| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Rue De L'Epinette Trenches |
| Entry | About 8.30am the Battalion received verbal instructions to occupy the trench M3. M5. M6. M9 and to push out to P14 (with 2 Coys) where they would join up with another Battalion two companies to remain in support in FESTUBERT. 'B' Coy proceeded along this trench headed by a bombing party, and supported, by 'A' Coy. They found the trench already occupied by the 2/S. Staffords as far as M3. This trench was a narrow communicating trench which had been badly knocked about by shell fire and was not bullet proof. It did not go quite to the road and the end of it was commanded by the house M9 and the trench to N12 did not exist. On arrival at this house, it was found to be occupied by the enemy and also the orchard. Further the enemy were holding trench from M9 in the direction of L12 and one from M9 Eastward. This trench was out of bombing range and did not appear to have suffered from shell fire. So an attack was begun from roughly about M8 on the road junction and N12. But this attack was subjected to a cross rifle and machine gun fire from their right and quickly failed. At this time 2Lt Monson (Grenade Officer) was killed. In the meantime the enemy had placed a barrage of fire across the area M6 M8 which prevented this attack receiving any support. The result of this was that 'B' Coy was cut in two and the position of the leading platoons became very precarious so Capt Manners Davies ordered a retirement towards M5 M6. In the meantime 'A' Coy had deployed on this line and began to dig themselves in (OC 'A' Coy Lt Alexander) was wounded and 2 Lt Strawson took over command of 'A' Coy when they were joined by 3 platoons of 'B' Coy , who also dug themselves in, with their left slightly in rear of the right of the 8th Royal Scots. All this time the trench M3 - M9 was subjected to a heavy enfilade artillery fire. One platoon of 'B' Coy became mixed up with the 2nd South Staffords in this trench and it was already over crowded. 2nd Lt Schultz reported to headquarters which had moved forward to the German trenches near M3. Lt Schultz was ordered to retire to the British trench near the road and there collect any men who came back. While this was going on the Comdg Officer when standing on the top of the parapet reconnoitring was knocked down by a high explosive shell which fell within three yards of him, but did no damage beyond shaking him badly. An officer of the Staffords and two men were buried by this shell and had to be dug out. Under instructions from 21st Brigade by telephone 'D' Coy was ordered up to assist the attack of 'A' & 'B' Coys but by the time 'D' Coy arrived, the attack had failed, so 'D' Coy dug themselves in, in rear of N6. In the afternoon the 2nd Bedfords on the right and 4th Camerons on the left attacked the line K3 - L11. The Bedfords attack failed, but two Coys of the Camerons took the trench about L8. During the night a patrol was sent out to try and obtain touch with the Camerons. It failed to find them but found the 2nd Bedfords and also reported that the intervening ground was much cut up by wide ditches full of water, which were very difficult to cross. Also during the night two Coys of the 2nd Yorks came up and proceeded to dig themselves in from about M6 towards L9. They also failed to obtain touch with the Camerons. |
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