Battalion orders: 1/18th London Regiment (London Irish Rifles) for attack on Loos, September 25th 1915

Trench map of London Regiment objectives
Blue is British trenches, red is German

"The Battalion has been ordered to Capture the Hostile Second Line of trenches from point 51 to point 63 and having done so to consolidate the captured position with the greatest of possible speed.

The attack will be carried out on a three Platoon frontage from Sap 6 to Sap 18 both inclusive.

In accordance with Appendix 1 of Secret BM 36 the GAS and SMOKE attacks will take place for 40 minutes prior to the hour named for the assault. This hour (the actual time when the Assault is to commence) will be known in these instructions as "TIME" and all movements having relation to this word will be carried out at the VERY SECOND laid down.

At exactly FIVE minutes before TIME all men except those in the Saps will be ordered to fix bayonets.

At TIME leading platoons of the attacking Coys will at once move forward - getting out of the Trench by scaling ladders provided (2 in each bay).

Exactly 30 seconds after TIME the SECOND line will advance from their places of formation getting out by footholds and hands pegs provided and will move forward in rear of the FIRST line doubling over the New Front Line Trench."

Taken from Battalion orders for the attack on September 25th 1915.

 

Author's picture of battlefield of Loos, from atop the current
slag heap that marks position of original double crassier.
Notice new town cemetery extreme right. London Irish crossed this whole
panorama under fire to take German positions.