Chapter VI: Part 6

Paragraph 31, “The Fight for the Somme Crossings”: On the 24th various bodies of the enemy had been able to effect crossings at different points. “During the remainder of the day the enemy repeated his attacks at these and other points, and also exercised strong pressure in a westerly and south-westerly direction from Ham. Our troops offered a vigorous resistance and opposite Ham a successful counter-attack by the 1/5th (Pioneer) Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, 61st Division, materially delayed his advance.”

Paragraph 44: On 28th March the British were almost back to the Amiens defences and the enemy were seriously pressing the French on our right. “A gallant attempt by troops of the 61st Division to regain Warfusée-Abancourt and lighten the pressure from the north proved unsuccessful.... At nightfall we held approximately the Amiens defence line on the whole front south of the Somme.”

Fortunately that same day the enemy had been defeated north of the Somme (see 56th, 42nd and 62nd Divisions), and in a few days his offensive on the front south of Arras ceased.

In his account of the 28th, Mr. Sparrow deals with the work of “the intrepid 61st,” and remarks “one and all behaved with the greatest gallantry.”

In Colonel à Court Repington’s Memoirs, _The First World War_, Constable, vol. ii., p. 269, there is detailed a conversation, on 7th April, 1918, with General Gough, the Commander of the Fifth Army. After some particulars of the great struggle there occurs the sentence, “He brought with him some of Maxse’s notes, which mentioned particularly the fine conduct of the 61st Division, under Colin Mackenzie.” Lieut.-General Maxse commanded the XVIII. Corps.

The despatch of 20th July, 1918, deals also with the Lys battle which began on 9th April, 1918 (see 55th, 49th, 50th and 51st Divisions). Paragraph 58 shows that several divisions were brought straight from the Somme fighting to the Lys area. Among these was the 61st. Dealing with the 12th April, the despatch states: “On the left of the 51st the 61st Division was coming into action about the Clarence river. Both the 3rd and 61st Divisions had been engaged in many days of continuous fighting south of Arras; but with the arrival of these troops, battle-weary though they were, the enemy’s progress in this sector was definitely checked.”

The fighting 12th-15th April is now the “Battle of Hazebrouck.”

Paragraph 65 deals with the great effort made by the enemy on 18th April on the southern front of his salient. “At certain points there was severe and continuous fighting.... Elsewhere the enemy failed to obtain even an initial success, being repulsed, with exceedingly heavy loss, at all points, by the 4th and 61st Divisions.” And, referring to a few days later: “Further west the 4th Division, in co-operation with the 61st Division, carried out a series of successful local operations, north of the La Bassée canal, resulting in the capture of some hundreds of prisoners, and a considerable improvement of our positions between the Lawe and Clarence rivers.” The action on 18th April is now the “Battle of Béthune.”

The Division joined the XVII. Corps early in October 1918, and with it took part in the “Advance to Victory.”

The despatch of 21st December, 1918, as to the final British offensive, paragraph 47, Battle of the Selle River, 17th-25th October, shows that the 61st Division, as part of the XVII. Corps of the Third Army, attacked on 24th October. “About many of the woods and villages which lay in the way of our attack there was severe fighting, particularly in the large wood known as the Bois L’Évêque, and at Pommereuil, Bousies Forest and Vendegies-sur-Écaillon. This latter village held out till the afternoon of the 24th October when it was taken by an enveloping attack by troops of the 19th Division and 61st Division.”

Paragraph 49, “The Battle of the Sambre,” 1st-11th November: As a preliminary to the main attack it is stated that on 1st November “the XVII. Corps of the Third Army and the XXII. and Canadian Corps of the First Army attacked on a front of about six miles south of Valenciennes and in the course of two days of heavy fighting inflicted a severe defeat on the enemy. During these two days the 61st, Major-General F. J. Duncan, 49th and 4th Divisions crossed the Rhonelle river, capturing Maresches and Preseau after a stubborn struggle, and established themselves on the high ground two miles to the east of it. On their left the 4th Canadian Division captured Valenciennes and made progress beyond the town.”

The fighting on 1st-2nd November is now designated the “Battle of Valenciennes.”

On the 3rd November the enemy withdrew, and the British line was advanced.

The XVII. Corps was again employed on the left of the Third Army in the Battle of the Sambre on the 4th November when “the enemy’s resistance was definitely broken.”

Battalions from the Division were selected for the Armies of Occupation, as follows: Western Front, 2/6th and 2/7th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, 2/5th Gloucestershire Regiment and 1/5th Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Pioneers). For Egypt, 2/8th Worcestershire Regiment, 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and 2/4th Royal Berkshire Regiment.

62ND (WEST RIDING) DIVISION

SECOND LINE

The 62nd Division, under the command of Major-General W. P. Braithwaite, who had gained distinction as chief of Sir Ian Hamilton’s staff in Gallipoli, left England for France on 11th January, 1917, and, on arrival, was taken to the Albert-Arras area. On 13th February they entered the line about Serre, thereafter until the end of March they were one of the divisions employed in pressing the enemy, and in causing him to hasten his withdrawal from the old Somme front. The pursuit came to a standstill near Bullecourt on the Hindenburg line. The capture of that place was to involve much hard fighting. The Division at this time was in the V. Corps, Fifth Army.

Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 25th December, 1917, as to the campaigns of that year, paragraph 16 (Dent’s edition), describes the fighting on 11th April in the Battle of Arras. “In combination with this attack on the Third Army front, the Fifth Army launched an attack at 4.30 a.m. on the 11th April against the Hindenburg Line in the neighbourhood of Bullecourt (4th Australian Division and 62nd Division, Major-Generals W. Holmes and W. P. Braithwaite). The Australian and West Riding battalions engaged showed great gallantry in executing a very difficult attack across a wide extent of open country. Considerable progress was made and parties of Australian troops, preceded by tanks, penetrated the German positions as far as Riencourt-lez-Cagnicourt.” As the Third Army was held up on this day the Fifth Army had to withdraw. Progress was made on the 12th.

Paragraph 27: “To secure the footing gained by the Australians in the Hindenburg Line on 3rd May it was advisable that Bullecourt should be captured without loss of time.... On the morning of the 7th May English troops (7th Division) gained a footing in the south-east corner of Bullecourt. Thereafter gradual progress was made in the face of the most obstinate resistance and on the 17th May London and West Riding Territorials (58th and 62nd Divisions) completed the capture of the village.” The operations 3rd to 17th May are now the “Battle of Bullecourt.”

