The First World War
War Diary of The Royal Canadian Regiment

Transcription by Captain Michael O'Leary, The RCR.

AUGUST 1918

APPENDIX 1
SECRET

EXTRACTS FROM 7TH C.I.B. INSTRUCTIONS for OFFENSIVE No. 1.

REFERENCE MAP.
DEMUIN 1/20,000

1.     (a)     On a day and at a time to be notified later, the CANADIAN CORPS is co-operating with the FRENCH on the RIGHT and the AUSTRALIAN CORPS on the LEFT in an attack on the enemy's positions to the EAST and SOUTH EAST of AMIENS, with the object of driving back and defeating the enemy, and so freeing the main line of Railway between AMIENS and PARIS.

(b)     The 9TH CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE, with two Battalions of the 8TH CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE, will capture the enemy's positions up to and including the GREEN LINE.

The 7TH CANADIAN INFANTRY BRIGADE will pass through the GREEN LINE at Zero plus 4 hours, and capture the enemy's positions up to, and including, the RED LINE. (approximately the line of the TRAMWAY)

2.     The R.C.R. will be prepared to assist the 42ND Battalion in its attack on HILL 102, by bringing flanking fire to bear.

3.     The P.P.C.L.I. will follow approximately 800 yards in the rear of the 42ND Battalion but will not advance further than the low ground in D.7.b and d, without orders from Brigade Headquarters, or unless the tactical situation requires it provided for in para 4 hereon.

4.     Upon request of any of the O.Cs of the attacking Battalions the O.C. P.P.C.L.I. will, if he considers the tactical situation demands it, support with a force uo to two Companies.

He will not commit more than this force without orders from Brigade Headquarters of any action that he may have taken.

5.     When the RED LINE has been captured, Companies will consolidate their positions.

Defences are to be cited so as to ensure the holding of HILL 102 which is the main tactical feature on the Brigade Front.

Detailed instructions re consolidation will be issued later.

6.     ARTILLERY.

There will be no preliminary bombardment.

The advance to the GREEN LINE will have to be covered by a Shrapnel Barrage, and this barrage will lift in front of the GREEN LINE at Zero plus 4 hours.

There will be no barrage forward of the GREEN LINE.

The advance of the Brigade will be covered by Heavy Artillery firing on selected points, and by long range Field Guns firing H.E.

Forward section of Field Artillery are to be detailed to co-operate with the Infantry.

7.     LIGHT SIGNALS.

(1)No 32 Grenade
RED over RED over RED
(a)S.O.S.
(b)We are held up and cannot advance without help.
(c)Enemy is counter-attacking.
(2)No 32 Grenade
GREEN over GREEN over GREEN
(a)Lift your fire we are going to advance.
(b)Stop firing.
(3)Three WHITE Very lights in quick succession.We are here.

(signed)
??
Capt & Adjt.
for Major.
Commanding The Royal Canadian Regiment.

SECRET.

R.C.R. INSTRUCTIONS FOR OFFENSIVE NO. 1.

1.     ASSEMBLY POSITION to be taken up after dark, night of 7/8th August 1918, behind River area "SPHINX"SALAMANDER ORCHARD.

Assembly Position - Open Mass.

2.     ROUTE TO ASSEMBLY POSITION to Bridges, shortest possible, in order to cross at ZERO plus 60 minutes. (20 minutes allowed to cross.)

3.     Companies will move off independently to FORMING UP POSITION and will report to Battalion Headquarters when they area in position.

4.     FORMING UP POSITION, along line of HEIDELBURG TRENCH, on Right of Road, in order named, from RIGHT to LEFT.

5.     ROUTE to be taken on leaving FORMING UP POSITION will depend on shelling.

NOTE:- WE CROSS THE GREEN LINE at ZERO PLUS 240 MINUTES.

6.     JUMPING OFF TRENCH or POSITION (GREEN LINE);-

7.     BATTALION HEADQUARTERS, location of, will be notified to all concerned, when established.

"D" Company will be prepared to supply 25 men to carry "STOKE'S" AMMUNITION FROM THE GREEN LINE.

After the FINAL OBJECTIVE has been reached, "D" Company will push forward and furnish an Outpost Line and send out Scouts to ascertain if BEAUCOURT en SANTERRE is occupied.

8.     Two STOKE'S GUNS will accompany the Battalion, and after leaving the GREEN LINE, will follow immediately behind "A" and "C" Companies, about 100 yards in rear of the 1st Wave.

9.     OBJECTIVES.

10.     LINE OF CONSOLIDATION, approximately Tramway Line.

BE CAREFUL NOT TO MISTAKE SPUR RUNNING WEST FOR RAILWAY LINE.

11.     rigade report centre. Probably at or near present GERMAN Battalion Headquarters D.1.c.6.3.

(signed)
??
Capt & Adjt.
for Major.
Commanding The Royal Canadian Regiment.