Charles E W Bean, Diaries, AWM38 3DRL 606/254/1 - 1917 - 1933 - Part 5

[* Docts of Record. *]
(1)
5th FOOT GUARDS. 
Orders for the Hohensturm Attack. 1/10/17.
(1) The Hohenstuerm attack will take place at 6 a.m. Oct. 3rd
according to Divisional Orders of Sept. 30th "preparation for the
attack."
(2) Sectors of attack. R.I.R. 212, 1st Battalion. North Flank.
North Flank: N.W. end of Zonnebeke - 200 m. N.W. of the Church.
South Flank: From the North right boundary of 5 G.F.G. (300 metres
S.E. of Zonnebeke Lake) to Hill 715.
R.I.R.212, 2nd Battalion.
North Flank: Contact with 1st Battalion, 212 R.I.R.
South Flank: From the South regimental boundary of 5 G.F.G. in
the direction of the most N.W. house in Molenaarelsthoek.
R.I.R. 212, 3rd Battalion.
North Flank: Contact with 2nd Battalion, 212 R.I.R.
South Flank: Haus Kathe.
(3) Positions on Battle Head Quarters.
K.T.K. 1st Bn.   212 R.I.R. at R.T.K. North (5th Gd. Gren.)
K.T.K. 2nd Bn. 212 R.I.R. at K.T.K. 5th G.F.G.
K.T.K. 3rd Bn.  212 R.I.R. at K.T.K. 93rd R.I.R.
The O.C. 5th Gd. Gren Regiment will remain in his present Battle
Head Quarters (North X).
The O.C. 3212 R.I.R. will move to R.T.K. centre.
(4) The following alterations have been made in Divisional
Orders 30th September. (Ia 9625)
Para 4. Distribution of orders for tio Infantry from midnight
Oct. 2/3 to midnight Oct. 3/4, as follows.
                                                Col. v. Alt Stutterheim,
                                                  O.C., 5th G.G. Bde.
Attacking group v Ladowitz                                       93rd R.I.R. less
                                                                                                       2 Flank Coys.
O.C. 5th G.G.R.
Major Fuhr von Schleinitz
                                                       O.C. 212 R.I.R.
                                                        Lt.Col. Rave.
G.G.R.5            1st Bn.                                                                         1st Bn. G.F.G.
                          212 R.I.R.
                                                        3rd Bn. 212 R.I.R.
                                    2nd Bnm 212 R.I.R.                        5th GFG with 2 Right
                                                                                           Flank Coys. of 93rd R.I.R.
Para 5 Readiness: read:- 
The 3 Battalions 212 R.I.R. will stand to - rested and
fed - in fighting kit (hand grenades, light pistols, ammunition,
signalling sheets, 4 iron rations, 2 field flasks).
 

(2)
The 1st Battalion 212th R.I.R. with 5 Sturmtruppe of 4th Sturm
Battalion.
The 3rd Battalion 212th R.I.R. with 3 Sturmtruppe of 4th Sturm
Battalion.
Close behind the front battle line in their sector, the 1st Bn.
5 G.F.G. will similarly stand at the disposal of the C.O. 212th
R.I.R., South of Broodseinde, as he may arrange.
Trench Battalions of the regiments of the 4th Gd. Division will
remain in position during the attack for an emergency garrison.
Support Battalions will remain in their positions (with the exception

