Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire
War Diary
Detail
1918-09-19
| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, ST. EMILIE |
| Entry | 8:15AM. Battalion moved to assembly positions proceeding via road junction E.18 d 4.4 - F.8 c 2.8 - F.14.G.2.2 thence to positions of assembly. "B" "C" and "D" Coys were in trench S of road running W and E through RONSSOY-LEMPIRE RD. A Coy on the road E of cross Rds also in trench. Batt HQ were located in W edge of RONOSSOY. Enemy artillery was very active throughout the period of assembling causing "A" Coy a few casualties. Assembly reported complete 10.40am. Zero hour was fixed at 11.0AM. A, B and C Coys moved forward at ZERO and were close up with the barrage when it commenced to move forward. "A" Coy (less 1 platoon) remained in assembly position. 3 platoons of "A" Coy reported as being on their objectives (THISTLE TRENCH) by 11.40am suffering few casualties during the advance. "D" Coy platoon reached ENFER WOOD at 12.5OPM. The situation was obscure until CAPT M. WYKES MC went forward to reconnoitre the situation. He reported "C" Coy on their main objective and in YAK POST after a hot bombing fight. He then proceeded along DOSE TRENCH and found it and also LEMPIRE POST, unoccupied by the enemy or our troops. Returning via LEMPIRE-TOMBOIS FARM RD he found "A" and "B" Coys held up by strong M.G. fire from Z copse. "B" Coy then proceeded to occupy their objective passing through "C" Coy and down DOSE TRENCH. On reports being received of the enemy still being in LEMPIRE, "D" Coy were ordered to mop up the village. This Coy returned and reported LEMPIRE quite clear of the enemy. Opposition on the right was very severe. "C" Coy pushed some men into ZEBRA POST during the evening. 8:0PM. Our line ran as follows:- ZEBRA POST - YAK POST - DOSE TRENCH - LEMPIRE POST - THISTLE TRENCH - BASSE BOULOGNE. |
