by Bill Lamin
Capt G A Crowther & 2Lt R C M Douthwaite returned from leave on the 1st having been recalled by wire [telegram]. 2nd Lt A.C Doc & E H Thompson MC rejoined from hospital on the 2nd. Lt Col Rumford DSO MC [the battalion CO] proceeded on leave to England on the 3rd and returned on the 6th. 2Lts L A Floyd, N A Dixon and Ward joined the Bn on the 3rd.
No.15431 L/C [Lance-Corporal] Walker F was awarded the MM [Military Medal] for gallantry in the field. (DRO 3027 1/11/17). The G.O.C. remitted suspended sentence of 3 years Penal servitude in the Case of No 3141 Pte (a/L.Cpl) G R Worthington for an act of gallantry for which this man was awarded the MM and for continuous good behaviour & devotion to duty during the past three ms [months].
This ‘block entry’ covering nine days mentions the commanding officer heading off for leave in England for just three days. Most of that time would have been spent travelling. Two more drafts, of 95 and 50 soldiers, joined, making a total, in three weeks, of 270 new men to be absorbed into the battalion.
The story of Acting Lance-Corporal Worthington is intriguing. What did he do to earn three years’ penal servitude? (Which may well have been a softer option than the Flanders trenches – perhaps a reason why the sentence was suspended and he returned to duty in the front line.) What did he do to earn his Military Medal? Sadly, the war diary gives no other details.
As intense as the fighting was in Flanders, there was a serious problem further to the south and east, in a different theatre of operations. In north-east Italy, the Austro-Hungarian Army, supported by German units and with its High Command bolstered by German commanders and advisers, had broken the resolve of the Italian Army at Caporetto and its troops were advancing, virtually unopposed, across the Venetian Plain.
Italian losses were enormous: 11,000 men were killed, 20,000 wounded and 275,000 taken prisoner; additionally, 2,500 guns were captured by the Austrians. Between 24 October and 9 November 1917 the Austro-Hungarian and German forces advanced more than 100 miles (160km) in the direction of Venice. They were only stopped at the Piave River, where the Italians (supported by French and British forces) established a new defensive line. Luckily for the Allies, the Austro-Hungarian support systems could not sustain such rapid progress, and it became necessary for the advancing army to pause to consolidate. The advance was halted by 10 November, as the 9th York and Lancasters set off from Flanders towards this fresh and very different theatre. On that day, the 23rd Division began the lengthy move by rail to Italy. The battalion war diary gives bare details of the journey:
10 [November] The Bn entrained by half Battalion at WIZERNES STATION train no. 51 departed at 10.30 am. Lt Col Rumbold DSO MC being OC Train; Train no 54 left at 2.40pm with Major Lewis MC as OC train.
11 to 15 Train through the RHONE valley to MARSEILLES and along the coast via CANNES, NICE & VINTIMILLE [Ventimiglia] into ITALY. Halts repas [haltes repas – meal stops] were arranged at various stations, where men were exercised and hot water tea coffee were available. The train discipline was excellent and the men were interested throughout the journey. The Bn was warmly welcomed en route. On the 15th the Bn detrained at MANTOVA [Mantua] and marched to CERESA.
From the limited details in the war diary, the train seems likely to have taken the troops, via Paris, south along the route of the current high-speed train (TGV) track, through Lyons, down the Rhône Valley to Arles. It would then have turned east and followed the coastline to Marseilles, Cannes and Nice, and on to Italy. The train would have crossed the border into Italy just west of Ventomiglia and then passed through Genoa and Cremona before arriving at its destination, Mantua, which lies about seventy-five miles (120km) west-south-west of Venice. The march to Ceresa was only about three miles (5km) and, after five days on the train, should have presented no problems.
