Victoria Crosses on the Western Front: Battle of Albert, 21-27 August 1918

By Paul Oldfield

In the past, while visiting the First World War battlefields, the author often wondered where the various Victoria Cross actions took place. He resolved to find out. In 1988, in the midst of his army career, research for this book commenced and over the years numerous sources have been consulted. Victoria Crosses on the Western Front: Battle of Albert, is designed for the battlefield visitor as much as the armchair reader. A thorough account of each VC action is set within the wider strategic and tactical context. Detailed sketch maps show the area today, together with the battle-lines and movements of the combatants. It will allow visitors to stand upon the spot, or very close to, where each VC was won. Photographs of the battle sites richly illustrate the accounts. There is also a comprehensive biography for each recipient, covering every aspect of their lives warts and all: parents and siblings, education, civilian employment, military career, wife and children, death and burial/commemoration. A host of other information, much of it published for the first time, reveals some fascinating characters, with numerous links to many famous people and events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Jun 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781526788009

Paul Oldfield

Paul Oldfield was born in Sheffield and was educated at Victoria College in Jersey. After serving in the Army for thirty-six years, he became a freelance battlefield guide (he is a badged member of the Guild of Battlefield Guides) and a historian. In 1988, he co-authored Sheffield City Battalion in the Pals series. Cockleshell Raid and Bruneval in Pen & Swords Battleground Europe series were published in 2013, and the first of nine books in the Victoria Crosses on the Western Front series in 2014.

Book preview

Introduction

The ninth book in this series continues the story of the Hundred Days, the final advance by the Allies leading to the Armistice. The Hundred Days resulted in the award of 119 VCs; almost a quarter of the 492 land forces VCs awarded for the Western Front between 1914 and 1918. This book covers the ten VCs awarded for the Battle of Albert 1918, four of which were to Dominion troops.

As with previous books in the series, it is written for the battlefield visitor as well as the armchair reader. Each account provides background information to explain the broad strategic and tactical situation, before focusing on the VC action in detail. Each is supported by a map to allow a visitor to stand on, or close to, the spot and at least one photograph of the site. Detailed biographies help to understand the man behind the Cross.

The titles of battles, actions and affairs are as decided by the post-war Battle Nomenclature Committee. VCs are numbered chronologically 387, 388, 389 etc from 21st August 1918. Refer to the master maps to find the general area for each VC. If visiting the battlefields it is advisable to purchase maps from the respective French and Belgian ‘Institut Géographique National’. The French IGN Top 100 and Belgian IGN Provinciekaart at 1:100,000 scale are ideal for motoring, but 1:50,000, 1:25,000 or 1:20,000 scale maps are necessary for more detailed work, e.g. French IGN Serie Bleue and Belgian IGN Topografische Kaart. They are obtainable from the respective IGN or through reputable map suppliers on-line.

Ranks are as used on the day. Grave references have been shortened, e.g. ‘Plot II, Row A, Grave 10’ will appear as ‘II A 10’. There are some abbreviations, many in common usage, but if unsure refer to the list provided.

I endeavour to include memorials to each VC in their biographies. However, every VC is commemorated in the VC Diary and on memorial panels at the Union Jack Club, Sandell Street, Waterloo, London. To include this in every biography would be unnecessarily repetitive.

Thanks are due to too many people and organisations to mention here. They are acknowledged in ‘Sources’ and any omissions are my fault and not intentional. The continuing contribution of fellow members of the ‘Victoria Cross Database Users Group’, Doug and Richard Arman, is fundamental to the completion of these books.

Paul Oldfield

Wiltshire

March 2021

Battle of Albert 1918 and Subsequent Operations

21st August 1918

387 LSgt Edward Smith, 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers (125th Brigade, 42nd Division), Near Miraumont, France

388 Cdr Daniel Beak, Drake Battalion (189th Brigade, 63rd Division, Logeast Wood and Loupart Wood, France

389 Lt Col Richard West, North Irish Horse att’d 6th Tank Battalion (2nd Tank Brigade), Courcelles and Vaulx-Vraucourt, France

Although the Anglo-French offensive that ended on 12th August had caused considerable damage to the German Army, the Allies had wasted opportunities. Troops had not been handled boldly and the tanks had been disappointing. After years in the trenches, the BEF had little experience of open warfare and a steep learning process was underway.

