May 1916
The month of May began quietly for the 12th Royal Irish Rifles in their trenches near Hamel. However, the calm did not last long.
Between 8.30pm and 9.10pm on May 1, they were subjected to a very heavy bombardment.
Lt. Col. Bull said it had neen reported that the enemy had left their trenches but noted, with, one assumes, some degree of satisfaction, they they ‘did not attack probably owing to our rapid fire.’
Very little damage was caused in this incident but five casualties were reported.
On May 2, after a quiet day, the Bn was relieved by the 9th Royal Irish Fus. Weather was reported as very fine with the exception of two very heavy showers.
Dawn broke on May 3 with the Bn at Mesnil. The war diary records a ‘beautiful day’ in which the enemy put one ‘dud’ 5.9 shell into the village. Both A and C coy. Had the change to bathe.
May 4 saw the turn of the headquarters party to bathe themselves. Working parties toiled in fine weather and 90 men of D coy were inoculated in the morning.
At 4a.m on May 5, the Germans fired a number of shells into Mesnil. These fell around the Church and on land adjacent to battalion HQ. The shells were mostly shrapnel but no casualties were caused. Weather: very hot!
Temperatures dropped on May 6 but the efforts of the German gunners to cause havoc showed no sign of cooling. Mesnil village was shelled around mid-day. Three Other Ranks were slightly wounded and an artillery horse ‘blown away’.
On May 7, the weather warmed. Working parties were out as before under the direction of the Royal Engineers. About 10pm, Mesnil was very heavily shelled, especially the end of Jacob’s Ladder where a regular barrage was put in. No casualties reported despite the severe shelling.
After another calm day in Mesnil, the 12th Rifles went back into the Hamel trenches to relieve 9th R. Ir. Fus at 8.15pm on May 8. This task was complete by 10.30pm. The line was described as ‘extremely quiet’.
At midnight, work was begun on repairs to the front line and the deepening of
May 9 saw some rain falling. The situation was categorised as ‘extraordinarily quiet’ with British artillery sending a ‘few shells’ into the German lines during the morning.
By 4pm the British guns had upped their rate of fire and sent a ‘good many’ howitzer rounds towards the Germans. Very little ‘retaliation’ was experienced. The weather was bad with a lot of rain falling and a north westerly breeze.
In the early evening (8pm) a patrol went out to the Mill (see trench map on ‘Ancre North’ topic) and found it to be unoccupied.
The diary noted: “They examined everything and found a new trench which had been dug by the Germans at the north east corner. This was apparently quite deep from the amount of earth which had been thrown up. They returned in two hours having encountered no-one.”
Later that evening, (11pm) another patrol went out from the right company to Railway Sap with the aim of examining the state of the ground in no man’s land. Nothing new was found but when the patrol was within 30 yards of the sap, four flares were ‘sent into them and after this a bomb was thrown which did not explode.’
The patrol returned about 1am.
May 10 saw the 12th Rifles continue their ‘tour’ in the Hamel trenches. The line remained very quiet aside from the ‘odd whizz bang’ which fell on the British positions.
The diary notes: “The enemy appeared to be very quiet and no work could se observed going on in their trenches.” (4am).
By 8pm that morning, the weather had improved and further work was carried out on the new trench and in deepening and wiring of Sap 15. By noon there was a little more artillery activity, the enemy sending over a good many smell HE and shrapnel rounds behind
In the early afternoon, the men began to erect a ‘screen’ which would run across the marsh (of the River Ancre) for a new pathway. A new trench was also commenced in Hamel village itself which was aimed at linking with Bn HQ.
At 4pm, the ‘enemy sent a lot of whizz bangs into our fire trench on the left and two of the MG coy were wounded with shrapnel.’ In return, British howitzers fired on Thiepval Chateau. The weather was very fine and clear.
Around 6pm the men saw a German aeroplane ‘very high’ which did not cross over into the British sector was subjected to heavy fire from anti-aircraft guns. Later in the evening, (8pm) the
May 10th/11th Hamel Trenches: Midnight – situation unchanged. Between 9-10pm an aeroplance crossed our lines returning after half an hour.
On May 11 at 2am our artillery bombarded the enemy south of Thiepval and for an hour the artillery active in that direction was very noticeable. At the same time, the enemy sent netween 30 and 40 small shrapnel into oiur front and second line trenches on the left, also into centre companies front line. Very little intelligence was gathered during the night and less transport than usual was heard.
