| Regiment | 2/4th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Nieppe Forest |
| Entry | NIEPPE FOREST FRONT LINE. 184 Inf Bde attacked enemy line, objective being to cross the PLATE BECQUE and establish a bridge head on line K.22.b.75.75. - K.17.a.6.3. - K.17.a.6.9. - K.11.c.5.2. One Bn182 Inf Bde co-operated on Right. 184 Inf Bde attacked with 2/4 R BERKS on Right, 2/5 GLOSTERS on Left. 2/4 OXFORDS in Support. Boundary between Bns line drawn K.16.b.50.40. - K.17.c.4.6. Zero hour 4.15am. Attack made by D Coy supported by C Coy. 2 platoons D Coy advanced and crossed stream at broken footbridge K.16.d.1.7. 2 platoons crossing higher up by plank Bridges which had been put in position during the night. The latter two platoons experienced great difficulty in crossing as 2 bridges had been destroyed by shell fire and remainder were subjected to heavy MG fire. Here these platoons lost their leaders and very few got across. On the right both platoons crossed and a stubborn fight ensued in which many casualties were inflicted on the enemy. The position was a strong one and well defended, there being a number of concrete farms strongly held with MG's. A platoon of C Coy was sent to reinforce as casualties were heavy. No progress over the river was made by Bns on flanks and our party was therefore isolated and had eventually to withdraw about 9.30am owing to having no ammunition left. CAPT BOWLES, LEIUT MOILLIET and LT SCHRODER (all D Coy) were wounded. Casualties OR 41. The attack was carried out in a most gallant manner but was not successful as the scheme was a weak one. (1) The whole area was restricted and allowed little movement for manoeuvre. (2) RENNET FARM on our left was a strong point on commanding ground and was not taken by Bn on left. (3) Everything depended on silencing enemy MG's sufficiently to enable the crossing of the stream to be effected: our barrage appeared not to affect enemy MG's which were at work immediately our advance started. (4) Owing to the river we were not in touch with Bde on right from outset. Enemy shelled our lines and neighbourhood of Bn HQ heavily during the night. |
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