A Soldiers Game

Hi Chums, I'm back in Billets safe and sound. This week has been a very interesting week involving fire fighting, bricklaying, teaching and tunnelling.Sounds great doesn't it?

Well chums when I was last writing to you I was laid on my bed writing letters home. Just as I was finishing the Hun decided to send over a volley of shells. This time he decided the usually explosive shells wasn't enough and he sent over some incendiary shells. These caused no end of fires in the village.We all mustered ourselves and went out to tackle the blazes. Fires had sprung up everywhere. There was ourselves and the Towns Folk all working together to put the fires out.

The Hun sent over more incendiaries on the next evening. We were all ready and waiting this time and as soon as the shelling stopped we were out of the cellars and were tackling the blazes. I thought how the Hun was a particularly cruel race of people as he knew he was killing men, women and children in the most hideous ways.

We went back into the trenches on the 19th but this time we were training another regiment; The South Lancashire Territorials. We were training them in the art of trench warfare. The Territorials were going to be taking up a position in the line but before doing so they needed to learn their craft.

We took one Company into the trenches, this is about 200 men. The duck shoot from Smokers Corner to the communication trenches must have been miles from their imagination of what fighting on the Front Line was like. They must have also been terrified, I was on my first run into the trenches.

Once in the trenches the Hun had a welcoming party for the new boys, he sent over quite a few shells and bombs. Two of our men got killed and another injured. A soldier from the South Lancs also got killed. What a bloody waste, to not survive one night in the trenches.

The trenches were very wet as usually. The new lads were surprised how we were walking about in water that was sometimes knee deep.We taught them how to drain the trenches, how to build the trenches, how to man the sentry posts, how to cook, clean and where to sleep. It must have been a million miles from what they were expecting. There was no point in wrapping it up in niceties, we gave it them straight, and so did the Hun.

On the 20th the Hun decided he was going to bomb the railway barricade. The barricade is at the point where the railway line cuts across into the Huns lines. The following map shows this point, its at the top of the map where the railway lines cross the road. The front line is just on the northern side of the road.

Le Touquet 

The Hun decided he would use rifle grenades. We had only recently discovered these weapons when one was fired into the houses we had occupied and failed to go off. We could see by its construction that it was fired from a rifle. The following picture and diagram shows this weapon.

German Rifle Grenade 1914

German Rifle Grenade Diagram 1914

Anyway, Fritz fired loads of these onto the barricade position on the night of the 20th. We had one man killed and one injured. I thought these were despicable weapons. We were using jam tins to bomb Fritz but he had invented a highly effective rifle grenade. It didn't seem fair to me, Fritz was well ahead of us on the mechanised killing front.

Also on the evening of the 20th we had 60 new men arrived with 2nd Lt Harrison. We needed these reinforcements as we were now losing lots of men to not only death and injury but also to ill health.

On the 21st and 22nd we went back into the houses relieving some of our men in there. In this occupation of the houses it wasn't to enjoy a nice dinner and comfortable bed, it was to strengthen the defences. We constructed a new inner wall behind the original front and gable wall of the last two houses, numbers 9 and 10. This was to prevent easy access to the houses in case the front walls got blown down. We also made good the internal communication line from house number 10 back down the line into the snipers house.

The HQ Staff came up to examine the houses and our handy work. They were impressed with this and the strength of construction. They said it would do fine and suit their purposes. What purpose was this I wondered.

Well I found out when we came out of the trenches tonight. An order was sent round at Smokers Corner for men who had worked down the pit to report to the Battalion HQ in Le Bizet. I of course was such a person so I reported to the HQ. We were told that a tunnel was going to be constructed under the front line houses and into no mans land and the Hun lines. The top brass wanted volunteers and men with good knowledge of mine working to act as diggers, advisors and construction supervisors. I didn't fancy doing the digging, the tunneling, not in these conditions with shells going off all over the place, but I didn't mind acting as an advisor or supervisor. So yours truly has become a pit man again, a tunnel advisor. Well it should keep me out of the front lines and prevent me getting my head blown off.

