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38th (Welsh) Infantry Division

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
43rd Division
38th (Welsh) Division
38th (Welsh) Infantry Division
38th Infantry (Reserve) Division
38th Welsh Division dragon emblem (vectored).svg
The First World War shoulder patch, a red dragon
Active December 1914 June 1919
193945
Branch
Flag of the British Army.svg New Army
(191419)
Flag of the British Army.svg Territorial Army

(193944)
British Army
(194445)
Type Infantry
Role Infantry, home defence and training
Engagements Battle of the Somme
Third Battle of Ypres
Hundred Days Offensive
The 38th (Welsh) Division (initially the 43rd Division, later the 38th (Welsh)
Infantry Division and then the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division) of the British
Army was active during both the First and Second World Wars. In 1914, the division
was raised as the 43rd Division of Herbert Kitchener's New Army, and was originally
intended to form part of a 50,000-strong Welsh Army Corps that had been championed
by David Lloyd George; the assignment of Welsh recruits to other formations meant
that this concept was never realised. The 43rd was renamed the 38th (Welsh)
Division on 29 April 1915, and shipped to France later that year. It arrived in
France with a poor reputation, seen as a political formation that was ill-trained
and poorly led. The division's baptism by fire came in the first days of the Battle
of the Somme, where it captured the Mametz Wood at the loss of nearly 4,000 men.
This strongly held German position needed to be secured in order to facilitate the
next phase of the Somme offensive; the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. Despite securing
its objective, the division's reputation was adversely affected by miscommunication
among senior officers.
A year later it made a successful attack in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the
opening of the Third Battle of Ypres. This action redeemed the division in the eyes
of the upper hierarchy of the British military. In 1918, during the German Spring
Offensive and the subsequent Allied Hundred Days Offensive, the division attacked
several fortified German positions. It crossed the Ancre River, broke through the
Hindenburg Line and German positions on the River Selle, ended the war on the
Belgian frontier, and was considered one of the Army's elite units. The division
was not chosen to be part of the Occupation of the Rhineland after the war, and was
demobilised over several months. It ceased to exist by March 1919.
In March 1939, following the reemergence of Germany and their occupation of

Czechoslovakia, the British army increased the number of divisions within the
Territorial Army by duplicating existing units. On paper, the division was
recreated as the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division, a duplicate of the 53rd (Welsh)
Infantry Division; it formed in September. It was never deployed overseas as a
division, having been restricted to home defence duties around the United Kingdom.
In 1944, it was disbanded and its units were either deployed or broken up to
reinforce the 21st Army Group in Normandy during Operation Overlord. The 38th
Division was recreated on 1 September 1944 as the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division,
a training formation that took over the role previously occupied by the 80th
Infantry (Reserve) Division. In this form, the division completed the training of
recruits, who were then dispatched overseas as reinforcements. At the end of the
war, the division was again stood down.
Contents [hide]
1 First World War
1.1 Formation and training
1.2 Initial actions and the Battle of the Somme
1.3 Ypres Salient
1.4 Raiding and reorganisation
1.5 German Spring Offensive
1.6 Final battles
1.7 Epilogue
2 Second World War
2.1 Background
2.2 Formation and home defence
2.3 Training
3 General officer commanding
4 Orders of battle
5 See also
6 Notes
7 References
8 Further reading
9 External links
First World War[edit]
Formation and training[edit]
A recruitment poster depicts the likeness of Herbert Kitchener, pointing to the
viewer. The text reads 'Britons [Kitchener] "wants you" Join your country's army!
God Save the King'.
Recruiting poster for Herbert Kitchener's New Army
On 28 July 1914, the First World War began; on 4 August, Germany invaded Belgium
and the United Kingdom entered the war to uphold the Treaty of London (1839).[1]
Britain faced a continental war it was not prepared to fight; the Expeditionary
Force was dispatched but the country lacked the forces required for the protracted
war envisioned by the military leadership.[2][a]
On 5 August, Herbert Kitchener was appointed Secretary of State for War. This
position allowed Kitchener a largely independent role within the war cabinet.[3]
His first act, the next day, was to request parliamentary approval to increase the
strength of the British Army by 500,000 men. Over the next days the Army Council
laid out plans for Kitchener's proposed expansion: traditional recruitment would be
used to expand the regular army, bypassing the county associations and thus
avoiding expanding the Territorial Force. The first wave, originally termed the New
Expeditionary Force, became the First New Army.[4] Historian Peter Simkins wrote
that Kitchener held the Territorial Force in disdain, calling it an ill-trained
"Town Clerk's Army", and this was partially why he set up a parallel recruitment
system. Simkins noted that it would be a "gross oversimplification to ascribe
Kitchener's decision merely to prejudice and ignorance". Had the Territorial Force
been used as the basis for expansion it would have been "swamped" and "rendered
temporarily incapable of carrying out any function at all", when a "viable home
defence force" was needed due to the threat of a German invasion.[5]
On 19 September 1914, Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George stated

publicly that he "should like to see a Welsh Army in the field".[6] This thought
quickly picked up support from politicians and from Kitchener; a Welsh Army Corps
of two divisions totalling 50,000 men was approved on 10 October. The recruits were
to be drawn from Wales as well as Monmouthshire and from Welshmen living in
Liverpool, London and Manchester. The creation of the corps soon became a source of
dispute between Lloyd George and Kitchener and was never realised due to a lack of
potential recruits.[7][8][9][10] Llewelyn Wyn Griffith, an officer within the 38th
(Welsh) Division, commented that "the population of Wales was not sufficient to
raise two full divisions and all the corps units required".[10] By the end of 1914,
it had been decided that only one division would be raised. The 10,000 men, who had
since joined the Welsh Army Corps, were formed into the 43rd Division of
Kitchener's Fifth New Army.[11][b] The division comprised the 113th, 114th and
115th Brigades, and was made up of battalions from the Royal Welsh Fusiliers (RWF),
the South Wales Borderers (SWB) and the Welsh Regiment (Welsh). On 19 January 1915,
Major-General Ivor Philipps was assigned as the first divisional commander.[13] By
March, 20,000 men had been enlisted and over the coming months the first units
reached full strength.[14] Despite steady recruitment, by 30 June 1915, 20 per cent
of recruits had been removed, having been discharged primarily for medical reasons
or transferred to other units leaving 27,836 men within the ostensible Welsh Army
Corps.[15] The division was made up predominately of Welshmen, but it included
soldiers from the rest of the United Kingdom and several other nations.[16]
Soldiers lie down practising on a rifle range, supervised by standing colleagues.

Elements of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, training on a rifle range.
On Saint David's Day (1 March 1915), the new division was inspected by Lloyd
George.[10] During April, the Fourth New Army was broken up to provide
reinforcements for deployed combat units. The Fifth New Army, in turn, was renamed
the Fourth New Army. As part of this re-organisation, the 38th Division became the
31st Division. On 29 April, the 43rd was renamed the 38th (Welsh) Division.[17][18]
[19] The division spent most of 1915 dispersed, with the majority located across
North Wales with units training at Pwllheli, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Rhyl; some
units were based in the south at Abergavenny.[18] At these locations, the men
undertook basic training, were drilled, and trained for open warfare. On 19 August,
the division moved to Winchester, England, where it assembled for the first time as
a division. Final training took place and limited instruction was given on tactics
for trench warfare, on the assumption that practical experience would be easier to
gain in France.[10][17][20][21][22] Following training, it took until November for
the division to be fully equipped with rifles.[20] To be declared fit for overseas
service, the division's soldiers had to fire 24 rounds on a rifle range.[23][c] On
29 November, the division was inspected for the last time before its deployment;
Queen Mary and Princess Mary reviewed the troops at Crawley Down.[10]
Prior to its deployment, the division was roughly 18,500 men strong. During
November, the division departed from Southampton and by 5 December it had arrived
in France at Le Havre. The division's artillery initially remained behind to
conduct live fire exercises at Larkhill, but had re-joined the division by the end
of December.[21][26][27][28]
The initial reaction by the regular army to the division was one of hostility. The
division was seen as lacking experience and training; the latter was a criticism
levelled at all New Army divisions. Questions were also raised about the divisional
leadership and about securing officer commissions through influence.[29][30]
Historian Clive Hughes wrote "regulars professed disgust at the blatantly political
character" of the division.[29] The prime example of this concern was Philipps
himself. He had retired from the Indian Army in 1903 as a Major, and then joined
the Pembroke Yeomanry becoming the regiment's Colonel in 1908. Prior to the war,
Philipps was elected a Member of parliament, and was part of Lloyd George's Liberal
Party. Following the outbreak of the war, he was promoted to Brigadier-General and
given a command of a brigade. He was then posted to Lloyd George's Minister of
Munitions, before being given command of the 38th ahead of regular army officers
who held seniority.[31][32][33] Hughes commented that Philipps's political
appointment "can hardly have improved his standing" and that he was viewed as a
"jumped-up ex-Indian Army major who had no right to a divisional command",[31] who
had received his position via his association with Lloyd George.[32]
Initial actions and the Battle of the Somme[edit]

