Leuze Wood, 10th - 15th Sept 1917

On the 10th of September the battalion arrived at the trenches in front of Leuze Wood to take part in a new offensive. The next day on the 11th, A and B companies readied themselves for an assault on the German lines along the Ginchy-Morval Rd, but were unable to assemble for the attack due to a heavy German barrage. Thus zero hour was postponed until midnight that night. Wyrall’s account of the attack reads;

“At midnight, supported by artillery and trench mortar batteries and bombers, the 1/8th made their attack. The objective was reached, but the Guards on the left did not co-operate as was expected, with the result that when the Germans launched a heavy bombing counter attack the position could not be held and the attacking companies of Middlesex men were bombed back a certain distance. The net result of this small operation was that the 1/8th had gained about 50 yards and had established a new block. Many German’s were killed and 7 prisoners were taken, but the casualties of the 1/8th were heavy;”

In fact 165 men were killed, wounded or listed missing as a result of the actions on the 11th September, after which the battalion withdrew to bivouacs near German Wood. On the 14th September the battalion moved into position between Leuze and Wedge Woods and prepared for another assault on the German lines following day.
The 1/8th Battalion diary for this action reads;

“Leuze Wood. 15th. A general attack on the German lines. The (167th) Brigade assaulted the lines immediately west of Bouleaux Wood. As the wood was still held by the Germans the Brigade had to make a frontal attack with a hostile defensive position on the right flank. The first objective was allotted to the 1st London Regiment who secured part of it. The second objective allotted to the 1/7th Middlesex Regiment was not reached. (1.:30pm) The Battalion was then ordered to the attack but half an hour after the assault was launched the order to ‘dig in’ was given.”

The British Official History for this action tells a more dramatic story;

“...air reports gave the (XIV) corps commander a more accurate idea of the situation upon the right of the Guards, where...very few troops had penetrated beyond the first objective. Lord Cavan, therefore, cancelled the 1.30pm attack, and just before 2 pm informed the 6th Division that Straight Trench must be attacked from the north at 7.30pm after an hour’s bombardment by the heavy artillery. The troops of the 6th Division, which had been ordered to deliver the afternoon, attack were stopped in time; but the 167th Brigade, on the immediate right of that division, was unable to Trench map of Leuze and Bouleaux Woods, September 1916. get orders to the 1/8th Middlesex. This battalion, which had great difficulty in moving forward to Leuze Wood over a heavily shelled area, endeavoured to attack at 1.40pm through the 1/1st London and 1/7th Middlesex, but lost heavily to no purpose, and was eventually withdrawn to Leuze Wood. The attack was checked by help of the 21st Bavarian (Division) (left of the 5th Bavarian Division)”.