On this day 12th April
1817 – 43rd moved from Bapaume to Valenciennes (France)
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – MONDICOURT.
Commanding Officer and 4 Company Commanders by bus to reconnoitre the area of the Centre Brigade Guards Division probably to be taken over tomorrow night 13/14.
Interesting day but not a very favourable impression of the position acquired. The area to be taken over consisted of a line of posts in front of Hamelincourt which lies, (in the enemys country) between Moyenneville and Boyelles and required a great many more men to work on it than were available.
The Purple Line and Reserve Line Heudecourt le Ransart and in front of Blaireville respectively were reconnoitred within the Brigade Front.
The remainder of 108 Nucleus including those Buglers who had been trained as Lewis Gunners, left by rail from Mondicourt. Lt T Tyrwhitt-Drake MC (Commanding B Coy) left later to command this party.
The Regiment to SAULTY: in billets and bivouac in the Park.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – S URBANO VIGO MONTE DI SOVIZZO.
Training of “Employed” men continued.
CAPTs CROUCH & FIRMINGER reconnoitred Intermediate Mountain Line.
Ration Strength: 28 Officers 217 OR. Casualties: 3 OR to Hospital.
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Detrained at STEENBECQUE, and went into action near the CALONNE-ROBECQ road (Battle of the Lys).
Arrived 3 a.m. at Steenbecque. The Battalion ordered to march forward at once and take up a defensive position along the line of the Noe River, it having been reported that the Germans had broken through our battle positions and were threatening Merville. The 51st Division was reported to be holding a line east of Calonne.
Operation orders issued, special instructions being left at the station for D Company.
The Battalion halted from 7 to 8 a.m. for breakfasts, on the roadside west of Haverskerque; the C.O. and three Company Commanders rode forward through St. Venant to Les Amusoires, and discovered the situation to be serious. There were no troops holding about a mile of the Calonne-Robecq road, which had been reached by enemy patrols, while our artillery, which had withdrawn west of La Bassee Canal between 9 and 10 a.m., put down a light barrage 500 yards north-west of the Calonne-Robecq road. In addition, a large ammunition dump along the St. Venant-Robecq road was on fire, and provided a valuable screen against observation by the numerous enemy observation balloons, but which on the other hand was likely to be a menace to the Battalion's right flank, if manoeuvre was required. Under the circumstances orders were given for an attack to be pressed if necessary in order to gain the south-east bank of the Noe River.
Companies moved forward in column of fours and 50 yards between platoons along the St. Venant-La Haye-Les Amusoires road, in C, B, A (C Company finding the advanced guard). The companies debouched from Les Amusoires and crossed the open ground to a point 200 yards north of the Calonne-Robecq road, when the advance was stopped on the left (C Company), owing to the inability of the 182nd Brigade on the left to make good the line of the road. The C.O. decided to disregard the danger of an exposed left flank, in favour of seizing the bridge-head at Q.14.c.8.2.; and at 11.30 a.m.
A and B Companies held the Robecq-Calonne road, with patrols across the Noe River; while C Company was fighting for the possession of the bridge-head at Q.14.c.72., and driving the enemy from Bacquerolles Farm. By 1 p.m. these latter objectives were in our hands, amongst the casualties being Captain Buttfield and 2nd Lieut. Bennett, wounded.
During this fighting the finest use was made of Lewis guns and snipers from house roofs. The enemy resistance was not obstinate except at Bacquerolles Farm. Enemy artillery was active against the Calonne-Robecq road during the afternoon, and a heavy trench mortar of long range fired on Carvin and the houses in P.24.b., when A Company first occupied them. It was silenced by concentrated Lewis gun and rifle fire.
During the night the position Carvin-Bacquerolles Farm was consolidated.
1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 12th crossed the Aller at Westen (0572) and on to Ottersen (0872).
1945 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - NWE Heitlingen
Another day of maintenance & administration, including a visit from a mobile bath unit.
The Brigade Commander addressed all our reinforcements. We are to be at one hours notice to move as from 0800 hrs tomorrow.
