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The BEF at the end of the Year 1915 by Bob Butcher Commanders and Principal Staff Officers at 31 December 1915 CinC General Sir D Haig (since 19 December) CGS Lt Gen Sir LE Kiggel (took over from Lt Gen Roberston 22 December) AG Maj Gen Sir CFN Macready QMG Lt Gen RC Maxwell First ArmyGOC General Sir HS Rawlinson (since 22 December) MGGS Maj Gen RHK Butler DA&QMG Maj PEF Hobbs Second ArmyGOC General Sir HCO Plumer (since 7 May) MGGS Maj Gen HB Williams (since 15 July) DA&QMG Maj Gen AA Chichster (9 November) Third Army (formed July) GOC General Sir EHH Alenby (took over from General Sir CC Monro 23 October) MGGS Maj Gen U Bolls (took over from Maj Gen AC Lynden-Bell 23 October) DA&QMG Maj Gen HAC Tagart (took over from Maj Gen W Campbell 25 October) Third Army (formed July)GOC General Sir EHH Alenby (took over from General Sir CC Monro 23 October) MGGS Maj Gen U Bolls (took over from Maj Gen AC Lynden-Bell 23 October) DA&QMG Maj Gen HAC Tagart (took over from Maj Gen W Campbell 25 October) Composition at 31 DecemberGHQ and GHQ Troops Three armies Ten corps Two cavalry corps (inc one Indian) Thirty-Four British infantry divisions Three Canadian infantry divisions one Five cavalry divisions (inc two Indian) L of C and L of C troops. NOTE: Four infantry divisions left for Macedonia in November , two Indian divisions left in December. Line held 20 April: Ypres (Poelcapelle Road) -Bethune (La Bassee Road) (36 Miles) 25 September: (a) Boesinghe -Grenay (40 miles) (b) Monchy-aux-Bois south of Arras --Vermandovillers (30 miles) Strength Estimated minimum strength (January) 333,082, maximum (December) 986,189. Average daily ration srength 63,082 including 10,688 followers and labour. Casualties for the year Total 892,765 made up as follows Battle casualties, 313,027 ( k 48.604: DoW 14,904; Missing and PoW 24.556; W 224,963) Non-battle casualties 579,738 (Died from disease or injury 2907; Sick or injured 576,831) Battles German attacks were met at GIVENCHY (25th January) and at CUINCHY (29th January and 2nd February) during which some ground was lost. The first British-planned offensive was launched at NEUVE CHAPELLE (10-13th March) but its initial success could not be exploited. Defensive actions were fought at ST ELOI (14-15th March) and HILL 60 was captured shortly after (17-22nd April). The Germans attacked the Salient --the 'murderous' BATTLES OF YPRES 1915 (22th April -25thMay) ('Second Ypres') including those in which gas was first used by the Germans, GRAVENSTAFEL (22-23rd April) and ST JULIEN (24 April – 4th May). Under great pressure the British withdrew to the FRENZENBERG position where fierce battles ensued (8-13 May) followed by the Battle of BELLEWAARDE (24-25 May). The British attack at AUBERS RIDGE (9 May) which involved attacks on FROMELLES and RUE DU BOIS gained no ground at heavy cost. Despite the desperate situation at Ypres the British attacked at FESTUBERT (15-25 May) in support of a French offensive. It met with some succees but at heavy cost. Continuing their efforts to co-operate with the French, the British attacked at GIVENCHY 0 5-16 June) and gained limited success. HOGE CHATEAU (2 June) was lost but an attack at BELLEWAARDE (16 June) did gain a little ground although at considerable cost. British attacks at HOOGE (19 July) came to nothing and a German counter attack (30 July) using 'liquid fire' pushed the British back. A British attack at HOOGE (9 August) proved successful and was regarded as a model of its kind. In response to French High Command pressure the British launched their biggest offensive so far at LOOS (23 September-8 October) over unsuitable ground. The British used gas for the first time and it was also the first major offensive in which Territorial and New Army divisions took part. Three subsidiary or feint attacks took place on the first day ; PIETRE (25 September); BOIS GRENIER (25 September) and BELLEWAARDE (25--26 September) but the attacking troops finished the day back in their own trenches. The main attacks achieved a measure of success but the British were unable to exploit this and enemy counter attacks were also successful. The result was overshadowed by the controversy over the release and use of the reserves. Costly attempts to regain the HOHENZOLLERN REDOUBT (13-19 October) did little to improve the general situation.
