The Seventeenth Highland Light Infantry (Glasglow Chamber of Commerce Battalion)

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After resting at Germaine the Battalion set off on the 19th for Canizy
which was reached by evening. They found this village emptied of the
native populace and saw that the Germans had been carrying out their
usual work of destruction in the same wanton and deliberate scale as
in nearly every village in the regained area. A more cheerful memory
of this devastated village is that while here the Battalion got its
new bugle band. While stationed there the Battalion marched over to
Ham where a football match was to be played. Their march into the
town caused great interest, and they passed through a long line of
French soldiers and civilians who lined the roads. On their approach
along the main street, the square seemed totally blocked with a mass
of French soldiers, and a company of infantry stood at the "present"
as a Guard of Honour as they marched past the Town Hall, while the
French band rendered our National Anthem. After the Battalion team had
won their match by 6 goals to 1 against the 121st Infantry Regiment
and a scratch team had played a drawn game against the 408th Regiment,
the French band played the men out of the village. But the French were
not allowed to have all their own way of it with the music, for the
Battalion Pipe Band played to them and was received with much favour.

The regiment was in highest spirits, battle scarred and with a
glorious record of great achievements established. The Battalion
remained at rest in the village of Canizy until May 15th--that is,
they trained hard and played hard, went marches and were inspected,
performed innumerable fatigues and parades and carried out generally
that never ending programme of activities which always makes a soldier
smile at the mention of the word "rest!" The men played some of their
keenest and most memorable games of soccer here, and one of the
principle pastimes engaged in by the officers was hunting, until this
was forbidden by G.H.Q. The country, being entirely uncultivated made
ideal going. Major Campbell, in charge of Physical Training, G.H.Q.,
was with the 17th for some time, and put extra life into sport and
training.

On the 15th the Battalion moved off to Curchy, via Voyennes and Nesle,
and on the succeeding day to Rosieres and so on to Hangard on the
18th, where the "resting" was carried on until the end of the month,
when they proceeded to Villers-Bretonneux. Of the villages in the
regained area little or no description in the normal sense is possible
beyond the fact that while some semblance of streets could be traced
in some of them, the majority of them were simply masses of masonry
debris literally peppered with shell craters. But it was noticeable in
such villages as Nesle that the civilians showed a very marked
physical improvement as the result of better feeding and life under
British occupation. While at Hangard, Battalion Headquarters occupied
Hangard Chateau--one of the finest chateaux in France. (It was
demolished during the 1918 German offensive.) The Brigade concentrated
at Villers-Bretonneux prior to entraining for the Second Army.

But before leaving the Fourth Army, to which the 17th had given such
brilliant service, the following message was transmitted to the
Battalion as one of the Divisional units concerned:--

"FOURTH ARMY, NO. G.S.702.

"32ND DIVISION.

"As the Division will shortly be leaving the Fourth Army I
desire to express to all ranks my warm thanks for the excellent
services they have performed whilst under my command. The
gallantry and dash displayed by the Division during the advance
in March and April, especially in the actions resulting in the
capture of Savy, Bois de Savy, Francilly, Holnon, Selency, Fayet
and Cepy Farm, reflect the highest credit on all concerned.

"The skilful leadership of all ranks, coupled with the close
co-operation between Artillery, Infantry and Aircraft, was a
feature in these operations deserving the highest praise, and I
heartily congratulate the Division on the successes they have
achieved.

"I much regret that the Division is now leaving the Fourth Army,
but I shall hope that at some future date I may again have the
good fortune to find them under my command.

"(Signed) H. RAWLINSON, _General,
Commanding Fourth Army._

"H.Q., FOURTH ARMY,
"_22nd May, 1917._"

IN FLANDERS.

_En route to Steenbecque--R.T.O.--the 14th Corps--reconnaissance
of Messines Sector--heavy marches--Coxyde and Kuhn--amenities of
Nieuport area._

The Battalion on 1st June, 1917, left the Fourth Army and the Somme
area. The 17th never again served in that area though it served again
with the Fourth Army on the sea coast. Entraining at Villers-Bretonneux
the unit journeyed to Amiens and by way of Abbeville, Etaples,
Boulogne, Calais, St. Omer, Hazebrouck to Steenbecque.

Owing to a mistake of the Railway Transport Officer an incident,
upsetting but not without its amusing side, occurred at Abbeville,
where the train moved off without warning while the Battalion was
parading in the station for tea, with only 100 all ranks on board. The
train calmly continued its journey and in due course arrived at
Steenbecque, the men who were left following on in the overcrowded
trucks of the 2nd Manchesters. Leaving the train at Hazebrouck, the
stranded party marched to Steenbecque, their appearance, owing to
deficiencies of equipment and in some cases even of uniform, causing
much interested amusement. At the latter station the first party were
picked up, packs and equipment donned, and then, in the afternoon the
Battalion accomplished a very interesting, though long and heavy march
to a small hamlet in the Donlieu area, where they billeted for ten
days or so.

The 32nd Division came into the 14th Corps, commanded by the Earl of
Cavan, in G.H.Q. Reserve. The 14th Corps was composed of the Guards
Division, 1st, 8th and 32nd Divisions.

On 5th June the Commanding Officer, with his officers and N.C.O.s
reconnoitred the Messines Sector with a view to supporting the attack
to be carried out on the Messines-Wytschaete Ridge by the Second Army.
The 17th at Donlieu "stood to" ready to move off in support of this
offensive, though happily the success of the attack did not
necessitate the Battalion being called on. Major Inglis of the 1st
H.L.I.--who had been cross-posted to the 2nd Manchesters, which
Battalion he commanded until re-posted to command the 17th H.L.I. on
the 20th of July--joined the Battalion on the 8th of June.

[Illustration: Lt.-Col. J. INGLIS, C.M.G., D.S.O.
_To face page 60._]

Donlieu was left on 14th June and the Battalion went in column of
route to Steenvoorde, in which area they were billeted. This was one
of the most trying marches they had experienced, and a large number of
men fell out. In 6 hours the unit had covered 24 kilometres which, in
full marching order, was a most difficult and wearisome performance.
On the 16th the Battalion embussed outside Steenvoorde, and after
leaving the charabancs at Petite Synthe, they marched to billets at
Mardyck. Hereabouts was pleasant country with excellent sea bathing.
Petite Synthe was left on the 19th for Dunkirk where they entrained
and proceeded east along the sand dunes to Coxyde and, on the
following day, into the coastal camp of Kuhn. Coxyde and Kuhn were
French built camps and very good, with vegetable gardens attached to
them.

Until 10th July the Battalion stayed in this vicinity, and despite
spells of shelling, trench mortar and aerial bombardments,
considerable patrolling and wiring work, the stay on the sand dunes
about Nieuport was heaven after the endless mud and horror of the
winter on the Somme. The very mention of Nieuport to a man who was
there in the first week of July, 1917, makes a marked impression on
his countenance. Since detraining at Coxyde on 20th June, things had
been comparatively quiet and the weather ideal. Working parties were
supplied for the roads during the day and smaller parties were engaged
on the breastworks in the front line at night. The quietness was
absolutely awful. But the presence of civilians in Oost Dunkirk and
Les Bains gave an air of security and quietude to the place which was
very soothing to the heart of the soldier. It is true that aerial
activity was disquieting at times, but several successful attacks on
the "Vultures of the Kaiser" made these items of interest, rather than
causes of alarm. The Germans seemed to pay greater attention to
something well on the left of the Battalion and towards the sea, than
to anything that concerned them particularly. The appearance of the
roads from Oost Dunkirk to Nieuport was most assuring and their great
beauty and undisturbed tranquillity were all that could be desired.

A large amount of work was attempted during this period on the Brigade
Front, in order to obtain sufficient cover for protection against
retaliation after our artillery bombardments began, prior to an
intended attack on the sea-coast by the 4th Army, in conjunction with
the 5th and 2nd Armies from Ypres. The enemy, before our artillery
came in, greatly increased his artillery force, and daily destroyed
any work done by night. These destructive shoots were afterwards found
to be part of his barrage programme for the attack on the 10th July.

OPERATIONS ON THE COAST.

_Enemy hurricane bombardment--enemy attempt frustrated--attack
abandoned--visit to H.L.I.--sports--visit of Dr. Kelman--patrol
work by Corpl. Wilson--listening post raided--departure for
Adinkerke._

The Battalion continued to carry out its duties on the Belgian Coast
until relieved from that Sector on October 5th, 1917. In the previous
chapter some idea of the general conditions has been given. And the
period which followed was of somewhat like nature with intermittent
outstanding excursions and alarms and with memorable pleasant episodes
to intermix with those more combative, and in this chapter the
outstanding features will be recorded without following the movements
of the Battalion to the various points in this sand-dune sector.

The comparatively routine behaviour of the daily aerial and artillery
"strafe" broke into a brisk and heavy bombardment on the Division to
the left on the night of July 9th, but on the 10th about five o'clock
in the morning this heavy fire switched on to the trenches from the
border of the sea to Nieuport. The bombardment crashed on to all
lines, firing, reserve, and rear. It got heavier and heavier and soon
reached an unprecedented violence and extended to the flanking
Divisions as well. The British guns replied, but could not force the
hostile fire to slacken, and in the evening the enemy came on in
attack. They carried the trenches of the units on the left and
patrols were put out and the flank strengthened. This was the
severest bombardment the Battalion had ever been in. It was a
hurricane onslaught. The 17th knew that sort. They had been through
it. Positions were taken and held, where no trench afforded cover, and
where breastworks were blown away.

The 17th were ordered to send three Companies in support of the Border
Regiment who were being hard pressed east of the Yser. "A," "B" and
"C" Companies were despatched on this mission. These Companies
experienced very stiff fighting throughout the night of the 10-11th,
until relieved early in the morning of the 11th by the Northumberland
Fusiliers.

On the following day the bombardment slackened a little, though during
the night hurricane fire broke out, and over the period of this attack
the Hun used a very large number of tear gas shells--which at that
time was a new horror introduced to the sufferings of the British
armies. Who will forget the Redans, Le Grand and Le Petit, the Bridges
Putney and Pelican? The last named was renewed or rebuilt on the
average three times every twenty-four hours. No words can describe
what took place between the 10th and 13th of that awful month. The
Germans, expecting an attack, made one. After these terrible three
days, the Battalion, whose luck it was on this occasion to be spared
the brunt of the action, after being relieved by the Borderers,
struggled back through a mixed barrage of shells of all calibres,
sprinkled with those of gas. There was a fog of gas and dust for miles
behind the lines.

The enemy attempt had broken down; the Battalion returned to Ghyvelde
of pleasant recollection, and on the 13th the Division was
congratulated on its successful efforts.

On July 20th Major J. Inglis joined the Battalion and took over
command at Bray Dunes Plage. On the 23rd the Brigade was inspected by
the Divisional General, Major-General Shute. After his inspection he
gave an address congratulating the Brigade on its part against the
enemy attack on the 10th inst. at Nieuport, and on the same day the
Corps Commander also inspected the Brigade, complimenting the men on
their clean and smart appearance, and paying a high tribute to their
fighting qualities.

August opened with the prospect of making an attack on the enemy and
exercises were practised accordingly. On 6th August a Battalion
reconnaissance was made which included reporting on all tracks to the
front line, arranging an assembling position in "no man's land," and
learning the condition of the existing wire in front of both our own
and the enemy's line. The weather for some little time had been very
wet, the night selected for the reconnaissance was very bright and
none too suitable, and the condition of the ground was extremely
muddy, making movement slow and difficult. After examining the whole
situation it was recognised that any possibility of successfully
attacking upon this position was out of the question. Indeed, the bad
weather throughout August delayed whatever action had been
contemplated by either side.

The 9th H.L.I. (The Glasgow Highlanders) were lying at Ghyvelde, and
on 11th August, the 17th paid them a visit, while the Battalion
football teams played a match. Another convivial day was spent on the
24th when the Battalion sports were held. The day cleared up to one of
bright sunshine, and a large number of spectators enjoyed the sport.
The events were continued on the following day when even a larger
number of guests and spectators attended, including many Colonial
soldiers, and the various events were keenly contested, both by the
men of the home Battalion and those from others in the area. A good
turn out of British and Belgian nurses from La Panne Hospital
brightened the gathering, and at the conclusion of the sports the
prizes were presented by two of the lady guests. On the Saturday
following Brigade Sports were held under ideal conditions, the
Battalion representatives winning numerous prizes.

At Church Parade on the 26th, the Presbyterian Service was conducted
in camp by the Rev. Dr. Kelman, of Free St. George's, Edinburgh, who
delivered a very impressive address which was listened to with the
closest attention by the men. Dr. Kelman then left to preach to
another Battalion and the 17th prepared to go back to the line.

The Battalion kept up its old record of keen patrolling, and during
their front line spell at the beginning of September some
reconnaissance work was well carried out under conditions unusually
difficult. On the night of 3rd September, 1917, 2nd Lieut. Forbes and
Corpl. J. Wilson of "C" Company waded across a swamped portion which
lay between the Battalion positions and a point known as Roode Poorte
Farm. Coming to a point where the water was too deep for wading,
Corpl. Wilson swam across and on reaching ground crawled in the
direction of the enemy lines. Finding this line of approach of no use
for operations, he swam back to the point where the patrol was
covering his movements, and selecting another point, swam across the
canal which lay to the east, opposite the farm buildings, and carried
out his reconnaissance.