Throughout the summer of 1917 the 62nd remained in the district south of Arras, but had no heavy fighting until the “Battle of Cambrai, 1917.”

Sir Douglas Haig’s despatch of 20th February, 1918, as to the “Battle of Cambrai, 1917,” 20th November to 3rd December, paragraph 3, dealing with the attack on 20th November, said: “The 62nd (West Riding) Division, T., stormed Havrincourt where also parties of the enemy held out for a time.... West of Flesquières the 62nd Division operating northwards from Havrincourt made important progress. Having carried the Hindenburg reserve line north of that village it rapidly continued its attack and captured Graincourt, where two anti-tank guns were destroyed by the tanks accompanying our infantry. Before nightfall infantry and cavalry had entered Anneux although the enemy’s resistance in this village does not appear to have been finally overcome until the following morning. This attack of the 62nd (West Riding) Division constitutes a brilliant achievement in which the troops concerned completed an advance of four and a half miles from their original front, overrunning two German systems of defence and gaining possession of three villages.”

Paragraph 4, 21st November, stated: “Following upon the capture of Flesquières the 51st and 62nd Divisions, in co-operation with a number of tanks and squadrons of the 1st Cavalry Division, attacked at 10.30 a.m. in the direction of Fontaine-Notre-Dame and Bourlon.” After drawing attention to the strain on the troops engaged in these operations Sir Douglas Haig said, paragraph 7: “It was decided to make another effort on 27th November to capture Fontaine-Notre-Dame and Bourlon village,” etc. “In this attack in which tanks co-operated, British Guards temporarily regained possession of Fontaine, taking some hundreds of prisoners, and troops of the 62nd Division once more entered Bourlon village. Later in the morning, however, heavy counter-attacks developed in both localities and our troops were unable to maintain the ground they had gained.” The Division was relieved by the 47th on the night of the 28th-29th. It was in reserve on the 30th November when the enemy counter-attacked in great force—see paragraph 9 of despatch, also under 47th, 55th, and 56th Divisions.

In the beginning of 1918, the Division was about Arras, on 5th January it took over from the 56th between Gavrelle and Oppy.

Soon after the launching of the German attack from the St. Quentin district, on 21st March, reinforcements were sent to the southern portions of the British front. On 25th March the 62nd Division arrived at Bucquoy and joined the IV. Corps of the Third Army. Along with the 42nd Division they formed a new line through which the worn-out 19th, 25th, 41st and 51st Divisions withdrew. The 62nd, which entered the front line on the 25th, had very heavy fighting on the 26th, 27th and 28th. On the afternoon of the 26th alone five attacks by regiments of the Prussian Guard were repulsed. After a magnificent stand the Division was relieved by the 37th on 31st March and 1st April. The fighting on 24th-25th is now the “First Battle of Bapaume,” and that on the 28th the “First Battle of Arras, 1918.”

Under the 42nd Division a quotation has already been given from the telegraphic despatch of 23rd April, 1918, in which the part played by the 42nd and 62nd about Bucquoy is referred to.

The written despatch of 20th July, 1918, paragraph 42, mentions that on 27th March the enemy made a series of strong attacks when he gained Ablainzevelle and Ayette. “Elsewhere all his assaults were heavily repulsed by troops of the 62nd Division (Major-General W. P. Braithwaite) and of the 42nd and the Guards Divisions.”

Paragraph 45 as to the attack near Arras, 28th March, states: “The 62nd Division with an attached brigade of the 4th Australian Division beat off a succession of heavy attacks about Bucquoy with great loss to the enemy.”

The despatch of 21st December, 1918, paragraph 11, shows that in July the XXII. Corps, Lieut.-General Sir A. Godley, consisting of the 15th, 34th, 51st and 62nd Divisions, was sent to the south to assist the French in their counter-attacks against the salient which the Germans had created between the Aisne and the Marne. The 51st and 62nd went to the east side of the salient and had heavy fighting for a period of ten days—a quotation as to this, now the “Battle of Tardenois,” is given under the 51st. Both these divisions were complimented by General Berthelot commanding the French Fifth Army. The 8th West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Rifles) of the 62nd were awarded the coveted _Croix de Guerre_ with palms, for a brilliant assault on Mont de Bligny on 28th July.

In the supplementary telegraphic despatch of 13th September, 1918, as to the work of certain divisions, Sir Douglas Haig said: “The 62nd Division assisted to check the enemy’s advance in March at Achiet-le-Grand and Bucquoy and since that date took part with credit in the French offensive south-west of Reims. On August 25th it attacked and captured Mory. The Division was involved in heavy fighting about this village and around Vaulx-Vraucourt and Vaulx Wood and beat off several determined counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy.” The capture of Mory is again referred to in the despatch of 21st December, 1918, paragraph 23. Between the 25th August and 2nd September the Division had some very stern fighting and suffered heavy losses before its opponents were overcome. The fighting 31st August-3rd September is now the “Second Battle of Bapaume.”

Paragraph 30 of the despatch, “The Battle of Havrincourt and Epéhy 12th-18th September,” stated: “On the 12th September the IV. and VI. Corps of the Third Army attacked on a front of about five miles in the Havrincourt sector, employing troops of the New Zealand, 37th, 62nd and 2nd Divisions. The villages of Trescault and Havrincourt were taken by the 37th and 62nd Divisions respectively, and positions were secured which were of considerable importance in view of future operations.” This is now designated the “Battle of Havrincourt.” It will be remembered that the Division stormed Havrincourt in the battle of 20th November, 1917. It was on familiar ground.

In “The Battle of Cambrai and the Hindenburg Line, 27th September-5th October,” the VI. Corps was again employed, the 62nd being in support of the 3rd Division. (See paragraph 35 of the despatch and map opposite p. 280 of Messrs. Dent’s edition.) On 27th and 28th September the 62nd captured Marcoing and Masnières and established a bridgehead on the St. Quentin canal. On the 29th they made a further advance. The Official List has altered the designation given in the despatch. This is now the “Battle of the Canal du Nord, 27th September-1st October.”

