On this day 1st NOVEMBER
1808 – Sir John Moore commenced his march from Portugal into Spain.
1884 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – White Sword Knots were taken into wear by Officers.
1918 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - ARMISTICE WITH TURKEY announced at HIT (Euphrates).
Battn parade.
Practice Defence Scheme with 1/97th Infty & 256 M.G. Coy & 816 Batty.
News received on return of signing of Turkish Armistice.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – HERMERAIN / RUESNES.
Nothing of importance occurred.
1918 - 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI and 1/1st Bucks Bn - Battle of Vittorio Veneto (Italy).
1918 - 1/1st Bucks Bn. - Attack on Mt. CATZ, rout of enemy.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – IN RIGHT BRIGADE RESERVE NR PRIA DEIL ACQUA
Wire received at 0130 hours ordering Battalion to be prepared to attack at 0500 hours.
A Further & more detailed order received about 0300hours (see appendix A)
Battn moved to Forming Up Positions via PRIA DELL ACQUA – ASIAGO Road, head of Battalion reaching RENDELA at 0520hours.
At this time enemy was putting down a brisk barrage on the GHELPAC Valley so it was decided to form up on the Line of the Road RENDELA – GALLIO which was fairly clear of the barrage.
Battn formed up with two companies in line in 2 waves, 2 Platoons in each wave, the remaining 2 Coys in Battn Reserve in Depth in Artillery Formation.
1/4 R BERKS REGT on Left – 24th FERNCH DIV on Right.
The enemy opened with MG & Rifle fire from REUTTE, COSTA, STRAITE & M CATZ, with some Rifle fire from trenches along WEST edge of GALLIO WOOD soon after the Advance commenced.
The leading wave had little difficulty in occupying the WINTERSTELLUNG from VILLA ROSSI TO REUTTE but on attempting to advance from it met with heavy enfilade fire from COSTA, M CATZ & STRAITE.
As there were no signs of an attack being made on CATZ on our Left & it was impossible to get on without silencing the guns there, a coy was sent to attack it through COSTA while 2 other Coys assaulted STRAITE & RIGONI DI SOTTO, where MGs were captured.
These 2 Coys then worked up the Eastern slopes of M CATZ.
Heavy fire was still coming from the 2 MGs on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & this Coy was held up for some time until a Lewis Gun put out one MG, do enabling Coy to get round the other & capture it, killing the crew who fought this gun to the last.
By this time the other 2 Coys had worked well up the eastern slopes & assaulted the crest capturing 4 MGs.
The Crest was reached at 0700 & there were still no signs of the attack on our Left except for hearing fire in the neighbourhood of BOSCO.
At this time the enemy barrage was fairly heavy on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & 3 Coys were very much mixed up & crowded together just inside it.
The Right Coy was being held up by fire from trenches about A82.89 and fire was also coming from ROCCOLO NE.
One Coy was therefore sent towards ROCCOLO & the other 2 to move across to the spur in square 79 so as to get back in into our own line of attack – This caused the enemy opposing the Right Coy to bolt.
About 0730 a Company of 1/4 R BERKS was found on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & given the situation.
2 Platoons were left at ROCCOLO to keep touch with the BERKS & the rest pushed on up the slopes in squares 79 & 70.
Little further resistance was encountered after this.
Some isolated enemy posts were encountered in the neighbourhood of the QUARRY in square 79 & behind it but they ceased fire & surrendered when the attack approached them.
Two MGs were captured close to the QUARRY - a 4.2 Howitzer was captured with its crew about A76.04.
By 10.30hrs the Battn was approx on the line of the 1400 contour line in square 70.
Patrols were pushed out in front of & to each flank as touch had been lost with both FRENCH & BERKS.
Except for a few stray prisoners who were brought in NO enemy could be found as far forward as the high ground in square 72.
As we were approx on our own objective & out of touch with both flanks, it was decided NOT to go further forward.
