The Territorial Divisions, 1914-1918Stirling, John
History
The Territorial Divisions, 1914-1918
Stirling, John
World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
The despatch of 21st December, 1918, paragraph 11, shows that in
July the XXII. Corps, Lieut.-General Sir A. Godley, consisting of
the 15th, 34th, 51st and 62nd Divisions, was sent to the south to
assist the French in their counter-attacks against the salient which
the Germans had created between the Aisne and the Marne. The 51st
and 62nd went to the east side of the salient and had heavy fighting
for a period of ten days—a quotation as to this, now the “Battle
of Tardenois,” is given under the 51st. Both these divisions were
complimented by General Berthelot commanding the French Fifth Army.
The 8th West Yorkshire Regiment (Leeds Rifles) of the 62nd were
awarded the coveted _Croix de Guerre_ with palms, for a brilliant
assault on Mont de Bligny on 28th July.
In the supplementary telegraphic despatch of 13th September, 1918,
as to the work of certain divisions, Sir Douglas Haig said: “The
62nd Division assisted to check the enemy’s advance in March at
Achiet-le-Grand and Bucquoy and since that date took part with
credit in the French offensive south-west of Reims. On August 25th
it attacked and captured Mory. The Division was involved in heavy
fighting about this village and around Vaulx-Vraucourt and Vaulx Wood
and beat off several determined counter-attacks with great loss to
the enemy.” The capture of Mory is again referred to in the despatch
of 21st December, 1918, paragraph 23. Between the 25th August and 2nd
September the Division had some very stern fighting and suffered
heavy losses before its opponents were overcome. The fighting 31st
August-3rd September is now the “Second Battle of Bapaume.”
Paragraph 30 of the despatch, “The Battle of Havrincourt and Epéhy
12th-18th September,” stated: “On the 12th September the IV. and VI.
Corps of the Third Army attacked on a front of about five miles in
the Havrincourt sector, employing troops of the New Zealand, 37th,
62nd and 2nd Divisions. The villages of Trescault and Havrincourt
were taken by the 37th and 62nd Divisions respectively, and positions
were secured which were of considerable importance in view of future
operations.” This is now designated the “Battle of Havrincourt.”
It will be remembered that the Division stormed Havrincourt in the
battle of 20th November, 1917. It was on familiar ground.
In “The Battle of Cambrai and the Hindenburg Line, 27th September-5th
October,” the VI. Corps was again employed, the 62nd being in
support of the 3rd Division. (See paragraph 35 of the despatch and
map opposite p. 280 of Messrs. Dent’s edition.) On 27th and 28th
September the 62nd captured Marcoing and Masnières and established a
bridgehead on the St. Quentin canal. On the 29th they made a further
advance. The Official List has altered the designation given in
the despatch. This is now the “Battle of the Canal du Nord, 27th
September-1st October.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account