The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

MAY 1917

APPENDIX 2

THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT.

C.J.W.

SCHEME FOR RAID.

Copy No. 14.

Reference Map 36.c.S.W.3.

INFORMATION.(1) 7TH Canadian Infantry Brigade will carry out a Raid on Z Day.
INTENTION.(2)The Royal Canadian Regiment will carry out a Raid, objectives being;-
FIRST OBJECTIVE. Enemy's Front and Support Lines T.2.c.9.2. to a point 75 yards WEST.
FINAL OBJECTIVE. Enemy's Strong Point in ruined houses at T.2.b.3.1. WESTERLY along enemy's Reserve Line from T.2.d.2.9. to a point 75 yards WEST. A Defensive Flank to be formed EAST of the Railway, the enemy's trench in T.2.d. to be blocked and Posts established atT.2.d.2.3. and T.2.d.2.4 1/2.
A flank to be continued SOUTH along existing trench alongside and EAST of the Railway to present Front Line in T.8.a.8.8.
After the Final Objective has been captured, posts will be established at the following approximate locations T.2.b.4. 1/2. in Communication Trench running along EAST side of Railway, T.2.d.2 1/2.2. to command sunken Road.

NOTE:- Posts with Lewis Guns will be established on the line T.8.b.7.1., T.8.b.6.5. and T.8.b.9.5 1/2. prior to the operation and will be occupied before Z. hour in order to secure and extend right Flank of the operation and will be supported by new locality "E" (Front Line EAST of Railway).
STRENGTH.(3)Raiding Parties will be sub-divided as follows:-
"C" Company

(a)   1 Officer, 9 Bombers.
2 Rifle Grenadiers.
6 Moppers Up.
1 Lewis Gun and Crew.
2 Carriers.
3 Stretcher Bearers.

(b)   1 Officer, 9 Bombers.
2 Rifle Grenadiers.
9 Moppers Up.
1 Lewis Gun and Crew.
2 Carriers.
3 Stretcher Bearers.

(c)   1 Officer, 9 Bombers.
4 Rifle Grenadiers.
20 Moppers Up.
1 Lewis Gun and Crew.
2 Carriers.
3 Stretcher Bearers.

"D" Company

(a)   1 Officer, 1 Platoon less 2 sections.
1 Lewis Gun and Crew.
3 Stretcher Bearers.

(b)   1 Officer, 1 Platoon plus
1 Lewis Gun and Bombing Section.
2 Carriers.
3 Stretcher Bearers.
ACTION OF RAIDING PARTY.(4)At ZERO hour the Raiding Party will leave the Jumping Off trenches.
"C" Company, Party (a) will enter the enemy's trench ALCOVE and establish a Block at approximately T.2.d.2.3.
Party (b) will follow and enter the enemy's trench AMBLE and will establish a Block at T.2.d.2.4 1/2.
Party (c) will follow Party (b) and proceed along communication trench EAST of Railway Embankment and establish a block at T.2.b.4. 1/2.

"D" Company Party (a) will assault and capture the enemy's trench ACE from the Railway Embankment to approximately 75 yards WEST connecting up with the 42ND Battalion R.H.C. on the LEFT.
Party (b) will LEAP FROG through Party (a) and assault and capture the enemy's trench ADEPT from the Railway Embankment to a point about 75 yards WEST, connecting up with the 42ND Canadian Infantry Battalion R.H.C., also deal with houses at T.2.b.3.1. establishing a Block at approximately T.2.b.2 1/2.2.

The withdrawal of the Main Body will commence at ZERO plus 90.

The withdrawal of the Rear Guard will commence at ZERO plus 180.
MOPPERS UP.(5)The assaulting Troops will be responsible for their own Mopping Up. Special attention being paid to the Railway Embankment Stokes Gun Ammunition will be carried by Moppers Up to destroy dugouts.
WITHDRAWAL.(6)At ZERO plus 90 minutes the withdrawal will commence, the Troops in the Final Objective withdrawing through the Troops in the First Objective. Covering parties will consist of Lewis Gunners, Rifle Grenadiers and Bombers to remain in Final Objective to cover withdrawal which should be complete at approximately ZERO plus 120 minutes.

