The new Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies, General Nivelle, was a gifted speaker and full of self-confidence; he impressed politicians with his own optimism. His plan roughly was to pin down the Germans with subsidiary attacks north of the River Oise and to break through in Champagne with three French armies. The British Commander-in-Chief was put under Nivelle for this battle at the end of February. To assist the French, Sir Douglas Haig took over the line as far south as the Amiens—Roye road. He also arranged for subsidiary attacks to take place on the River Ancre, at Arras and Vimy by the Fifth, Third and First Armies respectively.
It is now known that the enemy were aware of these plans and the timing of the offensive was considerably upset by a well-organized retreat to the famous Hindenburg Line. This operation between 23rd February and 16th March straightened their line between Arras and Soissons, and so freed reserves for the coming battle.
The French delay in starting their offensive allowed the Germans to bring forty-three divisions opposite the sector attacked, where only ten had been before. The vaunted grand attack to break through in two days failed, and Marshal Main was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the French Armies on 16th May, 1917. Sir Douglas Haig's plan of turning the German right flank by an offensive in Flanders, combined with action by the Fleet and a coastal landing, was then developed.
The Ancre—17th February to 5th April
Miraumont, 17th February
The Regiment's part in these operations commenced on 17th February after a month of minor operations, when the 1st Battalion took part in an attack near Miraumont under particularly bad ground conditions. 180 prisoners were captured. Their first objective was taken and consolidated.
Losses: Officers: killed 5, wounded 4; Other Ranks 182.
Metz en Couture, 4th April
Here the 10th and 11th Battalions fought an action in the best Rifle tradition. The two battalions attacked at 2 p.m. over quite open ground in a snowstorm; about half-way to the village the snow lifted and heavy enemy fire was en-countered. Accurate fire and good skirmishing carried the battalions on, though both flank companies were in difficulties from strong-points held with machine guns. The resolute advance and the initiative of junior leaders made success complete. The whole village was taken at 6 p.m. Ninety prisoners, many weapons, food and stores of all sorts were captured.
Losses: Officers: killed 8, wounded 6; Other Ranks 293.
Arras, 9th April to 4th May
9th Battalion, The Harp, 9th April
Here the 9th Battalion attacked what was known as the String of the Harp trench system. Uncut wire and heavy machine-gun fire caused many casualties, but the Battalion took and consolidated its objective. No tanks were present.
Losses: Officers: killed 6, wounded 4; Other Ranks 204.
Wancourt, 10th/11th April
The 7th and 8th Battalions took part in 8th Bns. an attack near Wancourt, the 8th being in support. Uncut wire was again met with and heavy machine-gun fire, but the 7th Battalion took its objectives. A snowstorm gave some cover to its advance. Wancourt was evacuated on the night of the 11th/ 12th and occupied by the 8th Battalion the next day without loss.
Losses: Officers: killed 6, wounded 5; Other Ranks 254.
Monchy-le-Preux, 10th April
The 13th Battalion supported an attack on Monchy-le-Preux. The first objective, some 800 yards north-west of the village, was reached. Our artillery support was very inadequate and further advance was prevented by heavy enemy fire. At 3.45 a.m. on 11th April the two Rifle battalions (13th/60th and 13th/R.B.) attacked with negligible artillery support. Enemy fire was very heavy, but the village was captured by 9 a.m. During this advance four tanks had come up and gave invaluable assistance in dealing with enemy machine-gun nests. Several cavalry units arrived about 9 to 10 a.m. and gave most valuable help in holding the position. Cavalry had been brought up in the vain hope of a break-through. Consolidation was arranged by the Commanding Officer.
Losses: Officers: killed 3, wounded 10; Other Ranks 212.
This action and Wancourt above are included in the battle honourSCARPE 1917
13th Battalion, Gavrelle, 23rd April
The Battalion again in action south of Gavrelle in a renewal of the Third Army offensive on a big scale. All three objectives were taken in a 2,000-yard advance. They had no support on their flanks for the last 1,000 yards, but they held their isolated position and repelled several counter-attacks.
Losses: Officers: killed 3, wounded several; Other Ranks not recorded.
