Prelude to the Attack
On Y night (14/15) Battalion moved up from Canal Bank at C.2.5.a.55 to relieve 6th York and Lancs Regt in front line right sub sector. Owing to the very muddy condition of the ground and the scattered dispositions of the posts the relief was not completed until 4am the following day, at which time one post (Mon du Rasta) had not been relieved. This however was carried out the following evening. Few casualties were incurred Capt. F. G. Buckley and one other man being slightly wounded in the head, but remaining at duty. The disposition of the Battalion on relief being completed was as follows [not transcribed here].
On Y/Z night (15/16) the Battalion moved up into battle positions the following platoons incurring casualties in doing so "W" Company No. 2 platoon, 2/Lt. Debarbieri wounded. "X" Company Coy. H.Q. and No. 8 platoon from enemy's barrage whilst passing Ferdinand Farm. "Y" Company No. 18 platoons from bombs thrown from direction of Mon Bulgare. "Z" Company No. 14 platoon from Mon Bulgare.
At Zero the Battalion was formed up for attack as shown on attached sketch A.
Battalion Right Sector
At Zero till Zero plus 5 the barrage in front of No. 1 and 2 platoons from C.5.d.2.4. to hedge at C.5.d.5.5. left a gap, there appearing to be shrapnel except for two bursts at an interval of one minute, and heavy casualties were inflicted on these two platoons with rifle and M.G. fire from the direction of strong point at C.5.d.6.7.
At Zero plus 5 the line advanced but the final line of "W" Coy having lost severely from rifle and M.G. fire in the direction of the left front and right was at once re-inforced by the mopping up platoons of "Z" (Nos. 15 and 16) and the supporting platoons of "Z" Nos. 13 and 14. Capt. Buckley and Capt. Ash were killed and shortly afterwards 2/Lt. Watson. Strong opposition was met with from the enemy occupying three lines of shell pits at about C.5.d.3.4. and in consequence of the gap in the barrage it was necessary to advance under one provided by rifle grenades and Lewis Guns.
This was very effective and enabled 2/Lt. Thompson who had taken charge of Nos. 1, 2, and 13 platoons to reach the shell slits the enemy surrendering in the front line, and after heavy hand to hand fighting being driven out of the 2nd and 3rd lines. Heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy, and no prisoners were taken.
The right of the line continued to advance, but by this time the barrage, which had now increased in density, had lifted beyond some dugouts at C.5.d.6.60.65 (Not shown on map), and it was necessary to advance under cover of Lewis Guns. The dugouts were reached and some 20 occupants were killed.
At this point the right was enfiladed by three M.G.s from direction of Mon du Hibou which had not been occupied by the Brigade on the right, which had only advanced about 50 yards E. of Steenbeek. Lewis Gun fire and rifle grenades were brought to bear on Mon du Hibou but the latter fell short, the former proving effective in silencing machine guns. 2/Lt. Thompson signalled to Brigade on right to advance but only two men came on, being killed. It was necessary then to form a defensive flank to hedge at C.5.d.5.4., our right Lewis Gun being knocked out in doing so. Meanwhile 2/Lt. Cheeseright, who had taken charge of Nos. 3 and 4 platoons reinforced by Nos. 16 and 15 platoons, had advanced under cover of Lewis Gun fire towards line of dugouts at C.5.d.5.7., beyond which the barrage had lifted at Zero plus 5. On approaching to within 75 yards the occupants retired towards Mon du Hibou being caught by Lewis Guns on right and left and the parapet was occupied. Nos. 4 and 15 platoons under Sgt. Cawthorne then advanced to C.5.b.6.0. where they found a party of Manchesters. Some 40 prisoners were taken from here. No. 14 platoon had apparently lost direction and was advancing with the right of "Y" Company.
Battalion Left Sector
The barrage in front of this sector was very good. Nos. 11 and a few of No. 12 platoon advanced to within 300 yards of objective, killing the occupants of a strong point at C.5.b.4.2. en route.
O.C. "Y" Company (Lieut. McDonald) 2/Lt. Satchwell were wounded and 2/Lt. Neill killed. Here they lost direction, broke towards Cemetery where they joined Nos. 9 and 12 platoons which had reached their objective, and huts beyond at C.5.d.2.9., but owing to barrage creeping backwards and forwards had to withdraw and consolidate about 100 yards W. of objective in rear of Cemetery.
Meanwhile the platoons of "X" Company had proceeded as follows. No. 5 platoon whose platoon Commander 2/Lt. Sutterfield and platoon Sergeant had become casualties lost direction and went off to the left. No. 6 platoon under 2/Lt. Scott who shortly became a casualty as well as platoon Sergeant proceeded under command of L/C. FOWLER to C.5.a.3.4. which they mopped up. They then advanced and came under heavy machine gun and sniper fire from the right, when the platoon became separated, part of it going to the Dorsets on the left and part to the right. No. 7 platoon under Sergt. Hosier reached Cemetery where they consolidated.
No. 8 platoon, who had suffered heavily, previously to forming up advanced under Sergt. Lesser to objective, and then withdrew to E. of Mon du Rasta, where they consolidated at about C.5.b.3.5. (No. 8 post). This position was maintained till dark, when two Companies of 7th S. Staffs. Regt. moved up into support at C.5.d.6.6. and C.5.b.6.0.
On the morning of 17th the Brigade on the right attempted to clear Mon du Hibou without success, and the line ran as follows Cemetery at C.5.b.4.2. to C.5.b.6.0. to dugouts at C.5.d.6.7. to Hedge at C.5.d.6.4.
On the night 17/18th the Battalion was relieved by the 7th S. Staffs. Regt. and moved back to Siixe Camp.
Casualties: Officers Other Ranks
Killed: 5 38
Wounded: 4 227
Missing 0 39
Died of Wounds: 1 1
10 305
Map of Operations
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