Battle of Neuve Eglise

The defence of Neuve Eglise (14th April 1918)

Jagger was declared fit and he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and was sent to the Newton Rifle Range on the Isle of Wight. Eighteen months later, he was sent out to the Western Front and on the 15th April 1918 was badly wounded. He had been shot two inches above the heart at the Battle of Neuve Eglise. In recognition of his valour, he was awarded the Military Cross.

From “Who Dies if England Live” – J.Black

Below is an account of the 2nd Battalions actions at Neuve Eglise and how Lieut. Crowe won his Victoria Cross on the 14th April 1918.

The defence of Neuve Eglise (14th April 1918)

The second of the great German offensives on the Western front was launched on 9th April, 1918. The Portuguese troops holding the trenches between Armentieres and Bethune were swept away, and a wide rent was torn in the Allied line. To close the gap British divisions were hurried up from reserve and hastily pushed into the battle. Among these was the 33rd Division, which included the 2nd Worcestershire.

The Battalion then formed part of the 100th Brigade, together wtth the 16th K.R.R.C. and 9th H.L.I. The Brigade was ordered to occupy and hold the village of Neuve Eglise, which had already been partially entrenched.

The Brigade occupied the defences of Neuve Eglise after dark on April 11th. Next day the advancing enemy came in contact with their defences.

Two days of fierce fighting followed. By nightfall of April 13th the 100th Brigade, after a most gallant defence, had almost been destroyed. The Germans, by successive attacks, had stormed the trenches, the other two battalions of the Brigade had practically ceased to exist, and of the 2nd Worcestershire there were left only two platoons, which, with Battalion Headquarters, were holding the last organised defence of the village, the fortified "Mairie" (Mayor's Residence).

Even this defended building was not too strong a position. To guard against surprise a smaller house some forty yards in advance had also been occupied. The armament of the Mairie consisted of one Vickers machine gun, and the Lewis guns of the two platoons, together with a small store of bombs.

That night the advancing enemy made their way into the village and gradually encircled the Maine. It was a weird night of battle. Firing was going on in every direction, and the Verey lights sent up by the enemy's advanced troops as signals of position were seen coming nearer and ever nearer. Similar lights sent up by the defenders showed at intervals parties of the enemy creeping up; but these were in every case driven back by fire. Presently the enemy made so heavy a bombing attack on the advanced house that the remnant of its defenders were forced to fall back and join the rest in in the Mairie.

That German advance had laid open the right flank of the 2nd Worcestershire, and the enemy closed in upon the Battalion in the gathering darkness. Orders, as we have seen, were sent at 6 p.m. by Colonel Stoney to recall "B" Company into the village to act as a reserve. Eventually two platoons of "B" company came back and joined Battalion Headquarters at the Mairie. The other two platoons had been sent to help "A" and "D" companies to withdraw.

With the two available platoons of "B" Company and the personnel of Battalion Headquarters, Colonel Stoney organised the Mairie for defence. Half of one platoon was placed as an advanced post in a house forty yards in advance (marked "A" on map) with a large supply of bombs, to break up the enemy's advance. The remainder manned the barricaded windows and improvised loopholesin the walls. A lucky find was made of a large supply of bombs stored in one of the cellars. One machinegun and the Lewis-guns of the two platoons completed the armament of the defences. An aid-post was established in a cellar by the Chaplain, the Reverend E. Victor Tanner.

There was no knowledge as to the fortunes of the three companies in front. Heavy firing all around had lasted throughout the evening. Runners sent forward through the darkness to gain touch with the companies did not return.

Captain Crowe's exploits on the 14th April 1918 (letters mark position)

When darkness fell the enemy's advanced troops pushed into the village. A racket of firing was going on all around. The defenders of the Mairie saw. the enemy's flares shooting upwards among the ruined houses, coming nearer and ever nearer. Presently one of those lights disclosed a party of the enemy creeping towards the building: they were driven off by a burst of fire from the one machine-gun of the defence; but several enemy machine-guns opened fire out of the darkness. Soon the British machine-gun was struck by the hail of bullets and was put out of action.

Undismayed, the defenders fired rifle-grenades from the garden in front of the Mairie at the nearest enemy machine-gun, which had been boldly posted in the road in front, and forced it to move further back. The rifle-grenade bombardment was directed by 2/Lieut. J. Turley, who throughout showed great courage and coolness: he was awarded thp M.C.

Heavy firing lasted all night. The night was very dark, and it was impossible to see far, but it was clear that the enemy's troops were occupying the whole village and were closing round the Mairie. The detachment in the. advanced post (Point "A" on map) after enduring a heavy fire of bombs for many hours, exhausted their ammunition. They ran the gauntlet of the enemy's machinegun fire and rejoined the garrison of the Mairie.

