8-Francilly-Selency - Manchester Hill Redoubt

8-Francilly-Selency - Manchester Hill Redoubt 07/01/2014 23:00 Le 2 avril 1917, le 2e Manchesters et le 15e Highland Ligh Infantry écossais venant de Sary attaquent en direction du lieu-dit : la Maison Rouge, rebaptisé Manchester Hill (La Colline de Manchester) par les Britanniques, près de Francilly-Selency.Une compagnie du 2e Manchesters s'empare au corps à corps d'une batterie de 6 canons allemands.Les hommes du 16e Manchesters conduits par le Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob construiront une redoute qui sera conquise par les troupes allemandes le 21 mars 1918.Le Lieutenant-Colonel Elstob tué pendant l'assaut, recevra la Victoria Cross à titre posthume. Son corps ne sera jamais retrouvé. Manchester Redoubt was created during the winter of 1917/18, the hill being named after 2nd Manchesters (Wilfred Owen) who captured the position in April 1917. It was a high piece of ground that afforded good views towards the German front line and St Quentin itself. On the morning of 21st March it was defended by elements of the 16th Manchesters of 30th Division, along with units from the 30th Bn MGC and brigade trench mortar battery. The Manchesters were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Wilfrith Elstob DSO MC. Elstob had been commissioned from the ranks in 1914, and had fought on the Somme, at Arras and Ypres. Considered a brave and well respected officer – he had been awarded the DSO and MC for bravery – his orders for the defence of the position included the phrase “The Manchester Regiment will defend Manchester Hill to the last”. When the attack began he had a company of men in the forward zone, a company in the nearby village of Francilly Selency and the rest of his men in the redoubt, where his headquarters were also located. The fog blocked the view from Manchester Hill, and the Germans were able to infiltrate the other positions held by the battalion. The redoubt held on until a strong German attack following the arrival of field artillery pieces. Elstob was reputedly killed after declining the offer to surrender, and despite a search for his body, it was never found – he is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial.