2nd
Battalion, The Bedfordshire Regiment
Operational
Orders and Appendices
June
1918
2nd
Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. Order No.238 Reference Map. SENLIS
(1)
The Battalion (less Battalion Hd Qrs) will relieve the 8th Royal
Berks as Counter Attack Battalion in the Left Subsector. Battalion
Headquarters will relieve Battalion Headquarters of 7th Royal
West Kents. After relief Battalion will be disposed as follows:
- "A", "D", "B" Coys in MELBOURNE TRENCH ("B" North. "A" in Centre.
"D" Coy South). "C" Company in the MAZE. Battalion Headquarters
at W.19.b.7.3. R.A.P. Side of track about W.19.b.2.2. Companies
will relieve opposite Companies of Royal Berks
(2)
GUIDES. 1 per Company Headquarters. 1 per Platoon and 2 per Battalion
Headquarters, will meet Battalion at Cross Roads V.22.c.8.8.
(3)
ROUTE. V.22.c.8.8. - along track to W in WATTLE ST - along BOUZINCOURT
RD - track in valley W.19 Central.
(4)
ORDER OF MARCH. "B" - "A" - "D" - "C" Coys - Battalion H.Q.
(5)
TIME. First Platoon of "B" Company leaves here 10.15 p.m. (after
6th Northants) 100 yds interval between Platoons
(6)
Transport and Ration arrangements will be in accordance with instructions
issued verbally at Conference held this morning
(7)
List of Trench Stores taken over will be forwarded to Battalion
Headquarters at 8.0 a.m. 5th June.
(8)
Completion of relief will be reported to Battalion Hd Qrs by Code
Word "TIN" Sgd. H.C.BROWNING Capt & Adjutant 2nd Bn.
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd
Bn. Bedfordshire Regt. 10.6.18
1.
The Battalion will be relieved by the 11th Battalion Royal Fusiliers
tonight. Companies will be relieved in the following order. "D"
Coy. Royal Fusiliers relieves "D" Coy Bedfords "A" Coy. Royal
Fusiliers relieves "B" Coy Bedfords "C" Coy. Royal Fusiliers relieves
"C" Coy Bedfords "B" Coy. Royal Fusiliers relieves "A" Coy Bedfords
First Company Royal Fusiliers should arrive about 11.15 pm.
(2)
No guides will be required
(3)
Great care must be taken to avoid congestion. Company being relieved
will not commence to move out until whole of relieving Company
is in, unless they move over the open.
(4)
All Petrol tins, Mess boxes &c. will be brought out with Companies
& dumped for transport to pick up at same place as transport
brought rations to, first night.
(5)
All S.O.S. Rockets, Very Pistols, Very Lights, tools etc which
were taken in by Companies are to be brought out. They must on
no account be handed over except those left with L.G. Sections
(6)
All Maps etc will be handed over. Receipts will not be required
for Trench Stores.
(7)
After relief Battalion Headquarters and Companies will be situated
at same places as before in CARSON and POSSUM TRENCH LINE
(8)
Completion of relief will be notified by wiring Company Commander's
name sgd. H.C.BROWNING Capt & Adjutant 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire
Regiment
Operation
Order No.240 13.6.18 Reference Map.SENLIS
(1)
The Battalion will be relieved tonight by the 8th East Surreys.
After relief Battalion will be situated in JAKES TRENCH as permanent
garrison. All Companies will be relieved by corresponding Companies
of East Surreys.
(2)
ORDER OF RELIEF. Headquarters - "C" - "A" - "B" - "D" Coys.
(3)
TIME. 10.15 p.m.
(4)
GUIDES. on the scale of 1 per Battalion Hd Qrs, one per Coy H.Q.
and one per Platoon will report direct to Battalion and Company
Headquarters of East Surreys by 9.45 p.m. The road must not be
used during relief and guides must be capable of leading relieving
troops across country.
