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The Auckland Regiment

XXIV The Winter in the Salient

page 182

XXIV The Winter in the Salient

On 11th November 3/Auckland marched to Esquerdes. and from there to Wizernes, from where they went by train to Poperinghe. After staying a night in Forrester Camp, and another in the Railway Dug-outs, Zillebeeke, they went into the line in the Nordenhoek sector beyond Polygon Wood on the 14th. The 1/Brigade detrained at Hopoutre on the 15th and proceeded to Mic-mac Camp. The Divisional area stretched back over miles of the dreadful battlefield, from the Polderhoek Chateau to the ruined town of Ypres and the village of Dickebusch. An ugly dreariness was the prevailing feature. The outlook was sordid and revolting. Skies were grey, and the damp mists hung low. Everywhere was a sea of mud. The whole atmosphere was dispiriting and distressing. Men lived in comfortless iron huts, in old gun-pits rotting with age, grimed with smoke and swarming with rats, and, further up toward the line, in the captured German pill-boxes. Few of these had escaped altogether. Even where the walls and roof were secure the foundations had been cracked, and the water was rising. Often beneath the floorboards were horrors unmentionable, and the stench rising was sickening. Yet these fearful dungeons where the German machine-gunners had fought, died, and after that been buried were the only shelters in the wide muck of desolation. Men lived in them, and so utter was their need that these horrible places were looked upon as homes.

There is a limit to human endurance, and during the winter of 1917-1918 this limit was very nearly reached. At no other time was the morale of the British Army so low. At page 183no time was the war so nearly lost. It is impossible to fight once the will to victory has gone, and during this winter hope and faith in the final triumph almost died away. The terrible disaster before Passchendaele, and the fearful price which had finally to be paid for it, had disheartened so many. Then, too, it was obvious that, despite the tactical success, the strategic objective had not been reached. The German submarine campaign was being only too successful. Russia was disorganised and helpless. She was compelled to conclude a humiliating peace, which set free hundreds of thousands of German troops tor the Western Front. The Italians met with frightful disaster. The Battle of Cambrai, so brilliantly successful in its earlier stages, closed badly after a heavy sacrifice of life. After three years of war men everywhere were sick of the slaughter, home-sick, weary, worn out with the labour, disgusted with the sordidness and the naked, dirty horror of the bloody business. Victory seemed as far off as ever. Mentally, morally, physically, the ordinary man was done. Many talked of a drawn fight, some even despaired of that. Nevertheless, even in the Ypres salient there were men whose resolution no hardship or danger could shake. These men were the prophets and apostles of victory. Mud, filth, ugliness and the comfortless desolation of the wilderness could not sour them; they smiled and kept their poise; defeat could not discourage them, they looked forward only to victory; opposing numbers, swelling daily, did not daunt them. High of hope, strong in faith, death had no terrors for men like these. It was nothing to these men if they died, if all the men of their race and time died, if by that sacrifice there might be a dawn of hope. In the blackness of despair they kept the flame burning, a flame which in the months to come was to blaze up into a great light, chasing far the shadows and the darkness. These men won a victory which no historian will relate, but a victory the hardest won of all, and which alone made possible the final triumph. Some were generals, some officers, some N.C.O.'s, some privates in the ranks. Many are dead, and many more maimed. Some have come home. All honour to the great-hearted few who page 184endured so stoutly and valiantly when all around was despondency and despair.

3/Auckland, in the line, found that a very great deal of work was required to make it secure and comfortable. They proceeded with this task. On the 21st one of their patrols was broken up by machine-gun fire at close range. Private Campbell earned distinction by carrying a wounded man three hundred yards to safety, although he himself had been hurt. The following evening the Battalion was relieved and went back to Railway Dug-outs and Half-way House, where they remained until December 1st, doing working parties. Proceeding to Howe and then to Walker Camp, they continued to supply working parties until the 14th, when they again went into the line in the Nordenhoek sub-sector. Two days later came the first fall of snow, and with it the frost. For the next two months the battlefield was frost-bound. The shell-holes had six inches of ice on top, and the landscape was white as the flakes came drifting down. The British artillery fire was still intense, and the enemy suffered considerably. One day two of them surrendered themselves, and the following day one more came in. On the 22nd the Battalion was relieved, and went into support at Half-way House and Railway Dugouts, doing working parties.

From here Lieutenant-Colonel Blair, D.S.O., M.C., left for England, and his place was taken by Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. McKenzie, D.S.O., and the Battalion, after a week in support, once more moved up to the front line. Here Lieutenant Lorie, a very able, energetic and brave officer, was killed. On January 2nd the Battalion once more moved back to the support area and then to Dickebusch, from where they entrained each morning and went up by the light railway to tasks at various points in the Corps Area.

The greater part of the sector consisted of land won during the heavy fighting of the previous months. As there was a practical certainty that, with the coming of spring, the heavilyreinforced German armies would take the offensive, very great labour was expended on the organisation of the battlefield and page 185the strengthening of the defences. Light and heavy railways were pushed forward, roads were built, both corduroy and metal, miles of duck-boards laid down, trenches strengthened and reserve lines dug, blasted woods and hidden valleys tangled with masses of wire, while the broken pill-boxes were, wherever possible, cleaned out, repaired and made defensible. Bsside the work of construction, much salvaging was done. Long before this time the shortage of raw materials had become very acute, and the greatest economy was practised. Even horseshoe nails and scraps of rubber were picked up from the road, while great dumps of spoil were accumulated from the battlefield itself.

A few days after their arrival in the area 1st and 2/Auckland detached 600 men each for working parties. These men took up their quarters near Belgian Chateau in old gun-pits, tents, huts and dug-outs, while the remainder went back with the Battalion Headquarters to Hoograaf, where schools were established for the purpose of giving refresher courses in all specialist departments of infantry work. "Working parties" and "schools" were the main features of the winter.

