The Bedfordshire Regiment in the Great War

November 1917

SECRET Copy No.8 Battalion Operation Orders No. 157 by Lieut. Colonel R. le Huguet Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 16th November 1917. Ref. Maps = MARCOING 57 c N.E.4. GONNELIEU 57 c S.E.9.

1. INTRODUCTION (a) The 16th Infantry Brigade is to participate in an attack at a date and at an hour (ZERO to be notified later). (b) The 16th Infantry Brigade with "B" Battalion Tanks co-operating will attack in 3 waves. 1st Wave - 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment on Right, and 8th Bedfordshire Regiment on Left. 2nd Wave consisting of one company 1/The Buffs on Right, and one company 1/K.S.L.I. on Left, will pass through the 1st Wave and capture the Blue Line The 3rd Wave - 1/The Buffs (less one company on Right) and 1/K.S.L.I. (less one company on Left) will capture the Brown Line. (c) The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will be in Front Line of attack. The 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment will be on the right, and the 71st Infantry Brigade on the Left. (d) The enemy at present on the front to be attacked belong to the 90th R.I.R. and 27th R.I.R., both of the 54th Division.

2. OBJECTIVES (a) The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment, with which No. 6 Company (9,11, and 12 Sections) "B" Battalion Tank Corps will co-operate, will attack and capture the Hindenburg Front Line System, including the enemy's Outpost Line, between the Battalion Right Boundary and the Brigade Left Boudary. (b) BATTALION BOUNDARY The Battalion Boundary will be as follows: - RIGHT BOUNDARY - R.7.d.26.80. - R.7.b.63.34 - R.1.d.60.80. - R.9.a.35.60 - L.38.c.60.30. LEFT BOUNDARY - R.7.c.30.78. - R.7.a.38.33. - R.1.c.70.70. - L.31.d.12.25. - L.31.d.88.63.

3. ASSEMBLY POSITION (a) The assembly place for 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will be close in rear of PLOUICH SUPPORT. Ground will be marked out and allotted under Brigade arrangements, and the Battalion will be in position 2 hours before ZERO. (b) On night previous to attack, two platoons of "D" Company will be on outpost duty in No Man's Land to prevent hostile patrols discovering assembly. (c) The 8th Bedfordshire Regiment will attack on a two company frontage. DISPOSITIONS "B" Company on the Right "C" Company on the Left "A" Company, less 1 platoon and 1 section, in Support (two platoons less 1 section in rear of "C" Company, one platoon in rear of "B" Company). B Company will follow No.12 Section Tanks. "D" Company, less 1 platoon, in Reserve. "C" Company will follow No.11 Section Tanks. No.9 Section Tanks, followed by 1 platoon of "A" Company and Subsection Trench Mortars, will move along the Battalion Left Boundary. On arrival in Hindenburg Line, this platoon will clean up and get into touch with "C" Company, and will then come under the command of O.C. "C" Company. One platoon of "D" Company will be detailed to keep touch with 71st Infantry Brigade on our Left. Touch will be obtained with the 71st Infantry Brigade at the following points: - (1) R.7.a.40.38. (2) R.1.c.70.70 (3) L.31.d.10.27. (4) L.31.d.30.54. One Section of "A" Company under an officer will be detailed to keep touch with 8/York and Lancaster Regiment. "A" Company will follow "B" and "C" Companies at 200 yards distance. "D" Company will follow "A" Company at 250 yards distance. As soon as the Tanks pass through the German Outpost Line (PLUSH TRENCH), the two platoons of "D" Company on outpost will rush PLUSH TRENCH through the gaps made in the wire by the Tanks, and will clear up. They will then reform, and follow in rear of the Battalion under 2/Lieut. E.Kinkead [Edward KINKEAD, MC].

4. INTER-COMPANY BOUNDARIES The Inter-Company Boundaries will be as follows: - R.7.b.18.70. - R.1.d.40.18. - R.1.b.70.63. - R.1.b.65.97 - L.31.d.90.30.

5. The primary duty of No. 10 Section of No. 6 Company Tanks will be to assist the 1/K.S.L.I. in establishing themselves in the Blue Line, but will assist the 8th Bedfordshire Regiment by fire as opportunity offers.

6. TIMES FOR ADVANCE The First Wave of Tanks will commence their advance 10 minutes before ZERO.

7. ARTILLERY The action of the Artillery will consist in placing a shrapnel and heavy howitzer barrage on each objective prior to its assault, in firing smoke screens and barrages on the front and flanks of the advance of the Tanks, neutralising hostile batteries, etc. The barrage will commence with a salvo of smoke on the first objective. Times and places of barrage will be as follows: - From ZERO to ZERO plus 3 - R.7.b.80.90. - R.1.c.70.70. From ZERO plus 3 to 15 - R.8.c.05.65. - R.1.a.90.40. From ZERO plus 15 to 24 - R.2.a.20.35. - R.1.a.90.90. From ZERO plus 24 to 30 - R.3.a.30.65. - L.31.d.10.35. From ZERO plus 30 to 45 - L.30.c.65.35. - L.31.d.45.75. From ZERO plus 45 to 70 - L.38.d.10.90. - L.31.b.65.15.