Signal for the withdrawal of the Covering parties will be by sending up Gold and Silver Rain Rockets fired at 10 second interval in succession for at least one minute, from Battalion Headquarters.
ARTILLERY.(7)The S.O.S. Line until time as the Brigade reports to the Divisional Headquarters that all attacking troops are back in our own Lines will be the final line of the Artillery barrage.
ASSEMBLY AREAS and ALLOTMENT of C.T'S.(8)(a) Before, and during the Raid, Company Commanders will thin out the Garrison of the Front Line trenches as far as possible. After the raid is over and the raiding Troops have been withdrawn and the situation is quiet a message "Situation Normal" will be sent to Company Commanders. On this message being received they will resume the defence of the Line and hold it as under normal conditions again.
ALLOTMENT of COMMUNICATION TRENCHES.(b) The Royal Canadian Regiment, BLUENOSE TRENCH.
SCHEME OF SIGNAL COMMUNICATION.(9)The Signalling Officer will, the night previous to the attack, lay two alternate lines to the present Front Line; he will also detail a Cable Party to lay a Cable after the Last Wave to Battalion Report Centre at the following approximate location at Junction of Railway\y and ACE Trench.

The Battalion Signalling Officer will have LUCAS Signalling Lamp at Battalion Headquarters and at Advanced Battalion Report Centre to work with Divisional Visual Station or Battalion Headquarters if necessary.

No Telephones of any kind will be established forward of Battalion Headquarters before ZERO hour.
BATTALION HEADQUARTERS.(10)Battalion Headquarters will be established at T.7.3.9.5.
BATTALION DUMP.(11)Battalion Dump will be established at T.8.a.7.7
ZERO HOUR.(12)Zero hour will be notified later.
REPORTS.(13)Reports to Advanced Report Centre and Battalion Headquarters.
REGT'L AID POST.(14) Aid Post will be at T.13.b.3.7.

7-6-1917.

(signed)
T.S. Allen, Lieut.
for Major.
Commanding The Royal Canadian Regt.

Copy No. 1 - 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
2 - 42nd Canadian Infantry Battn.
3 - "A" Company.
4 - "B" Company.
5 - "C" Company.
6 - "D" Company.
7 - Scout Officer.
8 - Signal Officer.
9 - Lewis Gun Officer.
10 - Bombing Officer.
11 - Intelligence Officer.
12 - Medical Officer.
13, 14, 15 - War Diary.
16 - 7TH Brigade Trench Mortar Battery.
17 - 7TH Brigade Machine Gun Company.

THE ROYAL CANADIAN REGIMENT.

SECRET.

APPENDIX TO SCHEME OF RAID.

8TH June, 1917.
Copy No. 13

INFORMATION.(1)The 4th Canadian Division are co-operating with the first Corps on their Northern Boundary at a ZERO hour which is 3 1/2 hours before the ZERO hour at which the remainder of the 4TH Canadian Division is attacking, in conjunction with the 7TH Canadian Infantry Brigade.
INTENTION.(2)The Royal Canadian Regiment will attack on night of 8/9th June 1917.
CODE WORDS.(3)The following Code Words are to be used.

CREAM. - "All going well"
SCOTCH. - "Attacking Troops assembled in Jumping off Trenches."
SHERRY. - "Withdrawal complete"
SIGNALLING.(4)In order to deceive the enemy a visual Signal Station will be established in the vicinity of Hill 145. this Station will be employed in sending dummy messages after the withdrawal has been completed.
TIME.(5)Signal Time will be sent out daily by Battalion Runners at 11.00 a.m. and 9.30 p.m., watches of all ranks will be carefully Synchronized.

Issued by Runner at 9 a.m.

(signed)
T.S. Allan
Lieut.
Act. Adjutant The Royal Canadian Regt.

Copy No. 1 - 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade.
No. 2 - 42nd Canadian Infantry Battalion.
No. 3 - "A" Company.
No. 4 - "B" Company.
No. 5 - "C" Company.
No. 6 - "D" Company.
No. 7 - Scout Officer.
No. 8 - Signal Officer.
No. 9 - Lewis Gun Officer.
No. 10 - Bombing Officer.
No. 11 - Intelligence Officer.
No. 12 - Medical Officer.
No. 13, 14, 15 - War Diary.
No. 16 - 7TH Brigade Trench Mortar Battery.
No. 17 - 7TH Brigade Machine Gun Company.

SECRET.
Copy No. 13.

AMENDMENT TO SCHEME FOR RAID.

Reference map 36.c.S.W.3.

WITHDRAWAL.Para. 6. (Withdrawal) is hereby cancelled and the following substituted:-

At Zero plus 90 minutes, withdrawal will commence, the Troops in the Final Objective withdrawing through the Troops in the first Objective. Covering parties will consist of Lewis Gunners, Rifle grenadiers and Bombers, to remain in Final Objective to cover withdrawal of Main Body which should be complete at approximately ZERO plus 120 minutes.

Signal for the withdrawal of the Covering Parties will be by sending up Gold and Silver rain Rockets fired at 10 seconds interval in succession for at least one minute, from Battalion headquarters.

8-6-1917.

(signed)
T.S. Allan
Lieut.
Act. Adjutant The Royal Canadian Regt.