38th (Welsh) Infantry Division

43rd Division
38th (Welsh) Division
38th (Welsh) Infantry Division
38th Infantry (Reserve) Division

The First World War shoulder patch
Active December 1914 – June 1919
1939–45
Branch

New Army
(1914–19)

Territorial Army
(1939–44)
 British Army
(1944–45)
Type Infantry
Role Infantry, home defence, and training
Engagements Battle of the Somme
Third Battle of Ypres
Hundred Days Offensive

The 38th (Welsh) Division (later the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division, and then the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division) of the British Army was active during both the First and Second World Wars. The division was initially raised in 1914 as the 43rd Division of Herbert Kitchener's New Army. Originally meant to be part of a 50,000 strong Welsh Army Corps, championed by David Lloyd George, the assignment of Welsh recruits to other formations meant that this concept was never realized. On 29 April 1915, the formation was renamed the 38th (Welsh) Division and shipped to France later that year. The division arrived in France with a poor reputation, with it seen as political formation that was poorly trained and led. The division's baptism of fire came during the opening days of the Battle of the Somme were it was tasked with the capture of the heavily defended Mametz Wood. Despite securing the wood, needed as a jump off point for the next phase of the Somme offensive, and the loss of nearly 4,000 men, the reputation of the division was sullied by miscommunication among senior officers. The division did not see major action for a year, when it launched a highly successful assault during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, part of the Battle of Passchendaele, that redeemed the division in the eyes of the upper hierarchy of the military. During the German Spring Offensive and the Allied Hundred Days Offensive, the division was continually tasked with assaulting heavily fortified German positions. The division, now considered to be one of the elite British divisions, breached German positions dug-in on the opposing banks of the Ancre river, smashed through the Hindenberg Line, broke through German positions on the River Selle, and ended the war on the Belgian frontier. Not chosen to be part of the British occupation force in the Rhineland following the war, the division was demobilized over several months ceasing to exist during 1919.

In March 1939, following the rise of Nazi Germany and their annexation of Czechoslovakia, the British Army increased the number of divisions belonging to Territorial Army by duplicating existing units. On paper the division was recreated as the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division, a duplicate of the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division, although it did not actually form until September. Although the division transferred around the United Kingdom, assigned to home defence duties, it was never deployed overseas as a single entity. In 1944, the division was disbanded, and the units previously assigned to it were either dispatched as a whole or broken up to reinforce the 21st Army Group fighting in Normandy. The 38th was recreated on 1 September 1944, as the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division; a training formation that took over the role previously occupied by the 80th Infantry (Reserve) Division. In this format, the division aided in completing the training of new recruits who were then dispatched overseas as reinforcements. At the end of the war, the division was again stood down.

First World War

Formation and training

Recruiting poster for Herbert Kitchener's New Army.

On 28 July 1914, the First World War broke out, and on 4 August the United Kingdom entered the war in defence of Belgium following a German invasion.[2] Britain found itself facing a continental war it was not militarily prepared for. The British Expeditionary Force was dispatched, but the country lacked the forces required for a the protracted war envisioned by the military elite.[3]

On 5 August, Herbert Kitchener was appointed Secretary of State for War assuming a vital and largely independent role within the war cabinet.[4] His first act, the following day, was to request parliamentary approval to increase the strength of the British Army by 500,000 men. Over the coming days, following approval, the Army Council laid out plans for Kitchener's proposed expansion: traditional recruiting would be used to expand the regular army, bypassing the county associations and thus avoiding expanding the Territorial Force. The first wave, originally termed the New Expeditionary Force, became the First New Army.[5] Historian Peter Simkins comments that Kitchener held the Territorial Force in disdain, calling it an ill-trained "Town Clerk's Army" and this was partially why he bypassed expanding it. However, Simkin's notes it would be a "gross oversimplification to ascribe Kitchener's decision merely to prejudice and ignorance" and highlights that had the Territorial Force been used as the basis for expansion it would have been "swamped" and "rendered temporarily incapable of carrying out any function at all" when a "viable home defence force" was needed due to threat of a German invasion.[6]

On 19 September 1914, Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George stated "I should like to see a Welsh Army in the field". This thought quickly picked up support from politicians and Kitchener, and a Welsh Army Corps of two divisions totalling 50,000 men was approved on 10 October. The recruits were to be drawn not just from Wales, but from Monmouthshire, and from Welshmen living in Liverpool, London, and Manchester. The creation of the Corps soon became a source of heated dispute between Lloyd George and Kitchener, and was never raised.[7][8][9] In addition to the disagreements, there was issues recruiting the desired numbers. By the end of 1914, only 10,000 men had joined up to serve with the Welsh Corps.[lower-alpha 1] During December, having scaled back the ambitious plan for a whole corps, the recruited men were formed into the 43rd Division of Kitchener's Fourth New Army (originally part of the Fifth New Army).[11][12] Despite steady recruitment, by June 1915, 20 per cent of recruits had been removed primarily having been discharged for medical reasons or transferred to other units.[13]

Elements of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, training on a rifle range.

On 1 March 1915, the new division was inspected by Lloyd George.[14] On 29 April, the 43rd was re-designated the 38th (Welsh) Division. The division spent most of 1915 dispersed, with the majority located across North Wales with units training at Pwllheli, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, and Rhyl, although some units were based in the south at Abergavenny.[15] At these locations, the men undertook basic training, were drilled, and trained for open warfare. On 19 August, the division moved to Winchester, England were it assembled for the first time as a single entity. Final training took place, and limited instructions were given on tactics to employ during trench warfare (the assumption being that practical experience would be easier to gain in France).[12][14][16][17][18] Despite the ongoing training, it was not until November that the entire division had been fully equipped with rifles.[16] To be declared fit for overseas service, the division's soldiers had to fire 24 rounds on a rifle range.[lower-alpha 2] On 29 November, the division was inspected for the final time before being deployed; Queen Mary and Princess Mary reviewed the troops at Crawley Down.[14]

The division (comprising the 113th, 114th, and 115th Brigades made up of battalions from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (RWF), the South Wales Borderers (SWB), and the Welsh Regiment (Welsh)) was roughly 18,500 men strong when it was deployed to France. During November, the division departed from Southampton and arrived in France via Le Havre by 5 December (although the division's artillery initially remained behind to conduct live fire exercises at Larkhill, they had re-joined the division by the end of December).[17][20][21][22]

