 On the 1st September 1916, 8th Suffolk were still in training. Their efforts at Longueval on 19th July had resulted in the Brigade Commander 'recommending' them for a period of training in preparation for the next major offensive they were to be used in, which was planned for mid September.
Behind the lines, a pair of captured German flame throwers or "Flammenwerfers" were being demonstrated to the Battalion. These deadly instruments of war had first been felt by 11th Suffolk at La Boisselle on the first day of the offensive and they were now pretty much standard kit in most German units. "The Flammenwerfers" wrote Sydney Fuller in his diary "were carried on the operators back, like a pack, and would throw a huge flame a distance of 15 to 20 yards for a short time. The only way to avoid the flame was to lie in the bottom of the trench - the flame could to be forced down to the bottom having a natural tendency to turn upwards, like a ordinary flame. These facts were demonstrated on the spot by playing the flames all over a trench in the bottom of which men were lying. They were unharmed." It was a pretty rudimentary response to this deadly weapon, but like poisonous gas the year before, it was for the time being, the best method they had to meet its deadly force. Comments are closed.
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Welcome to our online 'chronicle' that charted the history of the many battalions of the Suffolk Regiment throughout their service during the Great War.
This record is now closed, but we have retained all our original posts here for you to search through and in the fullness of time, we hope to add to it as and where new stories come to light. It was at times, a challenging but rewarding endeavour which has helped many people in their research of the Regiment. If you know the specific month of an action of the Regiment, you can search for it in the list below: Archives
February 2025
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