Wiring was done on saps 12 and 14 and the fire trench was repaired and deepened in many places. Patrols were sent out on the left of the Railway and across the marsh; nothing was encountered.
The marsh was found to present a good many difficulties for making a path across to join with Bn on our right. The Mill was visited and found to be unoccupied.
May 11th Hamel Trenches: 4am – Line again quiet. A slight north westerly wind but mild and clear. The diary noted the ‘slight wounding’ of a man by a rifle bullet.
8am – At Stone Bridge, a man was wounded with a bullet, he died later in the day. More artillery activity was shown, the enemy sending a good many HE and small shrapnel into our front line.
Noon – Work in trench in village (Hamel) going shead and on trench to new Bn HQ. Deepening of trenches in front line continued and repairs to fire bays. Also dug outs in
4pm South of Thiepval there was a lot of artillery activity and more light HE and shrapnel was put into our left coy. We retaliated to this with our howitzers successfully. Weather good and hot. Our aeroplanes showed a lot of activity during the day.
6pm – Enemy fired three HE just behind Bn HQ Our own field guns were sending over a good many. Otherwise situation normal. There was some sniping into Hamel.
10pm – The line was very quiet indeed beyond burst of MG fire which continued up till midnight. Quite hot with sufficient moon to allowed working parties to make good progress.
The detachment of 16th Bn (pioneers) were making artillery slit trenches in
A patrol went out from centre coy and encountered no enemy but heard them working in their entanglements at 11pm. The dead ground in no man’s land was examined (perhaps the ‘ravine’ which features so heavily in July 1 accounts?) and a ‘dud’ trench mortar was brought in. Many shell holes were found and a full reconnaissance made of the dead ground between the lines.
May 12th Hamel Trenches: 4am – All night the line was remarkably quiet. A clear morning, very mild, wind very slight n.westerly.
6am – situation unchanged.
8am – A few light HE put into our left coy trenches. Work continued as before.
Noon – Very little to report. Our field guns fired a good many shells, otherwise all quiet.
2pm – The enemy sent a number of heavy HE over in the direction of Authuille also into the south end of the village. A good deal of aerial activity. Our aeroplanes were fired on by machine guns and we were able to discover two positions from our trenches.
4p[m – Situation normal. Aeroplane activity very noticeable. The enemy sent several light HE onto the new trench as if they were registering. Beyond this the line was quiet.
8pm – Enemy machine guns very active all along the front line trenches and into the village (Hamel). This kept on during most of the night at varying intervals.
10pm – The new trench was deepened further and similar working parties employed on our fire trench, general repairs etc. Entanglements in the bastion were strengthened.
May 13th Hamel Trenches 4am – Rain falling quite heavily and continuous, line quiet. During the night enemy was heard working on their wire and this was confirmed by a patrol which scouted ground on the left of the railway. Beyond a close examination of no-man’s land nothing unusual was encountered.
6am – Rain still falling, very mild and dull. Enemy keeping quiet, nothing neyond normal situation.
8am – Work in trenches in Hamel continued, deepening of front line and general repairs as before. Rain still falling, cloudy.
Non – Nothing of note.
4pm – SW breeze blowing fine and mild.
Midnight – Beyond some bursts of MG fire, line reported exceptionally quiet, more so than during the rest of the tour.
May 14th Hamel Trenches: 4am – Work continued. NW wind, fine weather.
8am – Some enemy MG fire again started on front line and in the village. No shelling. Tour continued as previous day.Noon – Situation unchanged. Line remaining exceptionally quiet.
4pm – Some whiz bangs were sent onto the Bastion and Kentish Villas.
8pm – Some rain falling with strong NW breeze.
Midnight - Sap 14 wired and new trench deepened. Rifle fire and sniping more active than before.
May 15th Hamel Trenches: 4am -Some shells falling in centre coy lines, but nothing extraordinary. Wind continues with showers.
8am – Weather as before. Work continued on jobs and trenches were swept and cleaned.
Noon – The enemy, during the morning, sent about 40 small shrapnel and HE onto the re-entrant behind the new trench, little damage was done on our line. Q17.C.5-8.
4pm – Between 3-4pm, enemy again shelled our front line at Q.17. C. 5678, this time with heavy HE. They secured several direct hits, wounding one man. Our batteries replied on the German trench opposite, stopping the enemy’s shooting. Wind same, little rain falling.
