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
During the fighting in Miraumont, the losses in the Artillery amounted
to 6 officers (Capt. F. H. Seeman gassed, in addition to those already
mentioned) and about 70 other ranks, while a great many horses and
mules were killed; nine guns were knocked out by Artillery fire. The
strain on officers and men was very great; and although the latter
were able to get some slight respite from danger, though not from
hard work, by taking an occasional spell at the wagon lines, it was
difficult to give any relief to the officers. I therefore started an
experiment which was a great success for the short time in which it was
possible for it to remain in operation. One of the less ruined houses
in Mailly-mailly was commandeered and roughly fitted up as a rest house
in charge of one of the trench mortar officers, the mortars not yet
having been brought into action. It was arranged that three officers at
a time should be accommodated here for a clear three days and nights,
during which they would have nothing to do but take it easy and recoup
themselves, away from the noise and stress of battle. The change
was greatly appreciated by the few officers who were able to avail
themselves of it before a further advance put an end to the scheme.
Irles was captured by the 18th Division, supported by our artillery, on
the 10th March, and on the 14th the enemy was driven out of Grevillers
and Loupart Wood. A plan of attack on Achiet-le-Petit was now drawn
up, to take place at dawn on the 18th. Our preliminary bombardment,
however, which began on the 16th and went on through the night, was too
much for the Boche, and on the morning of Saturday the 17th March our
infantry patrols entered the village and found it unoccupied. News came
through the day of further successes. Bapaume had fallen, and Bucquoy,
Biefvillers and Bihucourt were all in our possession. Hopes ran high,
and there was general excitement and delight. Once more the batteries
were ordered to push on as quickly as possible, and they moved forward
into positions close to Achiet-le-Petit. The 7th Division now passed
through us, and for a short time the 62nd Division ceased to take
an active part in the fighting, though still continuing to advance.
Advanced guards occupied Courcelles and Gomiecourt on the 18th, and the
Lucknow Cavalry Brigade pressed on further and hung on to the heels of
the retreating enemy. On the 21st, D/312 advanced at dawn and joined
the 7th Division advanced guard at Ervillers, to help them in an attack
on Croisilles, which the Boche was still holding. On this occasion we
had our first officer killed, Lieut. C. W. Pullan; a shell burst in the
observation post near St. Leger, from which he was gallantly directing
the fire of his battery. A/312 and C/312 went into action the same day
between Ervillers and St. Leger, also with the 7th Division, while the
310th Brigade remained in positions of readiness near Logeast Wood.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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