My notes from the diary of the 72nd Machine Gun Company 1916-1918
Note: In 1918 the 72nd became part of 24th Battalion MGC.
1916
10th Mar. Embarked from Southampton on ‘Bellerophon’ to Le Havre
12th Mar Entrained to Poperinghe
14th Mar. 72nd MGC joined the 24th Division at Ouderdom.
21st Mar. La Levrette. Take of over from 1st Canadian Bde. in the front line.
7/8th Apr. Positions are taken over from Canadians at Shell Farm, Fort Pinnie and Battleaxe Farm NW of Mericourt.
30th Apr. Gas Attack at Wulveghem. Coy formed 2nd line of defence on 72nd Bde frontage. Enemy released gas on front of 350yds N. of Wulverghem. 1 Officer wounded and gassed, 5 OR’s wounded and 6 OR’s gassed.
May. During the month the Coy was positioned in the 2nd line of defence at Wulverghem in the Kemmel Sector.
16th Jun. Enemy released gas from trenches Wind NNE, front line was affected only and 72nd Coy had no casualties.
29th Jun. Coy. moved to billets at Kortepyp and Locre–
8th Jul. Near Locre.The 72nd took over the line of positions held by the 2nd and 7th Australian MGC
11th-20th Jul. Petit Pont. The front held by 72nd Bde. relived on 20th by 59th MGC, moved to billets at Piebrouck
24th Jul. 72nd Coy. entrained at Bailleul West for Longeau then on 25th marched to billets at Oissy.
31st Jul. Coy marched to Ailly-sur-Somme and entrained to Mericourt, then marched onto Morlancourt.
10th Aug. Sandpit Area Sheet 67d NE E.18.d The 72nd in trenches in front of Guillemont.
16th Aug. Two guns of the 72nd placed with the 9th East Surreys and used to attack trenches in Sunken road and thereabouts.
18th Aug. Coy. Sections moved to Minden Post Casualties 14 OR’s killed , 3 wounded and 1 gun knocked out.
21st Aug. Coy guns at the disposal of the 8th West Surreys for the attack at Quarry. Location Guillemont-Ginchy and Guillemont- Combles roads. The attack unsuccessful and 72nd Coy withdrew and was relieved on 22/23rd Aug.
27th Aug. Coy moved to Billets at Ribemont Sur L’Ancre.
30th Aug. The battle of Delville Wood. Two sections of the Coy relieved the 43rd Mgc in the Delville Wood sector the remaining half of the Coy. took up positions at Montauban.
6/7th Sept. Coy moved by road to Bernacourt. On the 7th entrained at Edgehill and journeyed to Longpre and marched yo Monfliers.
19th Aug. Entrained at Abbeville to the 1st Army area, into billets at Hucliers.
23rd Sept. 4 Guns and teams moved by motor transport to Bajolle Switch ;Map ref 36b Se X16
26th Sept. Billets Houlain and 30th moved to Camblain L’Abbe.
4th Oct. Villers au Bois billets.
14th Oct. Trenches Berthonval Sector.
23rd Oct. The Coy. marched to Mazingarbe to billets
24th Oct. The Coy relieved the 120th MGC in the line (map ref 36C NW3 G16-23).
29th Oct.-31st Dec. Trenches Hulluch Sector. Casualties 1 Officer killed, 1 wounded and 2 OR’s wounded from shell fire.
1917
1st Jan-12th Feb. Trenches Hulluch Sector. Quiet time. On the 12th the 72nd Coy relieved by the 111th MGC in the trenches.
13th Feb. The 72nd Coy. marched from Mazingarbe to Allouagne nr Bethune (map ref V26.c & d) and into billets.
3rd– 31st Mar. Bully Grenay and Calonne Sector.(map ref 36c. SW.1). The 72nd Coy relieved the 3rd Canadian MGC. During the month the Coy fired 4 tp 5 thousand rounds per night into enemy territory.
Apr. The Battle of Vimy Ridge –Bouble Crassier and Calonne Sector. The Coy. supporting the 72nd Inf. Bde who were holding the line from Bouble Crassier to Burning Byng. East of Lens and north of the Vimy Ridge battlefield.
13th Apr. After the succesful Vimy Ridge campaign by primarily Canadian soldiers, the enemy was reported to be withdrawing, and immediately the 72nd sent 4 guns out on patrol with 9th East Kents and 8th West Kents to pursue.