I'm now back in billets wondering what delights are coming my way. If its anything like this last week then its going to be very different than the usual.

So chums I've been a Fireman, a Teacher, a Builder and now a Tunneller. That's how it is in the Army, its a Soldiers Game.

Well chums its time for me to sign off now. God bless you all. I hope to write to you next week.

Cheers Albert x

Dinner at the Ritz

Hi Chums.

We'll you wont believe the week I've had. Since I've been here its been all mud, rain, freezing temperatures and makeshift meals at the front but this week it was all change. When I last wrote to you on the 11th I informed you that we were going back into the trenches but we were going to occupy some house that border right up to the front. In fact the houses run right across no mans land.

I went into the trenches with my pals and we were on duty as normal, this was the night of the 11th. The next day I was working in the trenches doing the usual remedial work when I was informed that I was going to be sent up into the houses the following day. I didn't know what to expect but the outlook in the trenches wasn't good as Fritz was back to bombing and shelling us.

One of our men was wounded on the 11th and then one chap got killed and two others were wounded on the 12th. On the morning of the 13th two other chaps got killed by a shell and a further two injured by bombs. Life was a game of chance so I was quite happy to get out of them trenches and into the houses but I didn't know what they were like. They could be occupied by Fritz and we could have a bayonet fight on our hands, but I doubted that, we had kept an eye on them and sent men into them now and then to check on everything. Now we were going to occupy them permanently.

It sounds daft that there are houses right on the front line and into no mans land that are intact, but until now no one has been using them, neither us or Fritz so we've had no need to flatten them with shells.

Anyway at the alloted time we formed up in the trenches, a small working party, and then made our way up through the second line trenches to the edge of the houses . The trench runs right round the back of house number 9 (as we have it marked on our map) and there is a point where Fritz can't see us as we hop up on top and into the back of the house. I'd not been in these houses before and got a surprise. As I entered number 9  I was astonished. It was fully furnished with furniture, carpets and rugs. The kitchens had all the pots and pans and everything needed to cook a meal. The owners had fled when the Hun first came to these parts. Our regiment had chased him down to Frelinghien and the occupants had found it too hot to stay.

We were ordered to form a communication line through to house number 10 and back down the line into our rear trenches. We set about in good style. We knocked holes through the walls so we could move from house to house down the line. We then brought up sandbags to reinforce the doors, windows and other areas the Hun may try to break in. The shutters were closed on the windows so we could walk about without fear of the Hun seeing us and seeing what we were up to. We had to be quiet though because we didn't want him to hear us and pay special attention to us with a shell or two.

When we were finished we settled back and took a well earned rest. We were sat in the parlour in nice armchairs with our feet up on stools or pouffs. We were like lords.

It was then that we noticed we could hear Hun voices. We all stood to and checked where they were coming from. They were in the next House, no 11. This was about ten yards further on from our house number 10.  There was a small garden between us. The Hun must have been there some time and must have heard us going about barricading our house. We decided he must be ok with the situation and due to the proximity to us wasn't going to shell us. We decide to leave him alone provided he left us alone. Never the less we sandbagged the end wall to prevent him blowing it in and attacking us. We left one chap on lookout and then returned to our rest.

We had a grand day in the houses, we searched through the basement and found some potatoes and turnips. With our bully beef and a few onions we decided to make a stew. We lit a fire and put the contents into a boiling pot and hung it over the fire. It looked as though Fritz was doing the same, we could see smoke coming out of the chimney and could smell his goulash or whatever it was he was cooking.

We were quite at home and whilst waiting for the stew to cook we brewed up and had a tot of rum. One of the chaps found a bit of brandy so we all had a glass each. When the stew was done we sat there at a dining table eating stew from china plates with cutlery. We had a glass of brandy and we toasted the king. It was like dinner at the Ritz. The date was the 14th, Valentines Day!

That night we slept in beds with blankets. It was lovely and warm. It was raining outside but we were totally dry. One of us stood guard whilst the others slept. It was grand. I couldn't believe it.