Paragraph 46. “The Battle of the Selle River, 17th-25th October,” shows that the 62nd was one of the divisions employed on the 20th. The fighting was severe but all objectives were gained on the high ground east of the river. A quotation as to this action has been given under the 42nd Division. Unofficial accounts agree that both the 42nd and 62nd did particularly well on the 20th October about Solesmes.

Paragraph 50, “The Battle of the Sambre, 1st-11th November,” dealing with the 4th November, stated: “Opposite Orsinval the 62nd Division of the VI. Corps attacked at 5.20 a.m., and as soon as that village had been taken the Guards Division of the same corps attacked on the left of them. Both Divisions had hard fighting but made good progress capturing Frasnoy and Preux-au-Sart, and reaching the western outskirts of Commegnies.”

Paragraph 51, “The Return to Mons”: “The enemy’s resistance was definitely broken. On the 9th November the enemy was in general retreat on the whole front of the British Armies. The fortress of Maubeuge was entered by the Guards Division and the 62nd Division (Major-General Sir R. D. Whigham), while the Canadians were approaching Mons,” which they entered on the 11th, Armistice Day.

The final despatch of 21st March, 1919 (the anniversary of the great German offensive), paragraph 5, gives the composition of the troops selected to form General Plumer’s Second Army, for the march into the British sector in the Rhine provinces; to the 62nd Division was awarded the signal honour of representing the Territorial Force. The Commander-in-Chief may have been influenced by many reasons in making this choice, but unless its marks had been “very good” the 62nd would not have been selected.

The 2/4th West Riding Regiment and 2/4th Yorkshire Light Infantry were chosen for the Army of Occupation, as was also the 1/9th Durham Light Infantry, originally belonging to the 50th, but which served as pioneers to the 62nd in 1918.[9]

FOOTNOTES:

[9] Much interesting matter regarding the achievements of the 49th and 62nd Divisions will be found in _The West Riding Territorials in the Great War_, by Major L. Magnus. Kegan Paul and Co. Price 15s.

66TH (EAST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION

SECOND LINE

The Division landed in France in the last week of February 1917, and was employed for some months with the First and Second Armies about the Bethune-Ypres-Nieuport area.

In the last week of September 1917 the 66th was relieved in the Coast Sector by the 42nd, the senior East Lancashire Division. The 66th then moved into the battle area and joined the Fifth Army, east of Ypres. It came suddenly into prominence in October, when the closing stages of the Third Battle of Ypres were being fought.

In his telegraphic despatch of 9th October, Sir Douglas Haig said: “On the right centre a third-line Territorial Division, comprising Manchester, East Lancashire and Lancashire Fusilier Regiments, advanced one mile northwards along the ridge in the direction of Passchendaele, capturing all its objectives under the most trying and difficult circumstances with great determination and gallantry.”

It was not a “third-line” division in the ordinary acceptance of the words, but it did contain a third-line battalion, the 3/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, who were said to have done exceptionally well.

A quotation from paragraph 56 of the written despatch of 25th December, 1917, as to this attack, now designated the “Battle of Poelcappelle,” has been given under the 48th Division.

During the German offensive and British retreat of March 1918 the 66th formed part of the XIX. Corps, Fifth Army, the other division of the Corps in the line on 21st March being the 24th.

On the 21st the XIX. Corps was attacked by the enemy in overwhelming force. Both divisions fought splendidly and although their forward posts were surrounded and eventually destroyed, the battle zone of the Corps was held throughout the day. The enemy made progress, however, round the left or north flank of the 66th, and the right or south flank of the 24th Division, which compelled a withdrawal.

In the telegraphic despatch of 26th March, 1918, Sir Douglas Haig said: “In the past six days of constant fighting our troops on all parts of the battle front have shown the utmost courage,” and among divisions which had shown “exceptional gallantry” he mentioned the 66th.

Sir Douglas Haig’s written despatch of 20th July, 1918, regarding the great German offensive, paragraph 20, the position of affairs on the 22nd March, stated: “At midday, after heavy fighting in the neighbourhood of Roisel, the 66th Division, under the command of Major-General N. Malcolm, D.S.O., still held their positions in this sector, having, for the time being, definitely stopped the enemy’s advance. To the south and north, however, the progress of the German infantry continued, ... Roisel being threatened from the rear. Accordingly our troops about Roisel were withdrawn during the afternoon under orders, the enemy making no attempt to interfere.” The fighting 21st-23rd March, 1918, is now the “Battle of St. Quentin.”

In paragraph 43, regarding the fight for the Rosières line on 27th March, now the “Battle of Rosières,” it was said by Sir Douglas Haig that “the situation south of the Somme was serious.” “A counter-attack by the 66th Division restored the situation about Framerville.”

In paragraph 47 as to the fighting in the Avre and Luce valleys, on 29th and 30th March, Sir Douglas Haig said, “North of the Luce also the enemy made some progress but in the afternoon was held up, and finally driven back into Aubercourt by counter-attacks carried out by troops of the 66th Division and the 3rd Australian Division.”

In his “Fifth Army in March, 1918,” Mr. Sparrow constantly refers to the splendid conduct of the 66th. At p. 101 he mentions that they fought continuously from the 21st to the 31st and that their losses were nearly 7000 “apart from sick and spent.” At p. 134 he says that their strength on the evening of the 30th was 104 officers and 2376 other ranks, excluding transport. “Thus to the last the 66th was in the fire,” and speaking of the counter-attack which they made on the 30th he said, “seldom have exhausted men made an equal effort.”

Their losses were so severe that the Division was reduced to a cadre basis, see note, paragraph 1, despatch of 21st December, 1918 (Messrs. Dent’s edition); but it was filled up in time to take part in the “Advance to Victory.”

The South African Brigade, which had gained very great distinction on many occasions, as part of the 9th Division, was incorporated in the reconstituted 66th, and it was also joined by the following battalions from the Mediterranean: the 6th Lancashire Fusiliers, 5th Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, and 6th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, forming the 198th Brigade; the 18th Liverpool Regiment (formerly Lancashire Yeomanry), 9th Manchester Regiment and 5th Connaught Rangers, forming the 199th Brigade, with, as pioneers, the 9th Gloucestershire Regiment. (See _The Story of the Fourth Army_, p. 322.)

