wodin
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Edit: I know it looks a wall of text but it's a good WW1 battle report even without the personnel angle that it's got for me.
Here is the War Dairy of the 1\7th Kings Liverpool Battalion, in this action on the 14th my great great uncle an MM winner was killed. He was buried by his brother my great granddad and his mate who was my other great granddad (their kids got married and where my dads Mum and dad).
It seems after going through some intense fighting they were being releaved, one coy of the 14th left the trenches and the other coy stayed an extra day..it looks like my great great uncle must have been with the coy that stayed an extra day and was sadly killed in a bombardment. If he had been with the other coy then he'd live to see another day, he left a wife and child behind and was 28. He has no known grave but his name is on the Loos memorial and the memorial in Southport..obviously it was during the big German push so I expect his grave was bombed out of existence and ended up well behind the front lines.
I've read countless books etc but this is the most intense,moving and personnel for obvious reasons. I doubt very much I will read anything as intense as this.
Anyway here it is.
Killed during the Battle of Estaires : 9-11 April 1918
THE BATTLE OF ESTAIRES: 9TH-11TH APRIL - PART OF THE BATTLES OF THE LYS
Extracted from 1/7 KLR War Diary
Narrative of Operations from the 9th April to 15th April 1918
The Battalion relieved the 5th KLR in the FESTUBERT SOUTH Sector on evening of 31 March 1918, and took up the following dispositions:-
RIGHT FRONT COMPANY:-
1 Platoon PRINCE'S ISLAND
1 Platoon GEORGE STREET
2 Platoons OLD BRITISH LINE, astride CHESHIRE ROAD
LEFT FRONT COMPANY:-
1 Platoon BARNTON TRENCH
1 Platoon BARNTON TEE
2 Platoons OLD BRITISH LINE, astride CHESHIRE ROAD
RIGHT SUPPORT COMPANY:- VILLAGE LINE.
2 Platoons LE PLANTIN SOUTH
2 Platoons CHESHIRE ROAD defences.
LEFT SUPPORT COMPANY:- VILLAGE LINE.
3 Platoons LE PLANTIN NORTH
1 Platoons CONVENT defences.
The situation from 31 March to 6th April was suspiciously quiet, but on the night's of the 6th, 7th and 8th extraordinary movement was heard in the rear of the enemy's line. On the fifth one company of the supporting Battalion was brought up to the VILLAGE LINE, three platoons being in dugouts in VILLAGE LINE and one platoon in TRAMWAYS HOUSE.
OPERATIONS:-
At 4:10 AM on 9 April 1918, the enemy opened an intense gas bombardment all along the various lines which continued until 8 AM, when it was noticed that gas shells were no longer being sent over, but the high explosive bombardment had if anything increased. There was a heavy ground mist which made observation impossible.
At 9:10 AM a runner came down from PRINCE'S ISLAND with a verbal message, saying that the enemy were attacking, a similar message coming from the left Front Company. The garrisons of three trenches were overpowered, as also were those of GEORGE ST and BARNTON TEE, the enemy coming in from each flank and taking the position from the rear, only five men from GEORGE STREET being able to get back to the OLD BRITISH LINE.
About 9:50 AM the enemy advanced on the OLD BRITISH LINE attacking both from the front and on each flank, the Garrison again being surprised. The Company Commanders then ordered the remainder of their Companies to withdraw to the VILLAGE LINE. This was done slowly, a rearguard being formed and the enemy kept back, "A" Company working down YELLOW ROAD and "D" Company, down BARNTON TRENCH. By this time the barrage had lifted from the VILLAGE LINE and it was possible to organise the defence of same, "A" Company, being placed in position astride YELLOW ROAD and "D" Company in the CONVENT and BARNTON ROAD defences.
About 12 noon it was obvious the enemy were advancing in force on the VILLAGE LINE, rapid rifle and machine-gun fire being opened, and through the mist large parties of the enemy could be seen in front of YELLOW ROAD and LR PLANTIN SOUTH, endeavouring to get through our wire. Cries of CEASE FIRE from the Germans spurred the garrisons to increase their volumes of fire, and it could then be seen that, as far as a frontal attack was concerned there was nothing to fear.
Very few of the enemy approached the lines in front of LE PLANTIN North, all that did so we shot down.
The supporting Platoon of 6th KLR arrived about 12 noon and reinforced the Garrison of LE PLANTIN NORTH, Captain McLaren taking command of the position.
Meantime patrols sent out from LE PLANTIN SOUTH to get in touch on the right had failed to return and at 12:30 PM it was reported that the enemy had broken through between LE PLANTIN SOUTH and WINDY CORNER and were working round in the rear of the former position. A Bombing post formed on the right was rushed by the enemy and immediately afterwards, under cover of a trench mortar bombardment, at least 200 Germans rushed the position and forced the Garrison to withdraw northwards where a position was established astride the road forming a defensive flank on the right of CHESHIRE ROAD defences.
Meanwhile Headquarters Details, including cooks, spare signallers, pioneers etc, had been ordered to take up a position in A.7.b.behind some old breastworks in order to stop the enemy rolling up the VILLAGE LINE, and two platoons of the 6th KLR coming up in support were quickly got in position facing south joining up VILLAGE LINE from the Northern point of LE PLANTIN SOUTH to the old breastworks on Route 20, a defensive flank from south and west being formed. This manoeuvre appears to have defeated the enemy who were forced to withdraw towards LA BASEE CANAL.
About the same time the enemy attacked the BARNTON locality but were driven off leaving prisoners in our hands.
As there was very little activity in the centre of my position, I withdrew a portion of my Garrison and sent them to replace a portion of the LE PLANTIN SOUTH Garrison whom I ordered to retake the lost position. Captain JW Cook MC, commanding the Garrison had meantime organised an attack assisted by Captain MT Leech MC, and had succeeded in capturing a portion of this position and the reinforcements having arrived at the breast works were quickly occupied. The enemy were found to be lying outside in large numbers, and on rapid fire being opened on them they retired in disorder, enormous casualties being inflicted; three captured German machine guns were mounted on the parapet in addition which added greatly to the volume of fire. I then ordered the houses in the vicinity to be cleared. This work was very efficiently done headed by Captain Cook, and on reaching the southernmost house I ordered patrols to go forward to WINDY CORNER to clear up the situation. On return these patrols reported that the Lancashire Fusiliers were then in possession. I then ordered the two platoons of 6th KLR, who had been forming my right defensive flank, to swing ground and take up a position on the VILLAGE ROAD, linking up LE PLANTIN SOUTH with WINDY CORNER. Patrols were then pushed out for the night and it was reported that the enemy were holding strong points at the junction of the OLD BRITISH LINE and FIFE ROAD and BARNTON TRENCH.
On the morning of the 10th the enemy were seen to be massing in the OLD BRITISH LINE opposite LE PLANTIN NORTH. This concentration was effectively dealt with by artillery. An attempt to dislodge the enemy from his strong points at the junction of FIFE ROAD and the OLD BRITISH LINE failed, and in order to safeguard the flank of the Battalion on my right, I established a post about A.2.d.65.10.in addition forward posts were established at the junction of CHESHIRE ROAD and YELLOW ROAD; also in BARNTON ROAD about A.2.b.00.55.
On subsequent days the whole position was heavily bombarded with all calibre shells; also a machine-gun barrage was put down but no infantry action followed.
The Battalion less one company was relieved on the 14th instant after being in the line for 15 days, the remaining Company being relieved on the night of the 15th on Divisional Relief.
Sixteen German machine guns, one Flammenwerfer, and numerous signalling apparatus was captured in addition to about 200 prisoners, who however were not all passed through Brigade Headquarters.