Further information: Battle of Albert (1916) and Capture of Mametz
Once in France, the division joined XI Corps and was placed in reserve, relieving
the 46th (North Midland) Division. The first casualties were soon suffered due to
training accidents with grenades. The division was then temporarily split up and
spent time attached to the Guards Division and 19th (Western) Division, to gain
experience in trench warfare. It relieved the 19th (Western) Division and until the
summer manned the front in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region. It was rotated along the
XI Corps sector, and spent time in Festubert, Givenchy, La Gorgue, Laventie and
Neuve Chapelle. Units of the division took turns on the front line, maintained
positions, conducted trench raids and were subjected to German bombardments, all of
which allowed the men to gain experience of active service conditions.[21][26][27]
[34] During this period Captain Goronwy Owen of the 15th RWF carried out a trench
raid into no man's land, where he located a party of German soldiers who had just
finished laying barbed wire. Owen followed the Germans back to their trench and
ambushed them. The divisional history comments that "the greater portion [of the
German party] were killed" and the raid was considered by the Army to be "the third
best ... carried out so far" in the war. For his actions, Owen was mentioned in
dispatches.[35]
Refer to caption
Map of the Somme battlefield (click to enlarge). The village of Mametz and the
surrounding woodland are centrally located.
During 1011 June 1916, the division was relieved by the 61st (2nd South Midland)
Division and moved into reserve. It then moved south and joined XVII Corps of the
Third Army to train for the Battle of the Somme. New trenches were dug and the
division made practice attacks on them using novel tactics: attacking in waves in
conjunction with artillery and machine gun fire. Towards the end of the month, the
division moved further south to the Somme valley.[36] They then joined II Corps and
were placed in reserve. The role of the division was as a second wave to exploit
the expected success. After the breach of the German lines, the Reserve Army
cavalry divisions would capture Bapaume. The 38th (Welsh) Division would then move
forward to relieve the cavalry and secure the town, to allow the cavalry to advance
north towards Arras.[37][38][39]
1 July was the first day on the Somme and although it was behind the lines in
reserve, the division suffered its first casualty of the battle due to German
artillery fire.[40] The 1 July attack was a disaster on the Fourth Army front, and
total British losses amounted to 57,470 largely north of the AlbertBapaume road.
[41] In particular, XV Corps attacked the villages of Fricourt and Mametz.
Throughout the day, the 7th Division assaulted and captured Mametz. The 21st
Division pushed into the German lines and flanked Fricourt to the north. Due to
this move and the capture of Mametz, the Germans abandoned Fricourt; the two
divisions advanced up to 2,500 yards (2,300 m) and suffered 7,500 casualties.[42]
Between these two villages were the entrenched German positions in Mametz Wood.
These needed to be captured to allow XV Corps to advance further into German
territory.[43] More ground was gained in subsequent attacks, but German defences
and rain hindered moves to clear Mametz Wood. Following casualties within the 7th
Division, the 38th (Welsh) Division was attached to XV Corps to relieve the
division and clear the wood.[39][44][45]
Refer to caption
Mametz Wood, 7 July, prior to the fight to capture it
Mametz Wood was defended by elements of the German Lehr Infantry Regiment and 163rd
Infantry Regiment. These units were entrenched within the wood; the German second
line was only 300 yards (270 m) behind, allowing the position to be reinforced
easily. From 69 July, the 38th Division conducted reconnaissance and probing
attacks, to determine the strength of the German position.[46][47]
On 7 July, the division launched two battalions upon the wood after a brief
preliminary bombardment. At 08:00, the 16th Welsh and 10th SWB attacked. As soon as
the advance began it became obvious that the preliminary bombardment had failed to
silence the German machine gun positions and German shells started to fall upon the
attackers and the trenches they had left, resulting in a temporary communication
breakdown. Caught between machine gun fire from their front and their flanks, the
attack bogged down within 200 yards (180 m) of the wood. Unable to move further,
the troops were ordered to dig in to await a renewed British bombardment. At 11:00
the troops tried again but were unable to push further forward. A proposed third
attack in the afternoon was called off. The 16th Welsh Battalion historian wrote
that "'[c]ut to Ribbons' would be an apt description" as casualties amounted to 276
men. The 10th SWB suffered 180 casualties.[21][46][48][49]
During the evening, the 14th RWF launched a minor trench raid. On 8 July, this was
supposed to develop into an attack on the southern tip of the wood. While the
division prepared to launch a battalion-sized attack, XV Corps commander Lieutenant
General Henry Horne ordered a smaller attack by a platoon. The day was spent in
confusion; conflicting orders were issued and Horne travelled to the division to
clarify his intentions. In the end, no attack was launched.[50]
When Horne found out that the 14th RWF had not moved and that their attack had been
pushed back to 8 July, he summoned Ivor Philipps to Corps headquarters and sacked
him.[51] General Douglas Haig, commander of the BEF, noted this event in his diary.
He wrote: "visited HQ XV Corps and saw General Horne. He was very disappointed with
the work of the ... 38th Welsh Div". Haig further commented that Philipps was
relieved of his command as the majority of the division had "never entered" the
woods despite the "most adequate ... bombard[ment]", had suffered "under 150
casualties" during their attack and that: "a few bold men [who had] entered the
Wood found little opposition". Historian Don Farr wrote that Haig's entries are at
odds with the facts and that he relied heavily on what Horne had told him. Farr
states that Horne's account to Haig was self-serving, did no justice "to the
difficulties confronting the troops on the ground", and did not acknowledge the
failure of the bombardment. He also suggests that the sacking of Philipps may have
been political, by a distrusting officer corps towards a perceived political
appointee.[52]
Hughes quoted a regular officer who was attached to the division who described
Philipps as "an excellent administrator" who was "valued [for] his service with the
division".[53] Historian Tim Travers wrote that "perhaps Philipps was a poor
commander" but the opening attacks on Mametz Wood demonstrated the faults of the
entire command structure, not just of Philipps, as there was pressure from the top
down to get results.[54] Farr wrote that "there is evidence that ... Philipps ...
balked at sending waves of [his] men unprotected against machine guns" and Travers
wrote that Philipps had shown moral courage in cancelling unprepared attacks and
for giving his troops "instructions not to press the attack if machine-gun fire was
met".[54][55] Horne had intended to replace Philipps with Major-General Charles
Blackader but was overruled by Haig who ordered that Herbert Watts, commander of
the 7th Division, was to take temporary command.[55] During 9 July, the decision
was made that the division would launch a full-scale attack the next day.[46] At
03:30 on 10 July, the preliminary bombardment began.[56]
A photo of a devastated treeline showing broken trunks and limbs.

