Chapter XVI: Appendix: III
DIARY
1914.
Sept. 8. Division embarked Southampton.
9. Commenced disembarking St. Nazaire.
10. Commenced entraining.
12. Into billets Coulommiers--Mortcerf--Marles--Chaume.
13-19. Marching to the Aisne--into General Reserve, D.H.Q. at
Bazoches.
19. 18th Infantry Brigade to I Corps to relieve 2nd Infantry
Brigade.
20. Attack on I Corps--18th Infantry Brigade heavily engaged.
21. 16th Infantry Brigade to II Corps to relieve 7th and 9th
Infantry Brigades, and 17th Infantry Brigade to I Corps to
relieve 6th Infantry Brigade and 4th Guards Brigade.
Sept. 20 to Oct. 6. In trenches on the Aisne.
Oct. 2. Division (less 16th and 17th Infantry Brigades) concentrated
in area Serches--Jury, under III Corps--D.H.Q. at Serches.
6. 17th Infantry Brigade rejoined Division, which marched west.
9. Division (less 16th Infantry Brigade) entrained at St. Sauveur
near Compiegne.
10-11. Division arrived St. Omer and went into billets--19th
Infantry Brigade joined Division (one battalion to Renescure)--one
battalion 18th Infantry Brigade to Racquinghem.
12. March to Hazebrouck to cover detrainment of 4th Division. 16th
Infantry Brigade relieved by French troops.
13. 16th Infantry Brigade entrained for Cassel. Division marched
east--fighting from 1 p.m. on line La Couronne--Merris--Fontaine
Houck, which was reached at nightfall--considerable casualties.
14. Line reached R. du Leet--Blanche Maison--east of Bailleul.
Oct. 15-16. 18th Infantry Brigade crossed River Lys at Sailly,
and 17th Infantry Brigade at Bac St. Maur during the
night--Steenwerck occupied.
16. Line advanced to Rouge du Bout--Rue Dormoire. 16th Infantry
Brigade rejoined Division and went into Divisional Reserve.
17. Line Rouge du Bout--Bois Grenier--Chapelle d'Armentieres
reached without opposition.
18. Reconnaissance in force on enemy's reported positions. Line at
night after considerable fighting Radinghem--Ennetieres--
Premesques--Halte to west of Perenchies--l'Epinette (east
of Armentieres).
19. Entrenching above line.
20. Massed German attack all along line--Division driven back to
Touquet--Bois Blancs--Le Quesne--La Houssoie--Rue du
Bois--l'Epinette.
21. 19th Infantry Brigade (sent to fill gap between II and III
Corps) driven back from Le Maisnil--Fromelles to La
Boutillerie--Touquet.
22. Heavy attack on 19th Infantry Brigade in evening repulsed.
23. 17th Infantry Brigade relieved by 4th Division and became
Divisional Reserve--attacks on 16th Infantry Brigade
(K.S.L.I. and Y. and L.) repulsed with much loss to enemy--
300 dead in front of trenches.
24-25. Continuous attacks on Divisional front throughout day, all
repulsed, but situation critical.
25-26. Retirement made during night to prepared line about half a mile
in rear Touquet--Flamengerie Farm--Rue du Bois, so as to
straighten front.
27-28. Attack by night on 18th Infantry Brigade trenches, which were
captured but retaken by counter-attack--East Yorks especially
distinguished themselves.
28-29. Attack by night on 19th Infantry Brigade repulsed.
29-30. Strong attack by night on 19th Infantry Brigade captured
trenches, but was driven out by counter-attack and 200 dead
counted.
Nov. and Dec. } 1915. } In trenches Armentieres front. Jan. and Feb. }
Mar. 12. L'Epinette attacked and captured by North Staffordshire
Regiment.
Mar. 15. 16th Infantry Brigade moved up to Vlamertinghe, but
returned next day.
May. A little mining and counter-mining on the Frelinghien and Le
Touquet fronts.
