4 replies to this topic

[skipman]

Reading Bewsher's History 51st Division History, and Wauchope's Black Watch History (1/6th Battalion) it comes across (to me at least) that they thought they were doing their fair share. I expect every unit thought their burden was greater than any other, but do Bewsher and Wauchope have a point. Was there more asked of some units than others?




12/3/1916  In front of Maroeuil, about 3 miles from it lies the Vimy Ridge. Here the 6th was continuously in the line , for the next 4 months, with only 3 periods of rest of 6 days each. " Wauchope's History of the Black Watch


16/1/1917 " The Division was, however, now at its lowest ebb. It had been in the line for a year, including two very trying periods of mine and trench warfare, plus the fighting in July and August on the Somme and the battle of Beaumont Hamel. It was considerably reduced in strength, and had lost heavily in company commanders and N.C.O.'s. A period of at least a month's rest was considered essential in which to train the new drafts and restore the fighting efficiency of the Division. It was therefore with some misgiving that it was learnt that on 30th January the 8th Royal Scots and the 1/1 and 1/2 Highland Field Companies, R.E., had proceeded to Arras to work in the Third Army area. This could have only one meaning. " Bewsher Page 135 (165 of 468) & Page 136 (166 of 468)


" The recollections of the first nineteen days' rest which was vouchsafed to the Division since it first went into action are not as pleasant as might be imagined.   (Bewsher) 136  (166 of 468)


Mike

[RammyLad1]

Mike , I feel for the men of the Artillery, after the infantry had been relieved they usually stayed in the line supporting their replacements.

[skipman]

Right enough RammyLad. It wasn't just the PBI who suffered. I should perhaps have stated infantry. It just seems to me, the 6th Black Watch certainly did their share of the fighting, although I have no statistics to back that up. I don't doubt  other battalions spent as much time, if not more in the line, than the 6th Black Watch?

[John Duncan]

Some of the very men mentioned in the quote, the 8th Royal Scots, arrived before and stayed on in the area around the Chemical Works after the 51st were withdrawn, being Divisional Pioneers they were frequently abstracted to work with different Divisions maintaining front line etc. That said only on relatively rare occasions did they go over the top.

John

[Steven Broomfield]

I recall that the 14th London (London Scottish) habitually referred to D Compnay as "POBD" (Poor Old Bl**dy D) as that company was thought always to draw the short straw.