Letters From the Trenches: A Soldier of the Great War (15 page)
Read Letters From the Trenches: A Soldier of the Great War Online
Authors: Bill Lamin
Tags: #World War I, #Autobiography, #Personal Memoirs
The Piave was very different from rivers the British soldiers would have known or seen before. Once the body of water reached the Venetian Plain, where it turns eastwards through 90 degrees to
head for the Adriatic, the river split into many small channels and broadened to a width of several hundred yards. This had a considerable effect on the positions of the opposing armies. In
Flanders, the enemy lines were directly ahead, within easy range of a rifle shot, and sometimes only tens of yards away. Here, the river provided a secure boundary that pushed the enemy away to a
relatively remote distance. As a result, defensive arrangements differed radically from those on the Western Front. Any patrolling, the placing of wire entanglements, the siting of gun lines, even
trench design, all needed to be modified to suit new conditions.
In 1918 the river was a much more impressive feature than is the case today. The channels were much deeper then, and there was a greater head of water. Irrigation, industry and modern demands
for water have reduced the amount of water reaching the plain.
By 12 November the Italian Army had successfully halted the rapid advance of the Austro-Hungarians in fighting which, as part of the Battle of Caporetto, is often known as the First Battle of
the Piave. (It is possible, however, that the Austro-Hungarians had set the Piave as an objective, and had decided to halt the offensive there before their lines of communication became dangerously
stretched.) The arrival of British and French reinforcements, all tried and tested on the Western Front, effectively locked the opposing forces into these positions.
This section of Harry’s war is difficult to describe, for by early December the Italian theatre of war was quite static on the Piave. The war diary account shows, however, that it was not
without its dangers:
3rd
[December]
The 70th Brigade
[which included the 9th York and Lancasters]
relieved the 136th Regt of the 70th Italian Division in the left sub-section.
(MONTELLO SECTOR). The Battalion moved off at 9.45 A.M. and marched to CIANO where it relieved the 1st Battalion 136th Italian Regt; and became support Battalion. After one hours marching the
Battn halted and dinners and teas were served in a field. Sports were held in the afternoon. The march was resumed about 4.0 P.M. to CIANO. Relief complete about 8.0 P.M.
(This day’s account seems almost bizarre. The battalion is to march to the front line but, on the way, stops for a picnic and sports. Presumably there was a good reason,
but the military mind has not always been easy to understand.)
4th, 5th, 6th
[December]
Battalion in Support in CIANO.
7th ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘D’ Coys and Battalion
[HQ?]
moved to new billets. 8th, 9th 10th Battalion in support. Whilst in support
Companies worked on defences, and improved sanitary conditions etc. and made hurdles
[rectangular sections of fencing made by interweaving flexible branches on a wooden frame; used to shore
up trenches, or possibly as screens against enemy sniper fire].
11th Battalion should have been relieved by the 8th York & Lancasters, but owing to continuous shelling of our front during the day and the change in the weather, the
Brigade Commander cancelled relief. Warning Order received in the early hours to the effect that Austrians were massing, the Battn ‘stood to’. Casualties: 6 O.R.’s
wounded.
12th Battalion relieved the 8th K.O.Y.L.I. and became the Left front line Battalion of the Left Brigade. Relief complete at 7.30 P.M. Dispositions were as follows;- A
Company Left Front Company. ‘D’ Company, Centre Front Company. ‘B’ Company Right Front Company. ‘C’ Company
[Harry’s]
Support Company. Courts
Martial Promulgated on: No. 16968 Sgt McGowan J, and No. 16210 Sgt Boyes J W.
13th–19th Battalion in new dispositions. Draft of 98 O.R.s joined at transport lines on 14th inst. 2nd Lt Park M.C. and 2nd Lt Lewis joined on the 14th inst. Whilst
in the line, the defence scheme was prepared. Line patrols were out nightly along the PIAVE river bed. Brigade was relieved by 68th Brigade
[also of 23rd division].
Two weeks in, or close to, the front line is quite a lengthy tour. Almost certainly, the conditions were better than at Ypres, and the men were well rested and, for the main
part, were in support of the front-line units. A considerable part of the battalion’s efforts was directed towards stabilizing and improving the trench environment, bringing it to an
acceptable standard for these experienced soldiers.
Yet there was some significant action, with shelling and a potential attack, the battalion suffering some casualties. The Piave front may well have been different to Flanders, but it was still a
dangerous place to be. On the plains, where the battalion is at this time, the weather would be reasonably good, although the mountains a few miles to the north would be snow-capped by
mid-December.
As normal, once out of the line, all equipment is to be cleaned and checked.
20th
[December]
In billets at MONTEBELLUNA.
Rifle, Bayonet, SAA, Clothing, equipment, box respirators, P.H. Helmet, iron rations
[tinned, dried or non-perishable rations issued to soldiers for use when cut off
from regular supplies]
and Field dressings inspections. C.O. inspected N.C.O’s of battalions
under C. S.’s M.
[company sergeant-majors; the war diary is here referring
to them as ‘company sergeants-major’]
. Specialists
trained under their own officers.
Christmas Day, spent at montebelluna, brought a few comforts, spiritual and regimental as well as personal.
December 25th Church Service in the morning.
First Round (Match ‘B’ of the Brigade Football Competition was played between:–
9th Y & L & Brigade Head Quarters and 70th Light Trench Mortar Battery. Kick off 10.30 A.M. Result 9th Y & L, 7 goals. Brigade Head Quarters etc. 1.
The men had their Christmas dinner in their billets which consisted of roast pork, Christmas pudding, fruit and wine.
The Battalion had a concert in the Medical School in MONTEBELLUNA in the evening.
The embroidered Christmas card Harry received from his wife, Ethel, shown above, is a wonder. it somehow survived and came home safely with him.
The regiment itself even provided Christmas cards for the officers and men to send home. The one shown above is in very good condition and is probably the card Harry sent to Jack, mentioned in
his letter of 30 December. By Boxing Day, however, the battalion was back at work, as assiduously recorded in the war diary:
26th
[December]
Battalion training as follows, Close Order Drill, Saluting Drill, Extended Order Drill. Guard Duties and Lectures. The Following Classes assembled
at the Brigade School:- Signalling Class 10 O.R’s. Lewis Gun Class N.C.O. and six men. General Class 20 untrained men
[from the draft of 13 December].
In the evening hostile
aeroplanes bombed MONTEBELLUNA but caused no casualties in the Battalion.
I still find it hard to believe that drill and saluting should form such an important part of training when these men may at any time be involved in dangerous activities in the
front line. The football is looking promising, however. That does seem at least a reasonable activity for the men as a diversion from the deadly serious business of war.
28th
[December]
– All Companies range practices. Revolver practice for all officers. Specialists under their own officers.
‘C’ Match of the 2nd round of the Brigade Football Competition was played between:–
9th Y & L v 70th Machine Gun Coy Kick off 2.30 P.M.
Result 9th Y & L three goals – 70th Machine Gun Coy one goal.
On the 30th, Harry was able to write two very optimistic letters home. Already, we can sense that the Italian experience is infinitely preferable to what he had undergone on
the Western Front. Food parcels are, as always, an important topic in his letters.
30/12/1917
32507 9th Batt York and Lancs, C Company,
12 platoon L. G. section, BEF Italy
Dear Jack
I have received a letter from you and a box of biscuits all right. I got them on Christmas morning and you can bet how pleased I was. I have also had a letter from Kate she
said she was having a holiday this Christmas the first for seven years. I hope she enjoys herself. I’m sorry to hear that Mr. Thomas’s son as got killed what date did it happen. I
have had a letter from Mrs. Higgins I shall write back as soon as possible. Ethel says Connie has not been very well lately but I hope she gets on alright. I am pleased to here you are getting on
all right and very happy. I hope you enjoyed yourself this Christmas. They all seem to be well again at home except Connie and I think she will be alright. Glad you liked the
[Christmas]
card I sent you. I thought it would suit alright. It is very cold out here at night but it is alright at daytime. Write back as soon as you can and let me know how you are getting on.
With best love from
Harry
He manages not to write quite the same things in his letter to Kate, although food parcels again figure, as does his anxiety about Connie’s health. Presumably Kate, as
Connie’s natural mother, would have kept a very close, if discreet, watch over her daughter.
December 30 1917
32507 9th Batt York and Lancs, C Company
12 platoon L. G. section, BEF Italy
Dear Kate
I have received a letter from you and was very pleased, it is such a long time since I had one. I have not received the parcel yet and I hope it will come I am ready for
it I think parcels will reach us all right after Christmas. It is very cold at night but in the daytime it is alright. I hope you got home for Christmas and found them well and enjoyed your
holiday. Did you get the card I sent you. I have had a letter from Jack he’s getting on alright, I am pleased to hear it. I hope Connie is better when you receive this letter. Let me know
how Willie is if you happen to get home. Has Annie been to see Jack since he got married. Ethel said she was very likely going after Christmas. Glad you are getting on alright at Leeds but I
did not expect you would like it the same as London. I hope you have had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Write back as soon as possible and let me know how you are all going on.
With love from Harry
The new year finds the battalion still drilling:
2nd
[January]
Montebelluna. Physical Drill. Saluting Drill. Box Respirator Drill and musketry. The working parties supplied were: 1 officer, 25 men for D.G.O.
Montebelluna. 1 officer and 30 men at MONTEBELLUNA station unloading flax. 1 N.C.O. and 20 men under O.C. Sanitary Section, MONTEBELLUNA. Loading party of 1 sergeant and 10 O.R. to report to
128 Fld Co Corps R.E. Dump
[i.e. to a Field Company of the Royal Engineers at the ammunition dump for the entire corps]
. The Armourer Sergeant inspected rifles of Companies. Bgde
Football Championship Final. 8th Y & L v 9th Y & L.
Result 9th 2 8th 0
Baths. Lecture by G.S.O.
[i.e. a general staff officer]
of the Division, in Bgde Recreation Room BIADENE. All Platoon Comders. attended. Identification Cards
issued to all officers.
More saluting . . . It just seems so good that Harry’s battalion has won the football final. It must have been a morale booster for the men (although Harry never mentions
football in his letters). I am not sure of the military function, if any, of the flax that was unloaded; the working party may have been detailed to empty a train so that it could be used for a
military purpose.
The war diary entry for the following week confirms that the Piave here followed several channels:
