| Regiment | 7th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Greece, M Sector |
| Entry | Work during the day under RE consisted of work upon dug outs and mosquito proof shelters. Our artillery continued bombardment of PITON DES MITRAILLEUSES, and wire cutting in front of that position. This was the third day of our bombardment and wire cutting, the intention being to raid the ORCHARD N of PITON DES QUATRE ARBRES and kill or capture enemy's posts believed to be there. To draw the enemy's attention from the real point of the raid, wire cutting was carried out, during the three previous days on PITON DES MITRAILLEUSES. On the night 29th/30th two Coys (B and D Coys) raided the ORCHARD N of PITON DES 4 ARBRES (see memoranda and operation orders attached). Major J.M. ELDRIDGE commanded the raiding party, Capt H.A.L. DONKIN commanded D Coy and Capt H.C. ELLIS commanded B Coy. Platoon commanders of B Coy 2/Lt G.W. PEARCE, 2/Lt S.A. BANFIELD and 2/Lt E.F. PRIME. Platoon commanders of D Coy Lt C.R. WEAVER, 2/Lts J.C. CAMPION, S.J. MUNDY, G.I. BERRY. Ref. Instructions and Orders attached:- The raiding party left our own trenches at 2130 hrs and formed up outside our own wire at 2145 hrs. D Coy advanced towards pt 1117/1762 which was reached at 2205 hrs and then advanced in artillery formation to the line of slits at pt 11155/17665 and there deployed. The code word JAM was sent back to Batt HQ and repeated to Brigade. White Rocket was fired and bombardment commenced. At 2242 hrs D Coy advanced and entered the ORCHARD at 2250 hrs. At the same time a flank party of 1 Rifle Grenade Section, 1 Lewis Gun Section worked around W slopes of PITON des QUATRE ARBRES and scouts moved over the top of the hill. The ORCHARD was found to be unoccupied by the enemy. A hut close to the river was found to be empty, but no dug outs were found in the ORCHARD, and except for a few strands of wire running from tree to tree there was no wire entanglements in the ORCHARD. D Coy proceeded through the ORCHARD to the second track. At 2305 hrs Capt DONKIN gave the signal to withdraw and entered his own trenches at 2400 hrs. The enemy fired a few 77 mm shells into the ORCHARD. The two platoons of B Coy detailed to act as flank-guard advanced at 2234 hrs and occupied a position on SW of MACUKOVO RAVINE as ordered, their left flank being between 50 and 70 yds N of junction of CARDIFF and MACUKOVO RAVINES, with Lewis Guns covering their flanks. The left (SW) side of MACUKOVO RAVINE is higher than the right and gave fair protection from shell fire. The enemy put down a barrage of trench mortar work and shells on CARDIFF, BAGOR and MACUKOVO RAVINES and in village of MACUKOVO. He did not put down any barrage on PITON de L'EGLISE and only put a few shells on PITON des 4 ARBRES. The enemy were completely misled by our demonstrations against L. H and D as he put all his barrage on these points. He appears to have evacuated his front line trenches, as many lights were sent up from behind, and he bombarded his front line trenches. Two Bulgars were found in MACUKOVO VILLAGE - one of whom escaped up BASNGOR RAVINE, he being captured. The raid was carried out absolutely according to programme. It is thought that the outposts of the enemy have orders to evacuate their positions immediately our bombardment starts, and that the two Bulgars found in the village were afraid to go back through our barrage. Our casualties were 5 ORS wounded, three of whom have very slight wounds. The remainder of the night from about 0100 hrs onwards was very quiet. Remarks. 3 OR to hospital (wounded), 1 to hospital (sick). |
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