Review of 'The capture of Flers: 41st Division 15th September 1916' by Robin Boddy (January 2017)

The 41st Division was part of XV Corps (Fourth Army) and was comprised of 122, 123 and 124 Brigades. Within 124 Brigade was the 21st Battalion the King’s Royal Rifle Corps commanded by Lt-Col the Earl of Faversham. This battalion was raised locally in North Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland (the Earl of Faversham lived at Duncombe Park just outside Helmsley) in December 1915. Its training took place in Aldershot and it moved to France in May 1916.

The origins of the attack on the German Third Line defensive system (which became the Battle of Flers-Courcelette) lie in August 1916 when Field-Marshall Haig ordered General Rawlinson to prepare an all-out attack with fresh troops. With 41st Division in XV Corps were the New Zealand Division and the 14th (Light) Division. In addition to XV Corps, the plan of attack included III and XIV Corps – ten British divisions would be involved in the first day. On the left flank of the attack, the Canadian Corps would advance towards Courcelette and on the right flank the Second French Army would advance. The artillery preparation for this battle were better than those for the 1st July, there was a higher concentration of guns available, these would create a creeping barrage as well as a stationary barrage and several heavy guns would be available for counter battery fire guided by pilots of the RFC.

After a fairly long gestation, the first tanks were now available. Although they could travel at just under 4 miles per hour along a flat surface, their speed along uneven ground, such as would have to be crossed during this offensive, would be barely one mile per hour. After discussions with his commanders, it was decided that the tanks would be employed in small groups scattered along the front line. The tanks were seen as a promising addition to the attack but would not replace the artillery. Gaps in the creeping barrage would be left for the tank route in the plans for the first day. A pre-battle attack to take ground for better ‘jumping off points’ was delayed by poor weather and was not as successful as planned.

On September 15th the 41st Division was set four objectives: the Switch Line, Flers trench, the Flers Redoubt and the village of Gueudecourt. 122 Brigade advanced on the left (with the NZ division on its left attacking towards Flers but coming under machine gun fire from High Wood) with 124 Brigade on the right (123 Brigade which was vastly undermanned held in reserve). Of the ten tanks allotted to this division, only seven reached the front line. Even then two of them ‘ditched’ in trenches as they advanced.

The static artillery barrage opened up at 6.00am and at 6.20am a creeping barrage (50 yards per minute) preceded the troops as they set off. The infantry soon left the tanks behind as they struggled to cross the terrain. The first objective was taken by 6.50am by infantry alone as the tanks had not caught them up. The barrages on the second line resumed at 7.20am with the infantry advancing at 7.40am.

The second objective was also taken by infantry alone as the tanks were still far behind. Problems arose at the third line, Flers Redoubt. The barrage had not cut the wire but fortunately the tanks assigned for the attack reached the infantry. Here the tanks showed their worth, Lt Hastie in D17 managed to enter the village of Flers but had to turn back when damaged, two more tanks D 16 and D18 helped break down the German defences so that infantry could enter the village. What happened next is very confused. The German evacuation of the village resulted in the British infantry in Flers becoming the target for a two hour bombardment from German artillery.

It was 11.00am and the advance had drawn to a stop. When troops, including the New Zealanders began drifting back, a staff officer came forward with the intention of restarting the advance. At 2.30pm the battle was to resume at 3.30pm and troops from the reserve, 123 Brigade were brought forward. Using New Zealanders as well as infantry from the 41st Division, troops were to move forward but to avoid the centre of Flers. The instructions appear to have implied that the 3rd objective only was to be attempted that afternoon as the 4th objective was too heavily held.

A tragic breakdown in communication led to disaster for the 21 King’s Royal Rifles Corps. Their colonel was killed during an advance from Flers towards Gird Trench as the Germans launched a heavy counter attack with combined machine gun and artillery fire. The Earl of Faversham was buried where he fell but his body was moved later to a military cemetery.

Report by Peter Palmer