The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Battalion) Part 6

"32ND DIVISION.

"As the Division will shortly be leaving the Fourth Army I desire to express to all ranks my warm thanks for the excellent services they have performed whilst under my command. The gallantry and dash displayed by the Division during the advance in March and April, especially in the actions resulting in the capture of Savy, Bois de Savy, Francilly, Holnon, Selency, Fayet and Cepy Farm, reflect the highest credit on all concerned.

"The skilful leadership of all ranks, coupled with the close co-operation between Artillery, Infantry and Aircraft, was a feature in these operations deserving the highest praise, and I heartily congratulate the Division on the successes they have achieved.

"I much regret that the Division is now leaving the Fourth Army, but I shall hope that at some future date I may again have the good fortune to find them under my command.

"(Signed) H. RAWLINSON, _General, Commanding Fourth Army._

"H.Q., FOURTH ARMY, "_22nd May, 1917._"

IN FLANDERS.

_En route to Steenbecque--R.T.O.--the 14th Corps--reconnaissance of Messines Sector--heavy marches--c.o.xyde and Kuhn--amenities of Nieuport area._

The Battalion on 1st June, 1917, left the Fourth Army and the Somme area. The 17th never again served in that area though it served again with the Fourth Army on the sea coast. Entraining at Villers-Bretonneux the unit journeyed to Amiens and by way of Abbeville, Etaples, Boulogne, Calais, St. Omer, Hazebrouck to Steenbecque.

Owing to a mistake of the Railway Transport Officer an incident, upsetting but not without its amusing side, occurred at Abbeville, where the train moved off without warning while the Battalion was parading in the station for tea, with only 100 all ranks on board. The train calmly continued its journey and in due course arrived at Steenbecque, the men who were left following on in the overcrowded trucks of the 2nd Manchesters. Leaving the train at Hazebrouck, the stranded party marched to Steenbecque, their appearance, owing to deficiencies of equipment and in some cases even of uniform, causing much interested amus.e.m.e.nt. At the latter station the first party were picked up, packs and equipment donned, and then, in the afternoon the Battalion accomplished a very interesting, though long and heavy march to a small hamlet in the Donlieu area, where they billeted for ten days or so.

The 32nd Division came into the 14th Corps, commanded by the Earl of Cavan, in G.H.Q. Reserve. The 14th Corps was composed of the Guards Division, 1st, 8th and 32nd Divisions.

On 5th June the Commanding Officer, with his officers and N.C.O.s reconnoitred the Messines Sector with a view to supporting the attack to be carried out on the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge by the Second Army.

The 17th at Donlieu "stood to" ready to move off in support of this offensive, though happily the success of the attack did not necessitate the Battalion being called on. Major Inglis of the 1st H.L.I.--who had been cross-posted to the 2nd Manchesters, which Battalion he commanded until re-posted to command the 17th H.L.I. on the 20th of July--joined the Battalion on the 8th of June.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lt.-Col. J. INGLIS, C.M.G., D.S.O.

_To face page 60._]

Donlieu was left on 14th June and the Battalion went in column of route to Steenvoorde, in which area they were billeted. This was one of the most trying marches they had experienced, and a large number of men fell out. In 6 hours the unit had covered 24 kilometres which, in full marching order, was a most difficult and wearisome performance.

On the 16th the Battalion embussed outside Steenvoorde, and after leaving the charabancs at Pet.i.te Synthe, they marched to billets at Mardyck. Hereabouts was pleasant country with excellent sea bathing.

Pet.i.te Synthe was left on the 19th for Dunkirk where they entrained and proceeded east along the sand dunes to c.o.xyde and, on the following day, into the coastal camp of Kuhn. c.o.xyde and Kuhn were French built camps and very good, with vegetable gardens attached to them.

Until 10th July the Battalion stayed in this vicinity, and despite spells of sh.e.l.ling, trench mortar and aerial bombardments, considerable patrolling and wiring work, the stay on the sand dunes about Nieuport was heaven after the endless mud and horror of the winter on the Somme. The very mention of Nieuport to a man who was there in the first week of July, 1917, makes a marked impression on his countenance. Since detraining at c.o.xyde on 20th June, things had been comparatively quiet and the weather ideal. Working parties were supplied for the roads during the day and smaller parties were engaged on the breastworks in the front line at night. The quietness was absolutely awful. But the presence of civilians in Oost Dunkirk and Les Bains gave an air of security and quietude to the place which was very soothing to the heart of the soldier. It is true that aerial activity was disquieting at times, but several successful attacks on the "Vultures of the Kaiser" made these items of interest, rather than causes of alarm. The Germans seemed to pay greater attention to something well on the left of the Battalion and towards the sea, than to anything that concerned them particularly. The appearance of the roads from Oost Dunkirk to Nieuport was most a.s.suring and their great beauty and undisturbed tranquillity were all that could be desired.

A large amount of work was attempted during this period on the Brigade Front, in order to obtain sufficient cover for protection against retaliation after our artillery bombardments began, prior to an intended attack on the sea-coast by the 4th Army, in conjunction with the 5th and 2nd Armies from Ypres. The enemy, before our artillery came in, greatly increased his artillery force, and daily destroyed any work done by night. These destructive shoots were afterwards found to be part of his barrage programme for the attack on the 10th July.

OPERATIONS ON THE COAST.

_Enemy hurricane bombardment--enemy attempt frustrated--attack abandoned--visit to H.L.I.--sports--visit of Dr. Kelman--patrol work by Corpl. Wilson--listening post raided--departure for Ad.i.n.kerke._

The Battalion continued to carry out its duties on the Belgian Coast until relieved from that Sector on October 5th, 1917. In the previous chapter some idea of the general conditions has been given. And the period which followed was of somewhat like nature with intermittent outstanding excursions and alarms and with memorable pleasant episodes to intermix with those more combative, and in this chapter the outstanding features will be recorded without following the movements of the Battalion to the various points in this sand-dune sector.

The comparatively routine behaviour of the daily aerial and artillery "strafe" broke into a brisk and heavy bombardment on the Division to the left on the night of July 9th, but on the 10th about five o'clock in the morning this heavy fire switched on to the trenches from the border of the sea to Nieuport. The bombardment crashed on to all lines, firing, reserve, and rear. It got heavier and heavier and soon reached an unprecedented violence and extended to the flanking Divisions as well. The British guns replied, but could not force the hostile fire to slacken, and in the evening the enemy came on in attack. They carried the trenches of the units on the left and patrols were put out and the flank strengthened. This was the severest bombardment the Battalion had ever been in. It was a hurricane onslaught. The 17th knew that sort. They had been through it. Positions were taken and held, where no trench afforded cover, and where breastworks were blown away.

The 17th were ordered to send three Companies in support of the Border Regiment who were being hard pressed east of the Yser. "A," "B" and "C" Companies were despatched on this mission. These Companies experienced very stiff fighting throughout the night of the 10-11th, until relieved early in the morning of the 11th by the Northumberland Fusiliers.

On the following day the bombardment slackened a little, though during the night hurricane fire broke out, and over the period of this attack the Hun used a very large number of tear gas sh.e.l.ls--which at that time was a new horror introduced to the sufferings of the British armies. Who will forget the Redans, Le Grand and Le Pet.i.t, the Bridges Putney and Pelican? The last named was renewed or rebuilt on the average three times every twenty-four hours. No words can describe what took place between the 10th and 13th of that awful month. The Germans, expecting an attack, made one. After these terrible three days, the Battalion, whose luck it was on this occasion to be spared the brunt of the action, after being relieved by the Borderers, struggled back through a mixed barrage of sh.e.l.ls of all calibres, sprinkled with those of gas. There was a fog of gas and dust for miles behind the lines.

The enemy attempt had broken down; the Battalion returned to Ghyvelde of pleasant recollection, and on the 13th the Division was congratulated on its successful efforts.

On July 20th Major J. Inglis joined the Battalion and took over command at Bray Dunes Plage. On the 23rd the Brigade was inspected by the Divisional General, Major-General Shute. After his inspection he gave an address congratulating the Brigade on its part against the enemy attack on the 10th inst. at Nieuport, and on the same day the Corps Commander also inspected the Brigade, complimenting the men on their clean and smart appearance, and paying a high tribute to their fighting qualities.

August opened with the prospect of making an attack on the enemy and exercises were practised accordingly. On 6th August a Battalion reconnaissance was made which included reporting on all tracks to the front line, arranging an a.s.sembling position in "no man's land," and learning the condition of the existing wire in front of both our own and the enemy's line. The weather for some little time had been very wet, the night selected for the reconnaissance was very bright and none too suitable, and the condition of the ground was extremely muddy, making movement slow and difficult. After examining the whole situation it was recognised that any possibility of successfully attacking upon this position was out of the question. Indeed, the bad weather throughout August delayed whatever action had been contemplated by either side.

The 9th H.L.I. (The Glasgow Highlanders) were lying at Ghyvelde, and on 11th August, the 17th paid them a visit, while the Battalion football teams played a match. Another convivial day was spent on the 24th when the Battalion sports were held. The day cleared up to one of bright sunshine, and a large number of spectators enjoyed the sport.

The events were continued on the following day when even a larger number of guests and spectators attended, including many Colonial soldiers, and the various events were keenly contested, both by the men of the home Battalion and those from others in the area. A good turn out of British and Belgian nurses from La Panne Hospital brightened the gathering, and at the conclusion of the sports the prizes were presented by two of the lady guests. On the Sat.u.r.day following Brigade Sports were held under ideal conditions, the Battalion representatives winning numerous prizes.

At Church Parade on the 26th, the Presbyterian Service was conducted in camp by the Rev. Dr. Kelman, of Free St. George's, Edinburgh, who delivered a very impressive address which was listened to with the closest attention by the men. Dr. Kelman then left to preach to another Battalion and the 17th prepared to go back to the line.

The Battalion kept up its old record of keen patrolling, and during their front line spell at the beginning of September some reconnaissance work was well carried out under conditions unusually difficult. On the night of 3rd September, 1917, 2nd Lieut. Forbes and Corpl. J. Wilson of "C" Company waded across a swamped portion which lay between the Battalion positions and a point known as Roode Poorte Farm. Coming to a point where the water was too deep for wading, Corpl. Wilson swam across and on reaching ground crawled in the direction of the enemy lines. Finding this line of approach of no use for operations, he swam back to the point where the patrol was covering his movements, and selecting another point, swam across the ca.n.a.l which lay to the east, opposite the farm buildings, and carried out his reconnaissance.

On the 8th, while at Wulpen, a gas attack was successfully carried through on to the enemy's lines, and on the 13th, the third anniversary of the forming of the Battalion was spent in the trenches.

A telegram congratulating the Battalion on its anniversary was received from the Brigadier, and a reply sent reciprocating the General's good wishes.

The enemy perpetrated a novel surprise raid, which had some of the elements of picture-house humour in it, on one of the Battalion advanced Listening Posts, and by their new device gained temporary footing in it. A strong stream of water, apparently from a hose was directed suddenly upon the men in the Listening Post from the enemy position. While the men were baffled and blinded by the rush of water, the post was bombed and the two listeners retired on the main post for support. Immediately a counter-attack was organised and led by Company Sergeant-Major Miller of "A" Company, and the post was re-established.

Orders were received on October 5th, 1917, for the relief of the 97th Infantry Brigade by the 125th Infantry Brigade. The Battalion accordingly withdrew to c.o.xyde that night, and on the following morning left for Ad.i.n.kerke on the way to fresh fields and battles new.

THE YPRES SALIENT.

_Pa.s.schendaele--gallantry of attack--casualties--Hilltop Farm--move to Landethun and Yeuse--Serre Sector--close of 1917._

At Ad.i.n.kerke, on their way to the Ypres Salient, the men were embarked on barges on October 6th, 1917, and journeyed by ca.n.a.l to near Rosendael where they billeted and where Lieut. Colonel J. Inglis rejoined the Battalion from leave and resumed command. They then underwent intensive training at Uxem until the 24th, when they left en route for the Eringham area in accordance with the forward move of the Brigade Group. The next day saw them at Rubrouck and on the next again they arrived at Broxcele where training was again entered upon and continued until November 9th.

About this period Lieut. Colonel Inglis and the Adjutant, Captain F.E.

Dunsmuir, were away from the Battalion making a preliminary tour of inspection of the line on the Ypres front.

On the 10th, the Battalion was once more in column of route on their way to Wormhoudt, and on the following day, to Watou to "Road Camp" in the St. Jan Ter Biezen area, where training was resumed, and this time once more within sound of the rumble of the guns. But that didn't upset the H.L.I., whose 16th and 17th Battalions met in the final of the Brigade Football Tournament, which was won in easy style, 5 goals to nil, by the Chamber of Commerce boys. Four days later they defeated the 32nd Divisional Supply Column in the semi-final of the Divisional Tournament, and then two days after that, meeting the 2nd Royal Inniskillen Fusiliers in the final, the 17th H.L.I. carried off the Championship, repeating their performance of the previous year against the same finalists.

On the following day the Divisional Commander addressed the Brigade, which was drawn up on the football field, and reminded the men of the sterner duties that now lay before them, and expressed the hope that they would maintain the honourable traditions a.s.sociated with the name of the 97th Infantry Brigade--which, indeed, they more than maintained.

The Battalion left the camp on November 22nd for Poperinghe where they entrained to continue the journey up the line, and arriving at St.

Jean Station, detrained and marched to "Irish Camp."

On the afternoon of the 23rd a start was made for the Pa.s.schendaele front line system, the route taken by the Battalion being for the greater part over the duck board walks "Mouse Trap Track," which covered ground won in the recent big push at Pa.s.schendaele. The take-over was not completed without casualties, but these were comparatively few considering the dangerous nature of the going, which was in the open over sh.e.l.l-pitted ground. The Battalion relieved by the 17th was the 1st Northamptonshire Battalion. During the night the 17th captured its first prisoner in this area--a corporal of the 315th Regiment. According to his statement he had been out on patrol when he lost one of his boots in the mud and in trying to find it he had strayed into our lines and been taken. During their initial tour of the Pa.s.schendaele system much heavy work was done in converting the sh.e.l.l-hole defence line into trenches, and patrolling. Several casualties were reported each day and the mud was thick and sticky. On the 26th the Battalion was relieved and proceeded to Dambre Camp in the Vlamertinghe area where everybody rested and completed the preparations for the forthcoming offensive at Pa.s.schendaele.

It may be said at the outset that the element of surprise intended in the Pa.s.schendaele attack failed entirely, as the enemy were aware of the British intentions and fully prepared. In addition, the fact that the artillery barrage proper did not open until zero plus eight minutes, allowed the enemy entire freedom of action in his front posts with rifles and machine guns.