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B&O 1917. Third Ypres. 13 Bn Royal Scots. Frenzenberg Ridge. 22 Aug 1917.
13 Bn Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment). Frenzenberg Ridge. 22 August 1917.
WAR DIARY 13Bn Royal Scots 1 page 9 – appendicies and reports +/- page 45 / 48. map P61
On the 190 August 1917 the 13 Bn Royal Scots left Toronto Camp and moved up to the front line. They bivouacked for the night near to the Vijverbeck stream. They spent the next day making final preparations for the forthcoming action. At 8.35pm they left their camp and moved forward. At Brigade HQ at James Farm they met their guides and were taken up to relieve the 7/8 King’s Own Scottish Borderers. Their right flank was against the Ypres – Roulers railway with battalion HQ in Wildes Wood. The battalion was deployed with D & B coys in the front line, C coy in support on Frezenberg Ridge and A coy in reserve at Bill Cottage. The relief was completed by 3.50am on 21 August – delay was caused by the guides being uncertain as to the route. They remained in this position, any movement above ground was impossible. At midnight they moved to their assembly positions, marked by tape, A & D coys in the lead, B & C in support. Battalion HQ was moved up to front, locating in a concrete shelter.
MAP OF ACTION PAGE 58
13 Bn Royal Scots at Frezenberg, 22 Aug 1917. (National Archives)
Zero Hour was 4.45am 22 August. The Brigade would attack on a two battalion front, 13 Bn Royal Scots on the right, 11 Argyl & Sutherland Highlnders on the left. 13 Bn RS would advance in 4 waves, each of 6 lines, assaulting troops followed by ‘moppers up’. Battalion objectives were to advance to a line between the railway and Bremen Redoubt. On the way they had to capture the enemy positions of Bit Work, Vampir and Potsdam and 2 gun emplacements.
At 4.45am the creeping barrage started and the men set off. At first progress was steady but slow as they waited for the barrage to lift. However they soon came under fire form MGs and snipers in Vampir and Potsdam redoubts. Also, enemy aircraft straffed them. Casualties began to mount. As the morning passed the situation became more confused, the advance was held up, contact was lost between HQ and the lead companys, many officers became casualties and battalions to each flank were similarly held up. The creeping barrage had also moved on leaving them unprotected.
By about 11.00am things quietened down but snipers remained active. The battalion was holding a line about half way to their objective and in front of Vampir and Potsdam. Here they dug in and remained until relieved during the night of 23/24 August. Casualties were about 276 officers and ORs.
13 Bn Royal Scots at Frezenberg, 22 Aug 1917. 1. (National Archives)
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