6pm – Weather very much better, line extremely quiet except for some enemy NG fire.
8pm. – Work on deepening trenches continued. Very clear moonlit night.
May 16th Hamel Trenches – 12.10 am The enemy started a very heavy bombardment on our front and second line trenches, it was very intense especially on the left and centre coys. Our own artillery was very quick in retaliating and as far as could be observed made very accurate shooting on the German front line. We sent up numerous flares and kept up good machine gun fire and some rifle fire. At 12.40am the shelling moved further north and 1am the line was again in quietness. Considerable damage was done to our trenches but only four men were slightly wounded.
4am Very fine, bright morning. Line quiet. No wind.
8am – Situation unchanged, some aerial activity and an enemy plane crossed our line but was soon driven away.
Noon – Work continued and good progress made with line being much drier.
4pm – Line quiet. Weather still perfect.
6pm – We are to be relieved by 9th R In. Fus.
9pm – relief begin and completed 10.15pm. No casualties.
May 17th Mesnil: Battalion in billets. One work party at Jacobs Ladder – Mound Keep.
May 18th Mesnil: 250 men working at front line on night 18/19th.
May 19th mesnil : Situation unchanged. Working parties.
May 20th Mesnil : Situation unchanged. Working parties.
May 21st Mesnil : Lt. Hume and 2nd Lt. Beale joined.
May 22nd – Officers attended demonstration at Clayfair.
May 23rd :A fine , warm day. Very quiet.
May 24th : A very wet day, no activity of any kind.
Hamel sub-sector 1055pm. Relief of 9th R. Ir. Fus. By 12th R. Ir Rifles completed. Very quiet night.
Hamel sub-sector May 25th (all day) – Situation normal. Particularly quiet day. Only 12 HE (medium) were fired into our trench (
Hamel sub-sector May 26th (all day) – Quiet day. GOC 36th Div. (Maj. Gen. O. S. Nugent) visited the trenches and expressed his satisfaction on their condition and the amount of work done. Some aerial activity around 6pm.
8pm – Enemy machine gins active on our trenches and the village. Lt. A. D. Lemon and Capt. P. W. White RAMC went on leave.
Hamel sub-sector May 27th - Situation unchanged. Six shells fired into the villahe and the battery retaliated vigorously . Four 8” shells were sent into marsh at 4am.
Hamel sub-sector May 28th – Considerable activity, artillery and mortar on Thiepval side. Village again shelled slightly, battery retaliated.
Hamel sub-sector May 29th – Six 15cms put in near Church at 1pm.
Hamel sub-sector May 30th – Wet morning. Two men hit by snipers. Relief takes place tonight. 10th R Ir. Rifles relive us. Heavy shells being put into marsh. HQ A,B and C coys go into billets in martinsart and D. Coy into Mesnil.
Hamel sub sector May 31st – Situation unchanged. Weather very fine and clear.
June 1st – Martinsart – Marched out by coys. Leaving village at 10.30am Batt. Arrived in Tealvillers about 3.30pm. No stragglers. Situation normal. Weather fine.
June 2 – Situation unchanged.
June 3 – Corps. Commander, Lt. Gen. Morland, Maj. Gen. O. S. Nugent and Brig. General Griffiths attended raiding party practice. They were well pleased.
June 4 – Situation unchanged. Weather showery and much colder.
June 5 – Situation unchanged. Raiding Party left at 5.30pm. Arrived Martinsart 6.30. The following is a copy of the report of the raid and gives in detail the description of what took place:-
REPORT
The raiding parties were trained to move in couples to avoid straggling and possible cutting off of single men. Every NCO and man armed with a revolver was trained in its use and fired a course designed to meet all contingencies likely to be encountered. All men to carry Stokes shells were instructed in their use.
The pistol head of the Stokes shells as issued was found to be impossible for use when the shell was used as a hand grenade.
This difficulty was overcome by a slight alteration of the lever. This device was the outcome of experiments suggested by the officers of the party.
The party was exercised over ground and in trenches, great attention being paid to:-
(a) Accurate timing of arrival at various points.
(b) Reporting to the O.C. party when leaving enemy trench.
Valuable assistance was rendered to party by No. 1 and No. 3 companies ASC in altering levers for Stokes shell and making special reel of tape.
The party left training ground at 6pm June 5th and arrived at Mesnil where faces and hands were blackened and explosives handed out.