The despatch of 21st December, 1918, paragraph 42, “Second Battle of Le Cateau, 8th to 12th October,” now officially designated the “Battle of Cambrai, 1918, with pursuit to the Selle,” shows that the Division formed part of the troops attacking on 8th October, being then in the XIII. Corps, Fourth Army, when “on the British front infantry and tanks penetrated the enemy’s position to a depth of between three and four miles, passing rapidly over the incomplete trench lines.”

To the north of the 30th American Division which had “captured Brancourt and Prémont the 66th Division (Major-General H. K. Bethell), attacking beside the 25th Division (Major-General J. R. E. Charles), captured Serain.” The advance was continued on the 9th; “by nightfall our troops were within two miles of Le Cateau.” A further forward movement was made on the 10th and in _The History of the 25th Division_, p. 329, it is stated that by the evening of the 10th “the 66th Division, which had got well forward on the left, had a few advanced patrols in Le Cateau itself.” This is correct, but there was to be very heavy fighting before the town was captured. The Selle runs through the town, and the portion on the eastern side of the river was not taken till the 17th.

Paragraph 46, “The forcing of the Selle River crossings, 17th-25th October,” now the “Battle of the Selle,” mentions the 66th as again employed by the XIII. Corps. “The enemy was holding the difficult wooded country east of Bohain and the line of the Selle north of it, in great strength, his infantry being well supported by artillery.... By the evening of the 19th October, after much severe fighting, the enemy had been driven across the Sambre and Oise canal at practically all points south of Catillon, whence our line followed the valley of the Richemont east and north of Le Cateau.” That town was taken by the 66th Division.

On the night of the 16th the 9th Gloucestershire, Pioneers to the Division, and the Divisional Engineers threw eight bridges across the Selle, here twenty feet wide and five feet deep, and the South African Brigade crossed to the east bank. Later they forced their way through the wire entanglements and carried their objectives. In the _Story of the Fourth Army_, p. 224, there occurs this sentence: “The position attacked by the 66th Division, and especially by the South African Brigade, requires to be studied on the ground before the difficulties overcome by the initiative and leadership of the regimental officers and non-commissioned officers, and by the gallantry of all ranks, can be fully realised. None but the very best troops could have attempted, let alone have succeeded in, such an enterprise, and the crossing of the Selle at Le Cateau will always remain, like the struggle in Delville Wood in 1916, a lasting testimony to the fighting qualities of the South African soldier.” A captured German order contained the sentence: “The English must not cross the Selle on our front.”

Sir A. Conan Doyle, vol. vi. pp. 187-190, gives a detailed and excellent account of the attack on 17th October. He says: “It had been a very desperate battle, the laurels of which rest with the South African Brigade, who had carried out so remarkable an assault, and also with the 50th Division which had held on with such a bull-dog grip to its purpose.”

The XIII. Corps was engaged in “The Battle of the Sambre,” commencing on 4th November, the 66th being in support of the 25th, which captured Landrecies. (See under 48th Division, three battalions of which did great work.) See also paragraph 50 of the despatch and map opposite p. 294 of Messrs. Dent’s edition.

On 7th November the 66th relieved the 25th and continued the advance beyond Avesnes, being practically advance-guard to the Fourth Army. At the date of the Armistice the Division held the front from Sivry to a point west of Beaumont.

The work of the 66th Division between 8th October and 11th November is fully described in _The Story of the Fourth Army_ already referred to.

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

SHOWING THE BATTLES, AS NAMED IN THE OFFICIAL LIST PUBLISHED IN
1921, IN WHICH THE TERRITORIAL DIVISIONS TOOK PART.

Since the foregoing notes were put together there has been published “The Official Names of the Battles and other Engagements fought by the Military Forces of the British Empire during the Great War, 1914-1919, and Third Afghan War, 1919, being the Report of the Battles Nomenclature Committee, as approved by the Army Council.”

A list of the battles in which a division has been present affords some idea of its services to the Empire, but opportunities varied according to the theatre, and while the work of those troops which went early to the East was of inestimable importance and while very many of their battalions fought in Mesopotamia, Palestine and elsewhere, they had no chance of employment as divisions in the field, hence, through no fault of their own, their honours as divisions are _nil_. In the case of some which operated in France the urgency of affairs, in the early years of the War, was such as to necessitate their employment as reinforcements in single battalions to Regular brigades, and it must not be forgotten that the component parts of some divisions, such as the 55th and 56th, were nearly a year, more in the case of some battalions, in France before they were concentrated as divisions. In their case again a mere list of battle honours in that formation is inadequate as a token of their value. Some of those so placed seem to have made up lost time splendidly.

It would be presumption to say that the following table is complete. There will be many claims which will require very careful scrutiny, and only the Authorities, with all the material of the Historical Section of the War Office at their disposal, will be competent to adjudicate upon them. On the other hand the despatches do mention certain units, and other works of a semi-official character, already published, supplement the reports of the various Commanders; from such sources a fairly complete list can be made up.

In this Appendix, where a division has been mentioned in despatches or works such as the “Story of the Fourth Army,” as taking part in a battle, or is shown in the maps appended to these, the Battle is in ordinary type; but where the information is derived from sources not so strictly official, the name of the Battle is printed in italics. In compiling this appendix it has been thought better not to ask information from units as to their own doings.

The geographical or boundary limits give trouble as regards divisions in support. Sometimes these seem to have been partly within and partly outside the limits. Where there is a probable claim this has been noted.

The chronological or time limits give no licence, and it is perhaps a little hard on some units that did some very severe fighting on one or more days before or after a recognised battle that they should be excluded. Particularly hard cases seem to be those of the 50th, 61st and 66th in connection with the fighting in the region of the Avre and Luce valleys, 28th-30th March, 1918, when these and other divisions by their splendid efforts prevented the line from being broken, and that after they had long passed all credible limits of endurance. The Battle of Rosières is given the dates 26th and 27th March, and that of the Avre, 4th April, by which latter date these three divisions were out of the line, the fighting 28th-30th March, south of the Somme, is thus outside both battles, although the despatch, in which these three divisions are mentioned, seems to give it an importance equal to that of the fighting on 4th April.

