| Regiment | 5th Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Mesopotamia, Trenches |
| Entry | At 9.42a.m under cover of intense bombardment we attacked the Turkish first line in four waves on a front of about 800 yards for the Brigade. We assaulting with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on our right each taking 400 yards front. Our objective was to capture the Turkish first line and consolidate it and to take the strong point P10 N if possible. The enemy trench was strongly held but assisted by our artillery and all ranks working with great energy and determination, we successfully dislodged the enemy and firmly established ourselves under considerable enemy shellfire. Our bombing parties worked along their communication trench to P10 N driving the Turkish Bombers before them. Later our bombers withdrew a short distance for the Artillery to bombard P10 N after which they rushed in and captured it working along trench P10 N, P15 C to the West, and P10 N, P10 Q to the North and consolidating. Our captures included nearly 100 prisoners, 1 Austrian Machine Gun, practically new, two Trench Mortars 1Minenwerfer less breach block, many rifles, much S.A.A and stores. Casualties, Officers, Capt A.P. Bosanquet and 2/Lt W.M. McInnes, killed and 2/Lt R.E.C. Spencer, 2/Lt E.M. Trott and Lt J.H. Moore (slight) being wounded. Consolidation continued throughout day. This work being greatly assisted by Sappers from the 88th Field Coy, Royal Engineers. During the night of 25/26th the Turks counter attacked but were easily repulsed with loss. Messages of congratulation received from Army Corps. Divisional and Brigade Commanders. Lt J.M. Dodington took over command of D Coy. 234 Turkish dead were counted in the section of the Trench assaulted and captured by the Regiment. The Regiment during the assault displayed great dash and conducted itself in a most gallant manner. This was the more praiseworthy in view of the fact that only eleven officers of the Battalion were allowed to go into action the remainder being held in reserve. Several cases of gallantry were specially noted for reward and in two cases immediate rewards have been granted by the Army Commander - No. 25978 Pte Cook H. Distinguished Conduct Medal and No. 9255 L/Cpl Barclay S.G. Military Medal. It is hoped that the Minenwerfer captured will eventually be sent to the Regimental Depot. Total Casualties 25th/26th Jany. Officers 2 killed and 4 wounded. O.R's 33 killed and 110 wounded. |
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