Mametz Wood, as seen in August
The initial bombardment lasted for 45 minutes, striking the German front line
positions, with the shelling halted temporarily to attempt to lure the German
defenders back into the front line, when the barrage resumed. At 04:15, the
division launched its attack. Advancing behind a creeping barrage were the 13th
Welsh (on the right flank), the 14th Welsh (in the centre) and the 16th RWF (on the
left flank). A smoke screen had been laid down on either flank, which succeeded in
drawing German fire away from the assault.[56][57] The divisional history called
this attack "one of the most magnificent sights of the war ... wave after wave of
men were seen advancing without hesitation and without a break over a distance
which in some places was nearly 500 yards".[56]
The 14th Welsh rapidly entered the wood and cleared the German positions with
bayonets and rifle fire. In the face of determined German resistance and flanking
machine gun fire, the 13th Welsh suffered many casualties and their attack stalled.
The division reinforced the right flank by committing the 15th Welsh who were able
to push through into the wood. Before they could link up and aid the 13th, German
troops infiltrated the gap between the two battalions, got behind the 15th Welsh
and almost wiped out a company.[56][58] These troops had to fight their way out,
and just seven returned .[56] Despite the losses, the three battalions of the Welsh
regiment were able to form a cohesive line defending the edge of the wood and
repulsed strong German counter-attacks.[56][58] The 16th RWF, which had fallen
behind the creeping barrage, were met with determined German resistance which
repulsed two assaults. The 15th RWF was sent to reinforce and both battalions were
then able to push their way into the wood, where German resistance including a
machine gun prevented a further advance.[59]
The 10th Welsh moved up to cover the gap between the five battalions already
engaged and the 13th RWF were deployed to clear the German position in front of
their sister battalions; divisional engineers arrived to dig trenches and lay wire.
[59] During the afternoon, the 10th SWB and 17th RWF were committed to the wood. At
16:00, another attack began and met with little resistance. The 10th SWB captured
the eastern stretches of the wood and inflicted many casualties on the Germans. The
15th Welsh, along with the 15th and 17th RWF, fought north through the wood and
made it to within 40 yards (37 m) of the northern edge when they were thrown back
by German fire.[60] A further attack during the evening was called off and the
troops were pulled back up to 300 yards (270 m) and ordered to dig in for the
night.[58]
Refer to caption
A painting by Christopher Williams depicting the division's assault to capture
Mametz Wood.
During the night, the 113th and 114th Infantry Brigades were ordered out of the
wood and the 115th Brigade assembled in their place.[60] The next day, the 115th
Brigade prepared an assault to clear out the Germans. The 115th Brigade's
commanding officer, Brigadier-General H. J. Evans, wanted to launch a surprise
attack but was overruled. The subsequent bombardment to support the attack fell
short in places, hitting British troops and provoking German artillery fire. As
well as the friendly fire, the barrage also caught German troops in the open as
they fled from the wood. The remaining Germans offered determined resistance and
the 16th Welsh were held up by machine gun fire and the use of a flamethrower.
Despite this, the brigade was able to clear Mametz Wood by the end of the day. The
German second line position was on higher ground which dominated the edge of the
wood and, coupled with artillery fire, resulted in the brigade pulling back to its
start line to avoid further casualties.[61][62][63]
Refer to caption
King George V (centre-right) speaks with Major-General Charles Blackader (centre-
left) while visiting the division, 13 August 1916
That evening, the 21st Division relieved the 38th Division who moved near
Gommecourt and relieved the 48th (South Midland) Division.[60] On 12 July, Watts
returned to the 7th Division and Blackader assumed command of the 38th.[64] The
division had suffered 3,993 casualties during the six days it had fought on the
Somme, with over 600 men killed. Although it had captured 400 prisoners and Mametz
Wood (the largest wood on the Somme), paving the way for the assault on Bazentin
Ridge, the reputation of the division had been further hindered by inaccuracies.
The failure of the first attack harmed the division's reputation, as the comparably
few casualties were seen as evidence of a lack of determination by the men. The
113th Brigade's commander, Brigadier-General Price-Davies, made things worse by
reporting panic among the men and refusals of orders. Price-Davies later wrote: "I
may not have given my brigade full credit for what they did", but the damage had
been done. The difficulty of wood fighting was not appreciated at the time, and
Farr wrote that the reputation of the division suffered due to the repeated
interference by Horne in matters best left to the divisional or brigade staff and
his "inexperience of battlefield command at this level".[60][62][63][65][66]
Ypres Salient[edit]
Main article: Battle of Passchendaele
At the end of August 1916, the division was deployed to the Ypres Salient where it
remained for the next ten months seeing no major action. The division spent its
time rebuilding and consolidating washed out trenches and raiding German positions.
For the former, the division was commended by their Corps commander Rudolph Lambart
(XIV Corps).[67] In November, elements of the 14th Welsh launched a large raid on a
German position known as High Command Redoubt, a fortified position on a slight
rise that overlooked the British lines. From this redoubt, the Germans had been
able to direct artillery fire and snipe the British positions. The 14th Welsh
raided the position, killing 50 defenders in hand-to-hand combat and taking 20 more
as prisoners.[68][69][70]
Refer to caption
Aerial reconnaissance photo showing the cross west of Pilckem and the devastation
of the ridge
In June, the division was withdrawn into reserve to conduct training exercises for
the Ypres offensive. Replicas of the German positions on Pilckem Ridge were built
and attacks rehearsed. On 20 July, the division returned to the front taking over
from the 29th Division.[71] Until the end of the month, the division was subjected
to German artillery fire. These shells, a mixture of high explosive and mustard
gas, inflicted serious losses. At the same time, aerial reconnaissance and infantry
patrols by the division confirmed that the British preliminary barrage had forced
the Germans back to their second line positions.[72][73]
At 03:50 on 31 July, the Battle of Pilckem Ridge began. The division was ordered to
capture the German front line, the second line positions based on Pilckem Ridge, a
low ridge that also contained the heavily shelled village of Pilckem, followed by
Iron Cross Ridge which lay to the east, before storming down the other side and
across a small stream known as the Steenbeck. The division would be opposed
primarily by the German 3rd Guards Infantry Division, along with elements of the
3rd Reserve Division and 111th Division, dug-in among trench lines and 280 concrete
pillboxes and bunkers. To secure these various objectives, the division planned to
attack in waves, with fresh troops constantly moving forward to tackle the next
objective.[48][74][75]
Due to the Royal Artillery gas bombardments, the German artillery had been largely
silenced and played little part in the initial fighting. The 10th and 13th Welsh
(advancing on the right) and half the 13th and 16th RWF (on the left), were able to
take the German forward positions rapidly, capturing several Germans who had
remained behind. The 13th and 14th Welsh then pushed beyond their sister battalions
up the ridge, along with the remaining half of the 13th and 16th RWF. Based in the
village and Marsouin and Stray Farms, the German resistance was more determined,
resulting in increasing British losses.[76][77] Arthur Conan Doyle, in his history
of the war, described the scene:
The Germans poured bullets upon the advancing infantry, who slipped from shell-hole
to shell-hole, taking such cover as they could but resolutely pushing onwards.
?Arthur Conan Doyle[76]

It was during this stage of the fighting that James Llewellyn Davies earned the
Victoria Cross (VC). Davies, alone, attacked a German machine gun position after
previously failed efforts had resulted in numerous British deaths. He killed one
German and captured another as well as the gun. Although he was wounded, he then
led an attack to kill a sniper who had been harassing his unit. Davies subsequently
died of his wounds.[78][79]
Where concrete bunkers were encountered, the troops worked their way around them,
cutting the German troops off and forcing them to surrender. Despite their
resistance, the German second line was captured without delay.[76][77] Half of the
13th and 14th Welsh, along with the 15th RWF, then pushed towards Iron Cross Ridge.
German troops holding Rudolphe Farm, in the area allocated to the 51st (Highland)
Division which had not yet advanced as far, were able to fire into the flanks of
the advancing troops. A platoon from 15th Welsh was diverted and assaulted the
farm, capturing 15 men and killing or scattering the rest, securing the flank of
the advance. The 14th Welsh then rushed Iron Cross Ridge and engaged in hand-to-
hand combat to seize the position, before pushing on to capture a dressing station.
Their charge had resulted in heavy losses, but yielded 78 prisoners and three
machine guns. The 15th RWF had fallen behind the protective creeping barrage to
their front and came under fire from a German position known as Battery Copse.
Despite many losses, they pushed forward and were able to secure their portion of
Iron Cross Ridge.[77]
Attack of the 38th (Welsh) Division, Battle of Pilckem Ridge, 31 July 1917
With Iron Cross Ridge in British hands, the 11th SWB and 17th RWF pushed forward
for the Steenbeck. Despite German resistance, based in more concrete defences,
these positions were cleared and the river reached, and the two battalions dug-in
on the opposite side.[80] Helping to clear German positions during the advance,
resulted in Ivor Rees being awarded the VC. Rees silenced one German machine gun
position, before going on to clear a concrete bunker with grenades resulting in the
death of five Germans and the surrender of 30 more and the capture of a machine
gun.[79][81] Due to the casualties taken, elements of the 16th Welsh and 10th SWB
were moved forward to reinforce the newly gained position. At 15:10, the German
infantry launched a counter-attack. Fighting continued throughout the day, with the
forward British battalions forced to pull back beyond the Steenbeck; German
attempts to retake further territory were thwarted. During the afternoon, heavy
rain began to fall and did so for three days, hindering future operations.[80] The
fighting broke the 3rd Guards Division, which the Welsh divisional history notes
"had to be withdrawn immediately after the battle". During the day, the division
took nearly 700 prisoners.[82] Conan Doyle places the division's losses at 1,300
men.[83] Other than an exchange of artillery fire, no further fighting took place
and the division was withdrawn from the line on 6 August.[84]
Historian Toby Thacker wrote that "the attack on the Pilckem Ridge was considered a
great success by Haig and has been similarly viewed by historians". He continues:
"in Haig's eyes the Welsh Division had redeemed its reputation after what he had
perceived as its poor showing at Mametz Wood". Haig went on to write that the
division had "achieved the highest level of soldierly achievement".[85] Historian
Steven John wrote that the division "regained the honour which it had unjustly lost
after their supposed tardiness in the capture of Mametz".[79]
The division returned to the front line on 20 August. On 27 August, elements of the
division attacked. Throughout the day, heavy rain had fallen saturating the ground.
The divisional history described the scene: "the men who had been lying in shell-
holes which were gradually filling with water found great difficulty in getting out
and advancing and keeping up with the barrage". As the infantry waded through mud,
they lost the creeping barrage. Elements of the division reached the German line,
in what the historian of the 16 Welsh called "a gallant but hopeless endeavour".
The division remained on the line, subjected to German artillery bombardments,
until it was withdrawn on 13 September to take up new positions at Armentieres.[21]
[48][84]
Raiding and reorganisation[edit]

