Dispositions at Zero – Frontage D.25.a.75.05 – D.25.b.80.90. HQ at Low Fm [N of Frezenberg

The line was equally divided into two parts C&D Coys in depth were on right A&B Coys on left. Coy of Irish Fusiliers occupied whole front forming second wave of attack which consisted of five waves.

At zero the troops advanced and were not affected by enemies artillery barrage which was put down behind our front line. Calibre mostly 4.2’s and 5.9’s.

Machine gun fire was encountered about 200 yards W of Borry Fm causing very heavy casualties and at this stage Bttn (R.D.F) on our right swept across our front towards Borry Fm but were held up by M.G fire. We advanced another 100 yards and then were completely held up. This was about 5:00am.

Right leading company made an attempt to take Barry farm from front by rushing it undercover of L/G fire. This was successful and two flank attacks were made by same Coy endeavouring to get in from north side of the Farm which consists of three concrete dugouts linked up by a ? work and was strongly garrisoned by about 100 men and at least three M.G. The remnants of C Coy took cover in shell holes about 100 yards W of Borry Fm and held this position all day.

D Coy Were about 50 yards NW of C Coy as far as can be ascertained the left Coys advanced about 800 yards in connection with Battn on the left which fell back after a time.

Germans advanced from dugouts and made and encircling movement on A and B Coys who stood their ground until surrounded and then fought their way slowly back, only about 15 men were left in each of these Coys. No definite information was received throughout the day as to action or dispositions of battalion on right (R.D.F).

About 8:30am I received a message from 7^th R Innis Fus to effect that 2^nd R Irish Reg were sending forward 1 Coy to capture Borry Fm. The attack did not take place but a Coy certainly did take up a position a long general line D.25.a.80.35 – D.25.a.70.80 (approx). This Coy was in touch with ? 7 R Innis Fus and 7/8 R. Irish Fus on left.

At noon the line held by 49 I Bde was to the best of my knowledge as follows:
D.19.c.5.5 – D.19.c.9.4 - D.19.c.7.4 – D.25.a.9.5 - D25.a.9.3.
Detached posts 100 yards W of Borry Fm (1 off about 30 OR).

From about 10pm onwards enemy filtered over Ridge from direction [of] Delva Fm & Hill 35 and appeared to take some of our men prisoners. Troops held Low Fm were able to fire on enemy who made no organised counterattack.

I attribute failures on my front two following factors:

• Borry Fm was intact and strongly held and no fresh troops were at hand to press forward and take this place. The ? on moving forward were very much cut up and ? Movement was impossible. Many casualties were suffered throughout the day from Garrison at Borry Fm from whence fire was frontal and enfilade.
• Lack of proper communication. It was almost impossible to communicate with troops in front as ? well occupied constantly, several being killed and vicinity of Low Fm was under heavy shell fire nearly all day. Communication backward had to be maintained holly by orderlies and much delay appears to have occurred in sending back messages from Square Fm to Brigade HQ.
• Heavy casualties amongst officers and ncos taking first line of attack only one officer survived and consequently any information was somewhat lacking.