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mercurygray · 3 years

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So, I Hear You Liked: 1917

More World War One Films

I was very excited about 1917 when it first came out because it almost perfectly coincided with the 100th anniversary of the First World War, a conflict that I love to read about, write about, and watch movies about. This period is my JAM, and there's such a lot of good content for when you're done with Sam Mendes's film.

Obviously there are a lot of movies and TV shows out there - this is just a selection that I enjoyed, and wish more people knew about.

Note: Everyone enjoys a show or movie for different reasons. These shows are on this list because of the time period they depict, not because of the quality of their writing, the accuracy of their history or the political nature of their content. Where I’m able to, I’ve mentioned if a book is available if you’d like to read more.

I'd like to start the list with a movie that isn't a fiction piece at all - Peter Jackson's They Shall Not Grow Old (2019) is a beautifully produced film that allows the soldiers and archival images themselves, lovingly retimed and tinted into living color, to tell their own story. It is a must watch for anyone interested in the period.

Wings (1927), All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), A Farewell to Arms (1932, 1957), The Dawn Patrol (1938), Sergeant York (1941), and Paths of Glory (1957) are all classics with a couple of Oscars between them, and it's sort of fun to watch how the war gets changed and interpreted as the years pass. (The Dawn Patrol, for instance, might as just as easily be about the RAF in World War 2.)

All Quiet is based on a famous memoir, and A Farewell to Arms on a Hemingway novel; both have several adaptations and they're all a little different. Speaking of iconic novels, Doctor Zhivago (1965) based on the Pasternak novel of the same title, examines life of its protagonist between 1905 and the start of the second World War.

I think one thing historians agree on is that the start of World War One is worth discussing - and that there's a lot of backstory. Fall of Eagles (1974), a 13 part BBC miniseries, details the relationships between the great houses of Europe, starting in the 1860s; it's long but good, and I think might be on YouTube. The Last Czars (2019) takes a dramatized look at the Romanovs and how their reactions to the war lead to their eventual demise.

As far as the war itself, Sarajevo (2014) and 37 Days (2014) both discuss the outbreak of hostilities and the slow roll into actual battle.

The Passing Bells (2014) follows the whole war through the eyes of two soldiers, one German and one British, beginning in peacetime.

Joyeux Noel ( 2005) is a cute story - it takes place early in the war during the Christmas Peace and approaches the event from a multinational perspective.

War Horse (2011) is, of course, a name you'll recognize. Based on the breakout West End play, which is itself based on a YA novel by Michael Morpurgo, the story follows a horse who's requisitioned for cavalry service and the young man who owns him. Private Peaceful (2012) is also based on a Morpurgo novel, but I didn't think it was quite as good as War Horse.

The Wipers Times (2013) is one of my all-time favorites; it's about a short lived trench paper written and produced by soldiers near Ypres, often called Wipers by the average foot soldier. The miniseries, like the paper, is laugh out loud funny in a dark humor way.

My Boy Jack (2007) is another miniseries based on a play, this one about Rudyard Kipling and his son, Jack, who served in the Irish Guards and died at Loos. Kipling later wrote a poem about the death of his son, and helped select the phrase that appears on all commonwealth gravestones of the First World War.

Gallipoli (1981) is stunning in a way only a Peter Weir movie can be; this is a classic and a must-see.

Gallipoli is a big story that's been told and retold a lot. I still haven't seen Deadline Gallipoli (2015) an Australian miniseries about the men who wrote about the battle for the folks back home and were subject to censorship about how bad things really were. For a slightly different perspective, the Turkish director Yesim Sezgin made Çanakkale 1915 in 2012, detailing the Turkish side of the battle. Although most of The Water Diviner (2014) takes place after the war is over, it also covers parts of Gallipoli and while it didn't get great reviews, I enjoy it enough to own it on DVD.

I don't know why all of my favorite WWI films tend to be Australian; Beneath Hill 60 (2010) is another one of my favorites, talking about the 1st Australian Tunneling Company at the Ypres Salient. The War Below (2021) promises to tell a similar story about the Pioneer companies at Messines, responsible for building the huge network of mines there.

Passchendaele (2008) is a Canadian production about the battle of the same name. I'd forgotten I've seen this film, which might not say very much for the story.

Journey's End (2017) is an adaptation of an RC Sheriff play that takes place towards the end of the war in a dugout amongst British officers.

No look at the Great War is complete without a nod to developing military technologies, and this is the war that pioneers the aviation battle for us. I really wish Flyboys (2006) was better than it is, but The Red Baron (2008) makes up for it from the German perspective.

One of the reasons I like reading about the First World War is that everyone is having a revolution. Technology is growing by leaps and bounds, women are fighting for the right to vote, and a lot of colonial possessions are coming into their own, including (but not limited to) Ireland. Rebellion (2016) was a multi-season miniseries that went into the Easter Rising, as well as the role the war played there. Michael Collins (1996) spends more time with the Anglo-Irish war in the 1920s but is still worth watching (or wincing through Julia Roberts' bad accent, you decide.) The Wind that Shakes the Barley covers the same conflict and is excellent.

The centennial of the war meant that in addition to talking about the war, people were also interested in talking about the Armenian Genocide. The Promise (2016) and The Ottoman Lieutenant (2017) came out around the same time and two different looks at the situation in Armenia.

This is a war of poets and writers, of whom we have already mentioned a few. Hedd Wynn ( 1992) which is almost entirely in Welsh, and tells the story of Ellis Evans, a Welsh language poet who was killed on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele. I think Ioan Gruffudd has read some of his poetry online somewhere, it's very pretty. A Bear Named Winnie (2004) follows the life of the bear who'd become the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh. Tolkien (2019) expands a little on the author's early life and his service during the war. Benediction (2021) will tell the story of Siegfried Sassoon and his time at Craiglockhart Hospital. Craiglockhart is also represented in Regeneration (1997) based on a novel by Pat Barker.

Anzac Girls (2014) is probably my favorite mini-series in the history of EVER; it follows the lives of a group of Australian and New Zealand nurses from hospital duty in Egypt to the lines of the Western Front. I love this series not only because it portrays women (ALWAYS a plus) but gives a sense of the scope of the many theatres of the war that most movies don't. It's based on a book by Peter Rees, which is similarly excellent.

On a similar note, The Crimson Field (2014) explores the lives of members of a Voluntary Aid Detachment, or VADs, lady volunteers without formal nursing training who were sent to help with menial work in hospitals. It only ran for a season but had a lot of potential. Testament of Youth (2014) is based on the celebrated memoirs of Vera Brittain, who served as a VAD for part of the war and lead her to become a dedicated pacifist.

Also, while we're on the subject of women, though these aren't war movies specifically, I feel like the additional color to the early 20th century female experience offered by Suffragette (2015) and Iron-Jawed Angels (2004) is worth the time.

