| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, BRESLIE VALLEY |
| Entry | 1AM. Time of zero hour. Barrage opened and Battalion moved forward, staying on road running through X.29 a and c for 20 minutes. 1:20AM. Barrage lifted and moved forward at the rate of 100 yards in 4 minutes, halting on Line X.25.G.7.8 - X.19.G.5.7 for 10 minutes, then moving forward to the objective. At 1.8am the enemy barrage first opened. The front line did not receive a great deal of attention, the majority of the shells falling well in rear. 5:15AM. A message timed at 4.30am was received from O.C. "B" Coy whose orders were to fill up any gap between our front line coys and the coys of 7th Royal West Kent Regt, stating that he had reached his final objective, that consolidation was in progress and that he was in touch with coys on either flank. Shortly afterwards information came to hand from O.C. "D" Coy who had taken up a position in support, on the 1st objective, covering the Battalion front, giving positions held by his coy. All front line coys had passed the objective which was not easily recognisable. "C" Coy reached 1st objective but were held up by craters in X.20 a 7.3. At 10am, a message timed 5.30am was received from O.C. "A" Coy giving his position at X.20 a 5.5. He also reported the enemy still held craters in X20 a 7.3. Report also stated that his coy was in touch with ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS on left flank but that he had not gained touch with troop on the right. Thus the 1st objective had been completely captured and the outpost line formed, with the exception of a gap of about 200 yards between A (the left coy) and C (the centre coy) caused by the enemy's occupation of the craters. The line N of LA BOISSELLE was at this time very obscure and although the 38th Division on the left reported their line in front of this village a great deal of M.G fire was coming from this direction. The enemy in the craters were firing M.G's and sniping actively, whilst some were firing up the AVOCA VALLEY from BECOURT WOOD, thus rendering communication with coys very difficult. 8PM. The situation remained thus throughout the day. About dusk, under cover of a Stokes Mortar bombardment, an attack was launched on the LA BOISSELLE crater by platoons of "A" and "C" Coys. This was eminently successful and was carried out in a most expeditious manner, consolidation of the position gained being complete by 9pm.This fact alone speaks for itself and shows the tenacity of purpose of the troops engaged and of the vigorous and forceful manner in which the attack was pressed to its goal. Much of the success of this operation, which though only of a minor nature was extremely important, as had the attack not achieved its purpose the line could not have been advanced in the subsequent attacks as it was, was due to the fine leadership and steadfastness of purpose exhibited by the Officers who personally led the men - 2nd LTS N.H.G. BLACKMAN and T.C. ALLIBURTON, who acted under the orders of their Company Commanders - LT T.K. PICKARD MC and CAPT G.W.H. NICOLSON respectively. About 200 prisoners were secured in the attack. The importance of the gain of territory is shown in the attached congratulating message received from LT GENERAL SIR A.J. GODLEY Commanding III Army Corps The right company had during this operation pushed out a patrol across SAUSAGE VALLEY and established a post at X.20.G1.1. After the capture of the craters O.C. "C" Coy sent out a patrol, which, after a short fight established a post at X.20.G.9.1 (Approximately) Companies then re-organised in depth, liaison posts being established at X.20 b. 10.00 24/25.8.18. 1:5AM. Relief of Battalion by 8th BATT EAST SURREY REGT ( 55th Brigade) was completed, Batt moving to |
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