February 1918

3rd Grenadier Guards – War diary

1 Feb 1918 ARRAS	Battalion was in Reserve line (PUDDING, LEMON & HUDSON TRENCHES) all night of 2nd/rd inst. Gas bombardment took place on night of 1/2nd. This resulted in 104 casualties, all of which were slight. Effects of gas were not noticed, in most cases, till 24 hours after.
2 – 3 Feb 1918	Relieved by 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards and returned to LEVIS BARRACKS.Baths available. Voluntary Service in the evening.
3 Feb 1918	During the 3 days the Battalion were out, steady drill and musketry was done. Only 1 Company was allowed to parade at a time owing to the possibility of bombing and shelling.
5 – 6 Feb 1918	Relieved 1st Bn Coldstream Guards in reserve. Dispositions were – Bn. H.Q. in NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE with Coys in HUMID, HARRY, ?HILIZAR? & HUDSON TRENCHES (all N of NORTHUMBERLAND AVENUE). Bn was employed on fatigues during the tour (about 180 men every 24 hours) these consisted chiefly of carrying parties to front line.
10 – 11 Feb 1918	Relieved by 1st Bn Scots Guards and returned to LEVIS BARRACKS for 5 days.
11 – 15 Feb 1918	These 5 days were employed as before, viz Drill, Musketry. A possible raid was practiced on training area. Range was allotted to Battalion 1 day.
13 Feb 1918	Battalion witnessed a demonstration of a Hostile Gas Projector.
15 – 16 Feb 1918	Relieved 1st Bn Coldstream Guards in front line. Dispositions – No 1 Coy on Right, No 2 Coy in centre, No 3 Coy on left and No 4 Coy in Reserve. Very good relief, no casualties.
16 – 20 Feb 1918 ARRAS	These 5 days were very quiet, no casualties occurring in the Battn. Patrols went out every night under Lieut Bedford or Lieut Dunbar to ascertain the effect of our trench mortar fire on the enemy’s wire, preparatory to an expected raid. Enemy patrols were only once seen. The Battn snipers claim to have accounted for several Germans.
20 – 21 Feb 1918	Relieved by 1st Bn Scots Guards in the front line and relieved the 1st Bn Coldstream Guards in the reserve line. Dispositions were as before.
22 – 25 Feb 1918	These 5 days were employed as before, viz fatigues, chiefly carrying parties, and cleaning and repairing trenches.
25 – 26 Feb 1918	Relieved by 1st Bn Scots Guards and returned to LEVIS BARRACKS ARRAS. Owing to the breakdown of the light railway trains were not available and the relief was late. Lorries however were procured to convey the battalion back to LEVIS BARRACKS.
27 – 28 Feb 1918	Employed in drill, wiring, musketry etc. Baths were allotted on 27th and the range on the 28th.

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