Diary Henry Arthur Goddard 1918 - Part 21
BRAY-SUR-SOMME
AOUT19 20 LUNDI
20th.
A bad night - the dugout was very foul
Got up 4.a.m. and went out There was
much shelling going on, particularly on our
part. Decided that a bit of risk was better
than being poisoned by foul air so after
breakfast moved to a shelter in the opposite
bank. Feel off colour. Spent day getting
grip of things & in evening went up to O.P
with Halford to get the lie of the land.
Pain dug his heels in about leaving dugout
so I let him remain.
Turned in just before midnight. Had a
good night. The shelling was heavy but
it did not disturb me.
Casualties.
33 Bn 4.O.R. wounded
34 " 2 " "
35 " 1 " " 1 O.R. Killed
O.P. BRAY-SUR. SOMME
AOUT
20 MARDI.
8.a.m received instructions from Div to attack
North of Bray on 22. Spent morning with sundry
matters connected therewith Much delayed by Pain
being very late for breakfast.
Held conference commanding officers at 1.p.m.
Lieu. Gellibrand came up in afternoon discussed
with him details Artillery, Machine Guns, Mounted
Orderleys, Contact planes, Liason, exploding of green
patch, Pioneer Bn. S.O.S. to Guns &c. &c.
Pioneer Bn Relieved 35 Bn tonight.
Enemy heavily shelled our valley with heavy
straff H.E. and. gas .between 6 and 10 pm.
Leo came up. He had biked from Hamelet,
I could only spare him a few minutes
poor kid. He was wearing patched breeches I
gave him a pair of boots and leggings,
turned in after 1.a.m.
Casualties
Killed Wounded
33 Bn. 1 officer 2. O.R. 2 O.Rs.
34 " 1 officer 2.O.R. 2 Offr 10 "
35 ____ _____ 2
1 2 _____
2 14
OP. BRAY-SUR-SOMME.
AOUT
21 MERCREDI
In morning interviewed Col King Commandg Bde
of Artillery coming under me. Col. White 35th, Sandup Pioneers
Major King and sundry others. A very hot day.
Issued orders for to-morrows attack.
On our left are 47 Div and again on their left 12 Div.
23.
10 Bde relieved us. and attacked BRAY and
Col Lords Bn. their casualties were heavy as I knew
they would be.
Casualties-
Killed Wounded Missing
O. O.R. O. O.R. O. O.R. }
33 Bn. 2 0. 5. 39. }
34 " 4. 1. 39 - - 1 }
35 " 1. 3. 4. 52. 2 }
3 7 10. 130 3
Total casualties 13 officers
140 O.R.
153
OP. BRAY-SUR-SOMME.
BATTLE OF BRAY.
AOUT
22 JEUDI
4.45 a.m. Launched attack. N. BRAY - see report
Great success - captured many prisoners and
gained all our objectives. Between 5 & 6 p.m. the
English on our left (47 Div) Londoners retreated
leaving us completely in the air, but the boys
stood their ground splendidly. The enemy had
counterattacked, but there was no excuse for the
retirement. - We beat off the enemy ourselves. I
got on to him with the guns and the Machine Guns
also got him inflicting very heavy casualties.
Div Commander instructed me that if I could I had
permission to take Bray but it was to be done
without casualties - an impossible proposition. However
owing to the retreat ^of the Londoners it was put off. The people up
above evidently had no idea of the conditions.
For 23 see preceding page
Casualties
Killed Wounded Missing
O. O.R. O. O.R. O. O.R. )
33 Bn. 5. 1. 51. )
34 " 1. 2. 28 )
35 " 11. 48. )
&T.M. 1 )
17 3. 128
Total casualties
3 officers
and 145
other ranks.
OP. BRAY-SUR-SOMME.
AOUT
21 MERCREDI
In morning interviewed Col King Commandg Bde
of Artillery coming under me. Col. White 35th, Sandup Pioneers
Major King and sundry others. A very hot day.
Issued orders for to-morrows attack.
On our left are 47 Div and again on their left 12 Div.
23.
10 Bde relieved us. and attacked BRAY and
Col Lords Bn. their casualties were heavy as I knew
they would be.
Casualties-
Killed Wounded Missing
O. O.R. O. O.R. O. O.R. }
33 Bn. 2 0. 5. 39. }
34 " 4. 1. 39 - - 1 }
35 " 1. 3. 4. 52. 2 }
3 7 10. 130 3
Total casualties 13 officers
140 O.R.
153
Bookmark - see original document
OP. BRAY-SUR-SOMME.
BATTLE OF BRAY.