27. Major-Gen. Sir John Keir left to command VI Corps, being
succeeded by Brig.-Gen. Congreve. Brig.-Gen. Humphreys
succeeded Brig.-Gen. Paget in command of Divisional
Artillery.
Relief by 27th Division commenced.
31. Front handed over to 27th Division--19th Infantry Brigade left
Division.
May 31 to June 1. Took over new front Ypres Salient.
June 2. Relief completed on front from Ypres--Roulers Railway to
Wieltje.
5. 17th Infantry Brigade into line, which now extended to just
short of Turco Farm.
8. D.H.Q. from Couthove to Vlamertinghe.
15. Gallant bombing attack by Lieut. Smith's Grenadier Platoon to
assist 41st Brigade.
16. Artillery co-operation with 3rd Divisional attack on Bellewarde
Farm.
20. 16th Infantry Brigade's first experience of gas.
22. Artillery co-operation in 14th Divisional attack.
July 6. Artillery co-operation in 4th Divisional attack near Pilkem.
30. Attack on 14th Division at Hooge. Drove them back to Sanctuary
and Zouave Woods. Counter-attack unsuccessful.
31. 16th Infantry Brigade moved up. Decided to relieve 6th Division
and give it task of retaking Hooge.
Aug. 2-3. Relieved.
6. Took over new front and commenced bombardment.
9. Attack on Hooge by 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades--infantry
moved close up under barrage, which remained on support trench
five minutes longer--attack successful, but right suffered
very heavily from shelling from south and fire from east.
Oct. 14. 17th Infantry Brigade left for 24th Division, and 71st
arrived.
Nov. 19-20. Division relieved--to Houtkerque and Poperinghe, but had
to find working parties for divisions in line.
Dec. 14. Into line again--Routers Railway to Wieltje.
19. Gas attack by enemy.
1916.
Jan. 24. 11th Essex patrol raid (3 officers and 10 other ranks) on
mound on Verlorenhoek Road--killed six Germans.
Feb. 14-15. Two enemy raids near Wieltje and Trenches B9 and 10
repulsed.
Mar. 9-10. 1st The Buffs bombing raid (1 officer and 19 other ranks)
on crater at I 12.
15-16. 2nd D.L.I. (3 officers and 44 other ranks) successful raid,
capturing a prisoner--Bangalore torpedo laid by Lieut. Smith,
R.N.V.R.
15-18. Relieved from line--to Houtkerque, Wormhoudt, Calais.
April 15-18. Back into line 5,500 yards front, with left on canal next
to 58th French Division and right next Guards Division.
19-20. Enemy occupied trenches out of which he had shelled a company
of the 8th Bedfords in Morteldje Salient--counter-attack
unsuccessful.
21. Trenches retaken by two companies K.S.L.I., in spite of very
heavy going.
May 14-15. Enemy attacked four bombing posts of 1st The Buffs--beaten
off three times, but captured them at fourth attempt--all
garrison casualties.
June 3. Five officers and 200 other ranks 1st West Yorks drove enemy
out of posts on frontage 450 yards and re-occupied it.
10. "Admiral" reported missing from patrol of 9th Norfolks.
17-18. Relieved--to Bollezeele, Houtkerque, Wormhoudt.
July 15-17. Into line north-west of Hooge to north of Wieltje.
July 29 to Aug. 1. Relieved preparatory to entraining.
Aug. 2-3. Entrained Hopoutre, Proven, and Esquelbec, and detrained
Candas and Doullens.
3-4. Marched to Acheux--Raincheval area.
5-7. Into line on Ancre--preparing for attack.
21. 9th Suffolk and 2nd Sherwood Foresters' unsuccessful raid.
24. 14th D.L.I. unsuccessful raid.
Aug. 26-27. Relieved and began to move south to Vignacourt--
Flesselles area.
Sept. 6-8. Moved up to XIV Corps area.
11. Into line on front between Leuze Wood and Ginchy.
13. Attack by 71st Infantry Brigade on Quadrilateral
unsuccessful--renewed in evening but only partially successful.
