Up_the_Line_July_2012.pdf - The Western Front Association

“UP THE LINE”
THE LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE
BRANCH OF THE WESTERN FRONT
ASSOCIATION
July 2012
CHAIRMAN’s NOTES
Good evening and welcome to the July meeting.
First of all, I must thank Denis McCarthy for agreeing to
bring his talk forward. This is due to the planned speaker
being unavailable. I am sure we will enjoy Denis’ topic of
the 16th (Irish) Division.
I have recently met a representative of Trafford MBC
regarding the commemoration of the Great War Centenary.
The meeting was very useful. Trafford have already begun
thinking about their programme and our branch will be
hopefully be invited to contribute.
On Monday 6th August, Stockport Militaria’s meeting
will be held at the Britannia Hotel, Stockport. The talk will
be ‘The Russo-Japanese War 1904-5’, by Michael Murphy.
This formed part of my MA course at the University of
Leeds, so I will be attending it. Many aspects of the conflict
including trench warfare, mass frontal attacks and the cult
of the offensive were present. It might have been seen as a
curtain raiser for the Great War. It could also be argued that
European armies were influenced by it, but failed to heed
the lessons it held. It would be worth a visit.
As you will be aware some of us made a short trip to
Ypres in May. This was an informal stroll around the area
and was greatly enjoyed by the participants. It is proposed
to go again next year. A possible idea could be the Retreat
from Mons to Le Cateau. It would be up to individuals to
arrange transport sharing etc, although we could probably
co-ordinate accommodation.
Terry Jackson, Chairman.
last months talk
Smith Dorrien & 2nd Ypres
The first months of the Great War are often overlooked. Dr Bob Bushaway
brought to light the antagonism within the commanders of the BEF, which
were eventually to bring about a change in command in late 1915. It also
became the subject of bitter recriminations after the war.
Horace Lockwood Smith-Dorrien (S-D), had been given command of
2nd Corps whilst the BEF was still forming up in France. John Grierson,
his predecessor, had died of a heart attack en route. However, this
appointment caused friction between S-D and the Army Commander,
Sir John French. French later accused S-D of failures both at Mons and Le
Cateau and during the 1914 Christmas Truce.. Subsequently as the British
struggled to contain German advances at Second Ypres, French found a
way to remove S-D from command.
Friction had existed between the two prior to the war. S-D upon
succeeding French at Aldershot had created a less strict regime for his
soldiers. The two had also differed over the role of the cavalry. S-D disagreed
that they still had a role as spearheading attacks on the enemy. French
had requested Plumer after Grierson’s death. Kitchener, not confident of
French, had sent S-D instead.
General H L Smith-Dorien
Sir John French
Following Mons, at which 2nd Corps had born the brunt of the attack of
superior German numbers, the BEF had to retreat. Both Corps had become
separated by the Forest of Mormal and 2nd Corps arrived at Le Cateau,
formerly the HQ of French. S-D had chosen to give battle. Despite heavy
casualties, 2nd Corps had checked the possibility of being overwhelmed
and allowed the whole army to escape. At that time French had praised
S-D’s decision.
Subsequently the BEF moved back to Belgium and at First Ypres
manage to hold this important city. However, the BEF was forced to hold
an extensive salient, which was overlooked by high ground held by the
enemy.
In April 1915, the Germans launched an attack in what became 2nd
Ypres. By now S-D was commander of 2nd Army and in the line adjoining
Canadian forces, the enemy launched a gas attack against mainly colonial
French troops. The Canadians managed to protect the gap created by the
French soldiers who were unable to maintain their position and fortunately
the Germans, having used the attack as an experiment did not exploit their
success. The Germans launched a later gas attack and it became obvious to
S-D that the BEF’s position was unsustainable and proposed a withdrawal
towards the city to straighten the line.
This gave French the excuse to undermine S-D’s position. French
removed many of S-D’s troops to Plumer’s command, which made S-D’s
position as a commander untenable. S-D indicated to French that in the
circumstances he was not able to function effectively. S-D was dismissed
by French, not in person, but by a telephone call from Robertson.
Dr Bushaway considered the personalities involved and how this
dramatic ending of 2nd Army’s chief came about.
