| Regiment | 2nd Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Vesigneul Sur Marne |
| Entry | Transport moved off at 10.30am and proceeded to JUVIGNY. Battalion standing to awaiting orders. At 7.30pm the Battalion was informed by telephone that it would embuss as soon as busses arrived for an unknown destination, with a strength of 20 Officers and 500 Other Ranks. Remainder would remain at VESIGNEUL-SUR-MARNE and await orders. Busses arrived at 8pm. Battalion embussed & travelled all night, debussing the next morning at the Cross Roads between BLIGNY and CHAMBRECY. The GOC 58th Bde then ordered the Commanding Officer to take up a position on the heights NW of BLIGNY as an outpost for the defence of the Brigade. This outpost line was taken up, but at 10.30am the brigade ordered the Battalion to rejoin them at BLIGNY; before this order could be carried out further orders were received for the Battalion to proceed to the Eastern outskirts of SARCY and await orders. The Battalion was informed that it was in Brigade Reserve. About 2pm the Commdg Officer was ordered to move the Battalion via SARCY and POILLY and take up a position on the high ground N of BOULEUSE on a wide front. The Battalion moved off at once & took up a position as ordered with a front of 1500 yds. "B" "A" & "C" companies in Front Line with "D" company in Reserve. The Battalion immediately dug in and strengthened the position. Heavy fighting was then in progress on the ridge immediately N of our position in the neighbourhood of TRESLON and GERMIGNY. Later elements of the 8th and 25th Divisions commenced to arrive from the front and were ordered to strengthen our line; by nightfall our line had become the Front Line and except for a little shelling by Field guns all was more or less quiet. The surplus personnel, consisting of the 2nd in Command (Major WS SHEPHERD, MC) and 4 officers and 163 Other Ranks which was left behind at VESIGNEUL-SUR-MARNE, moved off at 8.30am and proceeded via ST GERMAIN - CHEPY and MONCETZ to SARRY joining the 19th Divisional Details. |
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