The 2nd Battalion in France, 1916

Operational Orders and Appendices, 1916

OPERATION ORDER No 76. By Lieut Colonel H.S.POYNTZ, Commanding 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regt. 27th June 1916 Reference Maps: - MONTAUBAN 1/20,000 MARICOURT TRENCH MAP 1/10,000

1. INTENTION. On "A" day, and ZERO hour, both to be published later, the 30th Division will capture the enemy trenches. the 77th Infantry Brigade, 39th French Division, will attack on our right and the 21st Infantry Brigade on our left. 2. OBJECTIVE. 1st Objective. The 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment will assualt [sic] DUBLIN TRENCH from the point where it meets GLATZ REDOUBT to a point 400 yards East of that, its left being the junction of "N" STREET with Fire Trench A.9/1. The 17th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt will assualt [sic] DUBLIN TRENCH from point where it meets DUBLIN REDOUBT to a point 400 yards West of that, its right boundary being BRIQUETERIE-MARICOURT ROAD exclusive. 2nd Objective. A portion of the 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt will attack the BRIQUETERIE when MONTAUBAN has fallen. 3. DISPOSITIONS. The 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment will be in Support, and on the night Y/Z will be disposed as in Appendix A. A and B Companies along GROVE AVENUE. C and D Companies along GROVE END ROAD. 4. Method of ADVANCE. The 17th and 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regiment will advance in four lines, with 100 yards distance between each line. A and B Companies 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment will follow the last wave of the 17th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt. C and D Companies 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regiment will follow the last wave of the 20th Bn Kings Liverpool Regt in the formation as in Appendix "B". Each line will advance in line of half platoons, 50 yards interval between platoons and 100 yards distance between lines. The first two lines will follow on after the 4th line of the 17th and 20th Bn K.L.R. into the front German Trenches. The 3rd and 4th lines will remain in our front trenches until the lines in front German trenches advance. As soon as they advance, these two lines will cross to the German front and Support Trenches, and will not advance further without orders from Headquarters unless urgency arises. O.C. "B" and "C" Companies will reinforce the K.L.R. if required. 5. STRONG POINTS. The Battalion will establish 4 Strong Points at once on arrival in the German Trenches, and on completion will garrison these Strong Points. No 1. at A.10.d.15/60 under 2/Lt G.A.Anstee & 1 Platoon. No 2 at A.10.d.4/6 under 2/Lt R.E.Oakley & 1 Platoon. No 5 at A.10.b. 0/7 under 2./Lt.L.H.Fox & 22 O.R. No 6 at A.10.a. 5/2 under 2/Lt W.E.Boulton & 22 O.R. One section R.E. and 1 Platoon Pioneers will assist in the construction of Nos 1 and 2 Strong Points, but they will be started at once by our two parties. 6. NETTOYEURS. O.C."D" Coy will detail 2 Officers and 100 N.C.O's and men for this duty, of this party, 1 Officer 50 N.C.O's and men will follow the 3rd wave of the 17th Bn K.L.R. and 1 Officer and 50 N.C.O's and men will follow the 3rd wave of the 20th Bn K.L.R. each of these parties will be divided up as previously, and clean up all trenches to FAVIERE SUPPORT TRENCH and SILESIA SUPPORT TRENCH. A Central party of 2 N.C.O's and 20 men will also be detailed by O.C. "D"Coy to be at enemy Sap.3.A.10.c.5/6 for purpose of receiving prisoners from NETTOYEURS and escorting them to our front line at junction of A.16/6 and "P"STREET. As soon as prisoners are handed over, escorts will return at once and rejoin their parties. On completion of their cleaning up duties all parties will report to O.C. "D"Coy in SILESIA SUPPORT TRENCH. 7. ARTILLERY. Artillery lifts will be as follows: - (a) At 0.6. off FAVIERE SUPPORT line on to CASEMENT LINE. (b) At 0.16 off CASEMENT LINE on to DUBLIN LINE. (c) At 0.56 off DUBLIN LINE. 8. MACHINE GUNS. 2 Vickers Guns will be attached to this Battn, and one will move with "A" Coy and one with "D"Coy. 9. LEWIS GUNS. Lewis Guns will work with their Companies. 10. SIGNALLING. (a) A Signal Station will proceed with each Coy Hd Qrs. (b) An advanced signal station will be established in BEDFORD STREET. (c) An advanced signal station will be established at junction of "K"TRENCH and German front Line as soon as opportunity occurs. (d) Artillery flags, discs, vigilant periscopes, etc. will remain as in Brigade training. 11. SMOKE CANDLES. When DUBLIN TRENCH has been reached, the 17th and 20th K.L.R. will light SMOKE CANDLES. 12. AMMUNITION. Each man will carry on his person 170 rounds S.A.A. and 2 hand grenades. each bomber will carry 10 bombs. 13. RATIONS AND WATER. Water is very scarce and the utmost care must be exercised. Reserve water at the CHATEAU. RESERVE rations at the CHATEAU. 14. MEDICAL. Battalion Aid Post is established in COBHAM STREET. Advanced Dressing Station BRONFAY FARM. Walking wounded will be collected at R.E.Dump N.of BRAY. 15. DRESS. Each man will carry: - Waterproof Sheet. Pack (Without great coat) Equipment Rifle and bayonet 170 rounds S.A.A. 2 Mills Bombs 1 Iron Ration Also unexpended portion of "Z" days rations. Bombers, Lewis Gunners and Stretcher Bearers will carry: - Rifle and Bayonet (except 1 & 2 of Lewis Gun Teams and Bombers) 50 rounds S.A.A. (except Bombers) Lewis Gunners carry 170 rounds. Waterproof Sheet Rations as above. All men will carry a filled oil bottle, pullthrough and flannelette. Picks and shovels will be carried by all men in proportion of 1 pick to 3 shovels. 16. WIRE CUTTERS Each men carrying wire cutters will wear a white patch on the shoulder strap. 17. COMMUNICATION TRENCHES. MAIN UP TRENCH STANLEY AVENUE MAIN DOWN TRENCH MARICOURT AVENUE 18. WORKING AND CARRYING PARTIES [Coy - Officers - Other Ranks - To report to - Task] "A" - One - 1 Platoon not less than 40 men - Officer i/c 200th Field Coy R.E.at Trenches on east and West face of CHATEAU KEEP at 10 p.m. on night Y/Z - Preparing Strong Points Nos 1 and 2 "C" - One - 1 Platoon not less than 40 men - Officer i/c 200th Field Coy R.E.at Trenches on east and West face of CHATEAU KEEP at 10 p.m. on night Y/Z - Preparing Strong Points Nos 1 and 2 These are Nos 1 and 2 Strong Point parties referred to in para; 5. "D" - - - 8 - O.C.89th Coy Machine Gun Corps at NAPIERS REDOUBT at 9 a.m. on "Y" Day - Carriers for Vickers Guns. 19. DUMPS For Water, S.A.A., Bombs, R.E.Stores. Each Strong point party will have its material separate near this dump and labelled. 20. CASUALTIES. See Appendix (C) 21. WOUNDED. On no account will they be accompanied to the rear by unwounded. 22. RETIRE This word will not be used. 23. GREAT COATS AND HAVERSACKS All great coats will be returned to the CHATEAU by 4 p.m. on "Y" day tied in bundles of 20 properly labelled. Small kits will be put in the haversack which will be returned properly labelled to Headquarters at 5 p.m. on X day. 24. WATERBOTTLES. All waterbottles will be full at ZERO hour. 25. SECRET MAPS No secret maps, papers etc. will be carried by Officers or men of this Battalion. 26. TIME. All watches will be synchronised at a time to be notified. All messages sent must be timed. 27. HEADQUARTERS. (1) CHATEAU (2) STANLEY AVENUE when 17th K.L.R. H.Qrs advance. APPENDIX (C) CASUALTIES Reporting of Casualties during active Operations (1) ESTIMATED CASUALTIES Estimated Casualties should not be confused with the "Daily Casualty Wire" and will commence with Estimated Casualties. The following as a specimen wire. MINNIE 26.6.16. aaa ESTIMATED CASUALTIES aaa 2/Lieut R.SMITH and 60 O.R. aaa From O.C. "D" Coy. Time 8.0.a.m. Estimated Casualties will be sent to Battalion Headquarters at frequent intervals of not more than two hours, and more often if the casualties become heavy. (2) DAILY CASUALTY WIRE. This wire will be continued as in ordinary times, but will commence with "DAILY CASUALTY WIRE" It will include all casualties as far as is known. The following is a specimen wire. MINNIE 26.6.16.aaa DAILY CASUALTY WIRE aaa Capt J.J.BROWN killed 2/Lieut R.SMITH wounded aaa 7 O.R. killed 59 O.R. wounded aaa. From O.C."D" Coy. Time 18.29 p.m. This wire must reach Bn Headquarters by 1.p.m.daily. If possible Officer casualties should be reported at once. Anyone wounded and remaining at duty should be shown as such. It is most likely that these messages will have to be sent by Orderly.

SECRET OPERATION ORDER By Lt.Colonel H.S.POYNTZ, Commanding 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt. 29th July, 1916 Reference Map MAUREPAS 1/20,000. (and attached sketch)

1. The 89th Infantry Brigade will attack the Enemy's trenches between the Boundary lines marked YELLOW on the attached map. The 90th Infantry Brigade will be on the left and the 39th French Division on our right. ZERO Hour of assault will be communicated separately. The Final objective is due to be reached by ZERO plus 67 minutes on the morning of the 30th July, 1916. 2. DISPOSITION OF BATTALIONS 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt will attack on the LEFT. 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt will attack on the RIGHT. 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt will be IN SUPPORT. 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt will be IN RESERVE. 3. DISPOSITIONS OF COMPANIES In "B" Trench "D" and "C" Companies from North to South. "C" Company will also occupy "C" Trench if necessity arises for doing so. In "D" Trench "B" Company. In the SUNKEN ROAD, "A" Company. The above dispositions of Companies will be occupied by 1.30 a.m. on 30th July, 1916. 4. METHOD OF ADVANCE. Companies will remain in their assembly positions until orders are received from Battalion Headquarters; unless extreme urgency arises when Company Commanders will act on their own initiative. 5. ARTILLERY. Artillery Lifts according to attached map. The Attack will be supported by "D" Group Artillery (Col.Stewart) whose Headquarters will be at BRICK POINT. 6. MACHINE GUNS. Headquarters of Machine Gun Company will be in SUNKEN ROAD, BRIQUETERIE. No Machine Guns are attached to this Battalion. 7. LEWIS GUNS. Lewis Guns will move as before with their Companies. 8. STRONG POINTS AND CONSOLIDATION. On capture of Objective a support line will be dug from the Southern face of the GUILLEMONT Defence to about the Loop in the Road B.1.d.95/85. O.C. 200th Field Company R.E. is responsible for the siting of this work. men of the 17th Bn.Lancashire Fusrs and the 2nd Bn.South Lancashire Regt will be employed on this work. Should Companies of the Battalion reach final objective they will construct Strong Points as has already been communicated to them. 9. CARRYING PARTIES. Forty men of the 17th Lancashire Fusiliers will be attached to this Battalion for Carrying Purposes. The supply of all stores to Companies will be regulated from Battalion Headquarters. 10. SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATIONS (a) Advanced Divisional Lamp Station, A.15.c.4/5. (b) Visual: - From ARROW HEAD COPSE to the above Divisional Station (c) Visual: - from HAIRPIN BEND to the BRIQUETERIE. (d) Wireless: - A Wireless Station will be established near the HAIRPIN BEND. (e) An advanced Signal Station of the 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regt will be established in the HAIRPIN BEND as soon as possible. (f) GREEN FLARES only will be used and will be lit on reaching the following objectives: - (i) The Line marked O.8. on the map. (ii) The line marked 0.25 on the map. (iii) The final objective. (g) "S.O.S" signal is five white rockets fired in quick succession. 11. DUMPS. the Brigade Dump (STANLEY DUMP) for Ammunition and Bombs will be established A.5.d.2/5. A Dump is being formed at A.5.a.3/2 which will consist of MILLS S. A. A. V. P.A. 1" V. P. A. 1 1/2" ROCKETS WHITE. The Battalion will establish a forward dump of all materials at the Point which will be notified to Companies when circumstances permit. 12. PRISONERS. All Prisoners should be sent to the Advanced Collecting Station at A.10.d.2/6, on the MARICOURT - BRIQUETERIE Road, where a detachment of the 13th Corps Cyclist Battalion will take them over. 13. MEDICAL. The Medical Officer will move with Battalion Headquarters. Collecting Station at A.10.b.3/8 on MARICOURT - BRIQUETERIE Road. 14. RATIONS AND WATER. O.C.Companies will call the attention of all ranks to the scarcity of water in this area. One days ration and one Iron ration will be carried by all ranks. 15. MOVEMENT. Companies will leave Camp in the order "B", "D", "C", "A" Companies. 16. MINOR ENTERPRISE. "A" Company will operate from the SUNKEN ROAD under special instructions issued to Lieutenant W.WHITE. 17. HEADQUARTERS. Battalion Headquarters will be in the SUNKEN ROAD at A.5.a.2/2. 20th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt at top of HAIRPIN BEND at A.5.d.8/9. 19th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt at S.30.c.6/0. 17th Bn.Kings Liverpool Regt at S.30.c.6/0. Brigade Headquarters - junction of SUPPORT and HEADQUARTER AVENUE E. of TALUS BOISE at A.9.c.4/0. There will be an advanced Brigade Report Centre at the BRIQUETERIE. Messages can be sent to either place as most convenient at the moment. 18. EQUIPMENT. As at present in possession of Companies. Bombers will carry Tools. 19. TIME. One Officer from each Company will report to Battalion Headquarters in the SUNKEN ROAD at 2.30 a.m. 30th July, to synchronise watches. 20. REPORTS. Immediately Companies arrive in their assembly positions a report will be sent to Battalion Headquarters. 21. TRANSPORT. Transport will move under the orders of the Transport Officer. rations being dumped about A.4.d.4/5 (Approximate).

Secret 89th Infantry Brigade Operation Order No. 59 by Brigadier general the Hon. F. C. Stanley D.S.O. Headquarters 11.x.1916. Reference attached plan 1/10,000

1. The Fourth British and Sixth French Armies will continue the attack to-morrow, 12th October, at an hour zero to be notified later. the whole XV. Corps is attacking. The 30th Division will have on its Right 12th Division, on its Left the 9th Division of the III Corps. Boundaries are shewn on the attached plan. The troops believed to be opposite us are 6th Bavarian Reserve Division and the 6th Active (Brandenberg) Division. 2. The 30th Division will capture and consolidate the objective indicated by the BROWN line on the attached plan. The operation is to be conducted in three stages: - (i) At Zero the Artillery barrage will begin and the Infantry will advance to the attack and establish itself on the GREEN line. (ii) At Zero + 20 the Infantry will advance to the BROWN line which will be consolidated. (iii) After the capture of the BROWN line, every effort will be made to establish posts on the approximate line marked in red, so as to obtain observation to the North. It is intended later to join up these posts so as to form a trench of departure for subsequent operations. 3. The 89th Infantry Brigade will be on the Left of the 30th Division attack, with boundaries as shown on the attached plan. The attack will be carried out with two Battalions in the front line, one in support, and one in reserve. The 2nd Battn Bedfordshire Regt. will be on the Right. The 17th Battalion K. L. R. will be on the Left. The 20th Battalion K.L.R. will be in Support. The 19th Battalion K.L.R. will be in Reserve. The dividing line between the objective of 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and 17th Battalion K.L.R. will be a line (Shown in YELLOW on the Plan) drawn from their present point of junction to M.18.c.6/2. thence to M.18.c.8/8 to M.18.b.0/4. Consolidation 4. The first objective will be consolidated by the R.E. by a series of strong points, approximate position shown on attached plan. The second objective will be consolidated by the Infantry in the first instance, by the conversion of the Northern portion of GIRD SUPPORT and LIME TRENCH and the construction of a series of posts across the interval between. Exploiting a success. 5. Every effort is to be made to establish posts on the RED line to which detachments of Infantry and Lewis Guns will be pushed out. Approximate positions to be occupied: - M.18.a.8/3 (to command trough running through M.12.c.) M.18.b.8/5 (observation over S. edge of LE BARQUE) Method of Attack 6. Battalions will be assembled by Dawn October 12th 1916. Battalions will attack in four waves, the third wave of each Battalion being detailed to act as Nettoyeurs. The 17th Battalion K.L.R. will detail a special detachment for the purpose of ensuring that contact is maintained with the right of III Corps. The frontage of this Battalion has been lessened in order to ensure that touch is not lost. On reaching the first objective the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment will capture as much of BITE TRENCH as the Barrage permits. The Assault will take place under cover of: - (a) machine Guns firing overhead fire from sites selected by the Officer Commanding 89th machine Gun Company. (b) Lewis Guns pushed forward into shell holes of wherever covering fire can be obtained (c) Artillery bombardment. Lift arrangements are as follows: - (i) the Barrage will commence without previous warning at Zero and will be on, and some distance in front of, the enemy first line trench. the Infantry must get in as close as possible to it. (ii) From 0.2 it will gradually creep back until it is on the enemy front line trench only (between 0.4 and 0.6) (iii) At 0.6 it will lift off GREEN line altogether to a general line about 150 to 200 yards North of it. (iv) At 0.20 it will again begin to creep back at the rate of 50 yards a minute until it reaches the final Barrage beyond the BROWN line. Garrison of Front Line Trench 7. On the departure of the four waves of the attacking Battalions, the front wave of the 20th Battalion K.L.R. will Garrison the front line trench vacated by the 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment and 17th Battalion K.L.R. but will move forward if necessary. Brigade Machine Gun Company. 8. Officer Commanding 89th Machine Gun Company will detail two machine guns to be attached to each of the following Battns: 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment. 17th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment 20th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment The three machine guns at present in the front line will remain in their positions after the Assault. The remainder of the Machine Gun Company will be kept in reserve. Trench Mortar Battery. 9. Orders for the 89th Trench Mortar Battery have been issued separately. Communications. 10. Contact Aeroplanes will be in the air from Zero until dark on 12th and from 6.30 a.m. till 8 a.m. on 13th. Flares will be lit: - (a) On reaching the GREEN line. (b) On reaching the BROWN line. (c) At certain stated times on 12th inst to be notified later. (d) At 7 a.m. on 13th October. (Battalions will be notified later the number of flares that they may draw). No.3 Kite Balloon will be prepared to receive messages during the night 12/13. Carrying parties. 11. The 19th Battalion K.L.R. will be prepared to supply carrying parties at short notice on demand from Brigade Head Quarters. Intelligence Reports. 12. two men to be detailed by Brigade Head Quarters will be employed in collecting information from Dug-outs and enemy dead. Technical Reports. 13. tactical Situation reports have to be rendered by Brigade Head Quarters at the following hours: - 0.30 1 Hour 30. 2 hours 30. and every hour until further orders, independently of special reports. Commanding Officers are relied on to assist in complying with this order. Brigade Head Quarters. 14. Brigade Head Quarters will remain in its present position as at present.

Edward Darville Captain. Brigade Major, 89th Infantry Brigade.

The Officer Commanding 17th 20th Battalion Liverpool regt 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment With reference to para 7 of Operation Order No. 59 dated 11th October 1916.

The two leading Companies of the 20th Battalion Liverpool Regiment, will move forward to support the attack should it appear to the Officer Commanding to be necessary to do so, in order to carry the objective. In this case he will move up his remaining two Companies as a garrison to the front line trench where they will remain unless ordered to move by the Brigadier General. He will report any action taken to Brigade Head Qrs. Edward Darville Captain, Brigade Major 89th Infantry Brigade 11.x.1916. TO WINKLE WHELK Sender's Number BM26 Day of Month 11 You will without fail let off flares along the front line at 7-30 AM tomorrow morning October 12th AAA 50 are being sent up to you for this purpose AAA Particular care will be taken to let flares off at any complicated portions of the trenches AAA acknowledge From PRAWN Time 9-10 PM To WINKLE Sender's Number BMB642 Day of Month 12/10 SALMON wires as follows begins aaa JEWEL say 2 hostile machine guns 20 yards north of 2 Gun Emplacements at M.24.a.77.60 aaa and that wire in front of GIRD TRENCH is still an obstacle aaa Can you reconnoitre tonight aaa Ends aaa WINKLE will warn WHELK as to when patrols will go out aaa Addressed WINKLE repeated WHELK. From PRAWN 12.15 am To O.C. WINKLE From O.C. WHELK According to Brigade O.O.59 our Right Flank will be from 50 t o100 yards further WEST. I shall be ready to move down at 4.30 A.M. if you will take over from me.

D.P.CRoss. 2nd Lt. A/Adjt. for O.C. WHELK 12-10-16 2.30 A.M. Done

TO WINKLE MUSSEL WHELK COD COCKLE TURBOT Sender's Number BM35 Day of Month 12 Reference 89th Inf Bde OO No 59 dated October 11th 1916.

(a) ZERO will be at 2-5 PM today. (b) This will not be communicated sooner than is necessary and then only to those whom it immediately concerns. In no case will it be communicated by telephone. (c) Acknowledge.

From PRAWN 7-0 AM Operation Order No.94 by Lieut Colonel H.S.Poyntz Comdg 2 Bedfordshire Regt. 12th October 1916

1. The 30th Division will capture and consolidate the objective indicated by BROWN line on plan. 2. Dispositions The 17th Kings will be on our left. The 90th Brigade will be on our right The 20th Kings will be in support The 19th Kings will be in reserve 3. Dividing Line The dividing line between the 17th Kings and ourselves will be a line drawn from the present point of junction to M.18.c.6.2. thence to M.18.c.8.8. to M.18.b.0.4. 4. Consolidation The first objective will be consolidated by the R.E. the final objective by infantry. 5. Method of Attack The Bn will attack in four waves. 1st wave 2 Platoons D and 2 Platoons "C" Co 2nd wave 2 Platoons D and 2 Platoons C Co. 3rd wave "B" Company (nettoyeurs) 4th wave "A" Company. C Company will be on the right and D on the left. O.C. Companies must ensure that there is no gap between us and 90th Bde. The Barrage will commence without previous warning at ZERO, and will be on, and some distance in front of the enemy front line trench. From O.2 it will creep back until it is on enemy front line only. At 0.6 it will lift off the front line to a general line about 150 to 200x N. of it. At 0.20 it will again begin to creep back at the rate of 50 yards a minute to the final barrage. 6. Machine Guns 2 Vickers Guns will be attached to the Bn. Lewis Guns will endeavour to push forward and give covering fire. 7. Communications Contact aeroplanes will be in the air from ZERO until dark on the 12th and from 6.30 a.m. till 8 a.m. on 13th. Flares will be lit: - (a) on reaching the First objective (b) On reaching the 2nd objective (c) At certain stated times on the 12th (d) At 7 a.m. on the 13th. 8. O.C. Companies will endeavour to gain ground in advance of 2nd Objective for observation purposes. 9. Rations & Water O.C. Companies will send parties to Bn. H.Q. for rations & water. 10. Medical Regimental Aid Post will be at present Bn. Headquarters Headquarters Brigade Headquarters will remain as at present. Bn. Headquarters will stay as at present until the 1st objective is consolidated, when H.Q. will move up the continuation of BITE TRENCH to a central position. 17th Bn. K.L.R. As at present. On consolidation of final objective, these H.Q. will move forward to strong point T.6. Ref.89th Inf Bde

Operation Order No.59

1. The 30th Div will capture & consolidate objective indicated by Brown line on plan. 2. The 2nd Bedfords will be on the Right the 17th Kings will be on the Left* * assaulting battalions. The 20th Kings will be in Support The 19th Kings will be in Reserve 3. The 1st Objective will be consolidated by R.E. as Strong Points. The Second Objective consolidated by Infantry. Every effort is to be made to occupy & hold a point about M.18.a.8/3 in advance of the Brown line. 4. Method of Attack The Battn will attack in four waves: - 1st wave two platoons B on the Right Two platoons C on the Left 2nd wave two platoons B on Right Two platoons C on Left. 3rd Two platoons A on the Left Two platoons D on the Right 4th Two platoons A on the Left Two platoons D on the Right The 3rd Wave will act as Netoyeurs. the two Left platoons of A Coy will ensure that contact is maintained with the Right of the 9th Div. a. Machine Guns will give overhead fire. b. Lewis Guns will push forward to give covering fire. c. Artillery as follows: - 1/ Barrage will commence without previous warning at o, on and in front of enemy first line trench 2/ From O+2 it will creep back on to enemy front line trench 3/ At 0+6 it will lift off Green line to 150 yards North of it 4/ At 0+20 it will creep back at 50yds a minute to final barrage. 5. Communications. Contact aeroplanes will be in the Air from 0 till dark on the 12th & from 6.30 A.M. till 8.0 A.M. on 13th. FLARES will be lit: a. on reaching the Green line. b. on reaching the Brown line. c. At times on the 12th, to be notified later d. at 7.0 A.M. on the 13th. Brigade Hd.Qrs. remain as at present. Battalion Hd.Qrs. remain as at present until Brown line has been consolidated when it will move forward to Strong Point T6, if constructed.