On this day 16th May
1813 - The Light Division reviewed by Lord Wellington at Espeja (Spain).
1915 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – RICHEBOURG ST VAAST.
All the German trenches opposite our line had been very accurately and slowly shelled during the past 3 days.
At 11.30pm an attack by the following troops took place.
On Right 6th Infantry Brigade.
In Centre 5th Infantry Brigade.
On Left MEERUT Division.
This took place on a front approximately from R1 through V1 to V6 (ILLIES map 1/10,000).
The 5th Infantry Brigade were formed as follows:
On Right – 2/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers supported by 2/Oxfrod & Bucks Light Infantry.
On Left – 2/Worcestershire Regt supported by Glasgow Highlanders.
The 2nd HLI were in Reserve.
The attack by 6th Infantry Brigade and half our Right front was successful, the German 1st Line and in most cases their 2nd Line trenches being occupied but on the Left eastwards , it did not succeed. Each of the supporting Battalions supplied 3 Platoons as Working Parties, carrying sand bags and shovels, for the leading battalions.
The Regiment moved out over the breastworks when companies were so ordered in 4 lines: each Coy in 2 lines, C on Right, with A on the Left, Supported by B on the Right and D on the Left.
After the Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers had launched all their men, the Regiment was called on to reinforce them, as the opposition was considerable and the means of ascertaining the results of the Inniskilling’s onslaught very difficult. 10 Platoon were eventually used.
At 11.28pm the enemy opened rifle fire which was very shortly followed by considerable shelling which continued intermittently all day until dark (8pm).
Very fortunately very little shelling was directed on to the captured German Line. During the night attack Lieut Whitfeld and a party of men by good work captured a German machine Gun and 3 Prisoners after killing 7 or 8 of the detachment.
A bombing party under 2nd Lieut Kite successfully defended our extreme Left Flank. Regimental Head Quarters moved about 7am to captured German Line.
The Line occupied was about 120 yards in length, a second fire trench being made on our side of original German parapet.
No counter-attack was anywhere on our line made by the enemy.
The 7th Division about one mile to right of 6th Brigade, made a successful attack at 3.15am and were able to advance over at least 2 lines of trenches.
The Regiment were relieved about 1am on 17th by 2 companies of the 2\HLI and returned into our original breastwork line.
1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – PLOEGSTEERT WOOD
Demonstration –
9am. Long Range fire by 2 Right Coys on Roads in rear of enemy trenches.
11am Artillery bombarded enemy trench facing Left Coy, that Coy joining with rapid fire on enemy’s parapet.
1.45pm Rifle Grenade fire by Centre Coy.
4.15pm Trench Mortar fired by Right Coy with Rifle Grenades on both sides of it, 3 bombs fired, two taking effect in enemy’s trench.
6.15pm Long Range Fire on Roads in rear.
Little reply from enemy except at 4.45pm, when they sent about 40 Rifle Grenades back.
Casualties during the day, 1 Killed (Pte CT Cooper), 4 Wounded.
1813 - The Light Division reviewed by Lord Wellington at Espeja (Spain).
1915 - 2nd Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – RICHEBOURG ST VAAST.
All the German trenches opposite our line had been very accurately and slowly shelled during the past 3 days.
At 11.30pm an attack by the following troops took place.
On Right 6th Infantry Brigade.
In Centre 5th Infantry Brigade.
On Left MEERUT Division.
This took place on a front approximately from R1 through V1 to V6 (ILLIES map 1/10,000).
The 5th Infantry Brigade were formed as follows:
On Right – 2/Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers supported by 2/Oxfrod & Bucks Light Infantry.
On Left – 2/Worcestershire Regt supported by Glasgow Highlanders.
The 2nd HLI were in Reserve.
The attack by 6th Infantry Brigade and half our Right front was successful, the German 1st Line and in most cases their 2nd Line trenches being occupied but on the Left eastwards , it did not succeed. Each of the supporting Battalions supplied 3 Platoons as Working Parties, carrying sand bags and shovels, for the leading battalions.
The Regiment moved out over the breastworks when companies were so ordered in 4 lines: each Coy in 2 lines, C on Right, with A on the Left, Supported by B on the Right and D on the Left.
After the Royal Inniskillings Fusiliers had launched all their men, the Regiment was called on to reinforce them, as the opposition was considerable and the means of ascertaining the results of the Inniskilling’s onslaught very difficult. 10 Platoon were eventually used.
At 11.28pm the enemy opened rifle fire which was very shortly followed by considerable shelling which continued intermittently all day until dark (8pm).
Very fortunately very little shelling was directed on to the captured German Line. During the night attack Lieut Whitfeld and a party of men by good work captured a German machine Gun and 3 Prisoners after killing 7 or 8 of the detachment.
A bombing party under 2nd Lieut Kite successfully defended our extreme Left Flank. Regimental Head Quarters moved about 7am to captured German Line.
The Line occupied was about 120 yards in length, a second fire trench being made on our side of original German parapet.
No counter-attack was anywhere on our line made by the enemy.
The 7th Division about one mile to right of 6th Brigade, made a successful attack at 3.15am and were able to advance over at least 2 lines of trenches.
The Regiment were relieved about 1am on 17th by 2 companies of the 2\HLI and returned into our original breastwork line.
1915 – 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion – PLOEGSTEERT WOOD
Demonstration –
9am. Long Range fire by 2 Right Coys on Roads in rear of enemy trenches.
11am Artillery bombarded enemy trench facing Left Coy, that Coy joining with rapid fire on enemy’s parapet.
1.45pm Rifle Grenade fire by Centre Coy.
4.15pm Trench Mortar fired by Right Coy with Rifle Grenades on both sides of it, 3 bombs fired, two taking effect in enemy’s trench.
6.15pm Long Range Fire on Roads in rear.
Little reply from enemy except at 4.45pm, when they sent about 40 Rifle Grenades back.
Casualties during the day, 1 Killed (Pte CT Cooper), 4 Wounded.
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