As a general rule, Americans don't talk about World War One, and we sure don't make movies about it, either. The Lost Battalion (2001) tells the story of Major Charles Whittlesey and the 9 companies of the 77th Infantry division who were trapped behind enemy lines during the battle of the Meuse Argonne.

I should add that this list is curtailed a little bit by what's available for broadcast or stream on American television, so it's missing a lot of dramas in other languages. The Road to Calvary (2017) was a Russian drama based on the novels of Alexei Tolstoy. Kurt Seyit ve Şura (2014) is based on a novel and follows a love story between a Crimean officer (a Muslim) and the Russian woman he loves. The show is primarily in Turkish, and Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, who plays the lead, is *very* attractive.

Finally, although it might seem silly to mention them, Upstairs Downstairs (1971-1975 ) Downton Abbey (2010-2015) and Peaky Blinders (2013-present) are worth a mention and a watch. All of them are large ensemble TV shows that take place over a much longer period than just the Great War, but the characters in each are shaped tremendously by the war.

#so i hear you liked #preaching the period drama gospel i am #world war one #period drama #period drama trash #1917

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thisdayinwwi · 3 years

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2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures in July of 1917

M-262S, M-262P, M-262B

On display was “the largest photograph in the world,” 11 x 20 feet, on 5 panels, renamed: “the Taking of Vimy Ridge.”

Item no. (creator):M-262 Item ID number:3394842

Ivor Castle’s The Taking of Vimy Ridge.

accession # 2018.413.1162. The original title of the photograph is “29th Infantry Battalion Advancing Over No Man’s Land Through German Barbed Wire and Heavy Fire During the Battle of Vimy Ridge.”

Shell bursts have been added in the background and bodies in the foreground (bodies from O-1188 )

Item no. (creator):M-262M Item ID number:3394835

Item no. (creator):O-1474 Item ID number:3396712

Yvonne, the railway crossing gate keeper just behind the Canadian lines. June, 1917

Item no. (creator):O-1512 Item ID number:3397376

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures there is a shot, M-262A, of mules moving to the front. On right is Apr 1917 William Ivor Castle photo of packhorses transporting ammunition to the 20th Battery, Canadian Field Artillery: O-1242, O-1243

Colourized by Royston Colour

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures there is a shot, M-262L. On the left, there is a May 1917 William Ivor Castle photo of Canadians leaving on trucks after the Battle of Vimy Ridge probably cropped O-1406. The Colourized image here is O-1405

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures there is a shot of pictures displayed, M-262K. On the right, there is a possible Mar 20 1917 Ernest Brooks shot of a church in Mons-en-Chausee IWM Q 1902 (Colourised by Frédéric Duriez) or cropped IWM Q 1913

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures, there is a shot of pictures displayed, M-262E. In the center, there is a photo, O-1574, captioned "The gun of a Tank - hit but not out of action. July, 1917"

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures, there is a shot of pictures displayed, M-262N. In the center, there is a photo, O-1568, captioned "Tanks waiting to go into action. July, 1917"

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures, there is a shot of pictures displayed, M-262D. In the center, there is a horizontally flipped photo, O-1569, captioned "Tanks waiting to go into action. July, 1917"

At the July 1917 2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures, there is a shot of pictures displayed, M-262R. In the center, there is a photo, O-1296, of a soldier in a Howitzer barrel captioned "The breach of a big Howitzer. May, 1917." Taken from the same time is O-1297

#2nd Exhibition of Canadian Battle Pictures #wwi #ww1

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greatworldwar2 · 4 years

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• 82nd Airborne Division

The 82nd Airborne Division is an airborne infantry division of the United States Army established in 1917, shortly after the American entry into World War I. Specializing in parachute assault operations into denied areas.

The 82nd Division was first constituted as an infantry division on August 5th, 1917 during World War I in the National Army. It was organized and formally activated on August 25th, 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia. The division consisted entirely of newly conscripted soldiers. The citizens of Atlanta held a contest to give a nickname to the new division. Major General Eben Swift, the commanding general, chose "All American" to reflect the unique composition of the 82nd, as it had soldiers from all 48 states. It sailed to Europe to join the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), commanded by General John Pershing, on the Western Front. In early April, the division embarked from the ports in Boston, New York and Brooklyn to Liverpool, England, where the division fully assembled by mid-May 1918. During the first world war the Division participated in the St. Mihiel offensive, and Meuse-Argonne offensive. During the later campaign the division suffered 7,000 killed and wounded. A second 82nd soldier, Alvin C. York, received the Medal of Honor for his actions during this campaign. The division suffered 995 killed and 7,082 wounded, for a total of 8,077 casualties. Following the war's end, the division moved to training areas near Prauthoy, where it remained through February 1919. It returned to the United States in April and May, and was demobilized and deactivated at Camp Mills, New York, on May 27th. For the next 20 years the 82nd Division existed as a unit of the Organized Reserve. It was reconstituted in June 1921 establishing headquarters at Columbia, South Carolina, in January 1922.

The 82nd Division was redesignated on February 13th, 1942 during World War II, just two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the German declaration of war, as Division Headquarters, 82nd Division. It was recalled to active service on March 25th, 1942, and reorganized at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under the command of Major General Omar Bradley. During this training period, the division brought together three officers who would ultimately steer the U.S. Army during the following two decades: Matthew Ridgway, James M. Gavin, and Maxwell D. Taylor. On August 15th, 1942, the 82nd Infantry Division, now commanded by Major General Ridgway, became the first airborne division in the history of the U.S. Army, and was redesignated as the 82nd Airborne Division. The division initially consisted of the 325th, 326th and 327th Infantry Regiments, and supporting units. The 327th was soon transferred to help form the 101st Airborne Division and was replaced by the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, leaving the division with two regiments of glider infantry and one of parachute infantry.

In February 1943 the division received another change when the 326th was transferred to the 13th Airborne Division, being replaced by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, under James M. Gavin, then a colonel, who was later destined to command the division. In April 1943, after several months of tough training, its troopers deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, under the command of Major General Ridgway to take part in the campaign to invade Sicily. The division's first two combat operations were parachute assaults into Sicily on July 9th and Salerno on September 13th, 1943. The initial assault on Sicily, by the 505th Parachute Regimental Combat Team, under Colonel Gavin, was the first regimental-sized combat parachute assault conducted by the United States Army. Glider troopers of the 319th and 320th Glider Field Artillery Battalions and the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment (and the 3rd Battalion of the 504th PIR) instead arrived in Italy by landing craft at Maiori (319th) and Salerno (320th, 325th).