(5)
TRENCH STORES. All S.A.A, Bivouac Sheets will be handed over and
receipts obtained. All S.O.S. Rockets, Very Lights, Tools and
Petrol tins brought in by the Battalion will be taken out again
and not handed over
(6)
WORK. Working PArties found by 2nd Bedfords will be taken over
by 8th East Surreys from 8 a.m. 14th inst. The following Working
Parties will be taken over at same time and date: - "D" Company
48 O.R's work on M.G. Dug-outs V.22.d.3.8. rendezvous Cross Roads
V.22.c.8.8. "A" Company. 24 O.R's work on M.G.Dug-outs V.22.d.1.4.
rendezvous at work. Details as to shifts will be issued later.
(7)
TRANSPORT. The Transport Officer will dump kits &c as follows
by 10.30 p.m. "A" Company at "A" Coy. Headquarters "B" Company
"C" Company "D" Company Bn.H.Q. at Windmill at V.22.b.25.65. All
trench Kits, Mess Boxes &c will be at Ration Dump by 9.45
pm for collection by Transport Officer. Lewis Guns and Drums will
be carried out.
(8)
Completion of Relief will be reported to Battalion Headquarters
by Runner. sgd. H.C.BROWNING. Capt. & Adjutant 2nd
Bn. Bedfordshire Regiment.
2NF
BN. BEDFORDSHIRE REGT. Operation Order No.25 19.6.18 Reference
map. SENLIS
I.
The Battalion will relieve the 7th Buffs and 1 Platoon of the
7th Queens on the night 20th/21st.
II.
"D" Company, 2nd Bedfords, will relieve "A" & "D" Coys, The
Buffs. "A" Company, 2nd Bedfords, will relieve "C" Company The
Buffs and 1 Platoon 7th Queens.
III.
"D" Company will pass the starting point - the cross-roads at
V.22.c.8.8. - at 10.45 p.m. "A" Coy. at 11.0 p.m. and Battalion
Headquarters at 11.15 p.m. Move by Platoons at 200 yards distance.
Movement will be over land as far as front Company Headquarters,
unless heavy shelling is encountered.
IV.
Guides will meet Companies at the Ration Dump, W.20.a.3.0.
V. Maps, photographs & defence schemes relating to the Sector
will be taken over. 1 copy of Trench Store List issued to Companies
today will be returned to Battalion H.Q. filled in and signed
by 12 noon 21st inst.
VI.
Lieut. Fielden will remain behind to hand over to the incoming
Battalion of the 53rd Brigade all maps, photos, and defence schemes,
together with details of work on hand.
VII.
Details as to Working Parties will be issued later.
VIII.
Completion of relief will be reported by the name of the Company
Commander taking over.
IX.
ACKNOWLEDGE ALL RECIPIENTS OF 2ND BEDFORDS
ORDER
NO.26
Orders
in connection with forthcoming operations are on no account to
be taken beyond Battalion Headquarters in the Line. Those addresses
to O.C. "A" and "D" Companies will be retained by the Adjutant
who will pass on the necessary instructions verbally A.W.G.Smith
2/LIEUTENANT ASST. ADJUTANT for O.C. 2ND BN. BEDFORDSHIRE
REGIMENT 24.6.18
2nd
Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment Order No.26 24th June 1916
With
Reference to 54th Infantry Brigade Order No.163 and accompanying
Maps
1.
The 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment will capture and hold the German
Front Line System from W.21.b.85/25 to W.15.d.8/0.
2.
The Assault will be carried out by "B" Company. "C" Company will
provide Covering Party and Wiring Party. Formations, objectives
and position of covering parties will be as already practised
3.
The 6th QUEENS will attack on the Left of the 2nd Bedfords. O.C.
"B" Company will arrange to keep close liaison with Right Company
6th Queens at W.15.d.65.00, W.15.d.8.0 and W.15.d.9.0.
4.
COMMUNICATIONS Sergeant Hills will make all arrangements in accordance
with Appendix "E". The station near the Aeroplane will be sited
forthwith and emplacement made ready to take the Lamp. Personnel
selected to man forward stations will report to O.C. "C" Company
by 6 p.m. 26th inst. Runner Relay Posts will be established near
the Signal Station at W.21.b.6.5 and W.20.c.9.6.
