Lionel Atkinson, MBE, MM (Part 2)

 

Heroes and Rebels in the Family Tree—Lionel Atkinson, MBE, MM (Part 2)

 

New Drafts

March 1916 saw conscription enforced in Britain, but these men were not from the same mold of the New Army men. New reinforcements arrived unannounced from the North and East Midlands, but very few from the Chums official reserve, the 11th Battalion. Some of these new men had only been enlisted for four months. After a period of rest and training the Chums were sent to the line at Bazentin-le-Petit for 6 days where the conditions were appalling. This again was not a good time for the Lincolns as they lost a further 200 casualties. This action was the final action the Chums were involved in on the Somme before the battle was officially ended in November. Of the Battle of the Somme's Armies, the Fourth Army had the highest losses. In this Army it was the 34th Division that had the highest casualties, 80% of the strength on the 1st July alone, probably most within the first 15 mins of the attack.

 

The War Diaries for the 10^th Service Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment for early August 1916

 

BAZENTIN LE PETIT  1 Aug 1916

10^th Lincolnshire Regt. In occupation of trenches NE and SW of Wood.  Shell fire, more particularly from HIGH WOOD, at times very heavy.

      4 Aug

Battalion moved up at 5:30 pm & relieved 11^th Suffolks in front line & support trench NE of BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT village.  Details of the battalion took part in a bombing attack on the German intermediary trench, the attack owing to the exceptionally heavy German barrage was not successful.

      6 Aug

The 101^st Brigade was relieved by the 112^th Bde., the 10^th Lincolns being relieved by the 6^th Bedfords.  During the six days the battalion was in front line & support system of trenches it had over 200 casualties including 3 officers who were killed.  Viz. Lieut. A.W.S. PRATTE and 2^nd Lt. WENSLEY and H.T. MURPHY.  The Battalion proceeded on relief to trenches W of MAMETZ Wood.

 

1917 - Arras

By spring 1917, the heavy casualties of the previous year were putting the German Army under considerable strain. In March, German forces on the Western Front withdrew to a shorter defensive line that required fewer men to hold it. It was known to the Allies as the Hindenburg Line. British gunner Philip Sylvester described the reaction to this move.

 

“We heard that the Germans had begun to retire onto the Hindenburg Line. We didn’t know how far he was going back but we were pretty elated to feel that we were going towards victory. We sensed that we were making at last real progress and were very happy to be involved in this part of the war, to fulfil the ambitions that we’d had a couple of years ago that we’d really be in it and that it shouldn’t be over by Christmas and deny us our opportunity of a fight.”

 

As the Germans retreated across several miles of long-held ground, they destroyed all they could – as Edmund Williams of the King’s Liverpool Regiment discovered.

 

“The Germans had departed and of course they’d booby-trapped everything. You were not to touch a latrine, a German latrine, you were warned not to do it; not to pick up any objects in trenches or dugouts ’til they’d been properly defused or whatever, because he left explosive pens. Somebody had found out he’d booby-trapped a German officer’s latrine. The Germans were experts at booby-trapping, this was the German cunning and the German terror. After they had departed, they’d cut down… they’d razed cottages; they’d razed everything; they’d cut down the trees. They even cut down the gooseberry bushes in the cottage gardens: they were there lying dead when we went down in March.”

 

The preliminary bombardment at the Battle of 

Arras saw the German positions pulverised

by more than 2.5 million shells, about

1 million more than at the Somme.

The British and French had been planning a spring offensive targeting much of the ground that had now just been given up by the Germans. But, after some adjustment, the Allied attack went ahead as planned. Spearheaded by French general, Robert Nivelle, it was to begin with a British attack near Arras in early April. The Allies made solid preparations – including subjecting the German defences to a lengthy bombardment. Kenneth Page served with the Royal Field Artillery.

“In the middle of March we went into action at the Rue d’Achicourt and our division – the Third Division – took over the front immediately south of the Arras-Cambrai road. There we had a week’s – at least a week’s – artillery preparation before the attack. The majority of the 4.5 howitzers was gas shelling. On the actual night before the attack, on 9 April, we fired more than 500 rounds per gun of gas shell at German batteries and we were by no means the only battery who were doing this. There is no doubt whatever that a lot of the early success on that first day at Arras was due to the fact that we had really got the German artillery right down.”

 The Chums, now part of the Third Army, were not the same fighting force they were in 1916. Their ranks of Grimsby men had been diluted by new drafts. They were now to attack in the Arras sector in support of the diversion for the French Army attack on the Aisne. A small bombardment of four days was arranged for this battle. It was 9th April 1917.

The first wave set off at 5.30 am with great success. The enemy lines were reached and occupied. A creeping barrage then allowed the Chums to make further attacks, 1500 yards forward of their start positions. This attack was no repeat of the Somme, and although there were casualties, the objectives were reached and the Chums could "dig in" on captured territory. The Chums were now on the forward slopes of Vimy Ridge, and were able to look down on the enemy across the Doui plain in front of them. The Chums had played their part in the most successful day of the war so far.

After a brief period of rest out of the line, the Lincolns carried on with the offensive. The target was not an open countryside target of the previous week, but a heavily fortified town position at Reoux, and its Chemical Works. The Chums Brigade were to attack on April 28th. The attack was started at 4.15 am but was not destined to be a success. Forming up in the open alerted the Germans who opened up with mortar and machine guns. The Chums set off already fragmented. The attack was soon broken up, with small groups of isolated men unable to continue. A German counter attack at 8.00 am led to a retreat and was effectively the end of the Chums attack. The losses were high, 420 dead, missing and wounded. The Battalion was withdrawn from the line on 30th April, shattered.

Life in the trenches in WWI.

May and June 1917 saw the Lincolns again in the Arras sector, not far from Perrone. The Arras Offensive drew to a close in mid-May. Although Allied troops had made significant advances in some areas, the promised breakthrough hadn’t happened. Arras demonstrated that Allied tactical understanding was improving – but at the price of high casualties. This was one aspect of the battle that clearly remained in the memory of Royal Fusilier, Leonard Gordon-Davies.

 

“We had to occupy a place called Oppy Wood, where there was a frontal attack took place, with desperate fighting and a fixed-bayonet charge. I’ve never experienced anything so ghastly and I hope that I shall eventually forget it. The bodies about the place and the filth of the place and the smells… It’s quite extraordinary. When one lives for years on this sort of horror condition with parts of bodies being about all over the place and groans from the dying and dead bodies and how casual one gets about it. One goes on doing what you’re supposed to do and you do not know it and certainly perhaps not caring very much. You become careless about these very serious things.”

 In August, the 10^th Lincolnshire Regiment was to attack the Hindenburg line taking the Germans by surprise, before being withdrawn again.  It was during a battle on August 26, 1917 that Lionel Atkinson displayed his heroism.

This is the story as told to Colin Atkinson and passed down to Lou Atkinson.  It was during the battle on August 26, 1917 that Sergeant Lionel Atkinson was located just east of Hargicourt, Ruby Farm, Sugar Factory and various trenches in the British lines.  As the 10^th Lincolns advanced on the enemy trenches, Sergeant Atkinson took on a group of German snipers, single-handedly in a bunker.  His actions most assuredly saved many lives and was partially responsible for the success of the 10^th Battalion in achieving its objective.  For his actions on this day, Sgt. Lionel Atkinson was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry.

The War Diaries for the 10^th Service Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment for August 26, 1917

Report on the HARGICOURT Operations 24^th to 29^th August 1917.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

                On the evening of the 24^th the Battalion moved up from HANCOURT, “A” & “D” Companies and Battalion Headquarters going to ROISEL, “B” Company to the Intermediate Line in HARGICOURT and “C” Company to HEN Trench occupying the Battalion frontage for the operations.

                At 8.0 p.m. on the 25^th “A” & “D” Companies and Battn. H.Q. left ROISEL and marched as far as the East side of TEMPLEUX, when a halt was made and the men had tea.  At 11.30 p.m. the Battalion less “C” Company passed the starting point in HARGICOURT and moved up to INDIAN Trench, all being reported in by 12.30 a.m., without incident.  At 2.0 a.m., rum was issued and at 2.30 a.m., Companies proceeded independently to their respective “jumping off” positions.  All were in position by 3.35 a.m.