In January 1944, the 504th, commanded by Colonel Reuben Tucker, which was temporarily detached to fight at Anzio, adopted the nickname "Devils in Baggy Pants", taken from an entry in a German officer's diary. The 504th was replaced in the division by the inexperienced 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, under the command of Colonel George V. Millet, Jr.. While the 504th was detached, the remainder of the 82nd Airborne Division moved to the United Kingdom in November 1943 to prepare for the liberation of Europe. With two combat drops under its belt, the 82nd Airborne Division was now ready for the most ambitious airborne operation of the war so far, as part of Operation Neptune, the Allied invasion of Normandy. The division conducted Mission Boston, part of the airborne assault phase of the Operation Overlord plan. In preparation for the operation, the division was significantly reorganized. To ease the integration of replacement troops, rest, and refitting following the fighting in Italy, the 504th PIR did not rejoin the division for the invasion. Two new parachute infantry regiments (PIRs), the 507th and the 508th, provided it, along with the veteran 505th, a three-parachute infantry regiment punch. The 325th was also reinforced by the addition of the 3rd Battalion of the 401st GIR, bringing it up to a strength of three battalions. On the 5th and 6th of June these paratroopers, parachute artillery elements, and the 319th and 320th, boarded hundreds of transport planes and gliders to begin history's largest airborne assault at the time (only Operation Market Garden later that year would be larger). During the June 6th assault, a 508th platoon leader, First Lieutenant Robert P. Mathias, would be the first U.S. Army officer killed by German fire on D-Day. On June 7th, after this first wave of attack, the 325th GIR would arrive by glider to provide a division reserve. In Normandy, the 82nd gained its first Medal of Honor of the war, belonging to Private First Class Charles N. DeGlopper of the 325th GIR. By the time the division was relieved, in early July, the 82nd had seen 33 days of severe combat and casualties had been heavy. Losses included 5,245 troopers killed, wounded, or missing, for a total of 46% casualties.

Following Normandy, the 82nd Airborne Division returned to England to rest and refit for future airborne operations. The 82nd became part of the newly organized XVIII Airborne Corps, which consisted of the 17th, 82nd, and 101st Airborne Divisions. Ridgway was given command of the corps but was not promoted to lieutenant general until 1945. His recommendation for succession as division commander was Brigadier General James M. Gavin, previously the 82nd's ADC. Ridgway's recommendation met with approval, and upon promotion Gavin became the youngest general since the Civil War to command a U.S. Army division. On August 2nd, 1944 the division became part of the First Allied Airborne Army. In September, the 82nd began planning for Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. The operation called for three-plus airborne divisions to seize and hold key bridges and roads deep behind German lines. The 504th PIR, now back at full strength, was reassigned to the 82nd, while the 507th was assigned to the 17th Airborne Division, at the time training in England. On September 17th, the "All American" Division conducted its fourth (and final) combat jump of World War II. Fighting off German counterattacks, the division captured its objectives between Grave, and Nijmegen. The division failed to capture Nijmegen Bridge when the opportunity presented itself early in the battle. When the British XXX Corps arrived in Nijmegen, six hours ahead of schedule, they found themselves having to fight to take a bridge that should have already been in allied hands. In the afternoon of Wednesday September 20th, 1944, the 82nd Airborne Division conducted a successfully opposed river assault on the river crossing of the Waal river. The Market Garden salient was held in a defensive operation for several weeks until the 82nd was relieved by Canadian troops, and sent into reserve in France.

On December 16th, 1944, the Germans launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. In SHAEF reserve, the 82nd was committed on the northern face of the bulge near Elsenborn Ridge. On December 20th, 1944, the 82nd Airborne Division was assigned to take Cheneux where they would force the Waffen SS Division Leibstandarte's Kampfgruppe Peiper into a fighting retreat. On December 22nd,1944, the 82nd Airborne faced counterattacks from three powerful Waffen SS divisions which included the 1st SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, and the 9th SS Panzer Division Hohenstaufen. The Waffen SS efforts to relieve Kampfgruppe Peiper failed due to the stubborn defense of the 82nd Airborne. On December 23rd, the German divisions attacked from the south and overran the 325th GIR holding the Baraque- Fraiture crossroads on the 82nd's southern flank, endangering the entire 82nd Airborne division. The 2nd SS Panzer's objective was to outflank the 82nd Airborne. It was not an attack designed to reach Peiper, but it was his last chance, nonetheless. If it did outflank the 82nd, it could have opened a corridor and reached the stranded yet still powerful Kampfgruppe. But the attack came too late. On December 24th, 1944, the 82nd Airborne Division with an official strength of 8,520 men was facing off against a vastly superior combined force of 43,000 men and over 1,200 armored fighting and artillery vehicles and pieces. Due to these circumstances, the 82nd Airborne Division was forced to withdrawal for the first time in its combat history. The Germans pursued their retreat with the 2nd and 9th SS Panzer Divisions. On January 3rd, 1945, the 82nd Airborne Division conducted a counterattack. On the first day's fighting the Division overran the 62nd Volksgrenadiers and the 9th SS Panzer's positions capturing 2,400 prisoners. The 82nd Airborne suffered high casualties in the process. The attached 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion was all but destroyed during these attacks. Of the 826 men who went into the Ardennes, only 110 came out. Having lost its charismatic leader Lt. Colonel Joerg, and almost all its men either wounded, killed, or frostbitten, the 551 was never reconstituted. The few soldiers who remained were later absorbed into units of the 82nd Airborne. For the 82nd Airborne Division the first part of the Battle of the Bulge had ended.

After helping to secure the Ruhr, the 82nd Airborne Division ended the war at Ludwigslust past the Elbe River, accepting the surrender of over 150,000 men of Lieutenant General Kurt von Tippelskirch's 21st Army. Following Germany's surrender, the 82nd Airborne Division entered Berlin for occupation duty, replacing the 2nd Armored Division in August 1945. In Berlin General George S. Patton was so impressed with the 82nd's honor guard he said, "In all my years in the Army and all the honor guards I have ever seen, the 82nd's honor guard is undoubtedly the best." Hence the "All-American" became also known as "America's Guard of Honor". During the war the 82nd Division suffered 9,073 total casualties with 1,619 being killed in action and 6,560 wounded.

The division returned to the United States on January 3rd, 1946 on the RMS Queen Mary. In New York City it led a big Victory Parade, January 12th, 1946. In 1957, the division implemented the pentomic organization (officially Reorganization of the Airborne Division (ROTAD)) in order to better prepare for tactical nuclear war in Europe. In April 1965, the "All-Americans" entered the civil war in the Dominican Republic. Spearheaded by the 3rd Brigade, the 82nd deployed in Operation Power Pack. The 82nd later participated in the Vietnam War, and was stationed to deal with riots in Detroit in the 1967 Detroit Riot. After 11 September attacks on the United States in 2001, the 82nd's 49th Public Affairs Detachment deployed to Afghanistan in October 2001 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom along with several individual 82nd soldiers who deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility to support combat operations. More recently, the 82nd Airborne has been conducting operations in Iraq, advising and assisting Iraqi Security Forces.