The initial reaction by the regular army to the division was one of hostility. The division was seen as lacking experience and training, and questions were raised about the division's leadership which also saw influence securing officer commissions. Furthermore, as historian Clive Hughes comments "regulars professed disgust at the blatantly political character" of the division.[23] While the division was predominately made up of Welshmen, the rest of the United Kingdom was also represented within its ranks as well as several foreign nationals.[24]

Initial actions and the Battle of the Somme

Once in France, the division joined XI Corps, and was placed in reserve relieving the 46th (North Midland) Division in the process. The first casualties were soon suffered due to training accidents with grenades. The division was then temporarily split up and spent time attached to the Guards Division and 19th (Western) Division in order to gain experience in trench warfare. Afterwards, it relieved the 19th (Western) on the front line and until the summer manned the front in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. It was rotated along XI Corps' sector, spending time in Festubert, Givenchy, La Gorgue, Laventie, and Neuve Chapelle. Here, the division's units rotated on and off the line, maintained positions, conducted trench raids, and were subjected to German bombardments, all of which allowed the men to gain vital experience.[17][20][21][25] The most notable action during this period was a trench raid carried out by Captain Goronwy Owen of the 15th RWF. Owen, was leading a raid into no man's land when he located a party of German soldiers who had just finished laying barbed wire. Owen followed the German's back to their trench, and ambushed them. The divisional history comments that "the greater portion [of the German party] were killed", and the raid was considered by the Army to be "the third best ... carried out so far" in the war. For his actions, Owen's was mentioned in dispatches.[26]

Map of the Somme battlefield (click to enlarge). The village of Mametz and the surrounding woodland are centrally located.

Between 10 and 11 June 1916, the division was relieved by the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division and pulled off the line. It then moved south and joined XVII Corps of the Third Army. With XVII Corps, the division trained for the upcoming Battle of the Somme. New trenches were dug, and the division proceeded to assault them undertaking what was new tactics: attacking in successive waves in conjunction with artillery and machine gun fire. Towards the end of the month, the division resumed moving south; this time towards the Somme valley.[27] They then joined II Corps, and were placed in reserve. For the upcoming battle, the division's intended role was as a second wave force of infantry to help exploit the intended success. Following the breach of the German lines, the Reserve Army's cavalry divisions would capture Bapaume. The 38th (Welsh) would then move forward to relieve the cavalry and secure the town, to allow the cavalry to advance north towards Arras.[28][29][30]

On 1 July, the Battle of the Somme began. Despite still being behind the lines in reserve, the division suffered its first casualty of the battle due to German artillery fire.[31] During the first day of the battle a breakthrough was not achieved, and the British offensive met with mixed results for the loss of 57,470 casualties.[32] In particular, XV Corps had been assigned the task of capturing the villages of Fricourt and Mametz. Throughout the day, the 7th Division assaulted and captured Mametz. The 21st Division pushed into the German lines and flanked Fricourt. Due to this move and capture of Mametz, the Germans abandoned Fricourt. The two divisions had advanced up to 2,500 yards (2,300 m), and suffered 7,500 casualties.[33] Between these two villages were the entrenched German position at Mametz Wood. This needed to be captured to allow XV Corps to further advance into German territory.[34] While additional ground was gained in subsequent attacks, German defences and rain hindered moves to clear Mametz Wood. Following additional casualties within the 7th Division, the 38th (Welsh) was attached to XV Corps to relieve them and the division was tasked with clearing the wood.[30][35][36]

Mametz Wood, 7 July, prior to the fighting to capture it.

Mametz Wood was defended by elements of the German Lehr and 163rd Infantry Regiments. While these units were entrenched within the wood, the German second line was only 300 yards (270 m) behind allowing the position to be easily reinforced. Between 6 and 9 July, the 38th conducted reconnaissance, and launched probing attacks to determine the strength of the German position.[37][38]

On 7 July, the division launched two battalions upon the wood following a brief preliminary bombardment. At 08:00, the 16th Welsh and 10th SWB attacked. As soon as the advance began, it had become obvious that the preliminary bombardment had failed to silence the German machine gun positions, and German shells started to fall upon the attacking troops and the trenches they had left resulting in a temporary communication breakdown. Caught between machine gun fire from their front and their flanks, the attack bogged down within 200 yards (180 m) of the wood. Unable to move further, they were ordered to dig-in to await a renewed British bombardment. At 11:00 a second attempt was made, but the troops were unable to get further forward. A proposed third attack in the afternoon was eventually called off. The battalion historian of the 16th Welsh commented that "'Cut to Ribbons' would be an apt description" as casualties amounted to 276 men. The 10th SWB suffered 180 casualties.[17][37][37][39][40]

During the evening the 14th RWF launched a minor trench raid. On 8 July, this was supposed to develop into an attack on the southern tip of the wood. While the division prepared to launch a battalion sized attack, XV Corps commander Lieutenant-General Henry Horne ordered a smaller attack by a single platoon. The day was spent in confusion with conflicting orders issued, and Horne traveling to the division to clarify his intentions. In the end, no attack was launched.[41]

When Horne found out that 14th RWF had not moved and their attack had been pushed back to 8 July, he summoned the division's commanding officer Major-General Ivor Philipps to Corps headquarters. By mid-day on 9 July, Philipps had been relieved of command.[42] General Douglas Haig, commanding the fighting on the Somme, referenced this event in his diary. He wrote "visited HQ XV Corps and saw General Horne. He was very disappointed with the work of the ... 38th Welsh Div". He comments that Philipps was relieved since despite the "most adequately bombard[ment]" of the wood, the division "never entered" having suffered "under 150" casualties and despite "a few bold men [who had] entered the Wood [who] found little opposition." Historian Don Farr notes Haig's entries are at odds with the facts, and that he relied heavily on what Horne had told him. Farr states Horne's account to Haig was self-serving, and did no justice "to the difficulties confronting the troops on the ground" and did not acknowledge the failure of the bombardment. He also suggests that the sacking of Philipps may have been political, by a distrusting Officer Corps towards a perceived 'political officer'.[43] Clive Hughes quotes a regular officer who was attached to the division that described Philipps as "an excellent administer" who was "valued [for] his service with the division."[44] Tim Travers comments "perhaps Philipps was a poor commander", but the opening attacks on Mametz Wood demonstrated the faults of the entire command structure not just of Philipps as there was pressure from top down to get results.[45] Farr notes that "there is evidence that ... Philipps ... balked at sending waves of [his] men unprotected against machine guns",[46] and Traver's contributes Philipps had shown moral courage in cancelling unprepared attacks and for giving his troops "instructions not to press the attack if machine-gun fire was met".[45]

