Letters From the Trenches: A Soldier of the Great War (18 page)
Read Letters From the Trenches: A Soldier of the Great War Online
Authors: Bill Lamin
Tags: #World War I, #Autobiography, #Personal Memoirs
During the time on the Piave, the 9th York and Lancasters had been in the front line or in support for a total of around twenty-five days. Four days had been spent marching to Mount Grappa and
back. Much of the rest of the time was spent in training, with a significant proportion of that directed towards ‘hill fighting’. The battalion had prepared well for its next
location.
CHAPTER 9
ASIAGO – SPRING AND SUMMER 1918
S
O THE MEN OF THE
battalion marched away from the Piave front, heading west, the same direction they had taken a month earlier on the march to Mount
Grappa. This time they kept going, moving to a different terrain and climate. After two days’ marching across the Venetian Plain, motorized transport took them away from the flat country up
into the mountains, on to the Asiago Plateau. The weather in the mountains was extremely cold, wet and snowy, although in a month or so it would certainly change for the better. The war diary entry
recording the move shows that the battalion was in good physical condition, and with good morale:
15th to 16th
[March]
battalion moved by march route to CASTELFRANCO on 15th inst & proceeded to BOLZANO the following day. The second day’s march was
long & tedious but no man fell out on either day.
We can see from Harry’s letter below that they marched 25 miles (40km) in two days. One of the ‘interior economy’ (see
Glossary
) sessions must have determined
that Harry was due for a new pair of boots, hardly ideal for a long march, as military boots take a good deal of breaking in. During the halt at Castelfranco at the end of the first day’s
march the men must have had some time to visit local shops, as Harry was able to buy a postcard, which he sent to Jack with a letter after the next day’s march had ended. Castelfranco is a
small town even today, and it must therefore have been quite an event to have several hundred British soldiers arrive for the night. (Then again, perhaps it was a standard stopping-off point for
troops on the move, in which case the locals would have sorted out how to maximize profits from the ‘visitors’.) Harry’s letter two days later is long and, given the likelihood of
it being censored, relatively informative.
March 17th/1918
32507/9 Batt York and Lanc Regt., C. Company,
12 Platoon L.G.S., I.E.F
Dear Jack
I was pleased to receive your letter and tin of salmon. It is now Sunday night and it as been very hot we have had church parade this afternoon as we where all busy this
morning cleaning up. We have just finished two days march, just over forty kilos so we had a good march and I had a pair of new boots so I went through it but I stuck it. I think we shall stay
here a bit now, but we might get to a different part of the line. We had a grand place for scenery when last we were in the line, well the support line we were on Mountbello
[Montebello?]
Hills I think that is what they call them. The mountains on one side and we could see right over the venetian plains for miles all fine country it was these plains what the Germans wanted
when they made their advance. the Italians releived us when we were in the line they do seem a windy lot as soon as they got in the Austrians started to shell a bit, they all get in dug outs
and they would not move. I don’t know how they would go on up Ypres. The country is alright but I don’t think much to the people a lot of the Italian soldier can speak English as
they come from New York or some part of the States. If you see a small book any time which would help me with the Italian Language I should be very pleased if you would send it. I am glad you
are both keeping well and I hope they are going on alright at home. I think it will be hot here in summer as some parts of the day now it is awful. We are having a quite time here, well it is a
picnic against France. We cant grumble at the rations we are getting out here but of course it is the same thing over and over again. they are sending them on leave from Italy but I dont expect
I shall get one for another three or four months yet time for the war to finish by then. I get your papers regular now and I noticed the piece you marked out in the guardian
[newspaper]
.
I am sending you a view, I have been to this place a time or two. Write back as soon as possible and let me know how you are getting on.
With best Love to you both
Harry
Below is the ‘view’ that Harry sent to Jack. It would appear that a battalion censor has done some work on the name of the place, scoring through the printed words,
although it is possible that Harry did it in a half-hearted way in case the censor looked at it.
Harry is not too impressed with the Italian soldiers. Of course, he is by now a battle-hardened veteran, whereas many of the Italian troops were untried, having been hastily drafted in after the
catastrophic losses – especially in prisoners – of the Caporetto battle. He will be used to the idea of shelling and, while having respect for the shells, would have arrived at a state
of mind that accepted that situation. Italy, he writes, is a picnic against France, but he has no realistic hope of being granted leave any time soon.
Sadly, I have no idea whether he did manage to learn any Italian; nor do I know what was in the article from, I assume, the
Manchester Guardian
(now
The Guardian
) that Jack had
sent him.
Quite a good indicator of the relative quietness of this sector of the Italian front is the fact that Harry is able to write more, and fuller, letters, and even the war diary seems almost
verbose compared with its entries during the battalion’s service at Ypres.
Harry’s postcard from Castelfranco, showing the rather feeble attempt at censorship.