Again the Battle of the Somme, 1916, the Third Battle of Ypres, now the Battles of Ypres, 1917, and the First and Second Battles of the Somme, 1918, have each been sub-divided into a number of battles with fixed time limits; but in the course of these epic struggles certain divisions had intense fighting, with most serious losses, on days which are not within the dates of any of the recognised battles. For example, the 55th at the Somme, 1916, the 42nd and 47th at Ypres, 1917, and the 62nd at the Second Somme, 1918, all made big and costly endeavours on days outside the chronological boundaries of a recognised battle. No doubt they will get the general honour, such as “The Battles of Ypres, 1917,” and have to be content with that.

The Committee have clearly taken great pains to arrive at sound principles, and to apply these wisely, and as they had every possible advantage in the way of information, their decisions, although in odd cases causing disappointment, will doubtless be accepted in the true soldiers’ spirit.

In 1918 several Territorial divisions were practically destroyed, such as the 50th and 66th; these were during the last few months reconstituted, being made up largely with Regular or New Army battalions. Such divisions have been treated as Territorial to the end. If this is considered more than fair to the Territorial Force it is counterbalanced by the fact that some of the New Army Divisions, which had also been very hardly hit, such as the 34th, were, after the spring campaign of 1918, composed largely of Territorial battalions from Italy and Palestine. The 25th has most handsomely admitted their good fortune in receiving seasoned battalions from Italy, including a brigade of the 48th.

42ND (EAST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION. First Line.

Defence of Egypt. 3-4 February, 1915.

The Battles of Helles, Second Battle of
Dardanelles. Krithia. 6-8 May, 1915.
Third Battle of
Krithia. 4 June, 1915.

Battle of Rumani,
Egypt. 4-5 Aug., 1916.

_The Battles of Ypres, The Division was not mentioned in the
1917._ despatch, but was in line from 1st to
18th September; it attacked on 6th and
later dates. This was not one of the
recognised battles.

The First Battles of First Battle of Bapaume. 24-25 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. First Battle of Arras,
1918. 28 March, 1918.
_Battle of the Ancre,
1918._ 5 April, 1918.

The Second Battles Battle of Albert, 1918 21-23 Aug., 1918.
of the Somme, 1918 Second Battle of
Bapaume. 1 Aug.-3 Sept., 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of the Canal
Hindenburg Line. du Nord. 27 Sept.-1 Oct., 1918.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
_Battle of the Sambre._ 4 Nov., 1918.
The Division was not engaged at the Battle
of the Sambre on 4th November. It was in
second line (see map, p. 294, Messrs.
Dent’s edition of despatches), but seems
to have been within the official
boundaries. It passed to front line on
the 5th.

43RD (WESSEX) DIVISION. First Line. 44TH (HOME COUNTIES) DIVISION.
First Line. 45TH (WESSEX) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Divisions went to India, were broken up, and were not in action as divisions.

46TH (NORTH MIDLAND) DIVISION. First Line.

Battle of Neuve
Chapelle. 10-13 March, 1915.

The Battle of Loos 25 Sept.-8 Oct., 1915.
With “attack on Hohenzollern Redoubt,
13th October.” The Division is mentioned
in the despatch as attacking the
redoubt on the 13th, but is not mentioned
as attacking on 25th September. Their
losses on the 13th were very heavy.

The Battles of the Battle of Albert,
Somme, 1916. 1916. 1-13 July, 1916.

_Advance to Hindenburg
Line, 1917._ March, 1917.
The Division was engaged on several
occasions.

The Battles of Arras,
1917. 9 April-4 May, 1917.
With flanking operations towards Lens,
3 June-26 August. The Division was
nearly ten weeks in the line and captured
positions on 24 and 28 June.

_Battle of Hill 70._ 15-25 Aug., 1917.
Only part of the Division was engaged, the
principal attack being by the Canadians
on their right.

The Battles of the Battle of the St.
Hindenburg Line. Quentin Canal. 29 Sept.-2 Oct., 1918.

Battle of the Beaurevoir
Line. 3-5 Oct., 1918.

Battle of Cambrai,
1918. 8-9 Oct., 1918.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
_Battle of the Sambre._ 4 Nov., 1918.
The infantry was not heavily engaged on
the 4th, but the Division was in second
line (see map, p. 294), and was within
boundaries. It “passed through” that
night.

47TH (SECOND LONDON) DIVISION. First Line.

Battle of Festubert. 15-25 May, 1915.

The Battle of Loos. 25 Sept.-8 Oct., 1915.

The Battles of the Battle of
Somme, 1916. Flers-Courcelette. 15-22 Sept., 1916.
Battle of the
Transloy Ridges. 1-18 Oct., 1916.
The Battle of Messines,
1917. 7-14 June, 1917.

_The Battles of Ypres,
1917._ 31 July-10 Nov., 1917.
The 47th was not mentioned in the despatch,
but took part in some attacks in latter
half of August. It may not have been
engaged in any of the recognised battles.

Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. First Battle of Bapaume. 24-25 March, 1918.
_First Battle of Arras,
1918._ 28 March, 1918.

The 47th might claim to have been in this
battle. They were very close to the
southern boundary, Authuille, but are
not mentioned in the despatch. The
fighting at the south of the line was not
so intense as further north.

_Battle of the Ancre._ 5 April, 1918.

The despatch does not mention the units
engaged, but the 47th was in the line and
had very heavy fighting in this battle
on 5th-6th April.

_The Battle of Amiens._ 8-11 Aug., 1918.

Not in despatch. Entered line on the 10th.

The Second Battles of Battle of Albert, 1918. 21-23 Aug., 1918.
the Somme, 1918. Second Battle of
Bapaume. 31 Aug.-3 Sept., 1918.

48TH (SOUTH MIDLAND) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of the _Battle of Albert,
Somme, 1916. 1916._ 1-13 July, 1916.
The Division was in support.
Battle of Bazentin
Ridge. 14-17 July, 1916.
Battle of Pozières
Ridge. 23 July-3 Sept., 1916.

NOTE.—The 48th does not seem to have
attacked in the Battles of Flers-Courcelette
or the Transloy Ridges, but might
have a claim, to the latter at least, as
being within the boundaries. They were
holding the line long after the “official”
battle closed.

Advance to the Occupation of
Hindenburg Line. Peronne, etc. March, 1917.