15. _General attack_ by 16th and 71st Infantry Brigades--6th
Divisional objective beyond the Quadrilateral--attack
failed--renewed in evening and failed again.
16. 18th Infantry Brigade into line in relief of 71st Infantry
Brigade.
18. Fresh attack on Quadrilateral after bombardment by 16th and 18th
Infantry Brigades--successful.
19. Relieved.
21. Into line again.
25. _General attack_--6th Division on Lesboeufs, and south to
Morval--by 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades, with 71st Infantry
Brigade in reserve--successful--over 500 prisoners.
30. Relieved by 20th Division.
Oct. 8-9. Into line relieving 20th Division.
12. _General attack_--6th Division towards Le Transloy--by
18th and 71st Infantry Brigades--16th Infantry Brigade in
reserve--unsuccessful.
15. Attack renewed--partially successful.
18. Fresh attack by 71st Infantry Brigade--only partially
successful on left.
20. Relieved--to Corbie.
28. Assembled in reserve to I Corps.
Nov. 25. Into line on Canal Sector, La Bassee.
During Dec. Side-slipped slightly to south.
1917.
Jan. 26. 1st West Yorks raid (6 officers and 160 other ranks under
Capt. Trimble) in Cambrin Sector--five prisoners.
29. 8th Bedford Regiment raid (C Company--150--under Capt. Brewster)
in Hohenzollern Sector--two prisoners.
Feb. 4. Enemy raided 1st West Yorks and captured a Lewis gun and a
prisoner.
Feb. 9. 2nd Sherwood Foresters raid (6 officers and 100 other
ranks under Major Wylie) in Quarries Sector under smoke barrage
by Special Co. R.E.--20 dug-outs blown in--about 60 enemy
killed and wounded--8 prisoners.
10. 2nd D.L.I. raid (3 officers and 38 other ranks) on Mad
Point--over 30 enemy dead counted--1 prisoner brought in
--several dug-outs destroyed.
12. 71st Infantry Brigade scouting party raid partly successful
only--one machine-gun entrenchment blown in.
15. Enemy attempted raid in Hohenzollern Sector repulsed by artillery
and machine-gun fire--one enemy identification made.
16-17. Relieved by 21st Division--to Bethune--Busnes--Robecq.
Mar. 2-4. Into line Loos Sector--from Double Crassier to Railway
Alley.
18. Enemy carried out several simultaneous raids--that on 2nd York
and Lancasters dispersed by Lewis-gun fire--that on Buffs
repulsed after hand-to-hand fighting--that on 1st West
Yorks penetrated and captured one Lewis gun and six men.
19. Enemy raided 2nd York and Lancasters--unsuccessful--two
Germans killed in our trenches.
24. 11th Essex Battalion raid on area round Posen Crater (4
companies of 2 officers and 80 other ranks each)--penetrated to
enemy support line and remained one and a half hours--captured
1 officer, 8 other ranks, and 1 machine-gun.
25. Enemy raided 9th Norfolk Regiment and 2nd Sherwood Foresters
and captured nine prisoners, penetrating some distance
between the battalions, but leaving one officer and three
other ranks dead in our trenches.
30. 1st The Buffs raid (4 officers and 100 other ranks under
Capt. B. L. Strauss) in Loos Sector--remained in trenches
over half-hour--took one prisoner and one machine-gun, and
blew in eight dug-outs.
April 5. Enemy raid on 2nd Foresters at Border Redoubt--driven off
with very slight casualties.
April 8. 2nd D.L.I. patrol raid (2 officers and 47 other ranks)
in Loos Sector--held up by wire.
10. 9th Suffolks raid (D Company under Capt. England, M.C.) in
Quarries Sector--successful and obtained identification.
12. 2nd York and Lancasters raid (2 officers and 80 other ranks
under Capt. Hardy)--got into trench and killed sixteen
Germans.
13. Enemy withdrew from Railway Triangle, closely followed by 2nd
York and Lancasters, who entered enemy dug-outs before candles
had burnt out.
