Second Battle of Scarpe. 23-24 April 1917

Fampoux. 10 Bn Royal Fusiliers. 23 April 1916.

Coisilles and Fontaine lez Coisilles. 2 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 23-24 April 1917.

Arras

With the successes of Vimy Ridge and the First Battle of the Scarpe the next phase of the Arras Offensive – Second Battle of the Scarpe – continued over the 23-24 April 1917. The battle was to push the advance begun with First Scarpe. The battle front was about 9 miles in length running from Gavrelle southwards, over the River Scarpe, to Croisilles. Zero hour was 4,45am on 23 April. The weather was cold and freezing with snow, The enemy defences were part of the new Hindenburg line.

Coisilles and Fontaine lez Coisilles. 2 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 23-24 April 1917.

The 2 Bn RWF was to support 4 Bn Suffolk’s in an assault on the Hindenburg line to an objective about 200 yards west of the River Sensee near to Fontaine-lés-Croisilles. The plan was for the Suffolk’s to rush the enemy line and then move along the trenches northwards and down the slope to the River Sensee. The 2 Bn RWF was to follow the Suffolk’s and to clear and picket the dug outs in the enemy line. After a short intense bombardment, at 4.45am the attack was launched. The Suffolk’s made good progress whilst A & C Coys. of the RWF began clearing the dug outs. This was one of the new tactics introduced after the Somme when lead battalions had wasted time clearing dug outs rather than leaving them for ‘mopping up’ troops – the RWF captured over 400 prisoners as well as machine guns.

By about 7.30am the Suffolk’s were just short of their objective when they were held up by machine gun fire and by a shortage of bombs. The RWF men tried to get more ammunition and bombs up to them but the delay allowed the enemy to re-group and organise a counter attack which came at about 10.30am. A fierce fire fight began, the Suffolk’s were forced to withdraw and the enemy began to advance up the trench system. The RWF had built a barricade across the trench from behind which Captain Owen, Lieutenant Greaves of A Coy and Captain Radford, 2/Lt Jones and Sergeants Williams and Hughes of C Coy began throwing grenades and managed to halt the enemy assault. A second attack came, preceded by a bombardment of rifle grenades and trench mortars. This time Owen and his party went out over the top to form a flanking line to bomb the advancing enemy and again they were able to drive the enemy back. They then returned to the barricade when, shortly afterwards, Captain Owen was killed by a trench mortar. A & C Coys continued to man the barricade throughout the rest of the day. Things quietened down, apart from the occasional shell. At about 5.30pm an assault by 5 Bn Scottish Rifles was planned to break the deadlock but was driven back, In retaliation the enemy shell fire intensified ‘rendering the position of the men round the barricade a very trying one’. This was followed by another enemy counter attack which again was driven back – mainly by the efforts of Sergeant Williams. L/Cpl James and Private Bennet. At about 10.00pm the hostile shell and bombing ceased. The two companies were relieved at 4.00am on 24 April. Casualties were officers 4 KIA, 7 wounded and for ORs 32 KIA, 70 wounded and 5 missing.

Captain John M (Morris) Owen, 2 Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 23 April 1917, Boyelles Communal Cemetery Extension

GOOGLE MAPS Satellite 3D view of Fontaine Lez Croisilles. The River Sensee meanders across the centre. The large dark field between the river and Fontaine lez Croisilles is where the 2 Bn RWF trenches were.

 

Fampoux. 10 Bn Royal Fusiliers. 23 April 1916.

10 Bn Royal Fusiliers left their billets at Agnez lez Duisans on 21 April 1917 and moved up to the old German lines to the east of Fampoux and to the north of the railway with 2 companies in the front line the remainder as support. They were in position by 11.30pm. The next day was quiet. During the evening the troops moved into their attack positions, by 3.00am all was ready and they waited for Zero Hour, set for 4.45am.

At Zero hour the battalion advanced by companies, each in four waves 50 yards apart and under a creeping artillery barrage. They quickly reached the German second line. Here there was much confusion owing to men from units of the 63 brigade, to the battalion’s right, getting over too much to the left and becoming mixed up. Enfilading German machine gun fire and snipers held up the advance. Also, the unit to the left was slightly to the rear and they had to wait until they came up before the machine guns and snipers could be silenced, the advance was then to continue. However, contact with the units to the left and right was still in the air and it was not known what was in front of them. A patrol was pushed out to find if Cuba Trench was occupied. The patrol returned and reported that it was clear of enemy and it was duly occupied by a party of 3 officers and about 50 ORs, this was at 9.30am. About half an hour later men of the 13 Bn Royal Fusiliers and 13 Bn King’s Royal Rifles arrived. Another patrol was then sent out to try and establish contact with 63 Brigade but returned having failed to find them. Work began on consolidating Cuba Trench and a defensive flank was set up. Further patrols were sent out and eventually, at 9.55pm, contact was made. Consolidation of Cuba Trench continued. During the night further patrols were sent out to ascertain enemy positions, It was found that the enemy were occupying a line 750 yards ahead. No action was taken, there was heavy enemy sniping as well as enemy shelling.

The next day consolidation of Cuba Trench carried on. The enemy attempted several counter attacks and tried to reinforce their defences with small parties of men running from shell hole to shell hole; Lewis gun fire was brought to bear causing a number of casualties. The enemy also put down occasional barrages on British positions but Cuba trench was spared with only slight shelling. The next 2 days were similar with Cuba Trench being shelled with high explosives and shrapnel. Again contact was lost with neighbouring units. More patrols were sent out but movement was very difficult due to enemy snipers. Orders then came through for the battalion to support an advance by 13 Bn RF and 13 Bn Rifle Brigade. The advance was planned for 3.25am. Throughout the day the fighting wore on bringing much shelling of Cuba Trench as well as sniping. The battalion spent another night at the front, more work was done on improving the defences, a party of men were also detailed to construct a communication trench back towards Fampoux. The battalion was relieved during the night of 29 April and moved back to Arras. Total casualties for 22 to 29 April were 4 officers KIA and 6 wounded and for ORs 42 KIA, 192 wounded and 22 missing.

Private G/23165 Jack Francis, 10 Bn Royal Fusiliers. KIA 23 April 1917, Chili Trench Cemetery

GOOGLE MAPS – satellite view centres on approx position of Cuba Trench,

 

References and Sources WAR DIARY 2Bn RWF, History of RWF. 10 Bn Royal Fusiliers.

B&O 1917. Arras. 2 Btle Scarpe. Coisilles. 2 Bn RWF & Fampoux10 Bn Roy.Fus. 23 April 1917.

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