May
Ville-s-Tourbe
Days at Rest: 11
Days in Trenches: 20
Total Casualties (KIA): 7
1st May
7e DI JMO day review: In general a quiet day for the 315e with a couple of shells (50) in the morning and early afternoon. Lot of enemy aircraft activity during the early morning and lunchtime.
Ici aussi la vie est bien monotone, aussi personne n’est gai, les jours sont sans fin et c’est toujours pareil
letter 1st may
In the trenches at Calvaire sector near Ville-s-Tourbe for another 4 days and life is very monotonous and moral is low. It’s the first of May and its time to reflect, that we are nearly half way through 1916, therefore how long will this go on for? The one positive they are all holding onto is that in 4 days they will be back at rest in Neuville.
2nd May
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day, a lot of work was undertaken by the 315e in clearing and rearranging the “Montaigu” trench with new firing steps and adding a “caillebotis” duck boards to the trench. Additional work is done at “Doerflinger” to add more barbed wire and to deepen the sapes 8 to 11 in front of the “Doerflinger” trench. Plus work done on the layout of “Gallerand” trench.
Interesting side note in the JMO of the 2nd May about the German trenches in the Calvaire sector. The Germans are reported to have dogs in their trenches. The reason the dogs are their (as stated in the JMO) is to bark when they hear noise made by French patrols. Soldiers form PP.7 saw one of the dogs and shoot at it ….. (there is no mention of the fate of the dog!)
On n’entend même pas un coup de canon, ni de fusil, ce calme est triste et morne
letter 2nd May
Three more days left until they leave for Neuvile and another rest period. They will be at Neuville for 8 days, which is where they were bombarded during a previous rest period. As Jules mentions, Neuville is a good place to have a rest period, but not when you are woken up by the house half collapsing around you!
The sector is nice and quiet, despite the overnight thunderstorm, the weather is still warm and sunny. Since last night they have heard no artillery/ rifle or machine gun fire, which has brought a calmness and sadness to the battlefield. Despite the calm, their routine of work is still the same and the moles (Jules metaphor for themselves) still need to stay underground day after day burned in the earth …. As Jules mentions its “decourageant a la fin” demotivating after a while.
Letter – Written at 2pm
Jules also mentions at the end of his letter that he is out of postcards and will need to wait until Neuville to buy some more, which is indeed correct as their are no new postcards sent until 5th May when they are on their 1st day of rest at Neuville.
3rd May
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day, and more work undertaken by the 315e, that included clearing the trench between Vix and Montaigu and continuation of the deepening of sapes 8 to 11 and building of a deep dugout in Vix Trench.
Interesting side note; a Sgt of the 104e was kidnapped by the Germans whilst on his way to PP.3.
4th May
In the evening the 315e move out of the frontline and go to another rest period at Neuville au Point
Casualties: 1 KIA (Clement Edouard Joubert) and 1 wounded
5th May
Jules has now been able to stock up with postcards and his first postcard is lace example, which we assume was bought in Neuville. The postcard is just a quick note to say they have arrived back at rest and this time they have better accommodation, but as Jules says they are happy with even the most basic of accommodation these days.
Herve Lambert 14eme Compagnie soldier and soon to be colleague of Jules also writes on the 5th May to his parents
Dear Parents,
After 8 days in the trenches we are finally at Neuville for rest and my health is good. During our 8 days we were in the reserve lines, where we were worked to the bone. I will now leave you, as there was little else to mention, apart from many German patrols on our lines.
Letter – Herve Lambert 14e compagnie
7th May
Another Sunday at war, but at least today there was no work or exercise so everybody could have a proper rest. Tomorrow the work routine starts again, but there is a rumour going round that they will be moving to a new sector near Compiegne, which the compagnie would be happy with because its quiet there! Finally some information around leave, but the news is not good as Jules thinks he will not get any leave for at least 3 months…
Postcard – Sunday
9th May
Toujours la même vie et quelle vie
postcard 9th may
Today they have been on exercise and out in the countryside doing manoeuvres and training. This is good timing as Jules mentions that whilst they were away the village (Neuville) was bombarded again by the Germans.
11th May
Confirmation from today postcard that the 315e is going back into the Tourbe sector tomorrow after only 6 days rest. Unfortunately they will be moving back into the line after a poor nights sleep as multiple times during the night the town was bombarded and they had to rush into the cellars. There were a number of houses destroyed but no casualties.
12th May
In the evening of the 12th the 315e move back into the front line to the north of Ville Tourbe, where they are due to stay for 8 days
Très prochainement on mettrait les « cannes » pour la Somme, en réserve de l’Armée Britannique
Herve Lambert letter to his parents describing his rest period
Everyday we are doing exercise, after being left alone for 2 days, did we really think they would let our limbs go limp.
This morning at 6h00 we are off to prepare a “carré pour une dégradation militaire” for a sergent from the 102e. These sorts of events are things we could all do without seeing as they give a shudder down the spine.
In other news there is talk that we will be moving to the Somme to be in reserve of the British and we will be leave between the 20th and 25th May. What happens, happens so we will see if this goes ahead or not.
Herve Lambert 14e compagnie 315e
Carré pour une dégradation militaire – is a public humiliation of the individual, with famous examples in France of Alfred Dreyfus (1894) and Philippe Petain (1945). Such events happen when a ranking officer in this case a sergent, have had a serious breach of discipline, that has bought shame on his nation. The event itself would see the persons rank ripped off their uniform, along with any badges, medels, helmet thrown to the floor and stamped on.
In all a publicly humiliating process, that was of course put on to show others what not to do in the future. Unfortunately such events also created a moral issue in the ranks weather they were just or unjust, whilst also creating more frustration towards the Army hierarchy. Ultimately such public dressing downs or in the case of 1917 firing squad, broke the camel back of poilus moral and resistance at the Chemins des Dames.
13th May
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day with occasional bombardments in all sectors.
Nous sommes terrés dans nos trous et nous entendons siffler les obus nous demandant si celui-ci n’est pas pour nous
postcard 13th may
Back in the trenches, but in the reserve lines at the moment. The reserve trenches would normally be a good place to be, but in this case they are quite poor compared to the frontline, as there is a total lack of shelters, which is an issue currently as the Germans are bombarding the line regularly. So far, no wounded, but they are having to dig make shift holes where they sit and listen to the shells whistling by and wondering if the next one is for them.
Postcard – no shelter in reserve trenches
14th May
7e DI JMO day review: Machine gun fire and artillery bombardments during the night, which is concentrated to the west of the sector. During the day work continued on the new shelter in the “Vix trench” and general clearing and cleaning of trenches after the bombardments.
A sad and lonely Sunday, made worse by the weather, where it has been raining since last night. The rain is not good news because the trenches are narrow and deep and therefore are filling quickly with water and they are walking around with water up to their knees. As Jules mentions, this is making moving around very hard, so much so they are having to hold the side of the trenches, which only means one thing … they are covered head to toe in mud. Despite the conditions, they need to get to work and this afternoon the priority is trying to clean their section of the line or soon they will not be able to move.
Letter – flooded trenches
Nous avions de l’eau à mi jambes
letter 14th may
15th May
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day, with lots of trench rebuilding working being done. The Tourbe sector again hit by another 30+ 77 calibre shells.
16th May
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day and more work on shelters and clearing debris from trenches.
Postcard: Nothing new, the days in the trenches are long and the routine does not help….
17th May
7e DI JMO day review: activity in all sectors apart from at Tourbe. In particular many German aircraft spotted
nous sommes noirs comme des ramoneurs
letter 17th May
Today is Jeanne birthday, which makes Jules happy, but also sad that he is stuck here in the trenches and he believes he will be for a while longer, as the war does not look like its going to stop soon. Another two more days in the reserve trenches, before moving up to the frontline. Supplies of critical items are again failing, this time it’s the most basic of needs: water. They have not washed in days or been able to clean the mud off their clothes and face and they are now black like chimney sweeps.
Letter – lack of water
18th May
7e DI JMO day review: activity of artillery units of both sides in all sectors
A very interesting Postcard, as the subject is about the 317e RI. Jeanne has been reading the papers and seen losses that the 317e have sustained at Massiges, which is to the left of Jules sector. Jeanne is worries by the high casualties in a nearby regiment, but Jules reassure her that their sector is a lot more quiet and stats that he gives her is that they get about 200-300 shells a day on their sector, but over a whole day that is a very small amount, compared to an intense bombardments, where over 300 shells can be fired in short period of time.
Postcard – 317e regiment
317e RI are to left of the 315e at Massiges and have been suffering heavy losses since the beginning of March, where they have lost 307 men in 5 months of being stationed at Massiges.
19th May
7e DI JMO day review: Day of high activity from both sides artillery. Work done to repair the damaged barbed wire in the Tourbe sector. Enemy artillery activity at its highest in the afternoon and early evening between 16h and 20h30.
Below letter written at 09h00
Today it was the turn of the 315e to be heavily bombarded at Tourbe. The French artillery responded aswell with a bombardment of the German lines starting at 5h00 until now at 9h00. The guns are nearby which means they can hear them very clearly and its giving everybody a headache!
Another day another letter asking for money, Jules is again in need of money, to be precise 25franc for buying provisions such as wine for the trenches, because they only can get wine if a running/messenger arrives with some. Jule reasure Jeanne the money is mainly for buying provision at their next rest village. Also Jules asks for a set of cards to play “manille”, because they are out of cards and there are none available in the village shops of Neuville.
Interesting side comment that when letters are sent as “recommandees” they do not get sent to the frontline, but stay with the Vaguemestre at rest areas.
Letter – frontline trenches Tourbe
Casaulty: Ltn Pestel 17e compagnie wounded (evacuated but returns later)
20th May
7e DI JMO day review: Calmish day, with some artillery activity and aviation.
Interesting note: JMO indicates in the evening of the 20th the 315e battalions are relieved without incident… below letters indicate they are actually in the frontline trenches.
Nothing new to report – the days are long and boredom has set in whilst waiting for another tour to finish.
21st May
7e DI JMO day review: Calm day in all sectors
Elles vont nous bouffer tout vivant si cela continue
letter 21st flea situation in the trenches
Today is Sunday and another sad Sunday spent buried in the ground alone. Since last night they are now in the frontlines, but at least they are in the same positions as before, therefore familiar with their surroundings. Unfortunately one element has changed since their previous visit; fleas…. Jules has not been able to sleep along with all the other soldiers of the battalion as they are being eaten alive by them. If things were no bad enough, the water situation is getting worse as they are now banned from drinking any water unless it has been sterilized ….as Jules comments “c’est bien ça le fourbi militaire” to showcase the general mess in their daily lives.
Letter – Fleas and lack of water
22nd May
Herve Lambert letter to parents where he talks about the Vix shelter construction mentioned on the 14th May
At the moment we are in the trenches and we are helping out on building a giant shelter, which is going to be 15 metres deep. Our job is taking the bags of soil and moving them out of the shelter ……bloody hard work. During the night we were on alert for a gas attack, but nothing came of it. For eating? well there is not much, therefore for however long this war lasts, one thing is for sure in this job, you will never put on weight.
Letter – Herve Lambert 14e compagnie 315e
23rd May
Nothing new on the frontlines another 5 days to go, but there is no end in sight for the daily carnage that is unfolding before Jules eyes. The sector is calm enough with just a couple of shells a day falling.
Casualties: 1 wounded
24th May
7e DI JMO day review: Lots of activity on both sides, including many French patrols which engaged the enemy with rifle and grenade fire. One patrol in the Tourbe sector from “sape 7” (see below map) managed to enter into the German deference and reports that the frontline German trenches were in good condition, but further to the rear in very poor condition.
Postcard: Nothing new, still in the frontline trenches and the weather is nice and warm. Only another 4 boring days in hell to go…
Casualties: 1 KIA
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25th May
7e DI JMO day review: Heavy calibre bombardment on the Randot trench area of 150 calibre shells at 8h25 and particularly violent bombardment from 15h to 16h30 in the Tourbe area from German 77, 105, 150 and trench mortars.
Tout le monde est morose, tout le monde se plaint, personne ne songe plus à rire
letter 25th May moral deteriorating
Today mark 16 days in the trenches for this tour. The length of this tour is taking its toll, along with a lack of food and sleep. The compagnie moral has taken a hit and as Jules puts it everybody is “morose” ill tempered. The sector itself is quiet enough with occasional rifle exchanges and artillery bombardments. Unfortunately yesterday they had a soldier shot in the head whilst looking over the parapet of the trench. As Jules says, he did not suffer, but that is another name to the long list of dead.
Letter – Soldier shot dead
Follow Jules detailed description of a death of 16e compagnie soldiers, I wanted know who this individual was and put a name to this unknown soldier. Click here for more
26th May
7e DI JMO day review: Quiet day apart from a short sharp bombardment of the Randot trench area. One interesting side note was in the sector there were 3 crates of 1m by 1,5m deep that were simultaneous created, which the observation officer suggests was created by a “canon revolver”
Jules is on night duty and he is writing the below letter at 4h00 after it has just finished
Les boches nous ont bombardé pendant 1h mais d’une violence
Jules has just finished his “stroll” of all the sentry and watch posts in his sector, but as he comments this stroll was a little less rewarding and graceful as a walk in the Bois de Vincennes. The curse of Tourbe and the bad weather has hit them again and the rain overnight has again caused more flood and what Jules called “une bouillie extraordinaire” an extraordinary porridge like mud.
In today letter Jules relives yesterday violent bombardment, where he thought it maybe his last hour. The German bombarded their areas for an hour with small and heavy artillery from 105 -150 – 210 and heavy trench mortars. The attack was so violent that when it stopped the battalion assumed the Germans were going to attack as it felt like it was a barrage, but in the end the only damage done was a couple of wounded.
Letter – under fire
Casaulties: 1 Caporal Georges Allaume
2 others wounded
27th May
7e DI JMO day review: Repair work could not be started due to bombardments along the whole of the 7e division line.
Ce n’est pas trop tôt car avec la nourriture que nous avons ici, nous n’irons pas longtemps sans tomber de faiblesse
Postcard with a brief message to say that they will soon be leaving the trenches, which is not soon enough in Jules opinion, because their is a lack of food and if they stay any longer they will all collapse.
28th May
7e DI JMO day review: Work on a new shelter in the Tourbe area for 20 people
Aussi faut ouvrir l’œil avec ces sales boches, il y a tout à craindre d’eux
Below letter was written at 14h30
Night are currently very short due to the approaching summer, but for Jules they are long as his section are on night watch for last couple of days. As he comments, watch at night is more eerie, than during the day as you can hardly see anything, but you need to have your eyes open, because you never know with these Germans.
The whole battalion is tired and looking forward to getting out the trenches today, where they will now have 8 days rest. The fatigue Jules and other have is not just from the food issues, but also the lack of sleep. For the last 16 sleeping with his shoes on and for the last 8 with a rifle within reach. Therefore the idea of a bed is very welcome as Jules comments they have forgot what is a bed.
To their right, the rumble of artillery continues at Verdun, as Jules states “its amazing the amount of soldiers and men that have fallen or that are still to fall, when will that massacre stop”
Letter – Lack of sleep and need for a bed
Bientôt, nous ne saurons plus ce que c’est qu’un lit
Casaulties: 3 by bullets wounds (1 serious 2 light)
29th May
At rest now for another 8 days, after arriving at 03h00. Today they have also been given a days rest and therefore Jules has been able to go out and look for some new postcards, but the selection is quite limited in Neuville.
30th May
Nothing new during the rest period, apart from a light bombardment, with a couple of wounded, but nothing in Jules compagnie.
Jules job for the next 24 hours is to guard the local police station, which should be easy work and means he will get time to play manilles (French card game)
31st May
Back from his 24hrs guard duty, nothing new to report
Next Month: June
