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Confidential Original

Source; Transcribed by D.J. Driscoll and J. Corsan from original source documents in WO95/2749 held in the National Archives.

See. http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

E-mail with information or comments to

derekjd@blueyonder.co.uk

jon.corsan@btinternet.com

War Diary

of the

240th [S.M.] Brigade R.F.A.

for the period

1st November, 1917 to 30th NOVEMBER, 1917.

VOLUME 32/33.

[The two numbers shown as Volume No’s, the 1st is the unit No and the second is the Nat Archive emended No.]

Capt. & Adjutant

For Lieut.-Colonel. R.F.A.

Commanding

240th [S.M.] Brigade, R.F.A.

WAR DIARY OF 240 BDE [S.M.] R.F.A. [T]

Transcribed by D.J. Driscoll from original source documents in WO95/2749 held in the national Archives.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION .

November 1917

THELUS 1st. Orders rec’d that B&D/240 with A&C/232 Bde will be under orders of 31st D.A.

For an operation on the 8th Nov. BC’s of A&C came up to reconnoiter positions

for their bty’s for an operation in cooperation with above, A & C /240 will be under

orders of left group.

“ 2nd. Nothing to report.

“ 3rd. Night of 3rd/4th guns of A&C /232 Bde A. F. A. [Australian Field Arty] occupied position from which they could fire on

31st D.A. front.

“ 4th. A&C / 232 Bde, B & D/240 fired a Dummy barrage, put up on 31st D.A. front to cover a raid carried out on 47th

D.A. front. This raid was successful -18 prisoners being taken and 80 Bosche killed – we also captured 6 M.G.’s +

2 T. M.’s [Trench mortars]- our casualty’s – 3 OR’s killed and 10 wounded.

“ 5th. Fired practice barrage at 4.15p.m. with A&C /232 Bde A.F.A.

“ 6th. Recognisance of 2 x Bty positions carried out one for defense of recent line and one on VIMY RIDGE for defense

of BROWN LINE.

“ 7th. 4.20 A & C 232 Bde fired a Hurricane Bombardment on FRESNEY PARK .

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

8th. 12 noon A & C 232 Bde, A.F.A. and B & D / 240 assisted 31st Div, in a raid on the enemy trenches firing as ordered for

1hour & 15 mins.

THELUS 8th. The raid was successful – 20 prisoners being taken, 3xTM’s & 2 x M.G.’s and 10 large dugouts full of Bosche,

blown up.

On afternoon of 8th, A& C/232 Bde withdrew to their W/L’s and came under their own Bde for orders, marching out

of this area on night of 9/10th.

C/240 withdrew to their W. L.’s on night of 9th/10th handing over one gun to A/240 to complete this bty to six 9th. guns, D/240 handed over 4 guns to 323 Bde A.F.A. night of 9/10. D/240 withdrew 1 section to their W. L.’s.

" 10th. CO reconnoitered position for Bty’s in defense of the line RED, BROWN and GREEN lines of defense.

" 11th. New S.O.S. [Save Our Souls] lines bought in to force. [a flare sent up into the air would order the guns to fire]

" 12th. On the night of 12/13 the enemy did a lot of gas shelling on the W. L.’s On our right [31Div] more loose shelling

then a serious concentration.

" 13th. D/240 shelled rd, embankment and SALLUMINES TRENCH in conjunction with the A.A.

D/240 cooperated with D/241 in gas shelling Rly embankment by SALLUMINES TRENCH during the night.

" 14th. Nothing to report, 1 sect D/240 moved to W.L.’s on night 14th/15th/

" 15th. Order rec'd reads that we are shortly to be relived.

" 16th. Our ----- considerably troubled, by T. M.’s. These were effectively silenced by our own 4.5 How’s.

" 17th. Advance relief party from 4th CANADIAN FIELD ARTY came up to see position with a view to taking over.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

November 1917.

CAMBIGMEUL. 18th. 4th Bde C.F.A. relived 240 Bde R.F.A. in action on the 18th, relief complete by 12 noon .

Personnel of bty’s proceed to Cambligneul by lorry route.

“ 19th. Busy refitting and completion of all stores, great difficulty with small stores [CES=complete equipment schedule]

" 20th. As for 19th.

AUBIGNY 21st. The Bde entrained for ITALY, HQ, A/240 and D/240 on train at AUBIGNY, B/240 at TINCQUES and C/240 at SAVY.

to During this period the Bde were on the train and travelled via LONGEAD, LANGRES, GARY, LOAHAUS,

“ 26th MONTALIUE, MOBANE, PAVIA , MONATAVA, BOULONE and detraining at the later place on the 26th at 4 a.m.

and marched to OPPEANO.

OPPEANO 27th HQ & ⅓ A/240 marched from OPPEANO to ARCOLE via ALBAREDO.

ARCOLE 28th C/240, ⅔ D240 and ⅓ B/240 joined us at ARCOLE.

29th. Remainder of A/240 joined the Bde at ARCOLE.

“ 30th. Remainder of B/240 joined the Bde at ARCOLE.

The Bde awaited the arrival of 1 sect D/240 to join up- their being the only portion of the Bde det’d on date.

WAR DIARY OF 240 BDE R.F.A. [T]

For the period

1st Dec- 31st Dec- 1917.

Vol 33.34

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

December 1917. page 1 of 4.

ARCOLE 1st Remaining sect of D/240 joined the Bde making the Bde complete. Orders rec’d that the Bde

would march to PRESSANA in the morning.

PRESSANA 2nd The Bde marched to PRESSANA via VERONELLA and SABBION and stay thee for the night.

Good billets for the men ,horses and officers.

NOVENTA 3rd The Bde marched to Noventa area Via MONTAGNANA and POJANA very poor billets and

great difficulty in obtaining billets.

CHATEAU

LOPOLO 4th The bde marched at 2 hours notice from NOVENTA to BASTIA area via ALBETTONA, very

good billets, H.Q. & D Bty stayed at CHATEAU LOPOLO.

VEGGIANO 5th The Bde marched to VEGGIANO via BASTIA and MONTEGELDA and stayed there the night, good billets

for men and horses.

“ 6th The Bde remained at VEGGIANO for the day.

VILLA FRANCA 7th The Bde marched to VILLA FRANCA via LISSARD and CAMPODORO - very poor billeting area owing

to congestion of traffic.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

VILLA FRANCA 8th The Bde remained at VILLA FRANCA under orders to move anytime at 2hours notice.

VILLA FRANCA 9th During this period the Bde remained at VILLA FRANCA under orders to move at very short notice

to Bty’s and Bty Staff work and generally got things squared up, very little news of the war in general.

13/14th.

“ 15th. The C.O. went up to see the line and got back at about six p.m. B.C.’s conference at 8.30p.m.

“ 16th. Nothing to report.

“ 17th. First snowfall we had in this country, orders rec’d that we come under 104 Bde group for

movement orders etcetera..

“ 18th. C.O. went up the line again to do a reconnaissance.

“ 19th. Nothing to report, Bty’s did their shopping for xmas dinner.

21st.

“ 22nd. C.R.A. came round and visited B & C Bty’s in VILLA FRANCA .

ISOLA di 23rd. Orders received at 3 a.m. that the Bde would march to PRESSINA area which we were only able to billet

CARTOCO 3 Bty’s in PRESSENO A,B, & D. C+ H.Q. billeting close by in ISOLA di CARTOCO.

“ 24th. Bty’s busy settling in and accommodation is very poor.

" 28th. The C.R.A. & the B. M. came around to see us. [Brigade Major]

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

ISOLA di CARTOCO 26th Majors Price and Anderson did a reconnaissance of the defences, running along the VICENZA

CITADELA

“ 27th C.O., Adjt and Signal officer B.C.’s went up to see the line. R.A. H.Q. provided the lorry, We motored up

to RUBBIO reconnoitring the line up there and also walked back to CROSARA over the mountains.

“ 28 to 30th Nothing to report.

“ 31st C.O. and B.C.’s + 2 officers of A., B, C Bty’s went to reconnoiter Bty Positions for defense of the

LIGNE MARINALE.

WAR DIARY OF 240 BDE R.F.A. [T]

For the period

1st Jan -31st 1918.

Vol 34/35.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

January 1918.

ISOLA di CARTORA 1st. General Buckle M.G.R.A. visited 240 H.Q. and went around c/240 horse lines. [Master Gunner R.A.]

“ 2nd. C.O. and B.C.’s went up to the mountains to reconnoiter positions for the defense of the “LIGNE

MARGINALE.” Reconnaissance of line of retreat ‘ Down Mule Tracks’ also carried out

“ 3rd. Nothing to report.

“ 4th. C.R.A. & S.C.R.A. came round to see us in the afternoon. The C.R.A. then gave us some definite

positions to occupy should we be called upon to defend the “LIGNE MARGINALE”

No work to be begun until the camp at VALLE di FLORIAND is ready.

“ 5th. Nothing to report.

“ 6th. C.O. and B.C.’s again went up to the mountains to carry out further reconnaissance on Bty positions –

also decide O.P.‘s to be used. M Malcrobo as Bde O.P. selected. Two good panorama sketches made

ISOLA di CARTORA from here.