#second world war #world war 2 #world war ii #american history #american army #u.s infantry #infantry units #army airborne #airborne #82ndairborne #military history #ww2 #wwii #first world war

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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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rcmilitaryhistorytoday-blog · 5 years

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On this day, 13th Sept 1759, The Battle of the Plains of Abraham: Wolfe defeats Montcalm, to secure Canada for Britain.

A Soldier's Account of the Campaign on Quebec, 1759 Edited by Robert Henderson

Written by the Sergeant Major of the 40th Regiment’s Grenadiers (part of the Louisbourg Grenadiers), A Journal of the Expedition up the River St. Lawrence was published as a pamphlet in Boston in November 1759. Not only was it the first account to be published on the siege of Quebec , but is one of the few works by a member of the other ranks. While it lacks the flare of officer’s account, it does present one of the best records of the day to day movements of the part of Wolfe’s Army, namely the Louisbourg Grenadiers. The Louisbourg Grenadiers themselves were made up of the Grenadier Companies of the 22nd, 40th, and 45th Regiments who had been left to garrison Louisbourg, captured the year earlier. General James Wolfe, while forming his expedition against Quebec at Louisbourg, personally oversaw the training of the Louisbourg Grenadiers in the "New Exercise", which was an improved infantry drill. As fate would have it, on September 13th , 1759 on the Plains of Abraham, Wolfe would fall mortally wounded next to the Louisbourg Grenadiers. A few days later, Quebec surrendered and the duty fell upon the Louisbourg Grenadiers to form the honour guard and first to enter the walls of Quebec. In his account, the Sergeant Major skips a day around the time of the battle of the Plains and records it incorrectly as occurring on the 14th of September.

"A Journal of the Expedition up the River St. Lawrence;

Containing

A True and Particular Account of the Transactions of the Fleet and Army, From the Time of Their Embarkation at Louisbourg ‘Til After the Surrender of Quebec

by the Serjeant-Major of Gen. Hopson’s Grenadiers

Louisbourg, June 1st, 1759

We embark’d on board the Transport Harwood, bound on the Expedition to Canada ...

The 4th Day we set Sail for the River St. Lawerance, which we made on the 9th Day, and there we lay 'til the 16th, before we got into the River; which is very wide and Mountainous. For about forty Leagues up the River the Depth of Water is 100 Fathoms. The 16th Day we came into seventeen fathom Water; and on the 23rd we join'd Admiral Durell, who had 7 Sail of the Line, with some Frigates with him, which lay as a Guard to Protect the River, at a Place call'd the Island of Coudre… This island is pleasantly situated, lies partly high, and was very well peopled before we came up : - And passing this Island about a League up, we anchor'd, and two of our Boats went in Shore and was attack'd by a small Party of Canadians and Indians, and was obliged to retreat to their Ships.

The 25th we made the out End of the Island of Orleans, and on the 27th we landed on it without the loss of a Man. A small Party of Rangers were almost surrounded by a large Party of Indians; but the Rangers rush'd through them with the Loss of only one Man; what damage the Enemy sustain'd is uncertain.

On the 29th the French sent five Fire Ships down among our Fleet; but, thank God, they did no Damage. The same Day we marched about 6 miles, under the Command of Col. Carlton, and encamped that same Night in Sight of the French Army, and likewise in Sight of the Town – Gen. Monckton’s Brigade and a party of Rangers landed on the South Side; we had a small Attack, by which we had 3 kill'd, 2 wounded and 4 taken Prisoners.

July 1st, the Enemy came against our Detachment on the South-side of the River with floating Batteries; but our Shipping soon drove them off ; --the Damage they suffer'd is not known. Same Day the Louisbourg Grenadiers went a Foraging; we had two kill'd and scalp'd belonging to the 22d Regiment. The same Day we marched to the West End of the Island, in order to join the Louisbourg Battalion. A Party of the Enemy fired out of the woods, and wounded two men.

July the 5th, a Barge between the Island and the main Land, to sound the Depth of Water: The French fir’d four Cannon-Shot at her, and came down on a large Bar of Sand, from whence they fir'd small arms; also five Canoes came down the River, loaded with Indians, who took the Barge, made one Man prisoner, and wounded another belonging to the 22d Regiment. On the same Day their floating Batteries attack'd our Shipping but was soon obliged to quit their Firing. --Gen. Monckton opened a small Battery upon the South Side; The first Day they canonaded and bombarded on both Sides; but lost never a Man.

The 8th, we landed on Quebeck-Shore, without any Interception, and marched up the River about two miles; when the Louisbourg Grenadiers being order'd out to get Fascines, they had scarce set down to take a small Refreshment, and detach’d a small Party of Rangers to guard the Skirts of the Wood, before a large Party of Indians surrounded them, kill'd and scalp'd 13, wounded the Captain-Lieutenant and 9 Privates; they likewise kill'd and wounded 14 of the Royal Americans, wounded 2 of the 22d and one of the 40th Regiment : we got only 3 Prisoners, and kill'd 2 of the Savages.

The third Day our Shipping was drove off by the Enemy's Shells. - We got only some few Prisoners, 'til the 12th Day, when the French built a Battery against us, but had not Time to mount any Guns on it; for we soon demolish'd it with our Field-Pieces and Hawitzers. The fourteenth Day their floating Batteries came out after our Boats, but we soon drove them back again. -The 16th, we set the Town on Fire, about 12 O'clock, which continued burning all that Day.

On the 17th we went out a Fascining, and to make Oars, with a small Party to cover us; --5 were kill'd of which 4 were scalp'd, and we was oblig'd to quit the Wood directly ; the Indians came up very close, and kill’d and scalp'd one Man close by us; the Grenadiers of the 45th Regiment fir’d upon them, and I saw one drop; but the Indians took him off in a minute. We had 5 kill'd, belonging to the 35th Regiment, and one dangerousIy wounded; the 15th Reg. had one wounded very bad; but our People returning upon them, made them fly so fast that they were oblig’d to leave their Blankets and Match-coats, with several other Things, behind them; but we could not get one of them Prisoners. A Deserter came to us, from whom we had an imperfect Account of their Forces; which, however, gave us some Encouragement.

July 18th, the Deserter went out with our Light-Infantry, to show them a Place where to cross the Falls; the Indians fir'd on them, but hurt none: Likewise the same Night some of our Shipping pass’d the Town, and one run ashore on the South Side of the River. The 19th Day the floating Batteries came out to attack Our Shipping round the Harbour; but our Batteries on the Land-Side drove them off, so that the Shipping receiv'd but two Shot. On the 20th an accident happen'd in the Light-Infantry's Camp; a Man sitting in his Tent, with his Firelock by him, taking hold of the Muzzle to pull it towards him, it went off and wounded him in the Thigh so that he died the same Night.