24th Division on our right also advancing line.
System of bombardment followed by pauses during which patrols
went out and occupied what they could.
14. Enemy small raid on 1st West Yorks--driven off by counter-attack
and identification obtained.
15. A certain amount of ground gained in the face of increasing
opposition--Buffs and York and Lancasters advanced a bit.
16. Systematic bombardment of Hill 70 trenches commenced--enemy
counter-attacked and drove Buffs back slightly, but failed
against 8th Bedfords' advanced post--D Company, West Yorks
(3 officers and 65 other ranks under Capt. Rendall), attempted
raid, but driven back by artillery fire.
17. Gas released on enemy--ideal conditions--enemy attacked
right flank of 8th Bedfords but driven back.
18. Enemy shelled Loos heavily during night (about 1,000 5.9s)
--1st Leicesters (C Company under Capt. Cox) raided and
captured one prisoner--1st K.S.L.I. and 8th Bedfords made
more ground, latter taking twenty-seven prisoners and one
machine-gun.
19. 1st K.S.L.I. got north end of Novel Alley, but three attempts
to push forward by 8th Bedfords unsuccessful--K.S.L.I. took
eighteen prisoners--14th D.L.I. relieved 8th Bedfords--11th
Essex placed under orders of G.O.C., 16th Infantry Brigade.
20. 46th Division relieved 24th Division on our right--11th Essex
into line, relieving 1st Buffs and 1st K.S.L.I.
April 20-21. Line partially withdrawn to allow of bombardment.
21. Attack by 14th D.L.I. in conjunction with 46th Division--
successful--two machine-guns and thirty-six prisoners.
21-22. 14th D.L.I. repulsed two enemy counter-attacks.
22. Attack by 14th D.L.I. and 11th Essex in conjunction with 46th
Division--latter unable to attack Narwhal trench on account
of uncut wire--11th Essex unable to get on--14th D.L.I.
took objective, but gradually shelled and sniped out and
driven back to original line--forty-six prisoners and three
machine-guns.
22. 1st Leicesters relieved 14th D.L.I.--9th Suffolks lent to 16th
Infantry Brigade--position became stationary with enemy in
Nash Alley.
23. Small enemy raid dispersed and an identification obtained.
26. G.O.C. 71st Infantry Brigade assumed command Loos Sector vice
G.O.C. 16th Infantry Brigade to northern sector of Division.
27. Enemy raided in Quarries Sector--one prisoner taken by us.
28. Raid by 9th Norfolks (No. 8 Platoon) stopped by new wire--same
by West Yorks, also unsuccessful.
29. 7,000 gas shells by enemy on Vermelles, Philosophe, and Maroc.
May 2. 46th Division took over portion of Southern Brigade area.
5. Enemy patrol entered our lines, but was shot and identification
made.
9. Enemy attempted raid on 2nd D.L.I., but driven off.
13. Heavy enemy bombardment in 14bis Sector--raid broken up as it
came out of trenches by artillery fire.
15-16. Enemy raided Boyau 46 and captured four men.
20-21. 1st West Yorks raid (2 officers and 52 other ranks) entered
trenches but enemy fled--no result.
22. 1st Leicesters raid (B Company, 4 officers and 132 other ranks,
under Capt. Wykes) in Quarries Sector--several dug-outs with
enemy in destroyed.
May 28. 2nd Sherwood Foresters (6 officers and 133 other ranks
under Major Addison-Smith) raided under cover of a smoke
barrage--captured two prisoners and destroyed some dug-outs,
machine-gun entrenchments and tunnel entrances.
June 1. 1st K.S.L.I. (3 officers and 130 other ranks under Capt. E.
Spink, M.C.) raided enemy near Hendon Alley--sixteen Germans
killed and machine-gun entrenchments blown in.
4. Two officers and forty other ranks of 1st K.S.L.I. raided same
trenches and got in, but no prisoners taken.
6. Small raid 2nd D.L.I. (2 officers and 50 other ranks)
unsuccessful--enemy's barrage too heavy.
