| Regiment | 8th Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, LE CATEAU |
| Entry | 01:20. Zero hour for 18th Division. Barrage commenced. The enemy retaliation was quickly felt and was remarkably heavy, the Cutting apparently being his barrage line and many shells falling actually on the line. The Battalion suffered about 15 casualties during its stay in the cutting, including the Medical Officer, CAPTAIN W.H. FERGUSON MC, R.A.M.C. Although wounded this officer continued to attend to the wounded in a cool and heroic manner and while extricating wounded men from a blown in dug-out he was wounded a second time which necessitated his leaving the Battalion. 01:50. Companies commenced to leave the cutting and form up about 100 yards in front. Order of Coys was D Coy on the right, C Coy in the centre, B Coy on the left and A Coy in support. The Battalion had been ordered to capture and consolidate the 2nd objective of the 53rd Infantry Brigade, passing through the 10th Essex Regt and 7th R.W. Kent Regt on the 1st objective. Companies tasks and objectives are shown on attached map. 02:20. Battalion moved forward keeping direction by the right flank of D Coy which was resting on the wood running from K.35.b.7.6 - EVILLERS WOOD FARM - L.20.central. Considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping touch although the moon, which was full, had risen by this time. The first opposition was met at RICHEMONT RIVER, where a strong machine gun nest held up the left Coy (B). These guns had been missed by the 1st attack. O.C. "B" Coy 2ND LT J. GRANT was killed here and most of his Coy Head Qrs became casualties. On the right a little sniping from 3 Bosche who had previously surrendered caused slight trouble. The Battalion moved on behind the leading Battalion to just short of the 1st objective, the sunken road in L.14.C, L.20a and a, where the 10th Essex were found to be definitely held up by very heavy machine gun fire from this road. Numerous attempts were made to rush this position both by the Essex and C Coy without success. In addition heavy Machine Gun Fire was coming from L'EVEQUE WOOD and the right was also held up. Batt Head Qrs had, by this time, moved to about L.19.C0.0. The position remained unchanged until dawn. As soon as it was light enough, it became evident that the attack on the left Brigade front was going well and the enemy in the sunken road apparently becoming uneasy, especially when Tanks were seen moving on the far ridge to their flank, began to retire. Captain M. WYKES MC, who had gone forward from Batt Head Qrs to reconnoitre appreciating the situation moved the leading companies forward and the sunken road was rushed without much opposition. Over 30 Light and Heavy M.G.'s were taken in the road. The advance was then continued as far as the 2nd objective which was taken about 08.30 hours. Owing to the fact that B Coy had been held up at RICHEMONT RIVER it became necessary to reinforce the line on the 2nd objective. A Coy was therefore moved up. Coy dispositions were as follows. C Coy from FAYT FARM inclusive to L.9.d central with A Coy on their right and elements of B and D along the road at L.16.a.2.5, where touch was gained with the left Battalion (1st WORCESTERS) 25th Division. The 55th Brigade were soon after passing through and M.G. fire was shortly afterwards heard from the direction of BOUSIES. Companies reorganised. B Coy was concentrated in the practice trenches in L.14.c. Batt Hd Qrs were established at L.14.C.8.3. These positions were maintained during the night 23/24th October. The Battalion's capture in Field Guns were 11, Machine Guns over (20) definitely collected. |
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