WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
16th - 17th JUNE ORDER PAPERS

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SECRET
Copy No. 5
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORTHCOMING OPERATIONS No. 1
______________________________

INTENTION I.
(a) In conjunction with the remainder of the 4th Army and the French, the 7th Division will assume the offensive on 'Z' Day and will establish an objective, a line from track at S.25 b 58.32 to WILLOW AVENUE at X.29 b 5.6.

(b) The 18th Division will be on the right, the 21st on the left.

(c) Boundaries on the right will be, F.12 c 39 -- F.6 a 62.11 (leaving the junction of BEETLE ALLEY and DANZIG ALLEY to the 18th Division and Gun position at F.6 a 6.1 to 7th Division) -- track at F.6 a 8.9 along the track to junction of tracks at S.25 b 45.00 -- S.25 b 37.91 leaving the trench running N.W. to S.E. to 18th Division.

Boundaries on the left will be WILLOW AVENUE STREAM.

(d) The main attack is to be carried out by the 91st and 20th Infantry Brigades.

(e) The attack of the 91st Brigade will be divided into 3 phases.

1st OBJECTIVE
BUCKET TRENCH, BULGAR ALLEY to DANZIG ALLEY, DANZIG ALLEY to Northern and North Eastern edge of MAMETZ.

2nd OBJECTIVE
FRITZ TRENCH, VALLEY TRENCH and BUNNY ALLEY.

3rd OBJECTIVE
Final objective allotted to 7th Division.

2. The 20th Brigade will form a defensive flank facing North Westward to cover the advance of the 91st Brigade and will seize the North Eastern outskirts of MAMETZ, ORCHARD VALLEY to its junction with APPLE ALLEY, APPLE ALLEY to our front trenches.

3.The 22nd Brigade will clear the German trenches North of BOIS FRANCAIS.

DISTRIBUTION II.
'A' Company will be attached to the 95th Coy. R.E. and 'B' Company to the 1/3rd Durham R.E. to assist in consolidating captured position under instructions of O.Cs., R.E. Companies.

'D' Company less 2 platoons are detailed for special work in opening up communication trenches.

'C' Company and 2 platoons 'D' Company remain at Battalion H.Q. in reserve.

Lewis Guns will be detailed for special work in the offensive.

DRESS III
All officers will carry rifles and wear similar equipment to the men.

(a)
1. Rifle and equipment less pack (123 rounds S.A.A.)
2. Haversack on back containing two tins of meat, eight hard biscuits and canteen filled with grocery ration.
3. Waterproof sheet with jersey rolled inside fixed on back of waistbelt by supporting straps of pack.
4. Sandbags as ordered by R.E.
5. Two Mills Grenades, one in each lower jacket pocket.
6. Two smoke helmets.
7. Tools as directed by O.C. R.E. Companies.

(b)
Grenadiers will wear ordinary equipment and carry rifles and if required for bombing will collect grenades from men of their platoon.

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2.

(c) The following badges will be worn:-
I. Men carrying wire cutters ... White band 2" wide on right forearm.
II. Carriers ... Red patch 2" deep on right shoulder strap.
III. Bombers ... White Grenade 21/2 " in length on right sleeve just below shoulder.
IV. Runners ... Yellow badge 2" square on each forearm.
V. All ranks ... Square patch of pink flannel sewn on flap of haversack. Top edge level with the seam marking the turnover of flap.

IV
It is to be distinctly understood by all ranks that Pioneers are not to take part in the offensive but only act on the defensive if ordered by an Officer or the senior N.C. on the spot. Their work is the most important, ie., consolidation of captured positions.

V
Greatcoats, caps and spare kit will be packed in pack, and will be stored. Packs will be clearly marked with the number, name and Regiment of owner. Personal property must must not be put in the pockets of greatcoats as it may be necessary to re-issue these.

VI
During march to trenches water in waterbottles is NOT TO BE DRUNK under ANY circumstances.
Water can be obtained at the following points if men require a drink on the way up:
K.6 c 2.0 ... North of BOIS DES TAILLES
L.8 a 50.95 ... On road EAST of GROVETOWN
L.4. a 8.9 ... Opposite GRANTOWN Infantry dug-outs.
F.21 b 5.2 ... CITADEL at point where metre gauge railway crosses road.

