Military History

The below is a precis of a much larger article from the Worcestershire Regiment website. Click here to read the full article.

The Second Battle of Doiran, 24th/25th April 1917 About 9.00p.m. the enemy's gun fire, hitherto not very noticeable, increased in intensity. Shells burst all along the British side of the Jumeaux Ravine, but the troops were in good cover and little harm was done. Close on half past nine a series of red Very Lights shot up one after another from the enemy's lines. Eight or ten lights were counted. The crouching troops wondered if it were a signal; but the enemy's fire did not sensibly increase. Five minutes later the enemy's gun fire seemed to die down. Scarcely had that fact been noticed when at 9.35 p.m. the British field guns opened their ear-splitting shrapnel barrage. Ten minutes later the officers whistles rose shrill amid the din. The attacking platoons scrambled from their trenches and plunged down the slope. The attack had hardly started when three searchlights flashed out from the opposing heights and swept the slopes of the Ravine with their cold rays. Then the enemy's barrage came down in full force. The strength of the Bulgarian artillery had not been suspected, in that mountainous country guns were easily concealed, and the counter-battery work of the British artillery had not been sufficiently effective. A tornado of shells struck the scrambling troops. So fierce was the fire that the supporting companies of the Royal Berkshire were cut off from those in front and never reached them; but through the storm the Worcestershire platoons made their way across the Ravine and up the steep slope opposite.

Rifles and machine-guns from the Bulgarian trenches hailed bullets on the survivors as they struggled up through the rocks and scrub. Most of the front line were shot down, and for a moment the advance was checked. The survivors clung on as best they could, firing up at the flashes of the enemy's rifles above them. A fierce fight followed in the darkness. The Worcestershire lads were not to be denied, and in a few minutes most of the enemy's front line along the Ridge had been taken with the bayonet. In the assault Captain Cooper was again severely wounded, but he refused to leave the fight until he bad seen the enemy's front line secured.

On the right of the captured trenches a strongly fortified redoubt at the apex of the spur beat back all attacks for some twenty minutes. During those twenty minutes the Worcestershire platoons further along the line worked desperately at the consolidation of the captured trench, urged on by Lieutenant S. A. Stephenson who, although already severely wounded, continued to command and inspire his men. Lieut. Stephenson was awarded the M.C. Then over the crest of the ridge came the first counter-attack; a hail of trench-mortar bombs, followed by a rush of yelling foes through the darkness. The attack was met by rapid fire and driven back.

The defence of the captured trench had been maintained for four hours, under constant fire and against repeated counter-attacks. More than half of the Worcestershire had fallen. Ammunition was almost exhausted. A message was sent for assistance. In response to that call a company of the 7th Oxford & Bucks L.I. were sent forward. Dashing through the barrage, some forty brave men of that regiment reached the position of the Worcestershire and bore a share in the last desperate struggle on the ridge. About 3.00a.m. came yet another attack. Three successive waves of the enemy came surging over the crest of the spur. In front the attack was stopped dead by the British musketry; but from both flanks the enemy's bombers came pushing inwards, and no bombs remained with which they could be opposed. Gradually the length of trench held by the Worcestershire grew shorter, as from both flanks the enemy bombers pressed in. Unless help should come the end was only a question of time; but the remnant of the brave Battalion held on, until, about 4.0 a.m., there came a definite order to retire. All along the line to their right the attack had failed. The survivors of the other attacking battalions to the right of the 11th Worcestershire (away to the left the 22nd Division had gained ground, but their inner flank was half a mile from the spur and could give no support) had already fallen back across the Ravine. The order to retire was passed down the line, and, squad after squad, the remnant of the 11th Worcestershire fell back down the slope. Among the last to leave was Corporal A. Radcliffe who, on his own initiative, mounted a Lewis-gun on the parapet of the trench and covered the retreat of his comrades by bursts of rapid fire. Corpl. Radcliffe was awarded the M.M. Those of the Worcestershire who still could move staggered back down the slope, turning and firing as they retreated. In the hollow below they found the remnant of two companies of the 9th Gloucestershire, who had advanced to their assistance but had been unable to pass the barrage. Still under fire, they hauled themselves up the further slope, through the scrub and rocks, back to their own lines, and reached at last the comparative safety of the British trenches just as dawn began to light up the scene.

The cause of the repulse was undoubtedly the terrific strength of the enemy's artillery. The result was a mournful tale of casualties in all the attacking battalions. Out of a battle-strength of perhaps 500, the 11th Worcestershire had lost over 350 of all ranks. The losses of the other attacking battalions of the 26th Division were in much the same proportion.