An hour before dawn the Company Sergeant-Major would be up and stirring the working party for the day out of bunk. No easy job this, for the old gun-pits were snug and warm, and outside was very cold and bleak. Human nature always has a tendency to turn over on the other side, despite sergeantmajors. At length, by threats, persuasion and cajolery, but mainly through the smell of bacon and beans, the toilers were mustered in time. Clothed in leather coats, with hands muffled up in big gloves, they stamped up and down on the duckboards until the light railway train came puffing and rattling along. "All aboard," and so away past Ypres, Birr Cross Roads, and right out on to the battlefield itself. A tramp of two or three kilometres along a corduroy road and duckboard brought the party to the task which might perhaps be the wiring of a little wood. No one is ever in the least enthusiastic over a working party, unless sometimes a very new and conscientious officer. The rank and file looked upon working page 186parties as an unmitigated evil, to be avoided on all possible occasions, by every means. On the job it was not considered good form to make a display of surplus energy. Wire is abominable stuff to handle at any time, especially in the bitter cold, in mud, and amongst tangled debris. It tears clothes, flies up into one's face, cuts and scratches. Gloves save the hands, but make the handling of the wire four times as difficult. Old soldiers make a particular point of not putting out the wire. New hands are inveigled on to this part of the business, while the others do the carrying from the dump, a very much pleasanter business. The "go-slow" policy is frequently in evidence, but the work proceeds—if not apace. Occasional black "coal-boxes" burst overhead, causing much disturbance, but doing little damage, and sometimes a Fritz battery becomes active and causes a temporary scatter. On a working party very brave men suddenly discover the dangers of shell fire, and urge a retreat for the day, particularly if a new officer shows signs of caution. Most companies endeavour to keep enough rum in store to provide an issue when men are actually on their tasks. At about half-time the rum jar, accompanied by an officer and the senior N.C.O., goes the rounds and instils fresh energy into the workers, who, thus refreshed, carry on until about mid-day, when work finishes and the party moves off in the direction of home. A few of the most energetic set out to walk all the way back to the camp. Some fortunate ones catch an early train, the majority, in groups of half a dozen or so, make along the duckboards to "Hellfire" and the Y.M.C.A. "buckshee" show at that point. Great care is taken to salvage any wood lying about for the brazier fires. The train rattles in, and there is a hurried rush from the "buckshee" show, a bundling on board of the spoil, and somewhere about two o'clock Belgian Chateau is reached. There is a clatter on the duckboards as the workers push into the huts and gun-pits. Gear is thrown off, and everyone is free for the remainder of the afternoon. Many go oft to the "Y.M." Hut at Howe Camp for afternoon tea, a talk, and a smoke. Before dark and dinner time all are back. The brazpage 187iers are glowing redly in the biwies, and hungry men are rattling dixies, waiting for the mess orderlies' call. "Come on. there, tumble out!" and at once there is a joyous scramble to be first in the line. "What is she, to-night? How's it holding? Any chance of coming the double ? What about some spuds ? Go on, push on, there—you've got your issue." And so the jostling, good-natured crowd are quickly served. After dinner men settle down for the evening. One, a black and white artist of some parts, works busily by the light of a guttering candle, touching up a sketch of the "Crucifix of Polygon," near where he has been working for the last few days. It is a drawing, somewhat crude in execution, but full of power because of its utter realism and its accurate, detailed portrayal of the ugliness, the horror, the sadness and the underlying hope of better things that in dim and obscure fashion lies underneath the terror of the present. Others lie round reading all sorts of literature. The Continental Edition of the Daily Mail has come up with the rations. It is read eagerly and believed—with reservations. One or two are not ashamed to be seen reading the little pocket Testament—the last gift of some proud, sorrowful, loving mother. One man is openly reading the Labour Leader or George Lansbury's Herald. In the Ypres salient it is refreshing to know that ideals have not utterly perished from the earth—the Daily Mail notwithstanding. Novels are in great demand, and it is a poor author who cannot get a reading. A couple are wrestling with a pocket set of chess, many are playing cards, some are writing letters, while the remainder sit around the brazier and talk of many things. Some time during the evening an N.C.O. comes in with "orders" for the next day—and the rum issue. The "orders" are listened to with attention, containing as they do the names of the working parties for the next day, while the rum is received with joy and drunk with eagerness. There is nothing now to wait up for. The brazier is smoking abominably, and everyone's eyes are full of smoke. Outside it is freezing hard, and if for more than a moment or two the crazy doors are opened the cold night air rushes in. and page 188the pleasant heat vanishes as if by magic. One by one everyone curls up on the wire bunks, or on the floor, wrapped up in all available garments, for before morning and the Sergeant Major's call the cold will be very intense. By nine o'clock all are fast asleep. Gradually the red flames from the brazier die down. The black shadows fall everywhere, and one more day of the war has passed.

All not employed on working parties were despatched to schools, either the Battalion schools at Hoograaf or the Brigade N.C.O. school at Berthen, close to the Mont des Cats. The 1/Brigade school was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Alderman, C.M.G., and was conducted with great efficiency. It provided a refresher course in all departments of infantry work, bombing, musketry, Lewis gun, bayonet fighting, wiring, gas, map reading, platoon and section tactics, drill and recreational training. Expert officers and N.C.O.'s were in charge of all branches of the work. R.S.M. "Bill" Bates, of 1/Auckland, the chief drill instructor, soon became one of the celebrities of the school. Without doubt, he was the most amazing drill instructor the Regiment ever had. He could abuse you horribly and profanely without causing the least feeling of bitterness. His sense of humour was exceptionally keen, but those who were the most frequent targets for his satire often liked him the most. Sergeant-Major Taylor, of the Imperial Forces, was attached for physical training and bayonet fighting. "Round-me-nip" was a rather brilliant graduate of London University, and a geologist of some standing, who, owing to the loss of one eye, was refused as unfit for actual fighting service. Having always taken a keen interest in physical culture, he had been drafted into this department, and attached to the 1/N.Z.I.B. He was an exceptionally efficient instructor, and rapidly became very popular. The snow lay thickly on the hard ground, and the man who kept his men moving was held in the highest esteem. Six hours a day, with an occasional lecture in the evening by the C.O., and Saturday half-holiday was the routine of work. There are all sorts of soldiers. Some of the best fighting men are also exception-page 189ally keen on the parade ground. One has only to think of men like Sergeant Faithful; while others, Prendergast, for instance, an unmatched fighter, abhorred all endeavours to make soldiers of them. Many a man, who in a hot corner would not hesitate to assume command of a platoon or company over the heads of all sorts of superior officers, showed a strange diffidence in calling a section of eight men to attention. Another man, who in the line was scrupulously careful about the care of bombs, S.A.A., and the posting of sentries, came on to parade with his puttees falling off, two buttons undone, and made a really foolish showing when it came to mounting a main guard with full pomp and circumstance. Some men loathe schools, others like them; some grow homesick for their battalions, others would be content to stay at school for the duration of the war. The trench failure is always ready for a school, because for one thing it is safe, and for another he has the opportunity to reassert himself. On the other hand, the best type of fighting man, however much he may appreciate a good refresher course, is never desirous of a long stay away from his unit.