The Battles of Ypres, _Battle of Pilckem Ridge._ 31 July-2
1917. The Division was in support. Aug., 1917.
Battle of Langemarck,
1917. 16-18 Aug., 1917.
Battle of Broodseinde. 4 Oct., 1917.
Battle of Poelcappelle. 9 Oct., 1917.

Italy. Battle of the Piave
(and Asiago Plateau). 15-24 June, 1918.
Battle of Vittorio
Veneto. 24 Oct.-4 Nov., 1918.

NOTE.—One brigade was with the 25th
Division in the final advance in France
and took the village of Beaurevoir in the
battle of that name, 4th October, took a
prominent part in the battle of the Selle,
18th October, and captured Landrecies
in the Battle of the Sambre, 4th November.

49TH (WEST RIDING) DIVISION. First Line.

_Battle of Aubers Ridge._ 9th May, 1915.
The Division was in support and held the
line, while the 7th and 8th attacked.

The Battles of the Battle of Albert, 1916. 1-13 July, 1916.
Somme, 1916. _Battle of Bazentin
Ridge._ 14-17 July, 1916.
Battle of Pozières
Ridge. 23 July-3 Sept., 1916.
_Battle of Thiepval
Ridge._ 26-28 Sept., 1916.
The 49th was on the Somme, Thiepval
Front, from 30th June to the beginning
of October. They did not attack in the
Battle of Bazentin Ridge, but were in
support and within the official boundary.
Portions of the Division attacked in the
Battles of Pozières and Thiepval.

The Battles of Ypres,
1917. Battle of
Poelcappelle. 9 Oct., 1917.
The Division was about the salient throughout
the period of the Third Battle of
Ypres, and although only mentioned in
the despatch as attacking on 9th October,
it may claim others of these battles as
having been within the boundaries,
particularly the two Passchendaele battles.
Unfortunately their own history gives
almost no guidance.

The Battles of the _Battle of Estaires._ 9-11 April, 1918.
Lys. The Division was heavily engaged on 10th
and 11th.
Battle of Hazebrouck 12-15 April, 1918.
Battle of Bailleul. 13-15 April, 1918.
First Battle of Kemmel
Ridge. 17-19 April, 1918.
Second Battle of Kemmel
Ridge. 25-26 April, 1918.
Battle of the
Scherpenberg. 29 April, 1918.

The Battles of the _Battle of Cambrai_,
Hindenburg Line 1918, with pursuit
to Selle. 8-12 Oct., 1918.
The Division was heavily engaged on
11th and 12th.

The Final Advance Battle of Valenciennes 1-2 Nov.,1918

NOTE.—Although the 49th was not attacking
during the battle of the Selle, 17th-25th
October, or the battle of the Sambre,
4th November, it may have a claim as
having been within the boundaries.
Part of the Division did remain in the
front line between 2nd and 11th November.

50TH (NORTHUMBRIAN) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of Gravenstafel
1915. Ridge. 22-23 April, 1915.
In Sir John French’s despatch, paragraph 4,
he mentioned that he placed the 50th
at the disposal of General Plumer on the
night of the 22nd. A portion of the
Division was within the boundary of
the battle on the evening of the 23rd.
Battle of St. Julien 24 April-4 May, 1915.
_Battle of Frezenberg
Ridge._ 8-13 May, 1915.
_Battle of Bellewaerde
Ridge._ 24-25 May, 1915.

The Battles of the
Somme, 1916 Battle of
Flers-Courcelette. 15-22 Sept., 1916.
Battle of Morval. 25-28 Sept., 1916.
Battle of the Transloy
Ridges. 1-18 Oct., 1916.

The Battles of Arras, First Battle of the
1917. Scarpe, 1917. 9-14 April, 1917.
Second Battle of the
Scarpe, 1917. 23-24 April, 1917.

_The Battles of Ypres, _Second Battle of
1917._ Passchendaele._ 26 Oct.-10 Nov., 1917.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. With actions for the Somme crossings,
24th-25th March.
Battle of Rosières. 26-27 March, 1918.

NOTE.—Paragraph 47 of the despatch shows
that there was very heavy fighting in the
Avre and Luce valleys on 29th, 30th and
31st March, in which the 50th was engaged,
but the official list gives the Battle of
the Avre one day only, the 4th April, and
takes no notice of the battle 29th to
31st March.

The Battles of the Battle of Estaires. 9-11 April, 1918.
Lys. _Battle of Hazebrouck._ 12-15 April, 1918.
The Division was still fighting on the
12th and 13th.

The Battle of the
Aisne, 1918. 27 May-6 June, 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of Beaurevoir
Hindenburg Line. Line. 3-5 Oct., 1918.
Battle of Cambrai,
1918. 8-9 Oct., 1918.
See map, p. 287, Messrs. Dent’s edition.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov., 1918.

51ST (HIGHLAND) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of the Battle of Bazentin
Somme, 1916. Ridge. 14-17 July, 1916
And “subsequent attack on High Wood,”
20th-25th July.
The Division is not mentioned as engaged
in the British attack, 14th-17th July,
but is stated in the despatch to have
repulsed an attack at High Wood on the
24th.
Battle of the Ancre,
1916 (Beaumont 13-18 Nov., 1916.
Hamel).

The Battles of Arras, First Battle of the
1917. Scarpe, 1917. 9-14 April, 1917.
Second Battle of the
Scarpe, 1917. 23-24 April, 1917.
Third Battle of the
Scarpe, 1917. 3-4 May, 1917.
And “capture of Rœux, 13th-14th.”

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of Pilckem
1917. Ridge. 31 July-2 Aug., 1918.
Battle of Menin Road
Ridge. 20-25 Sept., 1917.

Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. _First Battle of Bapaume._ 24-25 March, 1918.
The Division is not referred to in the
despatch, but was still fighting hard on
the 24th-25th as rearguard.

The Battles of the Battle of Estaires. 9-11 April, 1918.
Lys. Battle of Hazebrouck. 12-15 April, 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of Tardenois
Marne, 1918. (Ardre Valley). 20-31 July, 1918.

The Second Battles of Battle of the Scarpe,
Arras, 1918. 1918. 26-30 Aug., 1918.

The Battles of the _Battle of Cambrai,
Hindenburg Line. 1918, and pursuit to
the Selle._ 8-12 Oct., 1918.
The Division captured several positions
on the 12th, after stiff fighting.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
_Battle of
Valenciennes and
capture of Mount Houy._ 1-2 Nov., 1918.
The Division was not in the first line on
the 1st-2nd November, but attacked and
captured a portion of Mount Houy on
28th October. The time limit may
exclude its claim.