AOUT
22 JEUDI
4.45 a.m. Launched attack. N. BRAY - see report
Great success - captured many prisoners and
gained all our objectives. Between 5 & 6 p.m. the
English on our left (47 Div) Londoners retreated
leaving us completely in the air, but the boys
stood their ground splendidly. The enemy had
counterattacked, but there was no excuse for the
retirement. - We beat off the enemy ourselves. I
got on to him with the guns and the Machine Guns
also got him inflicting very heavy casualties.
Div Commander instructed me that if I could I had
permission to take Bray but it was to be done
without casualties - an impossible proposition. However
owing to the retreat ^of the Londoners it was put off. The people up
above evidently had no idea of the conditions.
For 23 see preceding page
Casualties
Killed Wounded Missing
O. O.R. O. O.R. O. O.R. )
33 Bn. 5. 1. 51. )
34 " 1. 2. 28 )
35 " 11. 48. )
&T.M. 1 )
17 3. 128
Total casualties
3 officers
and 145
other ranks.
BRAY SUR-SOMME - SAILLY-LE-SEC
AOUT
234 VENDREDI
[*Casualties
Killed Wounded Missing
O. O.R. O. O.R. O. O.R.
33 Bn. 9. 21. 6
34 " 1. 8 6
35 " 5. 1 17.
15 1. 46 6
Total 1.67 *]
Turned in in old dug out 5.10. a.m. but tried to
read for a bit in order to get off. Slept till
about 8. Got up 9. Kept going hard all day
with large numbers of callers Div. staff. Press
Bn Commds etc. Pain slept right on till 6.
pulling in 13 hours. He must have been tired. I
kept everyone off him and carried on. Did try to
rest about 6 but too much doing so gave it up.
Blacklow came in and told me his brother had
been killed.
8. p.m. Received notice from Division that
enemy were retreating on to SUZANNE and that
we were to move forward our Hqrs to K. 31.N east
of SAILLY-LAURETTE by 1.30 and Bns to be at
Squares by 6. a.m. I went forward
with Lark & Got up about 1. a.m. searched
for a place to sit down and occupied old American dugout
turned in about 2.30 Got word at 4. a.m. to meet
Div Commdr. He came up about 5 & stayed till nearly
six then went forward to 11 Bde. Got another hours sleep.
The 10th & 11th Bdes advanced 2.30 with artillery preparation,
but met with no opposition with entering
& are now on a line runig along Emblion Edge Ceylon House,
A captured order shows that enemy expected our
attack on 22.
SAILLY-LE-SEC
SAILLY LAURETTE
(K. 32 b.5.2.)
AOUT24 25 SAMEDI
Wells fixed up a table in a hole outside the dugout
and I worked there. Dust very bad from the road &
the tractors and ammunition lorries for the
big guns. The road is very interesting - a continuous
stream of transport all going in a right direction with
Hun prisoners passing - the scene must impress them
very much.
Major Fry reported back. I informed him that
it was intended to supercede him.
Leo came up this evening - He is alright so far
and is camped quite close to me. Walked over to his
possie with him. He does not want to leave his present unit.
I suggested his coming to the infantry so that I could send
him to an officers school but he turned it down.
Our line now runs through Ceylon Wood.
10th and 11th Bdes are pushing towards SUZANNE.
Newspaper cutting - see original document
BRAY - SUR. SOMME
AOUT
26 Dimanche
Following wire recd from Div. "Situation 9.30 a.m.
SUZANNE captured Line runs thence G2 cent. G26 c.7.4
Patrols right Brigade reached G. Q. D 0 4 will endeavor
link up 1st Aust Div by signal ammunition
From G. Q central G. 22 central
SAILLY
[* Casualties
34 Bn 2 O.R. wounded *]
AOUT
27 MARDI
Div now holds a line running approx. A.29 cent.
through Vaux along the western Bk of SOMME U G 23 b.
Instructed to relieve with our Bn the 10h & 11h Bde
on this line, relief to be completed tonight 34 Bn detached
I went forward & saw Gens Carman - the B M of the 10
Selected a site for N Bde Hqrs at L. 4. d. 2. 7. N. of
SUZANNE.
Saw Col White 35 Bn and gave him instruction
re tomorrow attack.. Arrange bombardment
FARGNEY WOOD. &c.
28 contd.
For remainder of this operation see report
174 Bde inform me that they will be relieved by 175
Bde to-night.
Our 34 Bn ( in support) report that 58 Div
on our left have retired to the line CRUCIFIX
A.24.a.oo. Div at once informed also 174 Bde
This was the last information the 174 Bde had received of
their retirement - they appear to have no proper
signal arrangements.