Christmas Day passed happily enough. A general holiday was declared for all those on working parties and at schools. There was plenty to eat and drink, Christmas mail, and any quantity of "buckshee" parcels sent by the Women's Patriotic Society were eagerly and gratefully received.

On January 18th, 1st and 2/Auckland concentrated as full battalions at Dickebusch Huts and Hussar Camp, preparatory to going into the line. The 4/Brigade, relieved by the 1st, went out into Corps Reserve and carried out a similar programme of work and instruction to that just completed by the 1/Brigade, Captain Dittmer taking command of the school which was formed at Ottawa Camp.

On the night of January 2Oth/2Ist, 2/Auckland went by train to Birr Cross Roads, and from there along the duckboard track to the Cameron Covert-Polygon Veld sector, immediately in front of the famous Polderhoek Chateau, against which many assaults had broken down, including one carried page 190out by troops of the 2/Brigade. Many dead were lying about —English, Scotch, New Zealand and German. The sector was quiet enough usually, but was extremely uncomfortable, as the melting of the ice and snow had caused the ground to become very wet and muddy. Everyone suffered a great deal, either through standing about in the mud or living in the foul pillboxes, which served as Company or Battalion Headquarters. A certain amount of patrolling was carried out, but otherwise there was little to note. 2/Auckland were relieved on the 26/27th by the 1/Battalion, and went back in support near the Crucifix. The weather was steadily growing warmer, and the ground firmer. Again nothing of consequence took place, and six days later the battalions once more changed over. On the 7th February, 2/Auckland were relieved from the Reutel sector and Dead Mule Gully, and marched back to the infantry barracks at Ypres. The 1st Battalion went in on the Broodseinde sector, where they found the ground high and dry. There was a temporary break in the weather, which for some days was wet and stormy. Four Germans came in one day and gave themselves up to a post of the 15th Company. They had had enough of the British shell fire. Enemy artillery also was active, and maintained a harassing fire on the posts. After a cold night's vigil, or a couple of hours on patrol spent in slithering from one wet shell-hole to another, a nip of rum sets the blood running, and enables a man to get off to sleep. It cheers men immensely, having much the same effect as "two-up," cigarettes, love-letters, mademoiselles and "buckshee" cocoa. Nearly all men drink to some extent, and the little taste of liquor gave great pleasure. Properly controlled, the rum issue was, from the military point of view, wholly beneficial. The trouble came just on that point of "proper control." Relatively large quantities of rum had to pass through the hands of a few men, with the result that the temptation was often too strong, and a Company Headquarters or a few senior N.C.O.'s took out as much as they required for their own purposes before issuing to the men. This meant a certain amount of drunkenness, and in the Army, as in civilpage 191ian life, more trouble was caused through drunkenness than through anything else. On this matter, as in many other things, there was far too much tolerance. In war time, when troops are actually in the face of the enemy, the most drastic measures should be adopted to deal with cowardice, inefficiency and drunkenness. For the first two, offenders should be reduced immediately to the ranks. A coward may do excellent service in some administrative capacity away from the front, but there is no place for him even as a lance-corporal in a righting unit. Only the efficient ones amongst the brave should be promoted to any rank of responsibility, and for men of this sort promotion should be as rapid as possible. The crime of drunkenness when troops are actually in the line should never be considered apart from the rank of the culprit. A drunken private is a nuisance and deserves to be checked, a drunken N.C.O. is a prolific source of trouble and should be reduced, while a drunken officer, being a public danger, should be tried by court-martial, and, if found guilty, shot, no matter what his rank or attainments might be. If a drastic policy of this sort had been adopted from the beginning it is unlikely that more than half-a-dozen shootings would have been required amongst commissioned ranks, and as a direct result of dearer thinking at critical moments many hundreds of valuable lives would have been saved.

