Chapter 10 Back to the Western Front The Command of the 8th

Chapter 10
Back to the Western Front
The Command of the 8th Royal Scots was wise to be noting events on the Soissons
– Reims salient on the allied front far to the south east of their position. The French
defending in that quarter were being very hard pressed by an all out attack by the
German forces and were in desperate need of reinforcements. American troops who
had recently entered the fray were being detailed to this region but Sir Douglas Haig
ordered the transfer of many thousands of men from the north west of the front
towards Reims. Ewing describes the situation on the Western front at this crucial
time in the Allied campaign:
Foiled before Paris in July [1918] by the resistance of French and
American troops, the Germans sheered off in the direction of Rheims, on
which they opened a violent attack on 15th July. They succeeded in
crossing the Marne, but there they were firmly held, and on the 18th July,
[the French under] General Mangin, delivered the first blow of the counteroffensive, hurling them back across the river. The pressure of the Allies
was not relaxed, and four British divisions, including the Fifty-first [of which
the 8th Battalion of the Royal Scots was part] and Fifteenth, were sent
south [by Sir Douglas Haig] to assist the French; all four divisions were in
the XXII Corps under Lieut.-General Sir A. Godley. In the sector
concerned, the Germans were caught in a salient with its front facing
south-west, and the Fifty-first and Sixty-second Divisions were despatched
to operate on the west side of it.
In accordance with these plans the Fifty-first Division left the southern
portion of the Vimy Ridge sector on the 11th July, and the men found
unusual entertainment in a journey which took them through the outskirts
of Paris.
The War Diary of the 8th Royal Scots describes the detail of the major troop
movements performed by British forces during July 1918 as these affected the
Battalion.
July 10th 1918: Work taken over by 10th and 11th Canadian Engineering
Battalion, and A and C Coys withdrawn from [Vimy] Ridge and Railway
posts to Roclincourt Lines. Strong wind but weather fine.
July 11th: HQ move from Roclincourt to transport lines in anticipation of
move tomorrow. Men accommodated in trench and all under cover, weather very wet.
July 12th: As per secret orders received, Battalion marched to Chau de la
Hale and entrained on Light Railway. Battalion detrained about one mile
north of Bailleulaux Cornilles and marched to Buneville, a distance of 7
miles where it was billeted for the night. Divisional Salvage Company
under Capt. Young was attached to the Battalion during the move for
accommodation and rations.
July 13th: Battalion moved, according to orders received, to Averdoingt
where it occupied billets – C Coy being billeted in La Planquette one mile
away.
July 14th: At Averdoingt. Warning order received to entrain by 2pm
tomorrow. C Coy. To proceed to Tinques to act as loading party to 153rd
Brigade, to which Brigade the Battalion was attached during move.
The Battalion had moved about twenty kilometres north-west of Arras and was in a
position to take a circuitous route to the Seine valley via the coastal rail route. The
little village of Averdoingt is now a very quiet place with a rather neglected church
and the cottage building at the rear of the church is still there but the delightful
garden which John describes in the next letter is now a run for chickens and geese!
Letter 30 – The move to the Soissons – Reims salient
Sunday 14th July 1915
We got back to the battalion yesterday [at Averdoingt]. They had arrived from the
line not long before us, and were just settling down. It is a very nice, peaceful little
place we are in, and I could enjoy staying here for quite a time. But -------!
We have our mess in a cottage
hugging up to the side of the
village kirk. Behind the house
is a rare old cottage garden,
just such as anybody at home
would take pride in. All the old
homely things are in it, berry
bushes – red and black and
rasps and goose; cabbages
and turnips, of course, and
some fine flourishing rose
bushes and Canterbury bells. It
smells glorious when the air is
just the least damp, as it was
last night.
I slept the night in a shake down in a room in the house of the village priest. We
were treated very well, and were quite comfortable. There has been nothing very
sensational happening during my absence from the company. Since I left we have
taken a Persian kitten on the strength. How long it will remain with us is difficult to
guess, as pets have a strange habit of attaching themselves to you for rations for
several days, and then mysteriously disappearing. It is a really bonny little beastie
though, grey and fluffy and daft, just as a kitten should be. This has been a quiet
lazy day. It has been very pleasant being with friends in the battalion again.