8. The Tanks and troops for assault on Second Objective (Brown Line) will not pass the Blue Line until 2 hours, 30 minutes after ZERO.

9. CONSOLIDATION The objective when gained will be immediately consolidated. The 1st Defensive Line will be the Hindenburg Line which will consist of consolidated Platoon Posts in depth. No post must be nearer than 20 yards from any existing road, so as not to impede future traffic. In consolidation the following steps will be taken: - (1) Post Sentries. each sentry to have a periscope. (2) Make fire steps. Every man to have a position from which he can fire. (3) Lewis Guns to be placed in position. Rifles and Lewis Guns will then be cleaned; oil and flannelette must be carried for this purpose. (4) Company Commanders see that they have dumps of S.A.A. and bombs, and that men are acquainted with position of same. (5) Every Company and Platoon Commander must have a chosen Head-quarters. (6) Rockets and stands for "S.O.S." will be kept ready. (7) Communication Trenches leading to enemy's lines must be blocked.

10. COMMUNICATION. Gaps in wire will be marked with the discs dropped by Tanks and will be improved. These discs are about 10 inches to a foot in diameter, painted white on one side and khaki on the other, fastened on a short stick. These will be stuck in the ground, white side towards our line.

11. REORGANISATION Company and Platoon Commanders will reorganise their units as soon as the objective is gained, and Company Commanders will keep one platoon to meet any hostile counter-attack on their particular front.

12. DUMP A Forward Dump is being established in VILLERS PLUICH [sic] at R.13.a.7.3.

13. Men to carry on them the scale of fighting equipment issued to Companies on separate sheet.

14. Regimental Aid Post will be established at about R.13.a.60.60.

15. Battalion Headquarters will be established at R.7.d.10.65. and will be in this position until after capture of 1st Objective, when it will move forward to about L.31.d.45.05.

16. Water Point will be at R.13.a.9.9.

17. Compass bearing to objective from present front line trench is 19 degree bearing. (magnetic variation 12 degrees therefore compass bearing without error of compass would read 31 degrees)

18. ACKNOWLEDGE.

SECRET Copy No.8 Addenda to Battalion Operation Orders No.157 by Lieut. Colonel R. le Huquet Commanding 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 19th November 1917.

1. CONSOLIDATION & REORGANISATION. Objective when gained will be immediately consolidated. Posts of a Lewis Gun and 3 men will be pushed forward. "A" Company will garrison new front line, "B" Company in close support on right, "C" Company in close support on Left. "D" Company will be withdrawn and will establish itself on a line about R.1.b.80.65. and dig in. This will be held as Battalion Reserve. Bridges or steps must be constructed over captured trenches to assist the advance of other troops moving through. Companies occupying captured trenches will detail parties to improve existing gaps and make fresh ones where necessary through the wire to allow passage of pack animals. All loose wire must be cleared an a clear gap left. These gaps must not be on roads, as all roads will be required for other troops, and only cross-country tracks for infantry will be available.

2. "A" Company, which is in Support, will be responsible for clearing up any area between lines of trenches containing hostile machine guns or posts in isolated positions.

3. Souvenir hunting is strictly forbidden.

4. In case any Tank breaks down, the filled Lewis Gun drums and any other ammunition should be removed from the Tank and regarded as an extra reserve.

5. Each Tank will carry 1 box S.A.A. which will be dumped on gaining the objective.

6. TIME OF ADVANCE No. 6 Company Tanks, followed by their infantry at the prescribed distances, will move off from the assembly position at 10 minutes before ZERO.

7. SIGNALLERS Communication with Battalion Headquarters will be opened by Company Signallers by Visual (Lucas Lamp or discs) as soon as possible, until wires can be laid forward.

8. Runner Posts are being established by Brigade Headquarters on HIGHLAND ROAD.

9. A contact aeroplane will fly daring operations. Flares will be lit when called for - if no flares are available, attention will be attributed by any means available.

10. Prisoners will be sent to Battalion Headquarters. Escorts not to exceed 10% of total number of prisoners, and they should be chosen as far as possible from slightly wounded men.

11. Outpost platoons of "D" Company covering the whole Battalion front will be in position by 2.30 p.m. Information to be sent to Battalion Headquarters when in position.

12. Battalion Headquarters will open at R.7.d.10.85. at 6.0 p.m.

13. STRETCHER BEARERS Six will be attached to each Company, and two per Company will be attached to Battalion Headquarters.