Horne had intended to replace Philipps with Major-General Charles Blackader, but this decision was overruled by Haig who ordered that Herbert Watts, General Officer Commanding 7th Division, take temporary command.[46] During 9 July, the decision was made that the division would launch a full-scale attack the following day.[37] At 03:30 10 July, the preliminary bombardment began.[47]

Mametz Wood, as seen in August

The initial bombardment lasted for 45 minutes, striking the German front line positions, with the shelling halted temporarily to attempt to lure the German defenders back into the front line when the barrage resumed. At 04:15, the division launched its attack. Advancing behind a creeping barrage were the 13th Welsh (on the right flank), the 14th Welsh (in the centre), and the 16th RWF (on the left flank). As part of the preliminary bombardment, a smoke screen had been laid down on either flank, which had succeeded in drawing German fire away from the assault.[47][48] The divisional history called this attack "one of the most magnificent sights of the war ... wave after wave of men were seen advancing without hesitation and without a break over a distance which in some places was nearly 500 yards."[47] The 14th Welsh rapidly entered the wood and cleared the German positions with bayonets and rifle fire. In the face of heavy German resistance and flanking machine gun fire, the 13th Welsh suffered heavy casualties and their attack stalled. In response, the division reinforced the right flank by committing the 15th Welsh who were able to push through into the wood. Before they could link up and aid the 13th, German troops infiltrated the gap between the two battalions and were able to get behind the 15th Welsh and almost wiped out an entire company. The divisional history records these troops had to "cut their way back out", and returned with just eight men. Despite the losses, the three battalions of the Welsh regiment were able to form a cohesive line defending the edge of the wood and repulsed strong German counterattacks.[47][49] The 16th RWF, who had fell behind the creeping barrage, were met with determined German resistance who repulsed two assaults by the Welshmen. The 15th RWF was sent to reinforce the effort, and both battalions were then able to push their way into the wood although German resistance and a machine gun prevented a further advance. The 10th Welsh moved up to cover the gap between the five already committed battalions, and the 13th RWF were deployed to clear the German position in front of their sister battalions. Meanwhile, divisional engineers arrived to dig trenches and lay wire.[50] During the afternoon, the 10th SWB and 17th RWF were committed to the wood. At 16:00, a renewed attack was launched that was met with little resistance. The 10th SWB captured the eastern stretches of the wood, and inflicted heavy losses. The 15th Welsh along with the 15th and 17th RWF proceeded to fight their way north through the wood and made it to within 40 yards (37 m) of the northern edge when they were thrown back by German fire.[51] A further attack, during the evening was called off, and the troops were pulled back up to 300 yards (270 m) and ordered to dig-in for the night.[49]

A painting by Christopher Williams depicting the division's assault to capture Mametz Wood.

During the night, the 113th and 114th Infantry Brigades were ordered out of the wood, and the 115th Brigade assembled in their place.[51] The next day, 115th Brigade prepared a final assault to clear out the German presence. 115th Brigade's commanding officer, Brigadier-General H. J. Evans, wanted to launch a surprise attack, but was overruled. The subsequent bombardment to support the attack fell short in places hitting the Welsh troops, and also provoked German artillery fire. Despite the friendly fire, the barrage also caught German troops in the open as they fled from the wood. The remaining Germans offered heavy resistance, and the 16th Welsh were held up by machine gun fire and the use of a flamethrower. Despite this, the brigade was able to clear Mametz Wood by the end of the day. The German second line position was on higher ground, which dominated the edge of wood, and coupled with artillery fire resulted in the brigade pulling back to its start line to avoid further casualties.[52][53][54]

King George V (centre-right) speaks with Major-General Charles Blackader (centre-left) while visiting the division, 13th August 1916.

That evening, the 21st Division relieved the 38th, and the Welsh moved near Gommecourt and relieved the 48th (South Midland) Division on the line.[51] The Division suffered 3,993 casualties during the six days it fought on the Somme, with over 600 men killed. Despite capturing 400 prisoners as well as Mametz Wood (the largest on the Somme), which paved the way for the assault on Bazentin Ridge, the reputation of the division had been sullied by inaccuracies. The initial failed attack caused much harm to the division's reputation, as the comparably few casualties were seen as evidence of a lack of determination by the men. A report by Brigadier-General Price-Davies, commanding officer of 113th Brigade, compounded matters as he inaccurately reported that there was widespread panic among the men who were unwilling to carry out orders. Despite Price-Davies revising his opinion, commenting "I may not have given my brigade full credit for what they did", the damage had been done. The difficulties in fighting in heavily wooded areas were not appreciated at the time, and Farr comments that the divisions reputation suffered due to the repeated interference by Lieutenant-General Horne in matters best left to the divisional or brigade staff and his "inexperience of battlefield command at this level".[51][53][54][55]

Ypres Salient

At the end of August, the division was deployed to the Ypres area where it remained for the following ten months seeing no major action. The division spent its time engaging in the vital effort of rebuilding and consolidating washed out trenches, and raiding German positions. For the former, the division was commended by their Corps commander Rudolph Lambart (XIV Corps).[56] The most notable raid conducted during this period occurred in November, and was undertaken by the 14th Welsh. Elements of the battalion launched a large-scale raid on a German position known as 'High command Redoubt'. This was a strongly fortified position, based on a slight rise that overlooked and dominated the British lines. From this redoubt, the Germans had been able to direct artillery fire and snipe the British positions. The 14th Welsh raided the position, killing 50 defenders in hand-to-hand combat and took 20 more as prisoners.[57][58][59]

Aerial reconnaissance photo showing the cross west of Pilckem, and the devastation unleashed upon the ridge.

In June, the division was pulled off the line to conduct training exercises for the upcoming offensive in the Ypres area. Replicas of the German positions on Pilckem Ridge were constructed, and then assaulted. On 20 July, the division returned to the front taking over from the 29th Division.[60] Until the end of the month, the division was subjected to German artillery fire. These shells, a mixture of high explosive and mustard gas, inflicted serious losses. At the same time, due to the preliminary barrage, aerial reconnaissance and infantry patrols by the division confirmed that the Germans had largely pulled back from the front line to their second line positions.[61][62]

At 03:50 on 31 July, the Battle of Pilckem Ridge began. The division was tasked with capturing the German front line, their second line positions based on Pilckem Ridge–a low ridge that also contained the heavily shelled village of Pilckem–followed by 'Iron Cross Ridge', which lay to the east, before storming down the other side and across a small stream known as the Steenbeck. The Welsh would be primarily opposed by the German 3rd Guards Infantry Division, along with elements of the 3rd Reserve and 11th Infantry divisions, dug-in among trench lines and based within 280 concrete pillboxes and bunkers. To secure these various objectives, the division planned to attack in waves with fresh troops constantly moving forward to tackle the next objective.[39][63][64]

Map showing Pilckem Ridge and the objectives assigned to the division as well as the 51st (Highland) Division (Click to enlarge).

Due to the Royal Artillery's use of gas shells, the German artillery had largely been silenced and played little part in the initial fighting. The 10th and 13th Welsh (advancing on the right) and half the 13th and 16th RWF (on the left) were able to rapidly take the German forward positions, capturing several Germans who had remained behind. The 13th and 14th Welsh then pushed beyond their sister battalions up the ridge along with the remaining half of the 13th and 16th RWF. Centred on the village as well as Marsouin and Stray Farms, the German resistance was much fiercer resulting in increasing Welsh losses. Arthur Conan Doyle, in his history of the war, described the scene: "[The German's] poured bullets upon the advancing infantry, who slipped from shell-hole to shell-hole, taking such cover as they could, but resolutely pushing onwards." Where concrete bunkers were encountered, the Welshmen worked their way around them, cutting the German troops off, and forcing them to surrender. Despite the resistance, the German second line was captured without delay.[65][66] Half of the 13th and 14th Welsh, along with the 15th RWF, then pushed towards Iron Cross Ridge. German troops holding Rudolphe Farm, in the area allocated to the 51st (Highland) Division who had not yet advanced as far, were able to fire into the flanks of the advancing Welsh troops. A platoon from 15th Welsh was diverted, and assaulted the farm capturing 15 men and either killing or scattering the rest thus securing the flank of advance. 14th Welsh then rushed Iron Cross Ridge and engaged in hand-to-hand combat to seize the position, before pushing on to capture a dressing station. Their charge had resulted in heavy losses, but yielded 78 prisoners and three machine-guns. The 15th RWF had fell behind the protective rolling barrage to their front, and in doing so came under heavy fire from a German position known as Battery Copse. Despite heavy losses, they pushed on forward and were able to secure their portion of Iron Cross Ridge.[65] With Iron Cross Ridge in British hands, the 11th SWB and 17th RWF pushed forward for the Steenbeck. Despite German resistance based in more concrete positions, these positions were cleared and the river reached and the two battalions dug-in on the opposite side. However, due to the casualties taken in doing so, elements of the 16th Welsh and 10th SWB were moved forward to reinforce the newly gained position. At 15:10, the German infantry launched a counter-attack. Fighting continued throughout the day, with the forward British battalions forced to pull back beyond the Steenbeck although the German attempts to retake further territory were thwarted. During the course of the afternoon, heavy rain began to fall and did so for the following three days hindering future operations.[67] The fighting broke the 3rd Guards Division, which the Welsh divisional history notes "had to be withdrawn immediately after the battle." During the day, the Welsh took close to 700 prisoners.[68] Conan Doyle places the division's losses at 1,300 men.[69] Other than an exchange of artillery fire, no further fighting took place and the division was pulled off the line on 6 August.[70]

Historian Toby Thacker comments that "the attack on the Pilckem Ridge was considered a great success by Haig and has been similarly viewed by historians." He further notes that "In Haig's eyes the Welsh Division had redeemed its reputation after what he had perceived as its poor showing at Mametz Wood" and Haig went on to write the division had "achieved the highest level of soldierly achievement".[71] Steven John echoes these views, stating that the division "regained the honour which it had unjustly lost after their supposed tardiness in the capture of Mametz".[72]

The division returned to the line on 20 August, and played a minor role in the latter stages of the Battle of Langemarck. On 27 August, elements of the division attacked. Throughout the day, heavy rain had fallen saturating the ground. The divisional history comments "the men who had been lying in shell-holes which were gradually filling with water found great difficulty in getting out and advancing and keeping up with the barrage." As the advancing infantry waded through deep mud, their supporting artillery barrage moved away from them. Left vulnerable, the Germans opened fire. Elements of the division were able to reach the German line, but as the 16th Welsh battalion's historian comments "it had been a gallant but hopeless endeavor." The failed attack resulted in hundreds of casualties. The division passively remained in the line, subjected to German artillery bombardments, until it was withdrawn on 13 September to take up new positions at Armentières.[17][39][70]

Raiding and reorganization

Men of the 15th RWF, outside their dug-outs, in the trenches, late December 1917.

Until spring 1918, the division manned various sections of the frontline and at times as much as ten miles of the front. During this period, the division worked to improve the trenches they inherited and conducted raids on the German lines. For example, on 7/8 November the 10th SWB conducted a nearly 300 strong raid on the German lines. Having penetrated 200 yards into German territory, the battalion destroyed three concrete dugouts, inflicted at least 50 casualties, and took 15 prisoners. However, the battalion equally suffered 50 casualties.[39][73] In addition to raiding, the division aided the 1st Portuguese Division gain experience in trench warfare by having a battalion at a time attached for tutoring.[74]

During the winter period, the British became aware that the Germans were intending to launch an offensive in 1918. As a result, the division spent the following months improving the front line positions as well as constructing rear-line defences from the Armentières region to the northern bank of River Lys laying, what the divisional history described as, "inconceivable amount of concrete and barbed wire".[75]

Men of the 13th Welsh constructing rear-line positions near Houplines.