In the foreground, a group of soldiers huddle in a group in a snow-covered trench.
Another group stand in the background.
Men of the 15th RWF, outside their dug-outs, in the trenches, late December 1917.
Until early 1918, the division manned various sections of the front line, at times
occupying as much as ten miles of the front. During this period, the division
worked to improve the trenches they inherited and conducted raids on the German
lines. On the night of 7/8 November, the 10th SWB conducted a 300-strong raid on
the German lines. Having penetrated 200 yd (180 m) into German territory, the
battalion destroyed three concrete dugouts, inflicted at least 50 casualties and
took 15 prisoners, for a loss of 50 casualties.[48][86] In addition to raiding, the
division helped train the newly arrived 1st Portuguese Division, assigning a
battalion at a time for tutoring.[87] During the winter, the British realised that
the Germans intended to begin an offensive in 1918 (the Spring Offensive) and the
division spent the following months improving the front line positions, as well as
constructing rear-line defences from the Armentieres region to the northern bank of
River Lys, laying what the divisional history described as an: "inconceivable
amount of concrete and barbed wire".[88]
Five soldiers dig a trench, supervised by two standing above them.

Men of the 13th Welsh constructing rear-line positions near Houplines
By 1918, the number of front line infantry within the British Army in France had
decreased, leading to a manpower crisis. In an attempt to consolidate manpower and
to increase the number of machine guns and artillery support available to the
infantry, the number of battalions in a division was cut from twelve to nine.[89]
[90] This had the effect of reducing the establishment of a division from 18,825
men to 16,035.[91] In addition, to ease reinforcement, an attempt was made to
consolidate as many battalions from the same regiment within the same brigade.[92]
These changes impacted the division, resulting in the 15th RWF, 11th SWB and 10th
and 16th Welsh being disbanded and the 2nd RWF joining from the 33rd Division.[93]
These changes to the division also saw the machine gun companies consolidated into
a single battalion, one medium mortar battery broken up and absorbed by the
remaining two batteries and the heavy mortar battery leaving the division to become
a Corps asset.[94]
After a short break to train and rest, the division returned to the front line in
mid-February and recommenced raiding the German lines. On 15 March, the 16 RWF
conducted a raid on a similar scale, and with similar success, to the one conducted
by the 10 SWB in November.[93] During the same period, the Germans raided the
British lines but managed to capture only two men. In addition, the division's
snipers were able to gain the upper hand over their German rivals. The divisional
history notes that its patrols had gained "control of No Man's Land". Using what
had been learned "thorough previous reconnaissance", in addition to sniping, it was
"possible to move about unmolested in exposed trenches or even in the open" in
front of the German lines.[95]
German Spring Offensive[edit]