The German commanding officer's charger was captured and won a prize at the next Divisional Horse Show for the 11th Battalion.
Croisilles, 23rd April
The 16th Battalion supported the 1st Queen's Regiment in an unsuccessful attack near Croisilles. Two tanks allotted in support failed to appear.
Losses: Officers: killed 4, wounded 6; Other Ranks 260.
Cherisy, 3rd/4th May
The 41st Brigade attacked near Cherisy. The 8th Battalion captured their first objective very easily, but the failure of the brigade on the left stopped further advance. A retirement to their old line was made on 4th May, conforming to the next division on the right. This movement was completed about 10 a.m., and was attended, as usual, with heavy losses to the Brigade.
Losses: Officers: killed 2, wounded 8; Other Ranks 270.
Vimy, 16th April to 3rd May
The 1st Battalion took part in operations following the capture of the Vimy Ridge, smart patrol work had resulted in the capture of Bailleul station. The village was found to be clear. The Battalion made good a line of 1,000 yards south-east of Bailleul.
Losses: Officers: killed 1, wounded 2; Other Ranks not recorded
Very heavy fighting took place around Oppy, and losses were so heavy that on 1st May a composite brigade was formed of units of all three brigades. Our 1st Battalion, as part of this composite brigade, attacked on 3rd May and captured their first objective. The brigade attack was, however, confused and unsuccessful.
Losses: Officers: killed 0, wounded 1; Other Ranks 59.
The battle honour ARLEUX includes the actions at Gavrelle, Croisilles, Cherisy and Oppy, described above.
The Battles of Arras and Vimy died out, having accomplished their function by fixing down large numbers of Germans and causing them much loss. Tactical success was improved on our part to the previous year's experience.
The Third Battle of Ypres — July to October
For the third time the Ypres Salient became the battleground of the British Army. The French attack on the Aisne on 16th April had very limited success. Nivelle's grand ideas had suffered a rebuff, the French had lost their morale, and political intriguers were busy. The Russian Army was very near final collapse owing to the Kerensky Revolution.
Sir Douglas Haig decided to carry out his plan to turn the German right flank near the sea coast.
Messines Ridge, 7th to 14th July
Messines, 7th July
The 18th and 21st Battalions took part in the admirably planned capture of the Messines Ridge by the Second Army. The attack was at 2 a.m., the 21st were in the front line and the 18th in reserve; 470 tons of explosive in nineteen mines blew up the German front trenches with their occupants. The final objective was taken with small loss.
Losses: Officers: killed 2, wounded 1; Other Ranks 117
Further ground was gained on 14th June by the 18th Battalion. The attack was completely successful, and heavy losses were inflicted on the enemy.
Losses: Officers: killed 2, wounded 2; Other Ranks 59
The Second Army had now gained all the necessary ground to prevent enemy observation, and secure the flank of the Fifth Army. The Fifth Army commenced their attack on 31st July.
Nieuport Bains, 10th July
The 1st Division had relieved the French in the narrow bridge-head over the River Yser. Two battalions were across the river, the 2nd Battalion 60th on the left and the 1st Northamptonshires on the right. The line consisted of breastworks, and the only artillery support was that of their own division, the French having moved their heavies before ours had come up. At 6 p.m. on 10th July a heavy bombardment commenced and lasted until 7.15 p.m., when the German infantry attacked. German aeroplanes machine-gunned the breastworks from as low as sixty feet. No British plane was seen during the day.
The Battalion fought it out to the end and there were many acts of high courage and devotion to duty. They were, however, choked and buried by sand, and were overwhelmed in detail. Their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel R. N. Abadie, D.S.O., was killed.
Losses: Officers: killed 7, wounded 4; missing 6, Other Ranks 481
By the end of July the Battalion was re-formed and rejoined the 1st Division to train for the proposed landing behind the Germans on the Belgian coast. This landing did not take place.
The Passchendael Battles
31st July to 2nd December
The battle round Ypres started with a twelve-day bombardment which blocked the scientific agricultural drainage and caused small brooks to become large marshes. The well-constructed concrete pillbox defence formed a new and difficult feature. These pillboxes usually were not destroyed by the artillery, and their machine gunners held on to the last.