9.15pm – Party moved from Mesnil.
9.55pm – Right party arrived at Crow’s Nest and commencing cutting wire in front of CROW’S NEST.
10pm – Left party arrived at
10.30pm Parties in positions in
10.50pm Patrol left front line trench about Q23 B33 an searched ground to far ridge.
10.52pm – Taping party laid tape from Q23 B33 to Q13C13.
10.55pm – Remainder of party moved out in order:-
Torpedo Party
Left blocking party
Raiding Party – 1st bombing party; 2nd bombing party, Searching party, Prisoner conducting party.
11pm Parties in positions on far ridge and bombardment commenced. During interval of bombardment all parties organised in Ravine (far side).
11.18pm – Parties clumbed bank out of Ravine and got into position on top of ridge.
11.20pm – Patrol advances into position and taping party with torpedo party moved across SUNKEN ROAD towards enemy wire at Q18. C.O 64.
11.32pm – Torpedo exploded and parties entered sap.
11.50pm – Clear out signalled.
11.55pm Trench reported clear.
12 Mnight – Parties in position on ridge. Parties checked and group rolls called.
12.15am Parties moved off from ridge and entered front line and tape brought in. Parties again checked.
12.45am – Parties assembled at dressing station HMEL and moved off to MESNIL after a third check, wounded men being left in dressing station. Parties then marched to MARTINSART and were coveyed to villets.
REPORT
Patrol : The patrol under Sergt.
Taping Party: Under Lt. McCluggage laid out an excellent line of over 600 yards and directed torpedo party. This officer afterwards led the raiding party.
Torpedo Party: In charge of Lt. Fawcett found no wite on top of bank but were directed by Lt. McCluggage to put torpedo down the bank, which was heavily wired. The first torpedo was very successful and a clean path of eight to ten feet wide was made. The reserve torpedo was carried down cutting into enemy’s trench. Two lengths were exploded in trench and the third was brought back. The bank was about thirty feet and vert steep.
Left Blocking Party: Under Lt. Furniss entered trench and held trench to left as far as enemy’s front line. This party discovered the following
(a) Four cylindrical cases about 2’6’ to 3’ high, diameter 12” which were encased in wicker work for carrying purposes. These were found to be too heavy to move and were blown up by Stokes shells, the result proved them to contain explosives.
(b) Bomb store – This was discovered in cutting a little further past the cases mentioned above and was blown up by Stokes shell. The store contained a quantity of oil cans and mortar bombs.
(c) Dug out which went in about twelve yards and was blown up and closed on.
Raiding Party entered trench and bombed along cutting and also trench across road and railway to point about 60 yards on other side of railway.
(1) No enemy were found in trenches
(2) Tunnell was discovered above trench which probably led to snipers post on top of cutting. The entrance was about four feet square and was blown in by ammonal bags.
(3) One tunnel found in trench about 40 yards from point of entrance south. This tunnel entrance was 6’ by 4’ and after penetrating for about 8 yards turned to the left south and was seen by flash light to continue about same distance. How much further is not known. At the band the tunnel was about one foot deep in water. This was blown up by a length of torpedo.
REMARKS
Barrage: The enemy put practically no barrage to prevent main raiding party from returning but put a heavy barrage on marsh between LANCASTER POST and MILL.
Prisoners: The reason that no prisoners were taken may perhaps have been owing to the keenness of Lt. Fawcett 121st Fd. Coy. RE to accomplish all the demolition possible in the time and thereby not giving the enemy a chance to surrender.
Enemy in sap – No estimate as to number of enemy in the sap can be ascertained but three were seen in the various dug-outs blown in.
25Lbs tins Ammonal – These were found to be too heavy and only two were used. Canvas bags with nine and a half pounds were found very handy and did all that was required.
Banglaore Torpedo – This was found most efficient as a wire cutter clearing a passage 8 – 10 yards wide (I think this may be feet? Des)
Tape – About 600 yards of tape was carried on a special reel devised by Lt. McCluggage 12 R Ir Rifles and no difficulty was experienced in running it out. The reel being carried out by the party.