8. Enemy small raid on 9th Suffolks at Newport Sap repulsed--four
enemy dead left on our wire.
10. 9th Suffolks (3 officers and 94 other ranks) raided as far as
enemy support trenches, but found no one.
12-13. 9th Norfolks (1 officer and 35 other ranks) attempted raid on
Merthyr Sap, but could not get in.
15. 14th D.L.I. successful daylight raid (3 officers and 80 other
ranks) in vicinity of Nash Alley--a good many enemy killed
and seven prisoners taken.
23-24. Enemy entered post of 11th Essex and did some damage, but was
driven out by counter-attack.
24. Raid by 1st Buffs (two companies under Capt. Jacob) near
Halifax Alley--remained in trenches three and a half hours
and captured fifteen prisoners and two aerial-dart machines.
Lieuts. Harrington and Buss (both killed) greatly
distinguished themselves.
27-28. Very gallant raid by 2nd D.L.I. (2 officers and 84 other ranks
under Capt. Fawcett) and 11th Essex (3 officers and 67 other
ranks under Capt. Silver) in connection with operations of
46th Division--though anticipated the raiders got into the
enemy's trenches and remained there one hour, repelling all
counter-attacks--one prisoner taken.
July 1-2. Small enemy raid on Novel Alley unsuccessful--left
one dead in our trench.
3. Small enemy raid on 1st West Yorks in Novel Alley unsuccessful
--two prisoners taken and one enemy left dead in trench.
7-8. Brilliant repulse of strong enemy raid near Boyau 70 by 1st
The Buffs and 1st K.S.L.I.--two prisoners taken by us.
9-10. 14th D.L.I. raid (1 officer and 30 other ranks)--trenches
entered but enemy fled--enemy small raid on Novel Alley
driven off.
12. Patrol raid (3 patrols of 12) by 8th Bedfords in Hulluch
Sector--one prisoner.
16. Surprise raid by 9th Norfolks (2 officers and 36 other
ranks)--stiff fighting but no identification obtained.
20. Three patrols (3 officers and 55 other ranks) of 2nd York and
Lancasters raided enemy's posts but only partly successful.
23. Raid by 1st Leicesters (8 officers and 291 other ranks under
Capt. Mosse) in Quarries Sector--enemy bolted into dug-outs
--remained one and a half hours in enemy's trenches--one
prisoner taken.
Division relieved by 46th Division--D.H.Q. to Ourton--
troops to area Ourton-Monchy Breton.
31. 9th Norfolks and 1st Leicesters went by bus to Bac St. Maur to
come under orders G.O.C., 57th Division.
Aug. 5. 9th Norfolks and 1st Leicesters returned.
24-27. Into line on Hill 70 front.
Sept. 9. 2nd Sherwood Foresters raided enemy Hill 70 Sector
unsuccessfully--enemy had bombarded trenches all day and
blown in many, and had anticipated the raid.
13. 8th Bedfords (2 officers and 85 other ranks) raided enemy and
bombed his crowded trenches, but failed to get in.
20-21. Enemy's raid on 11th Essex failed.
24. Side-stepped with a view to attack on Cite St. Auguste.
29. Enemy raided York and Lancasters, but was repulsed and left an
unwounded prisoner in our hands.
Oct. 4. Preparations for attack. Enemy raid (about half
battalion) on 18th Infantry Brigade repulsed.
Oct. 19. Raid with heavy bombardment on 14th D.L.I. unsuccessful.
20-23. Relieved by 11th Division--to St. Hilaire area.
29. Marched south to join Third Army. Training with tanks.
Nov. 15-19. Commenced march to Cambrai front.
20. _Battle of Cambrai._
16th Infantry Brigade on right, 71st Infantry Brigade on
left, 18th passed through--broke both systems of Hindenburg
Line, capturing Ribecourt and Premy Chapel Ridge--first
company into Marcoing--over 1,100 prisoners and 23 guns.
All objectives gained with few casualties by 12 noon.
Congratulatory message from Corps Commander.
