Diary of Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott, November 1916 - March 1918 part 13

The Army Council having decided on a pooling
of reserves we are to be prepared to move
rapidly to another theatre of war when required.
All accumulation of kit to be looked over ready
to jettison part of it in a rapid move.
Deferred Preparations.
These require - Constant vigilance
Daily appreciation of Situation
. .  as to how far our front is in a
defensible state - plans for counter
attack brought up to date.
An aeroplane report is to be furnished
of the new front first thing in morning &
last thing at night.
If aeroplane photos are not what you are
desired send in report on them.
Aeroplanes to actively cooperate in Attack
& Defence by bombing enemys formation.
It is believed enemy will do this largely also
(b) Progress of defensive lines.
Army Commander wants the Actual Front
line well mined. This will prevent any chance
of surprise attack succeeding & drive
him to longer preparatory bombardment.
(c) Drainage Schemes
Cooperation of Arms.
(1) Get to know where all the Artillery Battalions
covering our front are actually situated. 
  

Visit them & keep in close liaison with them.
2. Machine Guns. Go into the question of their
slg siting & their various lurks & see that
everyone understands what they are doing
machine Guns to be placed in Depths
so as not to have all the eggs in one basket
if the Broche does break through in any
place.
There is also the question of having Reserves & Support
Closer up. This applies more to the Reserve.
Impress subordinates with the necessity
& importance of immediate Counter attack
by platoons & Sections to prevent enemy
establishing himself. Importance of Flank
attacks.
The Germans have undoubtedly got tanks &
may use them but ground here not favourable
for their use on the whole
Every M. G. should have a supply of armour
piercing bullets for tanks & Aeroplanes.
No difficulty now about their supply.
Artillery are to use gas shells against
enemy in masses even at some risk
from our people.
Covers for helmets always
Infantry always 5 rounds in magazine - Bungs to be cleared
muzzIe Protectors to be had.
Destruction of confidential documents in event of Attack
is left to direction of Commanders. 

[*Ramillies Camp*]

On the question of offensive action. It was
decided that the only thing worth attacking
is Warneton. It should be undertaken by 1 Div.
Conference Closed.
I remained to lunch at Div. Then went back
to my H.Q. where I saw Col Nicholson of Corps Engineers
discussed question of work on Corps line. I was
not satisfied with Corp raised parapets of
Sting points & denied a Drainage Scheme for
the lines as sting points would only be a
shell trap for men in them. Did not get much
satisfaction - As I am changing over I did not
press the point - I see no way of making the
Control Reserve Brigadier effective but he promised to supply me
with works policy & get his [[Satellites?]] actually
supervising the works to see me & give the
progress reports
20^th Night Frost & heavy fog. 14^th Bde
successfully raided [[Wair?]] Farm
captured 7 prisoners & Killed 1 Officer
& others. One of our men slightly wounded
Orders received to relieve 8^th Brigade
tomorrow. Lecture on Aeroplane photos
this morning. Nothing new disclosed
as far as I myself am concerned
Afternoon set in with drizzling rain & cold.
Orders issued for relief.

[*Midland Farm Dug out*]
21^st - Fine Bright day. In afternoon walked
up to Midland Farm & took over
command on relief being completed about
8.35 pm. - actually notified to us at about 9.30pm.
22^nd Very quiet night passed. Morning
broke very cold & boisterous. Directed
Street (B.M) to leave officer work to Major
Anderson (BM. Learner) & to devote himself to
getting a sound knowledge of the
Area. Major Derham called regarding
Artillery Targets. Went up to Brigade O.P.
2 in front of Messines. Visibility poor.
23^rd Genl Hobbs called, conferred on various points
such as advisability of concentrating mostly
Stokes Battery but on to the Gaspard [[front?]]
as north important to be held & most likely
to be attacked. He agreed, also question
of Group Commander of Vickers Guns in Area
Question of Battery Commanders Visiting
B.H.Q. Question of moving sight centre to be
H.Q. etc. I arranged to see Col [[Denerly?]]
today & give him very definite
instructions in this respect. 60^th Bn captured
two prisoners on their front last night. They
had been sent out as Scouts & encountered one
of our patrol in the dark & were circled & surrendered.
Both stuttered badly & said they had been shell shocked
at Verdun & only recently drafted back to

front line work. In afternoon I went with
Capt Salmon to 58^th Bn H.Q & saw them
regarding new H.Q then went up C7
(Fanny Street) to Gaspaard. Misty 
Our guns were firing on the enemy wire
A party got out of their trench with
large Red Cross Flag & proceeded
to rescue 4 wounded man, lying out
in the open. On the way home I looked
at Several old German Pillboxes to see if
they would do for 58^th Bn HQ but could
see nothing suitable. (Capt Salmon appointed
[*J0.J0*] A.C. Trainee.
24^th Fine but dull day. Report reached us about
Red Cross incident yesterday. It appears
an enemy patrol approached our lines
at dawn & were fired on. The party hurriedly
withdrew. Later party of enemy went
out with Red Cross Flag & collected the
wounded. Lt Cronin 58^th Bn was wounded
in ankle & thigh last night.
25^th Wet in early morning fined up
later . Had conference with Genls Hobbs
& Hobkirk at 14^th Bde H.Qs with
idea of fixing plan to cooperate
with 3^rd Div [[?]]. Genl Hobbs informed
us Army  had forbidden proposed
  