The 21st Day of July all the Grenadiers cross'd over to the Island of Orleans; the Indians attack’d us very smartly, as we was marching to the Water-Side.--Same Day the Enemy open'd two batteries on us, which raked our Camps. Our Troops, with Seamen, stormed a Battery on the S. Side, spiked the Cannon, broke the Mortars, broke into their Magazine, took all their powder, and threw all the Shot and Shells into the Water.

July 22d we set the Town on Fire, which burnt all the next Day: Some of our Shipping went to pass the Town ; but they fir'd so hot, that they were oblig’d to turn back.

The 23d 300 Provincials landed on the Island of Orleans, which was some Reinforcement.

July 25th, the Louisbourg Battalion and three more Companies of Grenadiers, with 3 Companies of Light-Infantry, went round the Island of Orleans. -- The 27th we arrived at our Camp; and we receiv'd News That our Forces on Montmorancy Side had been attack'd the Day before, and likewise got the Better of the Enemy ; we had an Account that we kill'd 300 of them, but the Number of wounded none of us could tell: Our loss was 5 Officers and 32 Privates, 12 of whom were kill'd and the rest wounded. The same Day we went to get our Plunder, which we discovered on our march round the Island, consisting of Gowns, Shirts, Petticoats, Stockings, Coats and Waistcoats, Breeches, Shoes, and many other Articles too tedious to mention and some Cash ; which, if the Things had been sold to the Value, would have fetch'd upwards of 500 l. Sterl. The same Night the French sent five Fire-Floats down, which made great Confusion among our Fleet; but the Men of War sent their Boats and tow'd them ashore, where they burnt out without further Damage.

July 29, Otway’s and Hopson’s Grenadiers went on board the Three-Sisters, Witmore’s and Warburton’s on board the Russell, the rest in flat-bottom Boats and other Vessels, with a full Intent to land on a Part of the French Shore; so as by that Means we might come at the Town :

The First Push we made was on the 31st of July: with 13 Companies of Grenadiers, supported by about 5 Thousand Battalion-men;-- as soon as we landed we fixed our Bayonets and beat our Grenadier's-March, and so advanced on ; during all this Time their Cannon play'd very briskly on us; but their Small-Arms, in their Trenches, lay cool 'till they were sure of their Mark; then they pour 'd their Small-Shot like Showers of Hail, which caus'd our brave Grenadiers to fall very fast: Brave Gen. Wolfe saw that our attempts were in vain, so he retreated to his Boats again: The number of kill'd and wounded that Day was about 400 Men; - in our Retreat we burnt the two Ships, which we had ran ashore on that side to cover our Landing.

The 3d Day of August a Party of Capt. Danks's Rangers went from the Island of Orleans to Quebec Side, a little down the River; they were attack'd by a Party of French, and was smartly engag'd for the Space of half an Hour; but the Rangers put them to flight, kill'd several and took one Prisoner: The Rangers lost one Lieutenant, who died of his Wounds soon after, and 2 or 3 others. They got a great deal of Plunder.

Aug 4th the French made an Attempt of crossing the Falls; but our Train fir'd Hawits and Cohorns so fast, that they were oblig'd to retreat without accomplishing any Thing;----what Damage was done them I know not.

On the 6th a Victualing Ship sail'd from our Fleet, and went below the Falls, the French hove Shot and Shells in great Number at them; but did them no Harm.

The 8th of Aug. two Centinels being at the Falls, they took an Indian and bro't him Prisoner to the General, who sent him on board the Admiral. At 12o'Clock at Night we threw a Carcass and one Shell on the Enemy's Battery of 9 Guns, which blew up their Magazine, Platforms, and burnt with such Violence that some of the Garrison were oblig'd to get into Boats to save themselves from the Flames. The 9th Day we set the Town on Fire, being the 3d Time.

On the 10th the French floated a Thing down in the Form of a Floating-Battery; one of our Ships sent out a Boat to see what it was, and just as the Seamen were going to jump on board, it blew up and kill'd one midshipman and wounded four Sailors…….The same day about 30 Sailors went a Plundering on the South-side of the River, and as they were about their Prey, they was surpriz'd by a Party of Indians and drove off; but they all got safe to their Boats, tho' not without the Loss of their Plunder.

The 11th Instant there was an Engagement between our Scouting-Parties and the Indians, Our People drove them off, we had a great Number wounded, several very badly, but the most slightly; there was but few kill'd: There was one of the 35th Reg. told me, he saw an Indian who fir'd at him, but miss'd him; that he levelled his Piece and fir'd at the Indian and miss'd him likewise; upon which the Indian immediately threw his Tommahawk at him and miss'd him; whereupon the Soldier, catching up the Tommahawk, threw it at the Indian and levell’d him, and then went to scalp him; but 2 other Indians came behind him, and one of them stuck a Tommahawk in his Back ; but did not wound him so much as to prevent his Escape from them.

The 12th Day We had an Account of General Murray's going to land above the Town--He made all Attempt to land twice and was beat off; he made the third Attempt, and landed at the South-Shore with the Loss of about 100 kill'd and wounded. The same Day we had an Account from the Enemy, That Gen. Amherst's Army was taken very badly and that they were oblig 'd to turn back again.

On the 13th we had an Account by one of the French Gunners, who deserted to us that Night, That the enemy had very little provisions; he likewise gave an Account what a Body of French and Indians came over the Falls, the same Side that our Army was on, and that they had four Days Provisions with them, and remain'd there still.

The 14th a Sailor belonging to the Dublin Man of War, endeavour'd to swim over to the French, over the River; but the Current ran so strong, that he was driven on Shore on the Island-Side and was taken up by one of Hopson's Grenadiers and carried to their Quarter-Guard, from whence he was carried on board his own Ship again, stark naked.

The 15th of Aug. Captain Gorham returned from an Incursion, in which Service were employ 'd, under his Command, 150 Rangers, a Detachment from the different Regiments, Highlanders, Marines, &c. amounting in the whole to about 300, an arm'd Vessel, three Transports, with a Lieutenant and Seamen of the Navy to attend him, of which Expedition they gave the following Account:

"That on the 4th of August they proceeded down to St. Paul’s Bay, (which is opposite to the North Side of this Island) where was a Parish containing about 200 men, who had been very active in distressing our Boats and Shipping --At 3 o 'Clock in the Morning Capt. Gorham landed and forced two of their Guards; of 20 Men each, who fired smartly for Some Time; but that in two Hours they drove them all from their Covering in the Wood, and clear'd the Village which they burnt, consisting of about 50 fine Houses and Barns; destroy'd most of their Cattle, &c. That in this one Man was kill'd and 6 wounded ; but that the Enemy had two kill'd, and several wounded, who were carried off.— That from thence they proceeded to Mal Bay, 10 Leagues to the Eastward on the same Side, where they destroyed a very pretty Parish, drove off the Inhabitants and Stock without any Loss; after which, they made a Descent on the South Shore, opposite the Island of Coudre, destroyed Part of the Parish of St. Ann's and St. Roan, where were very handsome Houses with Farms, and loaded the Vessels with Cattle; after which they returned from their Expedition."

