OLDHAM 'PALS' WAR RECORD
(during their months on the Somme in 1916)
by
Sergeant Harry Bradley, 24th Manchester Regiment, (Comrades)
and published as a series of articles in the 'Oldham Standard', in 1919.

A TERRIFIC BATTLE
SCENES OF CARNAGE NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN
HISTORIC JUNE 30th
HOW A D.C.M. WAS WON

Part V

On the night of June 30th - July 1st, the Pals' Battalion, along with a large number of Battalions of troops concentrated in or round the Bois-des-Tailles, moved up to the forward positions to prepare for the great attack which was to try the qualities of the men of Kitchener's Army and incidentally, the fighting spirit of the Huns when faced with cold steel and rifle and machine gun fire. This was no ordinary night operation, the principles of which had been instilled into the men whilst in training in England, but the real thing upon which vital issues depended. The men all recognised the seriousness of the work awaiting them, but no despondency was in evidence. The troops marched along with jokes on their lips, and with light hearts, but inwardly determined to help to oust the enemy from his dangerous and comparatively secure position. The bombardment was still in progress, and the earth rocked and quaked 'neath the shock of the explosions of thousands of shells. The noise was terrible, and the N.C.O.s had perforce to shout their commands into the ears of the men to make themselves heard.

In England one had been instructed that absolute silence was necessary to ensure the success of a night operation. On a still summer's night in England the truth of this could be realised, but on an occasion like the night of June 30th it will be agreed that silence on the part of the troops was hardly essential. In the dim light, broken by the frequent flashes of the guns and the flares of Verey lights, long lines of steel-helmeted men could be seen slowly wending their way towards that horrible line of flame which indicated the front trenches. Progress was rather slow on account of the fact that each battalion had to wait its turn to enter the communication trenches at Minden Post - a point which also figured in the picture of the 'Battle of the Somme'. Minden Post, which was the rendezvous of the 24th, was the Brigade battle centre. It was situated in an ideal spot for the purpose of being in a small valley, screened and separated from the front line of the trenches by the Carmey-Mametz road. From here a tunnel of pre-war construction led almost to the front line.

Half the battalion went forward to the front line trenches to follow the first waves of attacking infantry and consolidate the ground won by the 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment and the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders. by early morning all the attacking troops and the reserves had got into line, and amidst the thunder of the guns, waited patiently for the time to pass and the hour of attack to arrive. This was the time for reflection and for even the strongest to grasp his courage in both hands and determine to wait patiently to see the thing through.

Captain Ernest Wood, M.C., who for a considerable period was Lewis Gun officer to the Battalion. He performed very good work in this capacity, and was awarded the M.C. whilst in Italy. He later transferred to the Indian Army.

Captain Simeon Holden, M.C., the energetic transport officer of the Battalion, whose work throughout the war has been arduous and trying. The award of the Military Cross was a well deserved recognition of his excellent services to the Battalion.

At dawn the attack was made, and the barrage lifted to just beyond the first objective. It was naturally thought that after such a murderous and lengthy bombardment the enemy would have been seriously depleted in numbers. But such was not the case. Throughout the bombardment the enemy had been sheltering in their underground caverns - some of which contained a staircase of 30 to 40 steps leading to the bottom. Their dug-outs were particularly strongly constructed and the majority of them had withstood the battering of the English and French artillery for a whole fortnight at least. The result was that when the attack developed the Germans came out of their hiding places in large numbers, and with the aid of scores of machine guns mowed down the attacking British in disastrous fashion. The Gordons especially suffered heavily , and the 22nd Manchesters paid a heavy price that day. So murderous was the enemy's fire that it was wonderful how the men withstood the rain of bullets and advanced to their first objective. It was pure courage and unexampled determination and bravery that won the day. The positions were captured after a desperate fight. Meanwhile the artillery was hammering away at the rear and ultimate objectives. The whole area was strewn with the dead and dying, both British and German, and here and there one came across grim evidences of a hand-to-hand death struggle between the attackers and defenders.