The total distance travelled was about a thousand miles (1,600km). Five days’ travel gives an average progress of 200 (320km) miles each day, or a mean speed of around 8 miles an hour (13kph) over the whole distance. This would be a reasonable rate of progress for such a train. British troop trains aimed to carry a battalion (normally 1,000 men) and all its kit in two trains, with a target track speed of 25mph (40 kph). (The French adopted a different approach, using one large train, travelling at half that speed.) We know from the war diary that the battalion was split between two trains. A steady speed of 25 miles an hour would, with a few lengthy stops, translate with little difficulty to a 12mph average, close enough to the battalion’s average speed over the whole journey. It seems ironic that they should have taken, for part of the journey, what would become a route of the French TGV, which currently boasts average speeds of 175mph (280kph).
What a journey it must have been for those men. Travelling down the beautiful Rhône Valley and along the Côte d’Azur through Cannes and Nice must have been a whole new adventure, offering unbelievable scenery and a vastly different climate. Not surprisingly, ‘the men were interested throughout the journey’! ‘Halts repas’ is a misspelling of the French haltes repas, which literally translates as ‘meal stops’. Morale would have been given a boost by the local support as they travelled. (Leaving the horrors of Flanders would have already given it a significant boost. Surely the new front couldn’t be as terrible as the Ypres Salient?) The train would steam for a few hours, occasionally stopping, starting again, repeated day after day. It would not have been an especially comfortable journey, and slow even by the standards of troop trains, but it was an improvement on the soldiers’ way of life in Flanders, as well as a break from the demanding activities at the front or in the training areas. The men might have had an idea of where and what they were heading for, but there was no great tradition in the British Army of keeping the troops informed about anything.
During one of the breaks in the journey, the troops must have been given the opportunity to buy from local shops. Harry bought a postcard and, on arrival at the end of the rail journey, was able to write a short note to Jack. Tortona, pictured on the card, is around a hundred miles (160km) short of Mantua and their journey’s end.
Harry’s postcard to Jack, bought in Tortona and sent when the battalion reached its destination.
Nov 15th 1917
Dear Jack
I am going on all right, will write as soon as possible. Hope the wedding [Jack’s to Agnes; see Chapter 1] comes off alright. Write and tell Ethel you have heard from me.
Love Harry
Having arrived in Italy, the division started on the long march to the front line, beginning, for Harry’s battalion, with a short march to new billets at Ceresa. Things had grown a good deal more comfortable, as the war diary reports, rather less tersely than usual:
16 to 18 [November] Billeted in good billets at CERESA, where satisfactory training was carried out. On the 18th a church parade was held. Whilst in the area the condition of the men was good, although the sick parades were a little larger than usual several men suffering with boils.
19 The Division commenced its march forward to concentration area. The BN moved off at 8.30 am by march route to SUSANO CORTA CHIAVICHE (about 12 miles [20km]) arriving in Billets at 3.30 pm. The marching was good, no men falling out.
20 The march was resumed at 7 am to NIGARA (8 miles [13km]) the Bn in Billets by 11am. The high standard of marching was still maintained and very few men had blistered feet.
21 Bn moved off at 6.30 am to LENAGO (12 miles [20km]), arriving in Billets at 3 pm. The marching was again good, and the transport was very clean & smart.
22 Bn moved off at 7 am to Noventa (16 miles [26km]) arriving in Billets at 1430 pm. The men marched very well and not a man fell out. Several men’s feet were blistered.
23 The march was resumed at 9 am to PONT du BARBARANO (7 miles [11km]) and the Bn was in Billets by 1 pm.
Because the distance marched on the 23rd was one of the shorter ones, and the men were in billets by lunchtime, Harry had the chance to write a short letter home.
Nov 23rd 1917
Dear Kate.
Just a lin
e to let you know I’m going on all right. I should be pleased if you could send some powder the next time you write the cake was grand you sent. I hope you get on all right with your fresh job. my address is the same only put Italy instead of France. Would be pleased if you could write once a week if it was only a line will write again as soon as possible.