S-D was born in 1858 and was one of a number of officers from that
era who were destined to command during the Great War. These men had
served in many of the overseas theatres of operations towards the end of
the 19th Century. S-D was a better commander than French. French was
a brave field commander, whose exploits had stirred the nation. However
he was not suited to high command. Despite his underlying distaste of
S-D, it was Haig who was ultimately the main threat to his total command.
As one of the Victorian generals, S-D in imperial service was decisive.
Orders from London were irrelevant. It was a necessity to think on one’s
feet and make on the spot decisions. Napoleon had said “Give me lucky
Generals”. French was inclined to see this as risk taking. However, he made
gave few decisions in writing and was often unavailable for discussion.
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S-D was aware of the aspects of modern warfare, including the effects
of the Russo-Japanese War and modern ordnance and weaponry. In
1915, the trenches were much more basic than the systems that evolved
through 1916. The initial surprise of gas attacks meant defenders were to
suffer more casualties than defenders, the reverse of later trends. The BEF
in early 1915 was low in numbers and reservists were not up to scratch.
If S-D can be criticised, it is over the failure to hold the Messines Ridge.
Attacks to regain the ridge failed, leaving the Germans to dig in and enjoy
the advantages of overlooking Ypres until June 1917. However the BEF was
not alone in early offensives. The French suffered badly in an attempt on
Vimy Ridge.
In 1915, the BEF did not have sufficient resources to sustain serious
offensives. Artillery really never met the criteria until 8th August 1918.
Manpower relied on TA units coming in and later on the Service units.
Failure was also to fall on the professional German Army. The Schliffen
Plan was ultimately a failure. Their plans were concentrated in the east.
Initial gas experiments there were unsuccessful due to freezing weather.
In the west gas canisters required a north easterly wind, which was rarely
experienced. The enemy had only basic masks and were reluctant to follow
the gas. Thus the experimental nature of gas at Ypres. Nevertheless the
British and Empire troops were able to stem the threat. However, one of the
problems at second Ypres was the loss of many junior officers. Many were
from public school OTCs and the losses took time to effectively replace.
Overall, S-D suffered from the antagonism of Sir John French. Upon his
taking over command of 2nd Army, Plumer came to the same conclusion
as S-D. This time French accepted his commander’s decision. S-D was a
good officer and historians generally accept that his main decisions were
correct. Sir John French was clearly unsuited to high command. He was to
be seen as failing at Loos. This opened the door for Haig to assume overall
command. It is fortunate that he inherited an efficient officer in Plumer.
An absorbing account of the battle and personal intrigues that dogged
the BEF. S-D has been seen to have been harshly treated by French. Ed
Captain GVS Bowlby
Captain H L Skrine
holds ninety-five graves, including two French soldiers. Many of the graves
were destroyed by subsequent shellfire and only twenty-six actual graves
are identified. The remainder have special memorial headstones.
I then headed up the road towards Hellfire Corner, calling in at Perth-
China Wall Cemetery (III). This was originally used by the French, whose
graves were removed after the Armistice. It was taken on, in 1917, by the
YPREs VISIT 14/18th May
Part 2
Having spent some time at Hooge Crater
Cemetery, I continued on my walk. A path
to the east of the cemetery follows the Old
Bond Street Communication Trench (1). This
brought me to the access road to Hill 62 (2). It
was here that a counter attack attempted to
regain the land gained in the German flame
thrower attack on 30th July 1915. Two attacks
failed at the cost of more than 450 casualties.
2nd Lt Harry Rawlinson of the Rifle Brigade
was awarded the VC and appears on the
Menin Gate.
I returned to the Menin Road (3) and
headed west. Shortly, on the northern side is
Cambridge Road. This formed the Birr Cross
Roads, although the southern road no longer
exists. Both armies tunnelled here and the
British had dugouts and a dressing station.
The name comes from the Leinsters’ depot in
Ireland. A little further on is the cemetery of
Captain Harold Ackroyd
that name (4). There are 800 graves, including
that of Captain Harold Ackroyd VC MC. He was the MO attached to 6Bn
Royal Berkshires. He was killed by a sniper on 11 August 1917.
