BRIGADE MACHINE-GUNNERS DIGGING THEMSELVES IN
CAVALRY IN TRAINING IN FRANCE
"OVER THE T OP."
CONVEYING WOUNDED FROM PASSCHENDAELE
Canadian cavalry at work
Although one of his fingers had been blown off at the second joint by a German bomb, he jumped out of the trench and ran along the outside, firing at point-blank range at the enemy, killing and wounding many of them
October 6, 1916
The Canadian communique describing the operations on the Somme from September 28 to October 3 relates the following noteworthy incidents: North of Courcelette, for the first time since the Canadians have participated in the war, cavalry patrols were employed to maintain touch with the enemy.
On the evening of September 27 it was discovered that our advance had broken through the last line of immediate German resistance. Some Canadian cavalry were ordered to patrol in the direction of Le Sars and Pys, in order to establish the new location of the enemy forces. Two lieutenants and 24 other ranks, all mounted, proceeded, south of Courcelette, along the Bapaume Road.
From this point, on the morning of September 28, five different patrols crossed our front line trenches and went forward into the enemy’s territory. Two patrols in the direction of Le Sars located Germans in Destremont Farm, over a mile beyond our lines. Here one of our men was killed and another wounded, and two horses killed. Another patrol penetrated north-cast a distance of about 2,500 yards, located the enemy north of Le Sars, and returned with much valuable information. Still another patrol went 2,000 yards north of Courcelette, actually crossing Regina Trench before they were compelled to turn back by the enemy snipers. In consequence of their reports, our lines were promptly advanced and a new position occupied, nearly 1,000 yards farther forward to the north-east of Courcelette.
On the evening of September 27 it was discovered that our advance had broken through the last line of immediate German resistance. Some Canadian cavalry were ordered to patrol in the direction of Le Sars and Pys, in order to establish the new location of the enemy forces. Two lieutenants and 24 other ranks, all mounted, proceeded, south of Courcelette, along the Bapaume Road.
From this point, on the morning of September 28, five different patrols crossed our front line trenches and went forward into the enemy’s territory. Two patrols in the direction of Le Sars located Germans in Destremont Farm, over a mile beyond our lines. Here one of our men was killed and another wounded, and two horses killed. Another patrol penetrated north-cast a distance of about 2,500 yards, located the enemy north of Le Sars, and returned with much valuable information. Still another patrol went 2,000 yards north of Courcelette, actually crossing Regina Trench before they were compelled to turn back by the enemy snipers. In consequence of their reports, our lines were promptly advanced and a new position occupied, nearly 1,000 yards farther forward to the north-east of Courcelette.
A Toronto battalion carried out this manoeuvre with success. At the same time a New Brunswick battalion advanced to the north of Courcelette and established a more advanced position to the south of Regina Trench. In the operations the guns of our Machine-gun Brigade rendered invaluable service. At one time they protected the flank of a Montreal battalion and practically wiped out a strong German counter-attack. The machine-gun detachment of the Cavalry acted as a carrying party. The Bordeni Battery remained in most effective action, although three guns were destroyed by direct hits and 22 casualties suffered.
Since their offensive began, the Canadians, fighting nearly every yard of the way, have wrested over three square miles of territory from the Germans. A private belonging to an Edmonton battalion was taking part in a bombing attack when the advance was arrested and the supply of bombs exhausted. Although one of his fingers had been blown off at the second joint by a German bomb, he jumped out of the trench and ran along the outside, firing at point-blank range at the enemy, killing and wounding many of them.
The remainder, 62 in number, thinking themselves to be cut off, thereupon surrendered. He, with two other men, escorted thc prisoners across open ground under heavy fire to a support trench, and then returned and reported himself for duty to his company commander before his wound had been dressed. This action undoubtedly made it possible for the battalion to capture and hold 250 yards of trench at a critical moment in the general attack.
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Since their offensive began, the Canadians, fighting nearly every yard of the way, have wrested over three square miles of territory from the Germans. A private belonging to an Edmonton battalion was taking part in a bombing attack when the advance was arrested and the supply of bombs exhausted. Although one of his fingers had been blown off at the second joint by a German bomb, he jumped out of the trench and ran along the outside, firing at point-blank range at the enemy, killing and wounding many of them.
