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softschofield · 4 years

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hello!! re: rossi, i've been meaning to ask you if there is any significance of the big blue & white patches on his jacket sleeves? i honestly just noticed he had them.

it’s so funny that you ask that because i have been agonising over this for months. and honestly? it is spectacularly difficult to find out what that fucking patch is. my first thought, when i saw 1917 for the first time and realised he was scottish, was that it was some sort of identifier of that fact - it’s the scottish colours, after all, and maybe it would make some sort of sense that a scotsman in an english regiment would be identified? but that idea is flimsy at best and isn’t backed up by any evidence whatsoever.

my next thought, through hours of attempts at research that are eternally thwarted by the fucking goddamn canadians and australians who seemingly have a much better record of that sort of thing than the british GOD BLESS, is that he may have been part of the signal corps, or the corps of royal engineers. as far as i can glean from this, it might make sense that a spattering of individual signallers would be attached to an infantry regiment, and that they then may have fought alongside the frontline troops, as they do now.

and, if he were a signaller, rossi would then have been trained in horse riding, would have been tasked with ensuring that “intelligence is passed to the decision makers and the mechanisms by which decisions and orders are communicated”, operating battlefield communication systems like telephones and radios, and possibly photography, both for military purposes and for propaganda and civilian news back home.

but that theory again falls short when you take into account the fact that the badge on rossi’s helmet is not the insignia of the signal corps - and i haven’t yet been able to identify which insignia it is.

and yet another thing has been bothering me: while scho and blake wear a red patch on their shoulders, which, as far as i’ve been able to gather, simply means infantry, the convoy boys wear either green patches (embroidered with a regiment name, or just blank) or red x’s. is it a battle patch, a way of distinguishing regiments at a glance? is it the patch of the 50th (northumbrian) division? does it mean HQ battalion, or division HQ? is the red x the patch of the 112th brigade? does it mean something other than infantry? machine gunners?

is could be the staffordshire regiment, which looks very similar to it, and which would make sense considering they were most likely part of one of these divisions that fought at arras in april, one of which encompassed two battalions of the north staffordshire regiment: the 31st division, my personal favourite possibility, because they fought in the battle of the scarpe at arras, because it’s mostly made up of northern regiments, and because it followed after the newfoundlands to the new hindenburg line in spring 1917, just like captain smith said; the 37th division, which contained both the 8th (service) battalion of the east lancashire regiment and the 10th (service) battalion of the loyal north lancashire regiment, which would align with the presence of liverpudlian soldiers, and, since it also contained yorkshire regiments, would also account of the fact that atkins wears the red x; the 19th (western) division; the 7th infantry division; and the 62nd (2nd west riding) division.

but again, the north staffordshire helmet badge is a very fucking distinctive pretzel knot, and rossi’s badge looks like this:

(and can we also just appreciate that rossi is doing the absolute bare minimum with pushing the truck and he’s mainly just pushing into jondalar’s back, we love to see him thriving and pretending to help) (and we also love that he wears mittens and that his scarf is so lovely and clean, kilgour is quaking)

and rossi doesn’t wear the green arm patch at all!!! which may legitimise the signaller theory?

so, to answer your question, my love: i don’t know. i honestly don’t know, and it absolutely kills me and my pride to say that. i’ll keep digging, but for now my best guess is that he was in the royal signal corps. and you know what? even if that’s wrong, it makes for a pretty cute headcanon. i always love characters who have something a little different and special about them, and being a signaller or royal engineer in the middle of an infantry battalion, being the one who has to report to the officers and communicate information and handle technical things like radios, that no one else would have any idea about and that would have been a thing of awe and mystery in the edwardian age, in the middle of a battle - having to be calm and shout down a phone line while shells are exploding all around him... i like that. and if he were indirectly in charge of propaganda footage and photography, and privy to the internal workings and politics of the army, that would have naturally led to the quiet, bitter cynicism of “look at it. fucking look at it. three years fighting over this.”

WAIT

ANON

I’VE BEEN A FOOL:

THEY’RE FROM THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT!!!!!!!!!!! AND THE 10TH (SERVICE) BATTALION WAS ASSIGNED TO THE 19TH (WESTERN) DIVISION!!!! LIKE I SAID BEFORE!!! SO I WAS HALF RIGHT!!!

WE HAVE A NAME, LADS!!!! 10TH BATTALION OF THE WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT!!!! and man oh man, there are some stories about the insolence and rowdiness of the worcestershires!!! and that fits in so brilliantly with their personalities, I LOVE IT!!!!

still, though, rossi’s helmet badge really doesn’t seem to be the worcestershire lion and, as far as i can make out, has a crown atop the insignia, so who knows what tf that boy is wearing.

but that is completely off track, i’m so sorry my love LMAO. so yes: the arm patch you were actually asking about may mean that he was a signaller attached to the worcestershires ♡♡♡♡ we got there in the end!!! ilysm!! x

#i love you!!!! sorry this just became me overcompensating for the insecurity of NOT KNOWING ASDGIUAGDUAKS #asks #anon #1917 #mine #<3333 thank you for the ask my sweet #this was one of the very first things i tried to find out back when 1917 was still in cinemas so it was a blast from the past to #get back into the research!!!! ilysm <333333 #i feel like these kinds of asks really show my train of thought because they end up a total mess of oh and then i found THIS!!!!#like a chaotic show and tell #BLESS #also this is SUCH a funny coincidence because in the episode of endeavour i was watching today #one of the guys was in the worcestershire regiment so! the stars truly aligned this afternoon #we love to see it #MWAH

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ourforgottenwars-blog · 5 years

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Korean War Tag List

Here is the tag list for the Korean War as it currently stands:

General Tags

Korean War

Cold War

Battles

Battle of Chosin Reservoir

Battle of the Imjin River

Battle Of Incheon

Battle of Old Baldy

Second Battle of Seoul

Second Battle of Naktong Bulge

Second Battle of the Hook

Fourth Battle of the Hook

Battle of Taejon

Battle of Miudong

Battle of Yultong

Locations

Chorwon

Daejeon

Hong Kong

Kimpo Air Base

Heartbreak Ridge

Hagaru-ri

Han River

Hyesan

Inje County

Iwakuni

Singapore

Seoul

Suncheon

Suwon

Miryang

Osan Air Base

Pyongyang

Waegwan

Yalu River

United States

Army

US Army

8th Army

1st Cavalry Division

2nd Infantry Division

2nd Engineer Battalion

7th Cavalry Regiment

7th Infantry Division

17th Infantry Regiment

24th Infantry Division

25th Infantry Division

27th Infantry Regiment

40th Infantry Division

45th Infantry Division

51st Signal Battalion

65th Infantry Regiment

77th Engineer Combat Company

89th Medium Tank Battalion

196th Field Artillery Battalion

388th Engineer Pipeline Company

398th Anti-Aircraft Artillery AW Battalion

937th Field Artillery Battalion

Marines

1st Marine Division

1st Provisional Marine Brigade

7th Marines

11th Marine Regiment

US Marines

Navy

US Navy

VMJ-1

VF-24

VF-51

VMF-212

USS Badoeng Strait

Air Force

US Air Force

3rd Bombardment Wing

17th Bombardment Group

51st Fighter Interceptor Wing

67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing

452nd Bombardment Wing

731st Bombardment Squadron

Britain

Army

British Army

Royal Artillery

Royal Army Service Corps

royal engineers

5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards

7th Royal Tank Regiment

8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars

27th Infantry Brigade

29th Infantry Brigade

King's Own Scottish Borderers

King's Shropshire Light Infantry

The Gloucestershire Regiment

Essex Regiment

Middlesex Regiment

Royal Norfolk Regiment

Royal Leicestershire Regiment

Royal Ulster Rifles

Black Watch

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Duke of Wellington's Regiment

