Up_the_Line_July_2012.pdf - The Western Front Association

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
2