november 30, 1917
Hindenburg main trenches
The main trench of the advanced line of the Hindenburg system was deep, narrow, very cleanly cut, and well built, with numbers of strong points, snipers’ posts, and so forth, but apparently without dug-outs. The main trench of the second line, 500 to 1,000 yards behind, is of immense width, 16ft in most places, presumably for the purpose of checking the Tanks. Both at the front and rear the trench descends perpendicularly some five feet to a broad bench or fire step, which is four or five feet above the level of the trench bottom. At places there are trench-mortar positions, where the trench widens out into a great chamber of some 30 by 40ft. Everything is on the same colossal scale. The third main trench is built on a similar plan. Besides these the whole area, to a depth from one and a half to two miles, is intersected with support and communication trenches, besides barbed wire in quantities almost incredible. The dugouts indicated that they were meant to be held by a considerable permanent garrison. Everywhere there are signs of this expectation of permanent possession, and of the suddenness of the evacuation.
The barbed wire entanglements were of extraordinary strength, not merely in depth and complication, but also in the character of the individual strands, some of which were so thick as to be very difficult to cut with hand nippers, and so densely set with barbs over an inch in length as to be almost impossible to take hold of. Barbs like great acacia thorns were so close together as to be almost continuous, and there was not even room to grasp the wire with the thumb and finger. Before the great main line, a deep belt of this wire was set well forward, some 50 yards from the trench, then between it and the trench a further deep belt, broken into islands and built in cunning patterns, with openings through which the defenders could sally. When the attackers penetrated the front belt they would be herded to the openings, which, of course, were swept by machine-guns.
The amount of labour expended on the Hindenburg defences is simply tremendous and most craftily planned. That we should have broken through with the suddenness we did will remain one of the most extraordinary feats of this war.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-11-29/register/a-13-mile-long-tunnel-hpfffp057
When our Guardsmen moved forward to the attack at about 6.30 in the morning, the Germans at once put down a heavy barrage, but some distance in the rear, so that it did little damage. For the first 300 yards there was little opposition. Then from the ruins of the village there burst very intense machine-gun and rifle fire. The Guards continued on their way as steadily as though they were rehearsing in the Long Valley.
Entering the outskirts of Fontaine, they broke into storming parties, and one after another rushed the enemy nests. From house to house they fought their way, bullets streaming from countless loopholes. By the time the village had been carried it was well into the forenoon. Then, whilst our men were drawing breath, the Germans launched a heavy counter-attack. Two divisions of fresh troops, specially brought up for the purpose, were thrown in, and, under the weight of such great numerical superiority, the Guards were forced to fall slowly back.
The spectacle, as the lines of Tanks went forward with the Commanding-General’s flagship in advance, was magnificent. “It looked,” said one informant, “just like a ceremonial parade.” How it looked to the enemy we can only conjecture from the way they ran. The infantry pressed on in worm-like waves immediately behind and with the Tanks, and went through with ease what five minutes before had been impenetrable barriers of wire. The aggregate casualties in the first advance across the Hindenburg Line in three neighbouring battalions was a total of five men wounded. One point where the enemy defence was strongest was Lateau Wood, which, besides machine-guns, was held by batteries of field guns and 5.9s. A Tank does not mind machine-guns, but field guns and 5.9s are different. In this case, however, a Tank deliberately charged a battery of 5.9s, butting its way between two guns, then turning down the line and scattering the crews, so that the battery was silenced and captured. At the bridge at Masnieres the first Tank went went through, the bridge not being strong enough to support it. The water, fortunately, was not sufficiently deep to submerge the whole machine, and the crew crawled out through the manhole. The Tank lies there now, protruding above the water. In the village of Ribbecourt the Germans bolted, leaving uneaten breakfasts behind, which the Tank crew ate.
The amount of labour expended on the Hindenburg defences is simply tremendous and most craftily planned. That we should have broken through with the suddenness we did will remain one of the most extraordinary feats of this war.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-11-29/register/a-13-mile-long-tunnel-hpfffp057
november 29, 1917
A 13-mile-long tunnel
In the fighting at Fontaine-Notre-Dame yesterday, battalions of the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, and Irish Guards were engaged. Farther along opposite Bourlon Wood, lay the German Third Guard Division, from which our troops captured a large number of prisoners.When our Guardsmen moved forward to the attack at about 6.30 in the morning, the Germans at once put down a heavy barrage, but some distance in the rear, so that it did little damage. For the first 300 yards there was little opposition. Then from the ruins of the village there burst very intense machine-gun and rifle fire. The Guards continued on their way as steadily as though they were rehearsing in the Long Valley.
