On this day 16th August
1807 – 52nd – 2nd Bn 52nd with the troops under General Harry Burrard, landed about 8 miles from Copenhagen (Denmark).
1884 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – Sailed from Queenstown (Ireland) on H.M.T Orontes on route to Gibraltar (arrived 20th August).
1917 - Battle of Langemarck (Third Ypres)- 1/4th Bn, 1/1st Bucks, and 6th Bns Oxf & Bucks LI actively engaged; 5th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI also present.
1917–1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ST JULIEN. THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES
Zero was at 4.45 a.m.
Seven minutes beforehand the two leading Companies moved forward to cross the Steenbeek. At Zero the Artillery put down a barrage 300 yards east of the stream to creep forward at the rate of 100 yards every five minutes.
The advance of the Infantry was delayed by the numerous water-filled shell-holes, difficult of negotiation in the scarce dawning light.
The barrage lifted off the forward positions of the enemy before the leading wave had reached it, machine-gun fire opened from the concrete emplacements with great intensity, and was quickly reinforced by rifle fire from the enemy positions in the shell-holes.
The leading wave of the right Company was almost entirely annihilated, the second wave closed up, engaging the enemy with fire while parties worked round the flanks.
The enemy kept up a strong resistance till the leading platoons of” D “closed up, and charged with the bayonet. This was followed by hand-to-hand fighting till about 6 a.m., when the garrison of one blockhouse put up their hands, and the rest followed suit.
“B” and “D” Companies were then quickly reformed and pushed on in an attempt to catch up their barrage, which by this time had got well ahead of them. They reached the trench railway 100 yards N.E. of the outskirts of St. Julien, but here they were confronted by a large sheet of water, commanded from the far side by a blockhouse and two gun-pits held by machine-guns and riflemen, and no further advance could be made under the heavy cross-fire thus brought to bear from these, and other positions on the left.
The left leading Company,” A,” met with less resistance at first, but on getting over the slight ridge above the Steenbeek they came under a heavy cross-fire from Hillock Farm and two gun-pits to the west of it. The left Battalion had been held up on the Steenbeek, and the enemy positions on their front were thus able to join in the crossfire on “A” Company.
The two leading platoons reached the gun-pits with very few men left.
The second wave closed up, but the left platoon was absolutely stopped by fire from the left gun-pit, and a trench N.E. of it, as well as from Maison Du Hibou and Triangle Farm.
The right platoon rushed the right gun-pit, and, carrying out their orders, continued on with the remains of the leading platoon to their objective at Springfield, which they reached about 6.45 a.m., but the casualties had been heavy and few actually reached it.
Every attempt to get forward to their assistance failed, and at 9 a.m. the enemy were seen to rush the place.
At 7 a.m. Battalion Headquarters were established in a blockhouse on the west of St. Julien—Poelcappelle Road, 450 yards from the Steenbeek by-road.
In the meantime the Glosters on the right had got about 300 yards S.W. of the Steenbeek, when they too were finally held up.
Soon after 8 a.m. the enemy were seen coming over the ridge north of Springfield, and collecting in a trench below it. There was no communication with the Artillery, no action was therefore possible, but the Companies were hastily reorganized, three Vickers Guns were got up, and a platoon of the Berkshires placed to cover the left flank, which was completely en l’air.
At 9 a.m. three thick lines of the enemy were seen to move down towards Triangle Farm.
At 10 a.m. a counter-attack developed from this farm, but was stopped by our fire, and after one or two more unsuccessful efforts the enemy retired over the ridge.
No further attempts were made during the day, but a brisk machine-gun fire, and intermittent sniping, was continued, from which the Battalion suffered several casualties, especially in the vicinity of Hillock Farm, where there was little cover, and the slightest movement was visible to the enemy.
At 9.30 p.m. an enemy attack drove back the posts about Hillock Farm. The state of the ground precluded any attempt at digging; it was therefore decided to withdraw the posts on the west of the road to the south of the stream, the road itself being held up to Hillock Farm. The next evening the Battalion was relieved by the 6th Royal Warwicks.