“ 7th. B.C.’s again went up to meet the C.R.E. on the mountains – meeting did not take place as the owing

to the very bad roads on the hills – lorry skidded badly on one of the hairpin bends on the hill and

every body had to jump. All landed clear, save Major S.C. Wilson C/240 who unfortunately was ran

ISOLA di CARTORA 7th. into by another lorry immediately in rear, he sustained a fracture collarbone and was baldly bruised

He was subsequently returned to hospital.

The Bde paraded in marching order for an inspection by the C. in C. who was unfortunately unable

to attend.

“ 8th. Rained heavily all day.

“ 9th. A 240 was ordered to proceed to SANGRIGO to take part with 144 Infy Bde tactical exercise. At

9p.m. they were stuck at GRANTORTO - 3 miles from their billets after being on thee road for six

hours. They were ordered to return by the C.O.

“ 10th 1.a.m. Orders rec’d that A /Bty or one Bty must proceed to SANGRGO at once as A Bty did and did not

get in until 5 a. m. B 240 Bde ordered to turn out – get there which they did 1x leaving at 11.30 a.m.

the other two 2.30p.m. and 4.30 respectively. Charts of dead ground submitted to R.A.H.Q., C.O.

went to SANGRIGO.

“ 11th. O.C.’s of A,B, and C again went up the mountains to meet an R.E. officer, this time to show him

what work required to be done on bty position – met him successfully.

" 12th. C.O. returned from tactical fight at SANGRIGO. – also B/240 are in their billets at PRESINA.

" 13th - 14th. Nothing to report.

ISOLA di CARTORA 15th. S.C. R.A. visited the Bde. Major - - R.W. Anderson D240 proceed to 175 Bde, to reconnoiter

position he would occupy under their tactical control for the defense of the BLUE LINE.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

“ 16th. Nothing to report.

ISOLA di CARTORA 17th. A Bty went to assist 144th bde in tactical fight. They billeted at PIOANELLA

“ 18th. O.C. Div Signals visited the Bde Signal School , and were pleased with it.

“ 19th. S.C. R.A. & DADOS visited all units to see if there were any complaints about ordnance supplies

NO Complaints. A Bty returned from tactical exercise.

“ 20th. Nothing to report.

“ 21st. Orders rec’d that the Div is moving to take over 5th Div area. C.R.A. and the B.M. come round to

see the C.O.

ISOLA di CARTORA 22nd. All courses cancelled. Batteries busy cleaning up and preparing to move.

" 23rd/24th. Nothing to report.

ISOLA di CARTORA 25th. Orders rec’d at 12 midnight 25th / 26th. The Bde will move to S. GIORGIOU BOSCO., on the 25th.

The Bde marched at 9.30 a.m. via GRANTORTO OSPIDALE - de - BRENTA - FONTANNVIA -

CITADELLA

A/ Bty billeting at S. DONATO, B/ Bty at FACCA, C,D, and H.Q. at BOLIZONELLA.

Fairly poor billets.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

BOLIZONELLA 26th. Orders rec’d at 9p.m. that the Bde will march to CAMPIGO area on the 27th.

“ 27th. Bde moved off at 9.30a.m. marching via CITADELLA and CASTLE FRANCO, D Bty and H.Q.

billeting at S. MARCO, A, B, and C Bty’s billeting at CAMPIGO

S. MARCO 28th. The Bde rested at S. MARCO and CAMPIGO.

“ 29th. Nothing to report, No move, C.O. attended G.O.C. conference.

“ 30th. The Bde marched to CASTAGROLE area via ALBAREDO and ISTRANA. H.Q. and B Bty

billeting in CASTAGROLE and A, C and D Bty’s at PORCELLENGO. C.O. went on a

reconnaissance of the forward area with the C.R.A. [Commander R.A.]

CASTAGROLE 31st. Nothing to report.

WAR DIARY OF 240 BDE R.F.A. [T]

For the period

1st Feb – 28th Feb 1918.

Vol 35.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

Febuary 1918.

CASTAGNOLE 1st C.O. visited Bty’s in the morning and held a conference.

“ 2nd C.R.A. and B. M. came round – C.R.A. went round all the Bty’s, G.O.C Napoleon Campaign in Northern

" Italy at PAESE most of the officers of the Bde attended.

“ 3rd Nothing to report.

“ 4th. C.O. and B.C.’s went up to the mountain to reconnoiter the POUEGLIAO – VILLORBA – CATENA.

line of defense. The C.O. went to Div Arty to act as C.R.A. in the Generals absence on leave.

Major Price came to H.Q. as C.O.

“ 5th G.O.C. 2nd lecture on the Napoleon Campaign in Northern Italy all available officers attended.

“ 6th Major Price attended a conference at XI corps H.Q.

“ 7th C.O. and Adjt went forward to reconnoiter positions for the defense of the POUEGLIAO –

VILLORBA – CATENA line. B.C.’s Conference in the evening.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

Febuary 1918

CASTAGNOLE 8th. C.O. went forward on another reconnaissance.

B. M. came round to see us.

“ 9th. Nothing to report.

CASTAGNOLE 10th. Nothing to report.

“ 11th. Orders rec’d the Bde will move on the 13th inst. Also 3 officers and 100 OR’s will be attached to 144 Bde

[infy] on there visit to training area.

“ 12th. The C.O. went to make another reconnaissance, of the bty positions for the defense of the POUEGLIAO –

VILLORBA – CATENA line.

“ 13th. The Bde marched to S.MARCO, via PAESE – QUINTO -de - TREVISO - LA SEGA – SETTIMO-

BADOERE-LAVADA – and got in by 2a.m.. HQ and Bty at S. MARCO, C and D Bty’s at CAMPIGO and

A Bty at S. BRIGIDA.

S. MARCO 14th. Nothing to report. Orders rec’d in the evening that 240 Bde will take over billets from 241 Bde in

TORRESELLE area the later moving to RIO-SAN - MARTINO.

“ 15th. The Bde marched to TORRESELLE area A, C, and D Bty’s being billeted in TORRESELLE, B Bty in

BRUSSA MUSA. And H.Q. at SILUELLE.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

S. MARCO 16th Nothing to report.

“ 17th All guns of A, B, C, Bty’s went up to calibrate in 5 D.A. position.

SELVELLE 18th. Nothing to report.

“ 19th. A and B Bty’s returned from calibration.

“ 20th. 2 Officers and 100 men attd to 5 D.A. for work on Bty position in preparation for forthcoming

operation. All available officers attend. Col Pilkington lectures at BADDERE on the use of Div Arty.

“ 21st. Bde baths established at TORRESELLE in A/240 ‘s billet.

“ 22nd. D Bty had a horse show! C.R.A. and B. M. inspected the harness, wonderful, good turn out.

“ 23rd. B.C.’s went up in a lorry to reconnoiter their Bty positions

“ 24th. Nothing to report.

“ 25th. Orders rec’d re-bty’s moving up to 5 Div, who for the forthcoming operation. [nothing further]

“ 26th. Bty’s busy preparing for march up, B.C.’s conference at H.Q. 11.30.

“ 27th. Bty’s moved up at 6a.m. H.Q. A and B bty’s marching via LEVADA-BADOERE- SETTIMOE-

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

SELVELLE LESEGA- QUINTO -de –TREVISO- PAESE-CASTAGNOLE-PADERAO, C and D Bty’s marching on

“ CASACORDA-OSPEDALETTO- ISTRANA- PORALLENGO. POSTIOMA-Ces CUCCAGNANA-

27th SANDRA, all Bty’s Arriving at their respective W.L.’s at 12 noon .

ARCADA 28th. Bty’s went in to action on the night of 27/28th 2 Bty’s busy in prepared platforms and in registration.

“ During the month the Brigade has been out of the line special attention has been paid to drilling of

“ recruit gunners and drivers, re-drilling of N.C.O’s and several very instructive lectures have been given

“ by officers to the men of their Bty’s

WAR DIARY OF 240 BDE R.F.A. [T]

For the period

1st – 31st March 1918.

Vol 36/37.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

March 1918.

ARCADA MONTELLO.

“ 1st. C.O. and Bty B.C.’s went over to reconnoiter bty positions in 7th Div Arty area on the Montello

" 2nd/3rd. Nothing to report

“ 4th. Heavy rain fell during the day. Orders rec’d that the operations are cancelled.

“ 5th. Orders rec’d in the morning that 240 Bde will take over from 22 Bde. [7th D.A.] C.O. and B.C.’s went

to take over, but at 4p.m. orders were rec’d canceling the move. W.L.’s to 7.AL 2 E.

Major R. G. Pridmore took command of C/240. [vice Major Wilson]

“ 6th. Bty’s busy boxing ammunition and withdrawing some to 5th Div Arty Dump.

“ 7th-8th-9th. Nothing to report.

PLACE DATE HOUR SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

ARCADA 10th. Half-yearly recommendations for Kings Birthday Honours submitted.

“ 11th 12th. Nothing to report.

13th. Bty did a little firing in the morning. C Bty heavily shelled in the afternoon, with 5.9’s and 4.5’s and the

occasional 11 inch. Major R. G. Pridmore killed. M.O.R. 2nd Lt. S. Chapman was badly wounded. All Bty’s of

240 Bde withdrew from action to 5th D. A. W.L.’

“ 14th. H.Q. 240 Bde went out of action and went to W.L.’s at 7A l ZE