21. Action of 14th D.L.I. supporting cavalry in advance to Cantaing.
26-27. 18th Infantry Brigade extended front to Cantaing. 1st The Buffs
cleared and occupied Noyelles.
30. _Enemy counter-attack in force on Third Army._
16th Infantry Brigade moved from Divisional Reserve to near
Beaucamps and ordered to counter-attack on Gouzeaucourt--
found Guards already in possession.
Arranged to attack by night on La Vacquerie-Gonnelieu--
attack unsuccessful.
Gallant action of 18th Infantry Brigade transport under Shea,
Q.M., 2nd D.L.I., and Paul, Transport officer, 1st West Yorks
--both died of wounds.
Congratulatory message on this action received from G.O.C.,
29th Division.
Night Dec. 2/3. 16th Infantry Brigade relieved part of 29th Division
north of St. Quentin Canal.
3. Enemy attacked K.S.L.I. and 14th D.L.I. north of canal. Three
counter-attacks by D.L.I., but finally driven back.
Bedfords and York and Lancasters put in to restore situation
--partially successful.
Front withdrawn to line of canal night of 3rd/4th.
4. General withdrawal of British line to Support System of
Hindenburg Line ordered.
Dec. 10. Relieved by 19th Division.
11. 16th Infantry Brigade to VI Corps.
12. 18th Infantry Brigade to VI Corps.
Above brigades placed at disposal of 3rd Division, and went
into line to relieve two of their brigades on Bullecourt
front for a few days.
Dec. 14 to } In rest--Basseux area. Jan. 17, 1918. }
1918.
Jan. 17. Commenced move up to Fremicourt.
Feb. 4. Enemy's silent raid on three posts of Boursies area and
captured one prisoner.
13. Side-stepped into Lagnicourt Sector.
Mar. 3. 1st K.S.L.I. (2 officers and 50 other ranks, B Company) raided
Magpie's Nest and captured one machine-gun--enemy fled.
16. 1st Leicesters (2 officers and 50 other ranks) repeated raid--
post empty.
21. _Great German offensive commenced._ Fighting all day--heavy
casualties--71st and 18th Infantry Brigades holding out in
Reserve line till dark.
22. Fighting all day on Corps line.
Remnants of Division relieved at night--to Achiet and
Logeast Wood.
25. By train to Second Army.
30. King's visit to Steenvoorde.
April 3-4. Into line in Ypres Salient on high ground between Menin and
Zonnebeke Roads--came under XXII Corps.
13. 71st Infantry Brigade left to join 49th Division on Neuve Eglise
front.
16. Line withdrawn to battle zone--enemy followed up in the
afternoon and a good many casualties were inflicted on him--
one party of twenty-five annihilated.
18. Enemy raided post unsuccessfully and lost an officer
killed--identification obtained by us.
25. Capture of Kemmel by enemy from the French.
26. 71st Infantry Brigade returned to Division.
Night 26-27. Further withdrawal to west end of Zillebeke Lake-White
Chateau.
29. Heavy attacks against Division on our right.
May 8. Unsuccessful enemy attack on Ridgewood.
11-14. Side-slipped to south and came into II Corps.
19. 11th Essex raided Manor Farm successfully but no prisoners
taken.
May 22. 2nd D.L.I. (A and C Companies) raided pill-boxes
Bedford front and took sixteen prisoners.
28-29. Attack by 11th Essex in conjunction with French 46th Division.
June 5. 2nd York and Lancasters raided (3 officers and 68 other ranks)
Lankhoff Farm unsuccessfully.
7-8. Division relieved--to Dirty Bucket Camp and Jan ter Biezen area.
71st T.M.B. co-operated in 46th French Division operation.
19. 18th T.M.B. lent to 7th French Division for a raid.
27-28. Relieved 46th French Division in Dickebusch front.
July 6. Enemy's raid on Scottish Wood repulsed.
9. Patrol of 2nd Sherwood Foresters rushed a post near Ridgewood by
day--captured a machine-gun and killed the garrison.