14. The Battalion of the 71st Infantry Brigade on our Left will be the 9th Suffolks.

December 1917

To O.C. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment 3/12

14th D.L.I. are across Canal on line L.23.d.10.30. to L.23.d.70.70. and one company of your Battalion is on their left from L.23.d.70.70. to L.23.a.80.00 AAA Get in touch with R.E. at old Bde. H.Q. at L.22.d.40.40. and as soon as bridges are ready for demolition, inform 14th D.L.I. and all troops across Canal and order them to join you on this Bank AAA As soon as this is done report all clear to R.E. and order them to blow up bridges From 16th Infantry Brigade 8.10 p.m. (Sd) J.Horlington, Captain

To 8th Bedfords B.M. 188 3/12

Send one company as soon as possible to reinforce 14th D.L.I. who have been heavily attacked but have driven off the enemy AAA Company should proceed by small parties across railway ridge and barge bridge in L.23.d. and will report to O.C. 14th D.L.I. aaa Send officer on in advance to report to his H.Q. AAA From 16th I.B. (Sd) R.B.Leslie, Captain

To O.C. 8th Bedfordshire Regiment B.M. 160 3/12

The 1/K.S.L.I. have withdrawn from TALMAS LOCK AAA Take steps at once to man this lock and prevent enemy crossing at this point AAA 71st I.B. have been informed they may also send a party there AAA Ensure patrols hold crossings from RAILWAY BRIDGE inclusive to TALMAS LOCK From 16th Infantry Brigade. 8.55 p.m. (Sd) J.Horlington, Capt.

To O.C. All Coys. 3.12 OPERATION ORDERS (Ref. Map - Sheet 57 c N.E.)

8th Bedfords Regt. have been ordered to take up a line from the Railway Bridge over the Canal inclusive at L.23.c.50.90. to the Lock at L.17.d.65.70 AAA The Y.& L. will be on our right and touch to be gained with 71st Bde. on our left about L.17.a.25.25. AAA B Coy will withdraw from the East side of the CANAL and take up a position on West Side of Canal L.25.c.50.95 AAA D Coy will take up a position on West of Canal covering lock at L.23.b.10.80 and will also establish a post where road crosses canal at L.23.a.40.85 AAA C Coy will take up a position on West of Canal covering the Lock at L.17.d.70.70. and will be responsible for Chateau Talmas and touch will be gained by 71st I.B. at L.17.a.85.15 AAA A Coy when withdrawn from the Canal will be in reserve and will take up a position West of ESCAUT RIVER in L.17.c. from about l.17.c.15.40 to about L.17.c.60.65. AAA Companies will defend their posts in depth and frequent patrolling will be done between posts AAA Position of Bn. H.Q. will be in Sunken Road at about L.15.b.85.20. AAA Control post will be posted here as guides to guide runners etc. aaa Companies will report when in position aaa D Coy will be responsible for the Bridge in L.23.c.50.95. until relieved by B Coy. AAA Rations will be dumped at Cross Roads L.22.a.95.25. and coys will arrange to draw these after they are in their new positions. (Sd) J.McCormack 2/Lieut. & Adjt. 12.50 a.m.

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

The Divisional Commander in reviewing the operations between 20th November and 4th December, wishes to express his appreciation of the following: - (1) The good work of one company 9th Suffolk Regiment in pushing forward and holding bridges at MARCOING on 20th November. (2) The initiative shown by 2nd West Yorks in charging and capturing an enemy battery on 20th November. (3) The dash shown by 2nd Durham Light Infantry in capturing a German battery on the same date. (4) The initiative and spirit of 14th Durham Light Infantry in supporting the attack by Cavalry and Tanks on CANTAING on 21st November. (5) The good fight put up by 2nd York and Lancasters on the night of the 30th November/1st December in their attack on the QUENTIN RIDGE. (6) The gallant behaviour of the Transport of the 2nd West Yorks and 2nd Durham Light Infantry on the 30th November, when they prevented the enemy reaching a part of GOUZEAUCOURT. (7) The splendid fight of the 14th Durham Light Infantry on 3rd December when without wire or any protection they repulsed three attacks on part of their front and counter-attacked three times, regaining a portion of the line which had been broken through. When finally borne down by superior numbers they retired, reorganised, and advanced again. (8) The steady behaviour of two companies 8th Bedfordshire Regiment on 3rd December, who advanced through a barrage and reinforced and helped to hold the line across the Canal at MARCOING. (9) The gallant conduct of 16th Machine Gun Company on 3rd December especially that of No. 2 Section under Lieutenant Battershill, M.C. These are worthy of the best traditions of the 6th Division and of the British Army, and the Divisional Commander heartily congratulates the officers and men who were responsible for these achievements. (Sd) W.H.St. John, Major, General Staff. 18th December, 1917.

8th Battalion links

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