| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Amerval |
| Entry | 13.00. Battn proceeded to take up position for operations on Nov 5th. Battn first proceeded to concentration area near POIX-DU-NORD where tea was served. At 16.30 Battn continued march to further concentration area E of ENGLEFONTAINE. Battn HQ established S.20.d.4.3. (sheet 51) Appx Report on Operations Nov 4th - 7th 1918 Ref Map Sheet 51 1/40,000 Map Sheet 51 S W 1/20,000 At 12.15hours on November 4th the Battn left AMERVAL where it had been billeted and proceeded towards ENGLEFONTAINE where it had been arranged that the Battn should halt for the night prior to advancing through the FOREST de MORMAL. The Battn halted SW of POIX - DU - NORD at 15.00hours and after the men had had tea the Battn proceeded through ENGLEFONTAINE and bivouacked on the W side of the road about S.20.d.8.6. Two schems [sic] were issued to the Bde - (a) If all plans succeeded the 110th Inf Bde were to go through the 63rd Inf Bde and the 64th Inf Bde and establish a line on the high ground W of BACHANT in U.18.a. and c. and U.24.a and c. (sheet 51 SW) (b) If plans failed to materialise 110th Inf Bde was to pass through 62nd Inf Bde and establish a line E of FOREST de MORMAL in T.18.a and c. and T.23.b. and d. after which the 64th Inf Bde would go through and establish a line E of BERLAIMONT. On the evening of Nov 4th the 17th Div were held up at LOCQUIGNOL (T.5.a. sheet 51 SW) but were able to push forward early on Nov 5th and the 62nd Inf Bde went forward through them and captured BERLAIMONT and established two Coys across the RIVER SAMBRE about U.21.c. This Battn proceeded by March Route from its bivouac positions through the FOREST de MORMAL and arrived at the village of LE TETE NOIR (Map ref T.24.c. sheet 51 SW) where it was billeted for the night. As the operations on the 5th Nov were so successful further objectives were given to the 110th Inf Bde. The objectives were as follows:- 1st objective. To establish a line on the high ground E of LIMONT - FONTAINE (V.15 and V.21 sheet 51) a distance of 5500 yards. 2nd objective. To establish a line along the MAUBERG - AVESNES ROAD from W.7.d.O.O. to W.25.d.3.0. (a distance of 4000 yards). This operation was to have been carried out by the 6th Battalion The Leicestershire Regt on the left and the 1st Battn The Wiltshire Regt on the right. At03.00hours on the 6th Nov the Battn left LA TETE NOIR and marched towards the forming up position which was on the road in U.21.d. (sheet 51). On arriving at BERLAIMONT it was discovered that the enemy were holding AULNOYE in strength and that the crossings over the river were under heavy fire. All the bridges over the river had been blown up by the Germans in their retreat and it was very difficult to get troops across. By 06.30 the whole of the !st Battn The Wilts Regt had crossed the river and established themselves under cover on the E side but owing to the very heavy enemy fire it was impossible to go forward. About 11.00hours information was received that the 35th Div on the right had advanced as far as AULNOYE STATION. It was then decided that the Battn should work around the right flank of AULNOYE village and ouflank the enemy. This movement was successfully carried out and when the enemy saw our intention he withdrew and we captured the village and rapidly went forward and established a line on the high ground in U.23.b. and d. sheet 51). Battn HQ were established in the Brewery U.22.c.2.3. (sheet 51). During the night instructions were received that the attack would be resumed in the morning and at 05.30hours on the 7th the leading Coys went forward with the high ground in V.15 and V.21 (sheet 51) as objectives. Little opposition was met until the Battn reached the high ground in V.20 (sheet 51) where they came under heavy machine gun and Artillery Fire. A line was established along road in V.20a. And along track running through V.20.a. and D. (sheet 51). Battn HQ was established at The Quarries in V.19.a. (sheet 51). This line was held until 11.30 hours when the 64th Inf Bde went through to capture the line running along the MAUBERGE - AVESNES ROAD E to LIMONT - FOUNTAINE. About 20.00hours the Div was relieved by the 17th Div who went through to capture their objective. [signed] T G Parkes Major Commanding 1st Battn Wiltshire Regt. |
The Wardrobe,
58 The Close,
Salisbury, SP1 2EX,
England
For Collections, Research & Volunteering Enquiries:
Please note that we are currently not accepting new object donations.
07304 068136
For Venue Hire, Retail & Other General Enquiries:
07375 103910