| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, HIGH WOOD Section |
| Entry | Noon. 1st Brigade attacked the enemy's trenches [-WOOD LANE - and the trenches in HIGH WOOD]. The 1st Black Watch attacked in the wood and the 1st CAMERON HIGHLANDERS, on the right of the Black Watch, against WOOD LANE. Zero was at midday and before zero Flammenwerfer and Oil Cans were used against the enemy in HIGH WOOD, these however, owing to the very bad weather conditions and also to the heavy shelling of the saps in which they were contained were not a success. At 30 seconds before zero a mine was successfully blown up in the enemy's front line at the Eastern corner of HIGH WOOD. There was also elaborate artillery and machine gun support. At zero the attack commenced and on the front of the 1st CAMERONS appeared to be very successful for although the casualties were heavy the CAMERONS had gone forward to right beyond WOOD LANE and were in shell holes about 100 yards beyond. The attack on the left by 1st Black Watch was not as successful for they were held up by machine guns. The O.C. 1st CAMERONS not having sufficient men left to consolidate the position which had been taken called upon our two Companies (which were originally in "RIFLES TRENCH" and had been subsequently ordered to occupy the front line during the attack) for support. The two Companies went over. "A" Company on the left did not reach their objective but were held up by machine guns from HIGH WOOD, "C" Company got across and joined up with the CAMERONS afterwards sending back men for ammunition and a Stokes Trench Mortar. The men started to consolidate the position. Meanwhile the two remaining Companies of Berkshires who had been on the road were quickly hurried up to the garrison the front line. At about 1.30pm the enemy made a heavy counter attack from the "SWITCH LINE" and with his artillery succeeded in making us withdraw from the captured position and return to our original front line. During this operation the casualties were heavy. About thirty prisoners were taken during the afternoon and considerable loss was inflicted on the enemy. 5:0PM. The remaining CAMERONS and BERKS in front line were reorganised and held the line together that night under O.C. 1st CAMERONS. During the afternoon our casualties were:- Capt J.H.G. LAWRANCE Wounded. Lieut G. BAKER Wounded. Lieut S.E. DAVENPORT Wounded. 2nd Lieut G.F. MARSH Wounded. 2nd Lieut L.G. EDENS Killed. 2nd Lieut C.H. CHAMBERS Missing believed Killed. 2nd Lieut D.W. PROUT Wounded and Missing. 100 Other Ranks casualties. |
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