The Territorial Divisions, 1914-1918Stirling, John
History
The Territorial Divisions, 1914-1918
Stirling, John
World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
Paragraph 22 describes the fighting on 23rd and 24th August when
further progress was made. “Divisions which in the worst days of
the March retreat had proved themselves superior to every hardship,
difficulty and danger, once more rose to the occasion with the most
magnificent spirit; over the same ground that had witnessed their
stubborn greatness in defence they moved forward to the attack with
a persistent vigour and relentless determination which neither the
extreme difficulty of the ground, nor the obstinate resistance of the
enemy, could diminish or withstand.”
The fighting 21st-23rd August is now “The Battle of Albert, 1918.”
On the 24th the 58th had a stiff fight but they and the 47th secured
their objectives.
Paragraph 23 said: “During the next five days our troops followed
up their advantage hotly, and in spite of increasing resistance
from the German rearguards, realised a further deep advance. The
enemy clung to his positions in the latter stages of this period
with much tenacity. His infantry delivered many counter-attacks,
and the progress of our troops was only won by hard and determined
fighting.” On 28th August, “the 12th Division and 58th Division
(Major-General F. W. Ramsay) captured Hardecourt and the spur south
of it, overcoming strong resistance.”
On the 25th the 58th were heavily engaged at Billon Wood which was
held strongly. On the 28th they took Marrières Wood.
Paragraph 24 deals with the fighting for Mont St. Quentin and the
capture of Peronne, in support of which operations the 58th, 47th and
other divisions attacked on 31st August, and “by successful fighting
on this and the following day, captured Bouchavesnes, Rancourt and
Frégicourt, with several hundred prisoners.” This is now the “Second
Battle of Bapaume.”
Paragraph 30 described the Battle of Havrincourt and Epéhy, 12th-18th
September, and as to 18th September, the “Battle of Epéhy,” said, “On
the extreme right, and in the left centre about Epéhy the enemy’s
resistance was very determined and in these sectors troops of the
6th, 12th, 18th and 58th Divisions had severe fighting. Before
nightfall, however, the last centres of resistance in Epéhy were
reduced, and both in this area and on our right about Gricourt local
actions during the succeeding days secured for us the remainder of
the positions required for an attack on the main Hindenburg defences.”
On the 18th September the 58th took Peizières and made further
progress during the next 48 hours.
On 24th September the Division, now weakened by the heavy tasks it
had carried through during eight weeks’ fighting, left the III. Corps
and moved north to join the First Army. It had no more hard fighting.
In October, headquarters of that Corps were transferred to the Fifth
Army in Flanders where times were less strenuous.
Major-General Montgomery’s _Story of the Fourth Army_ (Hodder and
Stoughton) contains many flattering references to the work of the
Division in August and September, 1918.
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