| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgium, Hooge |
| Entry | Our artillery bombarded German line from 3.55a.m. enemy retaliated immediately and kept up an intermittent fire throughout the day. Five trenches were blown in one or two places. Enemies fire increased in the afternoon and the Bde was asked for retaliation; this was arranged by the Corps. At about 3p.m. our artillery opened a very heavy fire on the German lines. The enemy evidently expected an attack and concentrated an intense fire on crater and front trenches, the CTs were swept with shrapnel and in many places blown in by heavy shells. All lines were cut. C Coy were occupying crater trenches. A Coy the left Section with 2 platoons in support. These 2 platoons were moved up to reinforce the firing line and 2 platoons from B Coy were pushed up into crater. This adjustment was carried out without casualties. The men were moved up communication trenches in small parties. The dugouts in the crater were wrecked by trench mortars and heavy casualties sustained here. The fire trenches on the left were obliterated and the main CT completely blown in many places. At dark B coy relieved C Coy and D Coy were sent up to work at repairing the firing line. Heavy rain all night. Very little rifle fire. Casualties, other ranks 14 killed 38 wounded 2 missing, believed killed. (These 2 platoons were moved up by 2nd Lieut Macklin with great skill, under heavy bombardment, suffered no casualties. 2nd Lieut Snelgar was in command of A Coy). |
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