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French Canadians on the Somme
For over a mile the battalion continued under a heavy and continuous shell fire. Three times the officer commanding was partly buried by the earth from shells exploding near him
October 11, 1916
The story of the capture of Courcelette - one of the many successes of the great advance of September 15 - was told in some detail, and in, a spirit of admiration of the gallantry displayed by the French Canadians, in a dispatch from our Special Correspondent at British Headquarters, which was published in The Times of September 25. Yesterday the Canadian War Records Office issued a special account of the storming of the village, and from it we extract the following further interesting details: Suddenly, at 3.30 in the afternoon, they [the French Canadian Battalion] received marching orders. The battalion, in conjunction with the battalion on the left, was, at 6 o’clock that same evening, to advance to the assault and capture of the fortified village of Courcelette. The battalion, moving against time, began its march forward.
Two companies in single file abreast, about 350 yards apart, led the way; 150 yards behind them came another company, also in single file, and, at a similar distance, the fourth and last company in the same formation. In this manner they mounted the ridge which conceals Martinpuich from view. From the trenches on this ridge the morning attack had been launched. Here they entered the zone of heavy hostile artillery fire. At this point the two leading companies swung up on the right, in extended order, one man to every three yards. In this way they covered a line of about 900 yards, the right, lank guided by the light tramway running into the south-west corner of Martinpuich, and their left, directed towards the ruins of the Sugar Factory, which presently came into view. This manoeuvre could not have been more perfectly executed on the peaceful plains of Salisbury or the sandy fields of Val Cartier.
The other companies, as they in turn reached the crest of the ridge, followed suit and extended into open order, the battalion thus moving forward in three successive waves. For over a mile the battalion continued in this fashion, under a heavy and continuous shell fire. Three times the officer commanding was partly buried by the earth from shells exploding near him.
Thus they passed over the ground so gallantly won that very morning. At last the Candy Trench was reached, manned by men of the 4th Brigade, and the Sugar Factory was passed on the left. There, the right of the line was thrown forward until it rested on the gun pit road and the direction altered to a left incline, thus advancing directly from the south against the southern edge of Courcelette. Stage by stage, in front of the infantry, our artillery barrage was laid down with remarkable precision. But the battalion no longer studied the time, They swept ahead without a pause, almost within their own shell fire.
FIGHTING IN THE VILLAGE
Just at the edge of the village they were held up for a few moments until the barrage lifted. Then, with shouts and wild cries, they poured into Courcelette in an irresistible flood. On the right, heavy hostile machine-gun fire met them, and a few men fell before the guns could be silenced. Here and there hand-to-hand struggles took place, snipers had to be dislodged, and deep dug-outs full of cowering Germans had to be bombed. The greater part of the 2,000 Germans who formed the garrison of Courcelette had, however, little stomach for the fight. The French Canadians speak of them with disgust as “les vaches.” In the streets they knelt down imploring mercy, with their hands raised. They crept out of dug-outs, and sought eagerly to surrender. As our men pressed northward through the village, right along the eastern edge of Courcelette, they could see the enemy running away, over the crest and beyond, throwing off their rifles and equipment as they fled.
It was not the task of the battalion to take prisoners - that was for the “mopping up” parties who followed them to do. Nevertheless, by the end of the attack, when the entire village was in their hands and they had reached beyond and established a line to the north and east of the quarry, over 300 prisoners, not including the large numbers of wounded, were found to have been captured. There was also a German 4.1 gun which they could claim, with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, several machine-guns, and a large quantity of German hand grenades.
The story of the fighting in Courcelette is one largely of individual courage and initiative. Innumerable tales could be told, for there was not a man who did not have his own adventure. Quickly, ferociously, they spread through every ruined house and cellar and dug-out, shooting and bayoneting, and returning triumphant with some crestfallen prisoner. Of the 22 gallant officers who went into action, six were killed and 11 wounded, so that only five came through unscathed. Of the wounded, two remained at duty during the three days and nights which followed - days of constant shelling and frequent counter-attacks. Altogether, while they held the line, the French-Canadians repelled 13 determined attacks, each time inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.
