Return
to Sectors & Battles page
Summary
of events
By
the 8th of April the
whole of the 50th
Divn had move northwards from
the Somme to the Merville area
and new drafts of men had arrived to replace those
lost during March on the Somme. On
the 5th Capt Robson
had returned with a draft of 250 men for the 4th Bn and
on the 6th a further 102 arrived, described in
the 4th Bn diary as of poor physique and all under
the age of 19.
The
50th Divn were destined to relieve the Portugese
Divn in the front line east
of Merville on the night of the 9/10th April. The 151st
Bde were to be the first in
the front line and in preparation for this had
moved into billets in the town of Estaires.
The 149th
Bde were billeted north and
west of Merville with the 4th Bn centred on the
village of Arrewage.
During the morning of the 9th events led to the
relief plans being rapidly amended.
©
Copyright NStorey 2004
|
Summary
of events
Tuesday,
9th April 1918
At 4am the
Germans opened up with a heavy bombardment of the
line between Bethune and Armentieres.
The towns of Merville, Estaires and La
Gorgue were continually hit,
reducing houses to rubble and the outbreak of fires
was widespread. By 4.30am all
communication with the Portugese Divisional HQ by
land line had been cut. The relief orders for the
Portugese were cancelled and the 151st Bde carried
out a prearranged move to a series of defence posts
south of the River Lys. Between 5 and 5.30am the
149th and 150th
Bdes were ‘stood to’ and prepared
to move forward at an hours notice. A forward 149th
Bde HQ was established at the front, while the
rear Bde HQ remained with the Divn (map ref: K29.a).
At 6am orders
were issued to the engineers to prepare the River
Lys bridges for demolition.
 At 7.30am orders
were issued for the 149th and 150th Bdes to move
to an assembly point at Chapelle
Duvelle (map ref: L.26 Central)
on the eastern side of Merville. 2nd Lt Kipling
went in advance of the Bn to reconnoitre the route
and ascertain that it was still possible to get
the transport through Merville in view of the heavy
shelling it had been subjected to.
The
4th Bn set off at 9.45am and fortunately,
only sustained one casualty by the time it reached
the outskirts of Merville. The Bn halted here to
allow the 5th Bn to pass, then continued through
the badly damaged streets of the town, noting that
the bridges were still intact.
At 10am, 50th
Divn HQ received reports that the Portugese were
under attack and by 11am it was
confirmed that
the enemy had broken through the lines of the entire
Portugese sector, and had then turned north and
south to attack the flanks of the 40th and 55th
Divns (Wyrell). The
Portugese retreated through the lines of the 151st
Bde, having abandoned all their guns, therefore
the position held by the 151st Bde was now the
front line.
The
4th Bn reached the assembly point and received
orders to take up concealed positions in nearby
farms (map ref: L.30.d). The 151st Bde made contact
with the enemy around 12 noon and
from thereon were involved in fierce fighting during
which they were steadily forced back to the Lys
and Lawe rivers.
Meanwhile,
at 1.15pm, 149th Bde HQ issued
orders for the 5th and 6th Bns to move and occupy
positions at Trou Bayard (map
ref: G.19.G), to the north of Estaires. The 4th
Bn stayed where they were, but were placed under
the direct orders of 50th Divn HQ. The Bn was not
made aware of the dire situation on the front line
until after the arrival of the cookers at 2pm and
dinner had been served. The Bn was placed at the
disposal of the 151st Bde and in accordance with
instructions, marched towards the water tank in
Estaires. On reaching the outskirts of Estaires,
at 3pm Coys moved
off the road and deployed in artillery formation,
moving forward to take up position in local farms
on the northern side of Estaires (map ref: L.23.d)
to await battle orders. Under 151st Bde instructions,
'D' Coy were dispatched to guard the railway at Beaupre.
Bn HQ was established at a farm (map ref: L.23.d.6.3)
and 'A', 'B' and 'C' Coys dug in near strong points,
in the vicinity of the water tank. The Bn was in
position by 5pm.
