| Regiment | 1st Royal Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Location | France, Near RUMILLY |
| Entry | At 4.30 am the attack commenced and the Battalion moved forward behind the 23rd R Fus and 1/K.R.R.C. When approaching the sunken road in G17. B & D & C Company came under MG fire from some of the enemy who had surrendered to the 23rd R Fus. and then decided to fight again. These men were soon put out of action. On arrival at the 1st Objective (RED LINE) which had been captured by the 23rd R Fus and 1/KRRC it was found that the 3rd Division had lost direction and come a long way too far to the left. When the Battalion moved through to attack the 2nd Objective there were no troops on the right flank, and B Company (in touch with 1/KRRC) were about 500 yards to the left of C Company. Consequently on approaching FORENVILLE C and D Companies came under intense M.G. fire from both flanks and were unable to get further than the main road. At about 8.15 AM 5 enemy tanks drove back the 63rd Division and 1 enemy tank drove back the 3rd Division to the RED LINE. These tanks commenced to work along the RED LINE, but heavy Lewis gun and Rifle fire was opened on the tank moving N from SERANVILLERS and it finally turned and withdrew: the Tanks operating in the vicinity of NIERGNIES appeared to be put out of action. At 8.30 AM an order was sent to C and D Coys to withdraw to the RED LINE under heavy M.G. fire from both flanks and their left rear these two companies (about 80 strong) managed to regain the main line. The Battalion was then reorganised A and B Companies holding the RED LINE, with C and D Companies 500 yards behind in G180. At 1 pm instructions were issued verbally by the B.G.C that the attack on FORENVILLE was to be carried out at 4.30 p.m. with 1 company of 1/KRRC on the left, 2 companies if 1/R.BERKS on the right with 2 Platoons of 23/R FUS. The 3rd Division were to be asked to capture SERANVILLERS at the same time. ZERO hour was afterwards put forward to 3 PM as the 3rd DIVISION had already attacked SERANVILLERS at 1PM, Accordingly A and B Coys attacked at 3 PM. (Orders marked C Attached) The attack again met heavy M.G. fire from the right flank as the 3rd Division had failed to capture SERANVILLERS and little progress was made. At 6 PM the 17th R FUS passed through and attacked FORENVILLE in conjunction with the 3rd Division on the right, and as SERANVILLERS and LA TARGETTE were captured the attack was successful and FORENVILLE taken. |
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