::Read more about it! | Find out more about the Hohenzollern Redoubt
click here
Find out more about WW1
click here | The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites. |
:: Pass it on!» | | E-mail this story to a friend - click here |
:: Have your say » | What do you think of this story? Send us your opinion...
Have your say |
:: Add to this page» | Do you know of any other facts which should be listed here?
Contact us |
:: Seen a mistake?» | We're only human - we make errors.. if you see one, or there's a broken link...
Please tell us |
| | The Hohenzollern Redoubt was a German position in the First World War, near the French village of Auchy-les Mines. The Staffordshire Regiment were involved in the attack, and suffered many casualties.
Approximately 500 officers and men died from their injuries, some actually on the battlefield and more in the days that followed. It happened nearly ninety years ago, on the 13th October 1915, when the men from Staffordshire were serving with the 46th Division.
The Battle of Loos
 It was absolute hell with the lid off. Dying and wounded all over the place. I shall never forget this day... | | Private Sidney Richards, 1/5th Battalion, Staffs Regiment, entry in pocket diary, 13th Oct 1915 |
The attack took place during the final stage of the Battle of Loos, a battle that doesn't receive the same coverage as the Somme and Third Ypres.
On the morning of 12th October, the Staffords marched ready to enter the battle. Each man was issued with three days' rations, 220 rounds of ammunition and three empty sandbags.
It would take them until the next morning to reach the trenches, where they lauched their assault, trying to gain a bit more ground from the German forces.
But the attack was a failure. | The fighting on the 13th-14th October had not improved the general situation in any way and had brought nothing but the useless slaughter of infantry.. | | Official History of the War: Military Operations in France and Flanders - 1915, Vol 2 |
The assault was stopped almost as soon as it had begun, after the Germans responded with machine gun fire. The small amount of ground that had been gained was soon lost.
'Bloody Action'
The 1/5th North Staffords, which recruited from the Potteries, suffered the heaviest casualties of all of the units in 46th Division.
About 700 officers and men entered the line on the night of 12th October. Barely 200 marched out. Local lives lost...
Hanley 30
Burslem 29
Longton 25
Stoke 20
Bilston 19
Newcastle 19
Stone 16
|
