Document 11 - “A Raid”

Letter from Charles to Dorothy, 22 February 1917

In between large battles, both sides tried to wear each other down and get information ('intelligence') about each other with trench raids. In these so-called 'minor operations' small groups of soldiers (10-250) broke into a short section of enemy trench to kill and capture soldiers and gather information. Raids were exceptionally dangerous and usually resulted in high casualties for those involved.

France
22 February 1917

I have been the trenches since I wrote to you last and when they came out to billets volunteers were called for to stir the Huns up, a raid. As I was the senior company commander it was my duty to hand in my name and I was given command of the show. We have been training for it since and it is now on the eve of battle. You will know long before this gets to you if I am a casualty but I have a pretty safe job...

...the only thing that may make it a failure is the Huns barb wire which is dreadfully thick but we have made provision for crossing it... The snow is all thawing and its much warmer now. We have had some rain, and now its mud, mud everywhere.

Source: Australian War Memorial Private Record 2DRL/0174

Ask Yourself

  1. What evidence is there of the different responsibilities of soldiers and officers?
  2. What is Linklater's attitude to the orders to raid the enemy lines?