Air Force

Royal Air Force

Navy

Royal Navy

800 Naval Air Squadron

802 Naval Air Squadron

Australia

Army

Australian Army

1RAR

2RAR

3RAR

Air Force

Royal Australian Air Force

No.77 Squadron

No.491 Squadron

United Nations

Philippines

PEFTOK

2nd Battalion Combat Team

10th Battalion Combat Team

14th Battalion Combat Team

19th Battalion Combat Team

20th Battalion Combat Team

Commonwealth

1st Commonwealth Division

Colombia

Colombian Army

Colombian Navy

Canada

Canadian Army

Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry

Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)

The Royal Canadian Regiment

Royal 22nd Regiment

25th Canadian Infantry Brigade

Ethiopia

Ethiopian Army

Turkey

turkish army

Greece

greek army

South Korea

1st Infantry Division

8th Infantry Division

South Korean Army

South Korean Marines

Korean Service Corps

North Korea

North Korean Army

China

People's Liberation Army

#korean war #tag list

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davidshawnsown · 6 years

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MESSAGE IN HONOR OF THE 186TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE PARIS REVOLT AND THE 74TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY AIRBORNE OFFENSIVE

Ladies and gentlemen, to all the people of the United States of America and Canada and of the other combatant countries which formed the victorious Allies of the Second World War, to all our living veterans of the Second World War of 1939-1945 and of all conflicts past and present and their families, to our veterans, active servicemen and women and reservists of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard and of the entire United States Armed Forces, and the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, to all the immediate families, relatives, children and grandchildren of the deceased veterans, fallen service personnel and wounded personnel of our military services and civil uniformed security and civil defense services, to all our workers, farmers and intellectuals, to our youth and personnel serving in youth uniformed and cadet organizations and all our athletes, coaches, judges, sports trainers and sports officials, and to all our sports fans, to all our workers of culture, music, traditional arts and the theatrical arts, radio, television, digital media and social media, cinema, heavy and light industry, business and the press, and to all our people of the free world:

As one united people we recall the events of two great years in our history.

First, we honor the anniversary of the 1832 Paris Revolt, which began today 186 years ago as a symbolic reaction to the funeral held that day for a recently decreased member of the cabinet of the liberal King Louis-Philippe of France later turned into a citywide rebellion of the youth and workers of the city, alongside expat residents of the capital, calling for French intervention in Poland and Italy for the sake for their independence movements. This would become one of the more bloodier actions of the 19th century in its aftermath, with so many of those who took part being either arrested or shot at by the National Guard, resulting in 63 deaths among the rebels. (The story of this rebellion has been chronicled in Victor Hugo’s legendary work Les Miserables, which itself would later achieve international fame through its adaptations into the movies and musical theater.)

And today marks the historic 74th year anniversary of the beginning of the historic D-Day landing operations in Normandy, with the order to commence given by no less than Supreme Allied Commander for Europe General General Dwight Eisenhower, assisted by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, and general officers and staff officers from the United States, British and Canadian Armed Forces plus officers from the Free French Armed Forces. On that evening, as a joint Allied naval convoy assisted in the transport of millions of Allied military personnel into the beaches of occupied Normandy for the seaborne landings the following morning, the airborne phrase began with the depature of hundreds of transport aircraft and gliders from air fields in the United Kingdom to designated drop zones in occupied Normandy, which in the hours after their arrival began to paradrop many Allied paratroopers from the British, Canadian, United States and Free French armies, among them personnel of Easy Company from the 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), one of the first to arrive to their drop zone and begin their objective of destroying Axis defenses facing the landing beaches in advance of the landings later in the morning. Thus, Operation Overlord, also known as D-Day, had begun to take its course, as one of the largest military operations ever to be mounted by the Allied command in the Second World War, and would result, not just in a resounding victory but also the beginning of the long road towards the liberation of Western Europe from the forces of fascism in the European continent, starting with the areas of Normandy were it would begin with the mass parachute landings that would mark the beginning of a new era of warfare.

Today, as we remember these two great events in our history in two great years, let us never forget the sacrifices of all our men and women who in these events of 1831 and 1944 have shown in their hearts and to others their courage, dedication, bravery and determination to fight for the cause of our liberty and independence, to stand for what we believe in, and to struggle for the future of our great world and of all humankind.

LONG LIVE THE 186TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1832 JUNE REBELLION!

LONG LIVE THE 74TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE D-DAY OFFENSIVE OF 1944!

ETERNAL GLORY TO ALL THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES FOR THE FREEDOM AND INDEPENDENCE OF OUR WORLD!

ETERNAL GLORY TO ALL THOSE WHO FOUGHT AGAINST THE FORCES OF FASCISM AND LIBERATED A WORLD FROM THE THREATS AND EVIL ACTIONS OF THE AXIS POWERS!

And in honor of the 74th year anniversary of the great baptism of fire of the 101st Airborne Division, and to the entire HBO War Fandom who for all time will always remember this very moment in history as depicted in the 2nd episode of the award winning 2001 HBO miniseries “Band of Brothers”:

LONG LIVE EASY COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION, 506TH PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM, 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION (AIR ASSAULT), XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS, UNITED STATES ARMY! CURRAHEE! AIR ASSAULT! ARMY STRONG! HOOOAH!!

2200h, June 5, 2018, the 242st year of the United States of America, the 243rd year of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps, the 1234th of the International Olympic Committee, the 122nd of the Olympic Games, the 77th since the beginning of the Second World War in the Eastern Front and in the Pacific Theater, the 73rd since the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa and the victories in Europe and the Pacific, the 71st of the United States Armed Forces and the 51st of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Semper Fortis A Mari Usque A Mare

John Ramos

Makati City, Philippines

Grandson of Philippine Navy veteran PO2 Paterno Cueno, PN (Ret.)

(Requiem for a Soldier and The Mission Begins)

#hbo war #hbo war fandom #band of brothers #d-day #barricade day #les mis #Les Miserables #Easy Company #dday #dday74

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esprit-de-corps-magazine · 5 years

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Charge into summer with Fortissimo

By Second Lieutenant James Benning, Ceremonial Guard Public Affairs

Ottawa, Ontario — It couldn’t have been called pianissimo, which means “play it delicately.”

Not with the booming bass drums and screaming brass and reed instruments of huge marching military bands.

Not with the awe-inspiring skirl of dozens of bagpipes and the rat-a-tat-tat of scores of snare drums.

Not with the sights, sounds and smells of 19th-century battlefield manoeuvres with muskets blazing.

Not with the howling jets of a Royal Canadian Air Force fly-by.

Not with the resounding crescendo of an orchestra of musicians and Howitzers performing Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

This impressive and large-scale assembly will make it very clear to audiences just why this military and musical spectacular event is named after fortissimo, a musical term that means “play it VERY LOUD.”

And they certainly do.

This year, Fortissimo will once again play out on the lawns of Parliament Hill from July 18 to 20 at 7 p.m. It promises to provide two solid hours of excitement and thrills, filled with old and new traditions, magical moments and fun for the whole family.

This extraordinary extravaganza that was created for the lawns of Parliament Hill features the soldiers of the Ceremonial Guard and guest performers from around the world. It is a showcase event in the Nation’s Capital that has drawn thousands of spectators since it began in 1997.

The 2019 Fortissimo event will include performances from:

The Ceremonial Guard, made up of more than 400 members of the Canadian Grenadier Guards and the Governor General’s Foot Guards;

The Central Band of the Canadian Armed Forces,

Massed pipes and drums assembled from various units of the Canadian Armed Forces;

Aerial acrobatics by the Canadian Armed Forces’ Parachute Team, the SkyHawks;

The Guns of the 30th Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery;

The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment) 13th Battalion Ceremonial Guard;

The Band of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry;

The Dominion Carillonneur, who will play the bells of the Peace Tower;

Drummers and dancers from the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg Indigenous performers from Quebec;

A fly-past by the Royal Canadian Air Force; and

The Latvian National Armed Forces Staff Orchestra.