5.
Communication Trench from W.21.b.8.8. to W.21.b.85.90 will be
dug under arrangements to be made by O.C. "B" Company with any
available men. All wiring and carrying parties will report to
O.C. "B" Coy on completion of their tasks and will be available
for thie work.
6.
DUMPS Road Dumps will be established at W.21.b.6.4., and W.21.b.4.8.
Each Dump will contain: - 50 Coils Concertina Wire 10 Boxes S.A.A.
15 Boxes Grenades No.23. 12 Shovels 4 Picks 10 Tins of Water.
Forward Dumps will be established at W.21.b.80.55., and W.21.b.85.85.
7.
CARRYING PARTY O.C. "C" Company will detail Carrying Party for
the wire. O.C. "A" Company will detail 1 Platoon of not less than
20 O.R. under an Officer to carry forward S.A.A., Grenades, Shovels,
Picks, and Water from Rear to FORWARD Dumps. This Platoon will
be accompanied at ZERO about, W.21.c.4.9., and will start carrying
forward as soon as the enemy Barrage permits.
8.
S.O.S. RELAY POSTS These will be established at the Signal Station
at W.21.b.6.5. (under arrangements to be made by Sgt.Hills)
and at Battalion Headquarters. Each Post will have a supply of:
- 12 "S.O.S." Rockets 24 White Very Lights 24 Green Very Lights
24 Red Very Lights.
9.
DRESS In addition to the two bombs per man all men of sections
detailed to make Bombing Blocks will carry six No.23 Grenades
in Canvas Buckets. Equipment of Wiring and Carrying Parties will
be dumped in position of assemble [sic]
10.
Regimental Aid Post will be established at W.20.c.4.8. all evacuations
to here will be above ground under arrangements to be made by
the M.O.
11.
The Signal for covering parties to withdraw will be a Red and
Green Very Light sent up together from "B" Coys Headquarters
12.
Lewis Gun Officer will arrange as soon as possible to fix the
Mountings for the Guns as detailed in para 19. These must be set
by Compass Bearing, great care being taken that the elevation
and direction are absolutely accurate. They will be checked again
on Z night. Guns will be supplied by "A" Company: Teams will consist
of 2 men each. They will fire for ten minutes (not 15) and will
then rejoin their Company.
13.
Major KEEP will arrange to lay out forming up lines and
direction wires during the Battalions present tour in the line.
All telephone wire on stakes 2 footr from the ground will be used
and will be carried forward to our own wire, through which gaps
must be cut.
14.
2nd Lieut.HAWARD will arrange to push out 5 pairs of Scouts
into NO MAN'S Land as soon as it gets dusk on Z day, accompanied
by 2 Lewis Gunners, with patrol Lewis Guns, to be detailed by
O.C. "A" Company. These Scouts must prevent any enemy patrols
leaving their lines. On commencement of the Smoke Barrage they
will push forward and cut the enemy's wire, if it has not been
previously cut by the Bombardment. After the Assault they will
report to O.C. "B" Company and will be at his disposal for communicating
with his Platoons or with Battalion Headquarters. They will carry
torches, which they will flash backwards to show the front wave
the gaps in the wire.
15.
Each Section of the front wave will carry an expanding metal mat
to assist in crossing wire.
16.
Paras 25 and 26 are cancelled
17.
Headquarters of O.C. Assault Troops will be established at W.21.a.7.2.
they will move forward to W.21.b.78.75. Battalion Headquarters
will remain at W.19.b.7.3. 2nd Lieut.HAWARD will arrange
to establish an advanced Intelligence Post with Visual or Telephone
Communication about W.20.b.8.0.
18.
Sgt.Hills will arrange to hoist the Brigade Red Flag at
W.21.b.6.4. at 2.15 a.m.
19.
Watches will be synchronised at Battalion Headquarters at 6 p.m.