Dawn of April 14th showed the enemy surrounding the Mairie on every side, moving among the houses and across the open crest line on the western side. Trench mortars had been brought up, and their big bombs fell around the house. Several bombs actually hit the building, and two crashed through the roof, causing many casualties as they burst. The little garrison continued the defence, encouraged by their leaders and inspired by the cool bravery of the devoted Chaplain, who calmly tended the wounded in the building; but the situation was serious. German machine-guns were firing at the house from three sides, from the Church, from the cross-roads at the end of the street and from the open high ground to the west. From all sides the bullets of the enemy's snipers struck continually against the barricaded windows and doors; and many bullets penetrated the thin brick walls.

There was a further danger. Seeing the village in the hands of the enemy, the British artillery might bombard it. No telephone was available, nor were signals possible.

2/Lieut. A. Johnson begged permission to try to get through with a message. Reluctantly Colonel Stoney consented. The subaltern, a very brave young officer, set out from the Mairie and made his way out of sight: but before he could pass through the German lines he was hit and mortally wounded. 2/Lieut. A. Johnson had done splendid work during the two preceding days in carrying messages between Battalion Headquarters and the companies and in organising the defence of the Mairie: he was awarded a bar to his M.C.

The little garrison answered the enemy's fire with steady musketry, and presently their good marksmanship, assisted by a Lewis-gun in an upper window fired by Pte. F. R. Bough, who inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, and by a well-directed fire of rifle grenades, proved too much for the enemy's snipers. The sniping fire ceased, and the enemy temporarily drew back.

It was clear, however, that the defence could not be indefinitely prolonged. The enemy machine-guns were still firing from three sides, and it was dangerous to attempt to venture beyond the building. About 11 a.m. the Adjutant, Captain J. Crowe volunteered to lead a sortie and attempt to clear a path for retreat. He called for volunteers: Company-Quartermaster-Sergeant A. Trotman was the first to volunteer, and a party of picked men assembled. C.Q.M.S. Trotman did splendid work in the fight which followed, and was subsequently awarded the D.C.M.

Captain Crowe decided to attempt to drive the enemy from the open high ground west of the beleaguered house. As a preliminary move a cowshed (at Point "C" on map) just outside the Mairie was occupied by a quick rush. Then Captain Crowe led a party of ten men who rushed across the road and threw themselves down in the hedge on the far side and opened fire. It had been his intention to attack the German machine-guns by a direct advance up the slope; that however proved to be impossible, so he decided to approach them from the flank.

Taking two picked men with him, he crawled down the side of the road and round the bend until he was beyond risk of observation. Then (at Point "Z" on the map) the little party turned and worked inwards to the angle of two hedges (Point "P"). Some of the enemy were lining the hedge facing east. They were taken by surprise in enfilade and were shot down.

German machine-guns could be heard firing close in front, but a slight rise in the ground (the dotted lines on the plan are not exact contours but are "form lines" intended to indicate the slope of the ground) prevented their position being seen. Captain Crowe and his men crawled forward until (at Point "Q") they could see the machine-guns—two of them (at Point "R") firing busily at the Mairie. Apparently they had not noticed his shooting on their flank.

Captain Crowe decided to rush them before they could swing round. He and his two men rose to their feet and ran in on them, firing as they ran. That bold attack took the enemy completely by surprise. After a few wild shots the Germans left their weapons and fled. Captain Crowe and one man flung themselves down, panting, beside the abandoned machine-guns, and signalled the party near the cowshed (at Point "C") to advance. The second of his two brave men, who went with Captain Crowe, had been shot dead; unfortunately the other man was killed soon afterwards and their names have not been recorded.

2/Lieut. A. C. Pointon now led forward the party and helped to secure the captured machine-guns. 2/Lieut. A. C. Pointon, who had shown great bravery throughout the defence, received the M.C.

The high ground was secured and was held during the next hour, while communication was established with the 71st Brigade in rear. There was hope of a counter-attack. But soon after midday fresh forces of the enemy came crowding into the village. Ammunition was almost exhausted and further defence was hopeless. About 1.30 p.m. Colonel Stoney gave orders for retirement. Covered by fire both from the high ground and from the windows of the Mairie, the little garrison extricated themselves from the ruined building, taking with them their wounded, and made their way back from cover to cover along the road to Dranoutre. Except three men too seriously wounded to be moved, who were bandaged and left in the cellar. About thirty wounded were brought back.

The retirement from the Maine was covered to the last by the indomitable Private F. R. Bough, who remained at a window, firing his Lewis-gun while the party got clear, although the enemy's trench mortar brought the roof behind him crashing down (Pte. Bough was awarded the D.C.M.). The little column of exhausted and wounded men staggered off down the road, their retreat protected by Captain Crowe's detachment on the hill, who were the last to retire.

