Diary of Brigadier General Harold Edward 'Pompey' Elliott, 15th Brigade - March - August 1918 part 8

Conflict:
First World War, 1914–18
Status:
Finalised
Accession number:
AWM2018.19.96
Difficulty:

Page 1 / 10

Br.cklwer bo tho 3 Verylnen out. I sode fraid it yud tat 750 Red line convolidation lytt SD &60 Br was well h laid but i nt ytipin with the soluationn pondy Hayoniers o the Booch held awillto nord mngtwilt machire givs purica pocket o on lind I ms Seanlar & Heneky about this but decided that as Tanks lad gone lack & artillery support not available at orce not battempt to wist the place. I endeavoued tgot help fom Artillery but foud it diffcult as they were all ticed. Effte a lot of difficulty I ctore tank to attempt the jot & got 000 yoorrenet & some 25 poners hid ke down thert Iringer caradian C Bde or my rigtt 9th A. Faily in the morning a uport reached me for Col Deneby that his paliots had reached the old Amen la fer every re retung pel warehegorder, put word to feavl topt frrwand otbot Ms t
keep in buet with th enemy as he fill back. About 9 am the Br. of the A Casadian Byade came oent said that tho7 Aust dis would be wadean late comngng & that the Ca anred were advansing at son & could I sedout met poted then flank I agreed sdo this inbert t tromo consent & rang up &gotte convent atoner. The dispached B.M. to hurry 60t8 580out oo to thortnes of notic we could ntestort u thi but th Canadi put off the sero t1 an ome tht advanced with them theught along the Keygot alongwill but in th contro Mr Booche made a stand for nearly toohom alonga periss of bur out which turned out to be the Bodche Dior H.D. I prished up myself to me ta houtl & got a slight wound with a luelets in lift pultork whics directingo tank which ws comngay bwardto place. We lad no lands to day with. Hossever just at thisti the advance of the S r took Bocher is th rean & all ths
9 opponyth 30t mundrred look by my H.Ci tH.As Broch foul Commander. Many Valuable documents & hropheees were recived. The 2d Bedeabad through i about 1.30 hasd we had seculed almost al of thei potjective for them. Lnmthday we recived woord that we would go back next epP. Trode St Bla a a sida wobelans 10 My relieved by the 3 Bgde w advanced through the 2d Byde or Tchos & Gevl. Henry Bennett Wt over my Hits. We mored back to plandy & lookry H.Aa Pacquemont 11th Hng. Ikested all day. Weathertlea but warn. Sent Hotl called called Corpcice of Mr Londis odiocurs scent orali, New nerlens sentout other with Bosd waiched in 12t By. Kill resting Froop fathed Truly os caral. St 8.30pn called to bin for Conference & received outht of phrpoed just operation for the Captin of Chaulve & traunity 18th Pide, He a lips take thanlnes & 1D Byde or right
Caradian or the right of 140 t 4th Dusfin o my liff. All o Br Comvader had ever wanred the at my H.ds at 10 pr bairaitiny return a returnintructin wosd for them to waich early i morninglacke to Hailonmeres preparatory t warther i throngt Rosrerest soly porti nentday 13t Mrr. Bide mored to riitgo Harlmonerc. Byde H. As exallished at Chaleaus at 6122 AU COURV Hl n porti by p Hln intender that mork to Hosenbly portin fons of Roners should be connbiced At 2 am next day & desable tire th men a mut wrt as poooibl. Later advic received that operation potpdforeh for the 15th Fnot which was rignal 2 day trin urcraft actively lowbgen durng the oght. Heard that tor know kought lad few killed. 14th Bug. &ir Sive called & held corforence with all concerned at my H.R & all detail of attack anoyed with Sank ex
Ap its conclumn I lad a weeling of wyou Bron Bind & hal arragement wen detcnised att about 6 fr and was ntor that operalon me off for the time beng. In evenn 1 wode fwaid to Rosseres I lad a lookwund our heary givs me puing a few Boothes me repeyig but very quiet otherwise was lack Eveny Dercrassoon part rights very active 15 Fr day bu reicart. B.M& F0. Vintet the mactatins & reconnoitred the Sector generally his notified us verbally that we were to rehueve the 13t Bsitesl) Denvion away over or the leftflank just soult of the Simme who had made rathe a mess of things Bns were accordingly wanied to be ready tomove at thee hours nce dive Hobls called and held a cmnferencewith Brydien Iexplained the Poliy to be adopte
