William Ambrose Cull letter diary, 1915-1918 - Page 88
Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 88]
Issued to Lieut. W. A. Cull – "C" Coy 23rd Bn 6th Inf. Bde –
NOTE ON THE "LONE PINE" POSITION.
TACTICAL 1. The total perimeter of the position, including the front line and the rear line, is about 750 yards, and the garrison required is about 770 men.
The best garrison would be a battalion – less details left in rest camp. The Bn. Cooks and a night reserve of 100 men may be kept in BROWNS DIP.
The position has hitherto been divided into three Sections, in each of which the firing recesses are numbered from the right. Each of these usually is manned by 6 men and 1 N.C.O., of whom two men are always on duty, one observing and the other sniping at loopholes, enemy if visible within effective range, or enemy's sandbags.
WEAK POINTS of the position -
(i) The S.E. angle has an old enemy trench within 20 yards which is sometimes occupied by the enemy's miners and bombers. Upon this point machine gun and artillery fire can be brought to bear from our main position to the S.W. by previous arrangement. Vigorous bombing has hitherto driven the enemy from his trench.
(ii) Sap B on the extreme East of the position is a salient and was originally an enemy Communication trench. We have erected barricades in it and use it as a bombing hole. Should the enemy ever get into it it would be necessary to bomb them out by a vigorous bomb attack.
(iii) 'The Circus' on the extreme North is a salient relying for protection on fire from the Northern front and from the old firing line 150 yds. West
The Machine Gun Positions and arcs of fire are shown on the Map. four M.G's. in LONE PINE used at night, 7 M.Gs. in old firing line capable of supporting fire which is given at night if a blue light is shown fm Lone Pine
Rear of Position – The Western or rear face of the position is watched at night by sentry posts and piquets in B54 and B8 Saps.
Mining and Engineering – On the SOUTH and East fronts a number of small galleries have been driven towards the enemy which are used as a safeguard against mining by the enemy. These may be eventually driven up to or under his trenches and used by us for the capture of the trench after the enemy have been shelled and bombed out of it.