VII
Battalion Headquarters will be at GROVETOWN.

VIII
Transport will remain parked at BOIS DES TAILLES, East of N. Area.

IX
No Officers kits exceeding 39lbs. will be accepted by the Quartermaster for packing waggons. Arrangements will be made if possible to store surplus kits but no responsibility will be taken for the loss of these.

X
These orders will be added to from time to time.

Copy No.
1. O.C. 'A' Company
2. O.C. 'B' Company
3. O.C. 'C' Company
4. O.C. 'D' Company
5. War Diary
6. War Diary

16-6-16
G.B. DEMPSEY Lieut. & Adjutant.
24th Battalion Manchester Regiment.

The date of assault is referred to as 'Z' day, proceeding days will take the letters in reversed order eg., 'Y', 'X', 'V', etc., ie., if a Thursday is 'Z', Wednesday will be referred to as 'Y', Tuesday 'X' etc.

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SECRET
Copy No. 5
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORTHCOMING OPERATIONS No. 2
___________________________                  17-6-16

CONSOLIDATION OF POSITIONS CAPTURED

1. Establishments of strong points and supporting points.
In addition to the ordinary consolidation to be carried out by Infantry as each objective is captured, the following strong points will be established:-

(a) In the line of the final objective of the Division at:-
X. 30. A. 5.0
X. 29. d. 9.9
Z. 29. b. 6.5 (The northern end of the trench running to this point.)

(b) The line of FRITZ Trench:-
At some point in FRITZ trench between points 5410 and 4482 whence a good field of fire is obtained in a north-easterly direction.
At Point 4482
At the end of gully X. 29. d. 3.5

(c) The North-eastern and eastern faces of MAMETZ village will be prepared for defence.
BUNNY WOOD.

(d) When FRICOURT WOOD and WILLOW AVENUE are clear of the enemy, ORCHARD Trench North will be consolidated by the 20th Infantry Brigade and the ORCHARD prepared as a strong point.

(e) The folowing are the positions of strong points to be prepared by Divisions on our flanks:

On our Left:
X. 29. b. 0.5
Eastern corner of FRICOURT WOOD
F. 4. a. 8.5
WILLOW TRENCH

On our Right:
S. 25. b. 45.00
F. 6. c. 85.45
F. 6. a. 76.15.
F. 6. c. 86.75
F. 6. c. 68.07
A. 1. b. 50.20

2. ACTION OF R.E. AND DIVISIONAL PIONEERS.

(a) For the consolidation of the strong points enumerated in sub-para (a) and (b) para 1, the 1/3rd Durham Field Coy. R.E. and 'B' Company are allotted. These troops will assemble at MINDEN POST and will move forward under orders of G.O.C., 91st Infantry Brigade.

(b) To place MAMETZ village in a state of defence and prepare BUNNY WOOD as a strong point, the 95th Field Coy. R.E. less one section and 'A' Company are allotted. These will assemble in No. 2 work Inermediate Line, and will move forward under orders from Divisional Headquarters.
The O.C. 95th Field Company R.E. will arrange for two Orderlies to be at the signal test station at GRANTOWN (the present Infantry Brigade Headquarters)

(c) The duty of opening up communication tunnels running from our trenches to BULGAR POINT and MAMETZ Trench is allotted to 'D' Company, less two platoons who will assemble in GEORGE AVENUE. The O.C. Company is responsible for opening up the tunnels at the earliest opportunity. On completion of this duty this party will be used to open up

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Sheet 2

a communication trench from BULGAR POINT through FERDINAND ALLEY, MAMETZ, and BRIGHT ALLEY to FRITZ Trench and from the head of the left of these communication tunnels to the HALT, thence to DANZIG ALLEY to MAMETZ.

(d) The O.C. 174th and 183rd Tunnelling Companies will arrange for completion of shallow tunnels and the management of traffic passing through.

3. The 54th Coy. R.E., 'C' Company and two platoons of 'D' Company will form part of the Divisional reserve assembling at GROVETOWN.

G.B. DEMPSEY. Lieut. & Adjutant.
24th Battalion Manchester Regiment.

