE 3RD BATTALION

[Sidenote: 3rd Batt.]

At the beginning of September the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers was at Morlancourt, being trained with the rest of the 2nd Guards Brigade. On the 9th the Brigade moved into camp at Happy Valley and on the 12th it marched to Carnoy.

The following officers of the 3rd Battalion took part in the attack of September 15, 1916:

Lieut.-Colonel B. N. Sergison-Brooke, D.S.O. Commanding Officer.
Capt. O. Lyttelton Adjutant.
Capt. G. G. Gunnis Bombing Officer.
Lieut. A. O. Whitehead Asst. ” ”
Capt. R. Wolrige-Gordon No. 1 Company.
Lieut. C. G. Gardner ” ”
Lieut. W. A. Stainton ” ”
Lieut. E. H. J. Wynne ” ”
Capt. the Hon, R. P. Stanhope No. 2 Company.
Lieut. G. F. R. Hirst ” ”
2nd Lieut. M. Thrupp ” ”
2nd Lieut. D. W. Cassy ” ”
Capt. F. J. V. B. Hopley No. 3 Company.
Lieut. W. Champneys ” ”
2nd Lieut. J. F. Worsley ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. M. Cornish ” ”
Capt. A. K. Mackenzie No. 4 Company.
Lieut. R. Asquith ” ”
2nd Lieut. G. D. Jackson ” ”
2nd Lieut. H. St. J. Williams ” ”
Lieut. A. T. Logan, R.A.M.C. Medical Officer.

[Sidenote: Sept. 12-13.]

On the night of the 12th the 2nd Guards Brigade was ordered to relieve the right subsection of the 3rd Guards Brigade. In the front line was placed the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards, with the 1st Battalion Scots Guards in support, while the two battalions which were eventually to undertake the attack, the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers and 1st Battalion Coldstream, remained behind in reserve. Orders were given to the 2nd Battalion Irish Guards to clear away isolated posts in front, where it was reported that some Germans were lurking, and this was successfully done; but an attack that was afterwards organised with the 71st and 16th Infantry Brigades was not quite so successful.

[Sidenote: Sept. 14.]

Up to this point the 3rd Battalion Grenadiers had stayed in reserve. Its packs, greatcoats, and surplus kit were now sent into the Divisional store at Méaulte, and bombs, sand-bags, tools, flares, etc., issued to the men for the attack on the following day. The Battalion marched off by companies at 9 P.M. to take up its position.

The following orders were issued by Brigadier-General J. Ponsonby, commanding the 2nd Guards Brigade:

2ND GUARDS BRIGADE

1. The Fourth Army will attack the enemy’s defences between
Combles Ravine and Martinpuich on Z day with the object of
seizing Morval, Lesbœufs, Gueudecourt, Flers.

The French will attack simultaneously on the right, and the
Reserve Army on the left.

The attack is to be pushed with the utmost vigour all along the
line until the most distant objectives are reached. The failure
of a unit on the flank is not to prevent other units from pushing
on to their final objective.

As soon as the final objectives have been captured by the
infantry, the cavalry will advance and will seize the high ground
Rocquigny――Villers-au-Flos――Riencourt-les-Bapaume――Bapaume.

The Guards Division is to be prepared to support the cavalry on
the above line at the earliest possible moment.

2. The objectives allotted to Guards Brigades are marked on the
attached map as follows:

First objective, Green (X line).
Second ” Brown (Xa line).
Third ” Blue (Y line).
Fourth ” Red (Z line).

2nd Guards Brigade will be on the right. 1st Guards Brigade will
be on the left. 3rd Guards Brigade will be in reserve. 71st
Infantry Brigade will be on the right of 2nd Guards Brigade.

3. The Brigade will attack with two battalions in front and two
battalions in support.

3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards will be right front battalion.
1st Battalion Coldstream Guards will be left front battalion.
1st Battalion Scots Guards will be right support battalion.
2nd Battalion Irish Guards will be left support battalion.

4. Battalions will be formed up on a company front in column of
half-companies. Troops will be in single rank. Each battalion
will therefore advance in four waves.

5. 2nd Guards Brigade Machine-gun Company will detail guns as
follows:

I. Two guns to advance with 3/G.G. and two guns with 1/C.G. These
guns will take position in the third wave on the inner flank of
the right and left flank platoons respectively.

II. Four guns to advance with 1/S.G., and four guns with 2/I.G.
Four of these guns will take position in the sixth wave on the
inner flank of the right and left platoons respectively. The
other four will take the same position in the eighth wave.