The same Day 1 of our Schooners went from the Fleet below the Fall, and the French fir'd 8 or 9 Shot at her; but miss'd her. This Day a Party of young Highlanders came to the Island of Orleans from Gen. Monckton’s Encampment; on Purpose to destroy all the Canaada-Side.-- The same Day our People set one of the Enemy's Floating-Batteries on Fire; --and in the Night General Monckton set the Town on Fire, (being the 4th Time) and the Flames raged so violently, that 'twas imagin'd the whole City would have been reduc'd to Ashes.

August 18th, a Sloop and Schooner went below the Falls ; the French hove Shot and Shells at them, but did 'em no Damage. The same Day the Enemy hove a Bomb from the Town, which kill'd one Man and wounded 6 more,--one Man had his Arm cut off by a Piece of the same Shell.

On the 20th the Louisbourg Grenadiers began their March down the main Land of Quebeck, in order to burn and destroy all the Houses on that Side---- On the 24th they were attack’d by a Party of French, who had a Priest for their Commander; but our Party kill'd and scalp'd 31 of them, and likewise the Priest, their Commander ; They did our People no Damage. The three Companies of Louisbourg Grenadiers halted about 4 Miles down the River, at a Church called the Guardian-Angel, where we were order'd to fortify ourselves till further Orders; we had several small Parties in Houses, and the Remainder continued in the Church.----The 25th , began to destroy the Country, burning Houses, cutting down Corn, and the like: At Night the Indians fired several scattering Shot at the Houses, which kill'd one of the Highlanders and wounded another ; but they were soon repulsed by the Heat of our Firing. --It was said that the Number of the Enemy consisted of 800 Canadians and Indians. Sept 1st we set Fire to our Houses and Fortifications, and marched to join the Grand Army at Montmorancy; the 3 Companies of Grenadiers ordered to hold themselves in Readiness to march at a Minute's Warning.

The 26th a Serjeant of the 35th Regiment deserted across the Fall, and our people fir'd several Grape-Shots after him; notwithstanding which he got clear off to the Enemy.

The 27th of August some of our Shipping went past the Town, which fir'd so hot at them with Shots and Bombs, that one would have thought Vessel to pass ; but they receiv'd little or no Damage. The 29th, 5 Sail went to pass the Town, up the River; the Town fir'd very warm all the Time of their passing, and I was very well informed, That only 15 of their Shot took Place out of all their Firing; Likewise the 30th Instant four of our Ships pass'd the Town, where they kept a continual Firing ; but did us very little Damage.

Sept. 1. all the Sick and Women that was on Montmorancy-Side, came over to the Island of Orleans; on the 2d Intant a a large Body of Wolfe’s Troops came over, with the Louisbourg Grenadiers, and encamped that Night on the same Island.

The 3d Day all the Army left Montmorancy-Side and we set all the Houses and Fortifications on Fire, and then we embark'd in flat-bottom Boats and came above the Fall; the French fir'd very brisk all the Time of our passing, but did us no Damage, and we went over to Point Levee and encamped there.

Sept. 4th the Louisbourg Grenadiers and the Remainder of the Army, cross'd over to Point-Levee from the Island of Orleans, and encamped there.--The Same Day 4 Men came from Gen. Amherst's Army; they was 26 Days on their Journey, and inform’d us, That we had got Ticonderoga, and likewise Crown-Point.

Sept 5th about 5 or 6000 Men Marched up the River on Point-Levee Side, to go above the Town, and carried one Month's Provision up in Sloops· The same Day one of the Royal-Americans, who was taken Prisoner by the French-Indians the 31st of July last, made his Escape and came to the Porcupine Sloop of War, that lay a little below the Fall; he informs us That there is no more than about 300 Indians that carries Arms; but that there are a great number of Women and Children, that they were very scant of Provisions; likewise that he himself had been 48 Hours without any thing to eat: He further said, that the Enemy they were very numerous in their Intrenchment", consisting of at least, 14,000 Men of which 11,000 were Canadians and the rest Regulars, the latter of whom were heartily tir'd with the Siege.

Sept. 6th the Schooner Terror of France went above the Town, in the middle of the Day, as she pass'd they kept up a constant Fire at her, and she receiv'd five of their Shot; one in her Jib, two in her Mainsail and 2 in her Foresail; but lost none of her Hands, nor did she sustain any further Damage.

The whole Army being on Point-Levee Side, the main Body were order'd to get ready to march above the Town, on the South Side, and to take only one Shirt and one Pair of Stockings, besides what we had on. We marched up the River about 8 Miles, and then embark'd on board the Men of War and Transports that were up the River: the Number that embarked was 3349 Men, with a Party of the Train of Artillery.

Sept. 10. the Weather being very wet, and the Troops very much crowded on board the Men of War and Transports, the General thought proper to land us on the South Side again; which was a great Decoy to the French : We marched to the Church of St. Nicholas, under the Command of General Monkton, where we halted. The next Day we received intelligence of a small Number of French and Indians, who were driving some Cattle;......we dispatched a Party of 500 Men, who took the Cattle, but the Enemy got off.

The 12th we received Orders to embarked on board our Ships again.

The 13th we had Orders to land ; so we fell down the River in the Ships and Boats till we came a little above the Town, where the Enemy least suspected us (for where the Enemy thought we should have landed, they had about 600 Horse; but what Number of Foot we could not say; we could perceive that they was intrench'd and had 5 Floating-Batteries to intercept our Landing.)

