Monday 21st October 1918

Billets at Limbraga.

Major General Henry Fleetwood Thuillier arrived from England and took command of 23^rd Division and immediately the plan for forthcoming operations was confirmed at a Divisional conference on the very day that Thuillier arrived. The plan was for a major Anglo-Italian advance across the Piave and beyond into Austrian-held territory. The ultimate aim of the advance was the line of the River Livenza; 23^rd Division’s objective starting directly south of Sacile and extending north. To the left of 23^rd Division and where Piave was narrower, 58^th Italian Division was to bridge channels ahead of the main advance and attack with 23^rd Division. However, there would be 5,000 yards between the right of the Italian Division and the left of 23^rd Division.

British officers, in Italian uniform for disguise, had already studied the front of the 23^rd Division attack (from Zandonadi to Casa Tonon on the left bank of the Piave); their observation had been very difficult due to the low-lying terrain and weather conditions. It was clear, however, that the Austrian front line positions ran along a high ‘bund’ on the left bank of the river, details of which had been especially hard to observe.

In the British sector it would be essential to establish troops on the largest of the many islands which lay within the various streams. The Grave di Papadopoli was some three miles long and one mile wide at its widest point and was located between 300 and 700 yards from the right bank of the river and was held by the Austrians as an advanced post to their main defensive line. Options had been considered either to occupy the Grave in advance of, or as part of main assault. It had been concluded that it was essential to have the Grave as a jumping-off point for the main assault, although this would take away any element of surprise from the main assault.

Normally the main channel of the river flowed south of the Grave and was too swift to ford; to the north of the Grave it could be forded, but would be swift and dangerous. It was also to be borne in mind that there was a (small) chance that the main stream might move to the north of the Grave. Close to the right bank was the island of Cosenza – connected to the mainland by a number of foot bridges. It was then 200 yards across streams to the Grave. From the north shore of the Grave to the mainland was about 1,300 yards. From Cosenza to the Grave there would be used 35 ferry boats, with a maximum of 12 in use at any time; each boat was capable of carrying seven men and it was calculated that each boat could therefore move around 100 men per hour. There were also boats and material provided to build a foot bridge.

Two assembly areas were to be established; area A on the mainland for the crossing to Cosenza and B on Cosenza itself for the crossing to the Grave. The massing of troops would be controlled at both points and the 18^th Italian Bridging Company would act as ferrymen and take charge of bridges. Ferry boats were to begin to move men at dusk and would be supported by a ‘boat bridge’ as soon as this was ready.

The 23^rd Division attack, scheduled for 6.45am on 25^th October, was to be carried out by 69^th Brigade (including 10DWR) on the right and 68^th Brigade on the left, with 70^th Brigade in reserve. The first day objective for the attacking troops was the road from Tezze, through Borgo Malanotte, to the Casa Tonon – Casa Dalmadella road; with an intermediate objective midway between there and the Austrian front line. The final objective, for the end of day two, was the road from Campo Cervaro – Casa Colleton – Borgo Saccon – 2,000 yards beyond the River Monticano. 70^th Brigade, from reserve, was to follow 68^th and 69^th at the end of day two and then push on to the Livenza River.

The plans had an immediate impact on 10DWR and the Brigade War Diary noted that, “Boating practices were carried out by all units of the Brigade at the Italian Boating School, just east of Treviso”. For 10DWR, the whole battalion “engaged in boat practice on a fast-flowing stream somewhere near Treviso under the guidance of Italian boatmen, many of whom were Ventian gondoliers. Directions given on how to behave in the boats – all went smoothly. No info on the reason for the practice but much speculation about the possibilities – the most popular idea being that the British were to be used in support of an Italian attack”. 

Ptes. Tom Clay (see 26^th August), Cain Rothera MM (see 31^st July) and John Smallwood (see 13^th June) were reported by Sgt. Ernest Stead MM (see 26^th August) and A/Sgt. Thomas Anthony Swale (see 27^th August) for “smoking on the line of march without permission”; on the orders of Capt. Paul James Sainsbury (see 4th October) all would be confined to barracks for three days.

L.Cpl. Martin Jackson (see 29^th September) was admitted via 69^th Field Ambulance to 39^th Casualty Clearing Station; he was suffering from appendicitis and would be operated on for the removal of his appendix. Five days later he would be transferred onboard no.43 Ambulance Train to 51st Stationary Hospital at Arquata Scrivia. 

Pte. Harry Jackson (24186) (see 4^th May 1917) was admitted via 22^nd Field Ambulance and 39^th Casualty Clearing Station to 51^st Stationary Hospital; he was suffering from an inflamed right knee joint.

Pte. Robert Henry Arnold MM (see 21^st June) was briefly admitted to hospital, but would re-join the Battalion the following day.

Capt. Bob Perks DSO (see 10^th October) again wrote to his sister, Joy, 

“Thanks v. much for your cheery letter of Oct 6th which reached me a few days ago.  I am so glad you like Edith.  If you want a prompt reply ever just fill your letter again with such nice things about the only thing that matters!

This is honestly as early a reply as possible as we have been moving day after day in rain and more rain though we arrived yesterday in a brilliantly hot day and today started doubtfully but is bono (Italian that) now.  We are having a pretty busy day today are probably moving nearer again tomorrow so in case I have not time to write to Mother will you please send this on to Hebden?  I think I shall be able to a little one (or 2) to Edith! but they have both been on P.C. diet lately.

Don’t tell Edith but there are some very pretty girls in this country and topping dark eyes!  Gramophones seem a novelty and there is a very pretty girl here keeps coming in to listen.  It is a good thing  I cannot speak Italian so we can only work the language of eyes which she at any rate does well!  What rot I am talking but I am very bucked with life because I am back with my old company (B Company) – in command of it (for the time being at any rate) and have a horse again for which I am very grateful as my feet were getting very tired of marching.  The only thing now is that I ought to have rheumatism as my knees get so wet on horseback but I haven’t and feel no effect of all these wet moves. 

Love to all

I didn’t expect you to know I was a Captain again when you addressed your letter but you knew I was a DSO didn’t you?!” 

Captain Bob Perks DSO

(I am greatly indebted to Janet Hudson for her kind permission to allow me to quote from Bob Perks’ correspondence).

Pte. William Carver (see 5^th July), serving with 273^rd Employment Company at GHQ, Italy, was admitted to 24^th Casualty Clearing Station, suffering from influenza.

Pte. Horace Trinder (see 20^th July), who had been in England since having been wounded on 20^th July while serving in France with 2^nd/4^th DWR, was posted to Northern Camp Depot at Ripon and admitted to the Camp Hospital for further treatment to his wounds.

2Lt. Billy Oldfield MM (see 4^th September), who had been severely wounded in April while serving in France with 1^st/4^th DWR and was still at 2^nd Northern General Hospital in Leeds, appeared before an Army Medical Board convened at the hospital. The Board that, “He is under dental treatment, which is in process of being completed. The wounds to his right arm and hand are healed; movement improving”. He was to remain in hospital and be re-examined in a further two months.

RSM Thomas McCloud (see 10^th November 1917) was formally discharged from the Army on account of sickness; in the absence of a surviving service record the details of his illness and when he had left 10DWR are unknown.

A pension award was made in the case of the late Pte. Herbert Ridley (see 11^th July) who had been killed in action on 27^th March while serving in France with 5DWR; his widow, Helen Caroline, was awarded £1 9s. 7d. per week for herself and her three children.