9th Battalion, KRRC March 1918

[Dave Ryan]

Is anyone researching this?

[Dave Ryan]

A great Uncle, ALFRED DANT was killed then and I intend visiting the area. I saw what I think was  the position of one of the redoubts on a flying visit whilst doing Marlburian battlefields, and intend taking my daughter for a more detailed exploration on the anniversary

[jim1]

The Batt. were at Lambay Farm/Wood.The Germans launched their assault on the 21st. March & by the following day the Batt. CO states that the Batt. had ceased to exist. They lost 620 men.
The farm was surrounded but by accounts they fought on but were eventually overcome.Squares H10 & 16 on this map.
They were in Lambay switch trench but I've not located it exactly.
http://maps.nls.uk/view/101465335

[jim1]

According to the Brigade diary this is the newly named Lambay Switch.
See above map.

[Dave Ryan]

Hi JIm

That terrific, thanks. I have them in the front lines. Neufchateau position on the trench map, with support back at Lambay.
As you stand in the service station on the A26  and look at the german lines, you can see on the right a piece of ground at approx the same height, the other side of a re-entrant. on the side, amongst the sheep you can still see shell holes. I'm going on the 21st March. there is small road that should take me round the front of the position.

D company were at Batt. HQ, which Is Lambay Farm. THe remnants of teh forward comapnies may well have retreated to there

[jim1]

Just because I like to know these things they were on the NE side of Urvillers wood expecting the Germans to come across the railway line, instead they saw them coming down the St. Quintin rd. which is the D1044 today. This would have cut them off from the Brigade & left them surrounded as by the end of the day the Germans had reached Benay which was South of their position. Difficult to see how anyone could escape from that.

[Dave Ryan]

Thanks. Yes, that's where I have them. There is mention of the Verdun OP, which I assume is in the Verdun Alley trench,
I had assumed that the service station was on the site of the wood but is certainly just to the north west of it, yards away. The germans coming South out ST quentin seem to have rolled up the line

[jim1]

Have a good trip.