8.p.m. moved Hqrs to COPSE VALLEY A - 26 6 5. 3
[* Casualties
34 Bn 2. O.R. wounded
35 " 8. O.R. Killed
8 officers & 28 O.R. wounded *]
N. SUZANNE
CURLU
AOUT
28 MERCREDI
4.55. a.m. 35 Bn attacked between an East and
west grid line through A.7.4.c.o.o. and River
SOMME for Southern boundaries. The objective
which runs along the line G. 6. a: 7 7 . - A.3 o.e.7.4. -
West of CURLU - A. 30. a. 8. o. - A. 25 d. 8. o.
Pushed out patrol to exploit success and if
possible gain line which runs through G.6.d.8.o.
G. 6. b. 8. o. A. 30. d. 8. o. east of CURLU and A. 30. b. 6. 5.
(Quarry) A. 30. b. 5. 7. (Crucifix) Residence and heavy
operation a complete success about 700 prisoners taken
English troops on left again failed to keep up
with barrage and our left flank in consequence
exposed a position of 35 Reserves then called upon
to form defensive flank thus depleting our all too
small force. At 8.25 p.m. the 174 Bde all
reported they had at last joined up with
our left flank.
Summit Copse Observation Wood and Quarry
now (8.30 .a.m. very bombarded by our artillery)
34 Bn ^ I ordered to move through 35 N. to their
line CURLU CHAPEL --b.25 6.7.3. to SUMMIT COPSE
A 2 c 3 9 . with 35 Bn at QUARRY A. 28. a. 9. 5.
ordered A Coy 3 Pioneer Bn attached to Bde to
work in making good bridges across Somme on
Square A 28 and 29 (Cited on preceding page)
CURLU
HEM
CLERY-SUR-SOMME
[ * Casualties -
33 Bn. 1. O.R. died of injurie
2 " wounded
34 Bn. 1 officer Killed 1 wounded
7 o.R. wounded *]
AOUT
29 JEUDI
Gen. Gellibrand came up this morning He had got word at 7.30
that our patrols had pushed forward to Ham and that the
2 Div were moving up to CLERY from south - He was a good
deal concerned because our Light Horse were not out. I was
as a matter of fact giving instructions to Major Buckaman O.C.
my Squadron to push out - Pushed up the 33 and as the
35 had been so knocked about particularly in officers he gave
me the 42d (Col Woolcock.) I intend not using the 35 further
for stunts for present unless forced - Moved forward my
Headquarters to H. 1. a. 2. 2. (E. of CURLU) Pain went on
ahead. I left about 3.30.p.m. per foot with Capt Dixon.
arriving about 5. A very good Hqrs evidently a Hun
Divisional Hqrs.. Artillery Group with us (Col. Allsop).
By.7. p.m. our advanced Bn (34) were on
a line from Hill 120 in B 23 - South to copse 5 in H. 5.
Artillery and Machine Gun fire pretty hot. Pain went
out in a Corps car to pick me up & the chauffeur was killed.
Light Horse who I sent out towards hill 120 had 4 men
- 4 horses hit.
Relieved 35 Bn by 34 Bn. Pushed out strong patrol
to get touch with enemy who was very active from CANTHARIDES
TRENCH and CURLU CHAPEL in B.25 2 & d. at 5.p.m. a.m.
patrols
got out 35 on right arranging conjunction 34 advanced
and established itself on line from SUAVE SAUVE ALLEY through
SUMMIT COPSE to road. B.25.d.q.3. As 10th LONDON Regt
on right had failed to advance it was impossible to move
further. forward without endangering our flank. I established a
defensive flank on left along road B. 25. d. q. 3. through
B. 25. a. to CURLU CHAPEL and the CRUCIFIX to A. 30. B.
At 8.a.m. the C.O. 8 LONDONS was interviewed by
34 Bn and asked to bring forward his flank (This was not
done till the afternoon.4.5 ^3.50 p.m Strong post Strond point established at B. 26. b. 9. o
to ensure safety of left flank
[*29th Cont
scheme being 34 Bn to continue the advance silently to-night
in conjunction with 10Bde on our right - Objectives: First
Red line B.24 c. y. 3 to B 30. d 99. 20. H. 12. b. 5. 7
Second Objective Green line S.W. corner MARRIERS WOOD
C. 19 c. 1-4. to Junction of WARY ALLEY and BERLING-OATS
TRENCH I.i.c. N. of town N. of ROAD WOOD
C.24. a, 6 -8. thence south along trench through ROAD
WOOD. through VAN TRENCH I. i.c. to I. 7.a.99.6o.
N. Div Boundary straight line through B.28 central
S. Div Boundary River SOMME. Nites Bde Boundary
trench running E & W through B.29.D.B.30 c o d.
& c.25.e. ( ACARIES ALLEY) Second Aust Div to
conform by passing troops across River SOMME
through OMMIECOURT-LES-CLERY to CLERY-SUR-SOMME
thence S.Ewards to right of 10 Bde.