in the new areen a Policy of gradual advances, by loud stealing ground where possible without a general engagement. We were instructed to rcorgasge the whole area as things were putty muddled. Solinging t to undertaken I rally that the longhs simn wild muyt Renire positions a the Sicenity of Perisly & Morcours & tomorrow gatewer the live 15t Brigade a right nent the somne & 14 Brigade or the right 8t Bdo Drool Reverie 16- Ane Had great difficulty in locative new Brigade H.G an unfonished tronker the Arey Valley, 57tMn and co camaltionmoring across 3 bey coused in a entravidercery far by my stumbling over a dud Heroplane Boont & enploding it bthers by shell fire. Brns Heroplanes very active homlorg man ronds bthy keeping to the backs off the dram road we had no difficulty in avoidng then attention. The lives of hall elms os poplars along themar road shomg againt the whits road
makes the lalten good armingwork The B.M. ventfornaed & made curangments with te B.M. of the 51t Byde which we were to relieve as to relief. We revewed is the Resirn chec all daysmored friid at night to relieve. B.1guat Norcourt is a vy dugont very crowded 17 Ang. Relief was complete bby 12.30 montan. At 4.30 as. I went forward& internewed Mr commanders 59 or right 5 on left and ascerlaised ort the 39th lad already pushed or + made good a considerable amount of ground rung the say the B.M wade full reconvarn of the whole area brng the afternoon To McKay 59t Nor purted out a pative & recired a prisoner who was caught unavores a a lature Ary. With Noft Capt. I went forward as onu thec had look rsind. the eneny wa very wary & alert & diving to the number of his waching guvvs progress is ult Seve soffe o Ser Kenitcalle Mo. aden near of Depver 19t Ang. The Brigade major reconncteed tht old French line which is the on wantinen rendore
In afternon I will wind comed the cupteried Bosche camgs & sited many things of interest. 28 Hag. We received anid last night thatthys Dis were going tallack or our port &we wr assted t reconnoctie and which a plac for a starthin I rew tarrage & te B.M. carried one thi very mifactorily buig th night nished well iz also twob F wen Thi Brigade is brads the Tuntine. Wear to go back to the near Dneas 21s Dy. Ond two wear him were the cog relived by the 427 B o Byde & mond back to Vaire Lous Corhe tight the command porres at 10 an tomorrow comnand pors in Di Relief caned out O.K. The 2 in Dr nortyf River corried out an attac nt 4.45 a.m very niccessull but the 3 coys or their left again made rather a mess. They took then objectives but retired, again or a small county attack derclosing the hmor who loiled wen uder sint sorrirge. Brygade N. As were relieved smored to Varis wnlorbic
our two my the 89th 2 57 & 15to H27 M.B. come under commod of 1st Bgdo. they ofnall ther out the line, withdraw hhind the 1s Bryade at rerv - 15 minutes. The after Byde lave gone through they revcinp the old portline & upn orders bery received that all is going. well they me to ryou us aWaine. we mored to stations at Vanre The honor has a number of lahtatle roons still. The B.M accompaneed J.O.C. 1 Bgde roind to forward area & introduced him to O.657109. Brss of 12t D.2T.M.B & the latter explained then action ten in connectin with the operations. The day was extremely chot & oppressive. Major Keir renaned with Bde as seavor ofe w om his sould be releared. I had a sine attack of rheunation brought or by a wretting received whils looking round the Booche camps the other morning. I shay thrireicane or soet me II had no changeof clothing anilake at th em 23rd feeling better. Had a rumn this morning day warm but not shad
as yesterday. Hear attack this morniing nn Chuignotle agreat gteed prmens in n The French I hear found littte opposition in their port & the old s Swin of the Gernan Arnngturned and bed with anthr division. Our 3rd Homy wakin five mogiess fine towards Banjai sulled Hobbs & Majos thap 1Alout 180 an thes morning & 24- Aug. Saturday Laft night 3 hrs atteshed nort of hmone near may Captinen all objecting Good news continung from 3d Army. Had confuence pr Commonder. El Becki Balph colled Vane Turday wnted Bon rumpeded pou leite me everfull - The 50 who only got int Brllet latd yesterday looked tried other look well. Attended conference Bryadiess et at Drs H.I I receved order for advance or borning near Brie. The 14th Bde tlead along man Road, when enhanted the pde llow & then 5th Hadconsine wll Order s informed then