30th inst.
20.
"A" Company will detail 2 N.C.O's and 12 men to form a Prisoners
Collecting Station about W.21.b.5.5. Alabama, Prisoners will be
handed over to this Station, they will be collected and sent down
to Battalion Headquarters. Men of Assault Companies will return
immediately to their Companies after handing over Prisoners.
21.
PASSWORD - "NOTTING" - ANSWER - "HILL"
22.
Acknowledge A.E.Percival Lt.Colonel Commanding 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire
Regiment
RELIEF
ORDERS "A" AND "D" COYS.
ON
NIGHT 25-6-18 You will be relieved tonight by DOSE AAA On relief
"A" Coy. and Battalion Headquarters will be accomodated [sic]
in CARSON TRENCH and "D" Coy. in POSSUM TRENCH AAA All details
of relief will be arranged by O.C. Companies concerned. AAA All
S.O.S. and Red and Green Very Lights will be brought out AAA also
all empty petrol tins AAA Limber to carry these and all Lewis
Guns and Drums will be at Ration Dump from 11.0 p.m. onwards AAA
These will be carried to the new location where rations have previouslt
been dumped AAA Completion of relief will be reported as follows
"A" Company: - The King of Caractacus "D" Company: - Has just
passed along (SIGNED) H.SEYS-PHILLIPS,. CAPTAIN A/ADJUTANT
TO
ALL RECIPIENTS OF 2ND BEDFORDS OPERATION ORDER NO.26 dt 24.6.18
SIGNAL ARRANGEMENTS
Signal
- Pairs of red and green Very Lights sent up in succession Meaning
of Signal - Consolidation completed; all covering Parties withdrawn
By whom sent up - Assault Coy. Commander, 2nd Bedfords By whom
repeated - Assault Coy. Commander, 6th Northamptons. All Light
Signal Stations A.W.G.Smith 2/LIEUT & ASST/ADJUTANT
2nd BATTALION BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT 26.6.18
2nd
Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment ADDENDA AND AMENDMENTS TO ORDER NO.26
1.
Para 6 - DUMPS Add 50 Lewis Gun Drums (filled) in each dump. A
rear dump of 100 full drums will also be made at Battalion Headquarters
W.19.b.7.3. These will be sent up on Transport on night 29th/30th
inst under arrangements to be made by the Quartermaster. Those
for the Forward dumps will be carried forward by "A" Coys special
carrying party. Add also: - 48 Rounds White V.P.A. 24 Rounds Red
V.P.A. 24 Rounds Green V.P.A. PER DUMP These will be sent up under
arrangements similar to the above
2.
Para 10. Amend as under: - Above ground (by night) or via CAREY
TRENCH (by day). (Note: - CAREY TRENCH is being widened for this
purpose)
3.
GAPS IN OUR OWN WIRE Will be cut by "B" Company on Z minus 1 Night
4.
TRENCH LADDERS Are being made by 80th Field Company R.E. and will
be sent up as soon as ready. They will be placed: - 10 in new
trench W.15.d.3.0 - W.21.b.2.6. 5 in new trench W.21.b.2.2. -
W.21.b.2.4. 5 in old front line W.15.d.4.0. - W.21.b.45.60.
5.
BRIDGES Bridges will be placed across the front line where necessary
for right and left columns. These will be placed in position at
Zero by men specially detailed for this work by O.C. "C" Company.
These men will be drawn from the wiring parties and will rejoin
their parties as soon as the bridges are in position.
6.
Para 10. For W.20.c.4.8 read W.20.d.40.65.
7.
Para 14. Is cancelled. 4 Scouts will be attached to O.C. "B" Company
to be used as Intelligence men. They should report to O.C. "B"
Company forthwith and will be accommodated and rationed by him.
The remainder will be at the disposal of 2nd Lieut.HAWARD
at the Advanced Intelligence Station W.20.b.8.0.
8.
Para 15: For "Expanding Metal Mat" read "Wooden Mat". These will
also be carried by the 2nd wave.
9.
RATIONS: 2 days' rations will be issued on the 29th inst. Hot
Tea in food containers will be issued to "B" and "C" Companies
at 5 p.m. 30th inst and will also be issued to all Companies the
following morning. A.E.Percival Lt.Colonel Commanding 2nd
Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment 26.6.1918
ADDENDA
TO 2ND BEDFORDSHIRE REGT. ORDER No.26 MEDICAL ARRANGEMENTS
(a)
Stretcher Bearers of "B" and "C" Companies will accompany their
Coys. and will evacuate as far as the Relay Post at W.21.a.7.2.
(b) Four Bearer Squads under Sergt.Swannell will be established
at W.21.a.7.2. These Squads will take over cases from the Company
Stretcher Bearers and will carry as far as R.A.P. at W.20.d.4.6.
(c) R.A.M.C. will evacuate W. of the R.A.P. The Four Bearer Squads
mentioned in para (b) will be composed as under: - 8 men to be
detailed by 56th Field Ambulance. 4 men to be detailed by "A"
Company. 4 men to be detailed by "D" Company. "A" and "D" Companies
will each detail 2 trained Stretcher Bearers and 2 carriers for
this work. They will report to the Medical Officer at Battalion
Headquarters W.19.b.7.3. at 7.0 p.m. on the 30th inst. The Relay
Post at W.21.a.7.2. will remain in position until recalled by
the Medical Officer - when men detailed by "A" and "D" Companies
will rejoin their Companies. A.W.G.Smith 2nd Lieut.&
Asst.Adjt. 2nd Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment 29-6-18
AND
AMENDMENTS TO 2ND BN.BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT ORDER NO.26 Reference
Map: - SENLIS 1/20,000
1.
ASSEMBLY OF TROOPS ON Z DAY At Zero Hour Troops will be dispersed
as follows: - "B" Company, Right Column: - NEW TRENCH, W.21.b.4.3.
to W.21.b.3.4. Left Column: - Company Headquarters and first wave
- Old Front Line W.15.d.45.00 - W.21.b.5.7. 2nd and 3rd Waves:
- NEW TRENCH W.21.b.3.8. to W.21.b.3.6. "C" Company: - Left Wiring
Party W.21.b.4.3. - W.21.b.6.4. Right Wiring Party Front Line
Trench between the ladder and top of CAREY TRENCH. REPORT CENTRE:
- W.21.b.6.5. "A" Company: - (Less carrying and prisoners collecting
station parties) MELBOURNE TRENCH. "D" Company: - MELBOURNE TRENCH.
Bn.Hd.Qrs: - W.19.b.7.3. Carrying Party (1 Officer and 20 Other
Ranks) TORRENS SUPPORT, about W.21.a.3.0. Prisoners Collecting
Station Party: - Front Line W.21.b.5.6. - W.21.b.5.7. Owing to
the Trenches being under observation from the North, the greatest
care must be taken in moving into position of assembly. The movement
should extend over a considerable period and be carried out in
small parties. Men must be told to expose themselves as little
as possible during the movement and to lie down at bottom of trench
once in position. Signal Station personnel: - W.21.b.60.45. All
troops to be in position by ZERO minus 30 except "C" Coys Right
Wiring Party which will move up at ZERO -10.
2.
DISPOSITIONS FOR Z plus 1 DAY IN THE EVENT OF A SUCCESSFUL ASSAULT:
- "B" Company plus 4 Lewis Guns "C" Company (not exceeding 100
including Coy Hd Qrs) Company Headquarters W.21.b.8.7., Garrison
New Line. "A" Company Old Front Line - immediate counter-attack
for new Front Line. Company Headquarters W.21.b.60.45. "C" Company
(less 4 Lewis Gun Sections) TORRENS SUPPORT. replace "A" Company
if latter move forward and garrison old Front Line. Company Headquarters
W.21.a.3.0. "D" Company MELBOURNE TRENCH: - Battalion Reserve.
The guiding principle of the Defence is: - (1) That the new front
line must be held or, if lost, recaptured by immediate counter-attack.