1817 – 43rd moved from Bapaume to Valenciennes (France)
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – MONDICOURT.
Commanding Officer and 4 Company Commanders by bus to reconnoitre the area of the Centre Brigade Guards Division probably to be taken over tomorrow night 13/14.
Interesting day but not a very favourable impression of the position acquired. The area to be taken over consisted of a line of posts in front of Hamelincourt which lies, (in the enemys country) between Moyenneville and Boyelles and required a great many more men to work on it than were available.
The Purple Line and Reserve Line Heudecourt le Ransart and in front of Blaireville respectively were reconnoitred within the Brigade Front.
The remainder of 108 Nucleus including those Buglers who had been trained as Lewis Gunners, left by rail from Mondicourt. Lt T Tyrwhitt-Drake MC (Commanding B Coy) left later to command this party.
The Regiment to SAULTY: in billets and bivouac in the Park.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – S URBANO VIGO MONTE DI SOVIZZO.
Training of “Employed” men continued.
CAPTs CROUCH & FIRMINGER reconnoitred Intermediate Mountain Line.
Ration Strength: 28 Officers 217 OR. Casualties: 3 OR to Hospital.
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Detrained at STEENBECQUE, and went into action near the CALONNE-ROBECQ road (Battle of the Lys).
Arrived 3 a.m. at Steenbecque. The Battalion ordered to march forward at once and take up a defensive position along the line of the Noe River, it having been reported that the Germans had broken through our battle positions and were threatening Merville. The 51st Division was reported to be holding a line east of Calonne.
Operation orders issued, special instructions being left at the station for D Company.
The Battalion halted from 7 to 8 a.m. for breakfasts, on the roadside west of Haverskerque; the C.O. and three Company Commanders rode forward through St. Venant to Les Amusoires, and discovered the situation to be serious. There were no troops holding about a mile of the Calonne-Robecq road, which had been reached by enemy patrols, while our artillery, which had withdrawn west of La Bassee Canal between 9 and 10 a.m., put down a light barrage 500 yards north-west of the Calonne-Robecq road. In addition, a large ammunition dump along the St. Venant-Robecq road was on fire, and provided a valuable screen against observation by the numerous enemy observation balloons, but which on the other hand was likely to be a menace to the Battalion's right flank, if manoeuvre was required. Under the circumstances orders were given for an attack to be pressed if necessary in order to gain the south-east bank of the Noe River.
Companies moved forward in column of fours and 50 yards between platoons along the St. Venant-La Haye-Les Amusoires road, in C, B, A (C Company finding the advanced guard). The companies debouched from Les Amusoires and crossed the open ground to a point 200 yards north of the Calonne-Robecq road, when the advance was stopped on the left (C Company), owing to the inability of the 182nd Brigade on the left to make good the line of the road. The C.O. decided to disregard the danger of an exposed left flank, in favour of seizing the bridge-head at Q.14.c.8.2.; and at 11.30 a.m.
A and B Companies held the Robecq-Calonne road, with patrols across the Noe River; while C Company was fighting for the possession of the bridge-head at Q.14.c.72., and driving the enemy from Bacquerolles Farm. By 1 p.m. these latter objectives were in our hands, amongst the casualties being Captain Buttfield and 2nd Lieut. Bennett, wounded.
During this fighting the finest use was made of Lewis guns and snipers from house roofs. The enemy resistance was not obstinate except at Bacquerolles Farm. Enemy artillery was active against the Calonne-Robecq road during the afternoon, and a heavy trench mortar of long range fired on Carvin and the houses in P.24.b., when A Company first occupied them. It was silenced by concentrated Lewis gun and rifle fire.
During the night the position Carvin-Bacquerolles Farm was consolidated.
1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
On the 12th crossed the Aller at Westen (0572) and on to Ottersen (0872).
1945 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - NWE Heitlingen
Another day of maintenance & administration, including a visit from a mobile bath unit.
The Brigade Commander addressed all our reinforcements. We are to be at one hours notice to move as from 0800 hrs tomorrow.
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