Friday, October 11, 2013

The Race to the sea

From the ebook World War 1 - An Unkept Promise

October 13th

I went with two Sections of guns to position on BEAULINE RIDGE. We arrived about midnight, [it was] pitch dark and heavy going. [We] could not use lights or even smoke, owing to close proximity of enemy. We got into position without mishap, at dawn next morning; it was a sight almost indescribable, [for] one could not walk for three yards unless he was in a great shell hole.

A small bank about 10 foot high was the only shelter and the guns and wagons were well dug into this.
We had trenches dug by the side – the guns we relieved must have had a terrible time – this place was called by us “Pepper Hill” and the infantry called it “The Devil’s Own”.

Collins and I worked like niggers and dug a small cavity under the bank and felt quite at home, we were in fact like rabbits when not firing.

We remained in this position until the night of the 16th, while leaving, a terrific night attack was in progress – we were relieved by the French.

 [We] marched all night [and] rested for a few hours next morning, and [then] marched to NEUILLY-ST-FRONT. [We] entrained, for unknown destination, what a great relief it seemed, to be away from the ceaseless sound of battle. [i]

While the Battle of The Aisne continued, Germany had assembled an army further north, which was heading towards the lower River Somme, between Amiens and Abbeville.
The BEF was now six divisions strong so Sir John and Joffre agreed that the British II Corps should be rapidly repositioned to Abbeville.
While the British repositioned themselves, the French attempted to attack the German’s western-flank. [ii]
The enemy was trying to accomplish the same, thus producing a leapfrog effect which continued in a westerly direction. Later it became known as the” Race to the Sea”.
Winston Churchill pulled General Haig’s 1st Corps and transferred them from Aisne via rail to Hazebrouck, where they started their march north towards Cassel and the cities north of Ypres. [iii]
  
Fred wrote:

October 17th and 18th

Travelled by train through AMEINS, [sic] BOULOGNE and CALAIS, detraining at HAZEBROUCK – 25 miles from the Belgian boarder, where we bivouacked [for the night, before marching to CASSEL[iv]


[i] Ibid

[ii] Marshall, S.L.A., World War 1 p 129

[iii] Marshall, S.L.A., World War 1 p 129

[iv] Coxen, Fred G.

No comments: