War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional ArtilleryAnderson, Austin Thomas
History
War Services of the 62nd West Riding Divisional Artillery
Anderson, Austin Thomas
Great Britain. Army. Division, 62nd; World War, 1914-1918 -- Regimental histories -- Great Britain
The event proved, however, that this virtue was not lacking. It is to
these three great qualities I attribute the success of the Division.
The Divisional Artillery knew that they existed for the purpose of
helping the Infantry. The Infantry knew that they could depend on the
Artillery in all circumstances and under all conditions.
There are many glorious episodes described in the following pages, many
plain unvarnished tales of heroism, and much record of what, to the
casual reader unacquainted with the conditions of life "out there," may
appear to be commonplace drudgery.
All had their place in building up the reputation of the 62nd
Divisional Artillery, and none were more important than others, or less.
The strain on the horses, the toil of the men in the never-ceasing
"packing" of the ammunition to Miraumont, up the shell-swept road,
past Shrapnel Corner, to the fire-desolated village, had its result
and compensation in the advance to Bapaume and the capture of
Achiet-le-Petit and Achiet-le-Grand.
The daily digging, the unceasing work on dug-outs and gun-positions
in Ecoust, and in the Noreuil Valley, saved many a life and rendered
possible the accurate service of the guns in the Battle of Bullecourt,
and in the subsequent period of holding that much-strafed line.
The practice in driving and the training in open warfare found their
consummation in that glorious advance of the batteries to Graincourt.
And then, after a year's hard work, came the first rest. In December,
1917, the gunners came out of the line for the first time, and hardly
knew themselves!
January, 1918, saw the Division back in the line again in a
comparatively peaceful sector with, however, as always, one bad
spot--Bailleul, through which one never loitered.
But peaceful bits of the line were not the lot of the 62nd Divisional
Artillery for long, and in March we were hurried down to Bucquoy. Here
was no line, peaceful or otherwise, no prepared positions to take over,
but the hurly-burly of battle, and positions to be chosen where they
could be found. But what splendid targets!
After the battle came a period of holding the line again, in, I think,
the most unpleasant sector we occupied, of which Essarts was the most
unhealthy spot.
Then came a change. A quick train journey to the South and a rush into
battle without time for proper reconnaissance, but with the willing and
ready help of French and Italian comrades.
A quick change also to open warfare, and fighting in dense woods! But
these variations affected not at all the Divisional Artillery except in
so far as it stimulated the interest of officers and men.
The fighting in the Ardre Valley was indeed an experience we shall all
look back upon with pride and with pleasure.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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