The attack progressed , and so quickly did the storming troops advance that dug-outs containing quite a number of Germans were missed, and after the wave of infantry had passed about 400 came out of their underground homes and fires on the rear of the advancing English troops. owing to a smart move on the part of the 24th Battalion in opening up a communication trench which had been blown in and allowing the Battalion of the Royal Warwicks to make a detour, the whole party of Huns were cut off and forced to surrender. The 'Pals' had a most dangerous and disagreeable task on hand in following up the first wave and clearing up the battered trenches, reversing parapets, making strong points and machine gun emplacements, etc. Work had to be carried on amid the dead and wounded of both friend and foe, and above all in the face of severe shelling and snipers. It was a gruesome job, and a pathetic one also, to place on one side the lifeless bodies of comrades of the sister battalion, and to drag out of the way the dead forms of countless Germans in order that the work of transforming the captured trenches from post of defence to positions of attack could be effected. The work of consolidation was arduous and distasteful. The trenches had been blown almost level with the ground, and the surroundings reeked with the stench of the dead. Knowing, however, that if the attackers suffered a reverse they would have to fall back on to those trenches in order to make a stand, the battalion worked with a will, and and by dint of sheer determination carried out the work of consolidation in spite of numerous difficulties and dangers. Some of the dug-outs which were discovered in the German trench system were most elaborate and extravagant places. One in particular in Fricourt Wood which had been used apparently as a Battalion or Brigade headquarters , had a wide staircase of 52 steps leading to the numerous 'rooms' at the bottom. These rooms were splendidly furnished , and were electrically lighted, and bore every appearance of comfort and security. The doors of the rooms were of beautifully polished woodwork, and coloured glass windows completed the effect. This dug-out was used as divisional headquarters by the 7th Division, for a little time during the attack.

During the attack Sergt. C. Burman, of 'D' company of the 'Pals' Battalion, performed the very plucky action of carrying in from an exposed position a wounded Gordon Highlander. This act was accomplished under heavy fire by machine guns and snipers and unfortunately, whilst the Scotch soldier was being carried to safety by Sergt. Burman he was again hit by a sniper's bullet and killed. For his courage and bravery, Sergt. Burman was recommended by an officer of another battalion for the Distinguished Conduct Medal, an honour which he subsequently received. The advance was gradually pushed forward throughout the day on the front of the Pals' battalion, and to the south of it, but on the north flank, the men were held up. This temporary stoppage was chiefly due to the fact that the deep dug-outs of the enemy to the north of the line had not been properly cleared out by the first wave of attacking infantry, and the enemy on coming out of the dug-outs fired on the advancing men and attempted to surround them. In the subsequent phase of the attack a party of 'moppers-up' followed immediately in the wake of the first wave of the storm troops, their business being to clean up the dug-outs, either by means of bombs or by taking prisoner the remnants left underground. By this means hundreds of lives were saved. For about a week the attack progressed with varying fortune and thousands of prisoners were taken. During this time the battalion were bivouacked amongst the trees of Fricourt Wood, and nightly they went forth to the forward positions in the heat of battle to carry out the work of reconstruction and consolidation. Numerous casualties were sustained, but in comparison with the cutting-up suffered by the attacking units, the loss of life amongst the ranks of the Pals' battalion was indeed light.

On July 8th the glad tidings were received that the division was to be relieved, and was to proceed to the reserve area, round Mericourt, for a few days respite. As the depleted and weary ranks of the various battalions wended their way towards the haven of rest the appalling numerical difference in their strength was terrible to behold. These more fortunate Tommies, who had been in the thick of one of the most terrible and murderous battles in the war, though tired, weary and dirty, were still cheerful, and sung humorous and catchy ditties as they trudged along the muddy roads. The Pals' Battalion had marched via Morlancourt to Treux, and were resting by the wayside when the remains of the gallant Gordon Highlanders marched past. It was hardly credible that the few unkempt 'kilties' who slowly passed the battalion were all that was left of the splendid spick and span stalwart body which only about a week previously had gone forth to the attack, determined to do their fair share in the conquering of a domineering and boastful enemy. They had upheld the reputation and traditions of their glorious regiment, and even after such a terrible ordeal were by no means downhearted or despondent. The few remaining pipers, headed by that splendid figure of manhood, Drum-Sergt. Kenny, V.C., played stirring melodies on their bagpipes whilst the whole of the Battalion kept well in step, and presented a sight which sent a thrill of pride down the spines of the onlookers. Only a few days' stay was made at Mericourt, during which time the units of the division were reinforced and re-equipped, ready to take a further part in the deadly struggle which was still being waged by other Divisions. The short stay in the reserve area was very acceptable to the whole of the troops, but it was with light hearts and quick, sprightly tread that the division once more moved towards the advance area in the neighbourhood of Mametz.

Transcription - Sheila Goodyear

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Part V

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