Operation Hush - Postponements

Postponements

Despite the German spoiling attack the operation was to go ahead. XV Corps added the attack on Lombartzyde due the day before the coastal advance to cover the right flank of the force crossing the Yser. As the 3rd Battle of Ypres began, Rawlinson and Bacon had assembled the ships, crews and landing forces. 8 August had the best tidal conditions for the landing but slow progress at Ypres led to a postponement to 6 September. Gough had attacked on 16 August (the Battle of Langemarck) partly to meet the landing schedule. At a meeting on 22 August between Haig, Rawlinson and Bacon three alternatives were discussed; another postponement of the coastal operation, conducting the operation independently or moving the divisions from XV Corps to Fifth Army. Rawlinson favoured an independent operation which he thought would get as far as Middelkirke, bringing Ostend into artillery range and which would make the Germans commit forces for a counter-attack, despite the pressure being exerted on them at Ypres. Haig refused and the operation was postponed, this time for a night landing under a full moon in the first week of October, unless the situation at Ypres changed sooner. In September Rawlinson and Bacon became pessimistic and Haig postponed the operation again but told them to be ready for the second week of October. Hopes rose after the Battle of Broodseinde on 4 October and again after the Battle of Poelcappelle, despite the small gain in ground, although the operation could not start before end of October. The result of the First Battle of Passchendaele on 12 October led to the operation being called off. Rawlinson wrote 'things have not been running at all smoothly – it is now clear that we shall do nothing on the coast here. (Diary, 14 October)