G. J. Giddins Studio of Military Art
Military paintings and prints
The Highland Light Infantry at Francilly, April 1917
The Highland Light Infantry at Francilly, April 1917 by G.J. Giddins.
Major Lumsden VC and men of the Highland Light Infantry stealing away a German field gun battery at Francilly, April 1917.
Oil on canvas, ??" x ??"
On the 2nd April 1917 during British attacks, the 2nd Manchester Regiment came under fire from a battery of German 77mm field guns on a slope 100 yards from the village of Francilly. The ferocity of the fire that was brought to bear on the position forced the Germans to abandon their guns.
At 20:15 hours on the 3rd April, hauling and covering parties of the H.L.I., under the command of Major Lumsden set off to bring the guns back to the British lines. The moment they set out a heavy artillery fire was opened around the guns and a large force of Germans was seen moving forward on a rescue mission of their own, so the covering party took up position on a spur well in front of the guns.
As they advanced to their positions, two gaps opened in their lines and by a second coincidence the German hauling party passed, unseen, through the left hand gap. A fire fight ensued and the German hauling party retired, again unseen through the right hand gap.
Four of the guns were taken without mishap and a fifth which proved problematic, was finally removed. The sixth, damaged gun was also retrieved and brought in. The operation was carried out with the loss of one officer killed, one who died of wounds, six missing and twenty-three wounded. Major Lumsden was decorated with the Victoria Cross and a few days later gazetted to Brigadier-General of the 14th Brigade.
