In the Line - 1/11/18: Attack, Battle of Treseau, see Commanding Officers account attached. Battalion relieved by 1st King's Own, withdrawn to hold bridgehead in K.29.a. Relief complete at 00.01. END

 

Assembly.    The battalion had no difficulty in assembling that the 2 first line companies were already in their assembly postions. It was only a case of the two companies in support on the Railway moving up which move was carried out successfully. Guides were found by the Battalion to lead in the two companies of the 1st Somerset Light Infantry. The night was extremely dark and the enemy particularly alert. The harrassing fire of his artlillery was most marked. At 04.30am the Commanding Officer returned from going round the line reported to Brigade Head Quarters that the assembly had been carried out.

 

05.05 The artillery barrage was excellent. No difficultly whatever was experienced in crossing the River Rhonelle. Enemy artillery retaliation was very heavy on back areas only

 

06.05     A verbal message received that Lieut D.C. Cancellor reported the river crossed.

 

06.55     A Battalion runner who had been sent over to the 6th Duke of Wellington's on our left, reached Battalion Head Quarters with a message to say the 6th Dukes had successfully crossed the river.

 

07.30     O.C. A company reported attack proceeding satisfactorily and according to plan.

 

08.15     O.C D Company reported that he had reached the road in K.12.c and that he was digging in as ordered. About the same time O.C B company reported that the Somerset Light Infantry had passed through his Company. Up to now every thing has gone exactly as was desired; casualties had been extraordinarily light; a very large number of prisoners had been passed back; many Machine Guns had been taken and the 1st Rifle Brigade were reported to be in Preseau and mopping up that village.

 

09.30     A very indefinite message was received to the effect that the 1st Rifle Brigade had been counter attacked and that Preseau was again in enemy hands. No counter attack developed on the Battalion Front but to conform with the 1st Rifle Brigade a line was taken up along the road from K.12.a.0.0 to the Old Mill about K.18.b.4.5. Touch was gained with troops on either flank.

 

12.25     Air reports state that the enemy is in strength and dug in in Sunken Road in K.12.b

 

15.35     All was quiet until at 15.35 O.C B Company reported enemy creeping forward in ridge in front of him (about K.12.b.). He also asked for ammunition. 4 boxes of S.A.A were at once despatched from Battalion Head Quarters.

 

16.00     O.C Light Company Somerset Light Infantry asked for Artillery to deal with enemy assembled in Sunken Road about K.12.b and at about the same time the enemy attempted to counter attack. This was met by the Light Company, Somerset Light Infantry and by B Company with rapid fire and a bayonet charge. The enemy did not wait for this latter but turned tail and fled. It was now getting dark.

 

19.00     Orders received to the effect that the Battalion would be relieved by the 1st Kings Own Regiment.

 

23.30     Rations Arrived

 

02.20     Relief complete and Battalion went into trenches close to and east of River Rhonelle about K.29.a. and K.23.a. END

 

Casualties:-      Officers:   Killed                          Wounded                     Missing

                                     Lt. D.B Cansellor          Lt T.E.B Reid MC         2/Lt R.H. Bunns
                                                                        Lt S.H Powning
                                                                      

                       Other Ranks:   Killed       Wounded        Missing     Died of Wounds