On this day 16th April
1797 – 43rd – Arrived at Jamaica.
1917 - 16th/17th APRIL – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI
At 6.40PM orders were received for the Regiment and the 17th Royal Fusiliers in conjunction with the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the Right and Canadians on the Left to “Endeavour to capture” the OPPY LINE & ARLEUX SWITCH by means of Bombing parties.
According to all reports of observers and patrols the wire was thick and without gaps on our front.
At about 10.30PM the attack was postponed in order that further patrols should be sent out.
At about 3.30AM the attack was cancelled.
It rained all night and there was heavy hostile shelling.
After 3.30AM D coy relieved A Coy which with B Coy was moved to OUSE TRENCH and cellars and dugouts on the Northern outskirts of BAILLEUL.
1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion captured TOMBOIS FARM during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line.
1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – OUTPOSTS MALASSISE FARM (EXCL) TO X TRACKS F17c28 (INCL)
Quiet day – A Coy took over whole of outpost line at dusk relieving B & C Coys for attack on TOMBOIS FARM arranged for 11.30pm.
ATTACK ON TOMBOIS FARM
Objectives – TOMBOIS FARM & ridge east of TOMBOIS FARM.
On our Right 1/4 R BERKS to capture GILLEMONT FARM
On our Left 1/5 R WARWICKS to capture CATELET COPSE & LE PETIT PRIEL FARM.
Dispositions for attack - C Coy on Right to attack S & E of FARM.
B Coy on Left to attack W & N of FARM
D Coy in echelon behind C Coy to occupy enemy trench from abt F.11.b.3.1 to F.11.d.5.9 & remain on that line until satisfied that leading Coys had attained their objectives then it would go fwd & capture 2nd objective.
1 Coy 1/5 GLOSTERS in support in LEMPIRE
Forming up positions –
B Coy W of SART FARM.
C Coy abt F.10.d.5.7
D Coy abt F.10.b.7.6
WEATHER-Pouring rain & blowing a gale -very dark. Wind blowing toward enemy.
ZERO 11.30pm.
Result- All Coys encountered a thick belt of wire in front of enemy positions which were strongly held.
Enemy rifle & MG fire very heavy.
Enemy barrage mostly behind the attack on outskirts of LEMPIRE & SART FARM
C & D Coys unable to penetrate wire & were withdrawn to SART FARM & reorganised.
B Coy who attracted rather less enemy fire, penetrated enemy trench abt F.11.b.6.5 & by abt 2am had got possession of farm in spite of considerable opposition in which the bayonet played a leading part.
On hearing of C & D Coys failure to attain objectives reaching Bn HQ, the Coy of 1/5 GLOSTERS in support were sent up at 2am to gain touch with & support B Coy, if necessary.
The remains of C & D Coys following shortly after to support them.
All succeded in reaching B Coy & helping them to clear neighbourhood of Germans, who were still holding in some strength in ORCHARD immediately SOUTH of FARM.
By 4am both FARM & ORCHARD were reported clear of enemy, & trenches were being dug W of the road also N & E of the FARM.
Enemy dead on & around FARM estimated at 30
Captures- 9 prisoners & 1 Machine Gun
1/4 R BERKS on Right & 1/5 R WARWICKS on Left both failed to reach their objectives on account of wire & heavy MG & rifle fire.
Casualties – Officers Wounded - CAPTAIN R GREGSON-ELLIS (serious) D Coy
2LT J JACK (slight) D coy
2LT N S FLINT (serious) D coy
2LT B C C OLIVER (slight) D Coy
2LT R F CHATAM (slightly, at duty) B Coy
OR Killed - 18
OR Wounded - 42
OR Wounded (slightly at duty) -6
STRENGTH OF ATTACKING COYS
B Coy 4 Offrs 136 OR LT M BOWEN in Command
C Coy 3 Ofrs 175 OR LT J B HALES in command
D Coy 4 Offrs 134 OR CAPT R GREGSON-ELLIS in command
Ration Strength 20 Officers 637 OR
1931 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Bugle Cords taken into wear by the Buglers.
1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
Moved forward to Weitzmtthlen (0581) and received orders for a night attack from Kirchlinteln (0684) to Verden (0081).
1945 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - NWE Nettelkamp
At first light the Recce Pl went off to report on the enemy situation & the bridges at BOLLENSEN 9582. Lt. Wilmot reported that bridge was intact & he also located several S.P. guns lying up in the woods. At 1215 hrs the Regt. led by "A" Coy with Churchills in support left NETTELKAMP, with the object of getting to KAHLSTORF 9885. "B" Coy met opposition in the village whilst "A" Coy pushed through, & supported by our own mortars the 53 (WY) light regiment & 25 field regt put in an attack east of the road EMERN-KAHLSTORF, eventually getting into the latter village, where the Regiment consolidated, "B" Coy was detached and sent to GR PRETXIER 9984. During the day we were repeatedly bothered by guns & Nebelwerfers which between them caused 25 casualties.
1797 – 43rd – Arrived at Jamaica.