14. _Attack by 18th Infantry Brigade on Ridgewood._ 1st West Yorks
and 2nd D.L.I. assisted by two companies 1st Middlesex of
33rd Division--enemy surprised--most successful--
captures, 7 officers, 341 other ranks, 23 machine-guns, 1
H.T.M., 2 L.T.Ms.
Aug. 2. 1st The Buffs daylight raid on the Brasserie--successful--
three prisoners.
6. H.M. The King saw some of the troops at Winnezeele.
8. Minor operation by 18th Infantry Brigade in connection with
41st Division's operation--company West Yorks unsuccessful
--company 2nd D.L.I. on right co-operating with 41st
Division entirely successful.
In August. Attachment of units of 27th American Division.
21-24. Relieved by 27th American Division--to Wizernes area.
31. Division marched to Arques.
Sept. 1. Entrained for Fourth Army.
2-4. Detrained and billeted in area Heilly-Ribemont-Franvillers.
13-14. Relieved 32nd Division at head of IX Corps by bus.
18th Infantry Brigade took over front in Holnon Wood with
11th Essex.
16th Infantry Brigade in support in Trefcon area.
71st Infantry Brigade in reserve in Monchy-Lagache
area.
Sept. 15. 11th Essex attacked and captured trenches just clear of
Holnon Wood, taking forty-six prisoners.
15-16. Divisional front re-organized with West Yorks on right and
Essex on left.
17. West Yorks attacked Holnon Village and Essex Badger Copse to
establish starting line for general attack on 18th September
--fighting all day--Essex eventually successful--West
Yorks unsuccessful.
18. _General attack_ to capture high ground overlooking St.
Quentin--71st Infantry Brigade on right, with D.L.I.
attached to capture Holnon--16th Infantry Brigade on left
--latter advanced 3,000 yards--former held up by
Quadrilateral--right made little progress as French failed
to capture Round and Manchester Hills on right flank.
19. Attack renewed on Quadrilateral but unsuccessful.
20-23. Digging new assembly trenches and bombarding Quadrilateral with
heavy artillery.
24. Attack on whole IX Corps front--18th Infantry Brigade
on right, 16th Infantry Brigade on left--fighting all day;
half Quadrilateral captured by nightfall.
1st Leicesters, attached to 18th Infantry Brigade, captured
Douai Trench east of Holnon at 10.30. p.m. by moonlight.
25. Gradual completion of capture of Quadrilateral. Selency
Village captured--Position consolidated.
26-30. On position.
Sept. 30 to Oct. 1. Relief of Division by the French.
Oct. 1-3. Resting in Tertry area.
4. Division relieved 46th Division--D.H.Q. at La Baraque, 71st
Infantry Brigade at Magny la Fosse, 16th Infantry Brigade
took over line with 139th Infantry Brigade (46th Division)
left at Sequehart under 6th Division.
7. 71st relieved part of 16th Infantry Brigade on left next
to 30th American Division.
8. _General attack_ towards Bohain--71st Infantry Brigade on
left, 16th Infantry Brigade on right, 18th Infantry
Brigade in Divisional Reserve with West Yorks (attached to
16th Infantry Brigade) attacking up valley, French on
right--all objectives gained by night.
Oct. 8-9. Took over part of line by night from 30th American Division
and handed over part to 46th Division.
9. Attack under a barrage at dawn towards Bohain and Fresnoy
--Bohain captured during night by 9th Norfolks.
10. Advance by 71st Infantry Brigade to high ground 2,000
yards east of Bohain--46th Division on right.
11. Reconnaissance in force by 71st Infantry Brigade brought
to a standstill by machine-gun fire.
11-12. 18th Infantry Brigade relieved 71st Infantry Brigade
by night.
12. 18th Infantry Brigade reconnaissance in force at 4.30 p.m.
made a little ground.
14. 71st Infantry Brigade relieved 18th Infantry Brigade.
16-17. 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades moved to north for general
attack on 18th, with 30th American Division on left and 46th
Division on right. Brig.-Gen. Walker wounded.
