Monday September 9th, 1918
Nice morning. Band as usual. Mail from home. Nobody goes on leave this weekend.
Today the Battalion’s diary incorrectly records the death of Private Tomkinson of B Company, who had actually died on the 7th September. Frank still seems to be enjoying band practice. It must have been nice after a year without music to be able to rediscover it again.
Another Retreat to the Hindenburg Line?
Early September, the German Army continue to retreat as the Allied forces advance. There is concern however, widely reported in the newspapers, that the Germany Army is deliberately heading to the Hindenburg line. Once at this stronghold, it it feared that they will once again become entrenched.
The Germans had originally built the Hindenburg Line over the winter of 1916-1917. The defences ran from Arras to Laffaux and had been established for sound, strategic reasons. The Line was built to narrow and fortify the front that the Germans would need to defend, to provide relief to their wearied and outnumbered troops, and to get more from their limited armaments. It achieved all this.¹ The Hindenburg Line was the starting point for the German Spring Offensive on March 21st, 1918.
Therefore, it is understandable that the Allies are concerned that once the Hindenburg Line is reached again later this month, the Germans will get a second wind. However the circumstances are quite different.
In February 1917, when the Germans had begun their orderly retreat to the Hindenburg Line, they had used a scorched earth policy to slow down the Allied advance. The photograph shows German sappers blowing up a building prior to their retreat.*
In 1917, this had forced the British and French to rebuild roads, bridges and railways before they could chase the retreating Germans. By contrast, the German retreat since July 1918 has been chaotic with significant numbers of enemy troops and armaments captured by the advancing Allies. All this propelled by the latest Allied invention – the tanks.
Consequently the whole episode has been morale-sapping for the German troops – something not to be underestimated during the coming weeks.
9th Battalion War Diary – 9th September 1918 – Haudricourt
Training as per programme. 15 OR having joined the Battalion are taken on the effective strength from 9-9-18. No 5098 Pt W Tomkins ‘B Coy’ died in hospital 8-9-18.
References & Further Reading
¹ Hindenburg Line on Wikipedia
* Q 57507, copyright Imperial War Museums