War Diary 8th RS:
July 15th According to Secret orders received, Battalion marched to
Tinques where it entrained. Transport preceded the Battalion – whole
entrainment expeditiously carried out by C Coy., and train left on time. C
Coy. was to follow on a later train.
16th July
The train is awfu’ shoogly, so I’m afraid the writing is going to be a bit difficult to read
at parts. On Sunday night [14th July] I got a bed in a cottage just a little down the
road from the house of the curé, where I spent the previous night. Two of us put up
in this cottage. It was occupied by an old gentleman who had been out in the FrancoPrussian War as an artillery officer. At first he was not at all anxious to have
anything to do with us, seeing we were only to stay one night. I had to argy bargy
with him, and did it successfully, though it was an unco struggle. If you are vainly
trying to express yourself in a language with which you have only a kind of nodding
acquaintance, you are very much at a disadvantage. However, I did succeed by the
use of a little French and a wonderful amount of gesticulation and expressive looks,
“à la cinema,” in talking him round, and he was sweet as honey while we remained
with him. We parted the next day on quite good terms.
We had a pretty stiff little march to the station yesterday, and were soon aboard the
train. We did not have to wait very long till we were off. It was quite a pleasant little
journey till darkness came. It was a bonny day, and the woods and villages and
harvest fields were looking grand. We are in a second-class compartment with
terrible hard seats. However, they are seats, and the journey has been by no means
the worst I have undertaken in France.
Ewing continues his narrative:
On the 15th, the 8th Royal Scots, who vastly enjoyed their trip round Paris,
detrained near Romilly, whence they marched to Chantemarle. For men
carrying full kit, the march along switchback roads under the intense heat
of a glorious French summer was a severe test of stamina and will-power,
and the ‘Pioneers’ had cause to plume themselves on the fact that in four
days, during which they covered 100 kilometres, not a single man fell out.
The story of the long journey and march is graphically described by John:
Letter 31
Saturday 20th July 1918
The interval since I last wrote has been mainly filled with wearing holes in our socks
and smoothing down the nails in our boots. It has been march, march, march, with
intervals since Tuesday night [16th].
[This march was over the roads now known as the ‘Champagne Route’ through
vineyards, and it certainly is a very beautiful stretch of country.]
War Diary of the 8th RS:
July 16th: In train. Train stopped at 7am for ¾ hour at a point where hot
water was ready. Men had breakfast and journey resumed through lovely
country. Weather very warm. On arrival at Fambois train sent to Romilly
arriving there at 9pm. Battalion detrained and received instructions to
march to Chantemarle. During the march Battalion bivouacked at the
roadside for three hours.
Our first train journey was a long and warm one. The weather all along has been
very trying, and during all the railway part of our trek we were sweltering. I have
seen quite a lot of France since we started on our move, and the part we are now in
is indeed worthy of the name of La Belle France. We have seen a tremendous lot
that is interesting, and the country everywhere is beautiful in the extreme. One
pleasant thing about our railway journey was that the line took us straight in front of
the old palace of the king of France, [likely to have been Fontainbleau] and the
journey through the woods around it was a perfect delight. Right up to our detraining
point, we passed through glorious fertile country. It was a start of a sort of triumphal
progress. At every village the people were lining the hedges by the side of the
railway, fluttering handkerchiefs, at us, cheering and generally making themselves
agreeable.
The station at Romilly
The station will not have changed in the century which has elapsed. Here, on the
fore court in front of the station, the troops would have formed up in their marching
formation and set off for a three day trek to the front with their pipe band at their
head.
We got to the town, [Romilly], where we detrained about 11 o’clock on Tuesday
night, and started right off on a five-mile march. We were not in very good condition
for marching after the time in the train, when it was impossible to get a good sleep.