of the 1st Battalion, 5th G.F.G., which remains at the
disposal of the O.C. 212th R.I.R.
Reserve Battalions of the 5th G.G.R. and 5th G.F.G. are to return
to the western end of Morslede, to remain at the disposal of the
Division.
5th Gd. Bde, are responsible for the safe transmission of orders.
Para 10 N
Instead of 5 Carrier Pigeons read - Carrier pigeons will be
distributed:
1 and 2 Battalions R.I.R. - 10 each. (2 pigeons from each
Battalion are to be handed to troops advancing on Hill 715).
3rd Battalion 212 R.I.R. - 8 pigeons.
1st Battalion 5th G.F.G. - 6 pigeons.
Regimental Staff 212th R.I.R. and Regtl. Staff 5th G.G.R. -
4 pigeons each.
G.O.C., R.A. - 4 pigeons. Artillery Officer patrol -4.
These to be transported by motor lorry to Regtl. B.H.Q. (centre)
Waterdamhoek - whence they will be fetched at 6 pl p.m. of the
2nd October. Above formations will arrange to have their pigeons
fetched.
The 3 Regiments of the 4th Gd. Division will receive 4 pigeons
each at 2.10 and 3.10 p.m.
(5) From 5.35 a.m. to 6 a.m. all Divisional Artillery and
Minen-Werfers will open annihilating fire on the on the objective to
mask the point of entry - flanking doivisions will put down equally

annihilating fire on their barrage sectors and baarrage on the
flanks of the sector to be attacked.
From 6 to 6.10 a.m. the 4th Gd. Divn, will lift barrage about
200 metres. M.W.'s will cease fire.
6.10 a.m. - further lifting of barrage to be maintained in
equal intensity until 7 a.m. when it will gradually slacken off.
(6) On the night - Gas will let off into the battery nests
X 45 - 46. From 5.25 a.m. hostile fire will be kept down. by
artillery of flanking divisions.
(7) G.O.C., R.A. 4th Gd. Divn, will so allot his areas that
in case of hostile attacks barrage and annihilating fire can be
given at any moment.
(8) For liaison with the artillery, each Battalion of the 212
R.I.R. will allot one Art. Officer patrol who will be supplied
with telephone - lamp signalling trupp - pigeons and light pistols.

These officer patrols alone will have the right to signal
"Light Barrage".
(9) The Division will advise Zero hour to all concerned at
7 p.m. of the 2nd October.
Signed - Count Finchausten.
 

(3)
5th F.G.R. (4th Gd. Divn.)
REGIMENTAL ORDER
Oct. 2nd 1917.
Tomorrow morning at 5, one Battalion of the Stoss Divn.
probably again the 3rd Bn., 211 R.I.R., will move into position
occupied by Resxerve Battalion. The Reserve Battalion will
move forward, and be in readiness in position occupied by
Bereitschaft Battalion. (Support Battalion)
R.T.K. will report on completion of the movement, and will
send in a sketch of the distribution of the Companyies to Regtl.
Battle Head Quarters.
Signed N von Ludowitz.
BATTALION ORDERS OF FIRST BATTALION, 5th FOOT GDS.
2/10/17.
The Battalion is placed at the disposal of the 212th R.I.R.
viz:- 3 and 1 Coys. to 1st Bn. 212th R.I.R. and 2nd Bn. respectively.
4th Coy. to left Bn. (3rd) 212 R.I.R.
Two Coys. will remain at order of Bn.
(2) The 2nd Bn., 212th R.I.R. will attack South of LZonnebeke
Lake on a front of 600 metres. All four Coys. of this Bn. will
be in front line. The 3rd Bn. will attack on the remaining
South Sector - as far as the sunken road South and West of
Molenaareldhoek. All four Coys. will be in front line.
The Coys. (of 5th F.G.) will follow both battalions as reserve.
(3) The Battalions of the 212 R.I.R. will take up position
in the former Bereitscheaftstellung of the Guards - but indside
their battle sector. This position must be takenn up by midnight

of the 2/3 October.
The Bns. of the 212th R.I.R. will advance in such a way that on
the 3rd Oct. by 3 a.m. they are close behind the front line, and
ready to attack in three waves.
Artillery and M.W. fire will commence at 5.25 - and at the same
time the whole of the 212th R.I.R. will advance with all three
waves in close order over the present front line, and will deploy
on the whole front as far as our own artillery permits, towards
the enemy. At 6 a.m. artillery and M.W. fire will advance,
and the infantry rush forward without halting to the final objective,

which is the Southern edge of Zonnebeke and the high
ground south of it as far as the Western end of Molenaareldhoek.
(4) For the present six Coys, will remain in their present
sectors, until further orders from Bns, of the 212th R.I.R. or
their own battalions.
(5) Exact zero hour will be given later.
(6) 1st M.G. Coy, will allot one machine gun to each Coy. The
remainder will be in reserve near the Bn.
(7) Staff will for the time being remain in B.T.K. Battle H.Q.
(8) After the attack - The line must be consolidated so far
 