Though the result of this engagement was not equal to expectation, the Battalion put up an excellent fight and met with a larger measure of success than fell to the lot of most units, and was warmly congratulated by the Divisional Commander, Major-General Sir Robert Fanshawe, K.C.B.
The casualties were:
OFFICERS: KILLED=2. WOUNDED=7
OTHER RANKS: KILLED=54. MISSING=35. WOUNDED=193.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – LEFT FRONT BATTALION.
Patrolling on the Regimental front necessarily very active.
Several good patrols being carried out by Officers and NCOs of the Front Companies (15th – 20th).
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – KABERLABA.
Quiet Day.
All Coys working on Trenches for four hours during the Night.
Ration Strength: 23 Officers 569 OR. Casualties: 1 OR to Hospital – Sick
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – LE MESNIL. Normandy
Bde reported that there was a strong possibility that the enemy might be withdrawing and that we were to carry out active patrolling and be prepared to follow them up. The Comd Offr returned from the Div Battle Drill School as Ouistreham and reassumed comd of the Regt.
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy):-
The draft went off in high spirits in transport supplied once again by the 51st Division, quite unperturbed by the drenching they had received the previous night. Although watching one's own battalion being drafted away can never be a pleasant sight, it was most heartening to see the excellent spirits and bearing of the men—now, alas, stripped of the familiar red and black chevrons and badges. The 51st Division were undoubtedly receiving a first-class reinforcement.
AM - Informed by 1 Corps that we are to be allowed to retain minimum cadre of 5 offrs and 100 ORs.
1100 - Draft goes off in good spirits to 1st Bn Black Watch Regt.
1400 - Conference of Coy Comds etc to discuss minimum cadre.
1500 - Informed by 1 Corps that we are to be allowed to retain 12 vehs and adm eqpt only, remainder to be handed in. Minimum cadre statistics issued to all coys.
PM - Major H.H.H. Boehm officially appointed A/Lt Col in command of Bn w.e.f. 4 Aug 44, ie date of casualty of Lt Col E.A. Carse.
1807 – 52nd – 2nd Bn 52nd with the troops under General Harry Burrard, landed about 8 miles from Copenhagen (Denmark).
1884 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – Sailed from Queenstown (Ireland) on H.M.T Orontes on route to Gibraltar (arrived 20th August).
1917 - Battle of Langemarck (Third Ypres)- 1/4th Bn, 1/1st Bucks, and 6th Bns Oxf & Bucks LI actively engaged; 5th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI also present.
1917–1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – ST JULIEN. THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES
Zero was at 4.45 a.m.
Seven minutes beforehand the two leading Companies moved forward to cross the Steenbeek. At Zero the Artillery put down a barrage 300 yards east of the stream to creep forward at the rate of 100 yards every five minutes.
The advance of the Infantry was delayed by the numerous water-filled shell-holes, difficult of negotiation in the scarce dawning light.
The barrage lifted off the forward positions of the enemy before the leading wave had reached it, machine-gun fire opened from the concrete emplacements with great intensity, and was quickly reinforced by rifle fire from the enemy positions in the shell-holes.
The leading wave of the right Company was almost entirely annihilated, the second wave closed up, engaging the enemy with fire while parties worked round the flanks.
The enemy kept up a strong resistance till the leading platoons of” D “closed up, and charged with the bayonet. This was followed by hand-to-hand fighting till about 6 a.m., when the garrison of one blockhouse put up their hands, and the rest followed suit.
“B” and “D” Companies were then quickly reformed and pushed on in an attempt to catch up their barrage, which by this time had got well ahead of them. They reached the trench railway 100 yards N.E. of the outskirts of St. Julien, but here they were confronted by a large sheet of water, commanded from the far side by a blockhouse and two gun-pits held by machine-guns and riflemen, and no further advance could be made under the heavy cross-fire thus brought to bear from these, and other positions on the left.
The left leading Company,” A,” met with less resistance at first, but on getting over the slight ridge above the Steenbeek they came under a heavy cross-fire from Hillock Farm and two gun-pits to the west of it. The left Battalion had been held up on the Steenbeek, and the enemy positions on their front were thus able to join in the crossfire on “A” Company.
