METEREN—NEUVE EGLISE. 12TH TO 20TH APRIL, 1918

Operations Carried Out by “ B ” Company Under 100th Infantry Brigade.

There is much obscurity concerning the action of this Company, largely owing to the fact that the Brigade on both flanks of General Baird’s Brigade gave way, so that the fighting both of Infantry and Machine Guns assumed a character of desperate hand-to-hand struggles. Little co-ordination was possible. At dawn on the 12th April the 100th Infantry Brigade was disposed in the prepared and wired Army Line running through Neuve Eglise and Kortepyp, covering the approaches to Bailleul, with the 16th K.R.R.C. on the right, the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment on the left, with the 9th Battalion H.L.I. (Glasgow Highlanders) in Reserve, disposed along the Ravelsburg Heights. “ B ” Company, under Major Lomax, was disposed with three Sections in depth in the forward zone, and one Section dug-in covering the approaches to Ravelsburg Heights. On the morning of the 13th of April 1918, a determined attack was made against the 100th Infantry Brigade, with “ B ” Company in co-operation, who were in position in the Army Line outside Neuve Eglise. Aided by a heavy mist, which did not lift until the morning was well advanced, the attacking enemy debouched from the many enclosures and buildings in which they had assembled, and before our outposts were aware of it, they were captured. An intense bombardment further assisted the enemy’s progress. The 16th K.R.R.C. on the right were forced back around their Battalion Headquarters, where for several hours they put up a stubborn fight, assisted by gun teams under Sergeant Thain, Sergeant Adkins and Sergeant Bickerstaffe, both the latter N.C.O.’s being killed while fighting gallantly. On the left where the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment were in position, the situation became obscure. At the same time 2nd Lieutenant Marshall was wounded and his two teams were overwhelmed, Sergeant R. J. Boast and Corporal Anderson with their teams being taken prisoners. Further up the hill towards the village of Neuve Eglise were two other teams of No. 1 Section under Corporals J. Gilbert and P. McBride. They perceived that the right flank of the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment was gradually being forced back in confusion. Corporal Gilbert’s team was captured in the hand-to-hand fighting which ensued, but Corporal McBride opened heavy fire and succeeded in pinning the enemy for a time to the ground. For a time only ; for he discovered the left flank being forced back, his solitary machine gun being the pivot on which two big backward movements were swinging. Corporal McBride swung his gun through its traverse and deliberately exposed his rear in order to stem the tide on his left. The approach of night enabled the enemy to persevere in his attempts at local penetration. The team was without escort of any kind, and with no clear idea of the support on their flanks. Enemy patrols approached them repeatedly, and fired on them ; shadows flitted past them on all sides, whether friend or foe they knew not. The Corporal’s two remaining comrades, Privates J. Maulkin and A. Cator, worked unceasingly, carrying up ammunition and filling belts, and maintaining a look-out at the gun. At dawn the team knew that they were almost surrounded. One outlet remained for escape, and they withdrew the gun, tripod and belt boxes to the Village of Neuve Eglise. The team found the remnants of the 2nd Worcestershire Regiment posted at points of vantage in the Village, with their Battalion Headquarters, under Lieutenant-Colonel Stoney, in the Mairie. That day saw some of the bitterest hand-to-hand fighting ever known to British soldiers. It is impossible to describe how our men fought every inch of their retreat, pressed back by continual fresh forces and overwhelming numbers. Many gallant sorties were made by the Worcestershires, led by the Assistant- Adjutant, who was awarded the V.C. for his conduct. Gradually the line fell back astride the Wulverghem Road and the Village Square and Battalion Headquarters became the front line. Corporal McBride stemmed repeated rushes of the enemy up the streets leading to the Square, and across its wide space he poured his withering fire with murderous effect. Privates Maulkin and Cator were untiring in their devotion to duty. At length it became imperative to withdraw the Headquarters of the 2nd Worcestershires as they were in imminent danger of again being sur- rounded. The delicate task of covering this withdrawal was entrusted to Corporal McBride’s team. This was successfully carried out and a line consolidated West of the Village, where reinforcements had arrived, whilst powerful French artillery had been brought into line by the presence of mind of General Baird, who undoubtedly here, as formerly, by his brilliant leadership and initiative saved the situation and gave success.

Of the part played by “ B ” Company, the feats of Corporal McBride are outstanding. He was never out of action as a Machine Gunner. When one gun was destroyed, he found another, and got it into action. He mounted his gun in the Mairie window and fired into the backs of the enemy as they attempted to force an entrance into the Church, stoutly defended by Lieutenant-Colonel Stoney, and the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, assisted by the Chaplain, the Reverend Tanner, M.C. When the enemy attempted to rush the Mairie and bomb the occupants out of it, Corporal McBride, with rifle in hand, shot the arms of the bombers exploding their bombs, from round the corner of the doorway, whilst his team fired rifle grenades at point blank range over the wall of the Mairie garden. Privates Maulkin and Cator most valiantly assisted Corporal McBride. This team, with the Headquarters of the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, were the last British troops to leave Neuve Eglise. The casualties of the three Sections which up to now had been engaged were very heavy. During the action the Sections under 2nd Lieutenant Turner and 2nd Lieutenant Paley respectively, were very hotly engaged, but in the confusion which followed, their fire was often masked by the retiring Infantry. Corporal Harrison and Private Ward fought their two guns with great gallantry. 2nd Lieutenant Paley who, with his Section was in position at Kortepyp, attempted to retire his guns on Neuve Eglise, but was twice severely wounded and eventually had to retire from the battle leaving his Section to fight undirected.