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The other companies, as they in turn reached the crest of the ridge, followed suit and extended into open order, the battalion thus moving forward in three successive waves. For over a mile the battalion continued in this fashion, under a heavy and continuous shell fire. Three times the officer commanding was partly buried by the earth from shells exploding near him.
Thus they passed over the ground so gallantly won that very morning. At last the Candy Trench was reached, manned by men of the 4th Brigade, and the Sugar Factory was passed on the left. There, the right of the line was thrown forward until it rested on the gun pit road and the direction altered to a left incline, thus advancing directly from the south against the southern edge of Courcelette. Stage by stage, in front of the infantry, our artillery barrage was laid down with remarkable precision. But the battalion no longer studied the time, They swept ahead without a pause, almost within their own shell fire.
FIGHTING IN THE VILLAGE
It was not the task of the battalion to take prisoners - that was for the “mopping up” parties who followed them to do. Nevertheless, by the end of the attack, when the entire village was in their hands and they had reached beyond and established a line to the north and east of the quarry, over 300 prisoners, not including the large numbers of wounded, were found to have been captured. There was also a German 4.1 gun which they could claim, with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, several machine-guns, and a large quantity of German hand grenades.
The story of the fighting in Courcelette is one largely of individual courage and initiative. Innumerable tales could be told, for there was not a man who did not have his own adventure. Quickly, ferociously, they spread through every ruined house and cellar and dug-out, shooting and bayoneting, and returning triumphant with some crestfallen prisoner. Of the 22 gallant officers who went into action, six were killed and 11 wounded, so that only five came through unscathed. Of the wounded, two remained at duty during the three days and nights which followed - days of constant shelling and frequent counter-attacks. Altogether, while they held the line, the French-Canadians repelled 13 determined attacks, each time inflicting heavy losses on the enemy.
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The fight for Vimy Ridge
The Canadian troops advanced in line, in three waves of attack. Flurries of snow drifted over the battlefield as they left their jumping-off trenches behind the rolling barrage
April 20, 1917
The first detailed account of the capture of Vimy Ridge is contained in the following report which the Canadian War Records Office forwarded to us yesterday: Again the Canadians have “acquired merit,” In the capture of Vimy Ridge on April 9, as in the lesser action of Courcelette in September of last year, they have shown the same high qualities in victorious advance as they displayed in early days in desperate resistance on many stricken fields.
At half-past 5 on Easter Monday morning the great attack was launched with terrible fire from our massed artillery and from many field guns in hidden advanced positions. Our “heavies” bombarded the enemy positions on and beyond the Ridge, and trenches, dugouts, emplacements and roads, which for long had been kept in a continual state of disrepair by our fire, were now smashed to uselessness. An intense barrage of shrapnel from our field guns, strengthened by the indirect fire of hundreds of machine-guns, was laid along the front.
At half-past 5 on Easter Monday morning the great attack was launched with terrible fire from our massed artillery and from many field guns in hidden advanced positions. Our “heavies” bombarded the enemy positions on and beyond the Ridge, and trenches, dugouts, emplacements and roads, which for long had been kept in a continual state of disrepair by our fire, were now smashed to uselessness. An intense barrage of shrapnel from our field guns, strengthened by the indirect fire of hundreds of machine-guns, was laid along the front.
At the same moment the Canadian troops advanced in line, in three waves of attack. Flurries of snow drifted over the battlefield as the Canadians left their jumping-off trenches behind the rolling barrage. The light was sufficient for manoeuvring purposes and yet obscure enough to obstruct the range of vision, and lessen the accuracy of fire of the German riflemen and machine-gunners.
