Delville Wood

by Ian Uys

  “The Light Trench Mortar Battery personnel — approximately 3 officers and 75 other ranks — who were in Montauban, were sent forward at 2.30 pm under the command of Lieut Phillips, who, on his arrival at Longueval reported to Lieut-Col Dawson.

  “A message from Lieut-Col Thackeray, timed 1.50 pm read: ‘Over three hours’ intense bombardment of trenches on north-west, northern and eastern sides. We have suffered terribly. Many have no garrison left; in others the few left have been forced to retire. Such men as are falling back I am detaining in support trench, Buchanan Street, and will endeavour to hold that line.’

  “Battle stops had been placed around the southern end of Longueval.

  “On reaching Lieut-Col Thackeray, who was holding Buchanan Street and a portion of Princes Street, Lieut-Col Dawson found many wounded officers in the trench. It had not been possible to remove them, as all the stretcher-bearers of the 3rd SAI were casualties, and Lieut-Col Thackeray could not spare any of his men to act as stretcher-bearers.

  “Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson accordingly returned and detailed men to go forward to bring out the wounded.

  “At the same time he sent Lieut Phillips with about 100 men — as many as there was room for in the trench — to reinforce Lieut-Col Thackeray.”

  “At 6.05 pm orders were received that the 26th Brigade would relieve the South African Brigade that night. This relief was partially carried out about midnight, portions of the two companies of the 1st SAI and two companies of the 4th SAI in the trenches in the southeast corner of Longueval being relieved.

  “Throughout that night — 18/19th — the enemy made three counter-attacks against the Buchanan Street trench, but with the aid of the reinforcements sent to him Lieut-Col Thackeray repulsed these with heavy losses to the enemy.

  “In these attacks against Lieut-Col Thackeray the enemy pushed forward bombers and snipers and then attacked in mass formation from the north, north-east and west.

  “The enemy now occupied the whole of the wood with the exception of the south-west corner.

  “A company of the Camerons, which had been on Lieut-Col Thackeray’s left, had been withdrawn, and through the gap thus made the enemy came in. In the last counter-attack on the night of the 18/19th Lieut-Col Thackeray was attacked from both sides.”

  *

  The arrival of Sec-Lieut Edward Phillips and his reinforcements was the turning point of the battle. Without them the wood would probably have fallen.

  Edward James Phillips, 33, was born at Queenstown, Cape. He acted as a merchant when not doing military service which included the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers, Driscoll’s Scouts and the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles. He was 5 ft 11 ins tall, blond with blue eyes and a fresh complexion. His wife, Alice and two children, aged 10 and 11, lived at Cape Town during his absence overseas.

  Phillips brought his reinforcements up through an intense barrage at a critical time in the fighting. He led them to the northern portions of Longueval and Delville Wood, closest to the enemy, thereby enabling exhausted troops to be relieved.

  Phillips was severely wounded in the shoulder during the night fighting, however remained at his post and was conspicuous in leading out bombing attacks to meet the enemy’s assaults. He single-handedly accounted for seven Germans with his rifle and five with bombs, making 12 in all.

  He completely organised his defence and personally led up further reinforcements, which he also posted. Phillips showed great coolness and devotion to duty for the remainder of his time in Delville Wood.

  *

  Gordon Forbes was one of the TMB men sent to fight in Delville Wood. “Fairly easy day until 4 pm. Trench mortar battery converted into a company of infantry and proceeded to wood beyond Longueval to assist SA Brigade. Advanced in extended order under heavy artillery fire. Poor old Glazier dropped. Met Edwards coming down wounded. Told me Pringle wounded and Little dead. Took up positions in front line and kept a sharp look-out all night. Germans attacked but were driven off.”

  *

  Captain Patterson was to lose most of his company in the bombardment.

  “The enemy made a bombing attack on the wood early this morning but were repulsed, our guns doing good work. The enemy then heavily bombarded the wood the whole morning and attacked in the afternoon. Most of our guns were knocked out and the teams wiped out, none of the four officers in the wood returning.

