Report on Operation of 27 Aug 1916

Report on Attack on August 27^th 1916

On the 25^th the Commanding Officer was warned that the Battalion, in conjunction with the 5^th Glosters might be required to make an attack on the 27^th. Definite orders would be received on the morning of the 27^th. All advance preparations were made, such as forward dumps for bombs, rifle grenades, tools, sandbags, water and forward trenches were deepened where necessary etc. About 10.30am on the 27^th orders were received from the Brigade and orders were issued to Companies by mid-day.

The attack was most successful, each Company leaving our trenches as soon as our barrage commenced, the Right Company formed up in the new Communication Trench running NW of Point 38, advancing in two lines. The Left Couy attacked from Point 76 with three platoons, one platoon advancing each side of the trench leading up to 79, the third forming a bombing party down the trench.

Point 91 was difficult to locate owing to the trenches round having been practically obliterated by heavy shells. The position was selected and work was at once commenced making it into strong point. About 40 men of the 5^th Royal Sussex came up later and assisted digging a communication trench back to Point 38. The support and reserve platoons of C coy were employed in carrying tools, sandbags etc and in digging to.

Free the left attack Point 79 and the trenches running due West of it were very strongly held, some dugouts round 79 and the trench having suffered very little harm from our bombardment. For some little time the attack could not make good but finally they broke through seized both the point and the trenches round, joined up with the Glosters on the left and then preceded to make Point 79 into a strong point. A section of R.E’s was sent up to assist in this work and good positions were made. Work was also started to open a trench between 79 and 91 but this was not quite completed by dawn.

In the two attacks 10 prisoners were taken and I estimate about 100 of the enemy was either killed or wound did. Lewis Guns did great execution amongst the enemy when they stood on their parapets to meet our bombing party coming up the trench, and again after we had seized our objectives and forced the enemy to retire across the open. The enemy was very quick in putting up their own barrage, chiefly 5.9”, and for over 12 hours they kept up a continual bombardment with their heavies on our frontline and communication trenches.

The attack was carried out by the platoons most coolly, the men advancing without any hesitation led by their officers. Our Gunners were excellent and we're absolutely trusted by the attacking troops. Great help was rendered by the two companies who were holding our original line in further carrying parties etc. I did not use either of these companies for the attack keeping them in readiness for any counter attack.

The Glosters attack on our left was quite successful too.

The Warwick’s attack on our right unfortunately could not make good their objective.

There was telephone communication between the Left Coy and B H.Q which held good all through the attack and the following night. Runners were used from the front line back to O3/ others were used by the Right attacking party on their front Point 62 Realise took them back to D Coy HQ whence they were phoned back to B HQ. All the runners did their work excellently though the communication trenches were under heavy fire all the night. A Company of the Oxfords under Captain Jones Came up to B HQ and were employed in carrying parties were necessary to the Left Coy HQ.

It was a most successful attack for the brigade Anne the man returned in great spirits. After having met the far-famed Prussian Guard and driven them back, taking their trenches. This was the division which had been specially he sent down to the Theipval district by the Kaiser. They had received a special speech from him before leaving, an extract of which appeared in the English daily papers.

All details of the attack worked out well and the battalion may well be proud of what they did.

Casualties: Officers – 2 Wounded
Other Ranks: Killed 9;  wounded 48; missing believed killed 2; wounded and missing 10; missing 10.

R.F. Clarke L Col – Comdg 4^th Bn Royal Berkshire Regt.