Copy No:
1. O.C. 'A' Company
2. O.C. 'B' Company
3. O.C. 'C' Company
4.O.C. 'D' Company
5. War Diary
6. War Diary

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WAR DIARIES - NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WO-95-1646-2_1
17th JUNE ORDER PAPERS

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SECRET
Copy No. 7
24th BATTALION THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FORTHCOMING OPERATIONS No. 3
______________________________

DIVISION OF 1st LINE TRANSPORT

'A' Echelon will consist of : Pack animals, S.A.A., Grenade and Machine Gun Limbers.

'B' Echelon will consist of : Tool carts, Cookers, Water carts, and Maltese carts.

Each Echelon will be grouped by Brigades, and each Group will be under an Officer whose name will be reported to Divisional Headquarters.

Transport of R.E. Companies will be attached to Brigade Groups as follows :-
With 20th Brigade Group, 95th Company R.E.
With 22nd Brigade Group, 54th Company R.E.
With 91st Brigade Group, 1/3rd Durham Field Company R.E.

'A' Echelon will be under Brigade control and will be in the following places at the commencement of the attack :-
20th Infantry Brigade, near Durham Field Coy. billets L. 3. c.
22nd Infantry Brigade, GROVETOWN Valley about L. 1. d. 9.0
91st Infantry Brigade, GRANTOWN
Pioneer Battalion with 22nd Infantry Brigade.

'B' Echelon will be located in the BOIS DES TAILLES in Brigade Areas which will be allotted, 20th Brigade on the North, 91st Brigade in the Centre and 22nd Brigade with Pioneer Battalion on the South.

Each Brigade Group and the Pioneer Battalion will send 1 Mounted Orderly to Divisional Headquarters 'Q' Office at GROVETOWN by 6am on the day of the assault.

There will be a telephone exchange at K. 12. a. 6.7 and each Brigade Group of 'B' Echelon transport will also keep one Orderly at this exchange.

There will be a second telephone exchange at ORCHARD CAMP connected with Divisional Headquarters and should Brigades wish to keep an Orderly from their 'A' Echelon at this exchange they can communicate with him through Divisional Headquarters.

II SUPPLY OF FOOD AND WATER

On the night before the assault rations for consumption on the following day will be issued to the men to be carried by them in addition to the Iron Ration. It must be clearly impressed on all ranks that the Iron Ration is not to be eaten except on the order of a C.O. If any Iron Rations are consumed the fact must be reported to Divisional headquarters immediately.

Each man will also be given a sandwich to be eaten shortly before the assault, for which purpose 1/4 lb. bread per man will be issued in addition to the normal ration.

On the night following the assault, as soon after dark as movements of troops and guns will allow, Cooks' vehicles and water carts, will be sent up in Brigade groups by the following route : No 'B' Echelon transport will move except on receipt of an order from Divisional Headquarters.
Red Road to L. 9. a. 3.2
By track to L. 4. c. 6.5
By MAMETZ Road to F. 22. d. 5.9
By track to F. 23. a. 7.4

MANSEL COPSE
HALT.

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Each unit will send guides to the BRAY - MAMETZ Road at the Western Point of the Great Bear to be there by 10:30 pm. and await arrival of Transport, which will then be conducted as far forward as circumstances permil, where ration parties must be arranged. The petrol tins allotted to Brigades should, if possible, be made available to take water from the water carts.

The number of vehicles per Battalion to be taken up to units must not in any case exceed five, including 2 water carts. If desired, and if circumstances permit 2 cookers per Battalion, (included in the above 5 vehicles) with water and tea may remain up in the neighbourhood of the HALT during the following day, but the horses must return with the remainder of the transport and the vehicles must be clear of the PERONNE-FRICOURT Road.

Should the above arrangements not be suited to the circumstances in which any unit is placed, special orders will be issued for that unit, but unless this is done, these order will apply to the 3 Infantry Brigades, Pioneer Battalion, and the 3 Field Companies r.e.

After delivering to units, transports will return by the same route and park close to the BRAY-CITADEL Road in L. 3. d. and there await orders.

Lorries of the Mobile Water Column will arrive during the night on the BRAY - CITADEL Road at L. 3. d. and all water carts must be refilled from these lorries as soon as possible after returning from units. The 40 additional water carts will be retained in Divisional reserve. Horses will be watered at troughs at L. 9. a. 8.5.