by the 59th Br. All were 
very tired out. I rode forward 
in the afternoon & found that  
consolidation of the Red line 
by the 58th & 60th Bn was well 
in hand but was not satisfied 
with the situation in [[Yimsy?]] 
Amiens as the Bosch held 
a little wood strongly with 
machine guns fronting a 
pocket in our line. I saw  
Scanlan & Denehy about this but decided that 
as tanks had gone back & artillery support 
not available at once not to attempt to rush  
the place. I endeavoured to get help from  
Artillery but found it difficult as they were  
all tired. After a lot of difficulty I  
got one tank to attempt the job & got 800 
yds of trench & some 25 prisoners but 
then the tank broke down. I of 
I visited Canadian 6th Bgde on my right 
9th Aug. Early in the morning a report  
reached me from Col Denehy that his 
patrols had reached the old Amiens 
line & few enemy seen returning in full 
marching order. Sent word to Scanlan 
to push forward & to both Bns to

 

keep in touch with the enemy as he 
fell back. About 9am the B.M. of the  
6th Canadian Brigade came over & 
said that the 7th Aust Div would be 
late coming up & that the Canadians 
were advancing at 10am & asked could I 
send out men & protect their flank 
I agreed to do this subject to Divisions 
consent & rang up & got Div 
consent at once. Then dispached 
B.M. to hurry 60th & 58th Bns out. 
Owing to shortness of notice we could 
not get out up there but the Canadians  
put off their Zero to 11 am & we 
then advanced with them. The right 
along the Rly got along well but in the  
centre the Bosche made a stand for 
nearly two hours along a series of [[key?]] 
onto which turned out to be the Boche 
Div H.Qs. I pushed up myself 
to see the trouble & got a slight wound 
with a bullet in left Buttock whilst  
directing a tank. which was coming up 
towards the place. We had no tanks to 
start with. Horsemen just at this time 
the advance of the 68th Bn took the  
Broches in the rear & all those

 

opposing the 60th surrendered. I 
took up my H.Q. in the H.Qs of the 
Bosche Divnl Commander. Many 
valuable documents & trophies 
were secured. The 2nd Bgde advanced 
through us about 1.30 but we had 
secured almost all of their 1st objective 
for them. During the day we received 
word that we would go back next 
day to Blangy area to refit. I rode 
up beyond Vaucelles to where the 2nd Bgde was held up 
10th Aug. Relieved by the 3rd Bgde who 
advanced through the 2nd Bgde in 
Lihons  & Genl. Henry Bennett took 
over my H.Qs. We moved back to  
Blangy & took my H.Q. in Vacquemont 
11th Aug. Rested all day. Weather clear 
but warm. Genl Hobbs called. Called 
Conference of Bn Cmdrs to discuss recent 
operations. New [[muscles]] sent out 
& other with [[Bastards]] marched in. 
12th Aug. Still resting. Troops bathed  
freely in canal: At 8.30pm  
called to Divn for Conference &  
received outline of proposed joint 
operations for the capture of Chambes 
& Vicinity. 15th Bgde to be on left &  
take Chambes & 14th Bgde on right

 

Canadians on the right of 14th & 
the 4th Aust Divn on my left. All our 
Bn Commanders had been warned to be  
at my H.Qs at 10 p m to await my  
return & on return instructions issued 
for them to march early in morning back 
to Harbonnieres preparatory to marching 
through beyond Rozieres to Hornesby position 
next day. 
13th Aug. Bgde moved to vicinity of 
Harbonnieres. Bgde H.Qs established  
at Chateaus at GILL AU COURT. 
All troops in position by 1 pm 
Also intended that move to Hornesby 
position in front of Rozieres should 
be commenced at 2 am next day 
& desirable to give the men as much 
rest as possible . Later advice received 
that operation postponed for 24 hrs 
for the 15th I note which was original Z day. 
Enemy aircraft actively bombing us 
during the night. Heard that Col 
Knox Knight had been killed. 
14th Aug. Div Genl called & held 
conference with all concerned 
at my H.Qs & all details 
of attack arranged with precision 
etc

 

At it's conclusion I had a  
meeting of my own Secondary Comdrs 
& final arrangements were  
discussed. 
At about 6 pm word was sent to us 
that operations were off for the time 
being. In evening I rode forward  
to Rozieres & had a look round 
our heavy guns were firing &  
a few Broches were replying but 
very quiet otherwise. On way  
back Enemy Aircrafts & our tank 
lights very active. 
15th . Fine day but overcast. B.M. & 
I.O. visited the Battalions & 
reconnoitred this sector generally 
and notified us verbally that 
we were to relieve the 15th British, 
Division away over on the left flank 
just South of the Somme who 
had made rather a mess of things 
Bns were accordingly advised 
to be ready to move at three 
hours notice. Genl Hobbs called 
and held a conference with Brigadiers 
& explained the Policy to be adopted

 

in the new area - a Policy of gradual  
advances. by forward stealing ground 
where possible without a general 
engagement. We were instructed 
to reorganize the whole area as 
things were pretty muddled. Salvaging 
to be undertaken. Finally that the 
Division would move tonight to Reverse 
positions in the vicinity of  Percey 
& Morcourt & tomorrow take over 
the line 15th Brigade on right left next 
the Somme & 14th Brigade on the right 
8th Bde Divnl Reserve 
16th Aug. Had great difficulty in locating 
new Brigade H.Q. on unfinished 
Dugouts  The Lehiry Valley. 57th Br 
had  10 casualties moving across 
3 being caused in an extraordinary 
fashion by men stumbling over a  
"dud" Aeroplane Bomb & exploding 
it. Others by shell fire. Enemys 
Aeroplanes very active  bombing main 
roads but by keeping to the tracks off 
the main road we had no difficulty in 
avoiding their attention. The lines 
of tall elms n poplars along the main 
road - showing against the white road.