Telephones – Twin telephones, wire and ionstruments were taken out by right party, the wire connected to wire laid in tench from KENTISH VILLAS to CROW’S NEST. This, however was of no use as communication was interrupted early. When it was necessary to send a message the NCO in charge of the party sent a man who delivered his message and returned to his party. No wire was taken out by the main raiding party as sufficient twin wire was unavailable and the thin wire considered unsuitable owing to the danger of messages being tapped by the enemy. Wires were laid in trenches from KENTISH VILLAS to
MINES – From the fact that the large cylinders referred to in the report and which exploded with great force when a Stokes shell was thrown among them together with the discovery of the tunnel (marked A on sketch map) leading in direction of our lines, it is suggested that this tunnel is a mine in an advanced state and that the cylinders contained the explosive for same.
RE Report – A separate report from Lt. Fawcett 121 Fd Coy RE, also one from Capt. Stewart 121 Fd Coy RE is attached. From the latter it will be seen that considerable importance is attached to the discovery of the 14 high tension electric wires leading into tunnel marked B on the sketch map.
The bridge referred to in the report as having been blown up carried the light railway or tramway over trench.
SUGGESTIONS
(1) The party carried out too great a variety of explosives and with the exception of RE were unskilled in their use since they had no pratice with them and only had them handed out at MESNIL.
(2) Probably the best type would be the nose bag of ammonal with a Mills action for ignition. The disadvantages of bags would be the danger of spoiling then with wetting. The adjustment of Stokes shells makes it a simple and very effective hand grenade though somewhat heavy. The Stokes shell can be slung on back and carried quite easily. The Tear bombs were good but difficult to light with ordinary matches. The 25 Lbs of Ammonal were heavy and cumbersome and not worth the carriage.
R.E. Report
To O.C. 12th R Ir.
With reference to our conversation of yesterday, the 14 leads of copper wire discovered by Sapper Parkhill during the raid on the night of 5th/6th inst. Could be used as follows:-
LEALVILLERS in billets
June 6 – Very wet day. Bn went for short route march having to return early on account of rain.
June 7 – Attack was practiced on CLAIRFAYE training ground and some Bn drill done. Weather better.
June 8 – Div. Field Day at CONTAY. The Bn being in brig. Reserve had little to do.
June 9 – Attack was again practiced as on 7th. Weather wet.
June 10 – Church parade at CLAIRFAYE football ground. Lovely day.
June 12 – Cery wet all day.
June 13 – Attack as half brigade was done over German trenches and was very successful. The Brigadier was present. A demonstration of firing of Stokes Mortars was given to Bde.
June 14 – Attack again as a half bde. Practiced successfully. Weather very wet and cold.
June 15 – Bn went out as before doing the attack by companies. Weather better.
June 16 – Sudden orders came in to the effect that the Bde. Would move to billets in Mesnil. The morning was spent getting ready to move out etc. The Bn marched out at 5pm splitting up into platoons from Heaudvile on. All were in billets in Mesnil by 9pm. Situation unchanged, weather fine.
MESNIL BILLETS
June 17 – A good deal of srtillery fire from our own guns round about Mesnil. Weather very fine.
June 18 – Fine day. Good deal of aerial activity during the afternoon.
June 19-23rd – Situation was normal.
June 24 – 1st day of bombardment. Principally 18 pdrs. U day.
June 25 – 2nd day of bombardment. The enemy reply was feeble. V day.
June 26 – 3rd day of bombardment. W day.
June 27 – 4th day of bombardment. A few shells fell on Mesnil. X day.
June 28 – 5th day of bombardment. Relieved 9th R Ir Fus in Hamel subsector X2 day.
HAMEL SUB-SECTOR
June 29 – Rather quiet day. Enemy response was very feeble. Y1 day.
June 30 – Another quiet day – Y2 day.
Operational orders for the attack.
By Lt. Col. G. Bull, Cmdg. 12th (s) Bn. Royal Irish Rifles.
Ref. map 5YD 172 scale 1/10000
1. Information - The 36th Div is attacking on both sides of the Ancre and will have the 32nd Div on its right and 29th Div on its left.
The 108 Brigade will attack on both sides of the Ancre.
The 12th Bn Royal irish Rifles in conjunction with the 9th Royal irish Fus. Will attack on the right bank of the River Ancre. Boundary for both batts: right boundary – River Ancre; left boundary – a line drawn from the extreme point of MARY REDAN Q17A 6/3.5 to the two houses in R7C20, thence SE to (?) a R 13 a. 48 thence along the Ancre to point where it crosses the railway at R 8 C 4.5/6. Thence along the railway.
2. Objective: The triangle of trenches enclosed between the left boundary of the attack and the Ancre to Beaucourt Station.