Merging both old and new military traditions, Fortissimo tells the Canadian Armed Forces story, celebrates its past, and looks towards the future. Its origins lie in two evening routines soldiers used at the end of every day.

As the sun was setting, soldiers would fire evening guns, withdraw into fortified camps or cities, lock the gates and lower the flag for the night. This ceremony became known as the Retreat. As a drum was used to signal this routine it became known as “Beating the Retreat”.

The second routine followed at dusk when rounds were made to check the sentries, drum and bugle calls indicated when the “First Post” and the “Last Post” sentries were in place. During this time, the drums would be played and the soldiers would be alerted that it was time to return to barracks. That ceremony became known as “the Tattoo.”

The word “Tattoo” is said to have originated from the Dutch “die den tap toe,” meaning “time to turn off the taps in the tavern.” It originated in the late seventeenth century and is associated with the practice of a drummer signalling to tavern and innkeepers to stop serving ale, and the soldiers to return to their quarters.

For Warrant Officer Kazimierz Rutkowski, the Regimental Quartermaster of the Ceremonial Guard, the highlight of the show has always been the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (RHLI) (Wentworth Regiment) 13th Battalion Ceremonial Guard as they demonstrate soldiering during the 1860s.

“I am really looking forward to the performances of RHLI again this year,” said WO Rutkowski, “Their unique style of drill and muskets always make for a good show.” The RHLI 13th Battalion Ceremonial Guard was stood up in 2008, and is supported by the Regimental Foundation. The RHLI wear the uniforms, carry the weapons, and perform the foot, rifle and tactical drill of the period when the Regiment was first formed in 1862.

For many, Fortissimo is also a chance to experience the traditions and history of other countries.

Corporal Elise Rossignol, a current member of the Ceremonial Guard and veteran of many Changing of the Guard ceremonies and Fortissimo events, has previously worked with the members the Latvian National Armed Forces, which has sent the Latvian National Armed Forces Staff Orchestra as one of this year’s guest performers.

“Fortissimo gives me an opportunity to work with people from other countries. Spending time with Latvian soldiers who I trained with overseas is really exciting,” said Cpl Rossignol. In previous years Fortissimo has included guest performers from Germany, and the United States of America. It is through events like Fortissimo that we are able to honour the past with other Allied countries, while strengthening these same relations as we move towards the future.

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k2kid · 6 years

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Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION

March 1, 1919 to 31 March 1919

Volume 43

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Fosses I.35.75 1 Map for Reference: Namur 8 1/100,000

Battalion Training and Educational Classes as per Appendix 1. Attached. 5 O.R.s proceeded on leave this date. 1 O.R. from hospital.