Coys were reorganised & a piquet line established on the line above mentioned -
About 13.30 a coy of the 4th R BERKS came up on our Left.
A quantity of material was captured on the road between C GIARDINI & CROCE DI S ANTONIO including 10 guns of different calibres & 3 motor lorries.
Six 77mm guns were captured about H7002 & from move in the VALLE DI NOS.
The Night passed without incident.
Casualties: 2/LT J W C READ Wounded
4 OR Killed
40 OR Wounded
Ration Strength: 24 Officers 653 OR.
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – FRONT LINE S. SISTO.
Ref Maps: ASIAGO 1/25,000. CIMA DODICI 1/25,000. BRENTA E PIAVE 1/100,000.
03.15 - Enemy reported to have withdrawn from the front line system.
The Bn. will concentrate in ASIAGO at 05.40 in Bde. Reserve.
R. BERKSHIRE Regt. & BUCKS Bn. will attack.
04.15 - Above order cancelled.
The Bn. will concentrate in front line system ready to move forward.
Dumps of kit & stores made on S. SISTO Rd.
07.10 - Bn. moved from Front Line to ASIAGO via S. SISTO – AVE Rd.
Order of march HQ, A, B, C, D Coy's: Platoons in file at 50yds. distance.
Enemy Front Line at AVE was merely a mass of shell holes.
08.30 - Bn. concentrated S.E. of MILITARY BARRACKS, ASIAGO.
Town of ASIAGO badly damaged.
12.15 - Moved to C. RICONI di SOTTO via RENDELA, EBENE & REUTTE.
Enemy shelling light.
Got touch with BUCKS Bn. near HQ.
Advance of BUCKS apparently continuing & now on 71 – 81 Grid Line.
R. BERKS held up at BOSCO where enemy putting up hard fight to protect mouth of VAL D'ASSA.
14.40 - Moved up valley to just N. of ROCCOLO NE, where Bn. HQ. established with C & D Coy's in Reserve.
A & B Coy's under Capt. J.E. BOYLE MC. push up valley to obtain touch with R. BERKS & BUCKS & to fill gap reported between them.
18.15 - Capt. BOYLE reported that although he has pushed well forward to neighbourhood of
ANCIENT RUINS, no sign of R. BERKS & BUCKS.
Piquets rested & bivouac for night.
20.20 - Rations arrive. Impossible to deliver to A & B Coy's, owing to darkness, state of mule
track & distance.
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI present - Battle of Valenciennes (France).
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To MARESCHES.
182nd Infty Bde carried out an attack on the line ST. HUBERT River in L.33.b. (51A) zero 0515 hours. The Battalion acted as Reserve Battalion of Reserve Brigade, and stood to at 0515 hours.
Orders were received at 1215 hours for the Battalion to occupy Corps Line of Resistance in front of VENDEGIES. This move was carried out; but orders were received immediately on its completion for the Battalion to move forward and take up positions West of MARESCHES, with Battalion Headquarters at house at L.30.b.7.1. (51A) (Joint Headquarters with 2/5th Gloucesters) This move was completed by 1930 hours.
There was heavy enemy shelling during the evening on ARTRES and between the river and railway from ARTRES to SEPMERIES.
In the morning the 182nd Infantry Brigade had reached its objectives, but during the day was driven from ST. HUBERT by enemy counter attacks, supported by tanks.
At 1930 hours the 2/5th Gloucesters carried out an attack with two Companies, on the ST. HUBERT cross roads, but failed to reach their objective, and established a line along the ridge running N.W. of MARESCHES through L.25.b., L.19.c.
A and C Companies 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry relieved 2/5th Gloucesters in this position about 2300 hours.
The G.O.C. 184th Infantry Brigade visited the Battalion Commander, and gave instructions for the Battalion to carry out an attack in the morning of the 2nd.
Casualties Lieut. G.W. WILLIS wounded. Other Ranks Killed 1 Wounded 13.
