MOTG_OP_Brochure_2018-01-19_V1_Proof

A Raid on the Enemy Lines 29 June 1916
Raids, or ‘stunts’, against the enemy line were part of life in the
trenches. The raids were usually relatively small scale events. Their
aim was primarily to gather intelligence but also to take prisoners
and keep the enemy on its guard. Towards the end of June 1916 a
series of raids, all along the Western Front were planned. These
were intended to divert enemy attention and troops away from
the Somme area.
The 6 Bn KSLI were to attack a small salient in the enemy line
at Railway Wood near Ypres. The attack would be covered by an
artillery bombardment. They had also hoped to use gas but the
wind was not suitable and it could not be released.
The raid was set for the night of 29/30 June. At 11.45pm the men
got into position. Under cover of the artillery bombardment they
began to cross no man’s land, towards the enemy trenches. They
advanced as close to the enemy barrage as they could and took
cover. As soon as the barrage lifted the 6 Bn KSLI rushed the
enemy trenches, wreaking havoc with bombs and bayonets. The
Germans were caught off guard and were still in their dug-outs.
Many of the enemy were killed and 70 prisoners were captured.
After about 25 minutes the signal was given for the men to retire
and they returned to their front line. Three men lost their lives and
12 others were wounded.
The Oswestry Pals and the battle of the Somme – 1 July
1916
On the first day of the Somme Offensive the British suffered
heavy casualties. About 60,000 men were killed or wounded. The
vast majority of these were in ‘Pals’ battalions. The offensive was
the first time the ‘Pals’ would be deployed en masse.
The Oswestry Pals were spared the tragedy of the first day and
did not arrive on the Somme until 28 July. By now the aim of the
offensive was to capture fortified woods: Mametz Wood, Trones
Wood, Delville Wood, High Wood and villages, situated on the
tops of low ridges, such as Longueval, Guillemont, Les Boeufs
and Transloy. The Oswestry Pals first went into the line in front of
Serre. This had been where Pals battalions raised in Altrincham,
Barnsley, Bradford Hull, Leeds and Sheffield had attacked on 1
July with terrible casualties. When the Oswestry Pals arrived many
bodies were still on the battlefield. They found the trenches ‘waist
deep with our dead, the stench was appalling’. They spent much
of their time collecting and burying the dead. They were also
employed on working parties, salvaging equipment and repairing
trenches. The fighting was mainly to the south of the Somme
sector so at Serre, the northerly limit of the sector, the time was
relatively quiet with only the occasional artillery exchange.
| The Oswestry Pals 17