attack on Warneton but had sanctioned
a large raid & this was to be carried
out. We were asked to cooperate
with smaller raids & "dummy or
[[?]] attacks" with figures at
other points.
26^th Held conference with Bn Commander
& fixed up arrangements for raid
Col Peck & Col Bruche called. Weather
rather blusterous.
27^th
28^th Weather Fine but dull. Accompanied
Genl Hobbs to 58^th & 57^th Bn H. Q's In
afternoon went round to Ploegsteert
Wood where I saw Genl Rosenthall
9^th Bgde & fixed up with him
about the Raid. He expressed
himself as satisfied with the
arrangements.
1^st Mch 28^th Clear Frosty night. Morning cold &
dull. Enemy Aircraft active this morning
early, Major [[Meek?]] called. Final arrangements
for raid. Zero time not yet communicated
29^th 2nd March. Last night enemy made
"dummy" raid on our 59^th Bn
as a diversion while he attempted to
raid our 14^th Brigade. He failed & left
 

1 Badly wounded man in 14^th Brigade's
hands. We had 2 killed 2 wounded
& 1 shell shocked in the 59^th Bn area
Had conference with Denehy on the
raid which he desired to have
postponed with a view to selecting
some more favorable spot - owing to the
wet ground he appeared doubtful
if the raid could be successfully
carried out. Saw [[Street?]] about the
Raid order of the 57^th  Bn. I dont
think sufficient of their men are
armed with rifles. However I
am desirous of leaving the thing
to Stewart merely warning him of my
opinion. I also saw [[Street?]] & Col. Ladby
our artillery group Commander
about doing more stuff with
Stokes mortars
3^rd March. Cold & bleak day - Snow
falling slightly. Amount of paper
in the way of Army Summaries 
etc descending upon us is now
appalling. It is practically
impossible to get out at all
if one stops to read it all
  

Preparations for raids well in hand.
Getting in Lists for Kings Birthday honors
4^th Mch. Raids went off all right. 57^th raided
found wire & enemy trenches practically
demolished & garrison evacuated the
posts isolated by the barrage. Our
party returned to our lines without
casualties but whilst in one of our
posts suffered three casualties - two of
them were very slight - the third was
more serious. The 58^th found conditions
similar but managed to secure two
Germans who were wounded. - four other
dead boschs were seen. This party
also returned without casualties
Weather cold & foggy - Visited 58^th H.Qs
also 57^th With Col Stewart went
up New [[G?]] top to about 400
yds from the front line. Enemy
minenwerfer was firing in the
Vicinity. Phillp Gibbs War corespondent called
5^th Mch. Enemy attempted raid
57^th last night (or early this morning)- but was repulsed
Casualties believed to have been inflicted
Mr Murdoch called with Mr Gilmore
war correspondents - Very bright fine
day.
 

[*Midland
Farm
Dugout*]

 6^th Mch. Sharp Frost last night - Day sunny
but ground mist making visibility very
poor. The 57^th are still getting a hard
time from minenwerfers fire. Am
arranging for a combined shoot as
a counter measure by our Stokes
and artillery.
7^th March. Conference with Genl Hobbs, Tivey
& Hobkirk held here. Discussed question
of Rifle Practice in forward systems
were possible. Enemy offensive during
March exceedingly probable - not more
than raids at present in Flanders but
offensive there later on. Struggle expected to
be a protracted one. Strictest Anti Gas
Discipline maintained
Reserves of supplies for two days in all
posts in Area
Alternative route for mule tracks to
Front line. Constant check of S.O.S.
Signals & supplies on Dumps
I placed before the Div Commander
Various suggested raids to be carried
out.
8^th Mch. Fine day - Conferred with the

[*J.O.*]
C.O.s 58^th & 60^th regarding suggested
raids. Conferred with [[?]] regarding

 [*Midland Dugouts*]
tramline to front to do away with
labor of carrying Stokes mortar
& Newton Shells up to Front line
Very heavy work at present to do this
9^th Fine bright day. Ground mist in
morning -  later clear. Went with Genl
Hobbs & visit 60^th Bn Front line but
as enemy was shelling it with 5.9's
we decided to stop in vicinity of [[?]]
Farm. Visited 58^th Bn & told their Engineers
could not help blow up [[Datum?]] house
so arranged that Stokes Mortar Booby
trap should be left there for the
enemy. Our Dummy raid last night
was a great success. Enemy evidently
very much perturbed. Mr Murdoch &
Mr Gilmore war Correspondents called
also Professor   .     of Oxford University
who is giving lectures at the Y.M.CA. a very
nice elderly gentleman but distinctly
nervous evidently
10^th - Fine bright day. Preparation for
raid continued.
[[Cutlack?]] who has taken Bean's place
as Correspondent called today
5.0. & went on to see the 59^th Bn