By 1918, the number of front line infantry within the British Army in France had decreased leading to a manpower crisis. In an attempt to consolidate manpower and increase the number of machine guns and artillery support available to the infantry, the decision was made to reduce the number of battalions in a division from twelve to nine.[76][77] This had the effect of reducing the establishment of a division from 18,825 men to 16,035.[78] In addition, to ease reinforcement, an attempt was made to consolidate as many battalions from the same regiment within the same brigade.[79] These changes impacted the division, resulting in the 15th RWF, 11th SWB, and 10th and 16th Welsh being disbanded, and the 2nd RWF joining from the 33rd Division.[80] These changes to the division also saw the machine gun companies consolidated into a single battalion, one medium mortar battery broken up and absorbed by the remaining two batteries, and the heavy mortar battery leaving the division to become a Corps asset.[1]

Following a short break to train and rest, the division returned to the front line in mid-February and recommenced raiding the German lines. On 15 March, the 16 RWF conducted a raid on a similar scale and with similar success to the one conducted by the 10 SWB in November.[80] During the same period, the Germans raided the Welsh lines but not with the same level of success and only managed to capture two men. In addition, the Welsh snipers were able to get the upper hand on their German rivals. The divisional history places the success of the numerous raids carried out, on the "control of No Man's Land" which the division's patrol had gained, which allowed "thorough previous reconnaissance", in addition to the sniping that made it "possible to move about unmolested in exposed trenches or even in the open" in front of the German lines.[81]

German Spring Offensive

Further information: Spring Offensive

On 21 March, Germany launched Operation Michael. This attack, which became the opening salvo of their Spring Offensive, aimed to deliver a single decisive war winning blow. The Germans intended to strike the southern British flank, in order to separate the British and French armies, and then move north to engage the bulk of the British forces in France in a vernichtungsschlacht (battle of annihilation). The aim was to inflict such a defeat upon the British armies that the country would abandon the war, which in turn would force the French to sue for peace.[82]

As a result of the opening ten days of the German offensive, and the casualties suffered by the 2nd and the 47th (London) divisions, the 38th was ordered south to take up positions near Albert with the intention of relieving these two formations.[83] While the infantry moved south, the divisional artillery remained at Armentières to support the 34th Division and subsequently took part in the Battle of the Lys. During this battle, the artillery went on to aid French forces before being temporarily transferred to the British 25th Division with whom it conducted a fighting withdrawal. It's actions with both divisions earned the men of the divisional artillery plaudits from both divisional commanders.[84]

Major-General Thomas Cubitt, who took command of the division on 23 May.

Near Albert, the division had been held in reserve rather than committed to the front line due to the rapidly changing situation. This changed during the night 11/12 April, when the division relieved the 12th (Eastern) Division and entered the line.[85] During their advance, the Germans had captured high ground near Bouzincourt and Aveluy, overlooking the British lines. The division was assigned the task of retaking the high ground to deny the Germans the ability to observe the British positions, and in order to gain observation positions overlooking the German lines in Ancre valley. At 19:30 22 April, elements of the 113th and 115th Brigades attacked with support from Australian artillery. The German infantry, supported by a large number of machine guns and with plentiful artillery support, stubbornly resisted the attack. Unable to drive the German infantry completely off the high ground, the division did gain 250 yards (230 m) on a 1,000 yards (910 m) front, which achieved the intended objective of the attack. The 13th RWF managed to push further ahead and secured a section of high ground overlooking the German lines, and fought off several German counterattacks. The attack resulted in the capture of 85 Germans and six machine guns, but came at heavy price for all units involved with the 13th RWF suffering over 400 wounded.[86] The Germans made repeated attempts to push back the Welshmen from this important piece of terrain, with a major attack being repulsed on 9 May.[87] Over the following days, the division attempted an abortive attack on another German-held ridge and conducted several raids on the German lines before being withdrawn for a short break on 20 May.[88]

At this point, Major-General Charles Blackader left the division on medical grounds and was replaced by Major-General Thomas Cubitt.[89][90] Off the line, the division received replacements for casualties, disbanded the sniper company, and engaged in rifle training. Once back on the line, the division return to its previous routine of static warfare: conducting patrols and raids, as well as being subjected to raids and artillery bombardments.[91]

Final battles

Further information: Hundred Days Offensive

On 5 August, following a period of rest, the division returned to the front and took up position at Aveluy Wood.[92] Shortly after, the Allied armies launched the Battle of Amiens, which led to the start of the Hundred Days Offensive – the final offensive of the war.[93] In the 38th's sector, the Fourth Army pushed the Germans back from their gains and onto the eastern bank of the Ancre. The 38th was assigned to cross the river and clear the German-held Thiepval ridge north of Albert.[92]

On 21/22 August, elements of 114th Brigade crossed the swollen Ancre near Beaumont-Hamel, established a bridgehead, constructed a bridge, and fought off German counterattacks. The following day, additional elements of the brigade crossed securing a further bridgehead and likewise repulsed German attacks.[94] The 113th Brigade crossed the river via bridges in Albert, and proceeded to assault Unsa Hill 1 mile (1.6 km) to the northeast taking 194 prisoners, three artillery pieces, and seven machine guns.[95] On 23 August, the 115th Brigade crossed the river and cleared several German positions facing them taking at least 30 prisoners and capturing 15 machine guns. The remaining elements of the three brigades crossed the following day, either wading or using newly constructed bridges.[96] During the early hours, the 114th Brigade launched an attack on Thiepval ridge while the other two brigades attacked Ovillers-la-Boisselle. By the end of the day, despite heavy fighting, the division had seized the ridge, pushed the Germans back around Ovillers, and took 634 prisoners and 143 machine guns.[97]

On 25 August, the division advanced across the old Somme battlefield. The 113th Brigade cleared Mametz Wood, which was again held by German troops, while the 115th seized Bazentin le Petit.[98] The following day, the 113th Brigade reached the outskirts of Longueval and fought off numerous counterattacks, while 115th Brigade surrounded and cleared High Wood (near Bazentin le Petit). Casualties amounted to around 800, and at least 100 prisoners were taken and 15 machine guns captured.[99] The next day saw heavy fighting outside Longueval as the 113th and 114th Brigades attempted to advance, but were halted by determined German resistance and repeated counterattacks.[100] The following days saw an exchange of artillery fire, and further German counterattacks repulsed. Longueval was seized late on 28 August, following a partial German withdrawal.[101] The division continued their advance, overcame German resistance and counterattacks to capture Ginchy, Deville Wood, and Lesbœufs, but were held up by determined resistance at Morval.[102] Following a day long barrage, Morval was captured on 1 September after heavy fighting and the division pushed on to take Sailly-Saillisel, and Étricourt-Manancourt.[103] In an effort to halt the British advance, the Germans had dug in on the far side of the Canal du Nord and, in the words of the divisional history, "smothered the Canal valley with gas shells". On 3 September, having noticed a weakness in the German positions, elements of the 13th and 14th Welsh stormed across the canal and cleared the eastern bank allowing the rest of 114th Brigade to cross.[104] On 5 September, the division was relieved and placed in reserve. During August and the opening of September, the artillery had fired over 300,000 rounds in support of the fighting, 3,614 casualties had been suffered, and 1,915 German prisoners taken.[105]

On 11 September, the division returned to the line near Gouzeaucourt. Opposing them, the Germans had dug-in along a ridge line from Épehy to Trescault intending to delay the British for as long as possible, in this sector, from reaching the Hindenberg Line.[106] The Fourth Army was tasked with clearing these positions. On 18 September, the Battle of Épehy was fought.[107] The division attacked at 05:40 with the 113th and 114th Brigades. Both brigades were able to reach their objectives, despite withering flanking fire, and fought off numerous counterattacks. Despite the success, the Germans were able to cling on to Gouzeaucourt.[108] The battle as a whole, cleared the German outposts in front of the Hindenburg Line preparing the way for future operations.[107] On 20 September, the division was pulled off the line for a period of rest.[109]

Eight days later, the division returned in preparation for assaulting the Hindenburg Line.[110] The division advanced, along with the Fourth Army, pressing the retreating Germans before halting at the Hindenburg support line, also known as the Le Catelet-Nauroy Line, due to determined German resistance. On 5 October, however, the line was breached by the division after the Germans evacuated it for their main position (Siegfried II Stellung, otherwise known as the Masnières-Beaurevoir line) near Villers-Outréaux. The German positions lay behind dense lines of barbed wire, supported by concrete pillboxes, and machine gun positions hidden in small woods providing excellent fields of fire over otherwise open countryside. Faced with this level of defence, the division was halted and spent the following days reconnoitring the German positions preparing for an assault.[111][112] The division's plan of attack was for 115th Brigade to envelop Villers-Outréaux during dark and assault the village during daylight with tank support, while 113th Brigade would clear the nearby Mortho Wood. 114th Brigade would initially be held in reserve, but brought up to exploit the success and push deeper into the German defensive belt. At 01:00 on 8 October, the attack began. The initial attack by 115th Brigade failed, in turn impeding 113th Brigade who were unable to approach Mortho Wood due to concentrated German machine gun fire. The 115th rallied, and achieved their initial objective while the 113th were able to gain a foothold near theirs. At 05:00, the 2nd RWF – following a friendly fire incident – assaulted Villers-Outréaux and cleared the village with tank support. At 08:00, 114th Brigade was committed to the battle as orders to delay the advance arrived late. The troops were initially held up by undetected barbed wire and heavy German fire, before aiding the 113th Brigade. However, by 11:30 the brigade had dis-engaged and had pressed forward exploiting the success of 115th Brigade. The divisional history comments that the attack "progressed rapidly and resulted in a complete rout of the enemy" and the brigade was able to achieve its final objective on the Prémont-Esnes road. Meanwhile, the 113th Brigade engaged in heavy fighting to clear the German trenches around Mortho Wood.[113][112] During this action, the division suffered 1,290 casualties, and took 380 prisoners.[114] The divisional history noted that 8 October was "perhaps ... the stiffest fighting of the whole advance."[115]

Following the assault, the 33rd Division pursued the retreating German forces while the Welsh stayed close behind ready to take over the advance or assault strongly-held German positions as needed. On 9 October, Clary was liberated and the following day the divisional artillery was firing in support of the 33rd who had made contact with German forces. Over the next few days, the 33rd Division pursued the Germans to the River Selle, and launched a bloody assault on the defended eastern bank during the opening stages of the Battle of the Selle. While a bridgehead was secured, it was abandoned due to losses and the decision was made to move the Welsh division forward. On the night of 13/14 October, the division took over the line near Troisvilles and Bertry. Over the next six days, the division prepared: conducting reconnaissance, constructing bridges, and moving up heavy artillery. During these preparations, the Germans bombarded elements of the division's artillery with gas shells.[116]

On the night of 19/20 October, the division attacked. The footbridges were brought forward and the river crossed with ease. However, the divisional history comments, the "railway embankment on the far side was a much greater natural obstacle" due to heavy rain, and was "heavily wired" and defended. The 113th and 114th Brigades crossed the river each supported by a tank, while the 115th was held in reserve to deal with German counterattacks. Despite heavy German resistance and the tanks becoming bogged down in mud, the Welsh were able to seize the rail line by 02:30. The divisional history commended the 14th Welsh for their efforts during this action, being the first to secure a bridgehead and then rolling up the German line to secure the right flank of the attack.[117] In commending the efforts of his men, Major-General Cubitt described the attack: having "formed up in boggy ground, [the men] crossed a difficult river (for the fourth time since 21st August), attacked up a glacis swept by machine gun fire, stormed a precipitous railway embankment 40 to 50 feet high, and in pouring rain, very slippery and deep going, in the hours of darkness, established [themselves] on the final objective".[118] Elements of the division's pioneers joined in the final assault on the heights beyond the river and aided in the capture of the position. Despite several counter-attacks, the division held the high ground. The attack resulted in the capture of 212 prisoners, a battery of artillery pieces and mortars, and inflicted at least 225 casualties.[119]