19th Apr. The 72nd Coy. Was relieved in the line by the 128th MGC and marched to billets at Allouagne. Billets for the rest of the month at Ligny Les Aire, and Glem near Coyecques.
15-28th May. Trenches in Hooge Sector. The 72nd Coy. Relieved the 70th MGC. On the 19th Gun at Zillebeke House were hit directly killing sentry. The 26th a man was buried by direct hit of shell and died and next day 1 Officer was wounded. Relieved on the 29th May by the 89th MGC.
7th Jun. The Battle of Messines Ridge. The battle for the Messines Ridge was an attempt by the Allies to capture land to the south east of Ypres to gain control of the higher land in the Ypres Salient. Following the detonation of 19 massive mines under the German lines, the Artillery and Infantry would have taken full advantage of the disarray in the German lines. The line was advance to capture Wytschaete and Oostaverne.
Trenches in front of 47th Div. The 47th Div attacked the enemy’s trenches with fire support from the 72nd Coy. 2 Officers and 10 OR’s wounded.
17-19th Jul. The 72nd marched from Watterdal to Eecke through Caestre. Billeted at Steenvoorde on 19th Jul.
20-30th Jul. Steenvoorde to Reninghelst Area. 72nd Coy moved to Micmac Camp and then spent time in Micmac trenches (map ref 28 NW3 H.31) nearby. 6 OR’s wounded in period.
31st Jul-4 Aug. The Battle of Pilckem Ridge-Micmac trenches. The 72nd Inf. Bde attacked German lines, 2 guns attached to 1st Bn. 1st Jan-12th Feb. Trenches Hulluch Sector. Quiet time. On the 12th the 72nd Coy relieved by the 111th MGC in the trenches.
13th Feb. The 72nd Coy. marched from Mazingarbe to Allouagne nr Bethune (map ref V26.c & d) and into billets.
3rd– 31st Mar. Bully Grenay and Calonne Sector.(map ref 36c. SW.1). The 72nd Coy relieved the 3rd Canadian MGC. During the month the Coy fired 4 tp 5 thousand rounds per night into enemy territory.
Apr. The Battle of Vimy Ridge –Bouble Crassier and Calonne Sector. The Coy. supporting the 72nd Inf. Bde who were holding the line from Bouble Crassier to Burning Byng. East of Lens and north of the Vimy Ridge battlefield.
13th Apr. After the succesful Vimy Ridge campaign by primarily Canadian soldiers, the enemy was reported to be withdrawing, and immediately the 72nd sent 4 guns out on patrol with 9th East Kents and 8th West Kents to pursue.
19th Apr. The 72nd Coy. Was relieved in the line by the 128th MGC and marched to billets at Allouagne. Billets for the rest of the month at Ligny Les Aire, and Glem near Coyecques.
15-28th May. Trenches in Hooge Sector. The 72nd Coy. Relieved the 70th MGC. On the 19th Gun at Zillebeke House were hit directly killing sentry. The 26th a man was buried by direct hit of shell and died and next day 1 Officer was wounded. Relieved on the 29th May by the 89th MGC.
7th Jun. The Battle of Messines Ridge. The battle for the Messines Ridge was an attempt by the Allies to capture land to the south east of Ypres to gain control of the higher land in the Ypres Salient. Following the detonation of 19 massive mines under the German lines, the Artillery and Infantry would have taken full advantage of the disarray in the German lines. The line was advance to capture Wytschaete and Oostaverne.
Trenches in front of 47th Div. The 47th Div attacked the enemy’s trenches with fire support from the 72nd Coy. 2 Officers and 10 OR’s wounded.
17-19th Jul. The 72nd marched from Watterdal to Eecke through Caestre. Billeted at Steenvoorde on 19th Jul.
20-30th Jul. Steenvoorde to Reninghelst Area. 72nd Coy moved to Micmac Camp and then spent time in Micmac trenches (map ref 28 NW3 H.31) nearby. 6 OR’s wounded in period.
31st Jul-4 Aug. The Battle of Pilckem Ridge-Micmac trenches. The 72nd Inf. Bde attacked German lines, 2 guns attached to 1st Bn. Staffs and 2 guns attached to 8th Bn. West Kents. 2 guns assisted the 41st Div. in a counter attack to our right. Casualties 1 Officer killed ,1 wounded , 3 OR’s missing and 10 wounded.
