Chronology of Tunnelling in the La Boisselle Sector in 1916 (Work in progress)

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La Boisselle Contents

 

 

Date/ Source

Mining

Infantry

4/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

15883 Pte Brittle H 10/Warwicks and 16496 Pte Meakin D 11/N&D killed and 25/255 Pte Hope T 20/NFs wounded (all attached men).

[page initialled HMH]

 

 

5/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Lt A B Tucker RAMC arrived for duty as MO to unit.

 

 

5/6/16 3rd Army A&Q WD

[3rd Army Routine Orders – not clear if also applies to 4th Army] Hot coffee having been recommended as a restorative for men affected with Carbon Monoxide Gas, approval is given for the following issue:-

(a) A reserve of 7 lbs. Coffee and 1 Gallon Paraffin per Tunnelling Co. RE.

This quantity to be replaced by Supply Officers on certificate from Company Commanders that it has been used for this purpose issued.

(b) As a temporary issue, 4 Primus Stoves per Tunnelling Co, RE, for the purpose of making hot coffee.

Indents should be submitted to DDOS Third Army, for counter-signature before despatch to the base.

 

 

6/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

No 17202 Pte Simpson F 9/Y&L wounded by shrapnel.

 

 

7/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Major H M Hance rejoined unit on discharge from hospital

2/Lt J Bowen proceeded on short leave to England.

 

 

8/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

2/Lt R H S Fox returned from leave.

2/Lt C E Fowler arrived for temporary duty.

 

 

9/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Dvr Luffman ASC (HT) admitted to Field Ambulance suffering from concussion the result of a throw from a horse.

Charges of 5000 lbs Ammonal in C1 3 and 8000 lbs in W1 fired successfully at 11.12am.

Tamping:- C1 3 50’ solid up incline then 6’ air space, 10’ solid, 6’ air, 10’ solid, out to C1 gallery.

W1, 75’ solid tamping out to first door then 10’ solid between doors.

 

 

10/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

112655 Spr Samworth G wounded in chest & legs and } by

12951 Pte Norris 8/Glouc attached wounded in head }  shrapnel

 

 

11/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

17309 Pte Kirkbride 9/Y&L wounded by shrapnel.

 

 

12/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Charge of 8000 lbs of Ammonal fired successfully with artillery cooperation in S4 at 12.12pm.

Tamping:- 86’ solid out to main S4 gallery then alternate 6’ air & 10’ solid for further 50 feet out to inside door, and 10’ solid between doors.

 

 

14/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Capt Kerr returned from leave.

 

 

 

22/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

2/Lt J Bowen returned from leave.

 

24/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

U. day of June Operations

Artillery commenced at dawn to cut wire.

12” & 9.2” registered on Le Sars & Flers. Other guns completing registration.

…

Capt Brearly [?] & 64 or 8/Divn. Lt Coldicott & 22 or 19/Divn attached infantry of 3rd Corps returned to units.

 

25/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

V Day in Operations:

Enemy shelled Albert in retaliation for 12” & 9.2” shelling Pozieres Contalmaison & Bazentin le Petit.

Artillery bombardment of enemy positions more intense.

2/Lt H J Davis 2/Lincs & 63 or 8/Divn } rejoined

2/Lt T Crichton 24/NFs 19 Divn          } unit

 

26/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

W Day in Operations

Bombardment continue being more intense than previous two days.

 

26/6/16 18 NF WD

 

Operation Order No 1 … [Role of Bn on Z Day… 1. To open communication across no mans land. 2. To carry material & stores to 1st Objective…] “B” Company. 2 ½ Platoons will dig a Communication Trench from our front line at the Nose to the enemy’s front line opposite, keeping just East of the line of the crater of the mine at X.20.a.8.3. On completion of this work one platoon will be attached to “A” Coy and one platoon to “D” Coy for carrying material and stores for 101st Brigade and 102nd Brigade respectively. Half platoon will join the carrying party for 103rd Brigade under orders of OC B coy. One platoon will open up the far end of the Shallow Gallery running from our front line near Kerriemuir Street towards the enemy’s front line. The portion of the platoon not employed on digging will transport stores till the completion of the communication Trench, when the whole platoon will be employed in bridging hostile trenches for the mobile artillery. C Coy will stand fast until La Boisselle is clear of the enemy and then be employed in the carriage of stores … [carrying of stores …] Col. 3 will use the Shallow Gallery.