2 Roman Catholic service at 09:30 in Parish Church. Battalion Church Service at 10:00 hrs. as per appendix No. 2. Attached. 4 O.R.s proceeded on and 10 O.R. returned from leave. 3 Battalion Training and Educational work as per Appendix No. 2. Attached. 3 O.R.s on leave. 1 O.R. from Hospital. 1 Officer and 6 O.R.s of the 6th Battn C.E.s who were attached to the 18th Battn. returned to their unit. 4 Battalion carried on with Training and Educational Classes as per Appendix No. 4. Attached. 4 O.R.s on leave; 3 O.R.s proceeded to 2nd Divl. M.T. Co’y., Auvelais for 2 weeks course in Motor Mechanics. 1 O.R. from hospital. 5 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 5. attached. 6 O.R.s from course in Motor Mechanics at 2nd Divl. M.T. Co’y. 6 Battalion Training and Educational Classes as per Appendix No. 6. Attached. 3 O.R.s on leave. 3 O.R.s to hospital. 7 Battalion Training and Educational work as per Appendix No. 7. attached. Battalion Pay Parade was held in the afternoon. 7 O.R.s proceeded on and Lieut. A.H. Jones returned from leave. 1 O.R. to hospital. 8 At 09:00 hrs. A Battalion Parade followed by a route March was held as per Appendix No. 8 attached. Lt. A.J.R. Craig and 6 O.R.s proceeded on leave. 1 O.R. attached to Divl. Train as loader. 3 O.R.s to hospital. 9 Battalion attended Church Services as per Appendix No. 9 attached. 2 O.R.s from leave. Lt. L.E. Boulton and 19 O.R.s to Sclayn guard. 10 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 10 attached. The “Band” Soccer team defeated the “Transport” team by the score of 1-0 on the Y.M.C.A. grounds. 2 companies paraded to the Baths in the afternoon. The 5th Bgde. Concert Party entertained the Battalion at the Cinema at Night. 18th. Band furnished the music. 2 O.R.s to hospital. 3 O.R.s proceeded on and 2 O.R.s returned from leave. 1 O.R. from duty at Divisional Train. 11 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 11 attached. 2companies and Battalion Headquarters paraded to Baths in the afternoon. At the Y.M.C.A. grounds in the afternoon “Q.M. & Tpt” soccer team defeated “D” Company’s team by a score of 2-0 and “Bn HQ” defeated “A” Company by a score of 3-1. Lt. J.T.N. Jeffery attached to Battalion as Brigade Veterinary Officer. 1 O.R. from hospital. 12 All 4th Brigade Units were Inspected by Gen. Rawlinson, C.O.C. 4th Army at 11.00 hours on 19th Battalion Parade Grounds as per appendix No. 12 attached. Capt. R.G. Elliott and Lieut. J.N. MacRae returned from leave to Italy. 13 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 13 attached. In the afternoon the following games were played on the Y.M.C.A. grounds: “HQ” defeated “A” Co’y in Baseball by he score of 13-5. “Q.M. & Tpt” defeated “B” Co’y by the score of 14-8. “Q.M. & Tpt” defeated “B” Co’y (Soccer) by the score of 14-0. Lt. W. Burns and 6 O.R.s and 9 O.R.s returned from leave. 1 O.R. to hospital. 14 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 14 attached. 3 O.R.s proceeded on leave. 1 O.R. returned from hospital. 15 Battalion Training as per Appendix No. 15 attached. At 10:30 hours the Battalion paraded to Brigade Sports which were held on the 19th Battalion Parade Grounds. In the afternoon “Q.M. & Tpt” Soccer team played “A” Co’y. The score was 2-2. 21 O.R.s proceeded to England proceeded to England for return to Canada for duty as Military Police. 16 Battalion attended Church Services as per Appendix No. 16 attached. “Q.M. & Tpt” defeated “A” Co’y in Baseball on the Y.M.C.A. Grounds by the score of 6-4. “D” Co’y defeated “B” Co’y (Indoor Baseball) score 24-16. 3 O.R.s proceeded on and 1 O.R. returned from leave. 1 O.R. attached for duty to Field Cashier 2nd Cdn. Divn. 2 O.R.s attached 4th Battn. C.E.s returned to their unit. 1 O.R. from hospital. 17 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 17 attached. In the afternoon on the Y.M.C.A. Grounds “Q.M. & Tpt” Soccer team defeated “HQ” by the score of 9-1. 1 O.R. to hospital. 3 O.R.s proceeded on and 2 O.R.s returned from leave. 18 Battalion carried on with Training and Educational Courses as per Appendix No 18 attached. Bath Parades were also held during the day. Lt-Col. L.E. Jones and 3 O.R.s returned from leave. 2 O.R.s to hospital. 19 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 19 attached. Pay Parade and Casuals Bath Parade were held in the afternoon. “HQ” Indoor Baseball team defeated “Q.M. & Tpt” in the afternoon by a score of 6-2. 3 O.R.s returned from course at 2nd Divl. M.T. Co’y. 2 O.R.s proceeded on and 3 O.R.s returned from leave. 4 O.R.s returned from duty at 4th C.I.B. Headquarters. 38 O.R.s proceeded to England for return to Canada with their dependents. 20 Inspection of Battalion by Commanding Officer was held as per Appendix No. 20 attached. The C.11. Concert Party gave a performance to the Battalion at the Cinema tonight. 4 O.R.s to hospital. 21 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 21 attached. In the afternoon “Q.M. & Tpt” Soccer team defeated “D” Co’y team by the score of 10-0, winning the Battalion Championship. 6 O.R.s returned from leave. 2 O.R.s returned from Hospital. 22 Battalion Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 22 attached. The Battalion was entertained in the evening by a Concert Party composed of three young ladies. 6 O.R.s returned from leave. 1 O.R. returned from hospital. 4 O.R.s returned from guard duty at 2nd Cdn. Div. Headquarters. 10 Officers and 150 O.R.s attended Corps Sports held at Brussels. 23 The Battalion attended Church Services as per Appendix no. 23 attached. Rev. Dr. Simons of Christs Church Cathedral, Montreal delivered the sermon, at the mornings service. 4 O.R.s returned from leave. 24 The Battalion carried on with Training and Educational Work as per Appendix No. 24 attached. “Q.M. & Tpt” personnel gave a dance in the Hotel de Ville at night. Music was proved by the Regimental Band. 2 O.R.s returned from leave. 1 O.R. returned from duty with 2nd Divl. Burial Officer. 25 Battalion Training and Educational Course as per Appendix No. 25 attached. Bath and Clothing Parades were held in the afternoon. Mr. Enos Bacon (Vocalist) entertained the Battalion in the afternoon. In the evening at the Cinema, the 13th Bde. Australian Concert Party gave an entertainment. 13 O.R.s proceeded to England for return to Canada with Dependents. 4 O.R.s to England for Police duties at Bramshott Camp pending demobilization. 1 O.R. for duty at 6th Field Ambulance. 4 O.R.s returned from leave. In connection with Demobilization Scheme, (re-grouping) the undermentioned O.R.s were despatched to Battalions and Units named below. 2 O.R.s to 6th Bn. C.E.s 3 O.R.s 25th Bn. 2 O.R.s 21st Bn. 2 O.R.s 22nd Battery 26 Battalion Training and Educational Course as per Appendix No. 26 attached. 2 O.R.s returned from leave this date. 27 Battalion Muster Parade was held in the morning as per Appendix No. 27 attached. 2 O.R.s from leave. 4 O.R.s returned from duty with Divl. Traffic Officer. 2 O.R.s re-grouped to 21st Cdn. Battalion. In connection with Demobilization Scheme (re-grouping) the following were re-grouped to us this date. 13 O.R.s from 27th Bn. 18 O.R.s from 28th Bn. 1 Officer and 18 O.R.s from 29th Bn. 1 Officer and 55 O.R.s from 31st Bn. 1 Officer and 2 O.R.s from 2nd C.E Bgde. 6 O.R.s from 4th Cdn. Fld. Amb. 1 Officer and 1 O.R. from 4th C.I.B. 28 Battalion Training and Educational Classes were carried on as per Syllabus for 26th inst. 2 O.R.s returned from course in M.M. at 2nd Divl. M.T. Co’y. 1 O.R. from duty at Div. H.Q. Lt. A.J.R. Craig and 2 O.R.s on leave. 2 O.R.s arrived as reinforcements. 1 O.R. regrouped to 21st Bn. 29 Battalion Training and Educational Classes were carried on as per Syllabus for 26th inst. 1 O.R. attached to Div. Train was re-grouped to 21st Bn. 2 O.R.s to hospital. 3 O.R.s from leave. 1 O.R. returned from duty at Y.M.C.A. 1 O.R. returned from duty at 4th C.I.B. 1 O.R. from duty at Divl. Signal Co’y. 12 O.R.s from duty at Divl. Train. 30 As per O.O.D. 276 attached, Appendix No. 28, “A” & “B” Co’ys paraded at 08:45 hrs. and marched to AUVELIAS leaving there at 12:00 hrs. for LE HARVE. R.C.s attending service in the Parish Church at 09:30 hrs. “C” & “D” attended Church Parade at 09:30 hrs. There was a voluntary service at the Cinema at 19:00 hrs. led by Dr. Day of Toronto. 1 O.R. from leave. 1 O.R. from hospital. 31 “C” and “D” Companies and Battalion Headquarters formed up in the square in front of the Hotel de Ville at 08:45 hours in Full Marching Order and moved off at 09:00 hours to Auvelais where they entrained for Le Harve at 11:00 hours together with three companies of the 19th. Canadian Battalion. The train was made up of Box Cars and each car was equipped with a stove and sufficient straw to ensure the comfort of each man. The men were furnished with Blankets and everything possible was done to make comfortable the journey. The Y.M.C.A. provided free tea at the station and had cars allotted to their use as a canteen. They also provided games and sporting goods of all kinds for the use of the men during the stops of the train. Reading matter also was provided. The Corps and Divisional Commanders were at the station for a short period before the train left. The train pulled away from the station at 12:30 hours- the first stop was made at Mons at 18:00 hours, for supper and recreation. The day was ideal as to weather conditions and the first day of the return journey to Canada found everyone in the best of spirits. Syllabus for the day attached, appendix No. 29.

War Diary

Appendices

Maps

War Diary of the 18th Battalion: March 1919 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION March 1, 1919 to 31

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War Diary of the 18th Battalion: February 1919

Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st February 1919 to 28th February 1919 Volume 42 With appendices 1 – 28 Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Fosses I.35.75 1 Map for Reference: Namur 8 1/100,000

Battalion training as per Appendix No. 1 attached. In accordance with instructions re. Return to England of Supernumerary Officers, Lieut.…

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Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION

From 1st May to 31st May, 1918

Volume 33 With appendices 1 – 9

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Bretencourt 1 MAPS for Reference 51b sheet 2 51c [illegible] 2

Battalion in reserve billets at Bretencourt r.26.d. Company Parades and inspections. Training of specialists by instructors.

Recreational training and games during afternoon

Do 2 Company inspections of arms and Equipment. Battalion parade for Gas lecture. Games such as Football, Baseball etc. during the afternoon. 17 o.r.s as Reinforcements and 3 o.r.s from hospital. Relief 3 7.30 pm During night of 3/4th 18th Canadian Bn. relieved the 29th Canadian Bn. in the front line Right subsection. Battalion moved to Blainville branching off to a cross country track about ½ mile before reaching Blainville. From this track to sunken road at S.5.c.25.25. and on through communication trenches to their respective positions. Positions and locations being A, C, and D coys in front line. B coy in support. Each of the 3 front line companies having 2 platoons in front line and 2 in close support from S.5.d.80.70 to S.12.c.70.85. B coy being located at S.11.a.60.50 to S.11.a.65.00. Bn HQ at S.11.a.60.35. Relief completed at 11.35 pm. 2 o.r.s wounded.

During this tour rations were brought to railway track by wagons and from there to support lines by pack mules (see map attached).