On the evening of the 15th, yesterday, we handed over to the incoming Royal Lancs. I joked with them about keeping the place clean and to make sure they dusted and washed up after themselves. They told me to piss off and that they would charge for laundry services.

Now back in billets we've gone about our usual rest and recreation. We got quite a ribbing today when we told the others about our posh nosh up. In the estaminet we got some beer bought and was then asked 'is that all m'lord, would it be ok if one took the evening orf'. For once we forgot about the death and destruction all around us.

I'm currently in bed in my billet and I'm going to write a letter home. I'm trying to catch up on my brothers whereabouts. I'm hoping George and Bill are ok and are having similar breaks in their gruelling time at the front.

Anyway that's it for now Chums. This is one Valentines Day I wont forget and its not for the love of a lady but the love of a good square meal and a nice comfy bed to sleep in, even if it is in the middle of no mans land.

Cheerio Chums, hope to speak to you next week.

Albert X

On and On

Well chums Albert is here once more.

When I last wrote I was just going back into the trenches. We were there for another four days. It was a usual stint. We had four men wounded. These were from a variety of things. The Hun is still shelling us and the snipers and machine gunners let rip if they get a sight of you.

were coming under bombing attacks and mounting bombing raids of our own. I said I would inform you of the bombing parties we have. Well chums first we have to construct the bombs. These are made from either jam pot or bully beef tin. We pack it full of shredded gun cotton and ten penny nails, a little present for Fritz. We put a number 8 detonator into the bomb and them a short length of Bickford's fuse. We then pack it closed with a clay lid, we have plenty of that to hand!

Once we have made a few of these we then all prepare to throw them in one go. We have to light them with a match or cigarette so you don't do this whilst out of the trench. We usually go to the closest points to the Huns front line and then light them and throw them for all we are worth. Obviously some may land short, or too far, but some do land in Fritz's trench and do their dastardly deed.

Don't think this is all one way. Fritz has his own bombs and he lobs them into our trenches when he can. His seem to be a bit more sophisticated than ours as they look to be manufactured rather than hand made. They usually wound you rather than kill. They are packed with small metal objects that gave you 20 or 30 small wounds. I certainly don't want to see what it is like to get hit by one of these.

Jam Tin Bombs

So chums, not only shells, snipers and machine guns but bombs are our daily ordeal. You can keep your head down and avoid the snipers and machine guns but with the shells and bombs you never know when these are coming.

Whilst we were in the trenches we had more men join us. 2nd Lieutenants Bower, Powell and Loseby joined us with 20 men. Fresh lads straight from Blighty, although Lieutenant Bower had previously been with us and was returning. The new lads were in for a shock, I bet they wished they had stayed back home.

We came out of the trenches on the evening of the 6th. We are now in billets until tomorrow evening, the 10th. We've had the usual working parties on the communication trenches but have spent most of our time in the estaminets. Theres nowt like a few beers to make you forget the trenches. We usually have a good party and sing song.

There's a few mademoiselles in town now, not the type you walk out with if you know what I mean. They frequent the larger estaminets and have parlours of their own for entertaining the troops. I've stayed clear of them although their affection and gentler touch is a great comfort for some. I must say they brighten the place up and I do engage in conversation with them now and then.

we've had new orders from the high command for when we go back to the trenches. We are going to occupy the houses close to the front line. There's a fear by the top brass that Fritz is going to occupy these and try and mount an attack on us. The houses are cottages along the road that crosses from our lines to the Huns lines. This row of cottages is almost continuous right into the Huns lines. This map shows them, they are just beyond the Snipers House just to the north of the east - west running road.

Centre of Le Touquet

The Hun line is where the dashed and continuous parallel lines are. You can see the houses reach right up to the Hun line and he has houses within his line.

Well it should be different from sitting in the wet, muddy and cold trenches, they also offer much protection from the Huns snipers and machine guns. Its quite remarkable that these cottages still stand. The Old Snipers House is used by our snipers and lookouts, they constantly watch what the Hun is up to and if they get a good sight of them they usual pop them off with a well aimed bullet. To give you an idea of distance it is 500 yards from the Snipers House to the School House.