We got started near midnight, and set off through the town. The people were rudely
awakened by our pipes and by the singing of the men. Everybody was friendly
again, and an occasional cry of “Très bon,” or “Très Jolie,” or “Vivent les Ecossais,”
helped to put new life into our feet.
[The local population was jubilant to see reinforcements marching north towards the
front which was being gravely threatened by the new German offensive. The French
army was in a state of exhaustion and disarray at this point and civilians must have
seen their lives and homes threatened by the invaders who had been pushed back
to the north in the previous year. There was a real danger of a threat to Paris.]
War Diary of the 8th RS:
July 17th: Battalion arrived at Chantemarle where it was billeted.
We had a long fall out in the small hours of the morning and had a sleep.
Then on again to a tiny queer, auld farrant village set far away from towns and main
roads, right on top of a hill with cornfields all down the slopes [this was
Chantemarle]. It was a kind of French Crawfordjohn, and we were regarded by the
inhabitants as a most extraordinary visitation. In fact, I believe, that our billeting
party, when they reached the village, were mistaken for an advance party of the
Boche. We got a rest here through the day and started off again.
Chantemarle as it is today
War Diary of the 8th RS:
July 18th: There was a commanding officer’s inspection of the Battalion at
8am. Following on orders received during the morning, the Battalion
paraded at 11am and marched a distance of 15 kilometres to ½ a mile
south of Soizy aux Bois where rations were received for two days and the
battalion bivouacked for the night.
This time we walked on till late in the afternoon. It was a long tiring march in terribly
hot weather, but wonderfully interesting. We passed through several towns and
villages, the inhabitants, military and civil, turning out and lining the roads. The band
came in for a lot of attention, and the number of French officers who snapped it as it
went past was enormous. One wonderful thing was the diversity of the troops we
passed on the roads. All the armies in the world seemed to be there. There were
French, American, Italian, Chinese labour men, Senegalese, and now and again a
representative of the Boche. It impressed you tremendously with what a big thing
our unfortunate enemy is up against. The people in the villages through which we
went were wonderfully kind to us. At one place the small boys particularly
distinguished themselves by the way they ran errands for the men, bringing bread
and other eatables from the village (Soizy aux Bois) outside which we had halted.
They kept on the move continually, never tired, and were as proud as Punch at the
work they were doing. We got settled down for that night in a field, and moved again
in the morning. [Friday 19th].
War Diary of the 8th RS:
July 19th: Following on secret orders received at 5am for the battalion to
be at Cross Roads one mile south of Brugnay, distance of 23 kilometres
away, by 12.30pm the battalion resumed its march at 7am. Weather very
hot and men exhausted carrying packs and extra ammunition. It was
found that the place mentioned could not be reached at the time stated
and Lt. WG Young, Asst. Adjutant was sent ahead, but found no one with
orders for the battalion, so when the Battalion arrived at 3pm it bivouacked
in adjacent woods.
Naturally the march was not such a pleasure as on the previous day. Marching as
an amusement tends to pall on you after the third day. Again it was frightfully warm,
and by the time we had our final halt, about three or four in the afternoon, we were
much the worse for wear. That day again, we passed through many villages, where
we were received very kindly. Again there was the epidemic of snapshotting, and
the population was enthusiastic. Smiling faces lined the road on either side. I felt
particularly honoured when we passed, in one little town, a carriage containing two
most dignified elderly gentlemen who must, I think, have held a rank nothing lower
that a bailie’s, and who raised their hats in a most courtly way as we trudged past.
War Diary of the 8th RS:
July 20th Following on Secret Orders received during the night, the
Battalion paraded at 4am and marched to one mile north of Bellvue,
passing through Epernay en route a distance of about 20 kilometres –
men very exhausted on arrival at destination on account of the heat and
extra ammunition carried. Packs were dumped at last halt. C Coy.
rejoined the Battalion at its destination at Bellvue.* The Division, with the
62nd on its right and the 9th French Division on its left attacked the enemy
on a Battalion front, and at the time specified had taken practically all its
objectives. C Coy were out repairing a road under the Royal Engineers
but had to withdraw on account of shell fire. They had six men wounded.
