The Raid
The “Red” Division—in the line at Authuille—Colonel Morton wounded on March 21st—a raid postponed—carried out on 22nd—success of Lieut. Begg’s party—congratulatory messages and awards.
On 17th February, 1916, the 97th Brigade was relieved by the 96th Brigade, and consequently the Battalion moved back for an expected rest of some weeks. The 15th Lancashire Fusiliers took over the Battalion Sector, and the 17th went into billets at Millencourt. Many fatigues were carried out round about Albert, the principal work being the laying of cables and the improving of roads. On the 24th, quarters were changed to Henencourt and from billets into huts in the wood—most unpleasant, firstly on account of snow and frost, and then, following a thaw, on account of knee-deep mud. But a further change on the 29th to Dernancourt brought back billets good and comfortable.
The attack on Verdun had upset the plans which had been made to give the Brigade the rest which it had been anticipating, and this last move to Dernancourt brought them into the line once more, just south of Albert.
The 32nd Division, by now, with good cause, had been named by the Germans as the “Red” Division because the Hun was given no rest by the Divisional Artillery and constant raids, and on account of the red distinguishing marks worn by all ranks of the Division on their tunic sleeves. The 32nd took over from the 18th Division, and on the 1st of March, 1916, the Brigade was in Divisional Reserve. On the 3rd of March, the 97th Brigade relieved the 14th Brigade, the 11th Border Regiment and 2nd K.O.Y.L.I. taking over. On March 10th the 17th H.L.I. relieved the 11th Border Regiment, and so once more they were in immediate face of the enemy. This sector was in front of Becourt Chateau, between Fricourt and La Boiselle.
A considerable amount of wiring was done, but life here was comparatively pleasant and the return of spring much appreciated. But, unfortunately, on the 21st of March, Col. Morton was wounded at Albert, Major Paul taking over command of the Battalion.
Working parties were heavy, and on one occasion the Bosche blew a camouflet while work was in progress. During this period great preparations were made for a raid, and there was keen competition for a place in the selected party. The night selected for the raid, 2nd April, however, was unfortunately bright, and this combined with the fact that the enemy, by means of listening apparatus, seemed fully aware of what was on, led to a postponement when actually in “no man’s land.” The hazardous work of laying the guide tape preparatory to the abandoned raid was carried out by 2nd Lieut. H. MacRobert and Corpl. J. Chapman.
This Sector was left on the 4th of April, and the Battalion, being relieved by the 2nd Scottish Rifles, of the 23rd Brigade, 8th Division, moved to Bouzincourt and went into huts vacated by the 2nd Inniskillens.
After a week’s rest at Bouzincourt the Battalion returned to the line at Authuille, on 12th April, 1916, the 97th Brigade holding the line between that village and north to Thiepval, with the two other Brigades behind, in support and in reserve. Alternately in the line, in support, and in reserve, the 17th remained in this Sector until the opening of the Somme Battle on 1st July, 1916. But the period was not without stirring incident. By the 15th of April final arrangements were being made to carry out what was to prove a highly successful raid on the enemy, which operation was accomplished on 22nd April.
“23rd April, 1916,—Last night we made a successful raid against the enemy’s trenches, south-west of Thiepval. Thirteen prisoners were captured, and in addition, a number of casualties were caused to the enemy by our men bombing their dug-outs. Our casualties were very slight.”
This bald official statement of the 17th H.L.I.’s first raid is to the lay mind singularly unimpressive, but behind it there is an interest and a measure of glory of which the 17th is happy to be proud. Let it be remembered that it was their first “stunt,” their first real hand to hand brush with the enemy, and that to the 17th fell the honour of getting the first “jab in” for the 32nd Division.
It was on the 28th of March, 1916, that volunteers were called for to raid the enemy’s trenches, and out of the hundred who answered, a party of 45 was selected, under Lieut. A.J. Begg, and Lieut. J.N. Carpenter. This party went down to Dernancourt, behind Albert, to complete the training for the raid, and the intention was to rush the enemy on the night of 2nd April. That night, however, as already explained, proved unfavourable on account of a bright moon, and the party, after crawling stealthily towards the enemy’s wire were observed near his trenches and were forced to withdraw. Training was resumed at Bouzincourt, and it was decided then to have the assistance of a preliminary artillery bombardment. A point in the enemy’s salient south-west of Thiepval was selected, the wire there was cut in advance by the artillery, and close observation was maintained on the spot from day to day. Meanwhile the enemy’s fortifications were duplicated on the ground behind Bouzincourt, and there, night after night, the raiding party practised the assault. The most careful preparations were entailed, with much planning and understanding of detail. Every man had to know thoroughly his part. There had to be no hitch anywhere. Lieut. Begg saw to it that the training was complete, and given any luck, success was fully assured.
On the night of the 22nd of April, the party, with blackened hands and faces, and equipped with an assortment of weapons worthy of Mexican outlaws, presented themselves at the head of Thiepval Avenue, and filed up to the “starting point” to await the report of the Patrol under Lieut. MacRobert, who also had charge of the tape-laying party which included Corporal Chapman. At 9.30 p.m. our artillery suddenly opened on the enemy’s salient, and poured down on it such a tornado of steel as the Germans had never experienced before. For twenty minutes our shells flayed the German front line, and under this arch of shrieking explosives the battle party crawled right up to the rim of the bombardment. What wire remained uncut was blown to fragments by a torpedo, and when the barrage lifted and came down behind, the raiders jumped into the enemy’s trench and set to work. For twenty minutes they bombed and destroyed, cleared dug-outs, pulled down machine guns, barricaded communication trenches, and handed prisoners back to escorts. Then on a signal they as quickly withdrew, and still under cover of artillery fire made their own trench again. Thirteen affrighted Germans, of two different units, accompanied the party; and, finest of all, every man of the party returned. Eleven of them were wounded, but only one seriously. Among those slightly wounded was Lieut. Begg, who was the spirit of the assault.
As a result of this success many congratulatory messages were received and several decorations awarded. Among the list of telegrams were the following:—
From the G.O.C. 10th Corps:—“Corps Commander congratulates the 17th H.L.I. on their successful enterprise, which reflects great credit on all concerned.”
From the G.O.C. 32nd Division:—“I congratulate you. I was confident that the 17th H.L.I. would do the trick. Convey this message to them.”
From Sir Henry Rawlinson, G.O.C. 4th Army:—“Please convey to 32nd Division, and particularly to the 97th Brigade and 17th Battalion Highland Light Infantry, my heartiest congratulations on their successful raid last night. The preparations were well and carefully thought out, the Artillery support was good, and the whole conduct of the operations reflects credit on all concerned.”
From the G.O.C. 97th Infantry Brigade:—“Commander-in-Chief has awarded the following decorations:—Lieut. Begg, and 2nd Lieut Carpenter, Military Cross; 15507 Sergt.-Major Reith, D.C.M.; 15458 Sergeant Taylor, 2797 Private Leiper and 15720 Private M’Intosh, Military Medal. All 17th H.L.I. Major-General Rycroft offers his heartiest congratulations to above officers, N.C.O.s and men on their decorations. Letter with authority following.”
The Battalion had three men killed and four wounded during enemy retaliation, but any serious effort by the enemy was checked, and on the 24th the unit went into reserve billets at Bouzincourt.