On this day 23rd OCTOBER
1818 - 43rd, 52nd, - and other Regiments of the Army of Occupation, reviewed at Valenciennes by the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia.
1869 – 43rd – Moved from Curragh to Dublin.
1918 - 2nd Oxf & Bucks LI and 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Battle of the SELLE: engaged not far from Valencienes” Continued attack, capturing all objectives, with 60 casualties. At night to billets at VERTAIN.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – ST. PYTHON.
Very fine after several days of rain, but movement across country was still very heavy. Operations began at 0320hrs when the 2nd Highland Light Infantry on the Left and the 24th Royal Fusiliers on the Right assaulted the RED LINE, i.e. the line of the road running from North East corner of VERTAIN to CROSS ROADS W.3.b. thence to Divisional Boundary at Q.33.b.3.6. The Divisional Boundary was the ST. PYTHON – VERTAIN – ESCARMAIN ROAD inclusive to the 3rd Division.
By 0730 these two regiments reported that they had gained their objectives. The second Objective, or GREEN LINE, was to be taken by the Regiment, passing through the 24th Royal Fusiliers, on the Right, and by the 2nd Highland Light Infantry on the Left, and included the village of ESCARMIN (North of a line from W.5.c.0.3. to W.5.b.2.6.) to cross roads W.4.b.7.7 – Q.34.central – junction with first Objective on North Divisional Boundary at Q.25.b.25.80.
The frontage for the Regiment ran from the village of ESCARMAIN (inclusive) to Q.34.d.1.7.
At 0630 Capt Anderson MC (who was performing the double duty of 2nd in Command and Signal Officer) and 6 orderlies went forward to establish a Regimental HeadQuarters on the West outskirts of VERTAIN, about W.15.a.2.3. this point having been selected from an aeroplane photograph. At 0735 Regimental HeadQuarters moved forward to this point and were established in a cellar by 0830, while the village was being shelled.
About 0930 wounded and prisoners began to arrive at the Aid Post, close to the regimental HeadQuarters, many of the wounded stating that they had become casualties from our own barrage, which in part fell short. At 1000 an orderly from Capt Anderson arrived, who had gone back to ST. PYTHON and so missed Regimental HeadQuarters, with a message timed 0735, reporting VERTAIN full of gas and being heavily shelled, and that in consequence he had established headquarters in a bank at W.9.c.3.0., just clear of the village, and that he was in touch with the Companies. Capt Anderson and his party less Pte Wixey killed, by a shell which slightly wounded Capt Anderson in two places, were subsequently closed to Regimental HeadQuarters.
A message from Capt Giles MC Commanding B Coy timed 0900 reported his headquarters at W.4.c.7.5., with his line along hedge in W.4.a & c. that he was held up by Machine Gun fire from a strongpoint as yet not located and that he was in touch on both flanks. Another message timed 0930 reported his company in the village of ESCARMAIN, with the enemy still in the strong point, and that he was still in touch on both flanks. About 1100 Capt Anderson arrived with the following information: - At 0840 when formed up on RED LINE, Capt Bobby MC Commanding C Coy was not sure of touch with 3rd Division on the right, and that in consequence he had called on D Coy (Capt Eagle) for support if necessary: OC A Coy had been warned to hold two platoons in readiness to cover the right flank of C Coy, and that at 0815 A Coy (Lt Whitehead) was established along the East bank of the HARPIES RIVER from W.9.c.0.9. to W.9.c.0.5.. He also brought a message from OC C Coy timed 1100 reporting the capture of all objectives and 50 prisoners, with little or no resistance and slight casualties. The Coy held from W.5.b.2.6. to W.35.c.5.0. at which point it was in touch with B Coy, but was not in touch with 3rd Division. Coy HeadQuarters at W.35.c.8.0..
At 11.30 OC B Coy reported message timed 10.45, capture of all objectives, consolidation proceeding, slight casualties, many prisoners and machine guns and Coy HeadQuarters in SUNKEN ROAD at W.4.b.7.9., also touch obtained on both flanks.
At 1045 OC A Coy reported that he was moving to W.4.b.5.5..