On the 14th we landed, at break of Day, and immediately attacked and routed the Enemy, taking Possession of a Battery of 4 24-Pounders, and one thirteen Inch Mortar, with but an inconsiderable Loss. We then took Post on the Plains of Abraham, whither M. Montcalm (on hearing that we had landed, for he did not expect us) hasted with his whole Army (consisting of Cavalry as well as Infantry) to give us Battle; about 9 o'Clock; we observed the Enemy marching down towards us in three Columns, at 10 they formed their Line of Battle, which was at least six deep, having their Flanks covered by a thick Wood on each Side, into which they threw above 3000 Canadians and Indians, who gauled us much; the Regulars then marched briskly up to us, and gave us their first Fire, at about Fifty Yards Distance, which we did not return, as it was General Wolfe's express Orders not to fire till they came within twenty Yards of us --They continued firing by Platoons, advancing in a very regular Manner till they came close up to us, and then the Action became general: In about a Quarter of an Hour the Enemy gave way on all Sides, when a terrible Slaughter ensued from the quick Fire of our Field Pieces and Musquetry with which we pursue'd them to the Walls of the Town, regardless of all excessive heavy Fire from all their Batteries. The Enemy lost in the Engagement, Lieut. Gen. Montcalm, (who was torn to Pieces by our Grape Shot) 2 Brigadier-Generals; one Colonel; 2 Lieutenant-Colonels ; and at least 130 Officers and Men kill'd and 200 taken Prisoners at their very Sally-Ports, of which 58 were Officers. On our Side was killed the brave and never to be forgotten General WOLFE; with 9 Officers, 4 Serjeants and 44 Privates ; wounded, Brigadier-General Monckton , Colonel Carlton, Quarter-Master-General; Major Barre, Adjutant-General; and 50 Other Officers, with 26 Serjeants and 557 privates.-- This Action was the more glorious, as the Enemy were at least 12,000 strong, besides 500 Horse; whereas we, at the utmost, did not consist of above 3500, some of whom did not engage;--for at the Time of the Engagement Colonel Scott was out burning the Country with 1600 Men; Col. Burton was at Point-Levee with 2000 Men; and on the Island of Orleans there were 1500; whereas our whole Army, at our first embarking at Louisbourg, did not exceed 8240 Men.

At Ten o'Clock at Night we surpriz'd their Guard and took Possession of their Grand Hospital, wherein we found between 12 and 1500 Sick and Wounded.

We lay on our Arms all Night, and in the Morning we secured the Bridge of Boats which the Enemy had over Charles River, and possessed ourselves of all, the Posts and Avenues that was or might be of any Consequence leading to the Town, and broke Ground at 100 Yards Distance from the Walls; we likewise got up 12 heavy 24-pounders; six heavy Twelve Pounders, some large Mortars, and the 46 inch Hawitzers, to play upon the Town, and we had been employed three Days, intending to make a Breach, and storm the City Sword in hand, but we were prevented by their beating a Parley, and sending out a Flag of Truce with Articles of Capitulation, and the next Day- being the 17th of September, we took Possession of the City, where we found 250 Pieces of Cannon, a Number of mortars, from 9 to fifteen Inches, Field-Pieces, Hawitzers, &c. with a large Quantity of Artillery-Stores.

M. Vaudreuille, the Governor-General of New-France, stole out of the City before the Capitulation; leaving only about 600 Men, under the Command of Mon. Ramsay, by whom the Capitulation was signed. The poor Remains of the French Regulars, with about 10,000 Canadians, retired to Jaques Quartiees under the Command of M. Levy; but the Canadians deserted him in great Numbers, and came in and surrendered themselves.

Sept 19th the French Garrison were embarked on board Transports: Such of the Inhabitants as would come in and take the Oaths of Allegiance, were permitted to enjoy their Estates.

Brigadier General Murray is Governor of the Town, and the whole Army left to Garrison it.

During the whole Siege from first to last, 535 Houses were burnt down, among which is the whole eastern Part of the lower Town (save 6 or 8 Houses) which make a very dismal Appearance. We also destroyed upwards of Fourteen Hundred fine Farm-Houses in the Country, &c. FINIS"

Source. Access Heritage website.

#seven years war #battle of the plains of abraham #military history

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aroundtheworldinsearchofcoke · 5 years

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Day Sixteen: Journey’s End

[Illustrated Version: https://aroundtheworldinsearchofcokev.blogspot.com/2019/07/day-sixteen-journeys-end.html]

Today we went to the bridge at Arnhem, to the Airborne Museum at Oosterbeek at to the cemetary at Oosterbeek. We then spent the afternoon in Arnhem. I’ve decided to focus on the history today, as it explains much of what I want to say better than a blow-by-blow account.

---

The British 1st Airborne Division dropped on Oosterbeek on the morning of 17 September 1944 - about five miles from their objective of Arnhem. The RAF had feared possible anti-aircraft guns around the Rhine Bridge, and refused to drop any closer.

Shortly after landing, General Roy Urquhart, having made his headquarters in a hotel recently evacuated by Generalfeldmarschall Walter Model, left to reconnoiter the area. By evening, he had not returned, and a dispute had broken out over who was to be in command while he was gone. He'd designated Brigadier Lathbury, but he was not the ranking officer. 1st Airborne command fell into paralysis.

In the mean time, a hodge-podge of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment had reached the bridge and dug in. They were under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel John Frost, who expected to have to hold the bridge for three days until XXX Corps arrived.

By the next day, he'd recieved no reinforcements from either Oosterbeek or the south. A reconnaissance column of the 9th SS Panzer, commanded by Victor Graebner, charged the bridge that morning but was without support and destroyed - Graebner was killed. But more and more of the SS were mobilising and moving in. The sitaithon became worse and worse.

Eventually, Urquhart returned to Oosterbeek - he had had to hide to evade German patrols. An attempt was made to relieve Frost, but by now the Germans had reached Arnhem in force. It was repulsed. The paratroopers on the bridge were doomed.

The Paras fought on until the end, and Arnhem was heavily damaged. At last, on the early morning of the 21st, Frost surrendered. At about five in the morning, a final radio transmission reported ‘out of ammunition; god save the King.’ The last hope of ending the war in 1944 died with them.

With Arnhem retaken, the SS scented blood. They began to push on the Oosterbeek pocket. John Barskeyfield, now a sergeant, manned an anti-tank gun and knocked out several tanks - it was enough to win the Victoria Cross. It was not enough to save his life. He died on the 20th of September, aged 21.

By now, XXX Corps had finally reached the southern bank of the Rhine, and the Polish had secured Driel. Horrocks advised an attempt to relieve the 1st Airborne to be performed by the Poles - Sosabowski, now commanding them, refused. He had never believed in Market Garden, and now perceived an attempt to sacrifice them in a doomed charge in boats in darkness over the Rhine. Correspondingly, XXX Corps sent some of its infantry - all it achieved was to trap even more men on the wrong side of the river - but Sosabowski’s refusal to send his brigade in made him an easy scapegoat for the ultimate failure of Market Garden, and he lost his command.

At last, the Allies bowed to the inevitable. Operation Berlin saw infantry of XXX Corps rowing over the Rhine to relieve their comrades in the 1st Airborne - or what remained of them. Of a division of around ten thousand men, only two thousand made it back over the river - another two thousand were killed, and the rest taken prisoner. Urquhart’s division had been effectively destroyed for no material gain.

For his part, Montgomery was content to claim that the operation was ninety percent successful. Nobody else saw it in such optimistic terms. Sosabowksi and Ramsey’s concerns were vindicated, and the Canadians began the bitter task of clearing the Scheldt Estuary. Monty’s reputation among the Americans, never great to begin with, never really recovered. American historians have savaged him (and often by extension, the British Army) ever since.