(4)
West as to allow a free field of fire. The bulk of the infantry
will dig itself in in two lines on the Eastern slope of the ridge
Coys, which have been in the front line of attack will probably
be withdrawn to reserve.
Signed - Weizehaupt.

                                       (flares
Note - The following (signals will be in use on the Divl.
sector for Oct. 3rd 4 a.m. to Oct. 4th, 4a.m.
At night S.O.S. barrage red and green rockets bursting into
double stars.
By day Annihilating fire red and green rockets bursting into
double stars.
These signals remain in force the day before and the day after
operations as well as the plain coloured flares.
All ranks to be informed of these signals.
WIRE FROM 4th GUARBD INF. DIV.
Oct. 2nd, 1917.
As the attack yesterday of the 210th R.I.R. failed on the
right flank, the attack on the 3rd Oct. will not extend southwards

beyond the concrete position 200 metres neorth of Haus
Kathe. The line south of this will remain unchanged.
Elements of the 3rd Bn. 212th RMI R.I.R. which will be thus released,

 will be launched as second attacking wave behind the
2nd Bn. of the 212th R.I.R. under orders of the C.O., 212th R.I.R
Signed - v. Ludowitz.
REGTL. ORDER 5th FOOT GUARDS.
Oct. 2nd  Urgent.
(1) Attack "Hohensturm" (storming of heights) has been postponed

by one day.
(2) Instructions and orders remain as before - only 24 hours
later.
(3) Two carrying parties of F Bn. to be detailed today.
Signed - v. Rudowitz.
 

(5)
WIRE FROM 4th GD. DIV.
3/10/17
Addend to operation orders for the "Hohensturm" attack.
(1) Troops of the 4th Gd. Divn, are to be brought up only in
case of necessity e.g. in the event of a counter attack.
(2) Infantry must work its way up in the dark as close as possible

to the position from which ethe assault will be made, and
before drum fire commences - because experience has proved that
the more forward they are the less exposed they will be to hostile

artillery fire.
(3) Special importance is attached to the infantry following
immediately behind the barrage. The moment of surprise can
only be made full use of if the infantry penetrate the enemy's
line at the instant the barrage lifts from it. To diminish
danger of shell splinters the artillery will delay firing the
last shots.
(4) The failure of the attack of the 210th R.I.R. was, that
our artillery fire was not well directed; that the troops got
entangled in the enemy's wire and were subjected to exceedingly
heavy machine gun fire, and came up against unflinching infantry.
(5) The Army Group has given instructions that the 5th Foot
Guards and 5th GD. Grens, are not to return to Morselede, but
are to remain in their present positions.
Above instructiones are to be considered in tomorrow's practice.
Signed - v. Radowitz.
2 /212th R.I.R.
Bn. Battle H.Q.
3/10/17
ATTACK ORDERS. (1() Bn. Attack Sector Right boundary, the hedge leading
to point 715. Left boundary from northernmost farm of Molenaarelsthoeh

to northernmost farm of same place in enemy lines.
Flank Coy. of Direction - 8th Company.
(2) Assembly position (A) On the light railway about 100
metres N. of the main road Broodseinde - In der Ster. (Map i:10,000p
Order of Coys. right to left - 8 - 7- 5 - 6.
As support behind 8th Coy, the 1st Coy.
As support behind 5th Coy, the 12th Coy
As soon as assembly position is occupied report to be made to
O.C. front line troops, point 716.
(3) Assembly position (B) The Coys. of W2nd Bn. will be led
by guides at my orders into the corresponding Cyoy. sectors of
the line Bn. of the 5th Foot Gd. Regt.
The guiding to be carried out by companies and must be completed
by 3.00 a.m. Report to O.C. Front Line troops. The support
Companies to follow up close on the Coys. of 2nd Bn.
Strictest silence to be maintained.
(4) From 5.35 a.m. onwards all companies to be pushed forwards
 