S.5.d to S.12.c. 4 Position as shown. During the day working parties furnished by Battalion building dug-outs and repairing trenches. Enemy artillery being very active during the whole of the day. During the night 4/5th several patrols covered Bn. frontage. 1 Patrol of 11 o.r.s under Lieuts McRae & Stokes entered No Man’s Land at 11 pm at S.12.a.22.60 and proceeded along the lines from there to S.12.a.90.10 and N.W. to S.12.a.51.72 returning S.W. entering trenches at point of exit, no enemy were encountered or seen. A 2nd Patrol of 16 o.r.s under Lieut. R.C. Sheridan accompanied by 7 o.r.s of the 28th Cdn. Bn. went out to recover the body of one of their men. This patrol went up an old C.T. [communication trench] to approx. S.6.a.10.80 where 16 men were left as covering party. Lieut. Sheridan and the men of the 28th Bn. returned up this trench to S.6.c.30.95 where the body was recovered. Nothing unusual occurred. 5 Enemy artillery active shelling the whole area and also rear country, sending a number of gas shells into Boyelles. 3 o.r.s wounded. Considerable movement was observed in enemy lines during the whole day. At 5.55 om an explosion was observed to take place in enemy lines at T.10.c which appeared to be either a flare or cordite dump. Working parties again supplied during night 5/6th enemy relief was suspected and our artillery shelled road and overland routes near enemy trenches. Night 5/6th During night 3 patrols coved Bn. frontage and made reconnaissance of [ridge/hedge] and ground directly in front. Our patrol under Lieut. Stokes and another under Lieut. Sheridan, no enemy were encountered and nothing unusual occurred with the exception of considerable M.G. fire by the enemy. 6th Intermittent shelling by enemy during the day. 50 o.r.s of B coy working in 4 shifts worked 6 hours on new Bn. HQ. 100 o.r.s of B coy worked 3 hour carrying wire & stakes from Bn. ration dumps to A coy front line. All available men of D coy were employed clearing and repairing trenches in their front area. 1 o.r. wounded. 7th Situation quiet during the day. During night 7/8th working parties were assigned as last night. 8 o.r. arrived as reinforcements. 8th Our artillery shelled at intervals enemy trenches and rear country at 8.45 pm. Enemy put heavy barrage on our front support lines lasting about 15 minutes. 1 o.r. being wounded. During night patrols covered Bn. frontage. One patrol under Lieuts. MacRae and Sheridan with 20 o.r.s and Lewis gun went out to end of a sap at S.6.d.11.60. where Lieut. Sheridan and 18 o.r.s remained. As covering party asLieut. MacRae and 2 scouts proceeded S.E. to definitively locate enemy M.G. post which was supposed to be in a shell crater. It was our intention after learning this to bring up remainder of patrol with Lewis Gun and rad the post, but owing to considerable activity by artillery with gas shells and shrapnel our patrol was forced to withdraw. 9th Artillery fairly active on both sides during the day. Considerable movement was observed in Enemy lines during the day and our artillery paid attention to this. During the night fatigue parties worked clearing and repairing trenches in our area. 2 patrols under Lieuts. Sheridan and Stokes patrolled Bn. frontage from 10 pm to 3 am no enemy being seen or encountered. 10th Situation quiet today. Usual working parties at night improving trenches. Protective and reconnaissance patrols covered Bn. frontage with nothing unusual to report. 1 o.r. wounded. Relief 11th During the morning our right front was subjected to marked attention by enemy heavy trench mortars. Protective patrol covered Bn. frontage, nothing unusual report.

19th Canadian Bn. our relief. 18th Bn. moved into Brigade Reserve in the Purple Line system of trenches (see map attached.) A, C, and D coys being in Purple firing line and B coy had 2 platoons in Intermediate line and 2 platoons at Mercatel Switch. Relief being completed by 12.15 am.

12th Nothing unusual occurred, men employed digging funk holes & making shelters during the day. 13th During night 12/13 fatigue parties digging funk holes in support line and cleaning trenches. 14th 9.30 am B coy moved from position at Mercatel Switch to position in Purple support line (see map attached) being relieved by the 20th Can. Bn. New positions being M.31.b.00.70 to M.31.a.00.70.

During night of 14/15 Bn. again supplied working parties for work on Bgde. H! and dugouts at R.34.a.6.4. also digging funk hole, latrines etc. in Support lines.

WAILLY 15th Considerable artillery activity in counter battery firing and on observation balloons forcing 2 enemy balloons to descend.

During the night of 15/16th Battalion was relieved in support by the 22nd Canadian Bn. On completion of relief at 9.20 pm Battalion moved into Divisional reserve at WAILLY HUTS, R.23.a. 16 o.r.s arrived as reinforcements.

WAILLY 16 Battalion Bath and Pay parades occupied the whole of the day. 17th Company parades and inspections of clothing and equipment and arms. Platoon training by Platoon commanders. During the afternoon recreational training & organized games carried out. 18 Company parades and inspections. Training in open warfare, artillery formations and skirmishing. Recreation in the afternoon. 19 Usual parades inspections and training. Maj. J.A. McIntosh attached to Canadian Corps School. 2 o.r. admitted to hospital. 20 Company parades. Platoon training and recreation in afternoon. Specialist training in M.G. work, sounding etc. 21st Company parades and inspections. Physical training and close order drill. Recreation in afternoon. 2 o.r.s admitted to hospital. 22 Company Parades and inspections in the morning.

During the night 22/23rd Battalion relieved the 31st Canadian Bn. in left Battalion frontage. Battalion moved off from WAILLY at 8.00 pm in fighting order passing overland to front line positions in front of Neuville Vitasse. Bn. H! at M.16.a.95.55. And and B in front line from N.13.1.100.90 to M.24.b.60.50. C and D coys in support at M.18.b and c. Relief was completed without casualty at 1.50 am.

23 Situation quiet. Two patrols covered Battalion frontage during night and reported our shellfire causing casualties in enemy posts. 5 o.r.s admitted to hospital. 24 Nothing unusual occurred during the day. Working parties furnished by Battalion for work during the night on trenches in Bn. area. Tow patrols were out during night. No. 1 Patrol Lieut McRae [MacRae] and 3 scouts located an enemy post at approx. [illegible map coordinates] but owing to night moonlight were unable to get close enough to secure post, but the enemy had in the meantime been alarmed and drove our party back with M.G. fire and bombs. No casualties occurred. 25 Working parties again furnished by Bn. for work during the night on trenches. One party of 1 officers and 12 other ranks constructed trip wires from N.19.a.25.57 to N.19.a.05.50. 2 patrols covered Bn. frontage during the night, nothing unusual to report. 26 Desultory shelling by enemy over who area and rear county.

A courageous act was done this morning by #212203 Arm. Cpl. D. A. KELLEY. At 8.15 Cpl. Kelley with a wiring party left our trench at N.19.a70.89 and proceeded up an old communication trench towards enemy lines to definitively locate positions and defences of enemy post located in this trench. Cpl. Kelley was able to get close to this post and found 3 Germans on sentry duty. He rushed the barrier in front of this post and shot 2 of the occupants and dragged the third across the barrier. Several of the enemy were seen to run back along the trench. An enemy machine gun opened up and bombs where thrown but Cpl. Kelley returned safely to our line with his prisoner. Shortly after Cpl Kelley had returned [to] our line, a party of the enemy was seen to come into and down the trench toward raided post. Party estimated at 15 to 18. Several of them appeared on sides of the trench looking around apparently trying to locate the prisoner we had taken. Capt. Dougall and sentries in A Coy line immediately opened fire and six of the enemy were seen to fall and the remainder disappeared.

27 Nothing unusual happened during the day. Two patrols covered battalion frontage during the night. No enemy being wounded or seen. 28 During the night of 27/28th we raided 2 enemy posts at approx.. N.19.a.70.80 and N.19.a.90.85.