17th–24th
[March]
Bn in Billets in BOLZANO – the whole Bn was bathed on 17th inst. A Junior N.C.Os class was formed at Bn Hdqrs. instruction being
given in Musketry, Lewis Gun, Map Reading and Drill. The class was successful chiefly in increasing the specialised knowledge of the young N.C.Os. The Bn concentrated on Company Drill, Physical
Training, Bayonet Fighting and Musketry; each day’s programme terminated with 15 minutes ceremonial drill. Specialists were trained by their own officers — the Scouts were
instructed in Semaphore Signalling daily. Subaltern officers
[junior officers below the rank of captain]
were similarly instructed by the Signalling officer. A successful Sports meeting
was held on the 23rd inst. On 24th inst.
[a Sunday]
the Bn attended a Brigade Church Parade.
March 21st/1918
32507/9 Batt York and Lanc Regt., C. Company,
12 Platoon L.G.S., I.E.F
Dear Kate
Just a line to let you know that I am going on alright and I am pleased that you are keeping well. I have had a letter from Jack and one from Ethel, they are all going on
alright except for the food problem which bothers them a bit. the weather here is grand very hot during the day but very cold at night. Jack is sending Willie a present for is birthday which is
saturday. I have sent him and Connie a card or two I hope they like them. I am pleased that you write often as I am always glad of a letter from you. I think I shall get a leave sometime this
summer if I have good luck. I will write again soon.
With Love from
Harry
A card that Harry sent to Connie from Italy
Four days after Harry’s latest letter to Kate, the 9th York and Lancasters are on the move again:
25th to 26th Battalion moved by march route to SARCEDO – the following day was devoted to interior economy.
27th Bn. moved by motor lorries to Italian hutments at GRANEZZA.
The use of lorries for the later stage of the journey must have been very welcome. The men had marched across the plain from Montebelluna, but were fortunate to get this motor
transport for the significant climb into the mountains.
28th–30th
[March]
Bn relieved the 28th
[?]
Italian Regiment in the line, becoming Right Battalion. ‘A’, ‘C’ &
‘B’ Companies were in the front line and ‘D’ Company in Reserve. The whole of the town was very quiet – little work was done apart from cleaning up and improving
sanitary conditions which were very bad. Two patrols were sent out nightly, sometimes three; on two occasions they came in contact with the enemy; much useful information was obtained both by
patrols and observation. Major D Lewis D.S.O. M.C. left the Bn on 29th inst to proceed to England to attend a Senior Officers Course at Aldershot.
[Easter Day]
31st Bn was relieved by 11th WYorks, moving to huts at LANGABISA, and becoming Reserve Bn.
SICKNESS;– During March the average daily attendance at Sick Parade was 25, the prevailing disease being I.C.T.
[inflamed connective tissue – probably
trench foot].
The end of March and the start of April sees the battalion in training again:
1st–4th
[April]
Bn in reserve in hutments at LANGABISA. During this period training in HILL FIGHTING was carried out in its various phases.
Two days later, Harry wrote to both Kate and Jack:
April 2/4/1918
32507/ 9 York & Lancs., C Company,
12 Platoon L.G.S., I.E.F.
Dear Kate
I have just got your letter dated 24/ I also got the money alright. Postal orders are alright. I have also had a letter from Jack and one from Ethel. Ethel told me that
Jack had sent Willie a shilling
[£0.05]
for his birthday, it will soon be Connie’s now. The weather here is very cold we have had frost and snow and it has been raining now
two days, but still we are alright, it is very quiet not like beening in France. I am always glad to get a letter from you I have not been able to write any letters lately, but if you
don’t get one you will know the reason so you can write a line every week. I am pleased they are all keeping in good health at home and that dad does not get any worse. I will try and
write you a long letter next time I write. Could you send me a stick of shaving shop and a piece of washing soap next time you write.
With Best Love
Harry
April 2/4/1918
32507/ 9 York & Lancs., C Company,
12 Platoon L.G.S., I.E.F.
Dear Jack
Just a line to let you know I am going on alright. I was pleased to get your letter and to hear that you both are keeping well. We have had some frost and snow out here,
but it as been raining for two days. I have had a letter from home and they told me you had sent Willie a birthday present. Things are very quiet out here a bit different to being out in
France. things seems to be a bit rough out there now, but I hope things will change. I will write again in a few days and let you know a bit more news.
With Best Love to you both
Harry
P.S. Could you send a few envelopes and writing paper
The front on the Asiago Plateau was not inactive, however, as war diary entries for the following weeks show:
8th to 11th
[April]
Battalion in the Line. Our patrols were very active nightly and on the night of 9–10 a fighting patrol consisting of 2 Officers and 20 O.R.
succeeded in capturing 2 prisoners – just outside the enemy’s wire at MORAR. The patrol returned safely with the two prisoners without loss. 2/Lt F Flory was slightly wounded in the
foot.
14th Battn at MARE. 2/Lts F FLORY and W MEAD were awarded the MILITARY CROSS for conspicuous gallantry on the night of the 9th, 10th of April.
On the same date 17558 Pte J Shillington received the DCM
[Distinguished Conduct Medal]
10983 a/s
[Acting Sergeant]
V.G. Stokes received Bar to MM
[i.e. a second MM]
15819 Pte R. Morgan received the MM
235382 Pte W Knight received the MM