The Germans fell back to the almost intact trench lines of early 1917 and brought up fourteen reserve divisions. The Allies called a temporary halt while they built up resources for another push. Between 11th and 20th August small scale operations south of the Somme chipped away at the German defences and a general advance of about 1,800m was achieved, following which the Germans pulled back north of the Somme to shorten their line.

The Allied plan was for the Armies on the flanks of the 8th August offensive (French Tenth and Sixth Armies on the right and British Third and First Armies on the left) to envelop the Germans in the centre. Third Army was ordered by Haig to take Bapaume, while First Army to the north was to recover Monchy-le-Preux. At the same time the British Fourth and French First Armies in the centre were to take any opportunity to push forward. Further north, Second Army was to nibble away around Mount Kemmel, to make the Germans believe that an offensive was also threatened in that area.

Third Army’s objective was the Albert–Arras railway and preparations were made in utmost secrecy. The first objective (Blue Line), the Ablainzeville–Moyenneville spur, was to be secured by the left of IV Corps and the right of VI Corps. Both Corps were then to advance to the Albert–Arras railway (Green Line). IV Corps was also to capture the remainder of the Serre–Miraumont spur. On the right, V Corps was to be prepared to extend the attack southeast towards Pozières. Half the soldiers taking part were newly arrived youngsters. Consequently tactical handling was concerned mainly with retaining control in the hands of the few experienced officers. Steady advance was preferred to attempting to rupture the front and infiltrating deep into the enemy’s rear areas. Although Third Army faced intact trench systems, the Germans did not occupy them systematically, which allowed for more open manoeuvre than in previous battles.

The Third Army area 21st–25th August.

On the right, V Corps made minor gains but was severely hampered by the flooded Ancre valley. Further operations were suspended there until Albert fell. In the centre of Third Army, IV Corps attacked at 4.55 a.m., with 42nd, New Zealand and 37th Divisions. The first objective was 900m away on high ground. There was an intermediate objective (Brown Line) on the way to the second objective, as this was some 6,400m from the start line. A flank was to be formed on the right to connect with V Corps. At the first objective, 63rd and 5th Divisions, on the right and left respectively, were to pass through and exploit as far as the third objective, east of Bihucourt and Irles. 1st Tank Brigade was in support.

In 42nd Division, 125th Brigade on the left, next to the New Zealanders, was to commence the attack, with 127th Brigade joining in later on the right. 125th Brigade had three objectives. First, 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers was to seize the Red Line, which included the Lozenge (Hill 140), about 1,600m south of Puisieux. Second, its reserve company was to go on 800m to take the high ground to the east. Finally, 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers was to take Beauregard Dovecot, a strongpoint at the junction of five roads/tracks, on the high ground northwest of Miraumont. It was then to push patrols forward another kilometre or so. 1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers was in reserve.

Thick mist covered the assembly and at 4.45 a.m. the attackers set off in a series of fighting patrols, covered by most of the Division’s artillery and machine guns. D, A and C Companies, 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers, led, with B Company in support. The fire plan was complicated due to a shortage of guns. The artillery had to cover 125th Brigade onto the first objective, then switch to support 127th Brigade as it made its first moves, before switching back again to support 125th Brigade’s advance on the second objective. During this final phase, 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers was to be supported by the artillery of the New Zealand Division.

42nd Machine Gun Battalion allocated four guns to the Red Line, two on each flank and another four guns to the Brown Line. No.59 Squadron RAF was to fly contact patrols overhead at one, three, five and seven hours after zero hour.

Covered by the mist, the leading companies were soon on the first objective (Red Line) and at 6.55 a.m. B Company set off for the second objective (Blue Line). Lance Sergeant Edward Smith, commanding one of the B Company platoons, came upon an intact machine gun post. He rushed the position and the gunners scattered to throw grenades at him. Undeterred he charged and killed six of them. With the way clear, he led his platoon to capture two more machine gun posts and was in the thick of the action again. A little later, he noticed that the neighbouring platoon was held up and took command of both platoons to lead them onto the objective. On the way he killed many of the enemy himself. By 7 a.m. the second objective was held and consolidation was underway.