On the 8th, while at Wulpen, a gas attack was successfully carried
through on to the enemy's lines, and on the 13th, the third
anniversary of the forming of the Battalion was spent in the trenches.
A telegram congratulating the Battalion on its anniversary was
received from the Brigadier, and a reply sent reciprocating the
General's good wishes.

The enemy perpetrated a novel surprise raid, which had some of the
elements of picture-house humour in it, on one of the Battalion
advanced Listening Posts, and by their new device gained temporary
footing in it. A strong stream of water, apparently from a hose was
directed suddenly upon the men in the Listening Post from the enemy
position. While the men were baffled and blinded by the rush of water,
the post was bombed and the two listeners retired on the main post for
support. Immediately a counter-attack was organised and led by Company
Sergeant-Major Miller of "A" Company, and the post was re-established.

Orders were received on October 5th, 1917, for the relief of the 97th
Infantry Brigade by the 125th Infantry Brigade. The Battalion
accordingly withdrew to Coxyde that night, and on the following
morning left for Adinkerke on the way to fresh fields and battles
new.

THE YPRES SALIENT.

_Passchendaele--gallantry of attack--casualties--Hilltop
Farm--move to Landethun and Yeuse--Serre Sector--close of 1917._

At Adinkerke, on their way to the Ypres Salient, the men were embarked
on barges on October 6th, 1917, and journeyed by canal to near
Rosendael where they billeted and where Lieut. Colonel J. Inglis
rejoined the Battalion from leave and resumed command. They then
underwent intensive training at Uxem until the 24th, when they left en
route for the Eringham area in accordance with the forward move of the
Brigade Group. The next day saw them at Rubrouck and on the next again
they arrived at Broxcele where training was again entered upon and
continued until November 9th.

About this period Lieut. Colonel Inglis and the Adjutant, Captain F.E.
Dunsmuir, were away from the Battalion making a preliminary tour of
inspection of the line on the Ypres front.

On the 10th, the Battalion was once more in column of route on their
way to Wormhoudt, and on the following day, to Watou to "Road Camp" in
the St. Jan Ter Biezen area, where training was resumed, and this time
once more within sound of the rumble of the guns. But that didn't
upset the H.L.I., whose 16th and 17th Battalions met in the final of
the Brigade Football Tournament, which was won in easy style, 5 goals
to nil, by the Chamber of Commerce boys. Four days later they defeated
the 32nd Divisional Supply Column in the semi-final of the Divisional
Tournament, and then two days after that, meeting the 2nd Royal
Inniskillen Fusiliers in the final, the 17th H.L.I. carried off the
Championship, repeating their performance of the previous year against
the same finalists.

On the following day the Divisional Commander addressed the Brigade,
which was drawn up on the football field, and reminded the men of the
sterner duties that now lay before them, and expressed the hope that
they would maintain the honourable traditions associated with the name
of the 97th Infantry Brigade--which, indeed, they more than
maintained.

The Battalion left the camp on November 22nd for Poperinghe where they
entrained to continue the journey up the line, and arriving at St.
Jean Station, detrained and marched to "Irish Camp."

On the afternoon of the 23rd a start was made for the Passchendaele
front line system, the route taken by the Battalion being for the
greater part over the duck board walks "Mouse Trap Track," which
covered ground won in the recent big push at Passchendaele. The
take-over was not completed without casualties, but these were
comparatively few considering the dangerous nature of the going, which
was in the open over shell-pitted ground. The Battalion relieved by
the 17th was the 1st Northamptonshire Battalion. During the night the
17th captured its first prisoner in this area--a corporal of the 315th
Regiment. According to his statement he had been out on patrol when he
lost one of his boots in the mud and in trying to find it he had
strayed into our lines and been taken. During their initial tour of
the Passchendaele system much heavy work was done in converting the
shell-hole defence line into trenches, and patrolling. Several
casualties were reported each day and the mud was thick and sticky. On
the 26th the Battalion was relieved and proceeded to Dambre Camp in
the Vlamertinghe area where everybody rested and completed the
preparations for the forthcoming offensive at Passchendaele.

It may be said at the outset that the element of surprise intended in
the Passchendaele attack failed entirely, as the enemy were aware of
the British intentions and fully prepared. In addition, the fact that
the artillery barrage proper did not open until zero plus eight
minutes, allowed the enemy entire freedom of action in his front posts
with rifles and machine guns.

