| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Hindenburg Line |
| Entry | 22.00. Battn moved forward to forming up position E of MONTECOUVER FARM (N 31e (sheet 57b) for attack on enemy positions in the BEAUREVOIR LINE. Appx. Operations 7th - 8th October 1918. Sheet 57b SW 1/20000. The Battn was situated in the HINDENBURG SUPPORT LINE from RANCOURT Farm exclusive to the light railway in M.33.d. Battn HQ established at M.32b.4.1. The 7th Battn The Leicestershire Regt was on the left, the 33rd Div on the right and the 6th Battn Leicestershire Regt in support at M33.e. The 64th Inf Bde was holding the front line MOUNTCOUVEZ Farm inclusive through N25 central. The objective for the Battn was a line from N.33.e.2.8. To N.33.a.21.7. And from there a defensive flank to N.32.0.8. The Coys were to rendezvous on the E edge of the RANCOURT COPSE at 22.45 hours. Owing to the very dark night and the amount of wire to be passed through the rendezvous was not completed till 23.30 hours. The Coys then moved off in column of route with increased distances via the tracks and roads M.35c. - M.35b - M.36.a.c.d. and to the sunken road N.31a. Owing to the darkness state of roads and other traffic the Coys did not reach this point till 00.45 hours. They were formed up as follows: Front line. C Coy on right, D Coy on left. Support A Coy on right, B Coy on left. The role of the Coys was as follows:- Front line Coys to attack final objective, taking the BEAURIVOIR LINE en route. A Coy to mop up and establish itself in the BEAURIVOIR LINE. B Coy to form the defensive flank. Battn HQ established at M.35.8.3. At 07.00 hours the Barrage opened. The enemy Artillery retaliation as small and the advance to the line of BEAURIVOIR TRENCHES was carried out successfully and many prisoners captured. A Coy was held up by the wire and suffered some casualties by shell fire, the other Coys found good gaps. The advance from the trenches up the slope to the final objective was opposed by a number of machine guns clearly sighted in the open. This resistance was overcome and the final objective was reached, the protective flank was also established. Enemy machine guns at ARDYSSART FARM and ANGLE CHATEAU caused some casualties. At 05.00 hours the 6th Battn The Leicestershire Regt forming up under cover of the defensive flank advanced to attack the line HAUT FARM - HURTEBISE FARM (NNNNN27d,a, - N.21.d.a. : with the 7th Battn Leicestershire Regt in support, to later form a defensive flank HURTEBISE FARM to N.19.central. At 08.00 the 62nd Inf Bde passed through the front line and attacked WALINGCOURT. [signed] T G Parkes Major. |
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