1st Aug. Micmac trenches The 72nd Coy continued to support 72nd Inf.
11th Aug. Coy moved to Dickiebusch Camp (Map ref 28 NW4 I.29.b.9.7)
16-19th Aug. The Battle of Langemarck. Six guns of the Coy fired a machine gun barrage in conjunction with the attack on the left of the 56th Div. 18,000 rounds fired then on 18th Aug. 128,000 rounds fired on the vicinity of Hedge St Tunnels. (Map ref 28 NW I.30) Relieved on the 19/20th by the 73rd MGC.
23rd Aug. -14th Sept. Dickiebusch trenches The 72nd Coy continued to support 72nd Inf. until 4th Sept. in the line.
14-25th Sept. Strazeele to Villeret Sector. Moved by busses to billets at Strazeele. 21st Sept. 72nd Coy marched to Caestre station and entrained for Miraumont. They then marched to Beulencourt Area and accommodated in huts. 25th the 72nd Coy proceeded to Haut Allaines Area and under canvas .
27th Sept until 31st Dec. Trenches Villeret. 72nd Coy. moved by busses to Bernes then relieved the 103rd MGC in the line at Villeret Sector. The 72nd Coy.were involved (but not significantly) in this area south of Cambrai when the Germans counter attacked in the Cambrai operations.
26th Oct. 1st N. Staffs carried out a raid on enemy trenches the 72nd Coy giving covering fire. No Casualties.
20th Nov. Succesful raid carried out by portion of Bn. during which 72nd Coy fired 37,000 rounds. Casualties 1 OR killed, 2 wounded by shell fire.
1918
Jan-Feb.. Moved to Hervilly on the 2nd Jan. Month was quiet. and 2 guns attached to 8th Bn. West Kents. 2 guns assisted the 41st Div. in a counter attack to our right. Casualties 1 Officer killed ,1 wounded , 3 OR’s missing and 10 wounded.
5th Mar. The 72nd Coy. joined with other Machine Gun companies of the Division to become the 24th Machine Gun Battalion. The 72nd Coy became ‘B’ Coy. Sections 5-8 of the battalion.1
21st Mar. The Battle of St Quentin. The 24th Bn MGC were holding gun positions at Jeancourt – Le Verguier – Vadencourt – Maissemy. This from a memorial to John Singleton 125471 24th Bn. MGC KIA this day. “The strength of the German attack and the ensuing chaos in the British lines is evidenced by the terse entries in the unit’s War Diary. It is clear that communication between Battalion Headquarters and the gun teams was broken at an early stage and there is no clear picture of the day. They came under enemy artillery bombardment from about 4.20am on the 21st. This lasted for a couple of hours before the German infantry delivered its attack. Several of the machine gun teams were entrenched some way behind the front line and there are no records of them being engaged with the enemy until the afternoon. It seems apparent that others were forward of these positions giving closer support to the troops in the front line trench. At 2.09pm, reports were received at Battalion HQ that the guns at Maissemy and Spring Hill were still holding out. A little later, HQ sent an urgent wire to the reserve areas asking for four replacement guns, no doubt to replace ones damaged by German shellfire. By 6.20pm, “C” Company at Maissemy reported that they were now having to fall back as the bridges crossing the river were destroyed. Ten minutes later, “A” Company reported that 14 of its guns were still holding on. The other two at a position known as Appletree Road had been forced to retreat to Peumal Copse. At 7pm, Corporal Jackman of “C” Company arrived back at HQ with his gun. He had been at Gaubriers Wood and was the only member of his team to survive. He reported the enemy was in complete possession of the Wood. Over the evening, further withdrawals were made and, by midnight, the Battalion only had 6 or 7 guns, out of 64, still in use. Many of its soldiers, including John, were dead, wounded, missing or prisoner. John has no known grave”.2
22nd-23rd Mar. After the German counter attack the 24th Bn. retired through Devise and Athies until the river was crossed at St Christ . At 12 noon the Bn. fell back fighting through the 50th Di. who were occupying the Green line-Bernes-Flechin-Poeuilly – Caulincourt. The Bn. concentrated at Brie during night 22/23rd Mar. 2 Officers of Coy ‘B” missing.
