On 15 September 1916, one hundred years ago, the Allies' Fourth Army went 'over the top' with the goal of capturing the French towns of Flers and Courcelette - and with one notable addition aiding their collective task: tanks. A total of 49 tanks were expected to enter the fray after having been moved to the front over the previous 4 days to support the advance of British troops, and the newly formed Canadian and New Zealand corps.
Despite their crews' best efforts, for numerous reasons (mainly mechanical failure), only 15 tanks actually made it to the front to join the soldiers in their morning attack, which was preceded by the usual artillery bombardment. Nonetheless, led by the tanks, the Allies crossed No Man's Land and indeed captured the two towns, as well as Martinpuich and the much sought-after High Wood.
The Somme Offensive had not gone well for General Haig since its launch on 01 July. But, prior to the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, which was the first major offensive since the launch of the Somme, the Australians had captured the town of Pozieres, a truly bitter and bloody two week fight, ending successfully with a strategic and extremely beneficial view atop the plateau of the German bastion stationed at Thiepval.
In brief, the three divisions of the XV corps (14th, 41st and New Zealand Divisions) reached most of their objectives, with the 41st given the job of capturing Flers, which was indeed captured early in the day. The 15th Division captured Martinpuich, and both the 50th and 15th Divisions cleared High Wood, while the Canadian Corps captured Courcelette. However, forming the right flank, the 56th soon bogged down and the 6th Division - tasked to overcome a strong German position known as the Quadrilateral - met heavy resistance and made little progress on the first day.
There are certainly many hundreds, if not thousands, of heroic stories to be told, as the week-long Battle of Flers-Courcelette lasted until 22 Sept, with the Allies suffering many casualties along the 8-mile front and the Germans having already stopped their advance on 17 Sept.
Here are three stories of valour and courage under fire.
Sergeant Donald Brown was the first member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force to be awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry. His citation in full reads: "For most conspicuous bravery and determination in attack (south-east of High Wood, France, on September 15, 1916), when the company to which he belonged had suffered very heavy casualties in officers and men from machine gun fire.
At great personal risk this N.C.O.advanced with a comrade and succeeded in reaching a point within 30 yds. of the enemy guns. Four of the gun crew were killed and the gun captured. The advance of the company was continued until it was again held up by machine gun fire. Again Serjt. Brown and his comrade, with great gallantry, rushed the gun and killed the crew.
After this second position had been won, the company came under very heavy shell fire, and the utter contempt for danger and coolness under fire of this N.C.O. did much to keep up the spirit of his men. On a subsequent occasion in attack, Serjt. Brown showed most conspicuous gallantry. He attacked, single handed, a machine gun which was holding up the attack, killed the gun crew, and captured the gun.
Later, whilst sniping the retreating enemy, this very gallant soldier was killed." Brown died later on 01 Oct during the Battle of Le Transloy. No one seems to know, however, what happened to his comrade during the aforementioned action of 15 September.
Serving with the Canadian Corps, Private John Chipman Kerr earned his Victoria Cross a few miles away at Courcelette the next day after leading a charge. He survived #WW1 and went on to serve as an airman in #WW2. (Kerr Peak in the Rockies is named after him.) Although wounded during his action on 16 Sept, Kerr continued forward and compelled 62 of the enemy to surrender.
His citation reads: “For most conspicuous bravery. During a bombing attack he was acting as bayonet man, and, knowing that bombs were running short, he ran along the parados under heavy fire until he was in close contact with the enemy, when he opened fire on them at point-blank range, and inflicted heavy loss.
The enemy, thinking they were surrounded, surrendered. Sixty-two prisoners were taken and 250 yards of enemy trench captured.
Before carrying out this very plucky act one of Private Kerr’s fingers had been blown off by a bomb.
Later, with two other men, he escorted back the prisoners under fire, and then returned to report himself for duty before having his wound dressed.”
Another Canadian, Lionel (Leo) Beaumaurice Clarke, who a year before his death was given permission to be transferred to the 2nd (Eastern Ontario Regiment) Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, to be with his brother, Charles, received his Victoria Cross a few weeks earlier, prior to the main attack, having to clear and capture a 50-yard-long salient between the Canadian position at Mouquet Farm and Courcelette to the north.
His citation states: "For most conspicuous bravery. He was detailed with his section of bombers to clear the continuation of a newly-captured trench and cover the construction of a "block." After most of his party had become casualties, he was building a block when about twenty of the enemy with two officers counter-attacked. He boldly advanced against them, emptied his revolver into them and afterwards two enemy rifles which he picked up in the trench. One of the officers then attacked him with the bayonet, wounding him in the leg, but he shot him dead. The enemy then ran away, pursued by Acting Corporal Clarke, who shot four more and captured a fifth.
While attacking again the next month, Clarke was in a trench when a shell exploded and it caved in, burying him. His brother dug him out, but Clarke was paralyzed; the weight of the earth had crushed his back and injured his spine. Clarke was taken to No. 1 General Hospital, and died on 19 October.
Not all Victoria Cross recipients serving on the Western Front were soldiers, some were pipers, stretcher bearers and chaplains, as well as airmen and sailors aiding their efforts throughout the war. Of the 60 million men mobilised from European nations on both sides, 8 million died, 7 million more suffered permanent disabilities and another 15 million were seriously injured. Lest we forget.
No comments:
Post a Comment