Market Garden was perhaps the nadir of Anglo-American cooperation. To the Americans, the British soldier was slow, unintelligent and at worst, dishonest, relying on Americans to do the bleeding for him. To the British, the American GI was unprofessional, impetuous, overly gung-ho and more than a little pompous. These stereotypes have persisted in the works of many historians to this day.

Yet the fact remains that all of the troops deployed in the battle performed to the best standard they could. Time and time again, they were let down by high command - particularly Browning and Gavin. They had been given a plan that was optimistic, rushed and made no account for the existence of opposition. Given what was asked, that they managed to be ‘ninety percent successful’ is itself astounding.

The Germans enacted a terrible revenge on the Dutch, who had supported the Allies every step of the way. The civilian population of Arnhem was forcibly removed, and nearly all food production, already meagre, was directed away from the Netherlands. Let this be clear; this was not wartime shortage, but a deliberate policy of punishment by Adolf Hitler, who had given up the last of his pretence of civility in an insane attempt to bring Europe down in flames with him. The Hunger Winter killed twenty thousand. This was not famine. It was murder.

Today the Netherlands are rebuilt. The road from Neerpelt to Arnhem can be driven in about two hours, three at most. The area has never forgotten Market Garden, and the road is pockmarked with memorials and museums to those September days. None of these are more stark then the rows of white headstones in graveyards along the way.

Over a thousand men still lie in Oosterbeek. Each grave is the same at a glance, with only the names and inscriptions distinguishing them in death. Many have epitaphs from family - wives, brothers, sisters and parents. Most are in their twenties. Many are eighteen or nineteen. Lieutenants barely out of college commanded men at thirty or even older.

Historians, particularly military historians, like the word ‘only.’ When compared to the titanic battles on the Eastern Front, onlythirty thousand were killed, wounded or captured. Yet every single person who died meant something to somebody. They were somebody’s son, somebody’s daughter, somebody’s girlfriend, boyfriend, wife, husband, father or mother. They worked for somebody. They had friends and enemies. They lived and breathed and loved and lost. For some the end came instantly, for others only days.

Perhaps the most famous of the war poets was Wilfred Owen, who died on the 4th of November 1918, just a week before the war ended. One of his most famous works was Anthem for Doomed Youth- written for the men in the trenches of the First World War, but I feel is still fitting for the men dropped into Arnhem in 1944;

What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?

Only the monstrous anger of the guns.

Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle

Can patter out their hasty orisons.

No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;

Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs,—

The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;

And bugles calling for them from sad shires.

What candles may be held to speed them all?

Not in the hands of boys, but in their eyes

Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.

The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;

Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,

And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.

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esprit-de-corps-magazine · 5 years

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Highland Warriors Exhibit Opening

By Richard Lawrence

To see all the pictures, go to: https://www.richardlawrencephotography.ca/clients/cwm/highlander/

No-one can doubt the contributions made by the Scottish settlers who came to Canada when the country was just starting out. One only has to look at the place names around the area such as Perth, Tay River, and others to see the foothold that Scottish culture has in Canada. At every remembrance ceremony, there is a piper playing The Lament and who hasn’t seen a head table piped into a dinner. And it is an interesting fact that the Canadian Armed Forces has more Highland Regiments than Britain. This is the point of the new exhibit that has opened at the Canadian War Museum, Highland Warriors.

On 6th June, 2019, the Canadian War Museum (CWM) opened its new exhibit of the Highland Warrior and how that culture has permeated the world. The opening ceremonies started with the skirl of the pipes as twelve pipers and five drummers of the Ceremonial Guard Pipes and Drums came down Commissionaires Way to Lebreton Gallery with the sound echoing off the concrete wall to fill the hall below. Once they were in formation and finished playing, Yasmine Mingay, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs at the CWM, took the time to acknowledge the presence of Mr. George Fouchard who was an RCE Mapper (cartographer) for the 1st Canadian Army for the Normandy campaign. This was of special importance as this day was also the commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day and the start of the Normandy campaign.

First to the podium was the Honourable Kirsty Duncan, Minister of Science and Minister of Sports and Persons with Disabilities. She noted that the Scots came to Canada and brought their culture with them and in doing so, helped to settle Canada. They also formed regiments with her own family a part of the 48th Highlanders and she takes great pride in having danced for the regiment for more than twenty years. To her, the regiments “… taught me the importance of history, of remembering, tradition, and what it means to serve”. Speaking of her love of bagpipes, she noted that her father’s family comes from Aberdeen and were members of the Gordon Highlanders, but that it was her Polish-Ukrainian mother who played the pipes.

Next up was Mr. Glenn Ogden, Acting Director – Exhibitions, Creative Development and Learning for the Canadian Museum of History. He spoke of the remarkable legacy of the Scottish immigrants to Canada before speaking about the exhibit itself. He told of the 200 plus artifacts from various private collections but also those from the Glasgow Museum and Highlander Museums in Scotland. Everything from broadswords to the Victoria Cross awarded to a Canadian Piper during WWI (James Cleland Richardson, 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada). He then gave a brief overview of the extensive work of the exhibits curator, Mr. Alan Carswell, who has come all the way from Edinburgh, Scotland.

Mr. Carswell spoke of his time in the various Museums and collections that he has cared for and how esteemed the Scottish warriors and their traditions have become. As an example, he brought up pipers playing The Lament at remembrance ceremonies and how it has become an accepted part of every remembrance ceremony in Canada, the United Kingdom, and throughout much of the world. But mostly he spoke of the warriors as part of their community and the role they played within it. He said, “the Highland Warrior … is a very old and long standing figure of respect within Gaelic culture and in the Highlands. … The warrior was a respected figure as the protector of the clan, the protector of the people. So that tradition and that sense of honour transfers into military service very smoothly”.

He spoke of the peacetime drawdown of the regiments in Great Britain and with it the loss of some of the Highland Regiments. On a happier note he spoke of the Royal Regiment of Scotland (formed in 2006) which, along with the Rifles, is the largest infantry regiment in the British Army. The Royal Regiment is unique in that it is a merger of several Highland Regiments into one regiment of seven battalions. One battalion is a merger of the Royal Scots and the King’s Own Scottish Borderers and the six other battalions are formed from the remaining single battalion regiments of the Scottish divisions. While having only the one uniform for the regiment, each battalion retains their former titles and distinct hackles on their headdress. The Pipes and Drums of each regiment also continue to wear the ceremonial tartans and uniforms of their former regiments. After some re-organization in 2012, the Regiment consists of five regular and two reserve battalions.

The exhibit has many things to offer from weaponry to regalia and the history of it all. There is some multimedia to watch and one can even pick up a sword or learn about kilts in the interactive area. All this to show how much people are invested in the Scottish heritage and their regiments and the truths and myths of the Highland Warrior. If you love all things Scottish, then the exhibit runs until 20th January, 2020.

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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.

Maps

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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…