(6)
towards the enemy position as far as possible in accordance with
our own artillery fire.
(5) Attack to commence at 6.00 a.m. It is absolutely necessary

to penetratee the enemy position immediatety our own fire
is lifted. To facilitate tghis, shortly before 6.00 a.m. our
own artillery will obscure (fog) the enemy front position and
the Heavies fire with delay action (Verzogerung) in order to
decrease the splintering effect. The foremost waves must push
through without delay to the objective line, i.e. the summit
line opposite. Fighting in the first line, escorting of prisoners,

etc. is the duty of the third wave, i.e. the reserves.
(6) White Very Lights will be fired off to signal arrival at
the objective.
(7) The orderly officer, Lt. der Reserve Braupd, is detailed
to the 8th Coy, along with some runners and Medium Signal Outfit.
A receiving station will be esatablished by the above-mentioned
officer at on the road to the North of the O.C. Front Line
Troops. On the right flank of the 5th Coy, an artillery officer's

patrol with runnneers, pigeons and telephone apparatus will
take part in the attack. This officer's duty is to control our
artillery fire and see after all matters to do with the artillery
e.g. targets.
The telephonists of the Battalion will take part in the
attack of the 6th Company together with the runner personnel of
the Battalion and of the artillery officer, in the front line
of the 5th Gren. 8th Coy, will receive two pigeons besides
for immediate use. They will collect these pigeons at the assembly

place in Waterdamenhoefk
Urgent:- Attention is again directed to the importance of
making reports on the situation of the battle.
(8) Battalion Battle Station at point 716 on the Broodseinde -
In der Ster Road. (O.C. Front Line Troops in the middle of the
5 G.R. 3 F.)
TRANSLATION.
Battaliion Advanced H.Q., 3rd October, 1917.
Special orders for the Undertaking of "Storming Heights".
(1) The Battalion will be in readiness this evening at 11.00
o'clock on the road Broodseinde-St QuentinN Waterdamhoek in column

of innroutr to march off into the line.
Order of companies in column - 8,7,5,6, light machine gun waggons
2 M.W.A. with 2 limber (supply) waggons, 2nd M.G. Company with
limbers. The Company leader mounted, the rear of the Bn. on the B.StQu
The advance will be made under the guidance of Lt. v. R. Bausee,
through Waterdamhoek on the road to In der Ster to B.T.K., where
guides for companies will be detailed.
(2) A half hour's halt in Waterdamhoek, where issue of light
M.G's and distribution of heavy M.G's will be made to the Coryys.
Reception of carrier pigeons, etc. The limber of the M.G. Coys.
the light M.G. waggons, the teams of the M.W. waggons, and the
charges will return from there to the late quarters. Beforementiones

horses and vehicles will stand again in readiness on
the 5th October in the morning before daylight under command of
Vizefldw. Muller, N.E. of Waterdamhoek, and will be determined
[?]hare under Vzfldw. Muller himself at Pi.Park., Waterdamhoek.
 

(7)
(3) At the latest at 12.15 a.m. the march of the Battalion
will be resumed. Order of route:- 8=11,7,5,12,8 Coys. At the
rear of the Battalion Lt. Malo, ?gemn. Ahlfeld with 1 cyclist. The
carriers of each Company will accompany this column up to the
point of assembly B. From there the carriers will return to
Waterdamhoek, and will be detained there under the leadership of
the oldest N.C.O. at my disposal. I desire Lt. der Reserve
Schmeling to remain in Waterdamhoek during this transfer.
(5)

