| Regiment | 1st Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Belgium, Kemmel |
| Entry | In trenches. Left billets at LOCRE 2.45a.m. and marched via KEMMEL to the section of the trenches known as "F" in front of SPANBROEK MOLEN. The Battn arrived in position at dawn about 5.30a.m. and occupied four lines of trenches on the reverse side of the hill, the Worcestershire Regt being in similar trenches on our right. The BHQ were in the trench known as F2 about 50 yds in front of the front trench in which the Battn was situated: these trenches were about 25yds apart. The morning was dull and very misty, so that the Artillery bombardment which was to precede the assault on SPANBROEK MOLEN had to be delayed. The whole morning remained misty and except for a certain amount of sniping and desultory gun fire was quiet. At 1p.m. the mist began to clear and by 2.30p.m. it was clear and the Artillery bombardment began and continued with a slight pause till 4.10p.m. It consisted of field guns firing shrapnel to cut the hostile wire, and large quantities of heavy HE to beat down the German parapets and blow in his trenches, in this it appeared to be fairly successful, but, it was afterwards observed that the enemy's front line trenches were almost intact. At 4.10 the Infantry assault was launched by 2 Coys of the Worcestershire Regt accompanied by a party of RE. The remaining 2 Coys being detailed as working parties. The front Coy (A Coy) rushed forward crossing the trench known as F2, by means of flying bridges, which had been placed in position early in the morning, and, passing through our barbed wire by means of gaps which had been made opposite the bridges: as soon as A Coy had got across the bridges the enemy opened a very heavy fire (rifle and machine gun) on them, and only a few small isolated parties succeeded in getting up to the enemy's wire, a distance of about 200 yds. B Coy also came under a very heavy fire and were unable with the remainder of A Coy to get more than 50 yds from F2. At the same time most of the Worcestershire Regt on our right appeared to be also unable to get on. B Coy endeavoured to crawl forward, but, were unable to get very far, and gradually, starting about 5p.m. began to fall back into F2 suffering considerably in doing so. Most of the survivors of A Coy who were in advance of B Coy got back under cover of darkness. At about 7p.m., the Battn withdrew. It was observed that the enemy were holding this position very strongly and did not seem unduly shaken by our Artillery fire. The 2nd S Lancs Regt were in support and the Royal Irish Rifles in reserve at KEMMEL but neither took an active part in the action. A Coy was commanded by Capt P J V Viner Johnson and B Coy by Capt R H Broome. Throughout the day the trench known as F2 was held by the E Surrey Regt. The Battn returned to billets at LOCRE. Casualties Killed Capt Viner Johnson, Lieut O J Calley, 2nd Lieut S F Hooper and 2nd Lieut D G H Northcote (The Buffs) Wounded Lieut C C Morse, 2nd Lieut A H Hales 2nd Lieut S M Theyre Other ranks 29 killed, 45 wounded and 12 missing. |
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