 

Makes the latter a good aiming mark
The B.M. went forward & made arrangements 
with the B.M. of the 51st Bgde which we were 
to relieve as to relief. We remained 
in this Reserve Area all day & moved 
forward at night to relieve. B. Hqrs at  
Morcourt in a clay dugout very crowded 
[*Morcourt*] 17th Aug.  Relief was complete by 12.30 
 am. At 4.30 am I went forward & 
interviewed Br Commanders 59th on right 
57th on left and ascertained that the 39th 
had already pushed on & made good  
a considerable amount of ground. During  
the day the B.M. made full reconnaissance 
of the whole area. During the afternoon 
Lt McKay 59th Bn pushed out a patrol 
& secured a prisoner who was caught 
unawares on a latrine. 
[*Morcourt*] 18th Aug.  With staff Capt I went forward as 
 far as the Coy H.Q. of the left Bn & had a  
look round. The enemy to rh very 
wary & alert & owing to the number 
of his machine guns progress is 
most difficult. Genl Hobbs & Gen Stewart called 
and discussed plan of Defence 
19th Aug. The Brigade Major reconnoitred 
the old French line which is the new 
main line of resistance

 

In afternoon I rode round  some of 
the captured Borche camp & noted 
many things of interest.. 
20th Aug. We received word last night 
that the 7th Div were going to attack on 
our front & we were asked to reconnoitre 
and submit a plan for a start line 
& zero barrage & the B.M. carried out 
this very satisfactorily During the night 
also two C.T.  were pushed well up 
towards the front line. We are The Brigade is to 
go back to the rear Areas. 
21st Aug. Our two rear lines were 
relieved by the 4th & 1st Bn of 1st Bgde this evening & 
moved back to Vaise Sous Corbie 
last night. The command passes  
at 10 am tomorrow command passes 
22nd Aug. Relief carried out O.K. The 
3rd Div north of River carried out 
an attack at 4.55 a.m. very successfully 
but the 3rd Corps on their left again 
made rather a mess. They took their 
objectives but retired again on a 
small counter attack developing 
The Division who failed were under 
Genl [[Grisge?]]. Brigade H.Qs  were 
relieved & moved to Vaise Sous Corbie

 

Our two Bns the 59th  57th & 15th A L T M B 
came under command of 1st Bgde. They 
thin out the line officially withdraw behind 
the 1st Brigade at zero-15 minutes. Then 
after 2nd Bgde have gone through they 
reoccupy the old front line & upon 
orders being received that all is going 
well they are to rejoin us at Vaise. 
We moved to chateaus at Vaise 
The house has a number of habitable 
rooms still. The B.M. accompanied 
G.O.C 1st Bgde round to forward area & 
introduced him to O.C 57th &  59th Bns & 
of 15th A .L. T. M. B. & the latter explained their 
action to him in connection with  
its operations. The day was extremely 
hot & oppressive. Major Kerr remained 
with 1st Bde as Liaison officer until 
our Bn could be released. I had a 
severe attack of rheumatism brought 
on by a wetting received whilst 
looking round the Bosche camps the 
other morning. A sharp shiver came 
on and wet me & I had no change of 
clothing available at the time. 
23rd Feeling better. had a swim this 
morning. Day warm but not as bad

 

as yesterday. Hear attack this  
morning in Chuignolles a great 
success 33 officers & 1400 prisoners 
captured  up to present. 
The French I hear found little 
opposition in their front & the old 
1st Division of this German Army turned 
and fled without this Division. Our 
3rd Army making fine progress 
towards Baupaume. Genl 
Hobbs & Major Chapman called.. 
24th Aug. Saturday. Last night About 1.30 am this morning 3rd Div 
attacked north of Somme near 
Bray captured all objectives 
Good news continuing from 3rd 
Army. Had conference of 
Bn Commanders. Col Peck & 
Ralph called 
[* Varie sous Corfu *] 25th Sunday Visited Bns reinspected 
men carefully. The 57th who 
only got into Billet late yesterday 
looked tired others looking  
well. Attended conference of 
Brigadiers etc at Div H.Q. & received 
orders for advance on Somme near 
Brie. The 14th Bde to lead along main  
Road, when exhausted the 18th Bde to 
follow & then 15th. Had conference with Bn Cmders 
& informed them.

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Jacqueline KennedyJacqueline Kennedy
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