Further information: Spring Offensive
On 21 March, Germany launched Operation Michael. This attack, which became the
opening salvo of their Spring Offensive, aimed to deliver a single, decisive, war
winning blow. The Germans intended to strike the southern British flank, to
separate the British and French armies and then move north to engage the bulk of
the British forces in France in a vernichtungsschlacht (battle of annihilation).
The aim was to inflict such a defeat upon the British armies that the country would
abandon the war, which in turn would force the French to sue for peace.[96] After
the first ten days of the German offensive, the casualties suffered by the 2nd and
the 47th (London) Divisions were such that the 38th was ordered south to take up
positions near Albert to relieve the two formations.[97] The infantry moved south,
and the divisional artillery remained at Armentieres to support the 34th Division
and subsequently took part in the Battle of the Lys. During this battle, the
artillery went on to aid French forces before being transferred temporarily to the
British 25th Division and conducting a fighting withdrawal. Its actions with both
divisions earned the men of the divisional artillery plaudits from both divisional
commanders.[98]
Near Albert, the division had been kept in reserve until the night 11/12 April,
when the division relieved the 12th (Eastern) Division.[99] The Germans had
captured high ground near Bouzincourt and Aveluy, overlooking the British lines.
The division was ordered to retake this to deny the Germans the ability to observe
the British positions and to gain observation positions overlooking the German
lines in the Ancre valley. At 19:30 on 22 April, elements of the 113th and 115th
Brigades attacked with support from Australian artillery. The German infantry,
supported by a large number of machine guns and much artillery support, resisted
the attack. Unable to drive the German infantry off all of the high ground, the
division gained 250 yards (230 m) on a 1,000-yard (910 m) front, which achieved the
objective. The 13th RWF managed to push further ahead and secured a section of high
ground overlooking the German lines, fought off several German counter-attacks and
took captive 85 Germans and six machine guns. The attack was costly, with the 13th
RWF suffering over 400 wounded.[100] The Germans made repeated attempts to push
back the British and a big attack was repulsed on 9 May.[101] The division
attempted an abortive attack on another German-held ridge and conducted several
raids on the German lines, before they were withdrawn for a short break on 20 May.
[102]
At this point, Major-General Charles Blackader left the division on medical grounds
and was replaced by Major-General Thomas Cubitt.[64][103] The division received
replacements for casualties, disbanded the sniper company and engaged in rifle
training. Once back on the line, the division return to its previous routine of
static warfare: conducting patrols and raids, as well as being subjected to raids
and artillery bombardments.[104]
Final battles[edit]
Further information: Hundred Days Offensive
The division returned to the front, on 5 August, and took up position at Aveluy
Wood.[105] Shortly after, the Allied armies launched the Battle of Amiens, which
led to the start of the Hundred Days Offensive, the culminating offensive of the
war.[106] In the 38th Division sector, the Fourth Army pushed the Germans back from
their gains and onto the eastern bank of the Ancre. The 38th Division was assigned
to cross the river and clear the German-held Thiepval ridge north of Albert.[105]
On 21/22 August, elements of the 114th Brigade crossed the Ancre near Beaumont-
Hamel, established a bridgehead, constructed a bridge and fought off German
counter-attacks. The next day, further elements of the brigade crossed, securing a
further bridgehead and repulsed more German attacks.[107] The 113th Brigade crossed
the river via bridges in Albert and assaulted Unsa Hill 1 mile (1.6 km) to the
north-east, taking 194 prisoners, three artillery pieces and seven machine guns.
[108] The 115th Brigade crossed the river and cleared several German positions
facing them, took at least 30 prisoners and captured 15 machine guns. The rest of
the division crossed the following day, either wading or using the new bridges.
[109] During the early hours, the 114th Brigade launched an attack on Thiepval
ridge while the other two brigades attacked Ovillers-la-Boisselle. By the end of
the day, in heavy fighting, the division had seized the ridge, pushed the Germans
back around Ovillers and taken 634 prisoners. The division history also records the
capture of "143 machine guns".[110]
The division then advanced across the old Somme battlefield, as part of the Second
Battle of the Somme (1918). On 25 August, the 113th Brigade cleared Mametz Wood,
and the 115th seized Bazentin le Petit.[111] The following day, the 113th Brigade
reached the outskirts of Longueval.[112] During the fighting, Henry Weale was
ordered to suppress German machine gun positions with his Lewis Gun. The gun
jammed, and on his own initiative he rushed the German position killing the crew
before charging another that resulted in the German crew fleeing. His actions,
which earned him the VC, helped the brigade secure its position.[113][114] The
brigade then fought off numerous counter-attacks while the 115th Brigade surrounded
and cleared High Wood (near Bazentin le Petit). Divisional casualties amounted to
around 800, and at least 100 prisoners were taken along with the capture of 15
machine guns.[112] The next day saw heavy fighting outside Longueval as the 113th
and 114th Brigades attempted to advance, but they were halted by determined German
resistance and repeated counter-attacks.[115] The following days saw an exchange of
artillery fire and further German counter-attacks repulsed. Longueval was seized
late on 28 August after a partial German withdrawal.[116] The division continued
its advance, overcame German resistance and counter-attacks to capture Ginchy,
Deville Wood and Lesboufs but were held up by determined resistance at Morval.[117]
Following a day-long barrage, Morval was captured on 1 September after heavy
fighting and the division pushed on to take Sailly-Saillisel and tricourt-
Manancourt.[118] In an effort to halt the British advance, the Germans had dug in
on the far side of the Canal du Nord and, in the words of the divisional history,
"smothered the Canal valley with gas shells". On 3 September, having noticed a
weakness in the German positions, elements of the 13th and 14th Welsh stormed
across the canal and cleared the eastern bank allowing the rest of the 114th
Brigade to cross.[119] On 5 September, the division was relieved and placed in
reserve. During August and the beginning of September, the artillery had fired over
300,000 rounds in support of the fighting, 3,614 casualties had been suffered and
1,915 German prisoners taken.[120]
On 11 September, the division returned to the line near Gouzeaucourt; the Germans
had dug in along a ridge line from pehy to Trescault intending to delay the
British from reaching the Hindenberg Line.[121] The Fourth Army was tasked with
clearing these positions. On 18 September, the Battle of pehy was fought.[122] The
division attacked at 05:40 with the 113th and 114th Brigades.[123] For his role
during the assault, William Allison White earned the VC. Alone, he assaulted a
machine gun post that was hindering the advance, killing the defenders and
capturing the gun. He then launched a second attack, accompanied by two others who
were killed, to seize another German machine gun position killing a further five
and again capturing the gun. In a third action, White led a small group to
overwhelm a German defensive position that was also holding up the advance. He
proceeded to organise the defence of the position, and fought off a German
counterattack with heavy losses using captured machine guns.[124][125] Both
brigades were able to reach their objectives despite flanking fire, and fought off
numerous counter-attacks. Despite this, the Germans were able to cling on to
Gouzeaucourt.[123] The battle cleared the German outposts in front of the
Hindenburg Line, preparing the way for future operations.[122] On 20 September, the
division was pulled off the line for a period of rest.[126]
Eight days later, the division returned in preparation for assaulting the
Hindenburg Line.[127] The division advanced, along with the Fourth Army, pressing
the retreating Germans before halting at the Hindenburg support line, also known as
the Le Catelet-Nauroy Line, due to determined German resistance. On 5 October, the
line was breached by the division after the Germans evacuated it for their main
position (Siegfried II Stellung, otherwise known as the Masnieres-Beaurevoir line)
near Villers-Outraux. The German positions lay behind dense lines of barbed wire,
supported by concrete pillboxes and machine gun positions hidden in small woods
providing excellent fields of fire over otherwise open countryside. Faced with this
level of defence, the division was halted and spent the following days
reconnoitring the German positions preparing for an assault.[128][129]
The division's plan of attack was for the 115th Brigade to envelop Villers-Outraux
during dark and assault the village during daylight with tank support, while the
113th Brigade would clear the nearby Mortho Wood. The 114th Brigade would be held
in reserve initially but brought up to exploit the success and push deeper into the
German defensive belt. At 01:00 on 8 October, the attack began. The initial attack
by the 115th Brigade failed, in turn impeding the 113th Brigade, which was unable
to approach Mortho Wood due to concentrated German machine gun fire.[129][130] It
was during this first attack, that Jack Williams earned his VC. Elements of the
10th SWB had come under heavy German machine gun fire and suffered numerous
casualties. Williams directed a Lewis gunner to suppress the German position, while
he assaulted it single-handedly. Rushing the position, he took the surrender of 15
Germans. When they realised Williams was alone they attempted to kill him and re-
man their positions. After a brief clash, in which five Germans were bayoneted, the
survivors again surrendered to Williams. In silencing the position, he alleviated
the danger to his unit and allowed the battalion to resume the advance.[131][132]
The entire 115th Brigade soon rallied, and achieved their initial objective while
the 113th were able to gain a foothold near theirs. At 05:00, the 2nd RWF
following a friendly fire incident assaulted Villers-Outraux and cleared the
village with tank support. At 08:00, the 114th Brigade was committed to the battle
as orders to delay the advance arrived late. The troops were held up by undetected
barbed wire and heavy German fire until 11:30, when they disengaged and pressed
forward exploiting the success of the 115th Brigade. The divisional history
commented that the attack "progressed rapidly and resulted in a complete rout of
the enemy" and that the brigade was able to achieve its final objective on the
PrmontEsnes road. Meanwhile, the 113th Brigade engaged in heavy fighting to clear
the German trenches around Mortho Wood.[129][130] During this action, the division
suffered 1,290 casualties and took 380 prisoners.[133] The divisional history noted
that 8 October was "perhaps ... the stiffest fighting of the whole advance".[134]
After the assault, the 33rd Division pursued the retreating German forces, while
the 38th stayed close behind ready to take over the advance or assault strongly-
held German positions as needed. On 9 October, Clary was liberated and the next day
the divisional artillery was firing in support of the 33rd which had made contact
with German forces. Over the next few days, the 33rd Division pursued the Germans
to the River Selle and launched a bloody assault on the defended eastern bank
during the opening stages of the Battle of the Selle. While a bridgehead was
secured, it was abandoned due to losses and the 38th Division was moved forward. On
the night of 13/14 October, the division took over the line near Troisvilles and
Bertry. Over the next six days, the division prepared itself: conducting
reconnaissance, constructing bridges and moving up heavy artillery. During these
preparations, the Germans bombarded elements of the division's artillery with gas
shells.[135]
On the night of 19/20 October, the division attacked. The footbridges were brought
forward and the river crossed with ease but, the divisional history commented, the
"railway embankment on the far side was a much greater natural obstacle" due to
heavy rain and was "heavily wired" and defended. The 113th and 114th Brigades
crossed the river, each supported by a tank, while the 115th was held in reserve to
deal with German counter-attacks. Despite heavy German resistance and the tanks
becoming bogged down in mud, the troops were able to seize the rail line by 02:30.
The divisional history commended the 14th Welsh for their efforts during this
action, the first to secure a bridgehead and then rolling up the German line to
secure the right flank of the attack.[136] Major-General Cubitt described the
attack: having "formed up in boggy ground, [the men] crossed a difficult river (for
the fourth time since 21st August), attacked up a glacis swept by machine gun fire,
stormed a precipitous railway embankment 40 to 50 feet high and in pouring rain,
very slippery and deep going, in the hours of darkness, established [themselves] on
the final objective".[137] Elements of the division's pioneers joined in the
assault on the heights beyond the river and aided in the capture of the position.
Despite several counter-attacks, the division held the high ground. The attack
inflicted at least 225 casualties and resulted in the capture of 212 prisoners, a
battery of artillery pieces and mortars.[138]
With a bridgehead across the Selle secured, the 33rd Division (again supported by
the 38th's artillery) continued the advance with the 38th close behind. During this
time, elements of the division supply train were stricken by an outbreak of Spanish
flu. Following the 33rd, the division passed through the village of Forest, Croix-
Caluyau and Englefontaine, before halting in front of the Foret de Mormal.[139]
Here the division paused until 4 November and was subjected to artillery and aerial
bombardments as well as minor skirmishes with German infantry.[140] At 06:15 on 4
November, over a 2,000-yard (1,800 m) front, the 115th Brigade pushed forward
subjected to a heavy German artillery bombardment. The brigade cleared fenced-off
orchards before pushing 500 yards (460 m) into the forest against stiff resistance.
They were followed by the 113th Brigade, who then leapfrogged ahead to achieve the
division's second objective inside the forest. A lull in the fighting followed as
the artillery was moved forward. Afterwards, the 114th Brigade attacked reaching
the division's final objective, a road running through the forest, before
nightfall.[141] In heavy rain and complete darkness, the 13th Welsh carried on the
advance. They surrounded the hamlets of Sarbaras and Tete Noir, capturing a
garrison of 65 men, before pushing on towards Berliamont and taking 60 more
prisoners. The division had breached the forest, allowing the 33rd Division to
continue again advancing eastwards this time to cross the Sambre. During this 24-
hour period, the division had advanced 11.5 miles (18.5 km), 4 miles (6.4 km)
further than the flanking divisions, taken 522 prisoners, captured 23 artillery
pieces and suffered at least 411 casualties.[142]
On 7 November, the division relieved the 33rd in the pursuit of the Germans. Taking
over the line near Dourlers, the division pushed east. By 11:00 on 11 November, the
leading brigade was east of Dimechaux with advanced patrols in contact with German
forces at Hestrud on the Belgian border. From the start of the Hundred Day
Offensive until the signing of the armistice on 11 November, the division had
advanced 60 miles (97 km), taken 3,102 prisoners, seized 520 machine guns and
captured fifty mortars and 43 artillery pieces. The division's own losses during
this period amounted to 8,681 men.[143]
Historian Gary Sheffield commented that, since the division was "employed on
trench-holding duties from September 1917 to July 1918", it likely "was not
regarded by GHQ as an elite 'storm' formation". He noted, "judged by the results of
their attacks during the Hundred Days" the division "was in a select band of elite
divisions" akin to the Australian, Canadian and a limited number of other British
formations. Sheffield credited Cubitt, "a hard-bitten, ruthless 'fire-eater'", for
the improved performance of the division during this period, along with the various
breaks the division had away from the line when they were able to train and
assimilate new knowledge that resulted in "devolution of command" which allowed
command flexibility among lower ranks. In addition, Sheffield cited improved staff
work and tactical doctrine and high morale, which had led to the ability of the
division to carry out effective combined arms operations.[144]
Epilogue[edit]
After the conclusion of fighting, the division was based around Aulnoye-Aymeries in
France. The division was not chosen to be part of the British Army of the Rhine,
the British occupation force to be based in the Rhineland. Instead, it was
demobilised over a period of months. The first 3,000 soldiers were sent home during
December, and the division ceased to exist by March 1919. Prior to the division's
disbandment, the remaining men were visited by Edward Prince of Wales (later Edward
VIII).[145]
During the course of the war, 4,419 of the division's men were killed, 23,268 were
wounded, and 1,693 reported missing.[146] For acts of valour, five soldiers were
(in some instances posthumously) awarded the Victoria Cross. In addition, the
following awards (in several cases, multiple times) were bestowed: 86 Distinguished
Service Orders, 447 Military Crosses, 254 Distinguished Conduct Medals, and 1,150
Military Medals; 453 men were mentioned in dispatches.[147]
Second World War[edit]