Signed
CK Potter
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding, 1/7 "The King's" (Liverpool Regiment).
Transcribed from the Regimental History by Everard Wyrall:-
THE scene shifts now to the valley of the Lys where, prior to the 21st of March, certain preparations had indicated the probability of a German attack. During the first days of April these preparations were nearly completed, pointing to a coming hostile attack, though the exact date and extent of the offensive could not be gauged.
On the night of the 7th of April the enemy very heavily bombarded the whole line from Lens to Armentières with gas shell. This bombardment recommenced with the greatest violence (high explosive being added to gas shell) at 4 a.m. on the morning of the 9th of April (on this occasion the enemy used Phosgene gas shell, not mustard. As the former gas passed away quickly and did not hang about like mustard gas (the effect of which was insidious) it was evident that the enemy was about to attack).
From Givenchy, just north of the La Bassée Canal, to the Ypres-Comines Canal our line was held, on the morning of the 9th, by the 55th, 2nd Portuguese, 40th, 34th, 25th, 19th and 9th Divisions, all of which, with the exception of the 55th and Portuguese, had already been engaged in hard fighting on the Somme during March; they were, in consequence, much weakened in strength and still in need of rest.
The Portuguese Division was due to be relieved when, at about 7 a.m. on the 9th, the enemy, in considerable strength, attacked their left brigade, broke into the trenches, and proceeded to roll up the flanks. Thick fog again favoured the enemy, during which observation was impossible, so that nothing could be seen of what was happening in the front line, nor S.O.S. signals. In a little while the right of the 40th Division was forced to form a defensive flank facing south.
Meanwhile, south of the Portuguese sector, the 55th Division had been attacked frontally, and a little later (the whole of the Portuguese front having been broken) the left brigade was forced back from its outpost line. But the main line of resistance of the division was intact; a defensive flank was formed facing north between Festubert and a strong point just south of Le Touret, touch being obtained later with the 51st Division, which had been put into the line.
The following extract from the official despatches is a fitting tribute to the 55th Division, which fought most gallantly:
"Throughout the remainder of the day the 55th Division maintained its position against all assaults and, by successful counter attacks, captured over 750 prisoners. The success of this most gallant defence, the importance of which it would be hard to over estimate, was due in great measure to the courage and determination displayed by our advanced posts. These held out with the utmost resolution, though surrounded, pinning to the ground those parties of the enemy who had penetrated our defences, and preventing them from developing their attack. Among the many gallant deeds recorded of them, one instance is known of a machine gun which was kept in action although the German infantry had entered the rear compartment of the "pill box" from which it was firing, the gun team holding up the enemy by revolver fire from the inner compartment."
The left brigade of the 55th Division was the 165th, consisting of the 1/5th, 1/6th and 1/7th King's Regiment. The line held by the brigade before the attack was very strong. It consisted of the Village Line from Le Plantin South to Cailloux North on the main line of resistance, with a sector of the Old British Line in front joining up with the Portuguese on the left and the 1 64th Brigade on the right. From 1,000 to 1,500 yards in front of the Village Line companies were distributed in depth with posts in the derelict front line. The Village Line consisted of a series of well concealed breastworks, loop holed walls and buildings. Each post (however small) had its defence scheme. Cross fire from the various posts covered the ground in front. From concrete emplacements excellent enfilade machine gun fire was possible. Three belts of wire and several deep ditches of water also protected the position. In rear of the Village Line were two more defensive positions, i.e. Tuning Fork Line and Tuning Fork Switch.
The 1/7th King's (Lieut. Colonel C. K. Potter) held the right sub sector of the brigade front, the 1/5th King's (Lieut. Colonel A. Buckley) the left, whilst of the 1/6th King's (Lieut. Colonel J. McKaig) one company supported the 1/7th Battalion, another company the 1/5th. Battalion Headquarters and the two remaining companies were at Gorre.