  “I collected one gun and some stragglers which I made into a team and attached to an officer of the trench mortar battery (Lieut Phillips) who was going up to the wood with the men of his battery to reinforce. Spent some time questioning stragglers to try and find out situation and if possible the fate of any guns.

  “Returned to Bn HQ to report. On return found that this company had been attached to the 26th Brigade. Went round and reported to 26th Brigade and explained situation as far as I was concerned.”

  *

  The SAMC private continued carrying stretchers until his bearer party was blown up. His letter continued.

  “It was about 2 am by now and I was sent up to the village to see if I could be of any help. As I was nearing Longueval I saw a walking patient coming down, and when about 20 yards from me a shell burst almost next to him.

  “Seeing him fall I ran up and found that his left foot had been taken clean off, so I tied up the artery, and as there was nobody in sight to give me a hand I managed to get him on my back (pick-a-back) and started carrying him to the Scottish regimental aid post, which was about a hundred yards away.

  “I had not gone more than ten yards when a big shell burst under me, and I was picked up and flung about ten feet away into a shell-crater, landing on the side of my head. I just remember coming round again and starting to climb out, when I heard a terrific explosion, and the earth seemed to hit me in the face.

  “When I came round again I had a splitting headache, and was bleeding from my nose, ear and mouth. The second shell had completely buried me, but luckily some Camerons saw me getting up, and they dug me out as quickly as possible.

  “At first I thought part of my head had been blown off, but I found that everything was all right, with the exception of my one ear, which was quite deaf.

  “On remembering my patient, we went to look for him, but found him smashed to pieces. He was one of the … Regiment, but I do not know what his name was. They then helped me down to the wood, and as I was feeling pretty bad I was sent to hospital at Rouen the following day.”

  *

  Despite the shelling Capt Lawrie and the Field Ambulance remained at Longueval. Padre Eustace Hill was with them. The records of the Field Ambulance attested to his bravery.

  “On the 18th it was again decided to shell Longueval, in which Capt Lawrie had established a regimental aid post. It was found to be quite impossible to move all the stretcher cases, so he decided to remain behind in his station.

  “The aid post was in a building, and as the Germans were counter-attacking and our troops going out, the windows and doors were barricaded with mattresses, furniture and anything that might stop a bullet.

  “The bombardment was opened by both British and German guns, and for about nine hours a hurricane of shells was poured into the village. By nothing short of a miracle the regimental aid post was practically the only place that did not get a direct hit.

  “During the night, dressing of the wounded was carried out under great difficulty, as only a small electric torch or candle could be used. Captain the Rev E Hill, who had also remained to help, managed to keep up a constant supply of tea and coffee, apparently from supernatural sources.

  “On the morning of the 19th a counter-attack was driven well home, and Capt Lawrie’s party was thus saved from capture.”

  *

  Lieut-Col Dawson did everything he could to support Thackeray in the wood. The regiment’s diary records:

  “Hostile shelling on Delville Wood and Longueval very heavy. At about 8 am orders were received to send 50 men to reinforce C and D Coys of 1st SAI in the St
rand. This was carried out. Shortly after noon three men of the party returned and said they had orders to retire, there being only about 12 men left of the original 50. This report was forwarded to Brigade HQ, also others, to the effect that the two companies of this regiment had suffered very severely — principally from shell fire, and had given ground.

  “At 3.30 pm Lieut-Col Dawson received orders to take up all the men of the 1st and 4th SAI that were available to the Strand and northern boundary of the wood to reinforce the two Coys under Major Burges.

  “These orders were followed at a very short interval by others, brought by Lieut Roseby that on his arrival at Delville Wood officers’ patrols were to be sent out to ascertain the situation. The numbers available were about 80 men of A and B Coys 1st SAI and a similar number of the 4th SAI. The hostile barrage was at that time exceedingly heavy and it seemed very doubtful if it could be traversed without heavy loss. At 4.10 pm the party went out.

