| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Trenches |
| Entry | Just at the moment the rations were arriving about 5.30am the Germans carried out a bomb attack along the trench. This attack drove back 'C' Coy and forced part of it into 'A' Coys trench. Unfortunately the end of 'A' Coys trench was uncovered by this attack the consequence of this was that A & part of 'C' Coy were driven into the British trenches. Exactly what happened was not known at this time & it was believed that 'A' Coy had been captured. The German advance was easily stopped by 'D' Coy. 'C' Coy organized a new attack & made good progress assisted by the bombers of the 2 Yorks. But coming under a heavy machine gun fire they were again driven back. These attacks were most unfortunate as they prevented the issue of water and rations. Still 'B' Coy got theirs & 'D' Coy got a rum issue. 9.30 am - The Borders made an attack which was soon stopped as it was started through some mistake an hour before the artillery bombardment was timed to take place. This attack died away quickly. 10.30am - The artillery bombardment and about 10.15am a new bombing attack was started along the German trench. Unfortunately LT Morison who led the attack was killed at once and the attack never really started. So the CO organized another with 1/2 platoon of 'B' Coy and the bombers of the Grenadier Guards. The CO led them out & this time the attack was quite successful. About 350 persons were captured by a mixed detachment chiefly Wilts. It was just at this time the lost 'A' Coy were discovered in the British trench. So 'A' Coy was pushed forward to assist to hold the captured line. The CO went back to try and collect more men for this purpose so sent forward the remainder of 'B' Coy. The result was that at dusk this line nearly as far as 23-30 was held by a jumbled mass of Wilts, Gordons Warwicks & Scots Guards. |
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