At 4.10 a.m. (9th April) the enemy very heavily bombarded all trenches, battery positions, and back areas of the 55th Division sector; he was using highexplosive, and phosgene gas. The morning was very misty and little could be seen.
The precise hour the German infantry attacked is not certain, but apparently the attack began on the left earlier than on the right, for by 8 a.m. the Portuguese had evacuated the whole of their trenches without attempting to fight. At that hour the trenches of the King's men were still under violent bombardment.
The retirement of the Portuguese (an officer, who had been sent to see what was happening to the Portuguese, tried to rally them until they threatened to bayonet him) uncovered entirely the left flank of the
165th Brigade and, under cover of the mist, the enemy got right up to, and in between, the defences before he was observed.
The left of the Village Line rested on Cailloux North, a small post with all round defence and with an excellent field of fire to the north. About nine hundred yards west of this post was Route "A" Keep, also prepared for all-round defence. Other defended posts protecting the left flank of the brigade were the northern end of the Tuning Fork Switch, northern end of Tuning Fork Line, Loisne Central Keep and Loisne West Keep.
Route "A" Keep was attacked at about 11 a.m., the enemy getting right up to the wire before he was observed. The machine guns were on the parapet ready for indirect fire instead of in the concrete emplacements, the garrison having no idea that the Germans had passed the Village Line. These guns were almost immediately put out of action. The Germans attacking in front of the Keep were repulsed, but others entered it from behind and, after a severe bombing fight, the Keep was captured.
The 1/5th King's state that the enemy's infantry attack began at 7.30 a.m. and that "two of the companies are missing," evidently the two forward companies holding the outpost and Old British Lines. The foremost platoon of "A" Company, in the Cailloux locality, was also missing. "The enemy captured the Old British Line," the Battalion Diary records, "but outposts at Festubert East and those in the Village Line remained intact." This is all that the 1/5th record of the day's heavy fighting.
Meanwhile the 1/7th King's, on the right, had also been heavily attacked, for the enemy had assaulted in great strength the front of the 164th Brigade, had captured the outpost line and part of the Old British Line as well as Windy Corner. From the latter point he turned north, engaging the Village Line. First the trenches held by the 1/7th at Prince's Island were overpowered, then George Street and Banton Tee, the enemy getting round each flank and taking the position from the rear. About 9.50 a.m. the Germans advanced on the Old British Line, again attacking both from the front and flank, the garrison being surprised.
But the Village Line held.
At 12 noon it was evident that the enemy was advancing in force on the Village Line. Rapid rifle and machine gun fire was opened as, through the mist, large numbers of Germans could be seen in front of Yellow Road and Le Plantin South, endeavouring to get through the wire.
With cries of "Cease fire!" "Cease fire !" crowds of infuriated Germans tried to cut or tear their way through the wire, but their cries only spurred on the gallant garrisons who, increasing their volume of fire, shot down the enemy in bunches. It was soon apparent that, so far as the frontal attack was concerned, there was nothing to fear. But, just as on the Somme in March, so on the Lys in April, the flanks were always the danger points. With great determination the enemy pressed on, continually trying to drive wedges into our line and then roll up the flanks. Windy Corner and Le Plantin South fell in this manner, but both were re captured by spirited counter attacks by the 1/7th King's and the 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers of the 164th Brigade, some 400 to 500 Germans with numerous machine guns being taken.
In this counter attack Capt. J. W. Cook and Capt. M. T. Leach of the 1/7th King's distinguished themselves by the efficient handling of their men.
After the recapture of Windy Corner and Le Plantin South two platoons of the 1/6th King's, which had been forming the right defensive flank of the line held by the 1/7th, took up positions on the Village Road, linking up Le Plantin South with Windy Corner. Patrols were then pushed out for the night and the enemy was reported holding strong points at the junctions of the Old British Line, Fife Road and Barnton Trench
< Message edited by wodin -- 1/30/2012 6:56:03 PM >
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