Leave Miraumont northwestwards on the D107 towards Puisieux. After a few hundred metres at the top of the hill is Beauregard Dovecot, marked by the copse to the left of the road. Continue for 900m and, as the road begins to rise after crossing a re-entrant, turn left onto a track. Follow it to the southwest for 650m and stop at the t-junction because the track from here onwards is much rougher. Walk on to the southwest up the slope towards the Lozenge for just over 300m and turn round. This is where the Red Line crossed the track. Look across the re-entrant. The Blue Line ran parallel with the track you are on, about 200m to the southeast. The copse at Beauregard Dovecot is very clear from here.

From the Lozenge on the Red Line looking east. The Blue Line ran parallel with and on the far side of the re-entrant that runs across the middle of the picture. Beauregard Dovecot is on the right.

Touch was established with the New Zealand Division on the left and 127th Brigade on the right. At 8.55 a.m., A and B Companies, 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers passed through and headed for the third objective (Brown Line), which was taken with the exception of Beauregard Dovecot, which was strongly held. The Battalion was also not in contact with the New Zealanders on the left. The mist lifted around this time and the most advanced troops found themselves under point blank fire from a German battery. They went to ground in shell holes and a counterattack almost wiped them out. Nevertheless, by 1.25 p.m. 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers was reporting that an officer patrol had been pushed forward about 900m.

It was not until 2 a.m. on the 22nd that the Dovecot was taken by A Company, 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers. The Germans counterattacked at 4.45 a.m., putting 1/7th and 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers under severe pressure. The attack was held, except at the Dovecot, but the enemy suffered very heavy casualties. Smith was once more to the fore, leading a section to restore a portion of line that had been lost. As a result of heavy enemy fire the line was withdrawn to the sunken road running southeast from Puisieux towards Miraumont. His steadiness and skill resolved a potentially dangerous situation. Later in the morning A Company, 1/7th Lancashire Fusiliers, twice asked for a barrage on the Dovecot. At 12.25 p.m. a RAF reconnaissance flight reported no enemy movement in the Dovecot.

Another counterattack at 7 p.m. ran into the German supporting barrage, as well as the British SOS barrage, and faded quickly. In the early hours of the 23rd, A and D Companies, 1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers, attacked from the northern flank and surprised the Germans. They retook the Dovecot in a daring attack, which enabled other formations to take up the battle later in the day. 125th Brigade was eventually relieved on 24th August. By then 1/5th Lancashire Fusiliers had lost twenty-one men killed, sixty-seven wounded and eight missing. In addition to Smith’s VC, the Battalion received six other gallantry awards – a Bar to the DCM for CSM J Fisher DCM MM, the DCM to CSM FJ Carless, Sergeant J Lea, Corporal C Greenhalgh and Private F Hewson and the MM to Sergeant H Cawley.

Zero hour for the New Zealand and 37th Divisions was 4.55 a.m. and they took the first objective (Blue Line) with little difficulty. The advance was taken over by 63rd and 5th Divisions at 6.25 a.m., with each division leading with two brigades. In 63rd Division these were 188th on the left and 189th on the right, with 190th Brigade in reserve. Twenty-eight Mark IV tanks were allocated for the intermediate objective and another twenty-four for the second and third objectives, together with twenty-four Whippets. The tanks came from 7th, 10th and 3rd Battalions. 63rd Division had 5th Division on its right and 3rd Division on its left.

189th Brigade, on 63rd Division’s right, advanced with the Drake and Hawke Battalions leading on the left and right respectively. Attached were C Company, 63rd Machine Gun Battalion and a section of 248th Field Company RE. The intermediate objective (Brown Line), just east of Logeast Wood, was to be taken by the leading three companies of the Hawke Battalion and two companies of the Drake Battalion. Three companies of the Hood Battalion in reserve, and the two support companies of the Drake Battalion would then pass through to seize the Red Line (in some documents this is the Green Line), while the Hawke Battalion reformed to create a new Brigade reserve. If the Drake Battalion was held up in Logeast Wood, the Hawke and Hood Battalions were to press on, outflank the Wood and join with 188th Brigade on the Red Line. It was stressed that the capture of the brickfields, west of Achiet-le-Grand, should occur as quickly as possible. Finally 190th Brigade was to pass through to seize the final objective, the Red Dotted Line (Green Dotted Line in some documents).