1808 – Sir John Moore commenced his march from Portugal into Spain.
1884 – 2nd Bn Oxf LI – White Sword Knots were taken into wear by Officers.
1918 - 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - ARMISTICE WITH TURKEY announced at HIT (Euphrates).
Battn parade.
Practice Defence Scheme with 1/97th Infty & 256 M.G. Coy & 816 Batty.
News received on return of signing of Turkish Armistice.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – HERMERAIN / RUESNES.
Nothing of importance occurred.
1918 - 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI and 1/1st Bucks Bn - Battle of Vittorio Veneto (Italy).
1918 - 1/1st Bucks Bn. - Attack on Mt. CATZ, rout of enemy.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – IN RIGHT BRIGADE RESERVE NR PRIA DEIL ACQUA
Wire received at 0130 hours ordering Battalion to be prepared to attack at 0500 hours.
A Further & more detailed order received about 0300hours (see appendix A)
Battn moved to Forming Up Positions via PRIA DELL ACQUA – ASIAGO Road, head of Battalion reaching RENDELA at 0520hours.
At this time enemy was putting down a brisk barrage on the GHELPAC Valley so it was decided to form up on the Line of the Road RENDELA – GALLIO which was fairly clear of the barrage.
Battn formed up with two companies in line in 2 waves, 2 Platoons in each wave, the remaining 2 Coys in Battn Reserve in Depth in Artillery Formation.
1/4 R BERKS REGT on Left – 24th FERNCH DIV on Right.
The enemy opened with MG & Rifle fire from REUTTE, COSTA, STRAITE & M CATZ, with some Rifle fire from trenches along WEST edge of GALLIO WOOD soon after the Advance commenced.
The leading wave had little difficulty in occupying the WINTERSTELLUNG from VILLA ROSSI TO REUTTE but on attempting to advance from it met with heavy enfilade fire from COSTA, M CATZ & STRAITE.
As there were no signs of an attack being made on CATZ on our Left & it was impossible to get on without silencing the guns there, a coy was sent to attack it through COSTA while 2 other Coys assaulted STRAITE & RIGONI DI SOTTO, where MGs were captured.
These 2 Coys then worked up the Eastern slopes of M CATZ.
Heavy fire was still coming from the 2 MGs on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & this Coy was held up for some time until a Lewis Gun put out one MG, do enabling Coy to get round the other & capture it, killing the crew who fought this gun to the last.
By this time the other 2 Coys had worked well up the eastern slopes & assaulted the crest capturing 4 MGs.
The Crest was reached at 0700 & there were still no signs of the attack on our Left except for hearing fire in the neighbourhood of BOSCO.
At this time the enemy barrage was fairly heavy on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & 3 Coys were very much mixed up & crowded together just inside it.
The Right Coy was being held up by fire from trenches about A82.89 and fire was also coming from ROCCOLO NE.
One Coy was therefore sent towards ROCCOLO & the other 2 to move across to the spur in square 79 so as to get back in into our own line of attack – This caused the enemy opposing the Right Coy to bolt.
About 0730 a Company of 1/4 R BERKS was found on the Southern slopes of M CATZ & given the situation.
2 Platoons were left at ROCCOLO to keep touch with the BERKS & the rest pushed on up the slopes in squares 79 & 70.
Little further resistance was encountered after this.
Some isolated enemy posts were encountered in the neighbourhood of the QUARRY in square 79 & behind it but they ceased fire & surrendered when the attack approached them.
Two MGs were captured close to the QUARRY - a 4.2 Howitzer was captured with its crew about A76.04.
By 10.30hrs the Battn was approx on the line of the 1400 contour line in square 70.
Patrols were pushed out in front of & to each flank as touch had been lost with both FRENCH & BERKS.
Except for a few stray prisoners who were brought in NO enemy could be found as far forward as the high ground in square 72.
As we were approx on our own objective & out of touch with both flanks, it was decided NOT to go further forward.