The Minimum Reserve of the 100th Infantry Brigade was thrown into the gap between Neuve Eglise and Ravelsburg on the 14th under Major Donaldson, of the 2nd Worcestershires, and was not again seen. The Battalion was selected for honours, together with another Unit in the Division, the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment, by being mentioned in the Corps Special Order of the operations, as under :

 

IXth Corps Special Order No. 2.

The following “ Record ” is made of the action described below.

33RD Battalion Machine Gun Corps. 12TH-19TH April, 1918.

On the night of the 11th-12th April, the enemy had captured both Merville and Estaires, some seven miles South of Meteren, but the situation was somewhat obscure, and machine guns, in conjunction with the 19th Infantry Brigade, took up an outpost line covering the approaches East and South of Meteren. By 10.30 a.m. on the 12th April the enemy had advanced very rapidly, both from the East and from the South, and had it not been for the excellent use made of an abandoned motor lorry which quickly brought up eight more guns and teams, Meteren would have undoubtedly fallen into the enemy’s hands. By skilful handling of his machine guns Lieutenant-Colonel Hutchison was able to hold off the enemy and fill up all gaps that occurred in our line so that by nightfall on the 12th April the line, though thinly held, was continuous. On the 13th a heavy hostile attack was successfully dealt with, during which the enemy must have suffered enormous losses. In one instance, 200 horsemen were decimated by the fire of one section under 2nd Lieutenant Watts. In spite of the hard fighting of the two previous days, night harassing fire was maintained during the night of 13th-14th. The 14th was probably the most critical day of these operations. At dawn the enemy launched heavy attacks against our positions and our line was penetrated in many places. The enemy exploited these gains to full advantage by pushing forward his light machine guns. On this occasion, very valuable service was rendered by Major W. C. Andrew, Second in Command, who handled his machine guns very skilfully, and by filling gaps and forming defensive flanks, prevented the enemy from penetrating our line to any depth. The maintenance of our line was undoubtedly due to the splendid devotion to duty and initiative displayed by the Machine Gunners, whose losses were very severe. This line was held by machine guns in face of great odds until ordered to withdraw on the evening of the 14th instant, this withdrawal being carried out in the most creditable manner, without further loss either to personnel or material, showing the excellent state of training and efficiency within the Battalion. On the 16th April the enemy again made a determined attack after heavy bombardment against our positions South-east of Meteren, during which the Machine Gunners did great execution. It was during this attack that the enemy gained a footing in Meteren, where he was held, and the line handed over in this position on the night of the i8th-i9th April. Throughout the operations the action of the 33rd Battalion Machine Gun Corps very materially assisted in preventing the enemy from capturing the Meteren position and exploiting the gains made by him during the first day’s fighting.

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W. Maxwell Scott, Brigadier-General, General Staff, IXth Corps.

 

In conclusion, there is no doubt whatever that had not the 33rd Division been present in Meteren early on the morning of the 12th, and actively alert with its reconnaissances and outposts, the gap which existed on a three mile front, roughly between Bailleul and Merris, would have been penetrated ; and that the enemy, who showed such an extraordinary rapid advance and activity, would probably have seized Mont de Cats by the evening of the 12th. Had he done so there is no doubt that our whole position at Ypres would have been imperilled, whilst from this point of vantage and observation he might conceivably have successfully driven through to the Channel Ports.

 

The following message was received from Commander-in-Chief : — 9th Corps.

 

“The Commander-in-Chief has just been at Corps Headquarters. “He would have liked to see all ranks now fighting on the 9th Corps “ front and to tell each one of them of his personal appreciation of the “magnificent fight they have made and are making. He would have “liked to shake hands with each individual and thank him for what he has done." He has not time for this but has asked me to give “everybody this message.” 18th April, 1918.

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The following N.C.O.’s and Men of "B" Company were specially noted for splendid
work during the operations and were awarded decorations as noted-

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Distinguished Conduct Medal

23064 Sergeant J. Sturch 

70727 Corporal P. McBride

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Bar to Military Medal

18604 Private J. Aicken (NB. Pte Aicken is incorrectly referred to in the Official War Diary's and the History and Memoure of 33rd Battalion Machine Gun Corps as "Aitken")

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Military Medal

72463 Sergeant J. Carmichael

35337 Sergeant A. Moorhouse

12301 Corporal J. Phillipson

30878 Lance-Corporal J. Lewin

99235 Private D. W. Lewis

7127 Private A. Matthews

5172 Private J. Maulkin
 

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