Background[edit]
Throughout the 1930s, tensions built between Germany and the United Kingdom as well
as its allies.[148] During late 1937 and throughout 1938, German demands for the
annexation of Czechoslovakia's Sudetenland led to an international crisis. In an
attempt to avoid war, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain met with German
Chancellor Adolf Hitler in September and brokered the Munich Agreement. The
agreement averted immediate war and allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland.[149]
Chamberlain had intended the agreement to lead to further peaceful resolution of
issues, but relations between both countries soon deteriorated.[150] On 15 March
1939, Germany breached the terms of the agreement by invading and occupying the
remnants of the Czech state.[151]
In response, on 29 March, the British Secretary of State for War Leslie Hore-
Belisha announced plans to increase the Territorial Army from 130,000 men to
340,000 and in so doing double the number of territorial divisions.[152][d] The
plan of action was for the existing units to recruit over their allowed
establishments (aided by an increase in pay for territorials, the removal of
restrictions on promotion that had been a major hindrance to recruiting during the
preceding years, the construction of better quality barracks and an increase in
supper-time rations) and then form Second Line divisions from small cadres that
could be built upon.[152][157] As a result, the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division was
to be created as a Second Line unit, a duplicate of the First Line 53rd (Welsh)
Infantry Division.[158] In April, limited conscription was introduced. At that time
34,500 militiamen, all aged 20, were conscripted into the regular army, initially
to be trained for six months before being deployed to the forming second line
units.[158][159] Despite the intention for the army to grow in size, the programme
was complicated by a lack of central guidance on the expansion and duplication
process and issues regarding the lack of facilities, equipment and instructors.
[152][160]
Formation and home defence[edit]

In the foreground, a group of soldiers crouch behind a tank. Another group, barely
visible, crouch behind another tank in the background.
Elements of the division, the 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry,
training near Liverpool. An infantry section shelter behind a Matilda II as a
Vickers Medium Mark II moves past in the background.
Some regiments were able to recruit the required numbers to form new battalions,
but the process had in the words of historian James P. Levy "not progressed
beyond the paper stage when [the Second World War] began in September".[160][161]
The 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division became active on 18 September 1939; its
constituent units had already formed and had been administered by the 53rd (Welsh)
Infantry Division. The 38th was again composed of the 113th, 114th and 115th
Infantry Brigades, and was placed under the initial command of Major-General
Geoffrey Raikes.[162]
In May, Major-General A. E. Williams assumed command.[163] The division was

initially assigned to Western Command, and by early 1940 was spread out along the
River Severn in England and Wales.[164][165] By summer, the division was under the
command of III Corps and was based in North West England, around Liverpool, to
conduct manoeuvres and training.[164][166][167][168]
The war-time deployment of the Territorial Army envisioned it being deployed

piecemeal, to reinforce the regular army already deployed to the European mainland,
as equipment became available. The plan envisioned the deployment of the whole
force in waves, as divisions completed their training, with the final divisions
being deployed a year after the outbreak of war.[169] As a result, the division did
not leave the United Kingdom as the British Expeditionary Force was evacuated from
France during May and June 1940.[164][170] On 28 October, Major-General Noel Irwin,
who had commanded the 2nd Infantry Division during the latter stages of the
fighting in France, was given command of the 38th.[171][172]
In April 1941, the division was assigned to IV Corps and had moved to Sussex, the
18th Infantry Division having replaced them around Liverpool. In Sussex, the
division was held in reserve and placed behind the 47th (London) Infantry Division
and the 55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division which were defending the coast
between Bognor Regis in the west to Beachy Head in the east.[164][173] Michael
Glover and Jonathan Riley note that while in reserve, the Royal Welch Fusiliers
battalions of the 115th Brigade took part in coastal defence duties.[174]
On 15 November 1941, Major-General Arthur Dowler took command of the division. On 1

December 1941, the division was placed on the Lower Establishment, having been
earmarked for a static home defence role.[e][163][175][176] During 1942, the
division was assigned to V Corps and had shifted west to defend the Dorset
coastline.[164][177] On 27 and 28 February, the anti-aircraft platoon of the 4th
Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, supported Operation Biting, the commando raid on
Bruneval, France.[178] On 23 April 1942, Major-General D. C. Butterworth was given
command of the division.[163] In July, the division lost the 10th Royal Welch
Fusiliers to the Parachute Regiment.[174] The division spent 1943 and early 1944
moving around the country spending time in Kent, Hertfordshire and Northumberland,
and were assigned to II and XII Corps.[164][168] By March, the 115th Infantry
Brigade had formed "'B' Marshalling Area" and was aiding the movement of troops in
preparation for Operation Overlord.[179]
Resembling the flag of Saint David, a yellow cross on a black shield with a yellow
border.
The 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division's Second World War shoulder badge, based on the
flag of Saint David.
By 1944, there were five Lower Establishment divisions allocated to home defence
duties: the 38th, the 45th, the 47th (London), the 55th (West Lancashire) and the
61st Infantry divisions. These five divisions had a combined total of 17,845 men.
Of this number, around 13,000 were available as replacements for the 21st Army
Group fighting in France.[180][f] The remaining 4,800 men were considered
ineligible for service abroad at that time for a variety of reasons, including a
lack of training, or being medically unfit. Over the next six months, up to 75 per
cent of these men would be deployed to reinforce 21st Army Group after the
completion of their training and certification of fitness.[182] Specifically, the
vast majority of the 1st Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers were
deployed to Normandy at the end of June as replacements to reinforce 21st Army
Group, and by mid-July so had the 2nd Battalion, Herefordshire Light Infantry,
resulting in that battalion being disbanded.[168][183] Historian Stephen Hart
commented that, by September, the 21st Army Group "had bled Home Forces dry of
draftable riflemen" after the losses suffered during the Battle of Normandy,
leaving the army in Britain, with the exception of the 52nd (Lowland) Infantry
Division, with just "young lads, old men and the unfit".[184]
Compounding the loss of men to reinforce 21st Army Group, on 3 July the 115th
Infantry Brigade was withdrawn from the division. The brigade was earmarked for an
operation to liberate the Channel Islands and was re-designated Force 135.
Ultimately such an operation did not take place and the brigade was deployed to
mainland Europe.[179] During August, the 38th (Welsh) Infantry Division began to
disperse. On 15 August, the divisional headquarters ceased commanding any
subordinate units and by the end of the month the division was disbanded.[163]
Training[edit]
Two soldiers clamber over a wooded obstacle. Two more soldiers, in the background,
run towards the obstacle.
An example of infantry training at Western Command's training school.
During 1944, the British Army suffered a severe shortage of manpower. In an effort
to downsize the army and consolidate as many men within as few formations as
possible to maintain fighting strength and efficiency, the War Office began
disbanding divisions, including the 80th Infantry (Reserve) Division.[185][186]
[187] As part of this restructure, the decision was made to retain division numbers
familiar to the British public.[187] On 1 September 1944, the 38th Division was
recreated as the 38th Infantry (Reserve) Division to replace the 80th as Western
Command's training formation. The new 38th Division was commanded by Major-General
Lionel Howard Cox, who had previously commanded the 80th Division.[188][189] At
this point, the divisional insignia was worn only by the permanent members of the
division.[190]
The 38th, along with the 45th Holding, the 47th Infantry (Reserve) and the 48th
Infantry (Reserve) Division, were used to complete the training of new army
recruits.[191][g] At the division, the soldiers were given five weeks of further
training at the section, platoon and company level, before undertaking a final
three-day exercise. Troops would then be ready to be sent overseas to join other
formations.[191]
Undertaking this role, for example, the 5th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light
Infantry between 1944 and 1945 trained over 4,000 replacements for other
battalions within the regiment as well as the North Staffordshire Regiment.[192]
Having fulfilled its purpose, the division was disbanded at the end of the war.
[188]
General officer commanding[edit]