The two leading platoons reached the gun-pits with very few men left.
The second wave closed up, but the left platoon was absolutely stopped by fire from the left gun-pit, and a trench N.E. of it, as well as from Maison Du Hibou and Triangle Farm.
The right platoon rushed the right gun-pit, and, carrying out their orders, continued on with the remains of the leading platoon to their objective at Springfield, which they reached about 6.45 a.m., but the casualties had been heavy and few actually reached it.
Every attempt to get forward to their assistance failed, and at 9 a.m. the enemy were seen to rush the place.
At 7 a.m. Battalion Headquarters were established in a blockhouse on the west of St. Julien—Poelcappelle Road, 450 yards from the Steenbeek by-road.
In the meantime the Glosters on the right had got about 300 yards S.W. of the Steenbeek, when they too were finally held up.
Soon after 8 a.m. the enemy were seen coming over the ridge north of Springfield, and collecting in a trench below it. There was no communication with the Artillery, no action was therefore possible, but the Companies were hastily reorganized, three Vickers Guns were got up, and a platoon of the Berkshires placed to cover the left flank, which was completely en l’air.
At 9 a.m. three thick lines of the enemy were seen to move down towards Triangle Farm.
At 10 a.m. a counter-attack developed from this farm, but was stopped by our fire, and after one or two more unsuccessful efforts the enemy retired over the ridge.
No further attempts were made during the day, but a brisk machine-gun fire, and intermittent sniping, was continued, from which the Battalion suffered several casualties, especially in the vicinity of Hillock Farm, where there was little cover, and the slightest movement was visible to the enemy.
At 9.30 p.m. an enemy attack drove back the posts about Hillock Farm. The state of the ground precluded any attempt at digging; it was therefore decided to withdraw the posts on the west of the road to the south of the stream, the road itself being held up to Hillock Farm. The next evening the Battalion was relieved by the 6th Royal Warwicks.
Though the result of this engagement was not equal to expectation, the Battalion put up an excellent fight and met with a larger measure of success than fell to the lot of most units, and was warmly congratulated by the Divisional Commander, Major-General Sir Robert Fanshawe, K.C.B.
The casualties were:
OFFICERS: KILLED=2. WOUNDED=7
OTHER RANKS: KILLED=54. MISSING=35. WOUNDED=193.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – LEFT FRONT BATTALION.
Patrolling on the Regimental front necessarily very active.
Several good patrols being carried out by Officers and NCOs of the Front Companies (15th – 20th).
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – KABERLABA.
Quiet Day.
All Coys working on Trenches for four hours during the Night.
Ration Strength: 23 Officers 569 OR. Casualties: 1 OR to Hospital – Sick
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – LE MESNIL. Normandy
Bde reported that there was a strong possibility that the enemy might be withdrawing and that we were to carry out active patrolling and be prepared to follow them up. The Comd Offr returned from the Div Battle Drill School as Ouistreham and reassumed comd of the Regt.
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (Normandy):-
The draft went off in high spirits in transport supplied once again by the 51st Division, quite unperturbed by the drenching they had received the previous night. Although watching one's own battalion being drafted away can never be a pleasant sight, it was most heartening to see the excellent spirits and bearing of the men—now, alas, stripped of the familiar red and black chevrons and badges. The 51st Division were undoubtedly receiving a first-class reinforcement.
AM - Informed by 1 Corps that we are to be allowed to retain minimum cadre of 5 offrs and 100 ORs.
1100 - Draft goes off in good spirits to 1st Bn Black Watch Regt.
1400 - Conference of Coy Comds etc to discuss minimum cadre.
1500 - Informed by 1 Corps that we are to be allowed to retain 12 vehs and adm eqpt only, remainder to be handed in. Minimum cadre statistics issued to all coys.
PM - Major H.H.H. Boehm officially appointed A/Lt Col in command of Bn w.e.f. 4 Aug 44, ie date of casualty of Lt Col E.A. Carse.
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