10.30 p.m. Issued orders for attack to 34h Bn.
29 contd
Moved my Hqrs to CURUU. H. I. a. 2. 2.
4.5 p.m. advance continues well
38 Bn on right and 10 LONDONS on left.
Dispositions of 34 BN are now
A & B Coys. Line
D " Support
C " top Flank defence
A Coy 33 Bn attached to 34 in reserve
Heavy shelling encountered 5.9s. 4.21
and heavier guns also several machine guns
fire. Objective reached and line
established at B.26 b. 9. o. H. 3 a. 3. 8.
H 4. a. o. 2. H. 28. 0. 4. 2. B 23 d.o.3.
H.5.. b o.9. enemy heavily shelled new
line with 77 and heavier gun. Result of
operation 75 Prisoners & 6 machine guns captured
7.50. p.m. Two Companies 40 Bn placed in position
on left flank covering gap between London Regt and
ourselves. Identifications 447 Prussian Infantry Regt.
9. p.m. Instructions through General McNicol
re further advance Bde co-operating well this the
CLERY-SUR-SOMME
Casualties
34 Bn 1 officer Killed
1 " 12 O.R. wounded
AOUT
30 VENDREDI
Attacked with 34 in line. 334 & 42 in support. Met with
stiff opposition but advance line nearly 2000 yds taking
many prisoners. a field gun & many machine guns.
See Note.
In evening we were again ordered to attack in conjunction with the
British on our left and the 10 Bde on our right. I discovered
to my horror that the British had arranged to put down a
protective barrage right on our line of advance. I could
do nothing with them, and Div seemed helpless it was after
3.a.m. before the thing was fixed up. We had to rearrange
everything lines of advance, barrages - Our guns only got
their tables a few minutes before zero. Turned in 4 a.m.
for couple of hours.
2.30. Zero- advance commences.
4.a.m First objective reached. Second objective
found strongly held with machine guns
7.5. a.m. Light Horse patrols report machine
gun fire from direction B. 17 central & B. 3 s. b.
to CLERY COPSE.
8.25. light Horse patrol reports Hill 150 clear of enemy
but fired on by Machine Guns from direction of B.12.a.central
Squares 23 & 24 clear of enemy but Machine Guns
sniping in rear of Hill 110 from ridge east of MARRIERS
WOOD Infantry reported to right light Horse patrol that
enemy are holding trenches in ROAD WOOD.
Issued following orders to O.C.A. Light Horse Patrols and
34 Bn. English troops are now advancing through R 18.
30 Aug cont.
and. C. 7. in an easterly direction and intend advancing
through MARRIERS WOOD into Squares C 13 and C 19. 33 Bn
are moving one Coy forwards at the junction between
34 Bns left and English troops this Coy is to
CLERY-SUR-SOMME
Casualties
34 Bn 1 officer Killed
1 " 12 O.R. wounded
AOUT
30 VENDREDI
Attacked with 34 in line. 334 & 42 in support. Met with
stiff opposition but advance line nearly 2000 yds taking
many prisoners. a field gun & many machine guns.
See Note.
In evening we were again ordered to attack in conjunction with the
British on our left and the 10 Bde on our right. I discovered
to my horror that the British had arranged to put down a
protective barrage right on our line of advance. I could
do nothing with them, and Div seemed helpless it was after
3.a.m. before the thing was fixed up. We had to rearrange
everything lines of advance, barrages - Our guns only got
their tables a few minutes before zero. Turned in 4 a.m.
for couple of hours.
2.30. Zero- advance commences.
4.a.m First objective reached. Second objective
found strongly held with machine guns
7.5. a.m. Light Horse patrols report machine
gun fire from direction B. 17 central & B. 3 s. b.
to CLERY COPSE.
8.25. light Horse patrol reports Hill 150 clear of enemy
but fired on by Machine Guns from direction of B.12.a.central
Squares 23 & 24 clear of enemy but Machine Guns
sniping in rear of Hill 110 from ridge east of MARRIERS
WOOD Infantry reported to right light Horse patrol that
enemy are holding trenches in ROAD WOOD.
Issued following orders to O.C.A. Light Horse Patrols and
34 Bn. English troops are now advancing through R 18.
30 Aug cont.
and. C. 7. in an easterly direction and intend advancing
through MARRIERS WOOD into Squares C 13 and C 19. 33 Bn
are moving one Coy forward at the junction between
34 Bns left and English troops this Coy is to
move to MARRIERS WOOD thence patrolling southwards
along trench through C. 19. C. and C. 25 a to clear
the enemy from the ROAD WOOD in order to enable 34th
Bn to advance later L. Horse to get in touch C. O
34 Bn at B. 29. d. 2. 3. and assist hm in getting
information back quickly to me.
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