The Battalion moved into the line on the evening of December 1st in
conjunction with the other Battalions of the Brigade--2nd K.O.Y.L.I.;
16th H.L.I.; 11th Border Regiment; and the 15th Lancashire Fusiliers
(attached). The 16th Northumberland Fusiliers of the 96th Infantry
Brigade were attached to the 97th Infantry Brigade as counter-attacking
troops to be used in the event of a strong hostile counter-attack on
the Brigade front. The frontage taken over by the Brigade was one of
1,850 yards approximately along the Passchendaele Ridge. There were
two objectives to be taken, of which sections were detailed as the job
of the 17th--a slice which included two formidable "pill-boxes" known
as the "Vat and Veal Cottages."

The Battalion assembled on a frontage of 400 yards and at Zero Hour
(1.55 a.m.) moved forward to the attack. Companies deployed from a two
platoon frontage in snake formation--this method having been adopted
owing to the shell torn nature of the ground--and advanced in four
waves. "A" and "B" Companies were to capture the first objective,
mopping up all occupied points in the way, including the two pill
boxes, while "C" and "D" were to "leap-frog" through them, carry the
next objective and consolidate.

The initial stages of the attack were successfully carried through,
but the enemy--as was afterwards learned--knowing of what was on foot,
waited in readiness. Suddenly he opened heavy machine gun fire upon
the advancing Companies, inflicting heavy casualties which, in the
dark and over the difficult ground, had the effect of splitting up the
sections and creating some confusion. The officers and men of the
Battalion gallantly pressed on against these odds, however, and
succeeded in reaching their objective; but the enemy machine gun and
rifle fire became so intense that their advanced positions were
rendered humanly untenable. Our men, though forced to retire in
places, established themselves in shell-hole posts, where an attempt
was made to consolidate.

The artillery and machine gun barrage, though intense, had failed,
owing to the enemy's fore-knowledge of the attack, to effect its
purpose. His strong points were heavily garrisoned and wired and he
was also found to be established in strong lines of trenches also
effectively wired. The Battalion hung on all through that awful night
in its isolated positions, for orders were received that the attack
would be renewed in the morning, but these orders were afterwards
cancelled.

From dawn onwards artillery fire slackened somewhat, but the enemy
machine gunners and snipers kept up harassing fire from their well
established posts against the men in their exposed and isolated posts.

It was obvious that a hostile counter-attack might be expected, and
this took place about 4 p.m. on the afternoon of the 2nd, preceded
by an intense artillery barrage. Owing to the terrible difficulties of
their position, and the sweeping casualties inflicted, the line was
forced back, but the actual enemy attack which followed his barrage
was met by the rifle fire of the shattered 17th, and after the Bosches
had approached within a certain distance of the posts, they broke and
turned back in retreat.

[Illustration: TYPES OF SUPPORT LINE DUG-OUTS AND FIRST AID POST.
_To face page 68._]

Though the withdrawal of the Divisional line had been almost general,
some of the Battalion posts were still hanging on to the advanced
positions on the 3rd. Many wounded were lying out, suffering the most
appalling rigours of war and the Battalion stretcher-bearers displayed
great devotion to duty in ignoring the heavy fire while bringing them
in to comparative shelter. The work at first was extremely dangerous,
but later on in the day a lull occurred when it was possible to carry
on this labour of mercy under less trying conditions. And it must be
recorded, as far as this battle is concerned, that from this point
onward the German reversed his frequent policy and shewed respect for
the Red Cross Flag, only one instance of sniping taking place when one
of the Battalion stretcher-bearers was shot dead while bending over a
wounded comrade. Enemy stretcher-bearers were also at work and in some
instances they reciprocated attentions given to their wounded, by
dressing and carrying our casualties. In this way all the wounded were
got in before the Brigade was relieved that night. The Battalion
frontage was taken over by the 5/6th Royal Scots. The relief was
successfully completed and the remnants of the Battalion reached
"Hilltop Farm" in the early morning, entraining later for Hospital
Camp in the Vlamertinghe area. The casualties were particularly heavy
among Officers and N.C.O.s, and gives trenchant evidence of their
self-sacrificing gallantry in seeking by utter disregard for danger to
turn a forlorn hope into victory, and by personal example and
incentive to make still richer the honourable traditions of the 17th
in the face of such overwhelming odds, and amidst such overaweing
devastation. In this action seven officers were killed and five
wounded. Of other ranks 41 were killed, 130 wounded and 13 missing.

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