ALL DAY FiGHT ON THE LEFT
The troops on the extreme left made a start under conditions as favourable as those in the centre and right, but they were soon confronted by a strong and constantly strengthening opposition. The advance of these troops was soon checked between its first and second lines of objectives by heavy fighting, which was more formidable against the centre of the line than against the flanks. A dip in the ground caused a change of direction, which swung these troops off their central objectives. They reached their goals on the flanks, only to find themselves subjected to heavy, close-range fire of machine-guns and rifles. To be enfiladed from the centre and the north was bad enough, but to add to the situation, caves, or a tunnel, in the hostile line over which we had already advanced now disgorged Germans, who promptly reoccupied their old front and opened fire on our rear. The enemy at these points fought with unusual vigour and resolution. These troops on the extreme left fought all day against the Huns, and by 10 o’clock at night succeeded in disposing of the enemy in their rear and capturing the major portion of the enemy trenches in their centre. “The Pimple,” in the north, still remained to the enemy, but by then snow was falling heavily, and it was wisely decided to consolidate the hard-won gains and prepare for a counter-attack rather than to undertake a further assault that night. “The Pimple.” would keep for the morrow. In the meantime, the other troops fought forward to one line after another without serious check, but with many brisk encounters, and not without casualties. Most of these were the result of shrapnel fire, only a small percentage were fatal, and the majority of the wounds were of a minor character.
SECOND AND THIRD ENEMY LINES TAKEN
On the German second line the troops drew breath and consolidated their gains. Our barrage was laid before them steady as a wall. Fresh troops came up and deployed into’ position. They waited for the barrage to lift at the ordained minute and lead them on. The enemy’s artillery fire - their counter-barrage and bombardment of our gun positions - was not strong as strength in such things is considered today. Prisoners were already hurrying to our rear in hundreds, pathetically and often ludicrously grateful to the fortunes of war that had saved them alive for capture. They surrendered promptly and willingly.
The barrage lifted, and the two divisions on the right followed it forward to the German third line. Here again they paused for a time, then advanced again, behind the ever-ready and unslackening barrage, for a distance of about 1,200 yards. This advance included the capture of several villages, Hill 140, a number of fortified woods, and several trenches and belts of wire. And still the enemy surrendered by hundreds and scuttled rearward to safety. Their resistance grew feebler, their hands more eager to relinquish their weapons and ascend high above their heads, at each stage of our advance.
At 10 o’clock snow fell heavily from blank clouds sweeping low across the Ridge. Half an hour later the snow ceased, the clouds thinned, and the sun shone fitfully over the shattered and clamorous battlefield. Word was received at the advanced headquarters that the British Division on our immediate right was enjoying a degree of success in its operations equal to the Canadian success.
Events continued to develop with rapidity and precision. By 1 o’clock every point in the enemy’s third line of our objectives had been reached and secured. By this time the troops on the right had consolidated their gains and advanced strong patrols. From their diew positions they commanded a wide view of enemy territory to the eastward. They reported a massing of Germans on a road in the new field of vision, and our heavy guns immediately dealt with the matter. By noon one of the battalions of a division had received and dealt drastically with three counter-attacks. Its front remained unshaken.
Shortly after this the Canadian Corps was able to state that the prisoners already to hand numbered three battalion commanders, 15 other officers, and more than 2,000 non-commissioned officers and men - with plenty more in sight - making for our “cages” as fast as their legs could carry them.
The final stage of the attack of the troops on the right was now made. They passed through the wide belts of enemy wire which fringed the plateau by way of wide gaps torn by our heavy artillery at fixed intervals. So they issued on the eastern slopes of Vimy Ridge - the first Allied troops to look down upon the level plain of Douai since the German occupation in 1914. They saw the villages of Farbus, Vimy, and Petit Vimy at their feet, and beyond these the hamlets of Willerval, Bailleul, Oppy, and Mericourt. They pressed on to Farbus Wood and Goulot Wood, and possessed themselves of several hostile batteries and much ammunition. By an early hour of the afternoon all our objectives, save those of the left of the attack ,were in our possession, and the task of consolidating and strengthening our gains was well in hand. Throughout the day the most courageous and devoted cooperation was rendered to the Canadian Corps by a brigade and a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The night saw all of Vimy Ridge, with the exception of a few trenches on Hill 145, secure in Canadian hands.
