| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Reserve Trenches in front of LA HOUSSOYE |
| Entry | 4:20AM. The Barrage opened and Battalion moved forward in artillery formation of platoons. A thick mist hung o'er the battlefield, thus rendering it well nigh impossible to maintain direction. Thus touch with companies was lost. Consequently progress was slow, as direction had to be checked repeatedly by means of the compass. The enemy barrage was more in the nature of an area shoot, selected localities receiving a great deal of shelling. Casualties of our troops were light whilst passing through this barrage. Parties of the enemy were first encountered at points in his original front line (the line immediately in front of COMMINGS TRENCH) especially on the right where one platoon was engaged by two Machine Guns at about K.25 d 6.2. This platoon then lost direction and again came into contact with an enemy machine gun at K. 19 d. On the left the advance was not checked as men of other units of the Brigade were in front. The advance on the right was then continued and although troops and tanks should have been in front, these wet not met. Sniping and occasional M.G., fire was met, especially from the flanks, but the advance continued as far as a line running N and S through the sheds at K.21 a 7.3 to the ravine in K. 27 b. During this period platoons of the Battalion were co-operating with those of other units of the Brigade and of the 58th Division. The Ravine was reached about 7.40AM. Progress was resumed until a point about K. 22 c 4.3 was arrived at. Here, the mist clearing the advance was held up by heavy M.G., fire at close range. Almost simultaneously this was followed by the fire of two field guns, which were using open sights at about 500 yds range. Three attempts were made to rush these gun positions but each proved ineffective. Subsequently a line was taken up approximately coinciding with the 1st Battalion, under orders from Brigade, was withdrawn to the CLERMONT LINE for re-organisation. Four companies of two platoons each were formed. |
The Wardrobe,
58 The Close,
Salisbury, SP1 2EX,
England
For Collections, Research & Volunteering Enquiries:
Please note that we are currently not accepting new object donations.
07304 068136
For Venue Hire, Retail & Other General Enquiries:
07375 103910