We did not have a long rest last night, [at Brugnay].
We had to start again in the small hours of the
morning. We had a trying march up the way, at first
in the cool and later in a broiling hot sun. This
march took us beyond the civilian populated area.
It was rather melancholy to see the dead villages
and towns we went through particularly one fine
little town, [Epernay] which before it put its shutters
up and went to sleep, must have been a
wonderfully bright little place.
Now it is merely a long stretch of deserted buildings lining the streets of most
execrable cobble stones.
About 10 a.m. we reached the place from which I write [one mile north of Bellevue],
and here we have remained till now (8.40 p.m.). We have had a fine rest, a wash,
some good food, and a sleep, and have forgotten our troubles largely.
The War Diary of the 8th RS made a special entry outlining the movements of the
“lost” C Company:
[C Company was evidently set down from their train at Hermé some miles short of
Romilly where the rest of the battalion had alighted. From there they were
transported on French buses to Chouilly (near Epernay) which was a place far ahead
of the battalion who were foot slogging it all the way from Romilly to the outskirts of
Reims. C Company then spent the next three days searching for the battalion all
around the Epernay area.]
Record of C Company’s Movements since entraining at Tinques.
July 17th: Detrained at Hermé and were motored in French buses to
Avize, found no trace of the Division there and were informed that 153rd
Infantry Brigade were at Chouilly, and marched to that place in the
evening. Found that the 154th Brigade were at Chouilly and that the
153rd Brigade were at Pierry. Billeted in Chouilly for the night.
July 18th: Marched to Pierry and Company met by 2nd Lt. WG Calder who
had preceded the company overnight. He had been informed that the
Battalion was at Manchy and C company continued its march to that place,
but the battalion was not there. Men very exhausted and rations short.
Company billeted in Manchy.
July 19th: According to orders received, company moves to Dizy Magenta
where men bathed in Marne Canal. Orders received for the company to
join 400th Field Coy Reserves in vicinity of Bellevue, which was reached in
the afternoon.
July 20th: Company worked on artillery road through Forest de Reims
along with R.E.s. Work interrupted with heavy shelling. Company rejoins
Battalion.
By July 21st the 8th Royal Scots were nearing the front on the Soissons – Reims
salient towards the eastern Reims end. The events described in the War Diary lead
up to their attack on the enemy lines in the early morning of 23rd July when John
Oliver was injured.
July 21st: According to secret orders received at 4am Battalion less
Echelon B left camp and marched a distance of about 8 kilometres and
took up a position just west of Nanteuil. Shelling was encountered on the
way and ‘C’ Coy had one man killed and 7 wounded. Tools and mess
stores came up by transport and while these were being unloaded on the
road which passes through Bois de Sarbruge the Battalion suffered the
following casualties by shell fire:- ‘A’ Coy. 2nd Lieut. RA Jamieson killed
and Lieut. A McK Gordon severely wounded, 2 other ranks killed and 4
wounded. ‘B’ Coy. 1 man killed and 4 wounded. Transport, 1 man killed
and 2 wounded. Bad day for the Battalion.
French have had a great success between Soissons and Reims, enemy
driven back over the Marne. Situation on Divisional front reported very
satisfactory.
July 22nd: Very noisy night with artillery fire. Communique received
conveying thanks of XXII Corps Commander and French Army
commander, thanking the Division for the good work it had done during the
last two days. ‘B’ Coy. under Capt. Pringle sent to the 154th Brigade as
supporting troops. Lieut. Mackay went on leave.
According to orders received Battalion went into the line in a position
between two roads running through the Bois de Coutron, about 2000
metres SE of Espilly, and relieved the 6th Gordons. ‘B’ were attached to
the 7th A and S Highlanders, and assisted RE’s in cutting path in the
woods. This continued till midnight when they received orders to take part
in an attack with the 154th Infantry Brigade next morning at 6am.
