| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Givenchy Trenches |
| Entry | During the day trench J7 - I5 was shelled and the defenders (2 platoons of each 'C' & 'D' Coys ) suffered a few casualties. At 6pm the battalion commenced to attack the line I12, J14 -J13. On quitting their trenches, the leading companies ('C' & 'D') were subjected to a heavy frontal and enfilade fire, the latter from I4 - I9. As the advance progressed it was enfiladed by machine gun fire from both flanks, on the right from the foot of the hill between I12 & I3, on the left from machine guns concealed in the grass somewhere west of J13 'B' coy followed in support of 'C' & 'D' and occupied J9 -I5. 'A' coy in reserve in Scottish trench. 'A' Company had been kept in reserve intact, as it had orders to make a reconnaissance after the position had been captured, the reconnaissance to be on VIOLAINES. The firing line reached a point about 50 yards west of German trench at J14. There was then only one officer not hit in the two leading companies. At 7.5pm half 'A' company went forward to endeavour to push on the attack which had been held up. This half company with half 'D' company then advanced, and were subjected to enfilade fire from the crater, and could not advance beyond the disused Old German trench. At 9pm the situation was as follows:- The regiment was occupying the old German trench, with 'C' & 'D' Coys in front of them, and the trench J7 - I5, and were in touch with the Grenadier Guards on left of J7. Groups from 'C' & 'D' companies were returning to old German trench from the front. Orders were received to attack the German line at 9.15pm in conjunction with the Bedford Regt & Yorkshire Regt. The time was subsequently altered to 10pm. In order to form up for the attack the companies which were holding the old German trench & were being enfiladed from the right were ordered back to Scottish trench with orders to form up in rear of it to clear the field of fire of the company holding J7 - I5. The order to attack was subsequently cancelled as far as the Regiment was concerned, and instructions were received to hand over the trenches to the Bedford Regt and return to WINDY CORNER. [continued from 15th] During the action of 15th 16th, the Germans used incendiary bullets, and also sniped the wounded in front of their trenches. |
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