52ND (LOWLAND) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of Helles. Third Battle of Krithia. 4 June, 1915.
With subsequent actions.

NOTE.—The Division did not land in time
for the battle of 4th June, but, as
narrated in the despatch, took part in
several fiercely contested actions,
mentioned in the Official List subsequent
to that date, when they had very heavy
losses.

Egypt. Battle of Rumani. 4-5 Aug., 1916.

The Invasion of First Battle of Gaza. 26-27 March, 1917.
Palestine. Second Battle of Gaza. 17-19 April, 1917.
Third Battle of Gaza. 27 Oct.-7 Nov., 1917.
Battle of Nebi Samwil. 17-24 Nov., 1917.
Battle of Jaffa. 21-22 Dec., 1917.

The Second Battles Battle of Albert. 21-23 Aug., 1918.
of Arras, 1918. Battle of the Scarpe,
1918. 26-30 Aug., 1918.
Battle of the
Drocourt-Quéant Line. 2-3 Sept., 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of the Canal du
Hindenburg Line. Nord. 7 Sept.-1 Oct., 1918.

53RD (WELSH) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of Suvla, The Landing at Suvla. 6-15 Aug., 1915.
Dardanelles. Battle of Scimitar
Hill. 21 Aug., 1915.

Egypt. Battle of Rumani. 4-5 Aug., 1916.

The Invasion of First Battle of Gaza. 26-27 March, 1917.
Palestine. Second Battle of Gaza. 17-19 April, 1917.
Third Battle of Gaza. 27 Oct.-7 Nov., 1917.
Defence of Jerusalem. 26-30 Dec., 1917.

The Battles of Battle of Sharon. 19-25 Sept., 1918.
Megiddo. Battle of Nablus. 19-25 Sept., 1918.

54TH (EAST ANGLIAN) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of Suvla, The Landing at Suvla. 6-15 Aug., 1915.
Dardanelles. Battle of Scimitar Hill. 21 Aug., 1915.

The Invasion of First Battle of Gaza. 26-27 March, 1917.
Palestine. Second Battle of Gaza. 17-19 April, 1917.
Third Battle of Gaza. 27 Oct.-7 Nov., 1917.
_Battle of Nebi Samwil._ 17-24 Nov., 1917.
Battle of Jaffa. 21-22 Dec., 1917.

The Battles of Battle of Sharon. 19-25 Sept., 1918.
Megiddo. Battle of Nablus. 19-25 Sept., 1918.

55TH (WEST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of the _Battle of Ginchy._ 9 Sept., 1916.
Somme, 1916. The Division is not referred to in the
despatch as attacking on the 9th Sept.
According to the _History of the 55th_
they attacked at Guillemont on 8th August,
during the period of the fighting at
Delville Wood, but the locus of that
battle is the wood, and they also attacked
at Ginchy on the 9th September.
Battle of Morval. 25-28 Sept., 1916.

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of Pilckem
1917. Ridge. 31 July-2 Aug., 1917.
Battle of the Menin
Road Ridge. 20-25 Sept., 1917.

Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.

The Battles of the Battle of Estaires
Lys. and First Defence
of Givenchy. 9-11 April, 1918.
Battle of Hazebrouck. 12-15 April, 1918.
The Division was not relieved till the 15th,
and had some hard fighting on the 12th
and 13th, _see_ Sir D. Haig’s special
order.

56TH (FIRST LONDON) DIVISION. First Line.

The Battles of the Battle of Albert,
Somme, 1916. 1916. 1-13 July, 1916.
Battle of Ginchy. 9 Sept., 1916.
Battle of
Flers-Courcelette. 15-22 Sept., 1916.
_Battle of Morval._ 25-28 Sept., 1916.
_Battle of the Transloy
Ridges._ 1-18 Oct., 1916.
The 56th was one of the attacking divisions
on 26th September near Combles, and on
7th-8th Oct. further north.

The Battles of Arras, First Battle of the
1917. Scarpe, 1917. 9-14 April, 1917.
_Third Battle of the
Scarpe, 1917._ 3-4 May, 1917.
The Division attacked on the 3rd, and is
mentioned in the despatch as capturing
a position on the 11th.

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of Langemarck,
1917. 1917. 16-18 Aug., 1917.

The Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.

The First Battles of First Battle of Arras,
the Somme, 1918. 1918. 28 March, 1918.

The Second Battles Battle of Albert,
of the Somme, 1918. 1918. 21-23 Aug., 1918.

The Second Battles Battle of the Scarpe,
of Arras, 1918. 1918. 26-30 Aug., 1918.
See Sir D. Haig’s telegram of 13th Sept.
_Battle of the
Drocourt-Quéant Line._ 2-3 Sept., 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of the Canal
Hindenburg Line. du Nord. 27 Sept.-1 Oct., 1918.
_Battle of Cambrai,
with pursuit to the
Selle._ 8-12 Oct., 1918.
The Division attacked and took positions
on the 11th and 12th.

The Final Advance. _Battle of Valenciennes,_ 1-2 Nov., 1918.
Although the 56th did not attack on the
1st or 2nd, they entered the line on the
night of the 2nd, and have a claim as
being within the official boundaries.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov., 1918.

57TH (WEST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Battles of Ypres, _Second Battle of
1917. Passchendaele._ 26 Oct.-10 Nov., 1917.
The Division is not referred to in the
despatch, but as part of the XIVth Corps
they attacked on 26th October.

The Battles of the _Battle of Hazebrouck._ 12-15 April, 1918.
Lys. Part of the Division was engaged.

The Second Battles Battle of the Scarpe,
of Arras, 1918. 1918. 26-30 Aug., 1918.
Battle of the
Drocourt-Quéant Line. 2-3 Sept., 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of the Canal
Hindenburg Line. du Nord. 27 Sept.-1 Oct., 1918.
Battle of Cambrai,
1918. 8-9 Oct., 1918.

58TH (FIRST LONDON) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Advance to the
Hindenburg Line,
1917. March, 1917.

The Battles of Arras,
1917. Battle of Bullecourt. 3-17 May, 1917.