February 14th, 1/Auckland were relieved, and came hack to Walker Camp, from where on the 23rd they moved to Halifax Camp. 2/Auckland had for some days been billeted in West Farm Camp, near Birr Cross Roads, and both battalions now supplied large working parties for tasks on and about the Corps Line. While here, Colonel "Steve" Allen returned from England, and once more took over command of his battalion. He was very lame as a result of the wound received at Gravenstafel, but by dint of much persistent effort had secured the reluctant consent of the authorities to return to France. The Battalion was as glad to see him back as he was to be once more with them, particularly as heavy fighting was expected to break out almost any day.

page 192

That the enemy would take the offensive was a foregone conclusion; the only question was as to just when and where he would attack in real force. There was a distinct threat against the Ypres salient, and the British artillery was continually active. On at least two occasions the full barrage was thrown out, and once a considerable enemy attack was actually launched on the Reutel sector.

Some time before this, on February 8th, the 4/Brigade was formally disbanded. Many of the officers and men were immediately drafted into other units, while from the remainder the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago Working Battalions were formed. Later on these working battalions became the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Entrenching Battalions, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell, D.S.O. They served as reinforcement depots for the Division, and at the same time were able to do a very great deal of work on reserve positions some distance behind the line.

On March 10th the New Zealand Division moved by train and motor-lorry to the villages round about Cassel, for what was intended to be a month's training. 1/Auckland billeted at Staple, while the 2nd were in the village of Zuytpeene. Billets were good. The spring weather was splendidly fine, and the blue skies, the sunshine and the green fields were such a contrast to the hideous desolation of the Ypres battlefield that men could not but help feeling joy at the change. The French folk were very kind, and after the months in Belgium it was a pleasure to be amongst them again. Training was carried out during the mornings, and the afternoons were devoted to games. Great efforts were made to smarten the men up. Equipment was scrubbed, brass polished, bayonets rubbed with emery paper until they shone and sparkled in the sun. while barrack-square and guard-mounting drill formed a not inconsiderable part of the training programme. By the time General Russell inspected the battalions a wonderful transformation had been wrought. This was important, but not so important as the marked improvement in morale that accompanied it. The Brigade football competition held at this time page break
Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. McKenzie, D.S.O.

Lieutenant-Colonel A. G. McKenzie, D.S.O.

page break page 193was very keenly contested, 1/Auckland and I/Wellington winning the preliminary rounds, while the latter battalion won the final.

On the 21st March, 1st and 2/Auckland marched from their billets to Moule, some distance the other side of St. Omer, for the purpose of carrying out musketry practice on the range which had been constructed there. The day was hot and dusty, and the pave roads very hard on the feet. Two very tired and footsore battalions arrived late in the afternoon at the new billets. Orders were at once issued for the shooting to take place the following morning. There had been rumours during the day of a great enemy attack opening on the Somme, Rumour ran that it had been repulsed with heavy loss to the attackers, who had been mown down by the machine-gun fire. Late in the evening came news of disaster. The 5/Army had broken before the tremendous onrush of the massed German armies, backed as they were by an immense power of artillery. The British line on the Somme was broken and the grey tide, sweeping on over the old battlefield, was surging on toward Amiens to cut the railway communications, isolate the Channel ports and destroy the British Army. The orders already issued were cancelled, and the men warned to be ready for an early start back to the Cassel area—there to join the remainder of the Division, ready for the next move.