2/6th Battalion war diary September 1917
2/6th Battalion South Staffordshire war diaries
1917
|
September |
WINNEZEELE |
| 1/9/19 5 a.m. |
The Battalion arrived in camp at WINNEZEELE at 5 a.m. 1st September 1917. Training continued. |
| BRANDHOEK | |
| 19/9/17 | The Battalion moved by march and bus from WINNEZEELE to BRANDHOEK No1 area (G 6 d Central Sheet 28). The camp at WINEZEELE was left at 10.30 a.m. and the Battalion proceeded via STEENVORDE and main YPRES road arriving in new area at 4.30 p.m. 19th September. |
| BRANDHOEK YPRES North Area, FRONT LINE GOLDFISH CHATEAU (H11 b 1,3) |
|
| 20/9/17 | At 4.30 on the afternoon of the 20th September the Battalion moved ready for Battle to the YPRES North area (H 11 b 1,3) where it came under the orders of the G.O.C. 55th Division. The Battalion moved under the command of Lieut. Colonel J Stuart Wortley and Major H.M.C. Curtis was in command of all details who remained at BRANDHOEK No1 Area. On the night 20/21 Sept the Battalion moved to and took up a position in the Old British Front Line to the EAST of OXFORD ROAD (C 29 c) and Headquarters were established at WARWICK FARM. During the afternoon of the 21st Sept Major H.M.C. Curtis took over the Command of the Battalion. From the Old British Front Line the Battalion relieved the 165th Infantry Brigade on the night 22/23 Sept in the right sector of the line held by the 55th Division, and were supported by the 2/5th Bn, South Staffordshire Regiment. The disposition of the Battalion was as follows:- Headquarters POMMERN CASTLE (C 19 a 5 4) “D” Company on the right (Southern Area), “A” Company in the centre at HILL 37, “B” Company on the left in the CAPITOL Area and “C” Company in support at ELMS COURT. Consolidation of the front line was rapidly proceeded with as an advance had been made by the 165th Infantry Brigade on the morning of the 21st. On the night 23/24th September a heavy hostile artillery barrage proceeded an attempted hostile counter attack. Sentries of this Unit reported that the enemy were preparing to attack. After waiting for developments and making preparations to repel the attack the S.O.S. signal was given and artillery support was at once forthcoming. The Company in support at ELMS CORNER then moved forward to reinforce the Front Line, but the attack did not develop. Slight casualties were sustained. On the night of the 24/25 September this Unit was relieved in the front line by the 2/4 Leicesters, 2/5 Leicesters and the 2/6 Sherwoods. The Unit then returned to Camp at GOLDFISH CHATEAU YPRES North Area arriving there at 2 a.m. on the morning of 25th September. At 11 p.m. 25th September the Battalion moved to the Old British Front Line EAST of OXFORD ROAD under the Command of Lieut. Colonel J Stuart Wortley. Battalion Headquarters were at WARWICK FARM and the Battalion was in position by 4 a.m. 26th Sept ready to give immediate support to the attacking units of the 59th Division. At 5 pm. 26th Sept Orders were received for the Battalion to move forward. Headquarters were established at POMMERN CASTLE and the four Companies entrenched WEST of POMMEN CASTLE. Immediate support to the Battalion in the line was not required and this unit was ordered to take up position previously held in Old British Front Line and arrived there at 1.30 a.m. on the morning of the 28th September. (See map K.3) |
| 28-29/9/17 | On the night 28/29 Sept this Unit relieved the 2/8 and 2/7 Sherwoods in the left sector of the Divisional front. The dispositions of the Companies was:- “A” Company C 14 b 9.9 to C 14 b 2.3 (Sheet 28) to a depth of 250 yards to TORONTO inclusive and in touch with the 2/6th North Staffordshire Regiment on the left flank. ”D” Company took over the central forward area C 14 a 6.9 to C 14 a 7.3 in depth 250 yards. ”B” and “C” Companies took over the read forward area from C 13 b 9.9 to C 14 a 2.2 (KANSAS CROSS) to a depth of about 300 yards, Battalion Headquarters were at CORNHILL C 18 d 2.9. |
| 29-30/9/17 | This Unit was relieved in the Front line by No 2 Company and half of No 13 Company of the 2nd Canterbury Battalion and on relief occupied a position in the Old British Front Line EAST of OXFORD ROAD. During the time the Battalion was in the front line and in immediate support the Casualties averaged about 20%. |
| J Stuart Wortley Lt. Col. commanding 2/6th South Staffordshire Regiment |
NA WO 95/3021