MACHINE GUNS by FrankGardner Was Lloyd George right when he said that it took our generals many months of terrible loss to realise the worth of the machine gun? Before answering you may care to consider the following: Before the war the army wanted six machine guns per battalion but this was reduced to two because of budget cuts. Efforts were then made to increase the rifleman's rate of fire to help make good the deficiency. The German scale of machine guns then was also two per battalion although they were organised in regimental companies. A week after the outbreak of war and before the BEF had been in action, the War Office ordered 400 more machine guns and by the beginning of 1915 almost 4000 had been ordered. * In November 1914 the Motor Machine Gun Corps commenced forming. A BEF machine gun school was established in November 1914. The number of machine guns in a battalion was doubled in February 1915. The Machine Gun Corps was formed in October 1915. In May 1915 Haig pressed for light machine guns (Lewis) to be issued to the infantry. This was before German battalions had a weapon.
WOMEN AT WAR by J. P. Lethbridge It is well known that in the Second World War British Servicewomen showed great courge. It is less well known that this was also true of the First World War. To quote the Birmingham Post of 21st October 1918 description of how seven women won the Military Medal for courage during German air raid on France. A supplement to the London "Gazette' announces that the King has approved the award of the Military Medal to the under-mentioned ladies for distinguished service in the field as recorded‑ Doctor P Chapple, RAMC attached QMAAC While the raid was in progress Doctor Chapple attended to the needs of the wounded regardless of her own safety. Assistant Administrator E Cross QMAAC Whist in charge of a a camp a bomb fell killing several women and wounding others. She was knocked down but immediately got up and after obtaining assistance worked with the doctor amongst the killed and wounded whilst the raid was still in progress. Forewoman Clerk EG Cartledge QMAAC She was of the greatest assistance in keeping workers steady. Although both her shoes were blown off during the explosion Forewoman Cartledge continued to carry out her duties after being wounded in the foot by some fallen wreckage. Sister JE Trotter QAIMNS (R) Sister Trotter was in charge on night duty. During the raid she visited all the wards reassuring the sick and wounded; her orderly being mortally wounded whilst standing by her in one of the wards. Her conduct during the whole raid was most praiseworthy. Sister EF Watkins QAIMNS (R) Sister Watkins behaved with the utmost coolness. When wounded by a piece of shrapnel she made light of her injury and set a magnificent example to those who were with her. Staff Nurse AJ Parker TFNS The ward in which Staff Nurse Parker was on duty was damaged early in the raid by a bomb falling close to it. By her exceptional coolness and complete disregard for her own safety she set a splendid example to all and gave great confidence and comfort to the patients. Miss M Stubs FANY Miss Stubbs was detailed to evacuate a hospital. While her car was waiting to be loaded a bomb dropped within thirty yards. The stretcher bearers wh had been loading the car immediately in front ran for protection in dug outs calling to Miss Stubbs to do the same. She however regardless of her own safety stayed in the open with two wounded and helpless patients to help reassure them. She finally got them unloaded and to a place of safety. During them unloaded and to a place of safety. During the unloading a second bomb fell on the hospital. Note: QMAAC --Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. QAIMNS –QueenAlexandra's Imperial Nursing Service. TFNS -- Territorial Force Nursing Service. FANY -- First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. |
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The Bulletin of the Birmingham Branch of the WFA Compiled by Bob Butcher |
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December 2007 |