Entering the outskirts of Fontaine, they broke into storming parties, and one after another rushed the enemy nests. From house to house they fought their way, bullets streaming from countless loopholes. By the time the village had been carried it was well into the forenoon. Then, whilst our men were drawing breath, the Germans launched a heavy counter-attack. Two divisions of fresh troops, specially brought up for the purpose, were thrown in, and, under the weight of such great numerical superiority, the Guards were forced to fall slowly back.
Some further details regarding the famous Hindenburg Support Tunnel may bring home the magnitude of the feat which the British Third Army has accomplished. Excavated and constructed entirely by Russian prisoners, this tunnel runs under the ground at an average depth of 40ft for 13 miles. Practically the whole length of it is in our possession. The failure of the mines, which were sown at frequent intervals, to explode when the electricians switched on the contact caused bitter rage and disappointment to the watching Huns in the rear. The story of just how we discovered the wire leads and cut them must await the telling for the present.
About every 35 yards or so in the concreted roof of this electrically-lit gallery are exits, so cunningly contrived that they are nearly bombproof. It is small wonder that the Germans boasted that their defensive line was impregnable. The habitable qualities of the nests of well-furnished chambers are excellent, with very large supplies of food, drink, and tobacco.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-11-27/register/light-wines-and-luncheons-k9ggt6hrw
Since the war began the use of spirits has become still more prevalent. The amount of alcohol consumed by the whisky drinker was, and is, excessive, and far beyond that consumed by the beer or wine drinker. Unmeasured quantities are spilled into tall glasses. Except in case of emergency in illness, no man needs, or should touch, spirits; let me add, as one who knows, that no healthy man needs the stimulant of alcohol, or should indulge in it, until his work for the day is done; then with the evening meal a little wine or beer is usually harmless, and often, especially for elderly persons, beneficial. Furthermore, as one who is officially concerned in some degree with food regulation, may I remark upon the menu of a luncheon which, as reported in your issue of the 24th inst, seemed to be published with some formal recommendation. It consisted of fish, cutlet, vegetables, and cheese. In present circumstances, and presuming that it was followed by tea and dinner, this menu was far too liberal. Bread was not mentioned: when potato is served it ought not now to be offered; but probably with cheese some bread or biscuit was supplied. And this menu contained, for luncheon, far too much proteid; either the fish or the cutlet would have sufficed, even without the cheese. Men eat far too much at lunch. I know that in ordinary times a whiting or “slip,” with a potato and bread, and a little rice pudding represents an ample luncheon for any man of average height and weight, if afternoon tea is taken. Indeed, as these times are teaching us, dinner need be little more. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
MD, FRS. The Athenaeum.
About every 35 yards or so in the concreted roof of this electrically-lit gallery are exits, so cunningly contrived that they are nearly bombproof. It is small wonder that the Germans boasted that their defensive line was impregnable. The habitable qualities of the nests of well-furnished chambers are excellent, with very large supplies of food, drink, and tobacco.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/past-six-days/2017-11-27/register/light-wines-and-luncheons-k9ggt6hrw
november 27, 1917
Light wines and luncheons
To the Editor of The Times Sir, Will you permit me to thank you for your protest against restriction of the sale of the light wines of France? With a like pleasure I read a while ago your expression of a hope that restrictions on beer might not promote the use of spirits. Even before the war, spirits, whisky especially, were coming more and more into general use, to the harm of our people. Not only was whisky continually asked for at table in preference to ale or wine, but the practice of calling for whisky and soda between meals, and even in a forenoon, was growing apace.Since the war began the use of spirits has become still more prevalent. The amount of alcohol consumed by the whisky drinker was, and is, excessive, and far beyond that consumed by the beer or wine drinker. Unmeasured quantities are spilled into tall glasses. Except in case of emergency in illness, no man needs, or should touch, spirits; let me add, as one who knows, that no healthy man needs the stimulant of alcohol, or should indulge in it, until his work for the day is done; then with the evening meal a little wine or beer is usually harmless, and often, especially for elderly persons, beneficial. Furthermore, as one who is officially concerned in some degree with food regulation, may I remark upon the menu of a luncheon which, as reported in your issue of the 24th inst, seemed to be published with some formal recommendation. It consisted of fish, cutlet, vegetables, and cheese. In present circumstances, and presuming that it was followed by tea and dinner, this menu was far too liberal. Bread was not mentioned: when potato is served it ought not now to be offered; but probably with cheese some bread or biscuit was supplied. And this menu contained, for luncheon, far too much proteid; either the fish or the cutlet would have sufficed, even without the cheese. Men eat far too much at lunch. I know that in ordinary times a whiting or “slip,” with a potato and bread, and a little rice pudding represents an ample luncheon for any man of average height and weight, if afternoon tea is taken. Indeed, as these times are teaching us, dinner need be little more. I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
MD, FRS. The Athenaeum.
november 25, 1917
Three cavalry charges
Although they had to operate during exceptionally hot weather with two periods of the Khamseen, or scorching dry wind, the mounted troops have given a brilliant account of themselves during the last three weeks. Apart from that on which the Australian Light Horse galloped the trenches at Beersheba there have been three occasions when Yeomanry brigades have made old-time cavalry charges across the open, each time against gun, machine-gun, and rifle fire, and each charge was a glorious success, many field and machine-guns and about 2,000 prisoners being taken.
