The day was again dry and similar working parties were despatched
as on previous days. Orders were received for the Battalion to be made ready to
return to the front line next day. Company commanders were reminded that it was
their responsibility to ensure that all men in their Company should, “rub their
feet with anti-frostbite grease before starting”.
A decision was made at Brigade level for a redistribution of
the Brigade when in the front line, “with a view to getting as much shelter as
possible for the men and to afford them more facilities for drying their boots
and socks”. The details are revealing as to the difficulties being posed by the
weather. Henceforth each of the two Battalions holding the front line at any
time would have only two companies actually in the fire trenches. The remainder
of the Battalion would either be in close support in the series of ‘posts’
immediately in rear of the front line, or in the Bois Grenier Line. In both of
these locations there would be more shelter for the men from the elements, but
precautions were specified to ensure that they were ready to reinforce the
front line if needed. All of the men in these close reserve positions were
either to “always sleep in their equipment” or at the very least, “sleep in
their boots, with equipment ready at hand so that they can turn out at the
shortest notice”.
The new scheme also reflected the increasing importance
being placed on the specialist bombers within each Battalion. It was specified
that, “At intervals in the front line trenches there will be small groups of
not less than a section, a proportion of whom should be bombers. There will be
a bomb store near them and they will be prepared to counter-attack, right or
left, in case the enemy should break through … At each Battalion HQ there will
be a party of bombers and sufficient new sand bags will be kept in each bomb
store to carry bombs”.
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