A BROWN LINE had been previously indicated and in view of orders received the following was not issued to companies:-
“GREEN LINE reported taken captured on whole front. Attack on BROWN LINE will proceed as ordered.
Patrols to be pushed beyond it towards river in Q.29 and Q.30 with line of resistance advanced to North of road Q.35.b – Q.36.a. Village of CAPELLE is just within our left Regimental Boundary. Cavalry will try to cross river in Q.29. and Q.30. and seize high ground North of it. Regimental HeadQuarters are moving now to ESCARMAIN in W.4.d.”
The boundaries had been laid down as follows:- Road Junction in Q.36.c. – Copse Q.35.c. inclusive – Junction with 1st and 2nd Objectives on Northern Boundary of Division.
The Boundary between the Regiment and 2nd Highland Light Infantry was line W.13.d.5.5. – W.9.a.0.0. Road Junction in W.3.d. inclusive to the Regiment – Sunken Road Q.34.d.3.5. – Copse in Q.34.b & d., inclusive to the Regiment.
As soon as it was known that the GREEN LINE had been taken , the Signal Serjeant with some signallers and orderlies had been sent on to ESCARMAIN to lay a line and establish a forward regimental HeadQuarters on the West Edge of the village.
This was effected and signal communication with HeadQuarters in VERTAIN established by 12 noon.
At 12.30 HeadQuarters moved to ESCARMAIN.
Owing to an attack by 3rd Division ESCARMAIN was being somewhat heavily shelled when Headquarters arrived there about 13.15. HeadQuarters were in cellars in which the advance party, 9639 Sgt Older and Signallers, had captured 4 Germans with a machine Gun, and which were full of new German kits, the Division defending the place having only the previous night come into the line. At 13.00 OC B Coy reported that our Machine Gun had silenced a trench mortar which had been troublesome.
At 14.26 C Coy, on the Right, and B Coy, on the Left, were due to advance, but owing to the barrage falling short this was impossible in the case of C Coy still after 14.30.
From the high ground just West of ESCARMAIN the Regimental Scouts were able to watch the advance of the Regiment and of the troops on the right of it.
OC C Coy reported, message timed 10.45 that he had taken the BROWN LINE with many prisoners, but that on attempting a further advance the whole line had come under heavy Machine Gun fire from the high ground across the ESCAILLON RIVER. Helped by 2 platoons of D Coy, C Coy consolidated, therefore, in front of the BROWN LINE.
B Coy took CAPELLE VILLAGE with many prisoners, and Machine Guns and 4 Trench Mortars, consolidating along the hedge on the North East edge of the village.
Line of C Coy ran from road junction Q.36.c.1.6. to Q.35 Central.
Casualties were again light.
At 1600 OC A Coy reported that he had withdrawn his company from W.4.b. to W.4.c. the former area being under enemy observation.
About 1600 notification was received that the Brigade would be relieved by the 99th Infantry Brigade the same evening: 23rd Royal Fusiliers to relieve the Regiment. Officers to ascertain dispositions arrived about 16.30.
As the 99th Infantry Brigade had orders to continue the advance the next day OC C Coy was ordered to establish a line of posts North of the road running through Q.35.b. and Q.36.a. and at right angles to the Corps Right Boundary which ran through Q.36.a.4.5. and Q.19.c.0.0. This was effected after dark, when lack of visibility prevented the enemy opening Machine Gun fire.
A good “jumping off” line was thus handed over. Guides, one for regimental HeadQuarters and five per Company, except from A (or the Reserve) Coy were sent to Cross Roads on W.30.b. at 20.30. There was some difficulty in that the 23rd Royal Fusiliers had only two companies with which to relieve the four companies of the Regiment.
Relief was complete, however, by 2300 and companies moved back independently to billets in VERTAIN. Blankets were sent up and issued by midnight.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – RIGHT SECTOR RIGHT BRIGADE (S.SISTO).
Quiet Day.
2LT BUTLIN proceeded on Special Leave to England.
Ration Strength: 21 Officers 606 OR. Casualties: 1 OR Hospital – sick.
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To St. AUBERT.
1918 - 8th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To MUSTAPHA PASHA.