17th Battalion, Pilckem, 31st July
The 17th Battalion attacked on the extreme left. The front-line system was easily overrun.
Losses: Officers: killed 1, wounded 1; Other Ranks 73
The 18th Battalion took part in the Second Army attack on the same day, the first objective being taken with ease; only a party of one lieutenant and eight men gained the second objective, Forest Farm, which was not taken until 2nd August.
Losses: Officers: killed 4, wounded 2; Other Ranks 146
During August the 21st Battalion were not in the big attack, but were engaged in repelling counter-attacks, raiding and holding the line.
Losses: Officers: killed 2, wounded 10; Other Ranks 288
Steenbeek, 11th August
Two companies of the 10th Battalion made an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Steenbeek. A German patrol saw them forming up in the open and turned on heavy machine-gun fire.
The river was eventually crossed three days later by six Rifle Brigade companies of the 59th Brigade.
Losses: Officers: killed 3, wounded 1; Other Ranks 125
Langemarck, 13th August
A big attack was again made by the Fifth Army. The 20th (Light) Division attacked Langemarck village, with the 60th and 61st Brigades. Our 12th Battalion succeeded in capturing all objectives.
During the advance Sergeant Edward Cooper gained the Victoria Cross(See Appendix.)
A very heavy counter-attack forced back the Battalion on their left, and their left company was reduced to one sergeant and four men. A defensive flank was thrown back and consolidation continued for two days.
Losses: Officers: killed 7, Other Ranks 238
Inverness Copse, 23rd August
Headquarters and one and a half companies of the 8th Battalion were delayed during relief by a German attack near Inverness Copse. They remained to help the incoming battalion. The western edge of the copse was retained.>
Losses: Officers: killed 6, wounded 3; Other Ranks about 100
Eagle Trench, 20th September
The 10th and 11th Battalions took part in an attack north-east of Langemarck. The first objective was taken and held; fighting was severe and somewhat confused. Casualties were heavy, and though further progress was made in places, at dusk most of the small parties left-out withdrew.
Losses: Officers: killed 10, wounded 6; Other Ranks 351
Chinese House and Eagle Trench, 23rd September
This bastion was taken on the 23rd by the 10th Battalion, assisted by one company of the 10th Rifle Brigade.
Some of the 12th Battalion were also engaged on this day in attacking part of Eagle Trench still held by the Germans.
Losses: Officers: killed 1, Other Ranks 74
The Division received many congratulatory messages, including those from both the Fifth and Second Army Commanders.
18th and Shrewsbury Forest, 20th September
The Second Army had taken 21st Battalions over some of the Fifth Army front and attacked in their usual well arranged manner on a five-mile front.
The 18th and 21st Battalions attacked near Shrewsbury Forest, and the 18th captured their two objectives and formed a defensive flank to the right. The 21st, after severe fighting, captured their first objective by the personal exertions of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel T. McL. Jarvis, D.S.O., who was wounded. Their second objective was carried at 6.20 p.m. and two counter-attacks were beaten off.
Losses: Officers: killed 5, wounded 18, Other Ranks 394
17th Battalion, 20th September
The 17th Battalion took part in the big attack on the left of the 39th Division next to the 124th Brigade. They captured their first and second objectives and then had to form a defensive flank to the 129th Brigade.
Losses: Officers: killed 1, wounded 5, Other Ranks 166
The Second Army reached their final objective at all other points.
16th Battalion, Menin Road, 25th to 27th September
The 16th Battalion had a good deal of successful fighting in support of other units, but did not take part in the big attack on 26th September. Their division did very well indeed and were specially mentioned by the Commander-in-Chief.
Losses: Officers: wounded 4, Other Ranks 216
This concluded the Regiment's share in the Third Battle of Ypres, which dragged on hopelessly in seas of mud for some time. The strategic objective was never reached and the German flank remained secure. Bombardment created an impossible barrier to our infantry. Tanks could not operate off the old roads and so were most vulnerable.