Meanwhile
149th Bde HQ was established at 2.30pm alongside
150th Bde HQ at Pont de Poivre.
During the afternoon the 150th Bde had been taking
up defensive positions on the northern bank of
the River Lys to the east of Estaires and as far
northeast as Sailly.
An enemy column, advancing from the south, reached
the River Lys near Nouveau Monde around 3pm and
was soon firing on the northern bank with machine
guns.
At
3.15pm the 5th and 6th Bns NF were
in position to provide support for the 150th
Bde, with orders to counterattack any part of
the front line that may be breached. The line
of the rivers Lys and Lawe was to be held at
all costs.
 At 3.45pm the GOC 150th
Bde received a message from Divn HQ stating that
the 4th Bde was also moving up to provide support,
with orders to counterattack immediately if the
enemy should succeed in crossing the river. The
Bn arrived and at 5.15pm were
immediately placed under the command of Lt
Col G.O Spence (5th DLI (150th
Bde)) who coordinating the River Lys defences.
Sgt Thompson
with a patrol of fifty men was dispatched to reconnoitre Pont
De La Meuse and to establish
contact with elements of the 5th DLI who were holding
the bridgehead. 2nd Lt Lawson
and a patrol of ….. left to reconnoitre Pont
Levis and make contact with
the 5th DLI at that location. Capt J.V Gregory
(OC 4th Bn) arranged with Lt Col Spence to send
one platoon to map reference L 29a.O.4. The
platoon duly moved off and joined Sgt Thompson
and his men who were already at that spot.
 The
remainder of ‘A’ Coy under Lt Nicholson
went forward to hold the house on the near side
river bank between Pont de la Meuse and Pont
Levis.
At 6pm the
6th Bn was ordered to move (map ref: G.15.c) northeast
in order to protect the left flank of 150th Bde
by patrolling the line of stream running from the
north into the Lys (map ref: G.10.b), in case the
enemy crossed the river at Bac
St Mur.
Sgt
Wigham led a platoon and two Lewis guns over Pont
Levis and reported to the 5th DLI (map ref: G.25.a.8.2).
 Then,
under the command of 2nd Lt Lawson, they set up
a defensive position on the far bank covering the
bridge approaches.
2nd
Lt Lawson, who had just rejoined the Bn after from
leave, was wounded near Pont Levis and left behind
(he was in fact captured by the enemy and made
a good recovery from severe wounds in a German
hospital).
Around 7pm,
Major-General Jackson ordered the 151st Bde to
withdraw to the northern bank of the Lys and the
engineers to destroy the Lys bridges, “because
the enemy had brought its field guns forward and
was systematically smashing up the bridgehead garrisons
at point blank range” (Wyrell,
1939:315). The main
bridge at Estaires (Pont de
la Meuse?) was successfully blown up, but Pont
Levis survived (detonator wires believed to have
been cut by shellfire).
At 9.10pm the
5th Bn was ordered to take up a position in strong
points near Trou Bayard (map ref: G.19.b) and connect
up with the 4th Bn.
At 11.45pm 149th
Bde HQ received a message from the 150th Bde stating
that the enemy held the Bac St Mur to Croix de
Bac road (north and east of Sailly. The enemy was
reported to have crossed the canal further north
but no definite information was obtained regarding
this. The remainder of the night was quite for
the Bn and rations were received and distributed
to Coys.
For
the 50th Divn the first day fighting in the Battle
of Estaires was over. The original British line
from Givenchy to Bois Grenier had collapsed, and
when darkness fell ran roughly Festubert, Le Touret,
Le Cason, Vielle Chapelle, Pont Rigneul and round
the north of Lestrem. From here the 50th Divn held
the northwestern bank of the Lawe and Lys rivers
through La Gorgue, passing east of Estaires and
on to the west of Sailly aur la Lys. The line then
continued to Croix du Bac, north of Fleurbaix and
on to just north of Bois Grenier. A big dent on
a ten mile front.