The remaining three guns will advance in the centre of the ninth
wave.

6. Four Stokes guns will be detailed to advance on the flanks of
the ninth wave.

1/S.G. and 2/I.G. will find carrying parties of one officer and
fifty men each to advance with these guns.

Remaining guns will be in Brigade Reserve, with 76th Field
Company, R.E.

7. The formation for attack will accordingly be as follows:

1/C.G. 3/G.G.
B Coy. A Coy. B Coy. A Coy.
First Wave 6 5 2 1 6 5 2 1
Second Wave 8 7 4 3 8 7 4 3

D Coy. C Coy. D Coy. C Coy.
Third Wave 14 13 10 9 14 13 10 9
2 2
M.G.’s M.G.’s
Fourth Wave 16 15 12 11 16 15 12 11
2/I.G. 1/S.G.
B Coy. A Coy. B Coy. A Coy.
Fifth Wave 6 5 2 1 6 5 2 1
Sixth Wave 8 7 4 3 8 7 4 3
2 2
M.G.’s M.G.’s
D Coy. C Coy. D Coy. C Coy.
Seventh Wave 14 13 10 9 14 13 10 9
Eighth Wave 16 15 12 11 16 15 12 11
2 2
M.G.’s M.G.’s
Ninth Wave S.G. S.G. 4 M.G.’s S.G. S.G.
Carrying Parties.

Sapping platoons will be formed up in rear of Battalion H.Q.,
which will move in the centre of the fourth and eighth waves. The
distance between waves will be 50 yards.

8. Details of artillery barrage are given in Appendix A.

9. Nine tanks will advance from Guards Division front. They will
probably start from each successive line well in advance of the
attacking troops.

The action of the troops will be entirely independent of the
action of the tanks, and will be carried out as ordered, whether
the tanks are held up or not.

10. The assaults on successive objectives will be delivered at
the following times:

Attack on X line at zero.
Attack on Xa line at zero + 1 hour.
(This second assault is limited to 1st Guards Brigade. 2nd Guards
Brigade will not move till time for third assault.)
Attack on Y line at zero + 2 hours.
Attack on Z line at zero + 4 hours and 30 minutes.

11. The action of the waves of attack will be as follows:

(_a_) First four waves will pass over X line and lie down close
in rear of the barrage, which will halt till zero + 1 hour and 10
minutes at X + 200 yards.

Fifth and sixth waves will clear up X line.

Seventh and eighth waves will clear up X line and lie down in
rear of fourth wave.

Ninth wave will lie down short of X line.

(_b_) At zero + 2 hours all waves will advance to the Y line.
Seventh and eighth waves will advance in front of fifth and sixth
waves. Ninth wave will be in rear as before.

(_c_) On reaching Y line, first four waves will pass over Y line
and lie down close in rear of barrage as before.

Seventh and eighth waves will clear up Y line.

Fifth and sixth waves will pass over Y line and lie down in rear
of fourth wave.

Ninth wave will lie down short of Y line.

(_d_) Half an hour after reaching Y line all Commanding Officers
will meet at Battalion Headquarters of 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards,
and will confer on attack on Z line.

Lieutenant-Colonel Brooke, D.S.O., 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards, if
present, will command the attack on the Y line.

In the absence of Lieut.-Colonel Brooke, senior officer present
will command.

Stokes Gun Sections will act in accordance with orders of O.C.
attack.

12. It is the object of these dispositions to ensure a steady
flow of troops so as to press the strongest possible attack
against each successive objective.

Rear lines will reinforce leading lines wherever they appear
thin.

No troops will be left in any objective when the attack goes on.

The task of the two leading Guards Brigades is to drive the
attack through Lesbœufs to the ultimate objective by every means
in their power.

3rd Guards Brigade will be in close reserve to carry out any of
the following duties, as may be required:

(_a_) To pass through Z and press the attack behind the cavalry.

(_b_) To make a defensive flank, if the attack on our flanks is
held up.

(_c_) To support the attack of the leading Guards Brigades, if
held up anywhere.

13. 76th Field Company, R.E., will be in Brigade Reserve. It
will be formed up in a place to be notified later, and will await
orders from the Brigade.

14. Ninth Squadron, R.F.C., will have two contact aeroplanes in
the air from zero to dark on Z day, and again from 6.30 A.M. to 9
A.M. on Z + 1 day.

Flares will be lit as follows: