August
Days at Rest: 14
Days in Trenches: 8
Leave: 9
Total Casualties (KIA): 6
1st August
7e DI JMO day review: The 315e and the 4e bat move into the frontline trenches without incident. Multiple exchanges of rifle fire during the day and grenades at night. 100+ shells in the Verrue sector and multiple Minenwerfer (short range mortars) spotted in the Arbre aux Vaches sector, with over a hundred mortars and artillery shells (150′ to 160′) during the day.
Ce secteur nouveau ou nous allons, je pense est rudement moche
letter 1st august
Today letter starts with Jeanne worrying that her father is going to be pressed back into service with the Genie (military engineers)
Jules start by reassure Jeanne, that there are actually too many Genie and not all of them are cutting grass in frontline trenches, but more likely cutting grass between the train tracks behind the line.
Confirmation that they will be going back into the frontlines and into Arbre aux Vaches sector near Mont Tetu. In advance Jules has some apprehension, as the frontline lacks shelters. At the moment the area is calm enough, which he hope will continue, as he is due to go on leave in the next 20/25 days.
Letter – into frontlines and lack of shelters
Casaulties: 1 (Victor Auguste Mary) 1 wounded (light)
2nd August back into the trenches (day 2)
7e DI JMO day review: Follow on from the previous day, multiple exchanges of rifle fire during the day and grenades at night. Over 200 shells are focused on the frontline between Verrue and Le Cratere. Work focused on the Massiges trench to deepen and widen it
C’est la première fois que nous sommes si près des boches au plus 30 mètres
letter 2nd august
Jules confirms they arrived during the night in the frontlines and his section is on a 24 hours watch. The new sector is unnerving for Jules, as the German frontline is only 30m away, which is the closest they have been to a neighbouring German trench.
That lack of distances between the lines, means that the Germans are often throwing grenades at them, which would normally not be an issue, but here they have a total lack of “hard” shelters. As he comments “I will be happy when we get out of this place”.
Jules is now counting down the days till they leave this “moche” sector, because he can nearly touch his leave slip. However he is also aware that this is going to be a long 9 days, as they can receive grenades at any moment, which means everybody is on edge. To compound matters their is a heat wave and the temperatures in the trenches are unbearable. As Jules says “I really do not like this sector”
Letter – day two in the frontlines: heat and grenades
3rd August
7e DI JMO day review: Germans attack the PP3 near Arbre aux Vaches, but are driven back by a barrage of grenades. German patrol was spotted in front of PP en Y and driven back. 100+ shells of all types and calibre throughout the day.
This is followed up with a mortar attacks on the Posth trench and then a violent bombardment of Reduit de l’Arbre aux Vaches between 0h15 and 0h45.
les boches sont énervés
letter 3rd august
Jules section are on trench guard duty, which end at midnight after 24 hours straight, but importantly no casualties, but that “was more by luck”.
His section will be back on duty in 24hrs time. The weather is still hot and the heat in the trenches is unbearable, plus many of his section are ill and not eating. To make matters worse the Germans are “annoyed” since this morning and they are showering the trenches with shells. Jules conclusion is what you would expect; its hot and its a bad sector…….. only another 9 days to go!
Letter – day 3 frontlines
Below image is of a communication trench at massiges and show how high and narrow the trenches were. Add this to the sun and the heat, it made of terrible working and living conditions.
4th August
7e DI JMO day review: Multiple engagement by the Germans throughout the day. Over 70+ heavy shells on the Arbre aux Vaches sector. In addition Col Devaux changed his PC to Virgny in the evening, whilst there was also a discovery of a “bag of gas” under a decomposed German sous officiers skeleton, which was sent back to CA (French army corps).
Casualties: 2 wounded
5th August
7e DI JMO day review: quieter day with isolated rifle fire and signicifant reduction in German artillery activity
nous sommes dévorés par les moustiques plusieurs même sont évacués
letter 5th august
Jules has just finished another 24 hrs shift with this section, but it has been a bit quieter, but he is still on edge as he knows there is 4 more days to go. He hopes/believes that the Germans from the previous couple of days have been relieved as they have been quieter in the last 24hrs.
The weather is still hot and a new pest of the battlefield has appeared: Mosquitos. The situation has got so bad that some men are being evacuated because of infections due to the bites.
All this is of little surprise to Jules, as he comments “that there are dead bodies in front of them in no mans land and between their own lines”. He is just surprised that they have not caught any other diseases!
Letter – Mosquitos and dead bodies
6th August
7e DI JMO day review: Isolated rifle fire during the day. At night a violent grenade exchange between 21h50 and 22h20 between post Bar 4 and Bar 4b. 50+ shells falling across the day. At 7h30 a dog fight between French and German plane and at 10h00 5 French planes patrolling the German frontlines were attacked by German ground forces.
Side note of the day was an army Grenade throwing competition organised by General Petain, that happened during 6h00 and 7h00 at the Ecole de Grenadier de Dommartin sous Hans (near Courtemont).
nous mangeons du pain affreux, je crois bien qu’il n’y a plus de farine pour nous, il est noir comme du cirage et mauvais
letter 6th august
Another day chalked off, under the stars this evening with a night shift.
The sector seemed to have quieten down during daylight hours, but as Jules states his sleep is still being interrupted by sporadic gun fire and grenades engagements with the Germans. It is 9am and the weather has not changed and it is still very hot and he has been passing his time this Sunday (as he states he does not even know what day it is, they are all the same!) watching the airplanes fighting each other without success through his binoculars.
Finally his health is good, but the food situation has deteriorated and the bread as Jules comments is “awful”. His assumption is that he believes they have run out of flour, as the bread is now black like shoe polish. Understandably it is totally inedible ….
Letter – Day 6 frontlines: the heat and terrible bread
7th August
7e DI JMO day review: German artillery is quiet with only 30+ shells falling in the area. Water supplies is now deemed to be problematic as the JMO confirms water shortages
Jules has nothing new to report in today postcard. Today they are on guard duty all day and so can catch up on some rest. Only 2 more days to go.
8th August
7e DI JMO day review: 2 German attacks during the night, first at 23h00 on the 7th near Arbre aux Vaches, where up to 15 Germans tried to enter the frontline trenches. In the early morning another German attack was pushed back. (Third attack Jules mentions is not mentioned in the JMO). Between 9 h00 and 10h45 at Arbre aux Vaches, 20+ shells and 50+ shells from 11h00 to 12h30. At 18h00 25 shells.
Interesting side note: around the artillery and range finding optics being used
Another letter that is written in the early morning whilst on duty. Jules confirms that his tour is ending after today, which is not soon enough, in Jules opinion.
Since the last letter on the 6th August the sector has become very active again. During the night there were 3 surprise German night attacks, that his compagnie pushed back with grenades and rifle fire. Despite the three incidents being short lived, they sustained 2 wounded, with one seriously.
Despite the German activity, Jules is still more worried about money and needs 20 francs to get him by until he goes on leave at the end of the month (this time he does not say why he need the money)
Letter – Day 8 front lines: German attacks and 2 wounded
mais nous avons tout de même deux blessés
Thanks to the 315e RI casualty list we know that Albert Clement Veau was wounded on the 8th August, therefore most likely in the combat mentioned in the letter above. Unfortunately for Albert he died the next day from his wounds in a field hospital near Braux-Sainte-Cohiere aged 31
Having not written since the 31st July, fellow 14e compagne soldier Herve Lambert decides to update his parents on his current situation:
Dear Parents
Quickly a couple of lines to tell you I am in good health despite the frontline we are in, as everyday we are on alert and being showered with shells/ mortars and grenades.
For 6 days now we are holding the sector next to V sur F (?), where we have had 5 small scale attacks by the Germans, which lucky have all failed to get into our frontlines, thanks to our grenades and cold bloodied resistance.
Herve Lambert – Massiges Trenches
9th August
7e DI JMO day review: Engagements with the enemy by grenade during the night. High activity from German artillery focused on Cratere and Gazon. In addition the JMO indicates supply issues, around grenades and Brandt shells, which has now been deteriorating on a daily basis.
The 4e bat is relieved during the night of the 9th August and goes to rest at Courtmont.
Jules sends a very brief postcard in the morning of the 9th August to mention they will be relieved tonight and he hopes to go on leave in 8 days time.
Casaulties: 1 (Jean Berthier)
10th August
Interesting side note: A map has been found that fell out of a German plane. In addition the water situation is still being worked on by the Genie (engineers) who are trying to resort water (taken 4 days so far)
Quick Postcard to confirm that the compagnie has arrived back at Courtmont. The accommodation is not too bad for the next 8 days of rest. Jules hopes at the end of the 8 days he will then be on leave …. fingers crossed.
11th August
Nous avons été félicités par le colonel pour avoir repoussé deux attaques
letter 11th august
Jules is back at rest for 8 days at Courtmont. Jules apologies that he has not written a letter sooner, as it has been three days, but he has been very busy. The good news from today is that he believes his leave will start from the 22nd August. However it does mean he will need to do two more days in the trenches, before leaving.
Jules mentions that he hopes they will be left alone during this rest period, because their previous tour was a hard one. This is reflected by Jules and 14e compagnie being congratulated by Colonel Devaux for having pushed back two German attacks (previously Jules mentioned three, now it seems that it was 2 large and potential a smaller 3rd).
Jules also reflects, that soon it will be 1 year since his mobilisation. What a terrible 12 months it has been, however Jules is unsure when this nightmare will finish…
Letter – at rest at Courtmont, congratulation from Colonel
12th August
C’est plutôt un amusement pour nous et nous n’avons pas d’officiers sur le dos
Unfortunately Jules prediction from the day before is incorrect and there is not much down time.
Today he has been on exercise, again, but this time with this grenadier section for more training. Jules mentions that its is enjoyable to have such training “without any senior officers on your backs“.
Tonight they get the luxury of a film night and time away from their hot and humid lodging. The accommodation being used are Adrian barracks and the temperature during the day is suffocating and not much better at night.
Letter – rest period: cinema night
Casualties: 1 (Alphonse Joseph Crochet – died of wounds)
13th August
Nothing new to report. Today is Sunday and it has been a quiet day so far, which is mainly thanks to the rain that has been falling all day. Yesterday evening cinema was very entertaining and the projection worked very well (this means at other times there have been issues). The Vaguemestre has not been past yet with letters, so Jules is waiting on news from home from Jeanne.
14th August
Herve Lambert is also at rest now and writes to his parents to provide a summary of the last 10 days
Dear Parents,
I don’t have much to scribble down.
Since my last letter, the sector has been busy and recently there has been 3 German attacks on our lines (same number that Jules mentions). The 4e section of the 14e compagnie was in reserve until 8pm (date unknown, we assume 7th/8th August), until somebody came to order a friend of mine into the frontlines. At Midnight a flare appeared over our lines and at the same moment rifle fire broke out and grenades were thrown. My friend who was now in the frontlines was attacked at their guard post and with his “Sergent”, they used their grenades and rifles to push back the German attack.
The next day my friend was taken to the compagnie commander (LTN Chenal) along with the Sergent to be congratulated. Quickly afterwards a report was drafted and a divisional citation was awarded and two days later they were both awarded medals in the trenches.
The next day the Germans were at it again, this time to the left of us with the 101e. This time the Germans jumped into one of our sape trenches to try and grab some prisoners. Men from both sides ran away, but one man from the 101e stood and jumped one of the Germans by the throat and then kicked, punched and hit him over the head with his helmet. The German died later from the beating he received.
As you can see the French soldier is not afraid. It all very much depends on the energy and the desire of the man.
Herve Lambert
15th August
The compagnie and Jules are still at rest, but Jules rest period has not started well, as rumours are going around that they will soon be leaving. As Jules comments, if this is the case then his leave will be cancelled, plus to make matters worse, the rumours are that they will be going to Verdun.
Jules has got wind of this rumour because one of the regiments within the division has been told they are redeploying to Verdun tomorrow. If any new information arises, before the vaguemestre passes tonight at 20h00, he will write again.
Rest – Leave cancelled?
16th August
Regiment records state that the 4e Bat of the 315e move to Gizaucourt for an extended rest period.
Below letter from Jules confirms they have now moved overnight from Courtemont to a new “cantonnement”.
Tout cela n’est pas gai pour moi car il faut plus penser à aller en permission
Confirmation that the 4e bat arrived this morning at Gizaucourt after an early morning route march of around 12km. Jules is particularly unhappy they have had to move again tonight, despite only arriving this morning. As he states “I have no idea where we are going and I do wonder what they are going to do with us”. All this movement has also put him in a pessimistic mood around the chances of going on leave …. “all this is not very joyful and with all these changes, its hard to think that I will be going on leave”
Letter – rest period
Herve Lambert also decides to write a quick note:
Dear Parents
Couple of lines quickly to give you some new information. We have left Courtmont and we are now 4km from Valmy. Tomorrow morning we are walking again for another 15km, but where too? we do not know.
Who knows where all this will lead too, but I hope to nothing or to a longer rest period or closer to Reims and a quieter sector.
So in reality I know nothing into where we are dragging ourselves, like slugs with houses on our backs
Herve Lambert
Enfin je n’en sais rien toujours est-il que nous trimbalons toujours comme les limaces avec notre maison.
17th August
Regiment records state that the 4e Bat of the 315e move from Gizaucourt to Epense. This is followed by the 18e and 5e and 6e bat who are relieved from their frontline duty. The 5e bat go to Valmy and the 6e go to Dommartin.
“Le 18, les 5e et 6e Bat. sont relevés dans le secteur par le 142e RI et vont cantonner : le 5e à VALMY, le 6e avec l’EM à DOMMARTIN sous HANS”
18th August
Nothing new to report, they are now in a new village called Epense after another 13km march yesterday. Jules is hopeful they will now stay here for 8 days and fingers crossed will then be granted his leave.
On the same day Herve Lambert writes a letter home to his parents:
Dear Parents
I have recieved during the postman 17h00 round, your lovely card from the 13th August (5 days to get to the frontline from Cannes), where you were complaining about me not writing, which is impossible as I wrote on the 8th , 14th and 16th August (which is correct), so don’t be surprised when the letters do arrive.
We left Massiges a couple of days ago now and now we are on route for Argonne. Maybe we are going to Vauquois, but it is certain that we are going east. Maybe we will have the chance to go to Verdun? Honestly it would not displease me, as from one sector to another we still have to hold our ground. So if we go their and get the chance of a light injury, its straight to the hospital and that would paradise.
Nothing more to say.
Herve Lambert
19th August
Nothing new, but it does look like Jules leave will not be cancelled and apparently they are not going to Verdun. Jules mentions that they have been training everyday, but it has not been too hard.
Plus for once at least, the food is good and plentiful. This has been helped by the village having many supplies that can be bought; but for a price, which Jules states “are prices which are horrendously expensive”.
Letter – Finally some good food
The above letter talks about a regiment rumour of them going to Verdun, which has apparently been dismissed. This is now a theme since the start of 1916 that initial rumours are actually true, but get dismissed, only for them to be confirmed a couple of days later.
Is this the army leadership on purpose dismissing rumours, even when they know they are true?
20th August
Nothing new to report, they have change accommodation at Epense, but they will be staying in the area for a couple of days. The new accommodation is not too bad, but Jules is main concern is his anticipated up and coming leave, which should happen in a couple of days if leave is not suspended.
21st August
Location of the 315e and all the other regiments of the 7e Division before they all move to Verdun.
22nd August – 30th August
Jules On Leave
23th August
« le 23, prise d’arme du régiment que passe en revue le général WEYWADA, commandant la 7e DI.
Le capitaine adjoint-major FERRAN se fait remettre la croix de la légion d’honneur.
Arrivée de renforts: 27 hommes provenant des 54e, 124e et 164e RI et de 23 hommes du 101e, 115e et 117e RI »
On the 23rd August all troops arrive in Epense to be reviewed by the General Weywada for the regiment tenacious work during July and August in the Mont Tetu sector.
During the review Capitaine Ferran (Right) is award is Croix de la legion d’honneur
In addition new reinforcement come in from the 54th, 124th and 164th RI, in total 27 soldiers.
