The Hindenburg Line Campaign 1918 by Adam Rankin

Author:Adam Rankin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Big Sky Publishing

Map 17. Objectives and unit dispositions, 27 September

The 106th attacked with 3/106 on the left, 2/106 in the centre and 1/106 on the right. Their objectives were the Knoll, Gillemont Farm and Quennemont Farm respectively. Two companies of the 105th, K and M, assisted the attack by seizing Crellin Avenue and guarding the left flank. The regimental machine-gun company tasked one platoon of four guns to each battalion, while the 106th and three companies of the 105th Machine Gun Battalion fired a supporting barrage. One company of the 105th Machine Gun Battalion was tasked with left flank support. Four tanks were allocated to each battalion, and one supply tank was tasked for each strongpoint to help the infantry consolidate on the objectives. The 118th Regiment planned an advance on the evening of the 26th to gain as much of the line as possible, and would then advance with the 106th Regiment at zero hour on the 27th.

The creeping barrage would be fired by nine artillery brigades on a 3000-yard front and advance at a rate of 100 yards in three minutes. The battalions were expected to be on the objective line in 36 minutes, while a protective barrage fired 400 yards east of the objective. The barrage would be extended by III Corps, and the 12th Division would support the left flank of attack with machine-gun and trench mortar fire. No deliberate attack was to be made, but the 12th Division would advance its line by patrolling to prepare for the main assault. The barrage would not extend into the 30th Division’s sector. Contact patrols were scheduled to fly over the objective lines to determine the front-line trace.

The 106th Regiment reported 41 officers and 2037 men available for duty on 26 September, with average battalion sizes of nine officers and 496 men for the 106th. The 3/105 had 19 officers and 744 men. Exact figures for the 118th Regiment are not available, but its reported strength on 31 August was 3553 all ranks, with no major periods of fighting taking place until the unit reached the line on September 24.

THE ATTACK AND NEW PLANS

At 9.30 pm on 26 September the Allies opened the preliminary bombardment with their first use of mustard gas against the Germans. Under cover of the gas and a 10-minute barrage, 1/118 on the left and 3/118 on the right advanced their lines an average of 500 yards on a front of 1200 yards. On the right, 3/118 was on its objectives. This meant that, except on the boundary with the 27th Division, the 30th Division was on the Brown Line. D Company of 1/118 would attack with the 106th to gain the remaining frontage.

The morning of 27 September broke with ground haze and fog. Ninety-six machine-guns and nine brigades of artillery fired promptly at 5.30 am, and the 106th stepped off on a 3500-yard front. The leading waves were able to stay with the barrage, but sustained heavy casualties from machine-gun fire. On the left of 3/106, K and M companies of 3/105 moved up from Zebra Post and assumed their attack positions.

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