| Regiment | 7th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Greece, VLADAJA |
| Entry | Our artillery bombardment continued throughout the day. Orders received that this Bn were to support the 7th OXFORD and BUCKS LI in an attack upon 04 in conjunction with an attack to be made upon 01, 2 and 3 by the 77th Bde. During the day preparations were made. About 1700 hrs orders were received the 2 Coys (B and C Coys) were to definitely take part in the attack with that object of attacking 05 after the 7 OBLI had taken their objective. MAJOR H.R.B. GILLESPIE to command the 2 Coys. The Bn to move up to TORTUE and to be there by 2300hrs. B and C Coys at TORQUAY CAMP. D Coy TORTOISE. A Coy formed the garrison of the trenches. The 77th Bde attacked their objective at 2150hrs. The 7th O.B.L.I. attacked 04 at 0020hrs. During the whole evening the enemy had been shelling fairly heavily, firing a number back into the VLADAJA RAVINE. Gas shells to the lachroymatoy and asphyxiating were used in quantity by the enemy. All Coys and HQ were in their respective positions by scheduled time. Enemy confined most of his shelling to JUMEAUX RAVINE, also DORSET RAVINE. At 0020hrs MAJOR GILLESPIE reported that he was about to move off with B and C Coys. D Coy then moved up to TORQUAY CAMP in reserve. B and C Coys moved out down TOR RAVINE which was being shelled comparatively lightly, about 0730hrs information received that 7th O.B.L.I. had gained 04 but had been driven back from the trenches and our B and C Coys were to support them, this was sent on to MAJOR GILLESPIE. About 0340hrs LT COL DENE received orders to take forward D Coy to support our other 2 Coys. This Coy went out via TOR RAVINE also and never sustained a casualty the whole way out. D Coy was in position at 0500hrs. The 3 Coys were then formed up for the attack B and C Coys forming the first line (B the left, C the right) and D Coy plus a few of the 7th O.B.L.I. the second line. On the right little opposition was met with and they proceeded to bomb along 227 where Lewis Gun attachments were pushed forward the trenches occupied up to a point E of 0 in Z30. On the left the advance was made in a NW direction and rapidly proceeded along the top of PETIT COURONNE to the line Z33 and Y9.Her an attempt was made to link up shell holes, while parties of bombers pushed forward Z31-Y10. MAJOR GILLESPIE and a party then struck off towards Z34 where there were two dug outs with Bulgars emerging these were killed by bombing. A group plus a Lewis Gun was established in a shell hole WNW of Y in Y10, we then bombed forward to Y11 where a block was started, but almost at once the enemy prepared to counter attack (2 lines of about 40 each) our Lewis Gun quickly got on to these. The enemy's line ran roughly Z37, Z35 and thence N of Y11 and was not more than 80 yards distant from us, but showed no inclination to advance. At this time however the enemy got their heavy guns directly on to us. Hitherto we had escaped artillery fire and met with slight opposition only, but this sudden outburst was most accurate and deadly, one or two 8" shells burst between us and the enemy - killing and wounding them as well as ourselves. The smoke caused by this heavy fire was most intense and when it cleared away there was nobody near to support the advanced bombing parties who were met by advancing Bulgars and forced to withdraw. MAJOR GILLESPIE was killed whilst bombing a dug out with 1 Sgt, the Sgt returned and reported. After this a line was formed running from Z28 to just S of Z30. LT COL DENE was wounded but gave orders for the posting of groups and for the line to form up just below the crest of the hill. About this time 0800hrs, the bombardment slackened considerably only to recommence again at 0930hrs and it was only the steepness of the slope which prevented us suffering very heavy casualties. |
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