1818 - 43rd, 52nd, - and other Regiments of the Army of Occupation, reviewed at Valenciennes by the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia.
1869 – 43rd – Moved from Curragh to Dublin.
1918 - 2nd Oxf & Bucks LI and 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - Battle of the SELLE: engaged not far from Valencienes” Continued attack, capturing all objectives, with 60 casualties. At night to billets at VERTAIN.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – ST. PYTHON.
Very fine after several days of rain, but movement across country was still very heavy. Operations began at 0320hrs when the 2nd Highland Light Infantry on the Left and the 24th Royal Fusiliers on the Right assaulted the RED LINE, i.e. the line of the road running from North East corner of VERTAIN to CROSS ROADS W.3.b. thence to Divisional Boundary at Q.33.b.3.6. The Divisional Boundary was the ST. PYTHON – VERTAIN – ESCARMAIN ROAD inclusive to the 3rd Division.
By 0730 these two regiments reported that they had gained their objectives. The second Objective, or GREEN LINE, was to be taken by the Regiment, passing through the 24th Royal Fusiliers, on the Right, and by the 2nd Highland Light Infantry on the Left, and included the village of ESCARMIN (North of a line from W.5.c.0.3. to W.5.b.2.6.) to cross roads W.4.b.7.7 – Q.34.central – junction with first Objective on North Divisional Boundary at Q.25.b.25.80.
The frontage for the Regiment ran from the village of ESCARMAIN (inclusive) to Q.34.d.1.7.
At 0630 Capt Anderson MC (who was performing the double duty of 2nd in Command and Signal Officer) and 6 orderlies went forward to establish a Regimental HeadQuarters on the West outskirts of VERTAIN, about W.15.a.2.3. this point having been selected from an aeroplane photograph. At 0735 Regimental HeadQuarters moved forward to this point and were established in a cellar by 0830, while the village was being shelled.
About 0930 wounded and prisoners began to arrive at the Aid Post, close to the regimental HeadQuarters, many of the wounded stating that they had become casualties from our own barrage, which in part fell short. At 1000 an orderly from Capt Anderson arrived, who had gone back to ST. PYTHON and so missed Regimental HeadQuarters, with a message timed 0735, reporting VERTAIN full of gas and being heavily shelled, and that in consequence he had established headquarters in a bank at W.9.c.3.0., just clear of the village, and that he was in touch with the Companies. Capt Anderson and his party less Pte Wixey killed, by a shell which slightly wounded Capt Anderson in two places, were subsequently closed to Regimental HeadQuarters.
A message from Capt Giles MC Commanding B Coy timed 0900 reported his headquarters at W.4.c.7.5., with his line along hedge in W.4.a & c. that he was held up by Machine Gun fire from a strongpoint as yet not located and that he was in touch on both flanks. Another message timed 0930 reported his company in the village of ESCARMAIN, with the enemy still in the strong point, and that he was still in touch on both flanks. About 1100 Capt Anderson arrived with the following information: - At 0840 when formed up on RED LINE, Capt Bobby MC Commanding C Coy was not sure of touch with 3rd Division on the right, and that in consequence he had called on D Coy (Capt Eagle) for support if necessary: OC A Coy had been warned to hold two platoons in readiness to cover the right flank of C Coy, and that at 0815 A Coy (Lt Whitehead) was established along the East bank of the HARPIES RIVER from W.9.c.0.9. to W.9.c.0.5.. He also brought a message from OC C Coy timed 1100 reporting the capture of all objectives and 50 prisoners, with little or no resistance and slight casualties. The Coy held from W.5.b.2.6. to W.35.c.5.0. at which point it was in touch with B Coy, but was not in touch with 3rd Division. Coy HeadQuarters at W.35.c.8.0..
At 11.30 OC B Coy reported message timed 10.45, capture of all objectives, consolidation proceeding, slight casualties, many prisoners and machine guns and Coy HeadQuarters in SUNKEN ROAD at W.4.b.7.9., also touch obtained on both flanks.
At 1045 OC A Coy reported that he was moving to W.4.b.5.5..