Drive through Logeast Wood on the D7 southeast towards Achiet-le-Grand. 350m after leaving the Wood there is some hard standing on the left. Park there and look southeast towards the village. The cemetery is off to the left of the road and the brickworks were beyond the copse that surrounds the déchetterie (dump) to the right of the road.

189th Brigade allocated two mortars to each of the assault battalions for the advance to the Brown Line. The two mortars with the Hawke Battalion were to join the Hood Battalion for the advance to the Red Line. Another two mortar teams, with 150 rounds of ammunition, were to move forward with a carrier tank and were to engage any target necessary to assist the infantry to advance. When the advance had been completed these two guns were to be attached to the Drake Battalion. The carrier tank also took forward 240 Mills grenades, 1,500 rounds of small arms ammunition and fifty tins of water. Nine Mark IV tanks of 7th Tank Battalion were to cooperate in the advance to the Brown Line. Mark V tanks of 10th Tank Battalion were to assist with the advance to the Green Line. Whippets of 3rd Tank Battalion were also to cooperate in the final advance, supported by some armoured cars. The Whippets would be about 1,350m ahead of the advancing infantry and two sections of Mark Vs about 900m in advance. A few Mark Vs were to accompany the infantry second wave. A contact patrol of No.59 Squadron RAF was to fly over at zero hour plus three, five and seven hours. The Squadron was also to drop supplies of ammunition into the forward positions.

The Brown Line was reached without major incident at 7.05 a.m., except for navigational difficulties caused by the fog and resistance at Logeast Wood, which was cleared by 7.50 a.m. This delayed 63rd Division and, as a result, 5th Division was on the Brown Line half an hour earlier. By 8.30 a.m. the entire Brown Line within 63rd Division’s boundaries had been secured. Although somewhat disorganised, the assault troops were ready to continue and at 9.15 a.m. the advance resumed. Resistance stiffened and 188th Brigade suffered heavily from Achiet-le-Grand. The artillery support weakened as the advance progressed and only B Company, Anson Battalion reached the second objective on the extreme left. The left of 189th Brigade experienced the same problems but, on the right, two companies of the Hood Battalion and a company of the Drake Battalion on their left reached the second objective (Albert–Arras railway) at 11.30 a.m. They joined up with 5th Division on the right flank, which had been assisted by a company of the Hood Battalion and a tank in taking Achiet-le-Petit.

The centre of 63rd Division was held up, including the bulk of the Drake Battalion, in the outskirts of Achiet-le-Grand, around the cemetery, brickfields and some sunken huts. Numerous machine guns and anti-tank guns presented formidable resistance to the attackers. The mist began to clear at about 11 a.m. and had lifted by noon. However, by then the supporting artillery was out of range and the tanks had been knocked out by the anti-tank guns. Without support, the infantry made a gallant but futile effort to capture the position. Commander Daniel Beak, commanding the Drake Battalion, led his men with great determination. He captured four enemy positions under heavy fire but was not able to reach the objective on the railway line. This was the first incident for which he was awarded the VC. The second, on 25th August, is described later.

Looking along the axis of advance of the Drake Battalion.

Further advance proved impossible. A counterattack at 12.05 p.m. from Achietle-Grand forced the centre of the Division to fall back to the east of Logeast Wood and a line was formed a few hundred metres from it. Outposts were maintained and the Anson Battalion managed a small advance in the afternoon. However, by 6 p.m. all movement had ended and the line was consolidated for the night. By 9.00 p.m. the Anson (188th Brigade) and Drake (189th Brigade) Battalions were forming advanced posts, assisted by two companies of 2nd Royal Irish Regiment (188th Brigade). The main line behind was held by 190th Brigade with, from left to right, 7th Royal Fusiliers, 4th Bedfordshire and 1/28th London, with the Hood and Hawke Battalions (189th Brigade) behind. That night the flanks of 63rd Division fell back from the second objective. Next day between 5.55 a.m. and 1.15 p.m. the enemy came on in three determined counterattacks, which were driven off with the assistance of the artillery and trench mortars.