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of the Menin
1917. Road Ridge. 20-25 Sept., 1917.
Battle of Polygon
Wood. 26 Sept.-3 Oct., 1917.
Second Battle of
Passchendaele. 26 Oct.-10 Nov., 1917.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. Battle of the Ancre,
1918. 5th April
with subsequent
action of _Villers
Bretonneux_. 24-25 April, 1918.
The Division was on the south flank and
had rather heavy losses about the
24th-25th.

The Battle of Amiens. 8-11 Aug., 1918.

The Second Battles of _Battle of Albert, 1918._ 21-23 Aug., 1918.
the Somme, 1918. As part of the III. Corps they entered the
front line on the 22nd.
Second Battle of
Bapaume. 31 Aug.-3 Sept., 1918.

The Battles of the
Hindenburg Line. Battle of Epéhy. 18 Sept., 1918.

59TH (NORTH MIDLAND) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Advance to the
Hindenburg Line,
1917. March, 1917.

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of Polygon
1917. Wood. 26 Sept.-3 Oct., 1917.

Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.
See map in Messrs. Dent’s Edition.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. See map in Messrs. Dent’s edition.
One brigade was
engaged in the
First Battle of
Bapaume. 24-25 March, 1918.

The Battles of the _Battle of Bailleul._ 13-15 April, 1918.
Lys. At this period the Division was much split
up, and parts of it were in others of the
Lys battles.

60TH (SECOND LONDON) DIVISION. Second Line.

Macedonia. _Battle of Doiran, 1917._ 24-25 April,
and 8-9 May, 1917.

The Invasion of Third Battle of Gaza. 27 Oct.-7 Nov., 1917.
Palestine. Battle of Nebi
Samwil. 17-24 Nov., 1917.
Defence of Jerusalem 26-30 Dec., 1917.
and numerous
subsequent actions,
January to July,
1918.

The Battles of Battle of Sharon. 19-25 Sept., 1918.
Megiddo. Battle of Nablus. 19-25 Sept., 1918.

61ST (SOUTH MIDLAND) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Battles of the
Somme, 1916. 14-17 July, 1916.
The Division took part in an attack at
Fromelles, 19th-20th July, 1916, which in
the Official List was stated to be
subsidiary to the Battle of Bazentin Ridge.

Advance to Hindenburg Capture of Bapaume
Line, 1917. and Chaulnes. March, 1917.

_The Battles of Ypres, The Division is not mentioned in the
1917._ despatch, but was engaged at Ypres on
in the latter half of August and first
week various dates of September. These
were not perhaps within the limits of
“recognised battles.”

Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.
Mentioned in the despatch as assembling,
took over from the 12th Division about
1st December, and had stiff fighting for
several days.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. And actions for Somme crossings, 24th and
25th March.
Battle of Rosières. 26-27 March, 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of
Lys. Hazebrouck. 12-15 April, 1918.
Battle of Béthune. 18 April, 1918.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
Battle of Valenciennes. 1-2 Nov., 1918.
_Battle of the Sambre._ 4 Nov., 1918.
The Division left the front line on the
2nd, but appears to have remained within
the official boundaries.

62ND (WEST RIDING) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Advance to the
Hindenburg Line,
1917. March, 1917.

The Battles of Arras,
1917. Battle of Bullecourt, 3-17 May, 1917.

Battle of Cambrai,
1917. 20 Nov.-3 Dec., 1917.

The First Battles of _First Battle of
the Somme, 1918. Bapaume._ 24-25 March, 1918.
The Division was in action on the afternoon
and evening of the 25th.

First Battle of Arras,
1918. 28 March, 1918.

The Battles of the Battle of Tardenois
Marne, 1918. (Ardre valley). 20-31 July, 1918.

The Second Battles of Second Battle of
the Somme, 1918. Bapaume. 31 Aug.-3 Sept., 1918.
The Division had hard fighting on 25-27
August, but these dates do not fall within
the time limits of either of the battles of
Albert, 21-23 August, or of Bapaume.

The Battles of the Battle of Havrincourt.
Hindenburg Line. 12 Sept., 1918.
Battle of the Canal
du Nord. 27 Sept.-1 Oct., 1918.
See map, p. 280, Messrs. Dent’s edition.
The 62nd passed through the 3rd on the
27th, continued the attack, and captured
Marcoing, etc.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov., 1918.

NOTE.—The Division was not in the front
line during the Battle of Cambrai, 8th-9th
October, 1918, but other divisions
of the VI. Corps were engaged and part
at least of the 62nd may have been within
the official boundaries.

66TH (EAST LANCASHIRE) DIVISION. Second Line.

The Battles of Ypres, Battle of Poelcappelle. 9 Oct., 1917.
1917.

The First Battles of Battle of St. Quentin. 21-23 March, 1918.
the Somme, 1918. With actions for Somme crossings, 24th-25th
March.
Battle of Rosières. 26-27 March, 1918.
_Battle of the Avre._ 4 April, 1918.

Para. 47 of the despatch shows that the
66th was in the heavy fighting, 28th-31st
March, in the Avre and Luce valleys,
when they made counter-attacks; it is
not said they were fighting on 4th April.
The Official List makes no reference to
the fighting 28th-31st March in this
neighbourhood.

The Battles of the Battle of Cambrai,
Hindenburg Line. 1918. 8-9 Oct., 1918.

The Final Advance. Battle of the Selle. 17-25 Oct., 1918.
Battle of the Sambre. 4 Nov., 1918.
The map, p. 294, Messrs. Dent’s edition,
shows the 66th in support to the north-east
of Le Cateau. It would thus be
within the official boundary.

In regard to the Battle of the Beaurevoir
Line, 3rd-5th October, the divisions of the
XIII. Corps in the front line were the
25th and 50th. The 66th was in reserve
and it is not clear that it was within the
official limits, although certainly close
thereto.

PRINTED BY
THE TEMPLE PRESS AT LETCHWORTH
IN GREAT BRITAIN

Transcriber’s Notes

pg 71 Changed: See Story of Fourth Army
to: See Story of the Fourth Army

pg 141 Changed: The despatch of 2nd February 1915, paragragh 4
to: The despatch of 2nd February 1915, paragraph 4

pg 162 Changed: a daring operation the h56t
to: a daring operation the 56th