July 23rd: Battalion holding line. Headquarters heavily shelled from 6am
to 8am and position afterwards changed. ‘B’ Coy. under Capt. Pringle
attacked on a 250 yards front with 7th A and S Highlanders on their right
and 4th Gordons on their left. The two centre platoons of ‘B’ Coy. were
caught in barrage and lost heavily. The platoon on the right under 2nd
Lieut. RP Fraser and the platoon on the left under 2nd Lieut. JF Crawford
got through barrage and did excellent work.
They reached their
objectives, destroyed two enemy machine gun nests and captured 28
prisoners. As the troops on the flanks failed to make any advance they
had to withdraw as they were in danger of being cut off. The Company
had 80 casualties. Lieut. JO Chisholm was severely wounded and has
since died. 2nd Lieut. Oliver was also severely wounded.
The special confidential report on operations commencing 20th July and ending with
the relief of the Battalion on 31st July when they returned to Nanteuil, was written by
the Commanding officer of the 8th Royal Scots Lieut. Colonel W Thorburn. It is
reproduced from its original form.
My grandfather preserved two cuttings from the Times reproduced here and
describing the events in the Reims area as the 8th Royal Scots were marching
towards the front. It is little wonder that the French population was out in force to
cheer them on as they piped their way through their villages even in the middle of the
night!
From the ‘Times’
From Our Special Correspondent, War correspondent’s headquarters.
Tuesday 23rd July 1918
I hear very good account of the behaviour of the British divisions fighting
with our Allies in the Reims area on July 20 and 21. The sector where
they were engaged was due north and north-west of Epernay, in difficult
country, rough and wooded. The Germans had massed a great weight of
artillery for the thrust on Epernay, and that they were in strength is shown
by the fact that one British division took prisoners from three German
divisions, one of which was fresh, just brought in from the Crown Prince’s
reserves.
Our troops were chiefly Yorkshiremen and Highlanders.
According to the generous testimony of the French, both did very well.
The attack was preceded by a prolonged bombardment, and the enemy
seems to have known that it was coming, orders being given to the
German reserves brought in for the occasion that the ground was be held
at all costs. In spite of everything our advance was rapid from the start.
South of the River Ardre the Scotsmen went through the Bois de Courton,
while on the other side of the river on their right, the Yorkshiremen pushed
into the Bois de Reims in the direction of Marfaux. The advance was
continued on the 21st, when the Scotsmen, thrusting north of La Neufille,
which was captured by French troops, seized the village of Nappes, and
the Yorkshiremen on the north occupied Bouilly.
The enemy resistance was stubborn, with every advantage of topography
on their side, and there was hard fighting along the whole front. The
behaviour of our men seems to have been magnificent, and according to
the last reports, they had taken about 500 prisoners, including two
battalion commanders. Our losses, considering the nature of the fighting,
were moderate, and the spirit of our men is said to be as fine as possible.
The German prisoners, on the other hand, while of good material, appear
to be very ill-informed as to the progress of recent operations and ignorant
of what is going on, in marked contrast to the definite enthusiasm of all the
allied troops.
Wednesday 24th July1918
On the same day, 23rd, far away from Montdidier, 70 or 80 miles to the
south-east, the Scottish and English division, of whom I wrote in my last
message, scored a British success between Vrigny and the valley of the
Ardre. Attacking in conjunction with French Colonial troops on their right,
they retook Vrigny and the woods to the east of it, and got well to the west
of Ste. Euphraise and Bouilly, making an advance of nearly a mile, which
brings the whole of the Bois de Reims into our hands. The number of
prisoners captured by the British, beside five guns, was 300, which brings
the total they have taken in the four days since they took over this sector
to little short of 1,000. [We hear later how some of these prisoners were
deployed!]
The fighting was particularly violent, as the enemy is straining every nerve
to prevent the Allies from gaining ground at this vital point of his line,
where any considerable advance would seriously complicate the
difficulties of his position in the whole of the Reims-Soissons salient.