With a bridgehead across the Selle secured, the 33rd Division (again supported by the 38th's artillery) continued the advance with the 38th following close behind. During this time, elements of the division supply train were stricken by the outbreak of Spanish flu. Following the 33rd, the division passed through the village of Forest, Croix-Caluyau, and Englefontaine, before halting in front of the Forêt de Mormal.[120] Here the division paused until 4 November, and was subjected to artillery and aerial bombardments as well as minor skirmishes with German infantry.[121] At 06:15 on 4 November, over a 2,000 yards (1,800 m) front, the 115th Brigade pushed forward subjected to a heavy German artillery bombardment. The brigade cleared fenced-off orchards before pushing 500 yards (460 m) into the forest against stiff resistance. They were followed by the 113th Brigade, who then leapfrogged ahead to achieve the division's second objective inside the forest. A lull in the fighting followed as the artillery was moved forward. Afterwards, the 114th Brigade attacked reaching the division's final objective, a road running through the forest, before nightfall.[122] In heavy rain and complete darkness, the 13th Welsh carried on the advance. They surrounded the hamlets of Sarbaras and Tete Noir, capturing the garrison of 65 men, before pushing on towards Berliamont and taking an additional 60 prisoners. The division had breached the forest, allowing the 33rd Division to again continue advancing eastwards this time to cross the Sambre. During this 24 hour period the division had advanced 11.5 miles (18.5 km), 4 miles (6.4 km) further than the flanking divisions, had taken 522 prisoners, captured 23 artillery pieces, and had suffered at least 411 casualties.[123]

On 7 November, the division relieved the 33rd in the pursuit of the Germans. Taking over the line near Dourlers, the division pushed east. By 11:00 on 11 November, the leading brigade was east of Dimechaux with advanced patrols in contact with German forces at Hestrud on the Belgium border. From the start of the Hundred Day Offensive, until the signing of the armistice on 11 November, the division had advanced 60 miles (97 km), took 3,102 prisoners, seized 520 machine guns, and captured fifty mortars and 43 artillery pieces. The division's own losses, during this period, amounted to 8,681 men.[124]

Historian Gary Sheffield commented that the division being "employed on trench-holding duties from September 1917 to July 1918" is evidence that the division "was not regarded by GHQ as an elite 'storm' formation." However, he noted, "judged by the results of their attacks during the Hundred Days" the division "was in a select band of elite divisions" akin to the Australian, Canadian, and a limited number of other British numbers. Sheffield credited Cubitt, "a hard-bitten, ruthless 'fire-eater'", for the improved performance of the division during this period, along with the various breaks the division had away from the line when they were able to train and assimilate new knowledge that resulted in "devolution of command", more command flexibility among lower ranks, improved staff work, improved tactical doctrine, and high morale, which led to the ability to carry out combined arms operations.[125]

Epilogue

Following the conclusion of fighting, the division was based around Aulnoye-Aymeries in France. The division was not chosen to be part of the British Army of the Rhine, the British occupation force to be based in the Rhineland. Instead, the division was demobilised over a period of months. The first 3,000 soldiers were sent home during December, and the division ceased to exist by March 1919. Prior to the division's disbandment, the remaining men were visited by the Edward Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII).[126]

During the course of the war, 4,419 men of the division were killed, 23,268 were wounded, and 1,693 reported missing.[127] For acts of valour, the following five soldiers were (in some instances posthumously) awarded the Victoria Cross: James Llewellyn Davies, Ivor Rees, Henry Weale, William Allison White, and Jack Williams. In addition, the following awards (in several cases, multiple times) were bestowed: 86 Distinguished Service Orders, 447 Military Cross', 254 Distinguished Conduct Medals, 1,150 Military Medals, and 453 men were mentioned in dispatches.[128]

Second World War

Background

Leslie Hore-Belisha, the man responsible for the 1939 expansion of the Territorial Army, and ultimately the re-creation of the division.

Throughout the 1930s, tensions built between Nazi Germany and the United Kingdom as well as its allies.[129] During late 1937 and throughout 1938, German demands for the annexation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland led to an international crisis. In an attempt to avoid war, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with German Chancellor Adolf Hitler and brokered the Munich Agreement in September. The agreement averted war and allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland.[130] While it had been intended as an agreement to reconcile differences and for future issues to be resolved peacefully, relations between both countries soon deteriorated.[131] On 15 March 1939, Germany breached the terms of the agreement by invading and occupying the remnants of the Czech state.[132]

In response, on 29 March, Secretary of State for War Leslie Hore-Belisha announced plans to increase the Territorial Army from 130,000 men to 340,000 and in doing so double the number of territorial divisions. The intended plan of action was for the existing units to over-recruit, and then form 'Second Line' divisions from small cadres that could then be built upon.[133] As a result, the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division was to be created as a Second Line unit, a duplicate of the First Line 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division.[134] In April, limited conscription was introduced. 34,500 'Militiamen', all of the age of 20, were conscripted into the regular army with the intent of being trained for six months before being deployed to the forming second line units.[134][135] However, despite the intention for the army to grow in size, the programme was complicated by a lack of central guidance on the expansion and duplication process, and issues regarding the lack of facilities, equipment, and instructors.[133][136]

Formation and home Defence

Elements of the division, the 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, training near Liverpool. An infantry section shelter behind a Matilda II as a Vickers Medium Mark II moves past in the background.

Despite the ongoing efforts and some regiments being able to recruit the required numbers to form new battalions, the whole process had – in the words of historian James P. Levy – "not progressed beyond the paper stage when [the Second World War] began in September."[136][142] The 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division finally became active on 18 September 1939, although its constituted units had already formed and had been administered by the 53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division. The 38th was again composed of the 113th, 114th, and 115th Infantry Brigades.[143]

The division was initially assigned to Western Command, and by early 1940 was spread out along the River Severn in England and Wales.[143][144] By summer, the division was under the command of III Corps and based in the North West around Liverpool to conduct manoeuvres and training.[143][145][146][147] In April 1941, the division was assigned to IV Corps and had moved to Sussex, the 18th Infantry Division having replaced them around Liverpool. In Sussex, the division was held in reserve and placed behind the 47th (London) Infantry Division and the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division who were defending the coast between Bognor Regis – in the west – to Beachy Head in the east.[143][148] Despite being in reserve, historians Michael Glover and Jonathan Riley note that the Royal Welch Fusiliers battalions of 115th Brigade all took part in coastal defence duties.[149]

On 1 December 1941, the division was placed on the 'Lower Establishment'.[141] During the war, the Army was divided between 'Higher Establishment' and 'Lower Establishment' formations. The former were intended for deployment overseas and combat, whereas the latter were strictly for home defence in a static role.[150][151] During 1942, the division was assigned to V Corps and had shifted west to defend the Dorset coastline.[143][152] Notably, on 27 and 28 February, the anti-aircraft platoon of the 4th Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment supported Operation Biting, the commando raid on Bruneval, France.[153] In July, the division lost the 10th Royal Welch Fusiliers to the Parachute Regiment.[149] The division spent 1943 and early 1944 moving around the country spending time in Kent, Hertfordshire, and Northumberland; as well being assigned to II and XII Corps.[143][147] By March, the 115th Infantry Brigade had formed "'B' Marshalling Area" and was aiding the movement of troops in preparation for Operation Overlord.[154]

The 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division's Second World War shoulder badge.

By 1944, there were five 'Lower Establishment' divisions allocated to home defence duties (the 38th, the 45th, the 47th (London), the 55th (West Lancashire), and the 61st Infantry divisions). These five divisions had a combined total of 17,845 men. Of this number, around 13,000 were available as replacements for the 21st Army Group fighting in France.[155][lower-alpha 3] The remaining 4,800 men were considered ineligible at that time for service abroad, for medical reasons, or for not being fully fit or fully trained, or for other reasons. Over the following six months, up to 75 per cent of these men would be deployed to reinforce 21st Army Group following the completion of their training and certification of fitness.[157] Specifically, the vast majority of the 1st Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers were deployed to Normandy at the end of June as replacements to reinforce 21st Army Group, and by mid-July so had the 2nd Battalion, Herefordshire Light Infantry resulting in that battalion being disbanded.[147][158] Stephen Hart comments that, by September, the 21st Army Group "had bled Home Forces dry of draftable riflemen" after the losses suffered during the Normandy Campaign, leaving the army in Britain, with the exception of the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division, with just "young lads, old men, and the unfit".[159]

Compounding the loss of men to reinforce 21st Army Group, on 3 July the 115th Infantry Brigade was withdrawn from the division. The brigade was earmarked for an operation to liberate the Channel Islands, and was re-designated Force 135. Ultimately such an operation did not take place, and the brigade was deployed to Europe.[154] During August, the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division began to disperse. On 15 August, the divisional headquarters had ceased commanding any subordinate units and by the end of the month the division had been disbanded.[141]

Training

An example of infantry training at Western Command's training school.

During 1944, the British Army was facing a manpower crisis. In an effort to downsize the army and consolidate as many men within as few formations as possible to maintain fighting strength and efficiency, the War Office began disbanding divisions. This downsizing included the 80th Infantry (Reserve) Division.[160][161][162] On 1 September 1944, the 38th Division was recreated as the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division to replace the 80th as Western Command's training formation. The new 38th Division was commanded by Major-General Lionel Howard Cox, who had previously commanded the 80th Division.[163][164] At this point, the divisional insignia was only worn by the permanent members of the division.[165]

The 38th (along with the 45th Holding, the 47th Infantry (Reserve), and the 48th Infantry (Reserve) Division) were used to complete the training of new recruits to the army.[166][lower-alpha 4] At the division, the soldiers were given five weeks of additional training at the section, platoon and company level, before undertaking a final three-day exercise. Troops would then be ready to be sent overseas to join other formations.[166]

Undertaking this role, for example, the 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry – between 1944 and 1945 – trained over 4,000 replacements for other battalions within the regiment as well as the North Staffordshire Regiment.[167] Having fulfilled its purpose, the division was disbanded at the end of the war.[163]

General officer commanding

The division had the following commanders during the First World War:[89]

Appointed General officer commanding Notes
19 January 1915 Major-General I. Philipps
9 July 1916 Major-General H.E. Watts Temporary
12 July 1916 Major-General C.G. Blackader
22 October 1917 Brigadier-General E.W. Alexander VC Temporary
17 November 1917 Brigadier-General W.A.M. Thompson Acting
22 November 1917 Major-General C.G. Blackader Sick, 20 May 1918
20 May 1918 Brigadier-General H.E. ap Rhys Pryce Acting
23 May 1918 Major-General T.A. Cubitt

The division had the following commanders during the Second World War:[141]

Appointed General officer commanding Notes
18 September 1939 Major-General G.T. Raikes
11 May 1940 Major-General A.E. Williams
28 October 1940 Major-General N.M.S. Irwin
7 November 1941 Brigadier A. E. Robinson Acting
15 November 1941 Major-General A.A.B. Dowler
8 April 1942 Brigadier A. E. Robinson Acting
23 April 1942 Major-General D.C. Butterworth
1 September 1944 Major-General L.H. Cox

See also

Notes

Footnotes

  1. ↑ In comparison: by 30 September, 50,000 Welshmen had already joined the Army and these recruits had formed 12 new Welsh battalions within Kitchener's New Army, and had also been used to reinforce existing units.[10]
  2. ↑ Training for pre-war regulars involved firing ten times this number.[19]
  3. ↑ The war establishment—the paper strength—of a "Higher Establishment" infantry division in 1944 was 18,347 men.[156]
  4. ↑ Having entered military service, a recruit was assigned to the General Service Corps. They would then undertake six weeks training at a Primary Training Centre and take aptitude and intelligence tests. The recruit would then be posted to a Corps Training Centre that specialized in the arm of the service they were joining. For those who would be joining the infantry, Corps training involved a further sixteen week course. For more specialized roles, such as signallers, it could be up to thirty weeks.[166]

Citations

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  159. ↑ Hart 2007, pp. 49–50.
  160. ↑ Messenger 1994, p. 122.
  161. ↑ Allport 2015, p. 216.
  162. ↑ Hesketh 2000, p. 246.
  163. 1 2 Forty 2013, Reserve Divisions.
  164. ↑ Joslen 2003, pp. 65, 103.
  165. ↑ Davis 1983, p. 107.
  166. 1 2 3 French 2001, p. 68.
  167. ↑ "The King's Shropshire Light Infantry 1939 – 1945". Shropshire Regimental Museum. n.d. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
  168. ↑ Joslen 2003, pp. 66, 290, 305.
  169. ↑ Joslen 2003, pp. 66, 306, 374.

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Further reading

External links

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