See also: General officer commanding
The division had the following commanders during the First World War:[64]
Appointed General officer commanding Notes

19 January 1915 Major-General I. Philipps Sacked
9 July 1916 Major-General H. E. Watts Temporary
12 July 1916 Major-General C. G. Blackader
22 October 1917 Brigadier-General E. W. Alexander VC Temporary
17 November 1917 Brigadier-General W. A. M. Thompson Acting
22 November 1917 Major-General C. G. Blackader Sick, 20 May 1918
20 May 1918 Brigadier-General H. E. ap Rhys Pryce Acting
23 May 1918 Major-General T. A. Cubitt
The division had the following commanders during the Second World War:[163]
Appointed General officer commanding Notes

18 September 1939 Major-General G. T. Raikes
11 May 1940 Major-General A. E. Williams
28 October 1940 Major-General N. M. S. Irwin
7 November 1941 Brigadier A. E. Robinson Acting
15 November 1941 Major-General A. A. B. Dowler
8 April 1942 Brigadier A. E. Robinson Acting
23 April 1942 Major-General D. C. Butterworth
1 September 1944 Major-General L. H. Cox
Orders of battle[edit]
[show]38th (Welsh) Division (19141918)[94]
[show]38th (Welsh) Infantry Division (19391944)
[show]38th Infantry (Reserve) Division (19441945)
See also[edit]
flag British Army portal
icon World War I portal
World War II portal
David Jones, poet and author of In Parenthesis based on his war-time experiences.
Johnnie Williams, captain of the Welsh rugby union team. Killed during the fighting
at Mametz Wood.
Hedd Wyn, poet. Killed during the Battle of Passchendaele.
Mametz Wood Memorial
British Army Order of Battle (September 1939)
Notes[edit]
Footnotes
Jump up ^ The Expeditionary Force was prefaced with British when the Indian
Expeditionary Force arrived in France
Jump up ^ By 30 September, 50,000 Welshmen had joined the Army and had formed 12
new Welsh battalions within Kitchener's New Army and had also been used to
reinforce existing units.[12]
Jump up ^ Pre-war regulars were held to the standard of the 1909 Musketry
Regulations. This involved annual rifle training that included: firing 250 rounds
at ranges of 100 yards (91 m)-600 yards (550 m), 15 rounds fired in a single minute
at a target 300 yards (270 m) away, and a further exercise of firing 50 rounds at
various ranges.[24][25]
Jump up ^ The Territorial Army was a reserve of the British regular army made up of
part-time volunteers. By 1939, its intended role was to be the sole method of
expanding the size of the British armed forces (compared to the creation of
Kitchener's Army during the First World War). First Line territorial formations
would create a second line division using a cadre of trained personal and, if
needed, a third division would also be created. All Territorial Army recruits were
required to take the general service obligation meaning that, if the British
Government decided, territorial soldiers could be deployed overseas for combat.
(This avoided the complications with the Territorial Force, whose members were not
required to leave the United Kingdom unless they volunteered for overseas service.)
[153][154][155][156]
Jump up ^ In comparison, Higher Establishment formations were intended for
deployment overseas and combat.
Jump up ^ The war establishmentthe paper strengthof a "Higher Establishment"
infantry division in 1944 was 18,347 men.[181]
Jump up ^ Having entered military service, a recruit was assigned to the General
Service Corps. They would then undertake six weeks training at a Primary Training
Centre and take aptitude and intelligence tests. The recruit would then be posted
to a Corps Training Centre that specialised in the arm of the service they were
joining. For those who would be joining the infantry, Corps training involved a
further sixteen week course. For more specialised roles, such as signallers, it
could be up to thirty weeks.[191]
Citations
Jump up ^ Cook & Stevenson 2005, p. 121.