Coys were reorganised & a piquet line established on the line above mentioned -
About 13.30 a coy of the 4th R BERKS came up on our Left.
A quantity of material was captured on the road between C GIARDINI & CROCE DI S ANTONIO including 10 guns of different calibres & 3 motor lorries.
Six 77mm guns were captured about H7002 & from move in the VALLE DI NOS.
The Night passed without incident.
Casualties: 2/LT J W C READ Wounded
4 OR Killed
40 OR Wounded
Ration Strength: 24 Officers 653 OR.
1918 – 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – FRONT LINE S. SISTO.
Ref Maps: ASIAGO 1/25,000. CIMA DODICI 1/25,000. BRENTA E PIAVE 1/100,000.
03.15 - Enemy reported to have withdrawn from the front line system.
The Bn. will concentrate in ASIAGO at 05.40 in Bde. Reserve.
R. BERKSHIRE Regt. & BUCKS Bn. will attack.
04.15 - Above order cancelled.
The Bn. will concentrate in front line system ready to move forward.
Dumps of kit & stores made on S. SISTO Rd.
07.10 - Bn. moved from Front Line to ASIAGO via S. SISTO – AVE Rd.
Order of march HQ, A, B, C, D Coy's: Platoons in file at 50yds. distance.
Enemy Front Line at AVE was merely a mass of shell holes.
08.30 - Bn. concentrated S.E. of MILITARY BARRACKS, ASIAGO.
Town of ASIAGO badly damaged.
12.15 - Moved to C. RICONI di SOTTO via RENDELA, EBENE & REUTTE.
Enemy shelling light.
Got touch with BUCKS Bn. near HQ.
Advance of BUCKS apparently continuing & now on 71 – 81 Grid Line.
R. BERKS held up at BOSCO where enemy putting up hard fight to protect mouth of VAL D'ASSA.
14.40 - Moved up valley to just N. of ROCCOLO NE, where Bn. HQ. established with C & D Coy's in Reserve.
A & B Coy's under Capt. J.E. BOYLE MC. push up valley to obtain touch with R. BERKS & BUCKS & to fill gap reported between them.
18.15 - Capt. BOYLE reported that although he has pushed well forward to neighbourhood of
ANCIENT RUINS, no sign of R. BERKS & BUCKS.
Piquets rested & bivouac for night.
20.20 - Rations arrive. Impossible to deliver to A & B Coy's, owing to darkness, state of mule
track & distance.
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI present - Battle of Valenciennes (France).
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To MARESCHES.
182nd Infty Bde carried out an attack on the line ST. HUBERT River in L.33.b. (51A) zero 0515 hours. The Battalion acted as Reserve Battalion of Reserve Brigade, and stood to at 0515 hours.
Orders were received at 1215 hours for the Battalion to occupy Corps Line of Resistance in front of VENDEGIES. This move was carried out; but orders were received immediately on its completion for the Battalion to move forward and take up positions West of MARESCHES, with Battalion Headquarters at house at L.30.b.7.1. (51A) (Joint Headquarters with 2/5th Gloucesters) This move was completed by 1930 hours.
There was heavy enemy shelling during the evening on ARTRES and between the river and railway from ARTRES to SEPMERIES.
In the morning the 182nd Infantry Brigade had reached its objectives, but during the day was driven from ST. HUBERT by enemy counter attacks, supported by tanks.
At 1930 hours the 2/5th Gloucesters carried out an attack with two Companies, on the ST. HUBERT cross roads, but failed to reach their objective, and established a line along the ridge running N.W. of MARESCHES through L.25.b., L.19.c.
A and C Companies 2/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry relieved 2/5th Gloucesters in this position about 2300 hours.
The G.O.C. 184th Infantry Brigade visited the Battalion Commander, and gave instructions for the Battalion to carry out an attack in the morning of the 2nd.
Casualties Lieut. G.W. WILLIS wounded. Other Ranks Killed 1 Wounded 13.
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