Report No. 1 party of four bombers under Lieut. Sheridan left our trench at N.19.a.71.78, proceeded up old trench to within bombing distance of post located at N.19.73.80, there to await prearranged signal from No. 2 party for starting raid. No. 2 party of 8 Bn. scouts with 2 other parties each of 1 n.c.o. and 4 men (to be left at trench intersections) under Lieut. J.N. MacRae left our lines at N.19.a.84.99 at 11.30 pm & proceeded up old trench to intersection of trenches at N.19.a.88.79. At this point heads of two sentries were seen looking over parapet at entrance of trench. The Scout party got to within 250 feet of barrier when they were seen by sentries who immediately threw bombs which went over the raider’s heads. Lt. MacRae and Scout Sgt. F Manby rushed the barrier, the remainder of the party bombing the post and back up the trench, on climbing the barrier a German was seen dragging another back up the trench and a third running and giving alarm. Unfortunately at this moment our barrage opened up, one shell exploding on parapet in front of patrol and others dropping thickly around causing patrol to retire. Our bombing started at this post, No, party immediately bombed post at N.19.a.73.80 throwing twenty bombs into post and into trench behind, continuous screeching and groaning issued from post but No. 1 party were also prevented from following up by our barrage. Both raiding parties returned to our lines without casualty.

29 Nothing unusual happened during the day. Bn. furnished working parties during the night. Patrols covered Bn. frontage. 30 During the night 29th/30 Bn. was relieved in front line by the 21st Canadian Bn. Our relief being completed at 2.10 am. Bn. moved into Brigade Reserve at M.16.b.80.80 to M.13.c.50.30. Relief was completed in good time without casualty. 31 Position as shown. Nothing unusual to report. 2 o.r.s wounded. Lieut. H.L. Scully wounded.

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Appendices

War Diary of the 18th Battalion: May 1918 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION From 1st May to 31st May, 1918…

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The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade (4th C.I.B.) was engaged at Passchendaele in November 1917. Compared with some other Canadian Brigades and Battalions it was not as heavily engaged but the costs to the Brigade was high. The 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade suffered a total of 1,268 casualties (killed in action and wounded) with 73 men taken prisoner over a four-day period spanning November 8 to 11, 1917. In contrast, the 4th C.I.B. was subject to a loss of personnel by all causes of 695 soldiers of all ranks between November 1 to 12, 1917, a span of thirteen days.

2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade Casualty Report

4th Canadian Infantry Brigade Casualty Report

Wounded Canadians on way to aid-post. Battle of Passchendaele. November, 1917. Source: LAC. Online MIKAN no. 3194341 (1 item).

The 18th Battalion War Diary combines its entries for November 9 through 12, 1917 in one large entry spanning two pages and starts its description of these days thusly: “During the whole of this Tour, the Offices and men held this part of the line under the most severe conditions possible.”

The 4th C.I.B. enumerated is casualties for the period in its War Diary and the results are replicated below:

Data replication by author of Appendix 5A. 4th C.I.B. War Diary. November 1917.

Below is a matrix summarizing the total casualties by category data:

Summary. Data replication by author of Appendix 5A. 4th C.I.B. War Diary. November 1917.

The comparative differences in the numbers of soldiers of the 4th C.I.B. shows the numbers killed, wounded, missing (mostly missing, presumed dead and not prisoners), and gassed are apparent and the totals reflect the outcomes of the battalions most heavily engaged in the actions over those dates, the 19th and 21st Battalions. The 19th and the 21st Battalions was involved in repulsing a German attack on November 3, 1917 at 5:00 A.M. with the German attackers able to gain a foothold in the trenches of the 21st Battalion. The Battalion, with supporting units, counter-attacked and repulsed the attack with the German troops retiring. Later that morning, at 7:30 A.M., the 19th Battalion was again engaged in covering the left flank of an Australian Battalion.

On November 10, 1917, the 4th C.I.B. was involved in its own attack starting at Zero Hour at 6:05 A.M. and this engagement was successful and from the Brigade’s report on operations the engagement did not note any unusual casualty rates. It did note in its War Diary that this “Attack very successful.”

Yet, the two reports of the actions of the battalions of the 4th C.I.B. and the 18th Battalion war diary entries do no fully reflect the tempo of the action at Passchendaele. Fifty, or 86%, of the fifty-eight men of the 18th Battalion that died that month perished between November 9 and 12, 1917. The data above only shows that twenty-eight men were killed in action, with a balance of seventy-five being wounded. Clearly the “Corrected List of Casualties” is not correct and does not reflect the terrible cost of the Brigades involvement at Passchendaele.

The data is illustrative of the ratios of killed, wounded, gassed, and missing and help to give context and meaning to the events that the battalions of the 4th C.I.B. But the report on operations for the Brigade for November 12 and 13 expresses the outcome of the Brigade’s experiences at Passchendaele:

The behavior of the officers and men during the whole of these operations was of the highest standard. The conditions of the ground and the intensity of the enemy’s shelling created difficulties of [a] most severe character. The evacuation of the wounded was one of the hardest problems of the whole tour and only be the greatest devotion to duty by the stretcher bearer parties was the whole area cleared before being turned over to the relieving Brigade.

Source: 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade War Diary. November 1917. Appendix 6. Page 5.

Wounded Canadians on way to aid-post during the Battle of Passchendaele. Source: LAC. Online MIKAN no. 3397044 (1 item).

The Greatest Devotion to Duty: Casualties at Passchendaele The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade (4th C.I.B.) was engaged at Passchendaele in November 1917. Compared with some other Canadian Brigades and Battalions it was not as heavily engaged but the costs to the Brigade was high.

#18th Battalion C.E.F.#19th Battalion C.E.F.#20th Battalion C.E.F.#21st Battalion C.E.F.#2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade #4th Canadian Infantry Brigade #4th Trench Mortar Battery #gassed in action #Killed in Action #Missing in Action #Passchendaele #stretcher bearers #Wounded in Action

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Confidential War Diary

18th CANADIAN BATTALION – 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION

FROM 1st August to 31st August 1917

Volume 24

With appendicis 6 – 13

Place Date Hour Summary of Events and Information Map reference, 36B Edition 6, 1/40,000. BOVIGNY 1st. R.19.central. 1 18th. Canadian Battalion at BOVIGNY village in billets, the Brigade being in Divisional Reserve.

Owing to heavy rain, the Battalion did no training to-day. 5 o.rs attached to Divisional Burial party.

BOVIGNY 1st. R.19.central. 2 No training carried out to-day owing to heavy rain.

2 o.rs returned from hospital.

BOVIGNY 1st. R.19.central. 3 Heavy rain again prevented any training. Lieuts. M.R. Sloan, R.R. Hartry, J.N. Mowbray, and G.J. Spencer arrived as reinforcements. BOVIGNY 1st. R.19.central.

Map Sheet 36c: See O.O. #B attached.

4 Battalion Pay parades. The G.O.C. 2nd. Canadian Division paid the Battalion a visit in the morning. Battalion proceeded to the line in the afternoon. The 4th. Canadian Infantry Brigade relieved the 6th. Canadian Infantry Brigade in the LAURENT sector.

The 18th. Canadian Battalion relieved the 26th. Canadian Battalion in Brigade support (CITE ST PIERRE) M.16.b.55.25. No casualties going in and relief was completed at 11.05 p.m.

Lieut. J.D. Parsons and 2 o.rs admitted to hospital (sick).

As yesterday 5 Quiet day for the Battalion.

The Battalion furnished carrying parties of 350 men for carrying for Trench Mortar Batteries to their gun positions. Casualties numbering 1 o.r. killed[i] and 3 o.rs Wounded.

As yesterday 6 Battalion still furnishing Carrying parties for T.M. Bys.

Nothing unusual to report.

Major H.D. Dunnett returned from hospital.

As yesterday 7 Battalion again furnishing carrying parties for T.M. Bys. LAURENT SECTOR relief

See O.O. (7) attached

8 18th Battalion relieved the 19th Canadian Battalion in the Right Sub-sector, the line was held by a series of outposts from M.18b.6.5, N13.a.8Q95. to N7b.15.20 and N.7.c.95.80. with H. Qrs at N.7.c.0.7.

