A Short History of the 6th Division Part 7

It was a proud and splendid Division which marched, with drums beating and colours flying, across the German frontier into the little town of Malmedy between 13th and 16th December.

Marching generally by only one road, the length of the Division, when billeted, varied from ten to twenty-five miles. It was particularly interesting for Brigades to occupy the German huts at Elsenborn Camp of Exercise, where large numbers of the enemy had a.s.sembled in the end of July 1914 for the conquest of Belgium.

The att.i.tude of the population in Germany was servile, and little hate could be felt by one or two battalions which marched into Malmedy in pouring rain and found German women lighting special fires, without being ordered to do so, to dry their clothing. It must, however, be added that the inhabitants of Malmedy speak French and have Belgian sympathies.

Pa.s.sing through the lovely little village of Montjoie, which reminds one so much of Switzerland, the Division marched to its allotted area south-west of Cologne, Divisional Headquarters arriving at Bruhl, six miles from Cologne, on Christmas Eve; Headquarters 16th Infantry Brigade at Zulpich, Headquarters 18th Infantry Brigade at Lechenich, Headquarters 71st Infantry Brigade at Eichhols (a country house), and Headquarters Divisional Troops at a chateau near Weilerswist. The route followed--220 miles--is given in the Diary.

It was with a great feeling of grat.i.tude and elation that the Division ate their Christmas dinner on the Rhine in December 1918.

The area allotted to the Division was a strip of country almost rectangular in shape, with a maximum length of twenty miles, and a maximum breadth of twelve miles, and lying to the immediate south-west of Cologne. The north-west border was on the ring of forts encircling the city, which were later included in the divisional area.

The Civil Administration was carried out by the G.O.C. Infantry Brigades and the C.R.A., who were much a.s.sisted by a Civil Staff Captain and a Provost representative, and in the town of Bruhl by the G.O.C. Division, who also generally supervised under the Corps and the Army the work of the Group Commanders.

The Germans were very orderly, and little trouble was given, but guard and night patrol was fairly heavy.

On 1st February 1919, General Sir H. Plumer presented a Colour to the 9th Norfolk Regiment, 11th Ess.e.x Regiment, and 11th Leicester Regiment respectively, and made a stirring speech to each, congratulating them on their fine appearance and steady drill, and emphasizing their duty to their King and Country.

The Division settled down to improving their billets and to education, and frequent lectures were given by special lecturers sent out from England. Some of the troops were very comfortable, and notably those in towns like Bruhl, where each man had a bed and mattress, and Warrant Officers and N.C.O.s who were billeted in private houses, but others in the smaller villages were not so well off.

As the Germans did not play football there was a general lack of football grounds, which had to be made, but the troops scored considerably by finding electric light in even the tiniest cottages, and at least one concert-room, with a stage properly fitted up, in even the smallest village. The Opera, too, was a great source of pleasure to many. But it was a period of transition--men were being demobilized freely, and it was with a sigh of relief that something definite had been fixed, as well as with many sighs of regret, that orders were eventually received that the 6th Division, as such, would cease to exist in the middle of March 1919. Farewell parades were held, farewell speeches made, farewell dinners given, and on 15th March the Machine-gun Battalion, Pioneers, Field Companies (except 12th Field Company), and Train were transferred to the newly-const.i.tuted Midland Division.

The 6th Division, B.E.F., had completed its task.

APPENDIX I

BATTLE CASUALTIES

1914 Aisne (19th Sept.--12th Oct.) 1,482 Battle of the Aisne.

1914 Armentieres (13th--31st Oct.) 4,696 First Battle of Ypres.

1914-15 Armentieres (1st Nov.--31st May) 3,940 Trenches.

1915-16 Ypres (1st June 1915--31st July 1916) 10,938 Includes 1,780 in attack on Hooge; 660 gas attack, 15th Dec; 400 Morteldje attack.

1916 Somme (5th Aug.--20th Oct.) 7,430 Battle of the Somme.

1916-17 La Ba.s.see (25th Nov. 1916--16th February 1917) 709 Trenches.

1917 Loos (2nd Mar.--25th July) 4,884 Raids and attacks, Hill 70.

1917 Loos-Lens (26th Aug.--23rd Oct.) 1,400 Trenches.

1917 Cambrai (20th Nov.--10th Dec.) 1,790 Battle of Cambrai.

1918 Bapaume (17th Jan.--20th March) 313 Trenches.

1918 Lagnicourt (21st--22nd March) 5,160 German offensive.

1918 Ypres (3rd April--24th Aug.) 4,715 Includes 750 at Neuve Eglise (71st Infantry Brigade) and 250 in attack on Scottish and Ridge Woods.

