Current Information:

Born-Stratford

Neuville-Bourjonval British Cemetery, France

During February and March, 1917, the Germans made a strategic withdrawal to a new and very strong line running from Arras to Soissons. By doing this they eliminated two large salients and greatly reduced the number of troops needed to man the new defences. As they pulled back to the Hindenburg Line (Siegfriedstellung) they adopted a ‘scorched earth’ policy, systematically destroying everything in their path so as to leave nothing behind that would assist the enemy. Railways and roads were dug up, wells poisoned and even trees chopped down. Mines and booby traps were set to further hinder the British and French troops who followed up behind them until they reached the new formidable defences where one again trench warfare was established.

At the end of March, 1917, 11th Rifle Brigade of 59 Brigade, 20th Division were moving through this wasteland towards the Hindenburg line. On 28th March they approached the defences at Ytres and on 30th March they passed through the Ytres defences and captured the high round near Neuville-Bourjonval, The Battalion Diary gives no more detail about this operation other than to say that four men were killed. One of these was Joseph Jacobs.