The Bucks, Berks, and Dorset Yeomanry were in two of the charges, and this makes the third time that the charging Dorsets have galloped to victory in this war. When Beersheba was won, cavalry moved gradually across the whole front from east to west. Their progress generally depended upon the water supply of the country. The horses were in such excellent condition at the beginning of operations that the horse casualties are very much fewer than was anticipated. With the enemy fighting strong rearguard actions, the Turks took up a line of ridges one after another with wide open ground always facing their positions. The Warwick and Worcester Yeomanry near Huj did have one slight rise to shelter them as they sped across the valley, but this protected them only for a second or two. At Mughar and Abu Shusheh they were exposed from start to finish, and between Yebnah and Mughar the Yeomanry were long under fire, with horses already tired by a lengthy march. Here it was a dash over two miles of level plain, then a gallop up a ridge and a dismounted attack over another ridge to take in rear the enemy, who were being attacked by Scottish Territorials in front of the village. Next day the mounted troops were directed on Ramleh, but before it could be occupied a hill to the south-east had to be cleared. Perhaps the story of the gallant charge of the previous day had reached the defenders; at any rate, many endeavoured to get away. The hill was carried with a rush, and while the Turks were streaming down the southern slope the turning troops got among the enemy with the sabre — their dead all bore sword wounds — and completely routed them.
The Bucks, Berks, and Dorset Yeomanry were in two of the charges, and this makes the third time that the charging Dorsets have galloped to victory in this war. When Beersheba was won, cavalry moved gradually across the whole front from east to west. Their progress generally depended upon the water supply of the country. The horses were in such excellent condition at the beginning of operations that the horse casualties are very much fewer than was anticipated. With the enemy fighting strong rearguard actions, the Turks took up a line of ridges one after another with wide open ground always facing their positions. The Warwick and Worcester Yeomanry near Huj did have one slight rise to shelter them as they sped across the valley, but this protected them only for a second or two. At Mughar and Abu Shusheh they were exposed from start to finish, and between Yebnah and Mughar the Yeomanry were long under fire, with horses already tired by a lengthy march. Here it was a dash over two miles of level plain, then a gallop up a ridge and a dismounted attack over another ridge to take in rear the enemy, who were being attacked by Scottish Territorials in front of the village. Next day the mounted troops were directed on Ramleh, but before it could be occupied a hill to the south-east had to be cleared. Perhaps the story of the gallant charge of the previous day had reached the defenders; at any rate, many endeavoured to get away. The hill was carried with a rush, and while the Turks were streaming down the southern slope the turning troops got among the enemy with the sabre — their dead all bore sword wounds — and completely routed them.
november 24, 1917
Opening of new attack
From the moment when the Tanks went forward at daybreak on November 20, terrifying the enemy infantry and breaking a way through successive belts of wire for our men to follow, they have always been in the forefront of the advance. They have cleaned out trenches and strong points with their machine-guns, thrust into defended villages and held them, and even charged and taken batteries of heavy guns.The spectacle, as the lines of Tanks went forward with the Commanding-General’s flagship in advance, was magnificent. “It looked,” said one informant, “just like a ceremonial parade.” How it looked to the enemy we can only conjecture from the way they ran. The infantry pressed on in worm-like waves immediately behind and with the Tanks, and went through with ease what five minutes before had been impenetrable barriers of wire. The aggregate casualties in the first advance across the Hindenburg Line in three neighbouring battalions was a total of five men wounded. One point where the enemy defence was strongest was Lateau Wood, which, besides machine-guns, was held by batteries of field guns and 5.9s. A Tank does not mind machine-guns, but field guns and 5.9s are different. In this case, however, a Tank deliberately charged a battery of 5.9s, butting its way between two guns, then turning down the line and scattering the crews, so that the battery was silenced and captured. At the bridge at Masnieres the first Tank went went through, the bridge not being strong enough to support it. The water, fortunately, was not sufficiently deep to submerge the whole machine, and the crew crawled out through the manhole. The Tank lies there now, protruding above the water. In the village of Ribbecourt the Germans bolted, leaving uneaten breakfasts behind, which the Tank crew ate.
Some Tanks broke down from mechanical difficulties, but most were enabled to do useful work as stationary strong points. Some were knocked out, at point blank range, by a battery of field guns. When any difficulty arose requiring someone to go outside, it was always the officers who went and offered themselves as targets to the enemy snipers. Of the total casualties more than three-fourths of serious cases were officers.
No comments:
Post a Comment