The history of the South African forces in FranceBuchan, John
History
The history of the South African forces in France
Buchan, John
South Africa. Army; World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- France; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- South Africa
This Brigade was formed during January 1918, under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. L. Tripp, D.S.O., M.C., formerly of the 75th
Battery. On 28th January it was attached to the Australian Corps,
occupying positions between Zillebeke and Wytschaete. On 26th February
it went into General Headquarters Reserve, being encamped near Bailleul.
On 6th March the 496th (S.A.) Siege Battery arrived, and was split up
between the 72nd and 74th Batteries, making these six-gun batteries.
On 10th March the Brigade was ordered to prepare positions behind the
Portuguese divisions, but the orders were cancelled. On 13th March it
was attached to Sir H. Plumer’s Second Army. On the 24th, after the
great German attack had been launched at St. Quentin, it began to move
southwards, and on the 28th was at Neuville St. Vaast during the German
assault on Arras. On the 30th it was attached to the Canadian Corps.
During April the batteries were in position at Roclincourt, to the
north-east of Arras, and settled down to the familiar type of trench
warfare. Since the whole military situation was uncertain at the
moment, much time had to be spent on the preparation of reserve battery
positions. Five series were selected, varying from three to fifteen miles
behind those in use. On 1st May the Brigade was ordered north, the 72nd
and 74th Batteries joining the I. Corps near Mazingarbe, and the others
going to the XIII. Corps, in the vicinity of Hinges. By the 3rd these
orders were changed, and the whole Brigade was sent to Arras to the XVII.
Corps. There it remained till the end of August, engaged in normal trench
warfare. On 7th August Captain E. G. Ridley, M.C., was promoted major in
command of the 74th Battery, to replace Major Bennett, who had gone to
command the 44th Brigade.
On 26th August the Brigade supported the advance of the Canadian Corps
and the 51st Division, which resulted in the capture of Monchy. The
batteries now began to move forward along the Arras-Cambrai road, where
they were engaged in cutting the wire of the Drocourt-Quéant switch. On
1st September the medical officer of the Brigade, Captain G. R. Cowie,
was seriously wounded, and died two days later. On the 2nd the Canadians
carried the Drocourt-Quéant switch, all the guns in the Brigade assisting
in the preliminary bombardment and the subsequent barrage. Next day the
Brigade passed under the XXII. Corps, which held the line of the Sensée,
in order to protect the flank of the Canadian thrust towards Cambrai.
No serious operations took place for more than three weeks; but on the
27th came the great advance of the Canadian and XVII. Corps towards and
beyond Cambrai, and it became clear that a general enemy retirement was
a matter of days. On 3rd October Major Ridley left for England to form a
new 8-inch S.A. battery, and his place in command of the 74th was taken
by Major C. J. Forder. On the 11th the Brigade came under the Canadian
Corps.
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