Digging Decoy Trenches in the Front Line
After the failure of the two attacks on Gaza it was clear that the EEF needed to have far higher levels of manpower and equipment in order to be able to break through the Ottoman defences. This would take time to put in place. The front line was now the trench system to the south of Gaza where the Finsbury Rifles were to spent the next few months.
The 54th (East Anglia) Division instructed its battalions to construct dummy trenches and machine gun posts. The war diary shows that the Finsbury Rifles spent much of their time digging trenches and dug outs. This was no mean task in summer heat with so little water available to drink. Did these decoy defences mislead the enemy into wasting ammunition on destroying them as intended? There are frequent references to heavy shelling and enemy sniper fire throughout the summer so it is likely that they did.
Date 1/5/17
With the exception of heavy shelling of gully the day has been quiet and usual digging in on our trenches.
Date 2/5/17
In Bivouac. Fatigues to right of working party, improving next dugout. Desultory artillery fire on both sides.
Date 3/5/17
In Bivouac. Fatigues to right working parties in front improving next dugout, reciprocal artillery fire.
Date 4/5/17
Dug out, reciprocal artillery fire. Capt W.S Even left for ‘Staff Bravo’ Mena and Cairo.
Date 5/5/17
Fatigues as required. Battn under orders to relieve 156 Brigade. Mansora Ridge. Usual artillery fire relief affected, Battn took our left sector from Gaza. Mendur Track. R17 6.10.15 (M of L) Large 1/40,000. High amount of artillery fire.
Location MANSORA RIDGE Date: 7/5/17
Battn in front line trenches, quiet day, during day, work was put in on dug out in next area; during night work on ……..front line trenches was carried out leapt Capt (?) RAMC left for …..being replaced by Capt N.M Cumming RAMC.
Date 8/5/17
Battn in front line trenches, usual artillery fire, work in day on dug out in next area during night work on improving. Front line trenches.
Date 9/5/17
Battn in front line trenches, usual artillery fire, work in day on dugout, in rest area.
Date 10/5/17
Battn in front line trenches, usual artillery fare, other than that, quiet day.
Date: 11/5/17
Battn in front line trenches about…night two Turkish….taken, usual artillery fire…etc.
Location MANSORA RIDGE Date: 12/5/17
Battn relieved on the front line trenches, by the 1st 5th Bedford Regt work on communication trenches.
Date: 13/5/17
Battn in support, usual work in communication trenches.
Date: 14/5/17
Battn in support, usual work in communication trenches.
Date: 15/5/17
Battn in support, usual work in communication trenches.
Date: 16/5/17
Battn in support, usual work in communication trenches.
Date: 17/5/17
Battn in support, usual work in communication trenches
Friends of Islington Museum 