                At 4.30 a.m. (Zero hour) our barrage opened.  The Machine Guns were a trifle in advance.  The start was made in perfect order and COLOGNE SUPPORT and NEW Trenches were crossed without resistance.  There was no wire and the trench was almost obliterated.  The enemy barrage came down very promptly but it was very ragged and thin and caused few casualties.  A steady advance was made to SUGAR and POND Trenches.  A feable resistance was offered by the enemy but the majority of the garrison was in dug-outs and all were killed or taken prisoners.  One machine gun and one granatenwerfer [grenade thrower—a robust trench weapon which had a range of up to 300 metres.  The grenade itself was sometimes referred to as a ’pineapple’ by British troops] were captured in SUGAR trench.  The wire in these trenches had been extremely well cut and they were also very badly knocked about.

                RUBY FARM and BAIT communication trench proved no obstacle but the advance became somewhat difficult owing to landmarks being obliterated.

                20 Germans were found in the SUGAR FACTORY, all were accounted for, either killed or prisoners.

                BAIT TRENCH and the RED Line were reached well up to time and without opposition.  A gap occurred at this time between the 16^th Roya Scots and ourselves, owing to our right getting in front of their left a party of the enemy succeeded in getting into this gap and commenced bombing down BAIT Trench.  A counter bombing attack was promptly organized and the enemy were driven back and were finally caught between ourselves and the 16^th Royal Scots who had come up by this time and all the enemy were accounted for.

                Some parties overshot the RED Line and reached RUBY WOOD which was found to be empty.  All returned safely on realizing their mistake, except one small party which did not return till after dark.  This accounts for the report that our patrol had reached RUBY WOOD.

                The casualties up to this time had been comparatively light but from now onwards the enemy settled down to a systematic bombardment of our new lines and casualties increased greatly.  At 6.20 a.m. the capture of all objectives was confirmed and communication with Advanced Battalion Report Centre in NEW CUT established, also in touch with both flank Battalions.

                Covering and observing parties were pushed out in front and the work of consolidation was commenced.  One of the parties ran into a Battery of Light trench mortars (6 guns) and a crew of 20 Germans.  They were in pits.  A bombing party was promptly organized and rushed the pits when the enemy immediately surrendered.

                Two Stokes guns with 50 rounds of ammunition were in position in NEW trench and as soon as the capture of the RED line was confirmed, both guns went forward to a position in SUGAR Trench with S.O.S. lines on the following points:  - G.1.b.6.9. and G.1.b.5.5.

                At 5.45 a.m. 2 Vickers guns were sent forward with orders to take up a position in BAIT communication trench so as to command the valley in front of the Suffolks.

                The consolidation of NEW, SUGAR and BAIT trenches was continued throughout the day but great difficulty was experienced with the open section on the left in front of the SUGAR FACTORY.  Any attempt at working was promptly stopped by the enemy and only a few odd shell holes could be held.

                The night was fairly quiet, but the S.O.S. was sent up twice and although no hostile attack developed, heavy casualties were caused by the enemy’s barrage.  Some rain fell and the state of the trenches did not improve.

                The morning of the 27^th was normal, but the enemy continued to shell our lines fairly heavily.  About mid-day rain set in and continued till nightfall rendering the conditions extremely bad and telling greatly on the men who were by this time very exhausted.  A special R.E. and Infantry digging party went up at night to try and improve the gap in front of SUGAR FACTORY and succeeded in digging about 60 yards of trench, while wire was put out by the Battalion and the trenches repaired as far as possible.  The weather improved during the night and the high wind helped to dry the ground.  Nothing of importance occurred during the day (28^th) but the enemy continued to shell out lines intermittently causing a few casualties.

                At 9.30 p.m. the S.O.S. went up From a Battn. On the right and a few minutes later from the left.  Very Lights [Verey lights were flares used for signalling and lighting at night; they came in several colours and were fired from a pistol] were put up from the left Company (D) and a large party of Germans could be seen on the slope at the southern corner of RUBY WOOD.  Every available Lewis gun and rifle was turned on the enemy who immediately withdrew.  This was undoubtedly a German counter-attack, as a patrol of the Northumberland Fusiliers who went out the following night reported a large number of enemy died near this spot.  The enemy in reply to our S.O.S. put down his barrage and some further casualties occurred through the relief having commenced.