Jump up ^ Simkins 2007, pp. 3839.
Jump up ^ Simkins 2007, p. 35.
Jump up ^ John 2009, p. 20.
Jump up ^ Munby 1920, p. 1.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e Griffith 2010, p. xvi.
Jump up ^ Middlebrook 2000, pp. 8081.
Jump up ^ Becke 1945, pp. 8186.
Jump up ^ Hughes 1985, pp. 118119.
Jump up ^ Hughes 1985, pp. 116117.
^ Jump up to: a b Hughes 1985, p. 120.
^ Jump up to: a b Munby 1920, pp. 7, 13.
Jump up ^ Bilton 2014, p. 442.
^ Jump up to: a b Thacker 2014, p. 104.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e "16th (Service) Battalion (Cardiff City) The Welsh
Regiment" (PDF). The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh (Brecon). Retrieved 12
December 2015.
Jump up ^ Munby 1920, pp. 1315.
Jump up ^ Griffith 2010, pp. xvixvii.
Jump up ^ Holmes 2004, p. 377.
Jump up ^ Radley 2006, p. 315.
^ Jump up to: a b Thacker 2014, pp. 137138.
^ Jump up to: a b Griffith 2010, pp. xvi, 7.
^ Jump up to: a b Hughes 1985, pp. 117, 120121.
^ Jump up to: a b Hughes 1985, pp. 120121.
^ Jump up to: a b Robbins 2005, pp. 5859.
Jump up ^ "PHILIPPS, Sir IVOR (18611940), soldier, politician and businessman".
The National Library of Wales: Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 24 August
2016.
Jump up ^ Griffith 2010, p. 118.
Jump up ^ Sheffield 2007, pp. 21, 6465.
^ Jump up to: a b Munby 1920, p. 16.
Jump up ^ Sheffield 2007, pp. 4169.
Jump up ^ Edmonds 1993, pp. 346353, 368370.
Jump up ^ Scotland & Heys 2014, p. 46.
Jump up ^ John 2009, pp. 7071.
Jump up ^ Miles 1992, pp. 1516 and 21.
^ Jump up to: a b c Munby 1920, p. 17.
Jump up ^ Renshaw 2011, p. 61.
^ Jump up to: a b c d "10th and 11th Battalions The South Wales Borderers" (PDF).
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh (Brecon). Retrieved 12 December 2015.
Jump up ^ Renshaw 2011, pp. 6067.
Jump up ^ Renshaw 2011, pp. 7576.
Jump up ^ Farr 2007, p. 101.
Jump up ^ Farr 2007, pp. 101102.
Jump up ^ Hughes 1985, p. 121.
^ Jump up to: a b Travers 2009, p. 167.
^ Jump up to: a b Farr 2007, p. 102.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Munby 1920, p. 18.
Jump up ^ Farr 2007, p. 103.
^ Jump up to: a b c Farr 2007, p. 104.
^ Jump up to: a b Munby 1920, pp. 1819.
^ Jump up to: a b c d Munby 1920, p. 19.
Jump up ^ Farr 2007, p. 106.
^ Jump up to: a b Glover & Riley 2008, p. 131.
^ Jump up to: a b Rawson 2014, p. 75.
^ Jump up to: a b c Becke 1945, p. 81.
Jump up ^ Farr 2007, pp. 106107.
Jump up ^ Griffith 2010, p. 124.
Jump up ^ Lewis 2004, p. 8.
Jump up ^ McGreal 2010, pp. 7172.
Jump up ^ Thacker 2014, pp. 173174.
Jump up ^ Munby 1920, pp. 24, 28.
Jump up ^ Thacker 2014, p. 173.
^ Jump up to: a b c Conan Doyle 1919, p. 142.
^ Jump up to: a b c Munby 1920, pp. 2425.
Jump up ^ "No. 30272". The London Gazette (Supplement). 4 September 1917. p. 9260.
^ Jump up to: a b c John 2009, p. 126.
Jump up ^ "No. 30284". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 September 1917. pp.
95329533.
Jump up ^ Conan Doyle 1919, p. 144.
Jump up ^ Thacker 2014, p. 175.
Jump up ^ Perry 1988, pp. 2628.
Jump up ^ Morrow 2005, p. 239.
Jump up ^ Perry 1988, p. 26.
^ Jump up to: a b Becke 1945, pp. 8386.
Jump up ^ Tucker & Roberts 2005, pp. 716718.
Jump up ^ Messenger 2008, p. xx.
Jump up ^ "No. 31012". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 November 1918. p. 13473.
Jump up ^ Glover & Riley 2008, p. 158.
^ Jump up to: a b Tucker & Roberts 2005, p. 395.
Jump up ^ "No. 31012". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 November 1918. pp.
1347213472.
Jump up ^ Harvey 1999, p. 162.
^ Jump up to: a b c Oldham 2000, p. 186.
Jump up ^ "No. 31067". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 December 1918. p. 14776.
Jump up ^ John 2009, p. 199.
Jump up ^ Ekins 2010, pp. 6164.
Jump up ^ Bell 1986, pp. 34.
Jump up ^ Bell 1986, pp. 258275.
Jump up ^ Bell 1986, pp. 277278.
Jump up ^ Bell 1986, p. 281.
^ Jump up to: a b c Gibbs 1976, p. 518.
Jump up ^ Allport 2015, p. 323.
Jump up ^ French 2001, p. 53.
Jump up ^ Messenger 1994, p. 47.
^ Jump up to: a b Messenger 1994, p. 49.
^ Jump up to: a b Perry 1988, p. 48.
Jump up ^ Levy 2006, p. 66.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, pp. 6566.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g Joslen 2003, p. 65.
^ Jump up to: a b c d e f Joslen 2003, p. 66.
Jump up ^ Collier 1957, p. 85.
Jump up ^ "The British Army in the United Kingdom 193945". Imperial War Museum.
Retrieved 6 December 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b c "Brecknockshire Battalion, The South Wales Borderers TA" (PDF).
The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh (Brecon). Retrieved 6 December 2015.
Jump up ^ Gibbs 1976, pp. 455, 507, 514515.
Jump up ^ Fraser 1999, pp. 7277.
Jump up ^ French 2001, p. 189, 192193.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, pp. 39, 65.
^ Jump up to: a b Glover & Riley 2008, p. 175.
Jump up ^ Perry 1988, p. 65.
Jump up ^ "4th Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment TA" (PDF). The Regimental
Museum of The Royal Welsh (Brecon). Retrieved 6 December 2015.
^ Jump up to: a b "Badge, formation, 115th Infantry Brigade". Imperial War Museum.
Retrieved 6 December 2015.
Jump up ^ Hart 2007, p. 52.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, pp. 130131.
Jump up ^ Hart 2007, pp. 4851.
Jump up ^ "History: The Herefordshire Light Infantry (TA)". The Herefordshire Light
Infantry Museum. Retrieved 6 December 2015.
Jump up ^ Hart 2007, pp. 4950.
Jump up ^ Messenger 1994, p. 122.
Jump up ^ Allport 2015, p. 216.
^ Jump up to: a b Hesketh 2000, p. 246.
^ Jump up to: a b Forty 2013, Reserve Divisions.
Jump up ^ Davis 1983, p. 107.
^ Jump up to: a b c French 2001, p. 68.
Jump up ^ "The King's Shropshire Light Infantry 1939 1945". Shropshire Regimental
Museum. n.d. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, p. 305.
Jump up ^ "1st Battalion The South Wales Borderers" (PDF). The Regimental Museum of
The Royal Welsh (Brecon). Retrieved 6 December 2015.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, p. 307.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, pp. 66, 290, 305.
Jump up ^ Joslen 2003, pp. 66, 306, 374.
References[edit]
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War 19391945. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-17075-7.
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(3041) & 63rd (RN) Division. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 978-1-
871167-08-5.
Bell, P.M.H. (1986). The Origins of the Second World War in Europe (2nd 1997 ed.).
London: Pearson. ISBN 978-0-582-30470-3.
Bilton, David (2014). Hull Pals: 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th Battalions East
Yorkshire Regiment: A History of 92 Infantry Brigade 31st Division. Barnsley: Pen &
Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-78346-185-1.
Collier, Basil (1957). Butler, J. R. M., ed. The Defence of the United Kingdom.
History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series. London: Her
Majesty's Stationery Office. OCLC 375046.
Conan Doyle, Arthur (1919). 1917. The British campaign in France and Flanders.
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Cook, Chris; Stevenson, John (2005). The Routledge Companion to Britain in the
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Davis, Brian Leigh (1983). British Army Uniforms & Insignia of World War Two.
London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 978-0-85368-609-5.
Edmonds, J. E. (1993) [1932]. Military Operations France and Belgium, 1916: Sir
Douglas Haig's Command to the 1st July: Battle of the Somme. History of the Great
War Based on Official Documents by Direction of the Historical Section of the
Committee of Imperial Defence. I (Imperial War Museum & Battery Press ed.). London:
Macmillan. ISBN 978-0-89839-185-5.
Ekins, Ashley, ed. (2010). 1918 Year of Victory: The End of the Great War and the
Shaping of History. Titirangi, Auckland: Exisle Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-
921497-42-1.
Farr, Don (2007). The Silent General: Horne of the First Army. Solihull: Helion &
Company. ISBN 978-1-874622-99-4.
Forty, George (2013) [1998]. Companion to the British Army 19391945 (ePub ed.).
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Fraser, David (1999) [1983]. And We Shall Shock Them: The British Army in the
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Against Germany 19191945. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-924630-4.
Gibbs, N.H. (1976). Grand Strategy. History of the Second World War. I. London: Her
Majesty's Stationery Office. ISBN 978-0-11-630181-9.
Glover, Michael; Riley, Jonathan (2008). That Astonishing Infantry: The History of
The Royal Welch Fusiliers 16892006. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-
84415-653-5.
Griffith, Llewelyn Wyn (2010). Riley, Jonathan, ed. Up to Mametz And Beyond.
Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-84884-353-0.
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in Northwest Europe, 194445. Mechanicsburg: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-3383-
0.
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077-5.
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. ISBN 978-0-7425-4537-3.
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84415-056-4.
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ISBN 978-0-901627-76-6.
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Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-20440-8.
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the Division. London: Hugh Rees. OCLC 495191912. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
Oldham, Peter (2000) [1997]. The Hindenburg Line. Battleground Europe. London: Leo
Cooper. ISBN 978-0-85052-568-7.
Perry, Frederick William (1988). The Commonwealth Armies: Manpower and Organisation
in Two World Wars. War, Armed Forces and Society. Manchester: Manchester University
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St. Catharines, Ont: Vanwell. ISBN 978-1-55125-100-4.
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978-1-78303-051-4.
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978-0-85052-664-6.
Robbins, Simon (2005). British Generalship on the Western Front 19141918: Defeat
Into Victory. London: Frank Cass. ISBN 978-0-415-35006-8.
Scotland, Thomas; Heys, Steven (2014). Understanding the Somme 1916: An
Illuminating Battlefield Guide. Solihill: Helion & Company. ISBN 978-1-909384-42-2.
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19141916. Barnsley: Pen & Sword Military. ISBN 978-1-84415-585-9.
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7.
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Further reading[edit]
Cook, Mark N. (2006). Evaluating the Learning Curve: The 38th (Welsh) Division on
the Western Front, 191618 (M.Phil. thesis). Birmingham: University of Birmingham,
School of Historical Studies, Department of Modern History. OCLC 911157002.
Depree, Major-General H. D., ed. (2005) [1933]. 38th (Welsh) and 33rd Divisions in
the Last Five Weeks of the Great War. Uckfield: Naval & Military Press. ISBN 978-1-
84574-219-5.
Dilworth, Thomas (1980). "A Book to Remember By: David Jones's Glosses on a History
of the Great War". The Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Bibliographical Society of America. 74
(3): 221232. ISSN 0006-128X. JSTOR 24302701.
External links[edit]
"38th (Welsh) Division Memorial, Mametz Wood". www.greatwar.co.uk. Retrieved 1
January 2016.
"The Regimental Museum of The Royal Welsh (Brecon)". The regimental museum website
of the Royal Welsh, containing articles and regimental histories for the Royal
Welch Fusiliers, the South Wales Borderers and the Welch Regiment. Retrieved 6
December 2015.
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38th (Welsh) Infantry Division

Flag of the British Army.svg Territorial Army

In March 1939, following the reemergence of Germany and their occupation of

On 19 September 1914, Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George stated

Soldiers lie down practising on a rifle range, supervised by standing colleagues.

Initial actions and the Battle of the Somme[edit]

A photo of a devastated treeline showing broken trunks and limbs.

?Arthur Conan Doyle[76]

Raiding and reorganisation[edit]

Five soldiers dig a trench, supervised by two standing above them.

German Spring Offensive[edit]

Second World War[edit]

Formation and home defence[edit]

In May, Major-General A. E. Williams assumed command.[163] The division was

The war-time deployment of the Territorial Army envisioned it being deployed

On 15 November 1941, Major-General Arthur Dowler took command of the division. On 1

General officer commanding[edit]

Appointed General officer commanding Notes

Appointed General officer commanding Notes

Jump up ^ Cook & Stevenson 2005, p. 121.

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