On this day 17th June
1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill (America) 43rd and 52nd engaged.
1815 – 52nd – Started at 2am, reached Waterloo and remained in bivouac in a ploughed field in heavy rain.
1907 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – Mills-Burrowe’s equipment taken into wear.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – LEFT FRONT BATTALION.
The following extract from the report by the Brigadier General Commanding 5th Infantry Brigade to Headquarters 2nd Division best describes the raid:-
“The raiders as arranged got down through their wire and lay down on the forward slope about 11.5PM.
During this they appear to have been seen by an advanced German Post and short bursts of Machine Gun fire were opened on them.
At 11.35PM when the barrage opened they advanced and came under close fire of one Light Machine Gun which caused several casualties in the leading platoon under 2/Lt Creak. The Officer however led them forward, shooting a German on his way, but was wounded and put out of action by fragments of a bomb or shell when getting over concertina wire. This party did not reach its objective on the AYETTE – MOYENVILLE ROAD and had 11 out of total 12 casualties.
The second party advanced and cleared their objective along the shell hole line, finding the Germans in shell holes between this line and our front line. Their leader, Serjeant Bennett accounted for several Germans by one of whom he was wounded with a bayonet in the knee as the German fell forward after being shot. Lance Corporal Wilson also did good work with his leader. This party carried out their tasks well and as ordered.
It is regretted that no identification was obtained, but there is no doubt that the Germans put up a good fight before clearing out, and Lt Col Crosse’s estimate of 5 dead is within the mark. The enemy system of changing his Light Machine Guns every night from one shell hole position to another causes difficulty in making certain of them beforehand.
Regarding casualties, seven out of the 12 were from Light Machine Gun Fire. One of the Missing, Private Stokes, crawled into our lines at 12 noon today (18.6.18) so there are now three missing.”
Regarding this operation, Major General C E Pereira CB, CMG Commanding 2nd Division wrote on 18.6.18:-
“The Raiding Party of the 52nd Light Infantry made a most determined and courageous effort and I share their disappointment in not securing an identification.
I congratulate them on the fine fighting qualities shown by Serjeant Bennetts Party and on the casualties they know they inflicted on the Germans.”
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – MONTE LEMERLE.
Battn clearing up, burying dead etc.
Ordered at 2pm to clear by 5pm and return to BRUSABO Camp.
Battn in Billets by 7.30pm.
Pouring Wet day. Everyone wet through.
Ration Strength: 24 Officers 654 OR Casualties: NIL
1918 - 5th Bn. Oxf & Bucks LI - Cadre to HESDIN.
1918 - 7th Bn. Oxf & Bucks LI - To M Sector Trenches.(SALONIKA)
1941 – 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - embarked on Empire Pride bound for India.
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI:-
The marching troops left on the 17th June under Major G. D. Jephson, M.C., for a marshalling area at Bolney, Sussex. Ready for deployment in Normandy.
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – ST COME.
We were given a warning of a possible attack from Brigade.
At 0430 hrs ENEMY commenced mortar & shell fire on our area. Both mortar & gun positions were actively engaged by our Artillery & mortars.
At 0600 hrs a tank & Self Propelled gun attack developed from CUVERVILLE towards ESCOVILLE and HEROUVILLETTE, the SP guns firing on those villages and our positions. Small arms fire was directed at our positions from the EAST, SOUTH and NE but the attack did not develop and the tanks withdrew towards CUVERVILLE at 0930 hrs after being engaged by our Artillery.
Unit patrol areas were extended by Brigade to (1) 2 Oxf Bucks - Chateau 156742 (2) 1 RUR - area rd 147749 - 153746, the tasks being to accurately fix ENEMY positions and strength.
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - NORMANDY
D Company, the reserve working company, was moved to Ouistreham, where it combined the duties of a reserve to C Company and the administration of Moon assembly area, a transit area used for the passage of troops and vehicles to the line.