24-25th Mar. Actions at the Somme Crossings– Puzeau. Bn. moved to a front of the Infantry in Fouchette-Puzeau-Chicourt. Unsuccessful counter attack and Infantry followed by Guns retired to position N and S of Chaulnes Station.
26-28th Mar. The Battle of Rosieres. In the afternoon of the 26th The Bn. with all available guns concentrated at Rosieres and took up a line with the Infantry on the line Vrely-Rouvrot which was held until night of 27/28 when the position was abandoned and readjusted to run through Warvillers.
28/29th Mar Warvillers. Enemy attacked after a heavy bombardment along the line, this attack was held up but eventually withdrawal again the only option and at 2am on the 29th the battalion had retreated to Bois de Senegat. Coy ‘B” moved to billets at Haille.
2nd – 4th Apr. The 24th Bn. billeted at Thezy Glimont
4th – 7th Apr. The First Battle of the Avre –Bois de Centelles .’B’ Coy moved to front occupied by 72nd Bde. On the 6th Apr Bn. relieved and entrained at St Valery Sur Somme on night of the 7th Apr. and marched to 3rd Army Rest Camp.
16th -19th Apr. “B” Coy moved from the 3rd Army Rest Camp and entrained at Fresseneville. Coy detrained at Bryas and marched to billets at Bethonval. On the 19th B Coy moved to L’Abbaye -De-Neuville Farm
2nd May. “A” & “B” Coys marched from Bois de Neulette and relieved the Coys of the 3rd Canadian MG Bn. in the line Loos. in the Les Brebis sector
May-Sept . Loos and Lens sectors. For a long period positions held protecting the Loos trenches in the Les Brebis sector then moving slightly south to cover the activities in the Lens sector. The diary for this period shows casualties frequently and on 18-19th June much heavier casualties, other wise a regular occurrence of shell and gun fire injuries occurred.
29th Sept. The 24th Bn relieved in the Lens Sector was transported by bus to Maisnilles, Hersin, then train to Bouquemaison. The battalion then marched onto Coullemonts.
6th Oct. Entrained at Mondicourt for Lock 6 Canal Nord area
7th Oct. Hq “B” and “C” Coys in trenches just west of Cantaing.
8-11th Oct. The Battle of Cambrai and the pursuit to the Selle. 63rd Div and 72nd Bde with “B” Coy , during the evening “B” Coy on a front just E of Niergnies. ‘B” Coy covering slopes into Cambrai and also covering leading infantry.
9th Oct. Infantry advanced with little resistance and “B” Coy had one section on a ridge north of Awoingt and three sections on high ground between Awoingt and Niergnies . After dark they concentrated 500yds N of Niergnies.
10th Oct. Rieux and Avesnes Les Aubert were occupied and the enemy holding St Aubert and the high ground N of Avesnes. At dark the battalion was dispersed “B” Coy to Cauroir.
11th Oct. 8 guns of “B” Coy took up position in Railway cutting NE of Avesnes les Aubert Station. These guns were forced to withdraw due to the failure of the Infantry attack. By evening the “B” Coy was dispersed to high ground S. of Avesnes.
4-8th Nov. The Battle of the Sambre, including the passage of the GrandHonelle.
6th Nov. “B” Coy relieved “D” and assisted the Brigade to attack Bavay on the morning of the 7th . “B” Coy fired a barrage in support of the R. W. Kents and the E. Surreys
8th Nov. The enemy had withdrawn to a line of the Railway at Feignes. “B” Coy then marched to billets at Longueville
9/10th Nov. Guns of the Coy were brought forward to the high ground above Mons-Mauberge Rd. as the advance continued. “B: Coy was ordered to support the 73rd Inf. Bde as they moved through the 73nd Bde in the direction of Les Bas Vents. Little opposition was encountered. During the night of 9/10th the Coy was disposed one section at Bettignies one section at Fort Dessares and two sections at Montberson Farm. Positions were maintained until relieved by the 30th Bn. MGC. “B” Coy moved back to Louvignies Bavay to billets on what was to become their last day of combat.
11th Nov. Hostilities cease.
18th Nov. The 24th Bn. MGC moved from Wargnies Le Petit to Denain then onto Aniche and by the end of Dec. were at Sameon.