  “Officers had in the meantime come in from the northern and north-eastern boundaries of the wood, who reported that the troops had been practically annihilated by the artillery fire and there were none left to hold the wood. The members of the 1st and 4th SAI were put by Col Dawson in the old German front line trenches south-west of the village, while it was ascertained where our front troops were.

  “Men of all units were at this time streaming out of the village disorganised and without officers and it was reported that the enemy had occupied the village. As, however, it was ascertained that the 3rd SAI were still holding their support trenches in Buchanan St, Col Dawson took the men into the town and put them into the trenches at K which were held very lightly or not at all, those on the left being strongly held by the 26th Bde.

  “Germans were at this time seen in the wood about 200 yards east-north-east of the church. At about 9 pm a report was received from Major Hunt commanding the remnant of the 4th SAI, that he was in touch with the 3rd SAI. About the same time Sgt Vincent, 1st SAI, brought a message from the OC 3rd SAI (Col Thackeray) to the effect that his left was in the air and reinforcements were urgently needed to connect with the next unit on the left.

  “Bombs and ammunition were urgently needed also. Immediately on receipt of this Col Dawson despatched the light trench mortar detachment and some detail under Lieut Phillips, over 100 in number, to the OC 3rd SAI. Some 25 men of the 4th SAI were sent shortly afterwards.

  “At about 11 pm Col Dawson went to the HQ of 3rd SAI and found it full of wounded officers, there being no 3rd SAI stretcher-bearers left. It not being possible to obtain other stretcher-bearers, some 16 men of the 1st SAI were told off for this duty. These were taken round by Capt S W E Style who was wounded in the throat while taking the wounded out. This officer had taken over the duties of adjutant when Capt Priday was wounded.

  (The acting adjutant, Lieut Sydney Style, heard that a number of wounded had been lying for 24 hours in the trench occupied by the 3rd SAI. Under great difficulties he found some stretcher-bearers and led them through the wood. While helping to bring out the wounded, Style was himself severely wounded in the throat.)

  “While this was going on a message arrived from Bde HQ to the effect that all regiments of the SA Bde were to be relieved by the 26th Bde and that the SA Bde were to return to the Talus Boise.

  “No regiment coming to relieve the SA regiments after the DLI (Durham Light Infantry) having arrived in the town, Col Dawson went to see Col Gordon of the Gordons who was responsible for the disposal of troops and suggested that this regiment should relieve the 3rd SAI in the wood. Col Gordon agreeable went with Col Dawson to the CO of the DLI, giving him orders in the presence of Col Dawson to take his regiment to relieve the 3rd SAI. The leading company marched off for this purpose with Lieut Phillips as guide. The trenches where the 1st SAI were, were by now very congested. Col Dawson asked Col Gordon if he might withdraw his men and Col Gordon acquiesced.

  “They were never in the slightest degree demoralised or shaken and when returning to Longueval on the afternoon of the 18th under artillery fire which appeared impassable, their one desire was to get to close quarters with the enemy. It would be impossible to find better troops.”

  *

  Captain Robert Taylor, the regiment’s medical officer, worked devotedly at the Longueval dressing-station. He attended to the evacuation of the wounded, the whole time under exceptionally heavy shell fire and was later commended for this and recommended for the MC.

  Privates George Thomas Baker and George Thomas acted as runners between the battalion and brigade HQ. They repeatedly went through zones swept by shell fire and exhibited great eagerness in keeping up communications. Baker was eventually wounded.

  *

  Private Albert Johannes Loubser, 33, farmed near Sir Lowry’s Pass and had left his wife, Elizabeth, and six children behind. Loubser stood 6 ft 2 ins and weighed 216 lbs, with a swarthy complexion and a tattoo on his left arm.

  Between the 16th and 18th he carried out the arduous duties of stretcher-bearer under severe artillery and machine-gun fire. During a heavy shrapnel barrage his officers witnessed him carrying two wounded men from Longueval to the ambulance station in Bernafay Wood.