1917 - 16th/17th APRIL – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI
At 6.40PM orders were received for the Regiment and the 17th Royal Fusiliers in conjunction with the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the Right and Canadians on the Left to “Endeavour to capture” the OPPY LINE & ARLEUX SWITCH by means of Bombing parties.
According to all reports of observers and patrols the wire was thick and without gaps on our front.
At about 10.30PM the attack was postponed in order that further patrols should be sent out.
At about 3.30AM the attack was cancelled.
It rained all night and there was heavy hostile shelling.
After 3.30AM D coy relieved A Coy which with B Coy was moved to OUSE TRENCH and cellars and dugouts on the Northern outskirts of BAILLEUL.
1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion captured TOMBOIS FARM during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line.
1917 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – OUTPOSTS MALASSISE FARM (EXCL) TO X TRACKS F17c28 (INCL)
Quiet day – A Coy took over whole of outpost line at dusk relieving B & C Coys for attack on TOMBOIS FARM arranged for 11.30pm.
ATTACK ON TOMBOIS FARM
Objectives – TOMBOIS FARM & ridge east of TOMBOIS FARM.
On our Right 1/4 R BERKS to capture GILLEMONT FARM
On our Left 1/5 R WARWICKS to capture CATELET COPSE & LE PETIT PRIEL FARM.
Dispositions for attack - C Coy on Right to attack S & E of FARM.
B Coy on Left to attack W & N of FARM
D Coy in echelon behind C Coy to occupy enemy trench from abt F.11.b.3.1 to F.11.d.5.9 & remain on that line until satisfied that leading Coys had attained their objectives then it would go fwd & capture 2nd objective.
1 Coy 1/5 GLOSTERS in support in LEMPIRE
Forming up positions –
B Coy W of SART FARM.
C Coy abt F.10.d.5.7
D Coy abt F.10.b.7.6
WEATHER-Pouring rain & blowing a gale -very dark. Wind blowing toward enemy.
ZERO 11.30pm.
Result- All Coys encountered a thick belt of wire in front of enemy positions which were strongly held.
Enemy rifle & MG fire very heavy.
Enemy barrage mostly behind the attack on outskirts of LEMPIRE & SART FARM
C & D Coys unable to penetrate wire & were withdrawn to SART FARM & reorganised.
B Coy who attracted rather less enemy fire, penetrated enemy trench abt F.11.b.6.5 & by abt 2am had got possession of farm in spite of considerable opposition in which the bayonet played a leading part.
On hearing of C & D Coys failure to attain objectives reaching Bn HQ, the Coy of 1/5 GLOSTERS in support were sent up at 2am to gain touch with & support B Coy, if necessary.
The remains of C & D Coys following shortly after to support them.
All succeded in reaching B Coy & helping them to clear neighbourhood of Germans, who were still holding in some strength in ORCHARD immediately SOUTH of FARM.
By 4am both FARM & ORCHARD were reported clear of enemy, & trenches were being dug W of the road also N & E of the FARM.
Enemy dead on & around FARM estimated at 30
Captures- 9 prisoners & 1 Machine Gun
1/4 R BERKS on Right & 1/5 R WARWICKS on Left both failed to reach their objectives on account of wire & heavy MG & rifle fire.
Casualties – Officers Wounded - CAPTAIN R GREGSON-ELLIS (serious) D Coy
2LT J JACK (slight) D coy
2LT N S FLINT (serious) D coy
2LT B C C OLIVER (slight) D Coy
2LT R F CHATAM (slightly, at duty) B Coy
OR Killed - 18
OR Wounded - 42
OR Wounded (slightly at duty) -6
STRENGTH OF ATTACKING COYS
B Coy 4 Offrs 136 OR LT M BOWEN in Command
C Coy 3 Ofrs 175 OR LT J B HALES in command
D Coy 4 Offrs 134 OR CAPT R GREGSON-ELLIS in command
Ration Strength 20 Officers 637 OR
1931 – 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Bugle Cords taken into wear by the Buglers.
1945 – 1st Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – North West Europe
Moved forward to Weitzmtthlen (0581) and received orders for a night attack from Kirchlinteln (0684) to Verden (0081).
1945 - 2nd (Airborne) Bn, Oxf & Bucks LI - NWE Nettelkamp
At first light the Recce Pl went off to report on the enemy situation & the bridges at BOLLENSEN 9582. Lt. Wilmot reported that bridge was intact & he also located several S.P. guns lying up in the woods. At 1215 hrs the Regt. led by "A" Coy with Churchills in support left NETTELKAMP, with the object of getting to KAHLSTORF 9885. "B" Coy met opposition in the village whilst "A" Coy pushed through, & supported by our own mortars the 53 (WY) light regiment & 25 field regt put in an attack east of the road EMERN-KAHLSTORF, eventually getting into the latter village, where the Regiment consolidated, "B" Coy was detached and sent to GR PRETXIER 9984. During the day we were repeatedly bothered by guns & Nebelwerfers which between them caused 25 casualties.
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