ALL DAY FiGHT ON THE LEFT
The troops on the extreme left made a start under conditions as favourable as those in the centre and right, but they were soon confronted by a strong and constantly strengthening opposition. The advance of these troops was soon checked between its first and second lines of objectives by heavy fighting, which was more formidable against the centre of the line than against the flanks. A dip in the ground caused a change of direction, which swung these troops off their central objectives. They reached their goals on the flanks, only to find themselves subjected to heavy, close-range fire of machine-guns and rifles. To be enfiladed from the centre and the north was bad enough, but to add to the situation, caves, or a tunnel, in the hostile line over which we had already advanced now disgorged Germans, who promptly reoccupied their old front and opened fire on our rear. The enemy at these points fought with unusual vigour and resolution. These troops on the extreme left fought all day against the Huns, and by 10 o’clock at night succeeded in disposing of the enemy in their rear and capturing the major portion of the enemy trenches in their centre. “The Pimple,” in the north, still remained to the enemy, but by then snow was falling heavily, and it was wisely decided to consolidate the hard-won gains and prepare for a counter-attack rather than to undertake a further assault that night. “The Pimple.” would keep for the morrow. In the meantime, the other troops fought forward to one line after another without serious check, but with many brisk encounters, and not without casualties. Most of these were the result of shrapnel fire, only a small percentage were fatal, and the majority of the wounds were of a minor character.
On the German second line the troops drew breath and consolidated their gains. Our barrage was laid before them steady as a wall. Fresh troops came up and deployed into’ position. They waited for the barrage to lift at the ordained minute and lead them on. The enemy’s artillery fire - their counter-barrage and bombardment of our gun positions - was not strong as strength in such things is considered today. Prisoners were already hurrying to our rear in hundreds, pathetically and often ludicrously grateful to the fortunes of war that had saved them alive for capture. They surrendered promptly and willingly.
The barrage lifted, and the two divisions on the right followed it forward to the German third line. Here again they paused for a time, then advanced again, behind the ever-ready and unslackening barrage, for a distance of about 1,200 yards. This advance included the capture of several villages, Hill 140, a number of fortified woods, and several trenches and belts of wire. And still the enemy surrendered by hundreds and scuttled rearward to safety. Their resistance grew feebler, their hands more eager to relinquish their weapons and ascend high above their heads, at each stage of our advance.
At 10 o’clock snow fell heavily from blank clouds sweeping low across the Ridge. Half an hour later the snow ceased, the clouds thinned, and the sun shone fitfully over the shattered and clamorous battlefield. Word was received at the advanced headquarters that the British Division on our immediate right was enjoying a degree of success in its operations equal to the Canadian success.
Events continued to develop with rapidity and precision. By 1 o’clock every point in the enemy’s third line of our objectives had been reached and secured. By this time the troops on the right had consolidated their gains and advanced strong patrols. From their diew positions they commanded a wide view of enemy territory to the eastward. They reported a massing of Germans on a road in the new field of vision, and our heavy guns immediately dealt with the matter. By noon one of the battalions of a division had received and dealt drastically with three counter-attacks. Its front remained unshaken.
Shortly after this the Canadian Corps was able to state that the prisoners already to hand numbered three battalion commanders, 15 other officers, and more than 2,000 non-commissioned officers and men - with plenty more in sight - making for our “cages” as fast as their legs could carry them.
The final stage of the attack of the troops on the right was now made. They passed through the wide belts of enemy wire which fringed the plateau by way of wide gaps torn by our heavy artillery at fixed intervals. So they issued on the eastern slopes of Vimy Ridge - the first Allied troops to look down upon the level plain of Douai since the German occupation in 1914. They saw the villages of Farbus, Vimy, and Petit Vimy at their feet, and beyond these the hamlets of Willerval, Bailleul, Oppy, and Mericourt. They pressed on to Farbus Wood and Goulot Wood, and possessed themselves of several hostile batteries and much ammunition. By an early hour of the afternoon all our objectives, save those of the left of the attack ,were in our possession, and the task of consolidating and strengthening our gains was well in hand. Throughout the day the most courageous and devoted cooperation was rendered to the Canadian Corps by a brigade and a squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. The night saw all of Vimy Ridge, with the exception of a few trenches on Hill 145, secure in Canadian hands.
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