  Loubser’s strength and bravery was recalled 50 years later by one of the men in his company. “We had a stretcher-bearer by the name of Loubser. He was a big man, over 6 ft. This man was bringing out six wounded at a time — carrying one under each arm … on his back … hanging on to him. He was about the strongest man I ever met in my life. He was a terrific chap. A big Afrikaner but, my God! was he a man.

  “When we were relieving, the Jerries put a shell in there and wounded a lot. Loubser ran in there where one of the Jocks was lying with his brains on the ground. Loubser put the brains back into his head and bandaged him up and took him out — and that man lived. Although he wasn’t right after that — he lived! He was a very brave man this Loubser.”

  *

  One of Mannie Faulds’ friends reported his continuing courage: “… the Germans were making the place a hell with their big guns, and a wee man of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers got knocked out through a piece of shell hitting him in the spine.

  “No sooner had he dropped than out jumped Mannie into the hail of shell, put him on his back and carried the lad 800 yards to the dressing-station …”

  This act was performed in full view of a detachment of stretcher-bearers who regarded it as certain death to venture out of the trench as the barrage in that area was extremely severe at the time.

  *

  When the company was relieved that night Sgt Stan Griffiths found himself in company with Lieut Fred English, who was also miraculously unscathed.

  *

  The bombardment tore the woods to pieces, shattering trees and gouging large holes in the earth. In the midst of the inferno Cyril Barnes was to have a humbling experience.

  “The fellow right next to me and the one on the other side were killed and I was left. It was just as if it was your number on the shell. The fellow in charge of my section, Joe Hall, was next to me after this fellow was killed.

  “We had to keep a lookout in front. There were supposed to be two or three guards and I was doing six hours. I said, ‘Why not ask Heathcote to keep watch?’ because he was sitting on the side of the trench with his back to the German lines, sleeping. Joe said, ‘He’s dead!’”

  *

  Corporal Doitsh was woken by the barrage at 5 am and noted that nothing but stumps remained where huge trees had stood at 3 am.

  “The onslaught was hell let loose. Every mother’s son of us was worked up to a fever pitch awaiting the attack. We knew and fully expected what was coming, but did not anticipate that the attack would begin as early as it did.

  “I was cleaning the mud from my rifle, and was in the act of polishing my bayonet, when a Jack Johnson bursting by the side of the parapet caught me in the foot, all but severing this member from my body. The boot was blown clean off. The situation was so bad that my comra
des dared not venture to my aid.

  “I shouted for a stretcher-bearer, but the only one left there had just been hit. I implored one of the men to get me some bandages, but search as he would, the medical haversack could not be found. It was in another trench. All I had was the small field dressing carried by every soldier.

  “I was badly bleeding, and the small dressing had no effect in stopping it. I removed the puttee from the other leg, and managed to tie the battered foot, which was only hanging on by the skin, to my leg to keep it on.

  “Two of my comrades took me a few yards to one of the dug-outs that were constructed by the Germans before we took the wood from them, and there found a lieutenant and sergeant of my regiment, and six others that had all been wounded at about the same time.

  “One man suffering from shell-shock fell down the dug-out on top of us. Poor fellow! he was bad. These high-explosive shells are more than a human being can stand.

  “We tried to make ourselves comfortable, but the din and roar about us made us all feel far from pleased with our lot. The bursting shells hit the top of our dug-out, and I had my doubts about it holding out. But for huge piles of earth being blown in upon us, the dug-out mastered the tempest without.

  “The CO of my company came to us and said he would go and try to get stretchers for us all, but while engaged on this errand a shell killed him.

  “We waited for hours, when one of the men came into the dug-out and imparted the cheery information to us that the enemy were in the wood. Upon hearing this, the lieutenant said, ‘I am not going to be made a prisoner.’ We all echoed his sentiments, and were not going to fall out on the point, either. So they struggled the best way they could.

  “I found myself unable to escape, and the lieutenant said to me, ‘Make the best of a bad job if you cannot get away.’ The prospects of falling a prisoner were not at all pleasant. There was I alone in the wood, for when I put my head out, with tremendous effort, I found that the boys had had orders to fall back and strengthen another company in the interior of the wood.