III BAGGAGE WAGONS
All baggage wagons will be sent to units on the morning of 'Y' day and must be returned to the train loaded not later than 9pm. that evening.

IV RE-FILLING POINT
Re-filling point on 'Z' Day will be as at present, on the MERICOURT - TREUX Road at 7am. Supply wagons of the train will deliver supplies to the 1st Line Transport in the BOIS DES TAILLES.

V DRAFTS
All drafts will be sent to 'B' Echelon, 1st Line Transport. Brigades will be informed of the numbers that have arrived for their Battalion, but they will not be sent up to units until Brigadiers report that they can be absorbed.

VI OFFICERS
The following Officers will accompany the Battalin into action : -
'A' Company. 1 Major or Captain and 14 Subalterns.
'B' Company. 1 Captain and 14 Subalterns.
'C' Company. 1 Captain and 14 Subalterns.
'D' Company. 1 Captain and 4 Subalterns.

The remainder, including the 2nd in Command will be left with 'B' Echelon 1st Line Transport. When any of these Reserve Officers are required to rejoin their units Divisional Headquarters should be informed.

VII REPLACEMENT OF ORDNANCE
The quick replacement of lost or damaged Ordnance Stores is of great importance, especially in the case of Lewis or Vickers Guns. The D.A.D.O.S. has been authorised to accept telegraphic indents and these should be submitted with as little delay as possible, and repeated to Divisional headquarters.

VIII STORAGE OF PACKS
Reference Instructions for Forthcoming Operations No. 1 Packs will be stored under Brigade arrangements at MORLANCOURT as follows :-

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20th Infantry Brigade No. 7 Rue de Chateau
91st Infantry Brigade No. 9 Rue de Chateau
22nd Infantry Brigade & Pioneer Battalion No 4. Rue de Calvaire

2 men per Brigade will be left in charge under the orders of the town Major who will arrange to provide them with rations by drawing from the Reserve Store at the Crucifix K. 8. d. These 6 men will be provided under Divisional arrangements from 'unfits' and will be handed over to the Town Major by 'Y' day.

IX SUPPLY COLUMN
The Supply Column will resume drawing rations at Railhead commencing on 'Y' day.

X VETERINARY
A Veterinary collecting station will be established at the Northern end of BOIS DES TAILLES at K. 12. a. 2.8.

The Mobile Veterinary Section will remain in MERICOURT.

XI STRAGGLERS
A Line of straggler posts will be formed connecting with Divisions on the right and left from a point on the BRAY - MAMETZ Road about L. 4. c. 3.3. via ORCHARD CAMP to the FILIFORME TREE.

These posts will pass all men walking back, to the Central post at ORCHARD CAMP, where the wounded will be medically dealt with, and any stragglers sent under escort to the 'B' Echelon of their units Transport where they will be handed over to the Officer in charge, re-equipped, fed, and returned to their units at night.

These posts will move further forward as the opportunity occurs.

XII SALVAGE
Preliminary Salvage operations will be commenced by the Divisional Salvage Company as soon as possible, on receipt of orders from Divisional Headquarters.

The detailed scheme issued under 7th Division No. Q/764/6 will not come into operation until progress of operations can be ascertained, when orders will be issued by Divisional Headquarters for the scheme to be put into operation.

XIII PRISONERS
A Divisional Prisoner Collecting Station will be established at a point 200x S. of ORCHARD CAMP. Any prisoners made by units will be sent there under escorts to be found from units. These escorts after getting a receipt for their prisoners from Officer in Charge Collecting Station will return to their units.

As a rule 5% of the number of prisoners will be a sufficient escort.

Officer prisoners should be kept separate from the men.

Care should be taken that documents in possession of prisoners are not thrown away on their way back.

Copy No.
1. O.C. 'A' Coy.
2. O.C. 'B' Coy.
3. O.C. 'C' Coy.
4. O.C. 'D' Coy.
5. Quartermaster
6. Transport Officer
7. War Diary
8. War Diary

G.B. DEMPSEY Lieut. & Adjutant
24th Battalion The Manchester Regiment.

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XIV OFFICERS' KITS
Any surplus kit over 38lbs., 1 mess basket per Coy., and Men's surplus kits will be stacked behind Headquarters Mess Kitchen at 10:00 am on the 19th instant. These kits will be stored at MERICOURT by D.A.D.O.S.

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