                The Battalion was relieved during the course of the night by the 8^th Northumberland Fusiliers on the right and the 24/27^th N.F.’s on the left and marched back to rest billets at BERNES.

                The total casualties were:  -

                                                                                                Officers                Other Ranks

                                                Killed            -                         3                                32

                                                Wounded       -                         6                             169

                                                Missing         -                         -                               13

 

                                                                                MISCELLANEOUS.

                About 11 p.m. on the evening of the 25^th the enemy made a very determined attempt to secure a prisoner.  They rushed a covering party who were protecting a party putting out tape and a bombing encounter took place.  The enemy were driven off leaving one killed, our casualties were 2^nd Lieut Btanfood, killed and . . .

 

 

I congratulate the Commanding Officers, Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers and men of all units of the Brigade—of whom a large majority consists of men with only a few months’ service – on the military qualities of the highest value displayed by them in the attack on the 26^th and two subsequent days, which led to such a decided success.

 I also wish to congratulate all ranks on the gratifying display of initiative.  Commanding Officers, Company Commanders, Platoon Commanders, Section Commanders, and in many instances private soldiers, tackled the situation as they found it, exploited a success or readjusted any small reverse, without waiting for any orders or instructions.

The cheerfulness and the determination to “stick it” shown by all ranks, though standing up to their knees in mud and water for 72 hours, under heavy shell fire most of the time, with continual counter-attacks to be repulsed, was admirable.  On all previous occasions I have had reason to be proud of commanding the 101^st Brigade, but never more so than on this occasion.

 

Signed R.C. GORE, Brigadier General,

Commanding 101^st. Infantry Brigade

 

Brigade H.Q.,

29^th August, 1917

 

 

 

Lionel Atkinson, later told the story to his sons about the conditions in the trenches during the battle.  Due to the tremendous amount of rain that had fallen in the days just prior to battle, some of the trenches were waist high in water, and some men were so tired and cold they just fell asleep where they stood and drowned.

By May 1918, Sergeant Atkinson was commissioned in the 10th Battalion, subsequently serving as a second lieutenant with the 1st Battalion. He would survive the war.

 

Sketch map drawn by Lionel Atkinson showing his positions during

the battle on August 26th, 1917.  Movements are shown from 'A' to 'B' to 'C' at 3p.m.

October 1917 - Ypres Salient

After rest and training, the Battalion were put to work as a works Battalion repairing roads, fixing tracks and carrying supplies in the Ypres salient. They went on to take part in operations near Languemarck, as part of the Passchaendaele battles. The rest of October, November and December were spent in rest and training camps.

1918 - Ludendorf's Spring Offensive

On a 54-mile front, mainly facing Gough's under strength Fifth Army, the Germans made a bold, last-ditch attack to break the British lines. The chums position bordered the Fifth Army and although not directly attacked, were quickly in danger of being outflanked. Only by the skill of the CO did they manage to fall back and prevent a major disaster for themselves. Again moved, the 34th Division ended up next to the 2nd Portuguese Division against whom the Germans launched an attack on the 9th April. The Portuguese gave way and the Chums were forced to fall back on themselves to save their flanks. It was around this time that the Chums spent their last days in the front lines.

The Battle of the Lys finished and it was decided throughout the British Army to re-organise units and draft under strength Battalions into other units, thus disbanding many. May 11th, the Chums were ordered to follow the 4th and 2/5th Battalions Lincolnshire Regiment and disband. Their Brigade was also broken up. Officers went off to serve with other Regiments and the Chums ended up in the reserve lines as a training unit.

The end of the war

The war ended 11th November 1918. On July 6th 1919, the colours of the 10th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment was formally handed over to St. James Church in the town for safe keeping. Parades were held with the remaining men of the Battalion.

In 1923, two memorials to the 34th Division were unveiled. One at La Boiselle and the other at Mont Noir, Armentiers. Follow this link to see the memorial at La Boiselle.

It is a tribute to the men of Grimsby and its surrounding areas, who joined up in 1914, that their enthusiasm and sense of duty played a part in the greatest conflict known up to that date. Times have changed since those days, but so long as we have memories of those men, their sacrifice is not in vain.

For a great video on the Grimsby Chums during WWI, click on the link below:

​​​​​10th Service Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment - The Grimsby Chums - YouTube