Casaulties: 1 (Camille Benardon – died of wound sustain on the 11th August)
28th August
Jules first postcard post leaving Jeanne to see his parents in Fouchecourt, where he describes having to take a taxi to the station in Paris, because the weather was “abominable”. As can be expected the trip on the train, does not leave Jules with much joy.
Verdun
Thiaumont Sector
The name Verdun by this time in 1916 was 1 word that would strike fear into all solders, due to the fierce nature of the battle. The Battle of Verdun, had been raging since February 21st and was already one of the longest, bloodiest battles fought by the French Army. The word battle can be misleading as the furnace as it was nicknamed burned for 300 days, which indicates more of a campaign than one single battle. The casualties on both side were horrendous with around 400,000 French casualties by December 1916.
The scene is set for the 315e regiment arrival in late August, where the French have been on the offensive since late July in an attempt to regain the lost ground. The regiment was given only a short rest before being thrown into the raging inferno that was Verdun. The Regiment arrived on the 31st August and are called straight into action on the 6th of September in the sector of Thiaumont. On the 7th in the evening they launch a night attack on the German frontline that succeed in breeching the German frontline, but the fighting is fierce and the losses high. Undeterred the 315e launch multiple attacks again on the 8th and the 9th , with minimal success this time, but still high losses, which caused the regiment to be withdrawn on the 21th September to be re-enforced. However this is not the end of the 315e on the Verdun front. On the 23th October they are back in the frontline near Douaumont and the regiment stay in the Verdun sector until December 1916.
30th August
7e DI JMO day review: 315e is transported to the region, with the 104e to follow tomorrow. Division main focus was PC’s for each regiment leaders to be located and readied during the day.
The 315e RI leaves Epense at 08h00 by truck and arrive in the region of Verdun in the late afternoon of the 30th August. The Regiment then spend the night at the Citadelle de Verdun
Jules leave is now finished and today he is leaving for the front again. As can be expected the trip on the train back to the front, does not give Jules much joy or hope and the “cafard” has now set in.
Jules postcard comes from Bourbonne les Bains train station, which means we can assume he has been to Fouchecourt to see his parents
31st August
7e DI JMO day review: 104e regiment have now also arrived at Verdun.
In the evening the 315e leave the citadelle de Verdun to occupy the Margueritte sector, where the 14e Compagnie are send to the “boyau Lagadec” near the ouvrage de Froideterre.
The 13e compagnie go to the “4 cheminees” to the right of the boyeau Lagadec. Whilst 1 section of 15e compagnie and the CM4 are sent to the Fort St Michel.
The 5e bat is sent to the “carrieres” which we assume is to the SW of Froideterre where there is an old quarry.
Finally the 6e bat are sent to sector M2, which is believed to be behind Froidterre. The Col Devaux during this time sets up his command post at hospital St Nicolas.
The RI logs state that the 315e stayed at Citadelle de Verdun on the 30th August , but Jules below postcard indicates that the regiment is still at St Diziers (Jules information is likely incorrect as he is coming back from leave)
Jules is sad that his leave has finished and he is now traveling back to the 315e. He was hoping that he may have to go via Paris, but unfortunately he has been stopped at Jessains for 14 hours. Jules is frustrationed, as they have been told they are not allowed to leave the station …. as he cynically comments “have a think if I am having fun here ….its the start of tragic events again”
Jules then states that his regiment is at St Diziers (80km south of Verdun) and only due to leave in the evening.
Postcard – returning to the regiment
Pensez si je m’amuse bien, c’est la série noire qui recommence
Whilst Jules is making his way back, Herve Lambert is with the regiment already at Verdun on the 31st August (not at St Diziers as Jules writes) that they have arrived
Dear Parents
We have finally arrived in the region I have spoken about (Verdun). I will write a longer letter soon, as there is much to say since we have arrived here.
Do not be worried, I will write as often as I can. Health is good for the moment and we are moving into the trenches this evening, where I hope to not be “abatis” cut down
I will finish the letter now
Signed: Un defenseur de la Place de V
Herve Lambert Letter
Next Month: September