(g) No 3 column will take full loads and pass through the “Shallow gallery” and proceed. This column will, after the first trip, work in relays between the far end of the gallery and the Advanced Dump. Until the communication trench connected with the gallery is completed all spare men of the platoon engaged on this work will be employed on transporting stuff from the Brigade Dump to the Shallow Gallery, and through it on bogies so as to form a dump on the far side. When the services of this platoon are no longer available the OC B Coy must arrange to carry on this work.

(h) The Digging of the Communication from “The Nose”

Col. 2 will move off as soon as the last wave of the 103rd Bgde has passed and go in small parties to the spot selected for the breaking through our parapet. The construction of the trench will be commenced as soon as the ast wave of the 103rd Bgde is over the enemy’s front line. As soon as this trench is completed to a depth of three feet, the column will be withdrawn into the nearest place where cover can be obtained, and reorganised, and then distributed as laid down in Para 3. (c)

(i) All stores …

(j) The opening of the Shallow Gallery. The Platoon of “B” Coy detailed for the work of opening out this Shallow Gallery will on the night of Y/Z proceed straight to the gallery and remain in it until the hostile front line has been passed by the last wave of 101st Bgde and will then break through and make two exit ramps, one on either side. As soon as the last wave of the 103rd Bgde has passed the communication trench will be commenced. the OC this platoon will withdraw his men to the end of the gallery nearest to our front line,  at – 15 minutes to avoid any danger of their being injured by the explosion of the mine at 20.a.8.3. He will also see that the atmosphere of the gallery is not dangerous before taking his party into the gallery. (A report of this will be asked for by the 101st Bgde.) but this does not lessen the Platoon commanders responsibility.) When the communication trench is completed the Platoon commander will report to O.C. B. Coy, and proceed to carry out the instructions he has received regarding the construction of Bridges for the R.A. [cancelled on 28/8]

(k) As soon as O.C. “C” Coy. received information that La Boisselle is clear he will report to Battalion Headquarters, and proceed to withdraw his advanced posts and assemble the Company by Platoons in the most suitable places in the immediate vicinity and await orders. …

 

All ranks will wear as distinguishing mark an equilateral triangle of yellow cloth 16” sides, attached to back base upwards, from shoulder to shoulder and hanging over the haversack. …

[RAP locations DSCF0124] …

26.6.16 (signed) W. Smith. Lt. & Adjt. 18th Northumberland Fusiliers

 

Appendix “A” Distribution of Officers of the Battalion …

--

 

27/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

X Day Bombardment continued

Gun emplacement at end of Sauchie hall & Arthurlie tunnels opened up.

 

28/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Y Day Bombardment continued

2/Lt J C Allan proceeded to join 257 Coy RE.

 

28/6/16 18 NF WD

 

Addition to Operation Order No. 1

... Para. 4(j) is cancelled and following substituted: -

The Platoon of “B” Company detailed for the opening up the Shallow Gallery will move out of Bivouac at 6pm and proceed to the Front Line where it will be disposed as follows:-

The Platoon of “B” Company detailed for the opening up the Shallow Gallery will move out of Bivouac at 6pm and proceed to the Front Line where it will be disposed as follows:-

1 Officer and 12 O.R. in the Shallow Gallery, and the remainder in Mine Shaft in Monifieth [sic] Street. On 29th morning the party in the Mine Shaft will remain there until sent for by the Platoon Commander.

The Party in the Shallow Gallery will commence breaking through and making ramps as soon as the mine explosion is over, and when the last wave of 103rd Brigade has passed the platoon Commander may send for the party in the Mine Shaft.

28.6.16 [sgd Lt Smith]

29/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

Y Day [sic] Bombardment continued

 

 

30/6/16

179 Coy War Diary

3pm 2/Lt C E Fowler 174 Coy RE rejoined his unit.

Capt E W Mckay-White medically boarded in England and found unfit for general service, and struck off the strength accordingly (WO authority No 110077/3 (AG7) dat. 24.6.16.

Y.2 day Bombardment of enemy positions continued.

 

30/6/16 34 Div CRE WD

 

[report on wire cutting party]

 

© Simon Jones 2006