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Born-Camberwell

The Battle of Messines was a successful British offensive between 7th-14th June, 1917 that dislodged the German army from the Messines Ridge, a salient jutting into the British lines, that they had held since 1914. The front attacked ran south for nine miles from Mount Sorrel, through the villages of Messines and Wytschaete, down to Ploegsteert and its capture gave the British control of the high ground to the south of Ypres. This greatly facilitated their attack further north the following month which became known as the 3rd Battle of Ypres or Passchendaele. The success at Messines was a result of some careful planning and the explosion of nineteen large mines at zero hour on 7th June, along the length of the ridge. Twenty two mine shafts had been constructed but one was discovered by the enemy and destroyed and two failed to explode. Nevertheless the resulting explosion was so loud that it could be heard in London and so powerful that 10.000 German soldiers were killed. Nine British, Australian and New Zealand divisions then attacked behind a creeping artillery barrage and all first day objectives were soon taken. Over the next few days  German counter attacks were repelled and by 14th June the whole of the ridge had been captured.

On 7th June, 1917, 47th (London) Division attacked astride the Ypres-Comines canal in the northern section of the battle zone. The attack was made successfully, by 140 and 142 Brigades with 141 Brigade in reserve. 22nd London and 24th London led the attack made by 142 Brigade. Assisted by the great explosions of the Hill 60 and Caterpillar mines, they crossed the 300 yards to the German front line positions in 15 minutes with the enemy surrendering readily. They did have some trouble securing their second objective, the White Chateau at the end of the Damm Strasse which was a mile long, straight driveway from the St Eloi road to the White Chateau. Along it there was a warren of German dugouts and some bitter fighting took place here at close quarters before it was taken. At 5.25am, 21st London moved up to the position, the Blue Line, that had been captured by 22nd London, suffering around fifteen casualties from shell fire as they did so and an hour later, began their own advance, which was the second phase of the attack. Unhindered by the enemy artillery which could only manage a weak response, they easily took their first objective but after that things became a bit more difficult. To their left, the attack of 23rd Division had been held up and this meant that the Germans were able to hit 21st London in their flank with machine-gun fire from Battle Wood. Their next objective was the Spoil Bank, a 400 yard long heap of excavated earth on the north bank of the canal but success here eluded them. During the course of the morning they two attempts to take it but both times were repelled with heavy losses. They tried again in the evening when they supported an attack made by 20th London but again without success. Among the many casualties suffered by 21st London on this, the opening day of the battle was Alfred Smith.