The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 2 of 3Ponsonby, Frederick
History
The Grenadier Guards in the Great War of 1914-1918, Vol. 2 of 3
Ponsonby, Frederick
Great Britain. Army. Grenadier Guards; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
On the 25th patrols were again pushed out, and, although the enemy
could be seen moving about on the Croiselles――Henin road, the day
passed quietly. That night, in accordance with verbal instructions
received over the telephone, the 1st Battalion withdrew to the Army
line, commencing the evacuation of the front trenches at 11.30 P.M.
Although the orders for this retirement were originally received at
2.20 P.M., they were subsequently cancelled, and it was not until 1.30
A.M. that the retirement was carried out after verbal orders over the
telephone had been received. The only incident that occurred during
this withdrawal was the approach of an enemy patrol towards the
rearguard platoon of the King’s company, which at once opened fire on
them. The hostile patrol scattered, and the retirement was carried out
without further molestation. Lord Gort kept two platoons from No. 4
Company in their position, to ensure that no troops of the Guards
Division had been left east of the Arras――Bapaume road. He also
telephoned to the officer commanding the Royal Scots Fusiliers, and
satisfied himself that this regiment was conforming with his movements
before he withdrew the rearguard.
The new sector occupied by the 1st Battalion was to the north-east of
Boisieux-St.-Marc, and was held by Lieutenant Lloyd’s, Lieutenant
Harvard’s, and Captain Stein’s Companies, each having two platoons in
close support in shell slits. The 2nd Battalion Scots Guards was on
the right, and the Royal Scots Fusiliers on the left.
[Sidenote: Mar. 26.]
One and a half hours before dawn the next day outpost patrols,
consisting of picked shots, were pushed forward by each Company in the
line, so that any attempt on the part of the enemy to occupy Boiry
Becquerelle might be instantly reported. At 7.30 one patrol sent back
the information that the Germans could be seen, advancing in large
numbers in artillery formation, and covered by a screen of scouts. The
enemy’s aircraft had been busy since the preceding day, in flying over
this area, while the German artillery continued to shell the western
end of Boiry Becquerelles and the Arras――Bapaume road with 5·9
howitzers. These combined efforts of the enemy’s artillery and
aircraft seemed to suggest that, in the opinion of the Germans, the
Guards Division would be compelled, by the situation farther north, to
withdraw. Orders for a farther withdrawal of Seymour’s Brigade were
issued, and were cancelled that evening, as the enemy made no signs of
any further attack.
[Sidenote: March 27-29.]
The enemy put down a heavy and accurate barrage on our front line, in
the morning of the 27th, which lasted about an hour; in the afternoon
it died down, and no infantry attack developed. That night the 1st
Battalion was relieved by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and went
into support until the night of the 29th. During the relief Lieutenant
J. R. Nicholson and Lieutenant W. U. Timmis were wounded.
[Sidenote: Mar. 30.]
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