| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, ERVILLERS |
| Entry | Dispositions the same as during the night 23/24. At 10 AM BGC 99th Inf Bde came to BN HQ and gave orders for the Battn to get ready to attack and capture the high ground N of MORY and get into line with the Guards Division who were reported to be holding MORY SWITCH as far south as B9D 5.5 1/KRRC to be in support and 10 Tanks (Mark V) to assist. A barrage of smoke and heavies to be placed on the high ground NE of BEHAGNIES which was not going to be attacked. Cavalry to follow up and if the opportunity occurred to go through the Battn and turn S, E of MORY. At the same time an attack was to be made S of SAPIGNIES. Zero to be at 12.30 PM if possible. BM244 and BM245 (attached marked "D") - the latter fixing Zero for 3.30 pm - were then received. Three Companies were withdrawn from their positions and the Battn assembled in the valley at BN HQ where orders for the attack were given ..................................... At 2.45 PM the Battalion moved forward by platoons at 100 yards interval (keeping at the bottom of the valley N of ERVILLERS) to the jumping off positions B8 C 40. At 3.30 PM the barrage descended on the line B15 A 25 - B20 D 68 where it remained for 12 minutes then moving forward 300 yards every 3 minutes. The Battalion came under heavy MG fire as soon as it entered B15 square and was held up on the left by guns firing from the trenches in B15 D. Tanks and Infantry worked up on the right and the whole line was then able to resume the advance finishing up on the line of the sunken road B15 D 9500 - MORY COPSE inclusive - MORY SWITCH touch being obtained with the Guards in B9 D. Until dark MG fire was very heavy from the ridge NE of BEHAGNIES and from B10 C and D. A large number of prisoners were captured representing 5 different Regiments and considerable casualties were inflicted on the enemy by Tanks and Infantry. No officers became casualties but 60-80 ORs were hit, a very large percentage of these by MG fire. Directly our troops were on their objectives cavalry began to move up the valley in B15 A but were unable to get through owing to the intense MG fire. Battalion HQ were established at B13 A 94 and visual communication with 99th Inf Bde (A17 central) opened at 5 PM. At 8PM a message was received that the Brigade would be relieved by a Battn of the 187th Inf Bde At [blank] pm the relief was completed and the Battn assembled at BNHQ and marched by company to A17 central where a 15 minute halt was made and water issued from the 2 Battalion water carts which had moved forward to that point. Orders were there received that the Battalion was to bivouac in F12 C. The Battn arrived there at about 5 AM 25/8/18 Through the operations August 21st - 24th the weather was very hot with little wind. Supply arrangements worked very smoothly and the men were never short of SAA, food or water. Large numbers of prisoners were captured together with MGs, Rifles and countless other stores. Owing to the pace at which the operations were carried out no attempt could be made to make even a rough list of the captured material. The total casualties for the 4 days were:- OFFICERS Killed LIEUT W L HUMBLEY Rev C H BELL MC CF Wounded CAPT LORD MC MM, LIEUT BALDWIN, 2/LIEUT BUSH, 2/LIEUT CUMMING 2/LIEUT THORBY Other Ranks killed 24 wounded 196 missing 7 To Hospital NYD Gas 35 |
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