I then retraced my steps and walked up Cambridge Road, eventually
crossing the N37, which was formerly the Ypres-Roulers railway line (5). On
the side road are two private memorials to Captains from 1915. These are
Geoffrey Bowlby, Royal Horse Guards and Henry Skrine, 6Bn Somerset LI.
Interspersed is a small wooden cross commemorating the Leicestershire
Yeomanry on Frezenberg Ridge on 13 May 1915. I crossed back over the
N37 and followed the southern edge of Railway Wood. This brought me
to the RE Grave, Railway Wood. This marks the spot where 8th RE 177th
Tunnelling Coy. and 4 soldiers were entombed underground on 25th
September 1915.
A mine had been blown in the early hours as 9Bn Rifle Brigade
attacked. The 5Bn Oxs & Bucks and 5BN King’s Shropshire LI also attacked
Bellewaarde Farm strong-point. The units all suffered heavily casualties.
Nearby is the Liverpool Scottish Memorial which commemorates their
attack on 16th June 1915. I then followed the track back to the museum
on the Menin Road.
Being a glutton for punishment, I could not resist adding on a final stroll.
I took the road adjoining Birr Cross Roads Cemetery (I) and eventually
came to Tuilieres British Cemetery (II). This small picturesque cemetery
Tuilieres British Cemetery
Railway Wood
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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK
Mendinghem British Cemetery
Location
Mendinghem Cemetery is 8 km north of Poperinge. Coming into the town
take the ring road then take the N308 to Proven. Go through the town.
After about a mile the cemetery is on the left, down a lane at the side of
a house.
Demarcation Stone
2BN Scottish Rifles, whose predecessors had been raised in Perth. It was
also near to the Great Wall of China communication trench. The cemetery
was used for consolidation after the war and contains some 2,790 graves.
I continued to the large roundabout which now stands on the site of
Hellfire Corner (IV). On the Ypres junction is a helmeted demarcation
stone, marking the furthest point reached by the enemy. By now I was
beginning to tire. A final walk via the Menin Gate and the main square,
brought me back to my hotel and a well earned soak in the bath.
To be concluded. Ed.
A good friend to our branch Tony Noyes passed away
recently. RIP Tony! Michael Platt
TONY NOYES
1939 - 2012
Tony joined the WFA in its earliest days
and soon joined the national committee,
serving as Branch Coordinator, Vice-
Chairman and, later, Chairman. He
believed his first duty as Chairman
should be to organise the attendance
of the Association and its members at
the Cenotaph on November 11th and to
restore the two minute silence at 11am.
This would be followed by a Service of Remembrance at the
Guards’ Chapel. Held for the first time in 1994, this ceremony has
struck a national chord and similar ceremonies are now held in many
places across the UK.
The attendance at the Cenotaph has grown from a gathering
of fifty or so, to the present day, when thousands come together,
including representatives of the government, members of the
Defence Staff, military attachés from many embassies, schools and
the general public.
Between 2000 and 2004 he acted as Parade Marshal for the
Armistice Day ceremony at the Menin gate.
He visited all the important European battlefields of the Great
War and embarked on a series of “epics” walking the ground on the
Somme, the Marne, the Aisne, Ypres and above all Verdun and his
beloved Argonne. His passion was always directed toward Verdun
and the Argonne, and over the years he made many private visits to
that sector walking the ground and re-discovering many lost bunkers,
trench systems and sites of individual importance such as the Butte
de Vauquois or Lachalade Abbey where the Garibaldi brothers are
commemorated.
His last few years were blighted by increasing illness; but for as
long as he could he would return to his spiritual home in the Argonne
and Verdun with his wife Christina, to walk in the steps of the French
and German soldiers for whom he had such regard and respect.
We remember a man who through his passion for all matters
pertaining to the Great War ignited enthusiasm for the history
of that cataclysmic event in many other hearts. This passion was
rightly rewarded and recognised two years ago by the WFA with his
appointment as an Honorary Vice-President of the Association, an
accolade by which he was greatly touched. Tim Tawney.