With best love
Harry
Then they were off again, the war diary still solemnly recording the distances marched each day:
24 At 7 am the Bn moved off to ST MARIA (10 miles [16km]), arriving there at 1 pm.
25 Moved off at 7am to ISOLA di CARTURO (6½ miles [10km]) and in Billets by 11 am. During the last three days the march discipline was still very good, and no men fell out. The men were in good condition and their feet were sound.
The march having ended in the morning, Harry was able to write another letter:
25 November 1917
Dear Jack
I hope you are getting on alright as I am in good health at present except bad feet after a lot of marching. My address is the same as usual, except you must put Italy instead of France. When you write I should be glad if you would send an envelope and paper. I have had no white bread lately we have been on Italian rashing [rations] would be glad if you could send me a parcel I have not had any for weeks. Let me know how you are getting on. I think Mr. Thomas’s son is in the same division as we are. if so he has come to Italy too. I shall be glad to get home again to see you all. Willie is getting on well and gets a big boy they are all in good health and dad is about the same. I think he is a marvellous fellow. We have seen some fine scenery on our travels. We were 4 or 5 days in the train it is alright down south of France and very pretty. Write as soon as possible
with best love
Harry
And still the battalion marched:
26 & 27 inspections were held on the 26th & training resumed the following day. The sick parades were large, the chief complaint being blistered feet, but the rest benefitted the men greatly.
28 The march resumed at 8am to ISOLA ROMOLO (12 miles [20km]), the Bn arriving in Billets by 4pm.
29 At 9am Bn moved off to SONTREIA (7 miles [11km]) and were in Billets by 12 noon. The march discipline throughout the march was excellent, and very few men were carried on the Ambulance – no men fell out throughout the march.
30 Bn in Billets - the C.O. inspected Companies in Drill order and was satisfied with the smart appearance of the Bn. The majority of the men were bathed.
This was an army moving on foot in 1917. The heavy equipment would be transported by horse-drawn general-service wagon and motor lorry. The men would march as a body, generally in companies, carrying their full military equipment. Day after day the condition of feet, particularly, would deteriorate through ill-fitting boots and poor-quality, badly (and rarely) washed socks. Harry had been marching for over a week when he asked Kate for powder, presumably talcum powder for his feet, and to ease chafing where his uniform rubbed against his skin.
The total distance marched by the battalion was almost 110 miles (175km). The distances don’t sound too demanding in today’s terms, but with few exceptions the men would have been carrying their normal equipment and rifles, all of which would weigh up to 65 pounds (30kg). On top of this, they were not well fed and had just spent six months in the Flanders sector of the Western Front. Nor was their kit and equipment ideal for long-distance marching, and they would have suffered much chafing, blistering and general discomfort. Even so, it was still a considerable improvement over life in the trenches around Ypres.
They were not to be in Sontreia for long, but while there continued with training, and drill also made a no doubt unwelcome reappearance:
1st [December] battalion in billets at SONTREIA. Company training in Running Drill, Musketry: Bayonet fighting, Arms Drill and Company Drill was continued with.
Harry found time to write to Jack on the same day:
Dec 1st 1917
Dear Jack
I have just received a small packet from you and was very pleased with it. It was a good job it was something that would keep as it was dated Nov 8th. I have also received a letter Nov 14th. The lady you are marrying I can remember quite well. Well I hope you are married by now. I can remember two lady teachers Miss James and a Miss Meredith who were at East Oxford. We have had some good marches this last fortnight which I should have enjoyed better had we not quite so much to carry. The weather has been just right for marching the roads are very level out here you can see all the big hills or mountains in the distance with snow on them the scenery would be grand in summer time. I am pleased they are going on all right at home and that you are keeping well. glad to hear about Kate. I think it is very good of them to buy you a present worth about £10 it should be a good one. We are getting on better for food now but very short of bread. Don’t forget to put Italy instead of France I hope you have a Merry xmas and a Happy new year. I’m going to try to get a card to send you for Christmas. Write back as soon as you can and don’t forget.