“B” coy in command of Capt. D.A.G. Parsons took the line of Outposts. “A” coy, in command of Lieut. J. McAmmond went in support at M.11.d and M.12.c.

“C” and “D” coys remained in Brigade support. Relief was completed with anything unusual happening.

Capt. G.H.F. Hodgins returned from course. 4 o.rs rejoined from hospital.

MAP Sheet 36 C. See O.O. (8) attached 9 In conjunction with the 20th and 21st Canadian Battalions the 18th Battalion raided the Enemy front line trenches.

The whole raiding party was under the command of Lieut-Col. L.E. Jones, O.C. 18th Canadian Battalion. The frontage raided by the 18th Battalion was the German front line from N.13.b.1.4 to N.7.d.70.15.

Zero hour for the raid was 4.15 a.m. Artillery support was very good.

Although no prisoners were captured many casualties were inflicted upon the enemy, and very valuable information as regards to enemy trenches, wire and dug-outs was obtained.

Our parties penetrated a distance of 100 yds into the German lines, our casualties being 4 o.r. Killed and 24 o.r. slightly wounded. All wounded were returned safely to our lines.

The German barrage was very scattered. Our raiding party consisted of 35 men of “C” Coy under Lieut. H.[B]. Johnson and 65 men of “D” Coy under Lieut. D. Northcombe and Lieut. G.J. Spencer.

Lieut. Spencer and 7 o.rs., one of whom was wounded, were unable to get back to our lines owing to daylight, remained in a demolished cellar throughout the day. Lieut. Spencer and one man found their way in, in the early part of the night and assisted by Lieut. T.R. Dougall they searched the whole area during the night but were unable to re-located the cellar in which the remaining 5 o.rs were.

Upon the return of Lieut. Dougall and party a report came from the 4th Brigade H.Qrs that these missing men came in and hard reported to another Regimental Aid post.

Night of 9/10 The 4th Brigade was relieved in the LAURENT sector by the 6th Brigade. “A” & “B” coys were relieved by the 27th. Canadian Battalion, and “C” & “D” coys, in Brigade support, were relieved by the 31st. Canadian Battalion. Relief was completed at 3.30 a.m.

The Battalion moved to billets at BOVIGNY village and the 4th. Brigade came into Divisional reserve.

On roll-call at BOVIGNY village it was found that the 5 men who had been left in NO MAN’S LAND had not returned as reported by the Brigade, so a party under LIEUT. DOUGALL again went up to search for them.

The party found the cellar in which these men had been but the men were not there. On returning, the search party reported at the Right Coy H. Qrs of the 27th Canadian Battalion where the missing men were located, having found their own way in. Total casualties as above stated.

Nothing to report today.

BOVIGNY village 11 Battalion resting and having Bathing parades.

Lieut. J. McAmmond proceeded on Leave.

BOVIGNY village 12 Battalion resting and having Clothing parades.

Lieut. J.H. Warburton arrived as reinforcement.

BOVIGNY village 13 Church parade postponed yesterday was held to-day. Capt. C.G. Lawrence our new Chaplain, officiating.

Lieuts. W. Hampton[ii], H.C. Duff and G.N. Tucker arrived as reinforcements. Lieut. D.M. Northcombe and 6 o.rs admitted to hospital (sick)

Night of

Front Line

Relief MAP Sheet 36 C.

See O.O. 9 attached.

13/14 The 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade relieved part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade and took over their frontage.

The 18th Battalion, less “A” and “B” coys, relieved part of the 27th Battalion and took a line of outposts from M.18.b.6.5 to N.7.d.15.20. Battalion H.Qrs were at N.7.c.0.[7]. Relief was complete at 2.30 a.m.

Code word upon completion being “Your 144 received at…”

Outposts Line 14 Enemy artillery showed no unusual activity during to-day. 20 o.rs arrived as reinforcements. 6 o.rs attached to 4th T.M. By. Night of 14/15 “C” and “D” Coys moved into their assembly positions along the outpost line. “A” & “B” Coys came into support. “A” coy with one platoon at N.7.c.1.4. and two platoons at approximately M.12.b.3.0.

At 4.25 a.m. the 18th Battalion in conjunction with other Units of the 1st, and 2nd Canadian Divisions attacked the enemy lines from N.13.a.9.6. to N.7.70.15. the object being to capture and consolidate the enemy support line (CHICORY TRENCH) from N.14.a.05.55. to N.13.b.60.0. thence Westerly to N.13.b.05.35. The attack was entirely successful and 26 minutes after zero hour (4.25 a.m.) we occupied our objectives, capturing some 65 prisoners (165 P.I.R.).

Lieuts. C.H. Biscoe and L.A. Bissell being wounded just as we reached the enemy front lines.

On the right by arrangement with the 21st Canadian Battalion we held CHICORY TRENCH up to N.14.c.15.65. and on the left pushed our posts forward to N.13.b.0.15. and controlled the railway cutting. Consolidation was rapidly proceeded with. At. 2.30 p.m. the enemy made a very strong bombing attack on the left of our Battalion and the right of the 21st Battalion and succeeded in entering a portion of our newly won trenches. During this enemy counter attack Lieut. A.A. McLean was killed. He had gathered a few men together and was leading up the LENS-BETHUNE road to give what assistance he could and was shot by an enemy sniper and instantly killed.

15 As soon as the attack had gone forward, Lieut. T.R. Dougall and some men of the Scout Section started forward to make a reconnaissance patrol and to exploit success, they were held up for an hour by an enemy plane firing on them from immediately overhead. When the patrol reached the captured enemy position, it went forward approximately 300 yds from our newly won position.

Lieut. DOUGALL returned with some valuable information as to the enemy position and defences, as well as a complete Minewerfer [minenwerfer] crew of 20 men as prisoners.

Three platoons of the support Coys were sent up to reinforce “D” Coy. Lieut. J.M. Fisher with great judgement and coolness, prepared his counter attack in conjunction with the 21st Battalion.

The counter attack was launched at 5 p.m. with the assistance of the artillery and the lost trenches were easily regained. 10 prisoners were captured.

A/Capt. M. Dunsford.

This officer very gallantly led his men to the attack, and, although severely wounded shortly after entering the enemy front line trenches, he continued to encourage his men by his personal example. By his intimate knowledge of the situation he was able, although incapacitated himself, to direct his men until the objective was reached, refusing to be carried out until the more serious cases had been evacuated.

Lieut. G.G. Brachin [Brackin] arrived as reinforcement.

Night of 15th Upon Captain Dunsford being wounded, Lieut. H.B. Johnson took over command of the company. At night there were not attacks or counter-attacks, but enemy artillery was exceptionally heavy on all parts of our sector. 16 About noon Lieut. Dougall, L.Sgt. C.E. Routley and 19 o.rs crossed the railway cutting at N.13.b.2.2 and went forward along COTTON TRENCH to N.13.b.5.0 where there were fired upon from ALOOF TRENCH and they could see that ALOOF trench was heavily held by the enemy. Turing about they went Westward along COTTON trench to N.13.c.70.95 where they again encountered an enemy party from the South, turning about again they found that an enemy party from ALOOF trench had followed them and they were practically surrounded.

Lieut. Dougall then sent up his artillery signals and under cover of this fire succeeded in returning to our lines with only one casualty. There was no unusual activity during the remainder of the day.

Evening 16th The 18th Battalion was ordered to attack the enemy trenches between the LENS-GRENAY Railway and LENS-ST PIERRE Railway in conjunction with the 4th Canadian Division, the Objective being ALOOF TRENCH and thence to connect this trench to CHICORY TRENCH on the left. Two platoons of “A” coy where detailed for this attack, with one platoon of “B” coy in support, as this part of the font had not been reconnoitered except by Lieut. Dougall, a reconnoitering patrol consisting of Lieuts. Dougall, MacDonald, and Sloan, and 4 N.C.Os, where sent out to gain knowledge of Jumping Off point. They covered all the ground necessary.

