146 THE YPRES TIMES could be made and a line was established to secure the ground already won. The well-protected enemy machine guns, firing from the flanks and at short range, resulted in heavy losses to the battalion. Two days later the unit was relieved and moved back for reinforcements and training. The battalion started marching back to the line on September 15th, reaching Voormezeele after four days on the road. On September 20th, 1917, the nth Queen's took part in the attack, south of the Menin Road, directed against the Tower Hamlets Ridge. For a week it was busily engaged in this area owing to the enemy's unwillingness to leave the British in possession of their important gains. The remainder of September and all October, 1917, were spent either on the Belgian Coast defences or in the line near Nieuport. In November, with the rest of the 41st Division, the nth Queen's were sent to Italy. Returning in March, 1918, the unit was soon engaged in helping to stem the German attack on the Somme. After suffering very heavy casualties in the defence of Bapaume, the battalion was reinforced with drafts from various other unitsthe Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry supplying large contingents. In the middle of April, 1918, we were put into the line in the Salient, after moving north. The retirement from Passchendaele was taking place at this time when completed we held a position running north from Hell Fire Corner. The trenches were bad, consisting only of breastworks. It was not possible to dig as water was found just a few inches below the surface. During those days in front of Ypres, the enemy seemed to be closing in around us on all sides. With the capture of Kemmel Hill he was able to overlook practically all our activities in the Salient. Lieut.-Colonel Bowden was in command during this periodthe back to the wall daysand it was due to his cheerful leadership that there were no signs of discouragement in the battalion. Three months later, at the age of 24 years, he was killed. Towards the end of April the unit went back through Ypres into reserve, where a few days of comparative comfort were spent among the ruins of Bedford Camp on the Poperinghe Road. While we were in this locality we were joined by Lieut.-Colonel W. L. Owen, M.C., who arrived to take command of the battalion. May, 1918, provided fine weather which was not without its effect, both physical and moral. Most of the month was spent in the vicinity of what was once Cork Cots Camp, with Battalion Headquarters at Potijze. The rising ground in "No Man's Land hindered observation between the two front lines, and during the day life was tolerable. But at night both sides were actively patrolling to guard against surprise and secure prisoners. Early in June, to everybody's gratification, we learned that we were to go back to Saint Omer for a rest. Eventually we were billeted in Tatinghem, a small village a few kilometres out of the town, where we trained hard for a fortnight. At this time we welcomed Brigadier-General M. Kemp Welch, D.S.O., M.C., who came from another battalion of our regiment to take command of the brigade, the 123rd. We returned to the line from Saint Omer by road, spending several days over the journey. The end of the march found us relieving French troops under the shadow of Kemmel Hill. For some two months we lived under German observation from this prominent height of the Flanders plain. While in the front line we occupied isolated posts in shell-holes, abandoning the old French trenches. This must have saved us many casualties as the enemy could not possibly have known our exact positions. Those were busy nights as the area was in a poor state of defence. The absence of communication trenches was a feature of the place all reliefs and ration parties had to move above ground. While in support we were near the La ClytteWestoutre Road. The former village was occupied by one company, but the attention it received from enemy artillery

HISTORISCHE KRANTEN

The Ypres Times (1921-1936) | 1933 | | pagina 22