3. Positions of assembly: One platoon B coy LANCASHIRE POST and one platoon B coy on right of the 9th R Ir Fus. Two platons B coy HEDGEROWS. C coy in front line trcnehs from
4. Bombardment: There will be five days preliminary bombardment known as U,V,W,X,Y days and the attacked will be delivered on Z day at a time to be notifed later.
5. Plan of attack: One platoon of B coy with a Lewis gun under Lt. Lemon will enter enemy trench at Railway Sap and clear it NE to Q18C 78.75. This platoon will then proceed along the railway line to BEAUCOURT STATION keeping touch with the 9th R Ir. Fus. On their left.
One platoon of B coy (with a Lewis Gun team under 2nd Lt. McNeill will recon. The marsh to BEAUCOURT STATION. Their right boundary will be the River Ancre, left boundary Railway Line. They will keep slightly in rear of and in touch with Lt. Lemon’s platoon.
The remainder of B Coy will support the 9th R Ir Fus leaving our own front line when the last wave of the 9th R Ir Fus has entered the enemy’s line.
C coy with two Lewis Guns and 2 Vickers will attack on a platoon front of four waves on the left of the 9th R Ir Fus. Their right will be A25. They will clear the enemy’s trench 1st,2nd and 3rd lines north westward.
A and D coys in eight waves of alternative platoons at 60 yards distance will attack the enemy’s salient between Q17. B. 10.30 and will occupy their first line and support trenches. A coy will clear trenches northwards and get in touch with the 29th Div. D coy will clear trenches eastwards and get in touch with C coy, both coys will have their Lewis Guns.
The rear platoons of each coy. Will be a carrying platoon. The attack takes place at zero time on Z day.
6. Infantry attack: All movements on Z day from moment of assault are timed from zero. Prior to hour of assault the coys will leave their trenches at point to be arranged by coy. Commanders under cover of bombardment and lie down in front in formation in which they arte about to advance. The first wave of the attack to be within 150 yards of the A line at zero time.
7. Artillery time table: At 0.0 lift from front line to support trenches.
At 0.3 On to the B lines (B21, B23, B25)
At 0.8 On to the lines B 22, B24, B26.
0.13 On to the Beaucourt Station and on the trench month of it.
0.33 Barrage in rear of Beaucourt Station and on the trench running due north from Q12 D.60
8. Consolidating: Consolidation of captured trenches will be begun immediately thgey are occupied by troops allotted to them.
The rear platoons of each coy will carry the following.
Two coils (12 rolls) French expanding wire 4 men.
1 coil of plain wire 1 man.
12 coils of barbed wire 12 men.
40 screw iron stakes 10 men.
In addition 12 picks and 12 shovels and 200 sandbags will be distributed amongst these platoons. All other platoons will carry 8 picks and 8 shovels perplatoon and foru sandbags per man.
9. Clearing parties – Clearing parties will be detailed from 1st wave. Their task is to search trenches for small parties of enemy.
10. Blocking: Coys will block all trenches to their flanks outside their zone of action and trenches leading towards enemy in advance of their lines.Blocking parties will be at least 40 yards to the front and flank of other troops.
14. Comunication tenches will be reserved for up and down traffic as follows:-
15. Information to enemy - OC Coys. will ensure that no papers or orders are carried on either officers of men and will warn all ranks that if taken prisoner they are only bound to give their rank and name and should refuse to answer any other questions.
16. Watches - Watches will synchronised at Bn HQ at 9am on 'Y' Day and also at 8pm same day and place.
17. Maps - All offices will carry 1/20000 5Y D SE and 57 C S NW and the special Corps maps. The maps will be referred to in reports and messages. Maps showing our trenches are not to be carried.
18. Rations - If situation permits, rations will be brought up by 1st line transport on night 8/A and will be met at Old Mill on the Hamel/Thiepval Road. Faling this they will be drawn from Bde ration dump in Hamel. Eight rations will be carried up in one sandnag.
19. Bat. HQ - Bttn HQ will be in new dug out off Royal Avenue where all resports will be sent.
20. Signal Station - A new signal station will be established in enemy's line at Q17 B, 8-3 or as near this point as the situation permits. Three separate lines will be run to this point from our present front line. Each coy taking a line with them as they advance.
21. Water - No water within the present German area will be used until the source has been tested by a Medical Officer.
S. Bull.
L. Col.
O.C. 12th R Ir. Rif.