18. _General attack_ through Vaux Andigny--16th Infantry
Brigade on left, 18th Infantry Brigade on right, 71st
Infantry Brigade in reserve--successful--1st Division
passed through 6th Division, which came into Corps Reserve.
19-20. Resting.
20-21. Division relieved 30th American Division in St. Souplet area
--18th Infantry Brigade on right next to 1st Division, 71st
Infantry Brigade on left next to 25th Division--D.H.Q.
Becquigny.
23. _General attack_ to gain high ground overlooking Sambre
Canal--zero 1.30 a.m.--18th Infantry Brigade successful
on right--71st Infantry Brigade on left, disorganized by
gas shelling in assembly position and losing the barrage by
reason of the high fences and the mist, gained most of their
objectives by the afternoon.
23-24. 16th Infantry Brigade relieved 71st Infantry Brigade by night
and pushed on, completing capture of final objective.
Oct. 28. 71st Infantry Brigade relieved 18th Infantry Brigade.
30. Successful attack on a farm by 1st The Buffs.
30-31. Division relieved by 32nd Division, went to rest at Fresnoy le
Grand.
Nov. 6. Division moved to Bohain.
11. Hostilities ceased.
14. Division marched to area Catillon-Mazinghien-Vaux Andigny.
15. To area Prisches-Le Sart-Catillon.
16. To area Avesnes-Favril.
17. Halt.
18. To area Solre le Chateau-Dompierre.
19. Tail closed to Dimechaux-Sars Poteries.
20. _March to the Rhine commenced._
To area Barbencon-Thirimont. Tail at Solre le Chateau.
23. Tail closed to Barbencon-Beaumont.
24. To area Leneffe-Fraire-Walcourt-Boussu.
Nov. 25th to Dec. 1. Halt.
Dec. 2. To area Mettet-Flavion-Morialme. Tail at Leneffe-Fraire.
3. To area Sommieres-Onhaye.
4. To area Bouvignes-Anhee. Tail at Mettet-Biesmeree.
5. H.Q. Group and 71st Infantry Brigade crossed Meuse and went to
Crupet-Braibant-Purnode.
16th and 18th Infantry Brigades closed to river at
Anhee-Bouvignes. Tail at Gerin-Maredret.
6. 16th and 18th Infantry Brigades crossed Meuse Division in area
Achet-Hamois-Ciney. Tail at Yvoir.
7. Halt.
8. To area Les Avins-Pailhe. Tail at Ciney.
9. To area Ouffet-Tinlot-Stree. Tail at Havelange.
10. Halt.
11. To area Remouchamps-Aywaille-Comblain la Tour. Tail at Tinlot.
12. To area Francorchamps-Stoumont. Tail at Ouffet-Hody.
13. 71st Infantry Brigade crossed German frontier to Malmedy.
Remainder in area Stavelot-Stoumont. Tail at Oneux-Presseux.
Dec. 14. H.Q. Group crossed frontier--71st Infantry Brigade to
Elsenborn Camp. Tail at Aywaille.
15. 18th Infantry Brigade crossed frontier--71st Infantry Brigade
to Montjoie. Tail at Stoumont.
16. 16th Infantry Brigade crossed frontier--71st Infantry Brigade
to Simmerath-Rotgen. Tail at Malmedy.
17. Tail to Elsenborn Camp.
18. Halt.
19. To area Heinbach-Gemund-Schleiden. Tail at Elsenborn Camp.
20. To area Mechernich-Kommern-Zulpich. Tail at Montjoie.
21. To area Euskirchen-Zulpich. Tail at Harpersheid-Drieborn.
22. To area Lechenich-Weilerswist. Tail at Vlatten-Satzvey.
23. To area Rondorf-Kendenich. Tail at Zulpich-Froitzhein.
D.H.Q. at Bruhl--all units now in final positions.
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A Short History of the 6th Division: Aug. 1914-March 1919Chapter XVI: Appendix: III
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