Return
to top of page
© Copyright
NStorey 2004 |
Summary
of events
Wednesday,
10th April 1918
At 1.55am,
orders were issued for a realignment of the Divn
front. These orders, received at 151st Bde HQ at 3.30am,
stated that the line was to be realigned before
dawn, with the 51st Divn side stepping west and
relieving the 8th DLI up to and including Lestrem
Bridge, the 149th Bde would
take over defences currently held by the 5th DLI.
This was to be from Pont Levis (incl) to the Lys,
opposite Rue de la Lys,
with one Bn in the front line and two held in reserve.
The relief of the 5th DLI was to be carried out
by a portion of the 4th Bn, with the remainder
of the Bn returning to the command of the 149th
Bde. So by dawn the
150th Bde was on the left flank of the Bde front,
the 149th in the middle and 151st on the right.
Due
to a misunderstanding between the 149th and 150th
Bdes, Pont Levis was left unguarded during the
night, however, at 5.40am the
4th Bn was ordered to send two platoons to take
up a position at the bridge alongside the 5th
DLI (may have been 5th Bn NF). Capt Robson set
out with two platoons from ‘C’
Coy at  6.30am to
try and strengthen the defences at the bridge, but
by this time fighting had recommenced. They were
immediately held up by heavy machine gun fire on
open ground and Capt Robson was wounded. Another
attempt at reinforcement was made by a third platoon
from 'C' Coy.
Again
enemy machine gun fire prevented this and 2nd Lt
Davison (accompanying the CO and 2nd Lt Essex)
was wounded whilst reconnoitring the position.
Despite tough resistance put up by the 5th Bn,
elements of the German 35th Divn finally forced
their way across
Pont Levis around 7.30am.
Meanwhile
the rest of the Bn had been ordered to redeploy
to Ferme Quennelle and
returned to the command of the 149th Bde. The move
was supposed to have been completed before dawn,
but the Bn did not receive the order until it was
light. Bn HQ and ‘B’ Coy were held
up on the way, so HQ had to be established at map
ref L.19.b.3.4, with the
revised position notified to Bde HQs.
‘B’
Coy occupied a position at Pont De Poivre (Harlech
Strong Point) and made contact
with a Coy from the 6th Bn, commanded by Capt Stafford.
They were entrenched 100 yards to the rear of Harlech
on the opposite side of the Trou Bayard Road. ‘B’
Coy immediately threw out a screen in front that
reported the enemy were endeavouring to push machine
guns towards them.
Having
crossed Pont Levis, Ferme Quennell fell to the
enemy as they forced their way into the south eastern
part of Estaires and captured some of the houses
on the north side of the main street.
Under
very difficult circumstances the Bn was reorganised
near the Trou Bayard Road, linking up with Bns
on either flank.
 Bn
HQ were informed at 7.30am that
the right flank of 'C' Coy was ‘in the
air’
and that they were unable to re-establish a link
due the number of casualties they had suffered. Sgt
Major Osborne took a platoon from ‘B’ Coy
to protect the right flank of ‘C’ Coy
and eventually succeeded in establishing a line connecting ‘A’
& ‘C’ Coys, taking a few casualties
in the process.
At 9.30am the
defensive line was reported continuous and the
6th Bn were ordered to counterattack towards Pont
Levis to drive the enemy out of Estaires. They
passed through the ‘B’ and ‘C’
Coy lines and succeeded in driving the enemy back
to the church in Estaires and Pont Levis, but were
threatened on the left flank and brought to a standstill.
There
were two or three factories near the river which
the 6th Bn were able to use to pour machine gun
fire on the bridge approaches. Nevertheless, the
enemy continued to pour across the bridge and work
their way through the houses, gardens and cemetery
on the northern side of Estaires, as well head
northeast and to the west.
 Two
platoons from ‘B’ Coy, commanded
by 2nd Lt Bull, were ordered to advance in the
direction of Pont Levis and report to Major Temperley
(OC 6th Bn), but they were subjected to severe
machine gun fire on open ground and were held
up before reaching their objective, suffering
many casualties in the process. Major Temperley
informed them that they were no longer required,
so those that were left returned to ‘B’ Coy
and manned Harlech Strong Point.
By 10.45am Bn
HQ had dug in, to the rear of the 5th Bn position. ‘D’ Coy
returned from guarding the railway at Beaupre during
the morning and was instructed to dig in to the
rear of the Bn HQ position. For the next few hours
it was relatively quiet, although needless to say
the Germans continued to strengthen their bridgehead.
A
heavy enemy bombardment and attack commenced around 4pm,
forcing the 5th Bn to withdraw and leaving the
left flank of the 4th Bn exposed. ‘D’
Coy were sent to cover the left flank, reporting
themselves
‘well dug in’ between the crossroads
at Trou Bayard and Cul De Sac
Farm, although taking a few
casualties in the process.
'A'
Coy of the 5th Bn at 'Harlech Strong Point' came
under the orders of the OC 4th Bn and two platoons
were placed to link up the left Bn and ‘D’ Coy.
OC ‘B’
Coy reported that the enemy was moving forward his
machine guns slowly and endeavouring to bring enfilade
fire on all the strong points at 'Harlech'. The enemy
was unable to do this before nightfall and remained
in the positions he arrived at. As soon as it was
dark ‘A’
Coy of the 5th Bn exchanged places with 'D' Coy thus
bringing the Bn together and simplifying the organisation.
©
Copyright NStorey 2004
|
Summary
of events
Thursday,
11th April 1918
At midnight orders
were received stating that 'A' Coy of the 5th Bn
would be relieved by a Coy from the 4th Bn East
Yorks, who would take up a position at map ref:
L.23.d.6.3. ''D Coy formed up on their left and
the remainder of 'C' Coy withdrew to the rear of
Harlech strong point, the position just vacated
by 'D' Coy . Bn HQ moved back to a new position
which was consolidated before dawn.
By 2am the
149th held a line running from the Estaires - Neuf
Berquin road to just west of Trou Bayard. The 5th
Bn held the right sector, the 4th the left sector
and the 6th were held in reserve. When dawn broke
on the 11th, the 151st Bde were on the right flank,
the 149th in the centre and 150th on the left.
At 7am the enemy was reported
to have occupied Trou Bayard.
By 10am 'D'
Coy on the left and 'B' Coy were holding their
positions against repeated attacks supported by
heavy trench mortar and machine gun fire. However,
the Bn right flank was now exposed because the
5th DLI (151st Bde) had been forced back, the enemy
were heading for Neuf Berquin and the 5th Bn NF
had been withdrawn. Harlech Strong Point was very
heavily shelled at point blank range from the river
at Estaires and was subjected to a considerable
amount of gas. The 6th Bn was brought forward to
try and re-establish a line, but they were unable
to progress very far, so by 2pm the
line was gradually being forced back. The Bde maintained
contact with the 29th Divn on the left flank, but
the right flank was now very exposed.
The
Bn war diary indicates that at 2pm "a
general withdrawal, necessitated the removal of
Battn Hdqrs to a farm at L.10.b.9.6. The
afternoon and evening were spent in the collection
of stragglers, the reconstruction of the line for
defence. The withdrawal was made through
the 29th Div who were dug in, in our rear, and & became
necessary owing to the withdrawals of the right & left
flanks”. Unfortunately,
the withdrawal was not communicated to the Coys
on the Bn flanks, consequently they only became
aware of the situation when they realised the enemy
was outflanking them. The Bn was given instructions
to dig in alongside the 29th Divn, however, when
the 6th Bn with two coys moved forward to counterattack
the 4th Bn moved forward with them. This position
appears to have been held for the rest of the day.
However, at a conference between Brigadiers that
night, a decision was taken to fall back to a new
line.
Meanwhile
that evening, the enemy on the right flank had
entered Merville.
Return
to top of page
© Copyright
NStorey 2004 |
Summary
of events
Friday,
12th April 1918
The
withdrawal began at 2.30am and
by dawn the 149th Bde had vacated its positions
at L10b (sheet 36 .. NE) and was on the march to
new positions running from the village of Vierhouck (incl)
to the crossroads on the Neuf Berquin-Vieux Berquin
road (map ref: K.11d.7.8. to L.13.b.16), just south
of Pont Rondin.
The 4th and 5th Bns under the command of Lt Col
Irwin, provided the flank and advanced guards.
They were followed by the 6th Bn and a few from
the 4th Bn, under the command of Major Temperley,
and then the reinforcement Bn under OC Corps Troops.
Information
was received that the enemy had machine guns in
Neuf Berquin and was firing down the road towards
La Couronne. A party from the 4th Bn was sent out
before dawn to engage these machine guns, but they
were unable to acquire a position of vantage until
nearly daylight and were then unable to move forward.
By 6.30am the
149th Bde was reported to have crossed the Neuf
Berquin-Vieux Berquin road, encountering light
opposition and a half hour later, the 6th Bn had
occupied Vierhouck, and were forming a defensive
flank along the road leading to Pont Rondin, their
new line running from south of the village round
the western edge (map ref; K.12c). The reinforcement
and 5th Bn stretching to the Neuf Berquin-Vieux
Berquin road. The 4th Bn dug in behind to provide
support, at map ref K.12.d.
“The
official despatches record that: "At about 8am the
enemy attacked in great strength on a front extending
from south of the Estaires - Neuf Berquin neighbourhood.
After very heavy fighting ... he succeeded in
the afternoon in overcoming the resistance of
our troops about Doulieu and La Becque, forcing
them back in a north-westerly direction.” (Wyrell, 1939:333).
Due
to the failure of the 1st Bn KOSB to
link up on the left flank, the 149th Bde was forced
to withdraw at 9.30am and take
up a position in conjunction with the Guards
Bde, who during the night had
dug in behind them (map ref: K.12.b and L.7a).
At 10.30am, the Guards on the
right flank counterattacked the enemy in Neuf Berquin,
but were forced to withdraw to their original line.
Heavy fighting continued all day and at nightfall
(6pm) the relief of the 149th
Bde began. The 4th Bn were relieved by the Guards
Bde and withdrew to Vieux Berquin where orders
were received to march to the transport lines at La
Tir Anglais and rest for the
night. By this time the 1st
Australian Divn were beginning
to arrive and were taking up positions in front
of the Bois Deval between
K 7 b (map ref: 36a N E) and La Couronne.
Return
to top of page
© Copyright
NStorey 2004 |
Summary
of events
13th
- 16th April 1918
After
this much needed respite, the Bn marched to billets
in abandoned farms just behind the line and allowed
as much sleep as they could get. They had been
relieved from actual front line fighting, but along
with the rest of Bde were lent to the 5th Divn
and set to work digging a defence line through
the Bois de Vaches.
Although returning to billets on the conclusion
of work every day, they were under orders to move
at ten minutes notice and occupy the defence line
if the enemy launched an attack on the Bois
de Nieppe. These were comparatively
quiet days and casualties were few, although there
was a certain amount of shelling, particularly
from one gun, nicknamed the ‘’Silent
One’’ Its heavy calibre shells arrived
before any warning screech was heard, probably
due to high velocity.
Summary
compiled from 149th
Bde War Diary, 4th
Bn War Diary, History
of the 50th Division The
Lantern of Hope Burned Low &
Official History of the War - Military
Operations France
& Belgium 1918.
Return
to top of page
© Copyright
NStorey 2004 |
More
than 70 fusiliers from the 4th Bn were killed in
action or died of wounds during the Battle of the
Lys. For information on 4th
Bn burial and memorial sites for
casualties sustained in the Lys Offensive, select
the link.
© Copyright
NStorey 2004 |
Extract
from
WHEN
THE LANTERN OF HOPE BURNED LOW
“Let
me here pay my personal tribute to the Ambulance
personnel of the Battalion. The conduct of
the stretcher bearers was superb. Roads were
shelled and swept by machine gun fire alternately.
Two or three squads were knocked out
– one whilst carrying Lieut Stiles of the Trench
Mortar Battery – but, driven off the roads,
the indomitable SB’s carried their wounded
comrades across the fields, over ditches, sometimes
more than two miles. The Regimental Aid Post was
hit by a shell when crowded to the doors with stretcher
cases from our own and a neighbouring Division. Yet
Capt Grierson went about his work of mercy unresting,
unhasting, a fine example to all”. (Callin.
1919:43)
Return
to top of page |
Return
to Sectors &
Battles page
The
Lys - Glossary
Select  to
go back to your place in the text
2nd
Lt - Rank of Second
Lieutenant,
the lowest commissioned rank. Platoon commanders
Battn -
A full strength infantry battalion comprised approximately
1100 men. All were under strength.
Bde -
Brigade. A
Bde consisted of four infantry battalions until
spring of 1918, then reduced to three
Becque -
French word for a stream.
Bois -
French word for a wood or forest.
Bn -
Battalion
Capt -
Rank of Captain
Courant -
French word for a water course.
Coy -
Company. 234 men in full strength Coy. 4 Coys in
a Bn
CSM -
Rank of Company Sergeant Major.
GOC -
General Officer Commanding
DLI -
Durham Light Infantry. British army regiment
HQ -
Headquarters.
Divn -
Division. Approximately 18,000 men in a full strength
Division until 1918 when all reduced in strength
by 3 infantry battalions.
Hdqrs -
Headquarters
HQ -
Headquarters
KOSB -
Kings Own Scottish Borderers. British army regiment.
NF -
Northumberland Fusiliers. British army regiment.
OC -
Officer Commanding.
Pont -
French word for Bridge.
Sgt -
Rank of Sergeant.
©
Copyright NStorey 2004 |
The
Lys - Military Units
Select to
go back to your place in the text
1st
(Australian) Division -
Consisted of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Infantry
Bdes
The 1st
(Australian) Bde -
Comprised of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Bns.
The 2nd
(Australian) Bde -
Comprised of the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th
Bns.
The 3rd
(Australian) Bde -
Comprised of the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th
Bns.
The 86th
Bde - Comprised
of the 2nd Bn - Royal Fusiliers, 1st
Bn - Lancashire Fusiliers and 1st Bn
- Royal Guernsey Light Infantry.
The 87th
Bde - Comprised
of the 2nd Bn - South Wales Borderers,
1st Bn - King’s Own Scottish Borderers
and 1st Bn - Border Regt.
The 88th
Bde - Comprised
of the 4th Bn - Worcestershire Regt, 2nd
Bn - Hampshire Regt and 1st Bn - Newfoundland
Regt.
The 4th
(Guards) Bde -
Comprised of the 4th Bn - Grenadier Guards,
3rd Bn - Coldstream Guards and 2nd Bn
- Irish Guards.
The 92nd
Bde - 10th &
11th Bn - East Yorkshire Regt, 11th Bn
- East Lancashire Regt.
The 93rd
Bde - 15/17th
& 18th Bn West Yorkshire Regt, 13th
Bn - York and Lancaster Regt.
The 119th
Bde - Comprised
of the 13th Bn - East Surrey Regt, 18th Bn
- Welsh Regt. 21st Bn - Middlesex Regt.
The 120th
Bde - Comprised
of the 2nd Bn - Royal Scots Fusiliers, 10/11th
Bn &
14th Bn - Highland Light Infantry.
The 121st
Bde - Comprised
of the 12th Bn - Suffolk Regt, 13th Bn
- Yorkshire Regt. 20th Bn - Middlesex Regt.
The 149th
(Northumberland) Bde comprised
of the 1/4th, 1/5th & 1/6th Bn - Northumberland
Fusiliers.
The 150th
(York & Durham) Bde - Comprised of 1/4th Bn - East Yorkshire
Regt, 1/4th and 1/5th Bn - Green Howards.
The 151st
(Durham Light Infantry) Bde -
1/5th, 1/6th and 8th Bn - DLI.
Select link to
find out more about this Division.
The 152nd
Bde 1/5th
and 1/6th Bn - Seaforth Highlanders, 1/6th
Bn - Gordon Highlanders.
The 153rd
Bde 1/6th
and 1/7th Bn - Black Watch, 1/7th Bn -
Gordon Highlanders.
The 154th
Bde 1/4th Bn -
Seaforth Highlanders, 1/4th Bn - Gordon Highlanders,
and 1/7th Bn - Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
The 164th
Bde - Comprised
of the 1/4th Bn - King’s Own (Royal
Lancaster Regt), 2/5th Bn - Lancashire
Fusiliers and 1/4th - Bn Loyal North Lancashire
Regt.
The 165th
Bde - 1/5th,
1/6th & 1/7th Bn - King’s (Liverpool)
Regt.
The 166th
Bde - 1/5th
Bn King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regt),
1/10th Bn - King’s (Liverpool) Regt
and 1/5th Bn - South Lancashire Regt.
|
The
Lys - Locations
Select to
go back to your place in the text
Armentieres -
Arrewage -
Cluster of farms and houses 2km north west of Merville.
Bac
St Mur - Village
5km north east of Estaires on south bank of River
Lys.
Beaupre -
1-2 km south west of Estaires, south of the Lys
and Lawe rivers.
Bethune -
Bois
Deval -
Bois
de Nieppe - Forest
to the north west of Merville and east of Vieux
Berquin.
Bois
de Vaches - Forest
to the north west of Merville and on the western
side of Bois de Nieppe.
Chapelle
Duvelle - Approximately
3km west of Estaires on road to Merville. Referred
to as Chapelle Duvette on modern maps.
Courant
Bayard -
Watercourse flowing south east into the River
Lys 2 km east of Estaires.
Cul
De Sac Farm -
Approximately 2 km northeast of Le Pont Poivre
Estaires -
Ferme
Quennelle -
Cluster of houses 1km north east of Estaires
Harlech
Strong Point -
Defensive position situated at Pont de Poivre
La
Becque -
La
Couronne -
Cluster of farms and houses on Neuf Berquin to
Vieux Berquin road approximately 1km south of
Vieux Berquin.
La
Gorgue -
Village 1km south west of Estaires on south side
of River Lys
La
Tir Anglais -
Lestrem -
Town 3km south west of Estaires on south bank of
River Lawe.
Lestrem
Bridge -
Bridge spanning the River Lawe southwest of the
village of La Gorgue
Main
bridge - Unclear
at present which was the main bridge
Merville -
Town 5km west of Estaires on River Lys
Meteren
Becque -
Watercourse flowing south east into the River
Lys at the eastern end of Estaires.
Nouveau
Monde - Village
2km east of Estaires on the south bank of the
River Lys
Pont
Levis -
The road to La Bassee crossed the River Lys by
this bridge at the east end of Estaires. On modern
maps this locality appears to be referred to
as Le Pont d'Estaires
Pont
de la Lys - Bridge
over River Lys 200 metres east of its confluence
with the River Lawe.
Pont
de la Meuse -
Believed to have been the bridge linking Estaires
town centre with the River Lys south bank and
the village of La Gorgue
Pont
de Poivre -
Bridge over the Meteren Becque with cluster of
houses located 1 km north of the River Lys and
Estaires town centre
Pont
Rondin -
Bridge over Plate Becque with cluster of houses
on Neuf Berquin to Vieux Berquin road, approximately
2km north west of Neuf Berquin
Rue
de la Lys - Road
running parallel to River Lys on south bank,
1km south east of Estaires
Sailly -
Town on the south bank of the River Lys approximately
3km northwest of Estaires
Trou
Bayard -
Vierhouck -
Cluster of houses 3km north of Merville.
Return
to top of page
©
Copyright NStorey 2004
|
Return
to Sectors & Battles page
Page
last updated 11 Apr 05
|
Top