Point of assembly for all stragglers or erelieved parts of the
Battalion at the Pi. Park, Waterdamhoek, where Lt. d. R. Schmeling
will establish a permanent guard and see to the guidance into billets.
New billets must be allowed for the 5th/q10.
Dress - Storm Dress as verbally ordered - if possible every man
big spades wiyth shortened handles, steel helmets with sandbag coverings.
Bearea troops of the Coys. only steel helmet and haversack

with rations.
(6) The proportion of bearer troops for light and heavy machine
guns during the battle will not be altered by the above orders.
The Battle-carrier troops likewise with storm-dress and arms. Coys.
may eventually count upon assistance from men of the 2nd M.W. Arty.
as temporary carriers.
(7) It must be remembered to rtake 1 Signal Werfer (signal thrower)
for the Company, rocket pistols, wire cutters, signal horns (no
drums), rockets, aeroplane cloths, and hand grenades. (Newspapers
instead of aeroplane cloths)
(9) Any prisoners or booty to be despatched with the smallest
escort to front line H.Q.
(10) Any doubts to be at onece brought under notice.
(11) Company leader Lt. Schmeling, Vzfdw Muller to appear at Bn.
H.Q. at 9 o'clock this evening at a conference.
(9) The points at which either the 7th or 5th Coys, are to break
through are the group of trees in the enemy sector about 200 to
400 metres south of point 715. Ordinary compass bearing exectly
S.w.
(10) The reserve Coys, are to follow closely and to assist in the
breaking through by the 2nd Bn. by every possible means. For 11/212
it may be necessary, according to circumstances, to concentrate
against advanced enemy positions between pond and "? hedge", or
also, in case of an enemy flanking movement, from the north, an attack

in a northerly direction about on a brickfield (1000 metres N.
715() especially if the adjoining company 7/212 does not move forward 

correspondingly south of the pond. For the 12/212 circumstances

may bring into question the necessity of wheeling against
the south-east on the northernmost farm building of Molenaarelsthoek.
T00Z
(11) The last Reserve Group must be absolutely put in to gain the
objective, since in spite of the expected mingling of units reforming

after the successful attack will be necessary.
(12) Should the attack not completely succeed, on no account is
ground to be given way. The ground won must be held at all costs.
Dressing stations are notified:-
 

(8)
(a) On the Morslede - Broodseinde Road.
(1) In the quarry 400 metres east of Broodseinde.
(2) In the same road 1500 metres farther on east of cross
road near Droegenbroodhoek.
(3) In the same road at Morslede.
(b) (1) At B.T.K. (Jagerlager 1 on the approach road of the Bn)
about 700 metres north of the cross road In de Ster.
(2) Further the known dressing station in Waterdamhoek on
the road to Morslede.
(14) Mediecal N.C.O's and stretcher bearers will accompany the
Companies. The 5th Coy, will have detailed tlo it an extra 
stretcher bearer patrol of 4 men from the Sanitats Coy. of
527. A further patrol will be at hand at B.T.K. Mitte.
From previous experiences the English respect the Red Cross
flag. Full use is therefore to be made of it to withdraw
the wounded during a lull in the fighting. No wounded man
should remain lying in the front line at time of a relief.
(15) The relief of the Bns, will take place, in case of nno counter

order having been given during the night of 4/5 Oct.
by the 5th Gd. Regt. zu Fuss. The Corps may without further

advice return to Waterdamhoek, if they have been reliveved

by Coys, of the 5th Gd.Regtm. zu Fuss, No troops, no
man, may return until he has been relieved - Non-relieved
parties must under all circumstances carry on.
(16) Any doubt to be at once brought to notice.
(17) In regard to equipment, rationing, march, special written ror
verbal orders will be promulgated.
(18) During the night of 4/5 Oct. at 12 o'clock the K.T.K. of hethe
5 G.R. zF. will take over the command.
Signed - Major lstand Bn. Commander.
 

Absehniff Regt. v. Rajwitz,

Stand v. . . . 1917

M 1: 10,000

Erläuferungen:

Map - see original document

Map - see original document
 

Lines or Objectives ==/==            Direction of Attack <——