Thursday, May 13, 1915
In billets, Bailleul (Le Nouveau Monde)
The Battalion War Diarist wrote for this day: “Preliminary orders that battalion should be ready to move shortly.” [1]
THIS DAY IN RMR HISTORY: “In late April and May of 1915, while the 2nd British Army fought to defend Ypres, even while the possession of Frezenberg Ridge remained in doubt, the right wing of the 1st Army began a co-operative venture with the French in Artois, where a German salient seven miles wide and four miles deep had been formed. Of particular concern were the heights of the Vimy Ridge, forming a five-mile wide barrier. An eight-division assault went in on 9 May, leading to an inconclusive struggle that saw the ridge remain in German hands [2]…
The Battle of Festubert: The 60-hour bombardment that prefaced the Battle of Festubert began on the morning of 13 May 1915, when 433 howitzers and guns began a systematic working over of German defences on a frontage of 5,000 yards extending north from the village itself. The fire was slow and deliberate (just 50 rounds per gun every 24 hours) in keeping with Haig’s desire that effects on the German defences could be observed. The 6-inch guns fired on the German parapet while 4.5-inch guns shelled support and communication trenches. Field guns bombarded wire entanglements and dropped harassing fire in the form of shrapnel shells into communication trenches. The fire was originally to last just 36 hours but extended another 24 at the request of one of the assault divisions. The 1st Corps used just over 100,000 rounds of ammunition in total.” [3]
Dancocks, Daniel G. Gallant Canadians: The Story of the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion 1914-1919 (The Calgary Highlanders Regimental Funds Foundation, Calgary, AB, 1990) ISBN 0-9694616-0-7, p.44
[1] War Diary, 14th Canadian Battalion, The Royal Montreal Regiment, May 13, 1915. Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e044/e001089732.jpg
[2] Dancocks, Daniel G. Gallant Canadians: The Story of the 10th Canadian Infantry Battalion 1914-1919 (The Calgary Highlanders Regimental Funds Foundation, Calgary, AB, 1990) ISBN 0-9694616-0-7, pg. 44, as quoted in Festubert 1915, Canadiansoldiers.com http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/westernfront/festubert.htm
[3] Festubert 1915, Canadiansoldiers.com
http://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/westernfront/festubert.htm