History
The cemetery was begun by the
46th Casualty Clearing Station
(1 st /1 st Wessex) in June 1916. The
first burials did not take place until
August 1916. It stayed in use until
September 1918. The CCS first had
200 beds, but for the start of Third
Ypres this was increased to 1,300.
Four more CCSs where stationed
around the area. The 61 st was
staffed by Americans. The three
others being the 12 th , 46 th and the
64 th . There where some French
burials in May and July 1918, but
these were later removed.
There are three men in this cemetery who where shot at dawn. They
are Private John Hyde of the 10th King’s Royal Rifle Corps in Sept 1917,
Private Charles Britton of the 1/5th Royal Warwickshires also in Sept 1917
and Private David Gibson of the 12th Royal Scots who was executed in
Sept 1918.
Also in the cemetery is Lt. Colonel Bertram Best-Dunkley VC of the
2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, who died of wounds on the 5th August 1917.
His VC was awarded for his actions on the opening day of the Third Ypres,
31st July 1917.
In the attack his battalion
became disorganised, so he
went forward and rallied his
men to take their objectives. The
Fusiliers sustained heavy losses,
but his leadership helped them
to succeed. In the evening he
took the Battalion Headquarters
into battle to defeat the German
counter-attack, during which he
was mortally wounded.
In the cemetery are over 2,300
British and Commonwealth troops,
Mendingam British Cemetery
Lt. Colonel Bertam Best-Dunkley VC
50 Germans and several Chinese.
Thanks to Mike Platt for this. ED.
Museum of the Manchester Regiment –
Discovery Day 2012
SOLDIERS from the past will be waiting to tell you their story
when the award-winning Museum of the Manchester Regiment,
Ashton-under-Lyne Town Hall, holds its sixth annual Discovery
Day on Wednesday, August 1 2012.
Visitors will be able to meet First World War British troops, or
Tommies as they were nicknamed; foot soldiers commanded by
the
Duke of Wellington at the start of the 19th century and their
French Napoleonic equivalent, as well as members of the British
Army serving today.
In addition, there will be a variety of military vehicles on the
market square and all for free.
The event runs from 11am to 3pm. Everyone is welcome and
the day is suitable for all ages. There’s no need to book – just
drop in.
Cllr Jackie Lane, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member
for heritage and tourism, said: “I’ve been to nearly all the
Discovery Days and they really are a great day out. The various
soldiers and their stories are extremely interesting.”
For more information, telephone 0161 342 2254
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TONIGHT’S TALK -
16th (Irish) Division
The British army’s 16th (Irish) Division was raised September 11, 1914, part
of the second wave of Field Marshal Kitchener’s volunteer “New Army”
divisions designed to augment Britain’s six professional divisions which
Kaiser Wilhelm II had described as a “Contemptible Little Army.”
Formed in southern Ireland under the command of Lieutenant-General
Sir Lawrence Parsons, himself an Irish Protestant, the division was the
embodiment of Nationalist and Catholic Ireland. Indeed, Parsons received
orders to clear the division’s 47th Brigade of its earlier recruits in order
to receive men from the paramilitary National Volunteers who were
encouraged to join this “Irish Brigade” by Nationalist MP John Redmond*.
The Flag 1914. Redmond presents a colour to the Volunteers.
In December 1915, the division moved to France, joining the British
Expeditionary Force (BEF), under the command of Irish Major General
William Hickie, and spent the duration of the First World War in action
on the Western Front. Following enormous losses at the Somme,
Passchendaele and Ypres, the Division required a substantial refit in
England between June and August 1918, which involved the introduction
of many non-Irish battalions. The division served as a formation of the
United Kingdom’s British Army during World War I.
History
The Division began forming as part of the K2 Army Group towards the
end of 1914 after Irish recruits in the early days of the war from England
and Belfast first filled the ranks of the 10th (Irish) Division before being
assigned to the 16th Division, formed around a core of National Volunteers.
Initial training began in Ireland at Fermoy, Munster; recruits also trained at
Buttevant. It moved to Aldershot
in England for more intensive
training in September 1915. After
thirteen weeks, the formation was
deployed to Etaples in France,
joining the BEF, from where it left
on December 18 for that part of the
front in the Loos salient, under the
command of Irish Major General
William Hickie. It spent the rest of
the war on the Western Front.
