| Regiment | 6th Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, In the Trenches |
| Entry | During night 22/23rd troops in front of us fell back to our line which now became line of resistance. Troops on our right flank S. of BAPAUME Road fell back leaving our right flank unprotected, Defensive flank formed on our right. General attack on all positions by enemy started at 8.a.m. All frontal advances by enemy were repulsed by steady and controlled rifle and Lewis gun fire. At 2.15p.m order received from Bde. to fall back. Owing to general attack being in progress and the nature of the ground - a glacis upward slope - heavily barraged and swept by cross fire from enemy machine guns - it was decided to try to hold on until nightfall and then withdraw. It was not Known until later that troops on our right had fallen back to such an extent as to give no covering fire to our flank. At 4p.m enemy entirely checked in front by the steadiness of our men, began an enveloping movement on our right and left flanks. At 4.30p.m as we were being outflanked, orders were issued to withdraw to next system of defence behind BEUGNY, at 5p.m Battalion withdrew by a rearguard action. Many men sacrificing their lives in covering the withdrawal of their comrades. Enemy placed heavy artillery barrage on our line of withdrawal and swept our retirement with intense cross-fire from his machine guns behind our position. On reforming 6 officers (2 of them wounded) and 32 men were present. The Transport and Surplus Personnel moved from SANDERS CAMP, HAPLINCOURT at 10a.m to BANCOURT, arriving at 11a.m and leaving 1 hour later parking in a field S.E of BAPAUME. Reinforcements of 81 O. Ranks left at 7p.m to join remnants of Battalion holding the line. [See Narrative of Operations at the end of 31.3.1918 details] |
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