The 11th Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment

Order for the attack at Roeux

28th April 1917

1. The 11th Suffolks will be left assaulting Bn of the Brigade with 10th Lincolns on right and 103rd Brigade on the left.

2. Final objective - see map.

3. Will attack in the following formation.

"C" company in front on left.

"B" company in front on right.

Each company in 2 waves 30 yards apart followed by 1 company 16th Royal Scots who have been allocated to the Bn as "moppers up".

"A" company will be in support. 50 yards behind "B" company. "D" in reserve 50 yards behind "A".

4. Equipped as follows.

Bombers - 10 mills bombs per man.

Others - 2 mills bombs per man.

50 extra rounds per man.

5. In addition the following will be carried.

2 sandbags per man.

40 shovels & 15 picks per company.

50 red flares per company.

All water bottles filled.

Great coats to be worn.

Rations for tomorrow must be carried on the man.

6. Bn will move forward parallel to the railway. The barrage will move forward in accordance with the table (below). Must be followed as closely as possible by the leading wave.

7. The Stokes guns of 101 TMB will accompany "D" company and will seize every opportunity of assisting the Bn forward if checked.

8. A contact aeroplane will call the flares at 6:15 a.m. when flares must be lit by front line troops.

9. Bn HQ will be here until the chemical works have been captured. Brigade HQ in present position.

Copies :-

1. & 2. Retained.

3. "A" company.

4. "B" company.

5. "C" company.

6. "D" company.

7.101st Brigade.

8. HQ.

Appendix

Barrage

Zero plus :-

6 mins - lift 100 yards.

10 - lift 100 yards

18 - lift 100 yards

25 - lift 100 yards

32 - lift 100 yards

And then objectives on the left of the front.

Zero plus :-

37 mins - lift 100 yards.

42 - lift 100 yards

47 - lift 100 yards

52 - lift 100 yards

57 - lift 100 yards

62 - lift 100 yards

And then objectives on the right of the front.

Zero plus :-

67 mins - lift 100 yards.

72 - lift 100 yards

77 - lift 100 yards

And reaches line of protection.

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