The Second Battle of the Scarpe

One of the Battles of Arras, 1917

23rd-24th April 1917

The results of the First Battle of the Scarpe had been to push the British line 4 miles further east: wide steches of territory as well as all the dominating features forming the immediate object of the attack had been gained, together with thousands of prisoners and guns, and a large number of German divisions had been drawn to the battle area which otherwise would have been diverted further south against the French on the Aisne. The French offensive, originally planned to follow the British offensive within two or three days, had to be postponed owing to weather conditions. It was, however, due to take place on 16th April. In order to assist our Allies the British pressure had to be maintained, and accordingly the First Battle of the Scarpe had scarcely ended when preparations were made for the next operations. But bad weather, the strength already developed by the enemy, and the time necessary to complete artillery dispositions, interfered with an immediate resumption of the offensive, and it was 23rd April before the next great attack (originally planned for 21st, but postponed) took place. At 4.45 a.m., on a front of about 9 miles from Croisilles to Gavrelle, the German trenches were again stormed after they had been subjected to a perfect tornado of shell fire. In the meantime, the Canadian Corps (to which the 24th Division was still attached) was engaged in pushing on towards Lens.

In the battle which opened on 23rd April the four sectors of the line of special interest to Middlesex men were (i) south-west of Cherisy, where the 1st Battalion with other troops of the 33rd Division attacked the enemy, (ii) east of Monchy, west of Infantry Hill, the 29th Division attacking in that part of the line, (iii) north of the Scarpe, west of Roeux, where the infantry of the 37th Division fought their way towards Greenland Hill, and (iv) just north-west of Gavrelle, where the 2nd Division, by fire demonstration, assisted the 63rd Naval Division in the attack on that place.

During the First Battle of the Scarpe the 33rd Division was in reserve. On the 12th the 98th Brigade moved into the Cojeul Valley in close support, relieving the 19th Brigade in the Hindenburg Line on 16th, the 1st Middlesex and 4th Suffolks moving up into the front line, though, owing to faulty guides, it was the 17th before the Middlesex were able to relieve two companies of the 20th Royal Fusiliers in some isolated trenches ("mere ditches," the Diary calls them). But the Battalion was relieved on 20th and 21st, and on 22nd was in the sunken road between Henin-sur-Cojeul and Neuville Vitasse preparing for the operations on 23rd.

The men were issued with bombs, rifle grenades, Very lights, ground flares and sandbags, and at 4.30 p.m. the Battalion again marched off to the front line, relieving the Cameronians. These trenches were some 1,500 yards south east of Heninel, not quite half-way between that village and Fontaine-les-Croisilles. "A" Company was on the right and "C" on the left, "B" and "D" (right and left respectively) occupying trenches in rear of the front line. At 11.30 p.m. the two latter Companies moved into their assembly trenches just behind the front line.

By 1.30 a.m. all companies had taken up their allotted positions, "A" and "C" the first wave, "B" and "D" the second wave. Zero hour was 4.45 a.m.

Under cover of the barrage, described in the diaries as "excellent," the 98th Brigade attacked the enemy at 4.45 a.m. (23rd), 4th Suffolks on the right, and A. and S. Highlanders in the centre, and 1st Middlesex on the left. There were two separate final objectives, different means being necessary to reach each. The Suffolks had to bomb down the Hindenburg Line to the Sensée, whilst the Highlanders and the Middlesex made a frontal attack across the open; the centre of their first objective was a small oblong copse.

The attack of the Suffolks proceeded well down both trenches of the Hindenburg Line, but the Highlanders, in the centre, and "A" and "B" Companies of the Middlesex, were hung up in front of the small copse. The two left Companies of the latter Battalion ("C" and "D"), however, reached their first objective without much opposition, where 30 prisoners were taken and sent back. They then pressed on to their final objective, which they reached successfully and dug themselves in. Here they were joined by "A" Company of the Highlanders, who had fought their way past the copse. But now, unfortunately, a serious position presented itself to these three Companies, for it appeared that they were not only in the air, but the enemy was still between them and their original "jumping-off " line. Captain Beesham, therefore, made his way back along the Hindenburg Line in order to report the situation to Brigade Headquarters. But whilst he was away the enemy counter-attacked and succeeded in cutting off a portion of the Hindenburg Line, thus completely cutting off all communication with "C" and "D" Companies in their forward exposed position. To make matters worse, troops on the left of these two Companies fell back, taking with them a small party of Middlesex "moppers-up" which had taken possession of that portion of the first objective captured by "C" and "D".