Meanwhile by 9.30 a.m. on 21st August, 5th Division had two battalions on the third objective. However, other units were not so fortunate and German pressure forced these battalions back to a line between the third objective and Achiet-le-Petit. The New Zealand Division was also unable to make much progress beyond the intermediate line once the fog lifted.

Although IV Corps failed to take its final objective on 21st August, it did succeed in advancing five kilometres and taking 1,400 prisoners. On the left of IV Corps was VI Corps. It attacked at 4.55 a.m. with 2nd and Guards Divisions, each with one brigade. VI Corps was supported by 2nd Tank Brigade, which consisted of 6th (Light) Tank Battalion with Whippets, 12th Tank Battalion with Mark IVs and 15th Tank Battalion with Mark V*s. Attached were four cars from 17th (Armoured Car) Battalion, eleven carrier tanks from No.1 Gun Carrier Company and No.3 Tank Supply Company. 99th and 2nd Guards Brigades made the initial assault, with twenty-six and twelve tanks attached respectively from 12th Tank Battalion. Once the first objective was taken, 3rd Division was to pass through 2nd Division and take up the advance alongside the Guards Division, both supported by 15th Tank Battalion.

The Guards Division had 5th Brigade (2nd Division) attached for the advance to the second objective (Red Line) on the Albert–Arras railway. As soon as the Red Line was reached, a brigade of 1st Cavalry Division was to exploit in the general direction of Bapaume, supported by 15th Tank Battalion. At the same time, Whippets of 6th (Light) Tank Battalion were to push forward independently towards Ervillers, Behagnies and Sapignies. The 3rd and Guards Divisions were to be prepared to exploit the success of the cavalry and tanks towards the Red Dotted Line. The final objective ran from Moyenneville to the north of Bihucourt.

It was expected that IV Corps on the right would not advance as quickly as VI Corps. Accordingly the latter was to pivot on its right in order to seize Courcelles as quickly as possible on the left. The right was to keep pace with IV Corps as it passed through Logeast Wood.

Many Mark IV tanks (12th Tank Battalion) lost their way in the fog, particularly in the Guards Division’s area, but nevertheless the first objective fell with little loss. The advance to the second objective commenced at 5.40 a.m., when 8th and 9th Brigades (3rd Division) passed through 99th Brigade. Although no supporting tanks (Mark V*s of 15th Tank Battalion) arrived in time, many turned up later, with some reaching the objective ahead of the infantry. The mist continued to cause confusion but it also spoiled the enemy’s aim. On the left, the Guards reached the Albert–Arras railway at 11.30 a.m. However, 8th Brigade made more rapid progress and was on the second objective by 8.45 a.m. In 9th Brigade on the right, the left battalion reached the railway around 9 a.m., but the right battalion could not reach the objective. Except for this 800m stretch, VI Corps gained the whole of the second objective. Apart from minor improvements to local positions, the advance came to a halt when the fog lifted.

In Moyenneville drive southwest along the D32 from the church. As the D32 turns to the southeast, go straight on along a minor road (Rue d’Ablainzevelle). After 350m turn left onto a track heading directly towards the church in Courcelles-le-Comte and continue for 600m to the track junction. Stop there for a view over the whole of the battlefi eld in front of Courcelles-le-Comte. The VC location is approximate.

Looking southeast from just left (north) of the inter-battalion boundary in 8th Brigade.

Major Richard West started the morning as second-in-command of 6th (Light) Tank Battalion (2nd Tank Brigade). In the preceding fortnight he had earned a Bar to his DSO and the MC. The Battalion’s role was to follow behind the attacking troops and heavy tanks (12th Battalion’s Mark IVs to the Blue Line and 15th Battalion’s Mark V*s to the Red Line) in order to exploit success east of the railway. To maintain touch with the Whippets, West advanced on horseback.