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The Great War and West Yorkshire

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1917

5^th January. 5^th (Reserve) Battalion leave Southampon for Le Havre. From here they travel to Fortel for training.

January 10^th. 93^rd Brigade begin training in newly introduced platoon tactics. They do so in the Doullens-Bernaville area.

February 14^th. 5^th (Reserve) Battalion moved into the front lines for the first time at Ten Tree Alley.

February 21^st. The 93^rd Brigade return to the front lines. They are put in the line at Gommersal Park in the Hebuturne Sector. Upon arriving at the front, it appears that the germans have withdrawn from their front line positions and withdrawn to the Hindenburg Line. Patrols are followed by a stronger force who infiltrate the first and second lines of the now deserted German lines. However once these forces reach the second line, they are hit hard by German counter attacks, snipers and Bombardments. Ongoing fighting continues until March 4^th when the 93^rd Brigade are relieved by the York and Lancasters. The non stop fighting had resulted in several units being decimated; many men being stranded in no-mans land and a large number of fatalities and injuries being inflicted upon the Bradford Pals.

A detailed account of the fighting at Gommersal Park can be found in Chapter 6 of “The Bradford Pals” available online in this pdf file.  

2^nd May. 5^th (Reserve) Battalion move up for attack on Bullecourt.

July 20^th. The Bradford Pals are posted into the front lines at Neuville St. Vaast. Action seen by the West Yorkshire Battalion whilst in this area can be read in detail in Chapter 7 of “The Bradford Pals” which can be found in this pdf file. Action on this part of the front lasted throughout Autumn and Winter. It included day and night patrols, resisting of enemy attacks and included liaison with British Aircraft.

Bradford Textile Mills are producing 250,000 yards of Khaki per week for the army. Link.

30^th October to 12^th November. 5^th (Reserve) Battalion train for the Cambrai offensive.

20^th November. 5^th (Reserve) Battalion attack and capture Havrincourt.