The enemy did not attempt to pursue (to such an extent had the vigorous defence impressed the enemy, that two runners seeking Battalion Headquarters at the Mairie, some time after it had been evacuated, found the building empty and were able to withdraw in safety; the enemy apparently being unaware of the evacuation) and without further loss that remnant of the Battalion passed through the line of the troops in rear (71st Brigade reinforced by 175th Brigade). Marching back through Dranoutre they were directed on to Locre, where information as to the whereabouts of the rest of their Brigade was discovered. At 6.30 p.m. the survivors of the 2nd Worcestershire, 6 officers and 100 men, rejoined the rest of the 100th Brigade behind "Hill 70" near Hille. After the 2nd Worcestershire rejoined,the strength of the 100th Brigade totalled 40 officers and 814 N.C.O's. and men.

That stubborn defence brought great credit to the Battalion. It was specially mentioned in Divisional orders and in the Despatches of the Commander-in-Chief. Lieut.-Colonel Stoney was awarded the D.S.O. and Captain Crowe's brave enterprise earned him a well-deserved Victoria Cross.

This was the position first taken up by the 2nd Worcesters on 12 April 1918: it is a sketch map from the battalion diary.

You will see that the 16th King's Royal Rifle Corps and 1/4th York & Lancaster Regiment were also in the area. Note that the diary also describes the hospice as the "mairie".

By 13 April the forward position had been pushed towards the village centre.

And when the Worcesters finally fall back onto the hospice.

Neuve-Eglise 14 April 1918

Hi,

I am currently reading a book "Mont Kemmel" (by Gustave Goes, published in 1935)

It's about the german offensive in 1918 around Kemmel from the german perspective, quite interesting.

There's a chapter about the german attack at Neuve Eglise in April 1918, the attack was led by the 22 Bay. J.R. with some elements of the 363. J.R. Captain Langbein was commanding the third bataillon of the 22 Bay. J.R

It describes the bavarians attacking and capturing the village on 14 April 1918, then being under fire from a machine gun firing "from a big house" (...) "from the Hospice on the crest" at Neuve-Eglise. This house was stopping the germans and caused many casualties to the bavarians. Two pages describe the fighting there, the germans were blocked between "english troops hidden in a sunken" road and the "Hospice". Captain Langbein led the attack to the sunken road and captured "many english" , some of them were shot by "the bavarians in fury, in an understandable gesture but absolutely intolerable". 2 officers and 100 soldiers were taken prisonners.

Later was the attack of the Hospice: minenwerfer were set and started to fire on the house, a shell "split into two the roof", then Langbein entered and captured the house and continued to chase the enemy to the "Stampkot windmill".

Neuve-Eglise was definitely captured , for this action Captain Langbein was awarded the Military Order of Max Joseph (Ritterkreuz).

He was later killed near Soissons in 1918 (he is buried at Vauxbuin cemetery). I have found other germans who fell in the battle of Neuve-Eglise buried the german cemetery at Menin. 

In the book there's no mention of any allied unit, but the descrition of the attack seems to match with the defense of the village by the 2nd. Worcestershire Regiment and the Victoria Cross awarded to the 2nd Lt. Crowe.

Link there: http://www.worcestershireregiment.com/vc_crowe.php

This "house" seems to be the Mairie of Neuve-Eglise? Are they any mention of the men shot by the bavarians in the allied diaries ? If so, who were they ? I was wondering how many casualties the 2nd. Worcestershire Regt. suffered on that day ?

Where most of them are buried ?

Thank you,

Regards

Sly

It also seems there was a company of the RE Special brigade, usually employed on Gad duties. I have an account of Pioneer Alexander Corbet writing,

“When I joined my company again they were holding the front line just out of Neuve Eglise. I was in this part of the line last year, and I could hardly credit the change in things. Ammunition dumps were being cleared, guns brought back, and everything made ready for a retirement.”

He had only returned to service in France at the start of April after injury the previous year, and he says that when the advance had stopped his unit moved further south to carry out 'gas stunts'. I think it was No.2 Special Company.

Will

I have visited the scene of the Crowe VC on a couple of occasions. In some accounts ( eg Nigel Cave's original 'Battleground Europe' book) the building is described as the old or former Mairie. Crowe led a party of ten volunteers from the 'Mairie' and launched a right flanking attack on two German machine guns set up on high ground on the opposite side of the road. They captured the guns allowing the defenders of the Mairie to withdraw towards Dranoutre. Apparently in 1918 the church stood by itself in a field with no buildings nearby.