Yours Harry
A wedding present costing £10 is remarkably generous. At today’s values £10 in 1917 would be worth well over £500. Yet the only member of the family earning a regular wage would seem to be Kate (Jack would have been paid a stipend by the Church). I would love to know what they actually spent the money on, and who contributed, but, sadly, the details have long since been forgotten.
On the following day, the 9th York and Lancasters completed their journey: ‘2nd [December] Battalion moved off at 11 A.M. and marched to billets at BARCON arriving there at 2.40 P.M.’ This was a decent march of around eight miles (13km), and was followed by a seven-mile march to the front line on the River Piave.
It had taken just over three weeks to relocate the 23rd Division more than a thousand miles to another country, a fresh climate and, as we shall see, to a very different fighting environment.
CHAPTER 8
THE PIAVE RIVER DEFENCE LINE
ON 5 DECEMBER 1917 the 9th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment took its place supporting the front line that followed the southern bank of the Piave River. The river rises in the Dolomites and flows south-south-west before turning south-eastwards to flow into the Gulf of Venice some twenty miles north-east of that city. It was along this roughly west-to-east length of the river that the Austro-Hungarian advance following the Italian rout at Caporetto was finally halted. The countryside, to Harry and his comrades, would be very different from the area around Ypres, with much green vegetation and magnificent views. To the south-east, Venice and the Adriatic Sea were less than thirty miles away; to the north, the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains would be clearly visible.
The next four months were spent on the Piave front, supporting the defensive effort. Most of the time was spent in the vicinity of Montebelluna, about twelve miles (20km) north-east of Treviso at the foot of the Montella high ground, towards the centre of the plain and twenty-five miles (40km) or so due north of Venice. In the middle of February there was two-day march to a new location, still on the Piave front, but much closer to the mountains. After nine days there, during which scouts from the battalion actually climbed the nearby mountain, they set off and marched the twenty-five miles (40km) back to Montebelluna. In the Second World War this would have been viewed as a typical army SNAFU (Situation Normal, All Fouled Up – the polite version).
The Piave was very different from rivers the British soldiers would have known or seen before. Once the body of water reached the Venetian Plain, where it turns eastwards through 90 degrees to head for the Adriatic, the river split into many small channels and broadened to a width of several hundred yards. This had a considerable effect on the positions of the opposing armies. In Flanders, the enemy lines were directly ahead, within easy range of a rifle shot, and sometimes only tens of yards away. Here, the river provided a secure boundary that pushed the enemy away to a relatively remote distance. As a result, defensive arrangements differed radicall
y from those on the Western Front. Any patrolling, the placing of wire entanglements, the siting of gun lines, even trench design, all needed to be modified to suit new conditions.
In 1918 the river was a much more impressive feature than is the case today. The channels were much deeper then, and there was a greater head of water. Irrigation, industry and modern demands for water have reduced the amount of water reaching the plain.
By 12 November the Italian Army had successfully halted the rapid advance of the Austro-Hungarians in fighting which, as part of the Battle of Caporetto, is often known as the First Battle of the Piave. (It is possible, however, that the Austro-Hungarians had set the Piave as an objective, and had decided to halt the offensive there before their lines of communication became dangerously stretched.) The arrival of British and French reinforcements, all tried and tested on the Western Front, effectively locked the opposing forces into these positions.
This section of Harry’s war is difficult to describe, for by early December the Italian theatre of war was quite static on the Piave. The war diary account shows, however, that it was not without its dangers:
3rd [December] The 70th Brigade [which included the 9th York and Lancasters] relieved the 136th Regt of the 70th Italian Division in the left sub-section. (MONTELLO SECTOR). The Battalion moved off at 9.45 A.M. and marched to CIANO where it relieved the 1st Battalion 136th Italian Regt; and became support Battalion. After one hours marching the Battn halted and dinners and teas were served in a field. Sports were held in the afternoon. The march was resumed about 4.0 P.M. to CIANO. Relief complete about 8.0 P.M.