1918 St. Quentin (14th--28th Sept.) 3,163 Battle of St. Quentin.

1918 Bohain--Ors (4th--29th Oct.) 3,120 Battles of Bohain, Vaux-Andigny, and Ors.

Grand Total 53,740

N.B.--Above are approximate, and have been compiled from D.H.Q. War Diaries (Administrative).

APPENDIX II

V.C.s WON BY THE DIVISION

No. 7504 Private HENRY MAY, 1st Battalion The Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 19th Infantry Brigade, at that time attached to 6th Division.

For most conspicuous bravery near La Boutillerie, on 22nd October 1914, in voluntarily endeavouring to rescue, under very heavy fire, a wounded man, who was killed before he could save him, and subsequently, on the same day, in carrying a wounded officer a distance of 300 yards into safety whilst exposed to very severe fire.

(Gazetted 21st April 1915.)

No. 9730 Private JOHN CAFFREY, 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery on 16th November 1915, near La Brique.

A man of the West Yorkshire Regiment had been badly wounded, and was lying in the open unable to move, in full view of, and about 300 to 400 yards from, the enemy's trenches. Corporal Stirk, Royal Army Medical Corps, and Private Caffrey, at once started out to rescue him, but at the first attempt they were driven back by shrapnel fire. Soon afterwards they started again, under close sniping and machine-gun fire, and succeeded in reaching and bandaging the wounded man, but just as Corporal Stirk had lifted him on Private Caffrey's back he himself was shot in the head.

Private Caffrey put down the wounded man, bandaged Corporal Stirk, and helped him back into safety. He then returned and brought in the man of the West Yorkshire Regiment. He had made three journeys across the open under close and accurate fire, and had risked his own life to save others with the utmost coolness and bravery. (Gazetted 22nd January 1915.)

No. 3/10133 Sergeant ARTHUR FREDERIC SAUNDERS, 9th (Service) Battalion The Suffolk Regiment.

For most conspicuous bravery. When his officer had been wounded, in the attack he took charge of two machine-guns and a few men, and, although severely wounded in the thigh, closely followed the last four charges of another battalion, and rendered every possible support.

Later, when the remains of the battalion which he had been supporting had been forced to retire, he stuck to his guns, continued to give clear orders, and by continuous firing did his best to cover the retirement. (Gazetted 30th March, 1916.)

2/Lieutenant FRANK BERNARD WEARNE, 11th (Service) Battalion Ess.e.x Regiment.

For superb courage, leadership and self-sacrifice.

On 28th June 1917, 2/Lieut. Wearne was in command of two sections on the left of a raiding party, whose objective was the German front line, east of Loos. He led his men into the objective against opposition, and by his magnificent example and daring, they held on to the German trench for one hour according to orders.

Throughout the hour they were repeatedly counter-attacked, from their left down the trench and from their front over the open. Grasping the fact that if the left flank went, our men would have to give way, 2/Lieut. Wearne at a moment when the attack was being heavily pressed, and when matters were most critical, leapt on to the parapet and, followed by his left section, ran along the top of the trench, firing and throwing bombs at the enemy. This unexpected and daring manoeuvre threw the enemy back in disorder. Whilst on the top 2/Lieut. Wearne was severely wounded, but refused to leave his men. He remained in the trench directing operations, organizing the defence and encouraging all. Just before the order to withdraw was given 2/Lieut. Wearne was severely hit for the second time, and when being brought away was. .h.i.t for the third time and killed.

His tenacity in remaining at his post, though severely wounded, and his magnificent fighting spirit enabled his men to hold on to the left flank; had this gone, the whole operation would have failed. (Gazetted 5th August 1917.)

2/Lieut. (A/Captain) ARTHUR MOORE LASCELLES, 3rd Battalion, attached 14th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry.

At Masnieres on 3rd December 1917, showed the greatest courage, initiative, and devotion to duty when in command of his company.

His company was in a very exposed position, and after a very heavy bombardment, during which Captain Lascelles was wounded, the enemy attacked in strong force, but was driven off, largely owing to the fine example set by this officer, who refused to allow himself to be dressed, but continued to encourage his men and organize the defence.

Shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench, taking several of his men prisoners. Captain Lascelles at once jumped on to the parapet and, followed by the remainder of his company, twelve men, rushed across under very heavy machine-gun fire and drove over sixty of the enemy back, being wounded again, thereby saving a most critical situation. He then was untiring in re-organizing the position, but shortly afterwards the enemy again attacked and captured the trench and Captain Lascelles. Later he escaped, being wounded again in doing so.

The remarkable determination and gallantry of this officer inspired everyone. (Gazetted 11th January 1919.)