A BROWN LINE had been previously indicated and in view of orders received the following was not issued to companies:-
“GREEN LINE reported taken captured on whole front. Attack on BROWN LINE will proceed as ordered.
Patrols to be pushed beyond it towards river in Q.29 and Q.30 with line of resistance advanced to North of road Q.35.b – Q.36.a. Village of CAPELLE is just within our left Regimental Boundary. Cavalry will try to cross river in Q.29. and Q.30. and seize high ground North of it. Regimental HeadQuarters are moving now to ESCARMAIN in W.4.d.”
The boundaries had been laid down as follows:- Road Junction in Q.36.c. – Copse Q.35.c. inclusive – Junction with 1st and 2nd Objectives on Northern Boundary of Division.
The Boundary between the Regiment and 2nd Highland Light Infantry was line W.13.d.5.5. – W.9.a.0.0. Road Junction in W.3.d. inclusive to the Regiment – Sunken Road Q.34.d.3.5. – Copse in Q.34.b & d., inclusive to the Regiment.
As soon as it was known that the GREEN LINE had been taken , the Signal Serjeant with some signallers and orderlies had been sent on to ESCARMAIN to lay a line and establish a forward regimental HeadQuarters on the West Edge of the village.
This was effected and signal communication with HeadQuarters in VERTAIN established by 12 noon.
At 12.30 HeadQuarters moved to ESCARMAIN.
Owing to an attack by 3rd Division ESCARMAIN was being somewhat heavily shelled when Headquarters arrived there about 13.15. HeadQuarters were in cellars in which the advance party, 9639 Sgt Older and Signallers, had captured 4 Germans with a machine Gun, and which were full of new German kits, the Division defending the place having only the previous night come into the line. At 13.00 OC B Coy reported that our Machine Gun had silenced a trench mortar which had been troublesome.
At 14.26 C Coy, on the Right, and B Coy, on the Left, were due to advance, but owing to the barrage falling short this was impossible in the case of C Coy still after 14.30.
From the high ground just West of ESCARMAIN the Regimental Scouts were able to watch the advance of the Regiment and of the troops on the right of it.
OC C Coy reported, message timed 10.45 that he had taken the BROWN LINE with many prisoners, but that on attempting a further advance the whole line had come under heavy Machine Gun fire from the high ground across the ESCAILLON RIVER. Helped by 2 platoons of D Coy, C Coy consolidated, therefore, in front of the BROWN LINE.
B Coy took CAPELLE VILLAGE with many prisoners, and Machine Guns and 4 Trench Mortars, consolidating along the hedge on the North East edge of the village.
Line of C Coy ran from road junction Q.36.c.1.6. to Q.35 Central.
Casualties were again light.
At 1600 OC A Coy reported that he had withdrawn his company from W.4.b. to W.4.c. the former area being under enemy observation.
About 1600 notification was received that the Brigade would be relieved by the 99th Infantry Brigade the same evening: 23rd Royal Fusiliers to relieve the Regiment. Officers to ascertain dispositions arrived about 16.30.
As the 99th Infantry Brigade had orders to continue the advance the next day OC C Coy was ordered to establish a line of posts North of the road running through Q.35.b. and Q.36.a. and at right angles to the Corps Right Boundary which ran through Q.36.a.4.5. and Q.19.c.0.0. This was effected after dark, when lack of visibility prevented the enemy opening Machine Gun fire.
A good “jumping off” line was thus handed over. Guides, one for regimental HeadQuarters and five per Company, except from A (or the Reserve) Coy were sent to Cross Roads on W.30.b. at 20.30. There was some difficulty in that the 23rd Royal Fusiliers had only two companies with which to relieve the four companies of the Regiment.
Relief was complete, however, by 2300 and companies moved back independently to billets in VERTAIN. Blankets were sent up and issued by midnight.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – RIGHT SECTOR RIGHT BRIGADE (S.SISTO).
Quiet Day.
2LT BUTLIN proceeded on Special Leave to England.
Ration Strength: 21 Officers 606 OR. Casualties: 1 OR Hospital – sick.
1918 - 2/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To St. AUBERT.
1918 - 8th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI - To MUSTAPHA PASHA.
RSS Feed