1775 - Battle of Bunker Hill (America) 43rd and 52nd engaged.
1815 – 52nd – Started at 2am, reached Waterloo and remained in bivouac in a ploughed field in heavy rain.
1907 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – Mills-Burrowe’s equipment taken into wear.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – LEFT FRONT BATTALION.
The following extract from the report by the Brigadier General Commanding 5th Infantry Brigade to Headquarters 2nd Division best describes the raid:-
“The raiders as arranged got down through their wire and lay down on the forward slope about 11.5PM.
During this they appear to have been seen by an advanced German Post and short bursts of Machine Gun fire were opened on them.
At 11.35PM when the barrage opened they advanced and came under close fire of one Light Machine Gun which caused several casualties in the leading platoon under 2/Lt Creak. The Officer however led them forward, shooting a German on his way, but was wounded and put out of action by fragments of a bomb or shell when getting over concertina wire. This party did not reach its objective on the AYETTE – MOYENVILLE ROAD and had 11 out of total 12 casualties.
The second party advanced and cleared their objective along the shell hole line, finding the Germans in shell holes between this line and our front line. Their leader, Serjeant Bennett accounted for several Germans by one of whom he was wounded with a bayonet in the knee as the German fell forward after being shot. Lance Corporal Wilson also did good work with his leader. This party carried out their tasks well and as ordered.
It is regretted that no identification was obtained, but there is no doubt that the Germans put up a good fight before clearing out, and Lt Col Crosse’s estimate of 5 dead is within the mark. The enemy system of changing his Light Machine Guns every night from one shell hole position to another causes difficulty in making certain of them beforehand.
Regarding casualties, seven out of the 12 were from Light Machine Gun Fire. One of the Missing, Private Stokes, crawled into our lines at 12 noon today (18.6.18) so there are now three missing.”
Regarding this operation, Major General C E Pereira CB, CMG Commanding 2nd Division wrote on 18.6.18:-
“The Raiding Party of the 52nd Light Infantry made a most determined and courageous effort and I share their disappointment in not securing an identification.
I congratulate them on the fine fighting qualities shown by Serjeant Bennetts Party and on the casualties they know they inflicted on the Germans.”
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – MONTE LEMERLE.
Battn clearing up, burying dead etc.
Ordered at 2pm to clear by 5pm and return to BRUSABO Camp.
Battn in Billets by 7.30pm.
Pouring Wet day. Everyone wet through.
Ration Strength: 24 Officers 654 OR Casualties: NIL
1918 - 5th Bn. Oxf & Bucks LI - Cadre to HESDIN.
1918 - 7th Bn. Oxf & Bucks LI - To M Sector Trenches.(SALONIKA)
1941 – 6th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - embarked on Empire Pride bound for India.
1944 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI:-
The marching troops left on the 17th June under Major G. D. Jephson, M.C., for a marshalling area at Bolney, Sussex. Ready for deployment in Normandy.
1944 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI – ST COME.
We were given a warning of a possible attack from Brigade.
At 0430 hrs ENEMY commenced mortar & shell fire on our area. Both mortar & gun positions were actively engaged by our Artillery & mortars.
At 0600 hrs a tank & Self Propelled gun attack developed from CUVERVILLE towards ESCOVILLE and HEROUVILLETTE, the SP guns firing on those villages and our positions. Small arms fire was directed at our positions from the EAST, SOUTH and NE but the attack did not develop and the tanks withdrew towards CUVERVILLE at 0930 hrs after being engaged by our Artillery.
Unit patrol areas were extended by Brigade to (1) 2 Oxf Bucks - Chateau 156742 (2) 1 RUR - area rd 147749 - 153746, the tasks being to accurately fix ENEMY positions and strength.
1944 – 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion - NORMANDY
D Company, the reserve working company, was moved to Ouistreham, where it combined the duties of a reserve to C Company and the administration of Moon assembly area, a transit area used for the passage of troops and vehicles to the line.
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