(2) That there must always be troops available to immediately
garrison the old front line. To enable this to be carried into
effect it is essential that the closest liaison must be maintained
between Company Commanders The Signal Station at W.21.b.60.45
will remain in position. Troops will be disposed as above by 2
a.m. 1st July.
3.
Reference 54th Brigade Order No.163, para 38, amend as under.
Password "JOHNNY" answer "WALKER".
4.
"A" Company Carrying Party will leave their equipment near the
Dumps. They will carry Rifles and Bandoliers. "C" Company Wiring
Parties will leave equipment in TORRENS SUPPORT 5. Lewis Gun Officer
will arrange for two spare Lewis Guns to be at Battalion Headquarters
to replace any damaged in action A.E.Percival Lt.Colonel
Commanding 2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment. 29.6.1918
2nd
Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment O.O.No.27 reference Map: - SENLIS 1/20,000
1.
2nd Bn.Bedfordshire Regiment will relieve 6th Bn.Northamptonshire
Regiment in the Left Sub-Sector of the Brigade Front on night
29th/30th inst.
2.
"B" Company, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt, will relieve "A" Company
6th Bn. Northamptonshire Regt. "C" Company, 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire
Regiment will relieve "C" Company 6th Bn.Northamptonshire Regt.
(Except Strong Point at W.20.b.8.5 which will not be relieved)
"D" Company 2nd Bn. Bedfordshire Regt will be accommodated in
MELBOURNE TRENCH W.13.d.4.5. - W.19.b.8.5. "A" Company 2nd Bn.
Bedfordshire Regt will be accommodated in MELBOURNE TRENCH W.19.b.8.5.
- W.19.b.7.0.
3.
Guides on the scale of one per platoon and one per Company Hd
Qrs will meet "B" and "C" Coys at the Ration Dump W.20.a.2.0.
at 10.45 p.m.
4.
STARTING POINT: - W of WATTLE. Time 10.15 p.m. ORDER OF MARCH.
"B", "C", "D", "A" Battalion Headquarters Move by Platoons at
2 minutes interval.
5.
ROUTE TRACK N. of EATON STREET - CAREY TRENCH. All ingoing Units
will proceed via CAREY TRENCH. All outgoing Units will proceed
above ground.
6.
RATIONS "B" and "C" Coys will carry two days rations in addition
to Iron Rations "A" and "D" Coys and Battalion Hd.Qrs will carry
one days rations. Rations for consumption July 1st for these two
Coys and Hd.Qrs. will be dumped at Battalion Headquarters W.19.b.7.3
on night 29th/30th inst.
7.
WATER. Two days supply of water will be sent up on night 29th/30th
inst.
8.
TRANSPORT. The necessary transport will report to "B" and "C"
Coys at 8.30 p.m. and will carry up: - LEWIS GUNS AND DRUMS WATER
HOT TEA (6 Tins per Company) BOMBS ("B" Company) OFFICERS TRENCH
KIT, ETC. These will be dumped at Ration Dump W.20.a.2.0 and be
picked up by Companies on arrival. Platoon representatives will
be sent forward to prepare dumps. 2nd Lieut.HAWARD will
supervise the Dumps and ensure that they are not too close together.
Transport for Battalion Headquarters, "A" and "D" Coys will report
at V.23.c.7.6. at 10.30 p.m. and will carry up water, one days
rations, hot tea, officers trench kits, etc. These will be dumped
at W.19.b.9.2.
9.
The 6th Bn. Northamptonshire Regt will leave out Lewis Guns at
about W.15.d.5.0, W.21.b.6.7 and W.21.b.5.2. These will not be
taken over but all ranks must be warned of their positions
10.
Battalion Headquarters will be at W.19.b.7.3.
11.
Completion of relief will be reported by wiring the name of the
Company Commander
12.
Acknowledge A.E.Percival Lt.Colonel Commanding 2nd Bn.
Bedfordshire Regiment 29.6.1918