The battle honours granted to the Regiment for the Third Battle of Ypres were YPRES, 1917; PILCKEM; MENIN ROAD; POLYGON WOOD; BROODSEINDE; POELCAPPELLE; and PASSCHENDAELE,
During these operations the Regiment lost in action three Battalion Commanders—Lieutenant-Colonel R. Chester Master, O.C. 13th Battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Roberts Manners, O.C. a battalion of Northumberland Fusiliers, and Lieutenant-Colonel A. Blewett, O.C. a labour battalion.
Cambrai—November
In the last battle of 1917 the Third Army took the offensive on good, hard chalk downs. The battle was planned for the tanks.
Four hundred and seventy-four tanks were used in the operation, and no artillery bombardment preceded the attack. Tanks smashed the wire for the infantry and crossed the great trenches by means of fascines borne on the tanks and released from inside. All the vast administrative arrangements were well carried out. All troops taking part rehearsed the new tactics required and yet secrecy was maintained. A large force of cavalry was in reserve ready to exploit a break-through.
On 20th November, the 20th (Light) Division attacked at 6.20 a.m. The 12th Battalion were in the front line and captured their objectives. The 59th Brigade were in support, their duty being to go through to the canal crossings at Marcoing and Masnieres, and hold them until the 29th Division came up. This they did. The 10th Battalion, in support to the Brigade, occupied La Vacquerie easily, and assisted the 10th and 11th Rifle Brigade. The 11th Battalion were in reserve on the 20th, but on the 21st were ordered to capture Crevecaeur and its bridges. One company of the 10th Battalion was in reserve. The four tanks detailed to help were too late to be effective and withdrew at 8 p.m. The Battalion came under heavy machine-gun fire, as the 29th Division had not got on. They took Revelon Chateau and made a defensive flank and also took the houses west of the canal. As darkness fell they withdrew to the high ground behind the chateau. The advance made was about four miles. The Germans were without reserves until 2 p.m., but the cavalry did not advance, and in retiring blocked roads and railroads. The III Corps were practically entirely successful, but the IV Corps failed to take Flesquieres and stopped their advance. This village fell at 8 a.m. the next day, but the time for exploitation had gone by.
In the advance to the Hindenburg Line Rifleman A. E. Shepherd, 12th Battalion, gained the Victoria Cross.
On 29th November our 1st Battalion came into action near Bourlon Wood. They captured some 300 yards of enemy trenches.
Losses of 1st Battalion: Officers: killed 1, wounded 2, Other Ranks 74
The sad anti-climax came on 30th November, when the Germans attacked the haunches of the salient. On the southern flank they broke through the two divisions on the right of the 20th (Light) Division, and attacked the 10th and 11th Battalions in their rear and flanks. The Riflemen fought well, but the battalions in the front line were in a hopeless position. The few survivors concentrated first on the Brigade Headquarters and then on the reserve battalion, where they held out until 2nd December. In this action the enemy used machine-gun fire from low-flying aeroplanes with considerable success.
The 12th Battalion were ordered to La Vacquerie and its vicinity. The Battalion was in touch with the 12th Rifle Brigade at Gonnelieu and it repelled all attacks on 1st December, partly by fire and partly by counter-attack and hand-to-hand fighting. Not a man remained in support. They were relieved by the Guards Division on the night of 1st/2nd December.
Losses of the 10th, 11th and 12th Battalions, 20th November to 2nd December : Officers: killed 14, wounded 16, missing 17, Other Ranks about 1,000
On the northern flank the 1st Battalion were on the left of their Brigade. By accurate shooting they mowed down masses of the enemy at about 200 to 300 yards, and no unit gave way.
Losses (in 5 Days) : Officers: killed 2, wounded 1, Other Ranks 20
The IV Corps in the northern haunch of the salient had maintained their line by first-rate training, the initiative of junior leaders and steady courage.
The failure to exploit the original success on 20th November was unfortunate and the southern flank of the salient created invited the German counter-attack. The tanks, however, had opened a new phase in warfare and proved their capacity to obtain surprise and lead the infantry to success over all obstacles, without artillery bombardment.
No further fighting of importance was undertaken by the Regiment in 1917.