Well chums were off to the estaminet for another night of frivolity before we go back into the front line, or should I say the front houses! I'm sure it will be an adventure and if I'm still here I'll let you know all about it. I'll also have to let you know the song about Madamoiselle from Armentieres. I did say a while ago that I'd teach it you. Now the real madamoiselles are here we sing it more than ever.

And so on it goes, on and on.

Albert x

And So It Continues

Hi Folks,

Well I've completed another stint in the front trenches. Its starting to get like clockwork. One day is the same as the next whether it be in the trenches or out of them. Right now I'm in billets and due to go back into the trenches this evening. The last time I wrote to you I had just gone into the trenches again. That was the evening of the 26th.

There were a couple of differences this time, first of all it was the Kaisers birthday, this was on the 27th. We expected the Hun to put up a show but to our surprise the day passed very quietly, maybe old Bill had given them the day off. We were all on stand to throughout the day and night but there was nothing, not even a volley of celebratory firing.

To warm the Hun up our battery, nicknamed Amelia, gave them a volley on the 28th. This was aimed at the houses and front trenches. The volley completely demolished a house and we expected the Hun to scurry out but we didn't see any.

The Hun was there alright, if you popped your head up to take a look it would attract no end of fire. It wasn't a wise decision to stick your head above the parapet.

We have regular sentry positions along the trench where we can observe no mans land and the Huns line with a reduced risk of being shot. These positions are protected by mud banks around the parapet with peep holes in them or there are bags of clay piled up with small gaps in them. This offers you good protection. If you try and take a look anywhere else you are asking for it. The following diagram is taken from a trench manual showing the general construction of a trench and sentry post.

So it brings me to a tragic event that befell a new chap who had recently joined the Battalion. This was his first time in the trenches. He had been put on sentry duty and had been doing this for a while when he decided to step down and partake in a bit of banter with me and my mates. He had wandered from the Sentry point and was having a good old natter with us when he heard the Corporal coming. Not wanting to be seen away from his station he jumped up onto the nearby firestep and stared out into no mans land to show he was still on lookout. He stopped there a second too long, there was a thwack and his head reeled back and his body fell into the trench. A sniper had got him.

He was lying there in the trench his face a mass of blood and bone with gargling noises coming from his mouth. We only had basic dressings and we shouted for the Doctor and first aid. The poor chap was trying to mumble something whilst we were trying to bandage his head. There was blood everywhere. We were all fingers and thumbs. It really shook us up.

We were waiting for the Doctor and stretcher bearers but the poor chap died in our arms before they arrived. It was his first time in the trenches. What a waste, what a bloody waste. That evening we carried him behind the lines and buried him leaving a simple cross on his grave. A few words were said and then we went back into the front trenches. It was surreal a person had been snuffed out as though they had never been a part of life. What a bloody war.

We left the trench the next day, on the eve of the 29th. This was also somewhat different. The sky was clear and it was a full moon. Our little run back to smokers corner was more like a duck shoot. The Hun didn't need to send up any star shells, it was almost as light as a dull day. We had to break up into groups and run from shell hole to shell hole, timing our runs so they were erratic and the Hun couldn't guess when or where we would appear next. We all made it safely back, how no one got shot or injured I don't know.

This time in billets we did get a bath. We had to march to Nieppe where they have a larger set of baths, ours at Le Touqet got flooded out by rain last week and still aren't back in action. We also got a nice present. We were all issued with fresh shirts and undergarments. It wasn't before time, mine were almost marching off to the trenches without me.

We have now been in the billets for four days from the 30th until today the 2nd. We've had a grand old time whooping it up at the estaminets. After seeing all the death and destruction and how easy it is for a life to be rubbed out we just live for today.

I was going to tell you about the bombing parties and this art of war, however I'm now ready to go back into the trenches, I'll have to tell you next time.

So my friends its once more to the breach, stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood.....

and so it continues

Albert x