At Loos, in January and February
1916, the division was introducted
to trench warfare and suffered
greatly in the Battle of Hulluch, 27–
29 April, (during the Easter Rising in
Ireland). Personnel raided German
trenches all through May and June,
and in late July they were moved to
the Somme Valley where they were
intensively engaged in the Battle
of the Somme. The 16th division
played an important part in
capturing the towns of Guillemont
and Ginchy, although they suffered
massive casualties. During these
successful actions between 1
and 10 September casualties
Guillemont and Ginchy Memorial amounted to 224 officers and 4,090
men; despite these very heavy losses the division gained a reputation as
first-class shock troops. Out of a total of 10,845 men, it had lost 3,491 on
the Loos sector between January and the end of May 1916, including
heavy casualties from bombardment and a gas attack at Hulluch in April
Blletting of this order was fatal to the division’s character, for it had to be
made good by drafts from England.
In early 1917, the division took a major part in the Battle of Messines
alongside the 36th (Ulster) Division, adding to both their recognition and
reputation. Their major actions ended in the summer of 1917 at the Battle
of Passchendaele after coming under the command of General Hubert
Gough and the Fifth Army. In July 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres,
although both divisions were totally exhausted after 13 days of moving
weighty equipment under heavy shelling, Gough ordered the battalions
to advance through deep mud towards well fortified German positions
left untouched by totally inadequate artillery preparation. By mid August,
the 16th had suffered over 4,200 casualties, the 36th almost 3,600, or more
than 50% of their numbers. General Haig was very critical of Gough for
“playing the Irish card”.
The 16th Division held an exposed position from early 1918 at Ronssoy
where they suffered more heavy losses during the German Spring
Offensive in March and being practicaally wiped out in the retreat which
followed Operation Michael, when they helped to finally halt the German
attack prior to the Battle of Hamel. The decision was then made to break
up the division, the three surviving Service battalions were posted
to other formations. On 14 June the division returned to England for
“reconstitution”. The Conscription Crisis of 1918 in Ireland meant that fewer
Irish recruits could be raised so that the 16th Division which returned to
France on 27 July contained five English Battalions, two Scottish Battalions
and one Welsh Battalion. The only original Battalion left was the 5th Royal
Irish Fusiliers.
The dispersion of the Irish battalions throughout the BEF in 1918,
despite its practical considerations, appears to suggest that the Irish units
were increasingly distrusted by the military authorities.
Wikipedia
J E Redmond, Irish Parliamentary
leader, H of C 1900 to 1918
Copy, Word docs, pictures, jpegs, cuttings etc. by 31st August please to the Editor,
Terry Jackson, 4 Scaliot Close, New Mills, SK22 3BX.
Tel: 01663 740987
Email: jackson.terence1@sky.com
Chairman: Terry Jackson MA BA (Hons) MRICS
Secretary: Position Available/Volunteer needed
Venue: The Armoury (TA Centre),
Greek Street, Stockport, SK3 8AX.
Meeting on the second friday
of every month. 7.30 for 8.00pm.
Lancs. & Cheshire Branch Diary
August 10th
Sept. 14th
October 12th
November 9th
NEXT ISSUE
*John Edward Redmond (1
September 1856 – 6 March 1918)
was an Irish nationalist politician,
barrister, MP in the House of
Commons of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland and
leader of the Irish Parliamentary
Party from 1900 to 1918. He was
a moderate, constitutional and
conciliatory politician who attained
the twin dominant objectives
of his political life, party unity
and finally in September 1914
achieving Irish Home Rule under
an Act which granted an interim
form of self-government to Ireland.
Unfortunately for Redmond,
implementation of the Act was
suspended by the intervention of
World War I, and ultimately made
untenable after the Conscription
Crisis of 1918.
1914-1918
REMEMBERING
Coalition Warfare by John Derry
Disaster at Hooge 1915 (Flamethrower Attack)
by Sean Godfrey
Futureshock: Stories from the devastated zone
by Rob Thompson
Somme Success by Mike Stedman
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