On their way back a bomb was thrown into the party which killed Lieut. MacDonald and wounded Lieut. Sloan[iii].

On Lieut. Dougall’s report regarding the conditions of the ground it was decided to vary the attack, to push across the Railway cutting from the trenches at N.12.b.0.15 and N.13.b.2.2 immediately [after] the artillery barrage lifted.

The later plan was sanctioned by the Brigade, Zero hour was set for 4.35 a.m.

17 In the early hours of the morning the assaulting platoons were taken forward and it was while giving assistance to the Officers in the placing of their men, Lieut. DOUGALL was mortally wounded by an enemy 5.9 shell. However the attack went forward at the proper time, and occupied COTTON TRENCH from N.13.c.95.90 – N.13.central and N.13.b.4.1 but owing to heavy shell fire and the withdrawal of troops on our right, a certain amount of disorganization followed.

At 5 a.m. Capt. J.S. Bell, Adjt, went forward and succeeded in re-organizing the parties and established posts at N.13.c.85.80 – N.13.c.95.90 – N.13.central and N.13.b.4.1. and AMULET TRENCH was found to be untenable.

He sent up further supplies of bombs and left Capt. D.A.G. PARSONS in charge. The position was completely secured by 7.30 a.m.. While this operation was in progress, Lieut. W.H. Fenton and a small party went out of our post at N.13.b.60.35 and entered the Railway cutting and searched the houses in the vincinity in the front of our lines. He found that the enemy were working very diligently and building ALOOF TRENCH to the left, to connect with CINNIBAR TRENCH. This was reported to the artillery, who took action.

During the day enemy artillery kept up its usual fire on our trenches. From 2 to 4 p.m. our forward posts reported the enemy assembling in houses on either side of the LENS-BETHUNE road from N.13.b.9.2 to Crossroads N.14.c.4.8 and in CHICORY trench.

This was reported to our Artillery who took very effective action. At 4.00 p.m. a small part of the enemy estimated at 15 men, attempted to raid our posts at N.13.b.65.40 but were driven off without casualties to us. The remainder of the day and evening was fairly quiet. Lieut. H.E.F. Ralph admitted to hospital, sick.

18 At 12.00 midnight 17th-18th, a heavy enemy barrage opened on the whole Brigade front. Our Artillery replied immediately to an S.O.S. call from our left. No enemy attack was delivered on our front, although some grenades were thrown.

At 2.00 a.m. a similar occurrence happened. It is quite certain that the enemy intended to attack both of these times but his formations were broken up by our Artillery.

At 4.15 a.m. the enemy again opened a heavy barrage on the whole brigade front and succeeded in pushing forward some men into the front trenches on the left of the Brigade, these being immediately ejected.

No attack occurred on our immediate front. During the day, nothing of importance occurred beyond the usual desultory shelling.

Night 18th/19th The 18th Battalion was relieved by the 50th Canadian Battalion taking over the frontage from the LENS-GRENAY Railway to the LENS-BETHUNE Road, and the 27th Canadian Battalion from LENS-BETHUNE Road to our left boundary.

The relief was completed at 3.45 a.m. and the Battalion proceeded to billets at BULLY-GRENAY, the Brigade being in Divisional Reserve.

23 o.rs arrived as reinforcements, 8 o.rs returned from hospital.

BULLY-GRENAY. 19 The Battalion resting today and having bathing parades.

LIEUT. T.R. DOUGALL Died of Wounds at No. 6 C.C.S. Barlin, and was buried at the Military Cemetery there. His courage and energy had been a source of pride in the Battalion and his work had been of the greatest value, not only to the Battalion, but also to Brigade and Division.

4 O.R’s admitted to hospital, sick.

20 No work carried out as Battalion was resting after a strenuous tour. 28 O.Rs arrived as reinforcements and 10 O.Rs returned from hospital. MOVE

See O.O. #11 attached

21 9.30 The Battalion left BULLY-GRENAY at9.30 a.m. and proceeded to BOUVIGNY HUTS going in Corps Reserve. On the road “D”coy sustained 52 casualties, 23 of which were fatal, by the bursting of an enemy shell (high velocity). This bringing our casualties to approximately 220 during the tour.

Lieut. W. Hampton and 4 O.Rs admitted to hospital.

Map Reference Sheet 36b. Edition 6, 1/40,000

See O.O. #12 attached.

MOVE 22 The Battalion moved to LE PENDU HUTS at W.30.b.central, near VILLERS AU BOIS. Lieut. V.M. Eastwood proceeded on leave. LE PENDU HUTS 23 Company and platoon inspections. Specialist training, as Lewis gunners, Bombers and Rifle-grenadiers. In the afternoon recreational gams as Football, Baseball etc.

Lieut. D.R. Oliver arrived as reinforcement.

LE PENDU HUTS 24 a.m.

p.m.

Company inspections of rifles and equipment. Close Order drill and specialist training.

Recreational games. 19 O.Rs rejoined the Battalion from C.E. fatigue.

LE PENDU HUTS 25 a.m.

p.m.

“A” coy proceeded to Rifle ranges at MAISNAL BOUCHES for musketry.

“B” & “C” coys went to the ranges.

5 O.Rs returned from hospital.

LE PENDU HUTS

Syllabus #13 attached

26 10 a.m.

p.m.

Brigade parade for Divine Service. “D” coy and H.Q. Units to ranges for Musketry.

Recreational games.

3 O.Rs admitted to hospital (sick).

LE PENDU HUTS 27 The Battalion together with the rest of the 4th Brigade was inspected by Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig K.T., G.C.B., G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E., Commander and Chief of British Armies in France, who warmly complimented the Battalion both on its good work in the recent operation and its appearance on parade.

3 O.Rs admitted to hospital (sick).

LE PENDU HUTS 28 a.m.

p.m.

Company parades and instruction of Specialists.

Recreational games.

4 O.Rs returned from hospital.

LE PENDU HUTS 29 a.m.

p.m.

Specialized training of Bombers, Lewis gunners, and Rifle grenadiers.

Recreational games.

Lieut. J.H. Warburton attached to 4th Trench Mortar By.

LE PENDU HUTS 30 a.m.

3.30 p.m.

Company inspections and training of Specialists. Recreational games in the afternoon.

A conference of all Officers of the 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade was held a Brigade H.Qrs to discuss recent operations.

7 O.Rs reported to hospital (sick).

LE PENDU HUTS 31 a.m.

1.30 p.m.

Company Parades and Training per syllabus attached.

Battalion moved from LE PENDU HUTS to VILLERS HUTS.

A/Capt. T.H.O. Rayward and Lieut’s R.C. Sheridan, J. Morgan, J.C. Spence arrived as reinforcements.

96 O.Rs arrived as reinforcements.

[i] Private A.E. Rennie, reg. no. 643994.

[ii] Lieutenant William Hampton was an original member of the 18th Battalion, attesting at Galt [now Cambridge], Ontario on October 25, 1914 with a regimental number of 53923. He was promoted through the ranks to Corporal and then assigned to officers training at Bexhill.

[iii] The death of Lieutenant MacDonald and the wounding of Lieutenant Sloan was due to friendly action. A soldier of “C” Company threw a grenade which resulted in this. This appears to be the first document case of friendly fire in the War Diary’s documentation. Source: “Summary Report of Hill 70 Action August 14 to 18, 1917”. 18th Battalion Canadian War Diary. August 1917.

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War Diary of the 18th Battalion: August 1917 Confidential War Diary of 18th CANADIAN BATTALION - 2nd CANADIAN DIVISION FROM 1st August to 31st August 1917…