The position as it affected the 1st Middlesex now stood as follows: The enemy was again in full possession of his original front line; "A" and "B" Companies of the Battalion were held up in front of the copse, i.e., the line of the first objective, and were digging themselves in; the left flank of the Battalion was absolutely in the air; the enemy had regained a portion of the Hindenburg Line; "C" and "D" Companies had broken through and had reached their final objective, but were entirely cut off, the enemy being in front and behind them.

At 12 noon all units of the 98th Brigade, with the exception of "A" Company of the 2nd A. and S. Highlanders and "C" and "D" Companies of the 1st Middlesex, were back in their original lines. Indeed, it is with these very gallant fellows who, though surrounded and subjected to violent efforts to dislodge them and capture them, resisted every attempt and bloodily repulsed the enemy again and again, that the story is chiefly concerned. The old Die-Hard spirit once more shone clearly, and the indomitable pluck of the Middlesex and their Highland comrades added yet another splendid incident to their already glorious Regimental history.

Another attack by the 98th Brigade was ordered for 6.24 p.m., to be preceded by, and under cover of, a heavy barrage. Only a very slight advance was made, and by this time orderlies, signallers and officers servants had all been pressed into the thin line.

At 8 p.m. news was received at Battalion Headquarters, 1st Middlesex, that the enemy had formed a barricade in the Hindenburg Line and was advancing towards Brigade Headquarters, but he was first held up and then driven back to his original position by the Suffoiks.

Under cover of darkness, men who had been lying out all day in shell holes crawled back, and the front line of the Brigade now consisted of about 300 men from 1st Middlesex, 2nd R.W. Fusiliers and 1st Cameronians.

But no word was received of the gallant fellows who were surrounded. The barrage for the attack at 6.24 p.m. had passed over them, but apart from knocking their trenches about considerably had fortunately inflicted very few casualties.

The night 23rd/24th passed quietly, though the enemy was obviously nervous, for he continually fired Very lights.

As dawn broke on the 24th, certain movements on the part of the enemy gave rise to the suspicion that he had vacated his position. Patrols were sent out and returned with the information that the Germans had fallen back. The 1st Middlesex, therefore, advanced at once and took possession of the hostile front-line trenches, pushing out other patrols to discover the extent of the enemy's retirement. A message now came in from the two forward Companies ("C" and "D"): they were still holding on to their position, they had even taken a few prisoners, but both officers had been wounded.

During the morning the 1st Middlesex were relieved by the 20th Royal Fusihers, but owing to the enemy's activity it was deemed unwise to withdraw "C" and "D" Companies until nightfall. But as soon as possible after darkness had fallen the intrepid Die-Hards and Highlanders were relieved, after a 40-hours' fight, completely surrounded, and reached the sunken roads at 11 p.m. It is interesting to note that of the 16 Lewis guns which the two Companies had with them, all were brought back, only one having been damaged.

The Battalion was now once more united, and on the 25th marched back from the sunken roads, through Henin-sur-Cojeul, to Grosville. Before the Die-Hards left the line, however, the G.O.C. Division visited the Battalion and personally congratulated the two Companies on their tenacity and success. These congratulations were followed later (on 1st May) by a letter from the Third Army Commander-General Sir E. H. H. Allenby- who had been furnished with a report of that gallant fight: "I have read this account with great pride and admiration. I congratulate all ranks in the 2nd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and the 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment on the staunchness and bravery of their two splendid companies." (There were three altogether.)

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